The standout feature on the J20 is an innovative mop pad, set on a roller like the wheels of a tank, which works extremely well. It's very much a premium option, but the performance is excellent.

The Eufy’s brush is supposedly anti-tangle — a cutting tool inside the robot should shred the hair — but this wasn’t effective.

We'll also look at how the robot tackles the issue of switching between vacuuming and mopping – will it reliably detect floor type, and pick up its mop pad when moving from hard floor onto carpet, for example?

I really like Roomba’s dock design, which, while large enough to accommodate two rather small water tanks, is the most stylish of all the multifunction docks.

The Dreame X40 is the best robot vacuum / mop hybrid because it can drop its mop pads automatically, extend them, and swing them to get under your cabinets and consoles.

The Eufy performed excellently in my mopping tests, even eradicating dried stains with its 1kg of downward pressure. Thanks to an onboard water reservoir, it didn’t have to head home to fill up as frequently as some mopping bots do.

The Combo has a redesigned dock that’s very large — to accommodate two water tanks and a dust bag — but it doubles as a table.

We'll dig into the app and gauge how well-designed, usable and intuitive it is, and how much control it offers. We'll also test any specific performance claims made by the manufacturer, as well as checking out any special features like built-in voice assistants and camera surveillance.

This robot vacuum Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners and mop is on par with other high-performing Shark vacuums. The standout features are definitely its cleaning ability, quiet operation, and user-friendly app. If some of the other options on this list had you feeling a bit like Goldilocks, with some sounding a bit too feature- or tech-heavy, or others sounding a bit too stripped down, this Shark model is a great middle ground.

And as far as extending the time in between upgrades, Emily Rairdin, vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, says three to five years is an average lifespan for robot vacuums, so it's reasonable to trade or upgrade every so often.

Along with my top picks, I have options to fit specific needs, such as mopping or besting pet hair. The good news is there are a lot of great options.

When it comes to keeping your home clean, there’s pelo better way to do it than with an automatic vacuum cleaner. These machines make quick work of dirt, dust and pet hair, leaving your floors looking shiny and new.

There are some downsides, though. The suction power is low for the price bracket – in fact, generally, you're paying a premium for the small size here.

If you just want something that's shallow in profile for getting beneath furniture, look for a robovac without a raised central puck. This puck is generally used for robot vacuum navigation, but there are options that use different approaches – including all Roomba models, and some of Roborock's newest bots like the Qrevo Slim and Roborock Saros 10R (both of which we rate very highly).