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.

Many vacuums connect to apps that allow you to schedule cleaning sessions, and some even sync with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and other digital voice aids for a truly hands-free experience. All robot vacuums will automatically return to their docks to recharge, and some can even pause a cleaning session, recharge and continue cleaning from where they left off.

❌ You've got lots of low furniture: The raised puck makes this a taller option in Roborock's range.

❌ You're on a budget: This is a premium robovac, and while we think the performance justifies the price, there are cheaper alternatives if it's out of your budget.

The app stood out to us for its user-friendly design, allowing you to adjust water and suction levels, schedule cleaning tasks and even view a live feed from the robot’s camera.

We noticed that it's better at picking up more granular materials like pet hair and kitty litter compared to Cheerios — this is usually the other way around. So it works better for collecting smaller debris.

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.

While it doesn’t have a self-emptying base, we found maintenance to be simple. The dustbin detaches easily, and a one-touch ejection button lets you quickly dispose of debris directly into the trash.

The iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ is a solid performer in CR’s tests, with smart-mapping technology and avoidance technology. In our assessments, it excels at cleaning bare floors but performs less well on carpet.

Also, it can’t be controlled from your smartphone, so you have to use the included remote control, and you can't connect it to Alexa or Google Assistant to Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners turn it on or schedule cleanings.

The top-rated robot vacuums excel at cleaning bare floors and picking up pet hair. Some also come with advanced features like ​​WiFi connectivity and smart mapping technology.

✅ You want a truly autonomous robovac: This premium robot vacuum can be relied upon to take care of itself.

The Shark IQ can be controlled via an app as well as with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can create a schedule and connect it to smart home devices. It even has mapping features of more expensive robot vacuums so you can mark individual rooms as well as set invisible boundaries called No-Go zones.

Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.