It does come at a hefty price, and there are cheaper models such as the Shark PowerDetect, that can do a decent job. However, if you're after a splurge buy, and want top-notch results each time, we would recommend the investment.

Beyond performance, we tested ease of use by examining how intuitive the controls were, the clarity of the initial setup, and how simple it was to remove and clean all components after use. We also rated the user manuals for their helpfulness and clarity.

✅ You don't have much space: The SwitchBot is very tiny, and can get into tight spaces that others can't. The dock is also compact for a self-empty option.

✅ You want something that mops well: The X10 Pro Omni's mops had no problem with tricky cleaning tasks like sticky sauces and dried-on sugary drinks.

The multipurpose cleaning tool can cut and pull the hair around the roller (Make sure the bottom switch is on before charging or working.)

Self-emptying robots take up significantly more space on your floors than the smaller charging bases of manually emptied robot vacuums, but they make for a more hands-free cleaning experience. These bases can often go weeks without having to be emptied and for models that mop too, many have a water tank inside big enough to hold multiple cleaning sessions worth of water for your robot.

While the robot does most of the work for you, there may still be areas that it misses, like under sofas or corners it can't reach. Just like this, there are other factors to consider before splashing the cash, so let’s take a look.

The dock is also very compact for a self-empty model. The interior space is mostly given over to a larger-than-normal dust bag, which means you won't be bothered by the tiny onboard bin.

While the app is intuitive, and the mapping good, there is a major issue for anyone with an open plan living space. Namely, you can't separate it into different zones. It Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners won't be a problem for everyone, but if you live in an open plan home, you'll probably want to opt for a different brand.

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At first, a robot vacuum cleaner can sound like an extravagance (particularly when you can pick up the more familiar version for a knockdown price – some of the best vacuum cleaners are under £100). However, in a world where everyone is just getting busier, it makes sense to spend a bit more and reclaim some valuable time by introducing a little automation into things.

It's super convenient not to have to dump out contents after every run especially if you're upgrading from a typical on-board dustbin. The Shark IQ excelled at all of our tests, even picking up kitty litter on the carpet which other models (like our previous pick for this category, the Roomba i3+) scored low marks in.

The T30s did very well on our cleaning tests, earning an average score of 93%; while that isn't tops among the best robot vacuums, that's still very good.

In our tests, it excelled at removing pet hair from carpets, with none of the hair tangling in the brush roll or clogging the dustbin — it was all automatically emptied into the dock’s spacious 3-liter dust bag.