Why this world-first robot vacuum has a leg up on the competition

01

Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop

$2999 at Dreame

Best for: Multi-level cleaning

Launched in Australia in late March 2025, the Dreame X50 Ultra has set itself apart from the competition with retractable robotic legs, a world-first design for robot vacuums as certified by US consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. It uses these to climb over obstacles up to 6cm, making it great if you have split levels (although keep in mind with actual stairs that the risers are likely to be higher than this).

It features powerful suction up to 20,000Pa, voice control, an AI camera and an LED guidance system. Its 360-degree scanning creates a 3D map of your floors, while the extendable side brush and mop easily handle cleaning. The HyperStream Detangling DuoBrush lifts and removes hair up to 30cm long.

“The threshold-climbing of the X50, if you need it, is unbeatable,” one US customer shared in a five-star review on Amazon (it was released in the US in February 2025). Another US customer summed it up as: “The Dreame X50 Ultra is an impressive cleaning machine with an elegant, modern design. It looks big and solid, giving a premium feel. My home is large, with mostly solid floors and some carpet, and this vacuum handles both with ease.”

Key features:

• World-first retractable robotic legs to climb over obstacles up to 6cm high
• Self-emptying and self-cleaning
• 20,000Pa suction for deep cleaning
• AI camer and LED guidance system
• VersaLift Navigation for low space cleaning
• Automatically adjusts settings based on dirt levels
• Smart app, including video streaming function
• Built-in voice assistant
• Three year warranty

Also available at:

• $2799 from The Good Guys
• $2799 from Bing Lee

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02

Ecovacs DEEBOT T50 Max PRO OMNI robotic vacuum

$1799 at JB-HIFI

Best for: Busy homes with pets, kids and carpets

ECOVACS has just launched its impressive new DEEBOT T50 Max PRO OMNI, designed specifically for Australian homes with carpets, kids and furry friends. This cleaning powerhouse features groundbreaking BLAST technology – delivering the strongest suction ECOVACS has ever produced – capable of picking up everything from fine dust to large particles.

Perfect for time-poor households, it navigates around furniture using AI vision, cleans right into corners and never gets tangled tangled with hair. It also washes the mop with temperature-controlled water, meaning you’ll never have to handle a dirty mop again!

Key features:

• Extra-strong suction power to pick up pet hair, crumbs and large debris
• Anti-tangle brush keeps hair from clogging the system
• Edge-to-edge cleaning gets right into corners and along skirting boards
• Automatic mop washing with warm water for better hygiene
• Smart obstacle detection to avoid toys, furniture and clutter
• Voice control and app connection for easy hands-free use

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03

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Robotic vacuum cleaner

$2499 (usually $2999) from Mobileciti

Best for: All-in-one cleaning with zero effort

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is as close to a cleaning fairy godmother as it gets. It vacuums, it mops, and it even washes and dries its own mop with hot water. At 10,000Pa of suction power, this thing is serious about dirt, whether it’s pet hair, crumbs, or mystery fluff. It easily dodges furniture and won’t get stuck on cables or stray socks. Not to mention, it’s smart enough to recognise when your floors need extra attention and will adjust accordingly.

“We are absolutely in love,” wrote a five-star reviewer on Amazon, where the robot vac is currently sold out. “We have two Labradors that lose a ridiculous amount of fur and track dirt, sand and all sorts through the house. Our floors have never been so clean. A simple schedule everyday and we come home to sparkling floors. Easy to map, mark things out to avoid and even add floor material and direction. Can’t rate it high enough. Saves so much time vacuuming daily and doing a big vac and mop weekly.”

Key features:

• Self-emptying and self-cleaning
• 10,000Pa suction for deep cleaning
• AI-powered obstacle avoidance
• Smart mopping with hot water cleaning
• Automatically adjusts settings based on dirt levels
• Pet-friendly with boosted suction near pet areas
• LiDAR navigation for precise mapping
• Built-in voice assistant

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Best for: Powerful suction and multi-surface cleaning

If you’re after a robot vacuum that does it all, the Dreame X40 Ultra is hard to beat. It doesn’t just vacuum — it scrubs, lifts, dries and cleans itself, so you barely have to lift a finger. Boasting a whopping 12,000Pa suction power and smart mop technology, it handles everything from pet hair to spilled drinks. It also knows how to avoid carpets when mopping and lifts its brushes to keep wet and dry cleaning separate.

“Went with this over the L10s Pro Ultra Heat as this price point was impossible to walk past,” said a reviewer who left five starts at Appliances Online. “Been absolutely flawless so far, very easy to setup and use and performance is perfect.”

Key features:

• 12,000Pa Vormax suction power for deep cleaning
• Smart mop with hot water self-cleaning
• Liftable mop and brushes to protect carpets
• Auto-emptying dustbin and self-washing station
• Intelligent dirt detection for targeted cleaning
• 3D obstacle avoidance
• App controls with voice assistant compatibility
• Large dustbin and water tank for extended cleaning sessions

Also available at:

• $2499 from Big W

Best for: Corner-cleaning precision and hair-free floors

The Roborock Qrevo Edge is designed for those tricky corners and edges that often get overlooked. It glides across different floor types without breaking a sweat (or getting tangled in pet hair!). The 18,500Pa HyperForce suction and FlexiArm Technology make sure no mess goes unnoticed, while precision navigation means every clean is a deep clean.

“Love, love, love this robot vacuum,” said a happy Amazon reviewer. “I took a chance and ordered two (one for each of the primary floors of the house) and could not be happier!! I’ve used another popular brand for years, but that other brand required constant attention and maintenance, and never performed to the level I really wanted.

When I saw these advertised, I decided to give it a try! I am so glad I did. The cleaning is far superior to the other brand, and the mopping is an added plus that I didn’t have before. I have six cats, so I run these almost daily, and the vacuums do a great job at staying on top of cat hair and keeping my floors cleaned and mopped.”

Key features:

• Anti-tangle design, perfect for pet hair and long hair
• High suction power (18,500 Pa) tackles tough debris
• Self-cleaning dock with hot water mop washing and auto-emptying
• Smart mapping and advanced navigation for efficient cleaning
• Customisable cleaning schedules to fit your routine
• App and voice control compatibility
• Long battery life (up to three hours)
• Quiet operation

Also available at:

• $2798 (usually $2799) from MobileCiti
• $2799 from Bing Lee (low stock)

Best for: Dual-action cleaning with smart navigation

Vacuuming and mopping just got a serious upgrade. The DEEBOT X5 PRO OMNI takes care of both with powerful suction, smart navigation and a battery that keeps going long after you’d have given up yourself. It glides around furniture and obstacles without a second thought, while you control everything using the app.

Shoppers at The Good Guys love the powerful suction, easy setup and effective mopping. One reviewer called it a “real time saver,” and another said it “cleans so well in the edges.” They also enjoy the smart app features, with one saying: “You get what you’re promised.”

A pet owner found it “a godsend” for keeping floors spotless, while someone else wrote that they’ve been “so relaxed since buying it.” Some did note minor mapping issues, but most agree it’s a reliable, high-performing cleaner.

Key features:

• 12800Pa suction power lifts dirt, dust and pet hair
• Mops and vacuums in one go
• Up to 224 minutes of runtime on a single charge
• Smart 3D navigation avoids furniture and obstacles
• Compact design reaches under couches and tables
• Self-emptying and self-cleaning
• Quiet operation at 67.9 dB

Also available at:

• $1988 from The Good Guys
• $1977 from Bing Lee
• $1979 from Big W
• $2499 from Woolworths

Best for: Hands-free cleaning that adapts to your routine

Featuring dual rubber brushes, edge-sweeping action and suction power that means business, the Roomba hunts down dust and crumbs — even in the most annoying corners. The Auto-Fill Dock empties debris for up to 60 days and refills the water tank for 30, so you can forget about maintenance for weeks. It’s even smart enough to learn your cleaning habits, dodge rogue socks and keep rugs dry while mopping.

“This product is brilliant,” said a five-star reviewer at The Good Guys. “Scheduled and carries out the task without complaining and does the job well. The learning ability is fantastic and provides a report for the user to review. Recommend this unit for anyone, set and forget. Did I mention its suction is great and we were only running a single pass on medium?”

Key features:

• Vacuums and mops in one go with powerful suction and scrubbing action
• Auto-Fill Dock empties dust and refills water, so cleaning stays hands-free
• Learns your routines and prioritises the messiest areas
• Keeps rugs dry with smart mopping technology
• Navigates around shoes, cords and pet bowls
• Controlled via the iRobot Home App with scheduling and custom settings
• Works with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant for voice control

Also available at:

• $1273 (usually $1899) from Stan Cash
• $1489 from Kogan
• $1299 (usually $1899) from Betta Home Living
• $1519.20 (usually $1899) from Myer

Best for: AI-powered, hassle-free mopping and vacuuming

The Eufy X10 Pro Omni is the ultimate home assistant, bringing you powerful suction, mopping and smart tech for a quick, thorough clean. The dual mops rotate at 180 RPM to make floors shine, and they also know when to lift off the carpet to avoid any wet surprises. Add in AI-powered obstacle avoidance and smart navigation, and you’ve got yourself a robot that knows exactly how to clean your space.

First-time robot vacuum owners on the Myer site (currently sold out) are impressed with how simple the Eufy robovac is to set up and how well it maps the house, with one reviewer highlighting the excellent mop function and large waste bin.

Families with busy homes are also loving it. One customer with young kids and tiled floors shared how the app made setting up cleaning zones easy, while another mentioned it leaves their light-coloured floor sparkling clean and even makes carpets look freshly vacuumed.

Key features:

• 8,000 Pa suction power for deep cleaning on carpets and hard floors
• Dual mop pads with 180 rotations per minute to tackle stains
• Auto-lifting mops to protect carpets
• Self-emptying dustbin with a 2.5L bag
• Self-refilling water tank for up to three mopping sessions
• AI-powered obstacle avoidance that detects over 100 objects
• Auto-detangling roller brush
• iPath Laser Navigation for efficient, smart cleaning paths
• Customisable AI.Map with virtual boundaries and no-go zones

Also available at:

• $1699.95 from Eufy

Best for: An affordable option that doesn’t skimp on performance

This stylish robot doesn’t just look good — it gets the job done with some serious suction power (and at a fraction of the cost compared to others!). It’s thorough enough to make multiple passes, and the self-emptying base means you can go up to 60 days without even thinking about emptying the dustbin.

The Shark vac has over 3560 star-reviews on Amazon, with one customer writing: “I bought one for a little cheaper and felt powerless when using it but returned it and saw this one. I don’t regret a thing! This vacuum is easy to use, the app is easy to navigate and is very user friendly. I got it on sale around Black Friday and the value is incredible.”

Another wrote: “This vacuum is great if you have back trouble. You don’t have to get all the way down on the floor to empty the canister. There is a button at the top of the handle that disconnects it from the base of the docking station, so you can empty it much easier than if you had to bend all the way over to pick up the robot unit. The robot itself is not very heavy, but it is pretty low to the floor. I’m glad I won’t have to mess with it very often.”

Key features:

• Powerful suction for all floor types
• Matrix Clean Navigation for thorough coverage
• Self-emptying base with a 60-day capacity
• Self-cleaning brush roll for deep carpet and hardwood cleaning
• 360° LiDAR vision for precise home mapping
• Perfect for homes with pets (picks up hair and debris easily)
• Voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
• Easy app control for scheduling and on-demand cleaning

Best for: Smart cleaning at an unbeatable price

The TP-LINK Tapo RV20 Max Plus truly works smarter, not harder. It’s got a beastly 5300Pa suction power that makes light work of everything from dirt on hard floors to dust bunnies hiding in your carpets. The ultra-slim design fits easily under furniture and even empties its own dustbin. Talk about low-maintenance — and at a price that won’t hurt your wallet!

“I own another more expensive robovac but dollar for dollar this is an excellent option for a more basic device,” wrote a reviewer who left five stars at The Good Guys. “Mapping is excellent and the app is way better than my other vacuum. Vac is good and the mop is okay. If you are looking for something entry level, this is highly recommended.”

A second reviewer added: “We have a busy household with a dog and the robot vacuum does a great job with a full house and spot vacuum. Good value for money and a user friendly app.”

Key features:

• 5300Pa suction power to suck up all the mess
• Slim profile that slides under furniture
• Fast, accurate cleaning routes
• Auto-empties itself into dust bag
• Quiet as a mouse at just 52-55 dB
• Voice-controlled via Google Assistant and Alexa
• Three hours of continuous cleaning before needing a recharge

Also available at:

• $499 from digiDirect