In the few decades that robot vacuum cleaners have existed in, they've certainly advanced. They're not the basic, almost-useless cleaners they used to be. Now, they can vacuum well , mop, build maps of your home, and empty and clean themselves.

The best robot vacuum for one home might be different from another. It all depends on factors like house size or whether you have pets, so before making the decision it's smart to weigh up what's essential and what isn't. I've tested several robot vacuum cleaners for Homes & Gardens and I've been writing about them for years, so below I've listed the 7 essential factors to consider when determining the right robot vacuum for your home.

Weighing up all the factors will help you realize which features are essential and which will simply end up costing you more. Robot vacuums are expensive, so it's important to cut the cost down as much as possible. First things first: think about how much you're willing to spend.

Robot vacuums can range anywhere from as low as $150 past $1,500, so balance your maximum budget with a set of features that are a dealbreaker for you. At the lower end, you'll be able to find basic robot vacuums with limited features, that will only offer a light clean of your floors. You'll still need to do your own vacuuming to keep your floors up to standard.

At this low price, you could easily buy a budget robot vacuum that will cause more stress than it's worth, so it's smart to go for trusted brands like the Shark ION AV7.