Today’s robots are more sophisticated than ever. Most can be controlled with an app on your phone, and some are even voice-enabled. Many can return to the home base for a recharge and then go back to cleaning wherever they left off.

I loved that the floor brush can be quickly attached with the press of a button. Some online reviewers said the hose was a bit short, but it didn't bother us during testing.

All vacuums are tested exactly the same way for more accurate performance comparisons, and our tests are based on the ASTM International industry standard test methods.

That might not be an issue if you're cleaning on one floor as the bot will just return to its dock to recharge as required, but it becomes more annoying if you're using it on multiple floors.

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.

We also found this robot vacuum would dock regularly for mop cleaning, which isn't necessarily an issue, but does extend overall cleaning times. It will automatically empty and refill its onboard water tank, and it can clean its own mop pads too.

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.

✅ You just want to do whole-home cleans: It can struggle with more specific instructions, but it has pelo problem with regular whole-home cleans.

It's an uncertain time, and while it'll Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners be some months before we know what'll happen to the brand next, and there are currently no signs that anything will change, but since many features rely on the company's services and app, should these close, you may lose out on some of the device's functions.

Though it’s an investment at $1,199, consider that you’re getting almost three cleaning devices in one package: a robot vacuum, robot mop, and a hand vacuum for reaching all the areas the robot misses.

If your home has an equal ratio of hardwood floors to carpets then iRobot's hybrid robot mop and vacuum is tough to beat. You get a thorough clean with a mopping pad that automatically retracts atop the vacuum.

When we first get the robot set up, we'll see how long it takes to create a map of the home, and how accurate that map is. For subsequent runs, we'll keep an eye on how the robot navigates the space; if takes a logical route through the house, if it repeats already-clean areas, and so on.

The mop pad is mounted onto a roller (think: tank track), and as it rotates around the dirty liquid is siphoned off and clean water is sprayed on. That helps ensure a hygienic and effective mopping session – the mop won't simply spread messes around further as it tries to clean them.

✅ You want a hands-off dock: The dock will empty dust (into a larger than usual dock dustbin), refill water, dispense detergent and even wash and dry the mop pads, so there's minimal effort required from you.