They can handle various floor types, from carpets to hardwood. Some even have self-emptying bins. With so many options available, finding the right one can be tricky. This guide will help you understand the key features and benefits. Make an informed decision to keep your home clean with ease.

We've been impressed with all of Roborock's recent launches, and most pack similarly advanced features and reliable performance. If you have low-sitting furniture, the Roborock Saros 10R or Roborock Qrevo Slim would be a better choice as both use an innovative new navigation system that doesn't require a raised puck.

Opertating this robovac is nice and straightforward too. We found the app easy to use, with useful customization options. And the bot itself mapped our reviewer's home quickly and accurately, then proved reliable at object avoidance on test, too.

And a capable robot vacuum could really be worth the investment if you're finding it tricky to stay on top on manual cleaning.

This bot was previously our top pick for hard floors, thanks to hot water mopping that's more than a match for greasy spillages.

First and foremost, you should follow the directions in your instruction manual for where to place the robot vacuum. While most will offer similar guidance, the measurements required can vary, and some designs may prefer a greater clearance. Generally speaking though, your robot vacuum should be placed against a flat and straight wall on a level surface, with around 3 ft of clearance on each side, and at least 4 ft in front.

In our tests, it left no debris behind on any bare floor — including vinyl and tile — and it was very easy to maneuver and carry thanks to its oversized wheels, compact design and easy-grip handle.

The companion app works extremely well – our tester was especially impressed that it automatically partitioned the rooms into their own spaces. In terms of performance, we had almost no issues with this robot vacuum at all – if it's in your budget, it's worth the investment.

The Narwal Freo X Ultra is the best robot vacuum for carpet. It's a premium product, (and it's not available in the UK), but delivers the best carpet cleaning performance of any robovac we've tested. On test we found that not only did it suck up finer dust and dirt efficiently, it also scooped up larger debris – namely bits of cereal – just as well.

The affordable iRobot Roomba Combo i5 does very well in most of CR’s tests. The vacuum has smart-mapping technology that allows it to learn and adapt to the areas in your home that need to be cleaned. It also has mopping capabilities; you simply swap in the mopping bin (and a cleaning solution of your choice) with the attached mopping pad.

However, it won't be perfect for everyone, so read on for a range of options for different needs and budgets. And if you want to supplement your robovac with a Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners manual model for stairs and deep cleans, head to TechRadar's best cordless vacuum cleaner guide.

Who it's best for: This stick vacuum is ideal for those who want an easy-to-use model that can do it all. With multiple settings and attachment options for different surfaces to clean, this vacuum has a one-hour run time, which is quite high for a cordless model.

We use industry-standard rayon fibers to simulate pet hair that we evenly spread on a carpet’s surface to see how well each machine cleans it up.

If you have a bit more cash to play with, the s9+ can also talk with the company's Braava jet m6 robot mop, with the two working as a team, vacuuming floors, followed by a mop. Ultimately, this robot vacuum comes at a steep price, but it leaves little room for improvement.