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.

The Roomba s9+ also comes with a self-emptying charging base; while it's unfortunate that you'll have to purchase replacement bags for this base, you will only have to empty the container every 30 days. This will save you a lot of time versus emptying the onboard dustbin.

If you’re using a standard charging base, you may have to fix it to the wall, so the robot vacuum won’t knock it out of place. Some bases come with stickers to help with this issue. If you’re lucky enough to own a robot vacuum with a self-emptying base, it should be heavy enough to hold itself in place.

You can set them to clean just the kitchen floor after dinner or an entire level of your home while you’re out of the house. Can you get it done faster with your regular vacuum? Sure. But the real question is, do you want to?

While upright and canister vacuums are better at deep-cleaning hardwood and carpets, a robot vacuum—often controlled by a smartphone app—can be useful for regular touch-ups.

Some models allow you to set no-go zones if there’s certain areas you want to avoid, targeted rooms or particular areas.

Robot vacuums are great maintenance cleaners. If you hate cleaning your floors or just want to extend the length of time in between cleanings, consider investing in one.

Models that recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off are also a Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners great option for larger spaces. Keep in mind that if your robot vacuum needs to recharge, it could seriously increase the duration of your cleaning session.

Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He tested additional models and scoured through previous testing notes to prepare the latest updates to this guide.

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 turn it on or schedule cleanings.

It’s worth mentioning that the Eufy Robovac X8 earns only so-so marks for data security and even lower scores for data privacy. But as a brand, Eufy robot vacuums earn favorable marks for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our member surveys. iRobot Roomba Combo i5

Once the robot is docked, a vacuum in the docking station automatically sucks the contents from the bin into an enclosed disposable bag in the base. This vac also has mopping capabilities, but unlike the Combo i5 and Combo j5+, you don’t have to swap out the bin for mopping because it can vacuum and mop simultaneously.

Not all robovacs can handle the extra challenge posed by lots of pet hair, but one that really impressed on this front was the Dreame L40 Ultra. This bot was put through its paces in a home filled with furry, four-legged friends, and really rose to the occasion.

It’s quick to map out the home and easy to create pelo-go zones or select specific rooms to clean. This model also comes with a self-emptying base, which makes it low maintenance, but it is just as noisy as other vacuums when it empties.