Navigation is a major differentiator
Basic robot vacuums may move randomly, while more advanced models use lidar, cameras, or structured mapping to clean rooms more efficiently.
Compare vacuum and mop performance separately
Strong suction does not automatically mean strong mopping. Check brush design, carpet handling, mop pressure, and whether the robot can avoid wetting rugs.
Look at the dock
Self-emptying, mop washing, drying, and water refilling can reduce maintenance, but larger docks also take more space and usually increase the total cost.
Software and obstacle avoidance
Good mapping controls, room selection, no-go zones, and reliable object detection can make the robot much easier to live with.
Bottom line
Compare navigation, cleaning performance, dock automation, maintenance, and app controls before choosing a robot vacuum.