(If you want even more impressive mopping, check out the Eureka J20 at #6, which has a roller mop that supplies continuous fresh water, and siphons off the dirty stuff as it cleans.)

Premium, but there are very few alternatives with this roller mop system. Plus you're paying for the comprehensive dock.

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

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 manual model for stairs and deep cleans, head to TechRadar's best cordless vacuum cleaner guide.

The real key to a clean floor with a robot vac is consistency. Run it daily if you can; it won’t keep up as well if it only runs once a week. If you want hands-free cleaning everywhere, you’ll want to budget for one per floor or be prepared to move it around. You can also buy Em excesso charging bases, and most models can map multiple floors.

Roborock also recently released the $1,899 Saros Z70, the first mass-produced robovac to feature a robotic arm that can pick up objects like socks and tissues. It also boasts 22,000Pa suction power, supports Roborock’s StarSight navigation system, and features an AdaptLift chassis.

One thing to be aware of is that this robovac doesn't actually self-empty dust; there's no dock dustbin. Instead, the onboard dustin compresses its contents so it can hold more – Narwal claims up to seven week's worth of debris.

What to Look for in a Robot Vacuum Manual Empty or Self-Emptying: Which is Best? Some robot vacuums have dust cups that you need to empty into a garbage can manually, and others have a self-emptying feature. The first type is easy to empty (just remove the dust cup, take it to a garbage can, and shake it out). You'll typically need to do this every few days, so it can get tedious. Robot vacuums with a self-emptying feature require a lot less work, because their charging stations have built-in dust bags that can take several weeks (or even months) to fill up. Picture this: at the end of the robot vacuum's cleaning cycle, it will dock itself and empty the recent collection into the larger tower chamber, and then it's ready to go for the next scheduled cleaning. When the bag is full, all you have to do is remove it from the charging station, throw it away, and replace it with a new one. In many ways, this is ideal, especially if you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, because there's less chance of dust getting into the air. The one downside to this convenience is that the emptying process is often much louder Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners than the robot vacuum's normal noise level, so it might disrupt your household. This feature also tends come with newer and more technologically advanced models (which can often be pricier). Our best features pick is one great option that includes this feature. Smart Mapping Matters Back when they were new to the market, basic robot vacuums used a randomized cleaning method, changing direction based on an algorithm and if they bumped into anything.

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.

If you have shedding pets and carpet, look for models with higher suction power (5,000Pa or ideally more), and a boost/extra suction mode option. Models with rubbery brushrolls are also typically good at gripping hair.

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.

CLEAN FLOORS EVERYDAY - Provides a system of cleaning features and smart sensors that allow the robot to adjust to your unique home and deliver a daily clean.

This solves the problem of how to vacuum and mop without getting your rugs wet. The robot will do this procedure multiple times during cleaning to ensure carpets are vacuumed and floors are mopped. Genius.

The S8 Max Ultra is a very solid all-rounder, and only lost its place in our ranking because Roborock came out with some even better models very shortly afterwards.