How we research

Updated 15 October 2026

Every recommendation follows the same method, and we are open about what we do and do not do.

What we do not do

We do not run our own test lab and we do not test robots in our homes. When a guide mentions test results, they come from a named independent source.

The evidence we use

  1. Manufacturer specifications from official product pages and spec sheets.
  2. Independent lab and expert testing from sources such as RTINGS, Consumer Reports, Which?, Vacuum Wars and specialist testers, always attributed.
  3. Owner review patterns, especially reliability, app problems and support.
  4. Price and value, checked on the date shown on each page.
  5. Company and safety news, including recalls, security advisories, ownership changes and regulations such as US FCC rules on robot devices.

How we rank

Performance evidence first, then reliability and support, then features and value for the need each guide covers. Where evidence for a model is thin, we say so.

Independence

Brands and retailers cannot pay for a place in our guides. Read our disclosure.