8 best robot vacuums to tackle dust and mop floors

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?ExtrasIndyBestHome & GardenVacuum Cleaners8 best robot vacuums to tackle dust and mop floorsI’ve reviewed the top-rated robovacs from Roomba, Eufy, Roborock and DysonOur Top Picks123456iRobot roomba-max-705 Vac RobotRead review£699Buy now7eufy Omni E28 Robot Vacuum & Mop with All-in-One Station and Portable Deep CleanerRead review£999Buy now8Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Bot ComboRead review£1,299Buy nowIt was more than a decade ago when an early version of the iRobot Roomba was donated to my studio, and while it had done the rounds, handed from one tech reviewer to the next, it was still working. To say it was a little battered would be an understatement, but in the confines of that space everyone in the office became rather attached to that small machine. Rather than saving time, it was a bit of a novelty with daily misadventures that would see it tangled in wires or needing coaxing out from under the sofa.While the machine was at the time far from perfect, its little-and-often approach was enough to keep on top of the day-to-day grub and dog hair that would quickly build up in the space.I was so impressed with the Roomba that I bought a more advanced model for the home, this one able to redock properly between runs and slightly better at not tangling itself in wires or wedging itself under the sofa.Since my first encounter with robot vacuums, they have come a long way, and the latest models feature a huge variety of additions, most notably in my latest selection, the ability to mop, empty their own waste in between cleaning missions and watch your pet for you whilst you’re out.All the vacuums that I’ve selected in this test come with a docking station, meaning they can recharge after working and, in many cases, empty themselves and self-clean,, although manual emptying of the dock is required at least once a week. With plenty of space to test and two venues, the home and office, it’s time to set each to task to see how they fare.Read more: Best cordless vacuum cleaners, expert tried and tested in 2026I tested every function of each robot vacuum (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)The best robot vacuum cleaners for 2026 are:Best overall – Dyson Spot+Scrup Ai: £1049, Johnlewis.comBest for dirt – DJI Romo P: £1299, Dji.comBest for mopping – Dreame Matrix10 Ultra: £1199, Amazon.co.ukBest for large hard floors – Dreame Aqua10 Ultra: £1099, Amazon.co.ukBest budget buy – Tapo RV50 Pro Omni: £749.99, Tapo.comRead more: 8 best pet vacuum cleaners, tried and tested by a dog owner1Dyson Spot+Scrup AiBest robot vacuum cleaner overallWhy we love it Setup is quick and straightforwardGreat appDecent vacuum strength and good quality of cleanlinessAble to get into cornersTake note Doesn't have the cleaning power of some other modelsEmptying process isn't the quietestShow moreThe style of this machine instantly highlights that it’s a Dyson, with the iconic styling and approach that helps to explain the high price tag. While the base station and vacuum are black, they feature the usual Dyson accent colours that add a little fun into the mix.Initial setup is quick and thankfully straightforward, with clear instructions on packaging, plugging in, filling, charging and connecting to the app.Of all the robots on test, the app is the cleanest and best designed, and while most of the other vacuums enable you to go almost immediately into the clean, the Dyson starts by creating a detailed map of the room through the software. Once the map is completed, you can adjust the cleaning settings, set schedules and highlight on the map areas that may need a little more attention.Its ability to get into corners stood out (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)Through the test, the steady approach from the machine seemed almost methodical, with a decent vacuum strength that was able to lift light to medium dirt with relative ease from carpets and hard floors. Where this machine really excelled, however, was with hard floors and mark removal, with the AI able to detect and work on stains automatically, and if it does miss lighter grub, then you can highlight the area easily in the app.Through the test, as obstacles, people and dogs wandered through the rooms, the Dyson was able to navigate with relative ease, stopping short of ramming into objects, spinning and finding another route.As with all robots on test, the Dyson can detect the shift from hard to carpeted floor, with the mop roller on the base raising and the power of the vacuum increasing.Other areas that impressed with this machine were its ability to get into corners with its rotating brushes, which seemed to have a good reach, pulling detritus into the machine and sucking it away. This was especially relevant to dog fur balls, which were quickly captured and dealt with.Navigating back to the dock after a clean was equally methodical, and even placing a rug or two in the way did little to stop its progress. Some wires were simply run over, while other larger power cables were navigated.On redocking, the vacuum was able to locate itself neatly before the emptying process was started. As with all on test, this process is far from quiet, with the water gurgling back into the waste tank while dirt from the vacuum fills up the bagless cylinder.While there are other vacuums in the test that did manage to vacuum carpets with greater suction and mop the floors with more vigour, the Dyson was able to do all at a good quality of cleanliness and excelled with a superb app and user experience.Key specifications:Type: Mop comboBattery life: 200 minSuction power: 18,000PaBin capacity: 3L dock/bin volumeWater tank: 4LBack to top2Tapo RV50 Pro OmniBest budget robot vacuum cleanerWhy we love it No-fuss appImpressive suctionOffers good value for moneyTake note Doesn't have the advanced features of some pricier optionsObject avoidance isn't as good, compared with some other modelsNot great at getting into cornersShow moreThe Tapo is one of the neatest and surprisingly cheapest of the robot vacuums on test. The design of the dock is relatively compact, with both of the top tanks that hold the water and waste forming the top section with no surround, moving this docking station in one is a little more tricky than some of the others.Thankfully, it’s lightweight, and once positioned, the fact that those two tanks are so easily and quickly removable goes from being slightly annoying during the test to a real benefit for ease and speed. The vacuum bag is housed under the tanks and, again, is quickly and easily accessible.The Tapo app is part of the larger home selection of smart plugs and lights and, as an ecosystem, it’s exceptionally well thought out considering the price.This is a fraction of the price of other models (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)Once tanks are filled and a fresh bag installed, you can connect to the app and start the room mapping. Again, this process is surprisingly quick, and a detailed view of the room or rooms will be visible within the app. By clicking the room you want to clean, the Tapo will head off and clean that room, bypassing all others if required. While the app is seemingly simple, I liked the design; it was no-fuss, and once you realise that clicking the ‘perfect fit’ button lets you select the cleaning mode, everything else is straightforward.Again, the amount of suction for cleaning carpets is impressive, and while this vacuum might not have some of the more advanced features of some of the other robot vacuums, the performance proved to be solid. Like the other robots, there’s a zone system for troublesome areas; just highlight it on the map and send the Tapo in to do its job.While this machine is at the cheaper end of the market, it really highlights how high the bar has risen when it comes to features. Firstly, like all others on test, it’s able to detect the difference between carpet and hard floors.The object avoidance isn’t quite as good as the more expensive vacuums, and, again, a few chairs were pushed around a little during the cleaning process. Cables were simply ignored and run over, but really, for the most part, it was able to navigate the changing landscape of the home with relative ease.While the cleaning of both carpet and hard floors was good, it wasn’t so good at reaching into the corners, essentially doing a quick spin and heading off. When the battery was depleted or the bag was full, it could return home to automatically empty without issue.As a cheaper combo robot vacuum, the Tapo offers excellent value for money, and if you have a small to medium-sized flat, then this is a great option.Key specificationsType: Mop comboBattery life: 5,200mAh batteryBin capacity: 280ml robot / 3L dock dust bagSuction power: 30,000PaWater tank: 9LBack to top3DJI Romo PBest robot vacuum for collecting dirtWhy we love it The app is well-designed and easy to navigatePlenty of programs to suit different cleaning tasksAble to pick up more dirt from carpeted floors than most models on testGood obstacle avoidanceTake note Not as good when it comes to getting into cornersShow moreDJI is better known for its imaging devices and drones, but, as with many companies, this tech giant has started to diversify into other areas, including electric bike components and a new range of robot vacuums.The romo P is one of the most striking machines in the test, and as a tech journalist, the transparent casing of both the dock and the vacuum certainly appeals, although I do wonder how this will look in a month or two after cleaning the often-grubby studio.Initial setup is one of the most straightforward of all on test, with a fast connection to the DJI Home app that enables you to set up the romo P with mapping, schedulers and cleaning modes. Initial setup also requires popping in a full tank of water for the two mops and any additional DJI cleaning fluid. DJI supplied some with the machine that neatly slotted into the front.One area that really stands out is the app, which is well-designed and easy to navigate. It feels nice and simple, yet a quick tap on areas of the screen will take you through to more in-depth sections where you can select the cleaning modes, such as vacuum and mop, simultaneously, vacuum then mop, or vacuum, mop, deep clean and a variety of other modes. Essentially, when it comes to ease of use and flexibility, the DJI Home app just takes things to another level.The app is seamless (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)There are some areas of the app that do take some additional working out and aren’t as straightforward as you would hope, such as the Zone area that enables you to highlight areas that may need a little more attention, but as the app is new, these features will inevitably expand in the future.As it is, the mapping is superb, and, like the Dyson, there’s a level of methodology to the cleaning process as it moves in straight lines up and down the hall, with little issue with obstacles; it’s generally able to spot and avoid them. Carpet and hard floors are no issue at all, and what impressed was the power of the vacuum that saw this machine pick up more dirt from carpeted floors than most of the competition.As the vacuum moved from hard floor to carpet, the change was automatically detected, and there were some rises in rug level that the DJI was able to navigate, whereas others, such as the iRobot would just power on through. Likewise, with cables, it was able to navigate with relative success.Mopping was generally good, especially when the area had been highlighted, and the mops were able to get to work. Corners were dealt with moderate success, sweeping out fur and dust, but not quite having the reach of the Dyson.After cleaning was complete, the Romo was able to navigate back to the dock without issue, even with chairs and other obstacles in the way, choosing a better, clearer route back home. Once docked, the emptying process started automatically, with water and dirt being offloaded into the base station before the charge began.Key specificationsType: Mop comboBattery life: 3 hoursBin capacity: 260ml robot / dock dust bag capacity 2.4LSuction power: 25,000PaWater tank: 7.2LBack to top4Dreame Matrix10 UltraBest robot vacuum cleaner for moppingWhy we love it Good-sized reservoir for the water and wasteDetailed mappingGreat suction powerDecent job of getting into cornersTake note App is more complex to use, compared with others on testShow moreThe Dreame matrix10 ultra is the larger of the two Dreame machines that I’ve looked at in this test, and both were equally straightforward to set up and prime, ready for cleaning. The first thing that struck me about the machine was just how well it’s designed, and while the overall aesthetics are simple, there’s a good-sized reservoir for the water and waste. The dirt bag and cleaning fluids are all positioned behind an impressive door panel on the front, with additional mops mounted inside.The app for the matrix10 ultra is, on the surface, well designed, but as soon as you want to delve into the settings, you start to find it’s a little more complex than the likes of the DJI and Dyson. Clicking the ‘cleangenius’ icon gives you direct access to more advanced settings, although this isn’t instantly obvious.Before the cleaning starts, a full map of the area is made, and here, I’m not sure if I blinked, but compared with the other robots on test, it was able to create one of the most detailed maps of the room and hallway in what appeared to be a few seconds. The detail was incredibly accurate, including the doorways, one of which it escaped through, and the other vacuum docks.This mapped my space in great detail (Alaister Jennings/The Independent)As the cleaning started with a straight vacuum of the hall before the mopping, the power of the suction was obvious, and both on the hard floors and carpet, the two Dreame vacuums seemed to be matched with the greatest suction power of all on test, even the DJI romo.Object detection was varied, with the small Matrix10 seeming to take a dislike to one of the other docking stations at one point pushed one of the chairs a slight distance before checking out an alternative route. As I had positioned the rugs and table, the machine was able to navigate with relative ease, but was a little less gentle than the Dyson or DJI.Like the Dyson, when it came to getting into corners, the reach of the brushes just seemed to do the job, and while no cleaner was perfect on this front, this machine’s performance was as good as it gets.Once cleaning was complete, the speed at which the Matrix10 was able to find the dock was impressive, literally taking the shortest route back before backing in and starting the emptying process. If your house is mainly hard floors, tiles, and wood, the fact that it comes with different levels of scrubbing mops makes this a great option, especially if you have pets or use it in an area with heavy footfall.Key specificationsType: Mop comboBattery life: 260 minBin capacity: 310ml robotSuction power: 30,000PaWater tank: 9.5LBack to top5Dreame Aqua10 UltraBest robot vacuum for large hard floorsWhy we love it Mapping works wellGood suction and mopping functionsAble to remove a good amount of dirt from cornersTake note App isn't the most intuitiveObject avoidance isn't as good, compared with some other models on testShow moreThe smaller of the two Dreame machines on test, the Dreame aqua10 ultra, is again quick to set up, with the water reservoir and waste tank sitting neatly into the top of the machine. Then the vacuum bag and cleaning fluids are loaded into the front behind a simple push-fit panel, which does feel a little cheap compared with the quality of the actual vacuum unit.Once everything is together, tanks filled, and bags installed into the base station, the vacuum is then connected to the app. As I have two Dreame robot vacuums on test, switching between the two was nicely thought out, with a simple swipe left or right to select your vacuum of choice. This makes it easy to install one on each floor.Again, the vacuum runs a floor map and, again, it seems to do so at speed, enabling it to start whichever cleaning process you want. As I had now familiarised myself with the app, navigation was easier, although still not the most intuitive. However, a straight vacuum of the office demonstrated a powerful vacuum as it cleaned up the dog fur from two Labradors and a few of the crumbs that they had missed.This stood up to pet hair in my tests (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)As the vacuum exited the office and made its way through to the storeroom, the mops came into action and the mopping process started automatically without needing to be manually switched.Again, the power of the mop was good, and, as with the Dyson and DJI, you can highlight on the map if there’s an area that needs a little more cleaning. Working on the dried coffee, it took a couple of runs before the mark was removed.Going back into the office, I had moved around a few of the desks and chairs for another test, and like the Dreame matrix10 ultra, its approach to object avoidance was a little heavier-handed than some of the other robots on test. However, once it had pushed a little, it gently backed off and navigated its way back across the carpet.Pushing the robot into a corner, the brushes of this machine essentially match that of the Dreame matrix10 ultra, enabling it to get into the corners and remove a good amount of dirt, which, whilst not perfect, is better than most others.After the clean was complete, it then started its journey back to the dock, and while not as direct as some of the other vacuums on test, it did eventually find its way without assistance. Once docked, the emptying process started, and this seemed to run for some time as the vacuum bags were emptied and mops dried.Both Dreame machines are exceptionally well thought out, and if you have a home with plenty of hard floors and carpets, this is a great option and smaller and cheaper than the larger Dreame matrix10 ultra, but no less impressive.Key specificationsType: Mop comboBattery life: 175 minBin capacity: 220ml robot / 3.2L dock bagSuction power: 30,000PaWater tank: 7.5LBack to top6iRobot roomba-max-705 Vac RobotBest robot vacuum cleaner for maintenanceWhy we love it Robust designApp is easy to navigateGood suctionCorner cleaning performance was the best on testTake note Not as powerful as some other models on testShow moreiRobot is the name in robot vacuums and for good reason; this machine is exceptionally well balanced, with a great design and one of the most robust robot units on test. Its design, in a dark matte black with a faux wooden front to the base station, is in stark contrast to the futuristic design of the DJI romo, which it was positioned next to for the majority of the test.Initial setup is straightforward: essentially unbox, plug in, fill with water and then connect to the app. The app connection process initially seemed straightforward, but in the hall where the setup for all vacuums took place, the Wi-Fi signal was weak, and while the robot connected, that connection kept falling out. I then shifted a Wi-Fi booster closer to the area, and this seemed to help with the issue. After connecting for the third time, things seemed to settle.That aside, the app is nicely designed. Once you’re in, the user interface is easy to navigate and, again, once the room or rooms are mapped, you can select which you need cleaning and how. You can also schedule the clean, which is standard for every vacuum that I have tested.Its corner cleaning was the best in my test (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)The suction in the machine seemed good, and in line with the Samsung and Dyson, picking up a good amount of dirt, but not quite matching the abilities of the DJI romo and Dreame machines.Moving from the carpet to the hard floors, and again, the machine can detect the difference and auto-switches its cleaning mode. Once again, if there’s a spot that needs more attention, then you can highlight that on the map and send it over to scrub that area clean. What I like about the app is the direct nature of the routines and the ability to create your own, so vac only, mop only, vac and mop, etc.In action, the Roomba is one of the more robust robots in the test. If there’s something in the way, then it will give it a firm push before moving off in another direction. When it came to cables and other objects, the iRobot navigated those that it couldn’t move and pushed aside those it could. To be honest, this approach ensured one of the most even cleans, and when tables and chairs were placed in its way, it just worked around them.Corner cleaning was easily the best in the test, with the brushes seeming to scrub right into the corners where others just didn’t reach. Once cleaning was complete, the Roomba returned to the dock, again using the most direct route possible. When it comes to personality, the Roomba seems to have been programmed with a few quirks that entertain, while the Dyson and DJI are very much focused on methodical cleaning.At the end of the test, the Roomba was one of my personal favourites; it does a good, balanced job but lacks some of the subtlety of the others on test.Key specificationsType: Mop comboBattery life: 6000mAh, Upto 120 minutes runtimeSuction power in PA: 13,000 PaBin capacity: 280ml robot / 3L dock dust bagWater tank: 5.5LBack to top7eufy Omni E28 Robot Vacuum & Mop with All-in-One Station and Portable Deep CleanerBest robot vacuum for pet hair removalWhy we love it Straightforward setup and appPowerfulGood obstacle avoidanceRemovable cleaning module for stairs and sofasTake note Not as good at getting into corners, compared with some other modelsShow moreThe eufy omni E28 robot vacuum and mop with all-in-one station and portable deep cleaner offers something truly unique in this test, despite packing in its own portable deep cleaner, which is mounted onto the side of the base station, it’s still one of the smaller and more compact options in this test.The design is also extremely stylish, and eufy has cleverly made everything fit around the charging dock, with the robot vacuum tucking into the base, as with all other machines, but then the water and waste tanks are mounted on a removable section on top. This means that if you have spills or more stubborn stains on your sofa or carpet, then you can take the top unit with its hose and head combo and manually give the area a good scrub.Setup is again straightforward and eufy’s app, once connected, gets you to map out the room or rooms. This is all done by the robot with no manual intervention other than tapping the button. It’s only after the room is mapped that you can start the cleaning, but as this process is quick, with the robot spinning around to scan the area, you don’t have to wait long.This uses a roller to lift stains (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)As the eufy gets started, you can hear the power in the little machine’s suction, and it successfully lifts a good selection of dirt, rice and other muck from the carpet, before progressing onto the wooden-floored areas. Interestingly, like the Dyson and Dreame machines, the E28 features a roller rather than the spinning mops seen on most other machines, and this really does seem to help lift most stains. For the coffee stain, which had dried nicely into the flooring, an additional spot clean was required, activated by selecting the area in the app.As with a good selection of the test models, AI is apparent with the E28, and here it was able to cope with most obstacles, navigating around rather than running over, and with the larger cables, it cleaned alongside. This is something that only Dyson and the eufy were really able to do successfully.When it came to getting into corners, the brushes did have a good reach, but weren’t as effective as some of the others on test at dragging the dirt into the machine.Once the cycle was finished, the E28 was able to navigate back to the dock, and moving chairs and tables into its path had little effect on its navigation as it backed in, triggering the emptying process.The removable cleaning module sets this machine apart from the rest, and by lifting the handle, the whole top section with tank and power cable can be removed, once unplugged. You can then use the cleaning power on stairs and sofas in much the same way as a normal vacuum, just with the added ability to utilise the water for deeper cleaning. Unlike the vacuum, when using the cleaning module, it does require a standard AC power source. Using this function does require referencing the manual, but I did genuinely find it useful rather than a gimmick.Key specificationsType: Mop comboBattery life: 125 min vacuum + mop / 216 min vacuum onlyBin capacity: 3L dock dust bagSuction power: 20,000PaWater tank: 4.3LBack to top8Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Bot ComboBest robot vacuum cleaner for battery lifeWhy we love it Great battery lifeAdditional features for pet ownersGood level of cleaningLarge water tanksTake note Lower power rating compared with other models on testObstacle avoidance isn't the bestShow moreThe Samsung bespoke AI jet bot combo has been around for a while, and, when it comes to simple design quality, the large white box and simple-looking machine are hard to beat. This is the machine that excels for battery life, and in one of the larger halls where some of the tests were carried out, it would happily be getting on with its cleaning while others had gone back to charge.Initial setup was quick, and again, the onboard LiDAR sensor scans the room to create a 3D map of the area before it gets set to work. Water and vacuum bag are neatly mounted in the vertical section, and again, the design is all precise and well worked out. The app also has some additional interesting features, including pet care. This enables you to leave the robot with, say, your dog and gives you the ability to live-stream from the machine. It will also detect barking and play your dog calming music if needed. My dog simply ignored it and fell asleep for the short time I was away from the house, but as an additional feature, it’s a nice one to have if you’re a pet owner.Its spinning mop pads worked a treat (Alastair Jennings/The Independent)Hard floor to carpet cleaning was all automatic, with the mops rising high when making the transition. Dirt on the carpet was lifted well despite the lower power rating than the rest of the vacuums on test, and the random patterns that it followed on the cleaning cycle did the job; the only issue being that when it came to cables, it tended to run over them rather than avoid them. As with the eufy and Tapo, corner cleaning was good but not quite to the level of some of the other machines.As I found through this test, if you want the best cleaning for hard floors, then the roller mops are easily the best solution, seemingly able to better remove stains. However, the Samsung’s spinning mop pads did a great job lifting a good level of marks from the floor and showing that the little-and-often approach with these vacuums is the best way to keep on top of the mess of everyday life.After happily cleaning both carpeted and hard floor areas, the vacuum then easily navigates back to the dock for emptying and charging into the large waste and vacuum bag. This machine has one of the largest water tanks and, for no other reason, spent the most time set up in my home, cleaning on a daily basis and only requiring a physical empty once a week.Key specificationsType: Mop comboBattery life: 180 minBin capacity: 0.25L robot / 2.5L dock bagSuction power: 6,000PaWater tank: 7.6LBack to topYour questions about robot vacuums answeredWhat is the best robot vacuum cleaner? When I started testing, I was dubious that an all-in-one robot vacuum and mop could match a dedicated vacuum. The suction figures back that up: the original Dyson 360 vis nav offers around 22 per cent more power than the Dyson spot+scrub AI combo robot, and combo models generally need emptying more often because of their smaller dustbins. If your home is mostly carpet or you’re dealing with heavy pet hair, a vacuum-only model may still be the better choice.That said, living with two labradors showed that cleaning little and often largely offsets the lower suction, while the roller mop transforms hard-floor performance by lifting everyday dirt and marks far better than vacuuming alone. It’s this balance of strong vacuuming, genuinely effective mopping and hassle-free day-to-day use that makes the Dyson spot+scrub AI combo the best overall choice.Across testing, the DJI romo impressed with its precision and object avoidance, matched by the Dyson spot+scrub AI combo and eufy E28. The Dyson, Dreame martix10 ultra, Dreame aqua10 ultra and eufy E28 also delivered the best hard-floor scrubbing. The two Dreame models also stood out for raw suction and deep cleaning. Every model has its strengths, but weighing build quality, cleaning performance, value and customer support, the Dyson spot+scrub AI Combo is the standout all-rounder, with the DJI romo and Dreame models close behind.Looking at the feature set of each of these vacuums, it was apparent that a more advanced form of testing was needed. Not only would these vacuums need to clean up everyday carpet mess from the family, human and dog, but I also put them to task in the office and the adjoining studio and hall, where there are vast expanses of hard floors, thankfully normally regularly cleaned by a human. However, I didn’t want to give the vacuums an easy time, so I’ve created a mix of dog fur, dirt and crumbs of various sizes, and for the hard floors I’ve purposely spilt some coffee and left it to dry.Then, when it comes to obstructions, I’ve given them all carpet to hard floor, wires, chairs, tables, newspapers, and a few other items just to see how they fare.Setup and usability: Each product in the test arrived in a large and frankly heavy box, with the first task to decant all robot vacuums and their base stations. The initial setup for each was surprisingly easy, but all followed roughly the same process. Unbox and unpack, fit brushes if not already installed, likewise dust bags, and fill the base stations with water. For all, this process was simple, but then you have the app and connection and initial scan of the area to create a map. For most, this process was relatively quick; for others, a little more time-consuming, but in all cases it’s obvious that the thinking behind these machines has gone well beyond a traditional vacuum.How well it picks up dirt: This must be the main test for all vacuums on test, how well will they suck up all the grub and dirt from the home, office and studio on a mixture of surfaces, from carpet to solid wood?Mark removal from hard floors: As all models in the test are equipped with mops or a roller, a major part of this test will be to see if they can remove a dried coffee stain from a solid wood floor.Mapping accuracy: This feature was a surprise as I started up each of the vacuums; some mapped the room with sensors from a stationary position, while others took a more in-depth look around prior to cleaning.Navigation and cleaning path accuracy: Once each had mapped the space, I wanted to see if they could find their way back to the dock easily if the battery was starting to deplete. Chairs, a table or two and a sleeping dog would add to the complexity of the task.Obstacle avoidance: Mapping is all very well and good, but what happens if something moves? Can the vacuum navigate an ever-changing environment? I wanted to see if each would navigate around objects or just try to push through.Getting into the corners: All robots in the test are circular, and most of the corners in the rooms tested are at right angles, which just isn’t a great mix. In this test, dirt was piled in a corner and the robot sent to clean, or at least that was the aim.Different floors, different cleaning techniques: All vacuums are equipped with both a mop and vacuum and can handle the change between different cleaning surfaces. This test is to see if, after a mop of the wooden floors, they’re able to detect the carpets, or whether they just keep on mopping.Dog hair removal: It doesn’t have to be a dog; pet hair can be a constant issue, and any assistance in keeping on top of the fur babies appearing around the house has to make any vacuum that can handle them worth the money.Can they last the distance: While the design means that, at present, these vacuums are unable to navigate stairs, you still want to be sure that they can last the distance when cleaning their designated floor area.App control and features: As with all new tech, app control is essential, and all the vacuums in this test offer a range of features, including room naming, no-go zones, scheduling, cleaning modes, map edits and some voice assistant support.Docking, emptying and maintenance: This is an important feature of each vacuum, you want one that saves time, so you don’t spend hours emptying and maintaining the small machine. The test is, can they pretty much look after themselves aside from the occasional bag emptying, top-up and emptying of water?How to choose a robot vacuumChoosing the best robot vacuum cleaner for your home can feel like a chore in itself. To narrow down your search, focus on a few key considerations.Do you need mopping? Entry-level models are purely for vacuuming and are great for daily dust and debris maintenance. However, most mid-range and premium models now offer a dual-function design that can both vacuum and mop. More advanced robots use spinning, scrubbing, and even self-lifting mop pads for a much deeper and more effective clean on hard floors.Do you want to tidy beforehand? The cheapest models might use simple bump-and-turn navigation, meaning they clean more randomly and can’t spot hazards, meaning you’ll have to clear things away before setting them off. If you have a busy home with lots of obstacles or pets, look for a model with camera-based AI that can actively identify and avoid hazards like cables, shoes, and pet mess.Do you want a truly hands-off robovac? While basic models need their small onboard bins emptied manually after every few cleans, high-end models come with a large base station that automatically sucks the debris out of the robot, holding weeks’ worth of dust at a time. The most advanced all-in-one stations will also wash and dry the robot’s mop pads and refill the onboard water tank, making the entire process almost completely hands-off.Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsAlastair Jennings is a technology journalist with more than 30 years’ experience. He has carried out thorough, hands-on testing with countless pieces of kit, from cameras to laptops. Alastair reviewed the Bambu Lab H2D laser full combo 3D printer for The Independent, for instance. The IndyBest team has tested almost every vacuum out there, including cordless, handheld, corded, cylinder models, the perfect vacuums for car cleaning, pet hair, plus rounding up the best vacuums from Dyson and Shark. We’ve even got a guide on how to choose the right vacuum cleaner for your home.Make even lighter work of your spring cleaning with these cordless vacuum cleaners