Top performers can find their way out of tight spots and around extension cords. You’ll need to do some prep work in moving clothes, toys, and other objects from the floor before sending out the vacuum, though.

Why we love it: The high-filtration dust bag and HEPA AirClean filter help keep dust from being released back into the air. The power cord is retractable and all of the included tools can be stored in the canister.

An automatic vacuum cleaner is a device that cleans floors without human help. It uses sensors to navigate rooms.

✔️ Cord or cordless: Decide whether you want a vacuum with a cord, which can limit how far you can vacuum until you need to find another outlet, or if you prefer cordless, which has a battery life you'll need to monitor.

In our Lab tests: The Dreame H12 Pro is an updated version of a previously tested pick with many of the same capabilities and features. We sent it out to consumer testers who confirmed it was easy and effective to use.

The Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 offers the best of everything. It intelligently mops and vacuums your floors for up to 30 days. Just set a schedule and the robot returns to its base to empty the dustbin, wash the mop, and refill the tank automatically.

You’ll be using an upright vacuum to clean bare floors and low-pile rugs, we recommend selecting a model where you can adjust the height of the nozzle and switch off the rotating brush to avoid damaging flat and delicate surfaces or scattering debris.

If your robot vacuum has a mopping function, some bases come with water tanks and scrubbing abilities as well, so it can keep the mop cloth clean. However, there are some drawbacks to self-emptying bases. Besides the additional cost, these take Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners up a lot more floor space.

Who it's best for: If you're tired of cleaning the dust bin of a bagless vacuum and you're willing to spend big bucks on a vacuum, you'll love this self-emptying model with high-tech features.

Although the RS20 Pro did a decent job at maintenance cleaning, has plenty of settings, and a great app, it fell short on several other things. It couldn't cope well with heavy-duty messes, particularly when tested on cat litter.

It does come at a hefty price, and there are cheaper models such as the Shark PowerDetect, that can do a decent job. However, if you're after a splurge buy, and want top-notch results each time, we would recommend the investment.

We also factor in the weight of each model. All special features and claims are assessed, and we even give the tool storage and owner's manual a grade.

Onboard dustbins tend to be small, so if you're dealing with lots of dust or hair then I'd recommend prioritizing a self-empty dock. However, be aware that the more functions you add, the bigger the dock will be – the ones with water tanks can be pretty massive.

✔️ Cleaning modes: Consider a vacuum with various cleaning modes if you like the option to fully customize your cleaning experience or you're looking for one product that can clean multiple floor types.