Why we love it: In addition to a HEPA filter, the Shark Stratos also features a sealed system to help keep dust inside the vacuum, making it a great choice for families with allergy sufferers.

Most are equipped with smaller brushes that extend past the circumference of the vacuum, and the purpose of these is to reach dirt that's settled against baseboards or in awkward places.

More advanced robot vacuums have lasers on the front of the machine and some on the underside of the device too. These lasers detect where furniture, objects, and edges are in your home, helping avoid bumps, and cliff detection prevents the machine from falling down the stairs. Read our article on how do robot vacuums work to find out more.

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 Worx cordless cube ran for 23 minutes on low speed in our Lab tests but can run for longer with a higher-capacity battery from the brand. Although it's a little heavier than other handheld vacuums, you don't need to hold it to use it. It's quiet and all of its tools store on board.

❌ You have space for a bigger robovac: You're paying a premium for the size here – there are bigger, better-performing bots in this bracket.

I love the easy-to-use app that allows you to schedule cleanings and view the progress from a camera that is attached to the vacuum. This vacuum also came in second out of 10 vacuums for maneuverability.

And considering there are cheaper models that perform better, this was a major downside. However, if you just need it for light cleaning, this is adequate, but you might want to consider other options.

Keeping your home clean can be a hassle, but technology makes it easier. Automatic vacuum cleaners are perfect for busy lifestyles.

We’ve listed our top picks alphabetically below. And check out our picks of the best vacuums and our full ratings of vacuums, which also have reviews of canister, upright, stick, and handheld models from over 15 brands. Also see our vacuum buying guide for smart shopping tips.

❌ You're dealing with lots of dust: There's no self-empty Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners on the dock, and the small onboard bin will fill up quickly if you're dealing with lots of dirt or hair.

✅ You also need a manual vacuum: Most people with robovacs also have a manual vacuum. The Ecovacs takes the fuss of that out by providing you with one in the first place.

Some brands will address this by tapering their brushrolls or breaking them in the middle, with the aim of quickly directing hair towards the bin inlet. Dreame even has an alternative brushroll attachment that has little blades to chop up hair so it can be more easily managed.

In addition to performance testing, we test for ease of use of each vacuum cleaner. This testing includes evaluating maneuverability, battery run-time for cordless vacuum cleaners, the ease of the controls and how simple it is to empty and clean the dust cup or change the bag.