Start with your floors and the hair you actually find
Make a simple map: hard floors, rugs, high-pile carpets, narrow gaps, raised thresholds and the places where your pet sleeps. Long hair around a brush and fine hair embedded in a rug are different problems. A manufacturer's maximum suction figure does not answer either one on its own.
Check a model's published floor and carpet behaviour, then look for evidence obtained under conditions close to your own. Treat an undocumented result as unknown rather than assuming a more expensive robot must be better.
Brush design deserves as much attention as suction
Ask how the main brush and its ends can be removed, which parts need regular cleaning and what replacement parts cost. An anti-tangle mechanism may reduce intervention; it is still useful to inspect the maintenance instructions for the exact edition.
Documented example: Roborock describes the Saros 10 DuoDivide brush as directing collected hair towards the central dustbin inlet. That is a stated mechanism, not a BotsMarket test of hair removal in your home.
The dock should fit your routine and your room
List what you expect the dock to automate: dust emptying, mop washing, drying or water handling. Leave space to open lids, remove tanks and service the unit. A large dock that is difficult to reach can turn an apparent convenience into another chore.
Compare recurring work as well as recurring purchases. Bags, filters, brushes and any recommended cleaning solution affect the effort and cost of ownership. Ask whether the quoted package includes the same accessories in your country.
Obstacle recognition is something to validate
Pet toys, cables, bowls and accidents deserve an explicit test or a clear manufacturer statement. Object recognition is not a guarantee that every object will be avoided. Keep fragile or hazardous items out of the route and use exclusion zones where appropriate.
If a model includes a camera, decide which functions you will actually enable. On the Saros 10 page, Roborock states that pet recognition and pet video features require video functionality to be enabled manually in its app. Read the settings for the model you are comparing.
A comparison sheet you can reuse
Fill in the same sheet for two or three exact models. Leave missing information visible and ask the seller to resolve it before you decide.
| Your constraint | What to check | Evidence to request |
|---|---|---|
| Hair on rugs | Brush and carpet cleaning behaviour | A test on a comparable rug |
| Long hair around the brush | Brush removal and maintenance | Exact-model manual and parts list |
| Low furniture or thresholds | Clearance and obstacle limits | Dimensions and stated conditions |
| Pet toys and bowls | Object detection and no-go zones | A demonstration with those objects |
| Limited dock space | Footprint and service access | Installation dimensions |
| Ongoing effort | Consumables and manual tasks | A replacement-parts quote |
Which model should you shortlist?
Use the catalogue to choose compatible models, then compare their documented features. Give priority to the constraints that would otherwise require daily intervention. When an important point is unknown, keep that uncertainty in the comparison instead of replacing it with a star rating.
A useful buying decision ends with a model, a confirmed configuration and an acceptable maintenance routine. It does not need a universal winner.
Method & evidence
This guide is an editorial analysis of documented product information. It is not a hands-on test. Before purchasing, request a demonstration in your environment and written confirmation of the exact configuration, delivery and service.