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.

When it comes to keeping your home clean, there’s no 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.

The market ranges from ultra-simple to extremely capable, with price tags to match, so it's important to pick the right one for your needs. I'm here to help with that.

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Robots that recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off are especially great for large homes. If a model doesn’t have this, it will start from the beginning of its course each time it recharges.

The Freo X Ultra's mopping capabilities are not quite as impressive as its vacuuming, but still good. On test, it cleared up spillages well, but the mop pads couldn't get close to the edges of rooms.

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 Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners to empty the dustbin, wash the mop, and refill the tank automatically.

There are pelo other X10 models in the Eufy range, so you can't choose, for example, a version without mopping or with a more basic dock. There is a more advanced option: the Eufy Omni S1 Pro which adds improved obstacle avoidance, automatic detergent dispensing, and swaps the spinning mop pads for a roller that's fed by a constant supply of fresh water. It's significantly more expensive, though.

Opertating this robovac is nice and straightforward too. We found the app easy to use, with useful customization options. And the bot itself mapped our reviewer's home quickly and accurately, then proved reliable at object avoidance on test, too.

Freely switch among different modes and power levels as you want via the Vactidy App. Preset a working time to get your T6 robot to start its daily routine cleaning.

At first, a robot vacuum cleaner can sound like an extravagance (particularly when you can pick up the more familiar version for a knockdown price – some of the best vacuum cleaners are under £cem). However, in a world where everyone is just getting busier, it makes sense to spend a bit more and reclaim some valuable time by introducing a little automation into things.

Your robot vacuum will go for any cables, loose shoelaces and cords if they're out and in their route of cleaning. No permanent damage will be done, but you will have to clear these away to avoid the issue occurring again.

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