Listen and follow The Wirecutter ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadioThe iconic robot vacuum—the autonomous bot that can roam your home sucking up pet hair and Cheerios—is evolving. Manufacturers are shifting almost entirely to combo robot vac-mops. The question, for our vacuum tester, is whether they’re any good and if they’re worth the very steep prices (upwards of $1,600 for top-of-the-line models).Wirecutter writer Evan Dent joins us to explain how the new vac-mops handle everyday messes, the homes they’re best suited for, and what you should know about storing and repairing them.If you’re looking for a deal on a robot vac or vac-mop combo, he also shares the prices to watch for during Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day sale (or any deals event).This episode covers:Why robot vacuums are disappearing: Basic robot vacuums have reached a profit ceiling, so manufacturers are phasing them out. Instead, they can charge a premium for the added features of vac-mops. Evan covers this more in his article Even Robots Don’t Want to Vacuum.These new bots are only decent cleaners: The mop function isn't great for tough stains, and the mop pad actually makes them sit higher off the ground, which slightly reduces their vacuuming power. But they serve just fine as maintenance cleaners.The ideal home for a vac-mop: They work best on hard flooring on a single level of a home (they can’t really handle stairs). While carpet detection has improved, it still isn't flawless.The realities of bulky docks and limited repairability: Newer models rely on large docking stations that take up a significant amount of floor space. Plus, the added mopping components mean there are more parts that can break.When to buy and what to spend: Wait for major sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday, or look for deals when newly updated models are released. A good price to look for on a mid-range combo vac-mop like our pick is around $600 or below.Products we recommendA smart, quick robot that empties itselfRoborock Q7 M5+This bot is a top-notch cleaner and a great navigator that avoids (most) obstacles while keeping on top of scattered debris. It comes with a charging dock that sucks debris from its dustbin after it cleans.$250 from Amazon$250 from WayfairSolid performer, less refinedTapo RV30 Max PlusThis affordable robot vacuum has strong cleaning power, and it comes with a charging dock that empties its dustbin after cleaning. But its performance isn’t quite as polished as that of our top pick.$200 from AmazonBest for roller-moppingEufy Robot Vacuum Omni E25This is one of the most affordable and effective self-cleaning roller-mop models we've tested. But it's an average vacuumer.$700 $600 from Best BuyBundle with replacement parts$700 $600 from NeweggBundle with replacement parts$700 $600 from AmazonUse promo code USE25DEAL (deal on black)$700 $600 from AmazonUse promo code USEUFYE25W (deal on white)$700 $600 from WalmartYou save $100 (14%)