If you’re thinking about buying a house, it’s worth bearing in mind that there are different times of the year that lend themselves to a property purchase better than others.

For example, a market brimming with properties for sale is the best time for buying a house as a purchaser, as you’re more likely to be able to get a deal. Whereas if there’s little available, you could end up paying over the asking price in a bid to beat other buyers also struggling to find a property.

Interestingly, the UK property market bucked its usual trend of summer being a quiet month this year. Pent-up demand for moves post lockdown, as well as the rush for buyers to secure their purchase before the end of the stamp duty holiday fuelled the property market, resulting in over 200,000 house sales in June 2021 according to HMRC.

When is the best time to buy a house?

Read on, to find out the answers to some of the most frequently asked homebuyer questions to work out whether 2022 is the right time for you to take a leap onto the property ladder…

Image credit:Future/ Douglas Gibb

Buying property is a huge investment, from deposits to solicitor fees for buying a house. It’s not a decision to ever take lightly. With the stamp duty holiday now over, and life getting back to some sort of normality as we come out of lockdown, it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the property market going forward.

What time of year is it best to buy a house?

Traditionally, spring and early autumn tend to be a popular time to buy, with summer and winter being quieter. ‘There is typically more housing stock available in spring. Sales often go through quicker as people tend to be keen to complete before the summer,’ says Heather Owen, Financial Planning Expert at Quilter.

‘In contrast, the number of homes available later in the year tend to drop as homeowners opt to stay put for the winter,’ says Heather. ‘As there are typically business closures around the Christmas period, house sales can also take much longer to process.’

What is the best time of year to sell a house?

Interestingly, although spring and early autumn are the best time to buy a house, winter and summer tend to be the best times to sell a house – as there’s less competition on the market.

‘With fewer properties available in summer and winter, your house will have less competition and stand out more,’ says Natalie Carter, Director at Kai Carter Estates.

‘March often sees an increase in the number of homes up for sale. So if you are looking to buy a house then it is likely you will have far more to choose from as there are lots of people looking to move home in the spring,’ says Heather.

Image credit: Future/ Brent Darby

What time of year are houses the cheapest?

Unfortunately, there isn’t really a certain time of the year when you can get a bargain. It’s more about the seller’s circumstances. ‘If someone needs to sell quickly for financial reasons – relocation or perhaps a separation – they may be more inclined to take an offer, says Natalie. ‘Being a cash buyer and/or with no chain will increase your appeal as a buyer, as the sale can move quickly, sometimes in as little as 30 days.’

Natalie also recommends looking at new developments where the homes are all finished, but not yet all sold. ‘Once houses are built, developers want to capitalise on their investment to fund their next project. If a few houses remain unsold they may be prepared to take an offer,’ she says.

 Is 2022 a good year to buy a house?

There is a general consensus among the property industry that 2022 will be the year where buyers will get a fair price. ‘Sales being agreed has increased, but the number of sales achieving over the asking price has reduced, meaning we may start to see an end to the bidding wars that have been so prevalent,’ says Nathan Emerson, Chief Executive at Propertymark.

Nima Ghasri, Director at regulated property buyers GoodMove, agrees: ‘Demand remains strong and there is currently a shortage of properties to meet demand. So prices are holding steady and I believe they will continue to do so in 2022,’ says Nima. Meaning 2022 is looking promising start a moving house checklist to make a smart home change over.

When is the best time to buy for first-time buyers?

‘Latest OBR forecasts suggest an imminent base interest rate hike from the Bank of England, which will ultimately lead to higher mortgage costs over the next year,’ says Vadim Toader, CEO of Proportunity.

‘At the same time, real estate is usually considered a solid hedge against inflation, which will drive property prices even higher and contribute to mortgage costs going up. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a double whammy impact on homebuyers’ affordability,’ he says.

If you’re in a position to do so, Vadim advises aspiring homebuyers to jump on the property ladder sooner rather than later, in order to benefit from the lowest historic interest rates currently available. ‘To unblock these advantageous rates, buyers will need around a 20 per cent deposit,’ says Vadim.

If you don’t have cash savings to hand, check out the government’s shared ownership and Help to Buy: Equity Loan schemes, offering first-time buyers with the financial aid that they need to afford a property.

Image credit: Future/ Olly Gordon

What age is the best time to buy a new home?

According to comparethemarket.com, the average age of a first-time buyer in 2020 was 34.5 in London, and 32.2 in the rest of England. The comparison website predicts the age threshold will rise over the next ten years, reaching 37 in London and 34.7 in the rest of England in 2031, crediting house prices as the cause for the rise.

‘There’s no hard and fast rule. I think you want to be young enough that you can have a mortgage term and payments that are affordable for you, as the older you get, the shorter your term and therefore the higher your payments,’ says Nicola Schutrups, Managing Director at The Mortgage Hut.

‘However, you need to be of an age where you have a credit history, so it’s highly unlikely you’ll get a mortgage at 18, for instance.’

There used to be an age threshold that cut off at 55, but lenders realise people are living longer. ‘We’re seeing lenders who will approve a mortgage for people up to the age of 80, with repayments until they reach 100,’ says Nicola. ‘To a lender, someone with a pension is seen as more reliable because you can’t be made redundant from your pension.’

Is the best time to buy a house during a recession?

A recession is generally considered a bad time to buy a home, as wages are lower and more people find themselves out of a job. However, there are pros to buying in a recession. The biggest being that house prices tend to drop, and therefore you might get more for your money.

‘Ultimately, if you look at any five-year period, house prices have gone up and property is a great long-term investment. So buying during a recession is a good idea, provided you can get a good deal,’ says Nicola.

How has Covid 19 affected home-buying patterns?

Since the pandemic, there’s been a shift in homebuyer’s priorities. A private garden, space for a home office and access to open green space are now becoming much more important. ‘The home has become far more than just the four walls that surround it.

‘With 2020 behind us, a year when we’ve all spent most of our lives inside our homes, where we live has never felt more important,’ says Lisa Crush, Director of Sales and Marketing for Peabody. ‘People’s appreciation of the space they inhabit, their immediate surroundings and the lifestyle that can be enjoyed from it, is more significant than ever,’ says Lisa.

The post When is the best time to buy a house? Experts reveal best times of the year appeared first on Ideal Home.

Christmas is a truly magical time, there’s a feeling of excitement in the air and it’s the perfect opportunity to cosy up our homes. Be inspired by Dick and Angel Strawbridge’s fairytale home Chateau de la Motte Husson and add some Chateau sparkle in time for a fabulously festive Christmas. 

Make your home warm and cosy for the festive season with top tips from The Chateau.

1. Introduce festive prints and motifs

Image credit: The Chateau

If you want to add subtle decorative accents of the season into your home, try introducing Christmas-inspired prints and motifs to create a truly festive feeling. The beautifully illustrated ‘Joyeux Noel’ design, features traditional Christmas motifs – robins, red berries, holly and ivy, and Christmas baubles.

This pretty yuletide design is available in a handful of decorative and personalisable products including a statement tile, which can be used as a tile or trivet, a coaster, mug and even a notebook and diary to get you organised for the new year!

Buy now: Personalised Joyeux Noel tile, £15, The Chateau

2. Switch up your bedding for the season

Image credit: The Chateau

When the nights start drawing in, change your bedding to sumptuous rich colours which will cosy up your bedroom and transition your home to winter. If you want to create that luxurious feeling perfect for the time of year, choose a darker colour palette that features rich and opulent colours like emerald greens and deep purples.

The new homeware collection by Angel includes the Emerald Fan print (you may have spotted it in the first episode of the new series of ‘Escape to The Chateau’) which features  illustrated fans, flowers and 1920s-inspired motifs.

The deeply vibrant colour palette is perfect for creating a luxurious space befitting of the season…it’s not only available in a bed set but a cushion, fabric, wallpaper and lampshade, too!

Buy now: Emerald Fan Bed Set, £45, The Chateau

3. Choose heavy curtains

Image credit: The Chateau

French Chateaux are filled with gorgeous big windows, perfect for hanging luxurious statement curtains. The added benefit is keeping your rooms nice and warm and cosy throughout winter.

The Chateau’s brand new Wild Flower Garden curtains, inspired by Dick & Angel’s cutting garden, are stunning, high quality, fully-lined and come in a variety of sizes. The Wild Flower Garden print has beautifully illustrated intertwining tendrils, flowers and foliage set against a sumptuous deep purple backdrop.

The curtains come in many sizes and would be a great addition to any room.

Buy now: The Wild Flower Garden Curtains, £45, The Chateau

4. Fill your home with festive scents

Image credit: The Chateau

Candlelight immediately cosies up a space, making it warm, inviting and atmospheric. Ambient lighting and luxurious scents are perfect for a date night or a festive evening in with the family. The scents of Christmas are truly magical; chestnuts roasting on an open fire, cinnamon, cloves and orange, and fresh pine needles.

The Chateau’s White Forest hand poured candle is inspired by the woodland that surrounds Chateau de la Motte Husson. Fresh green pine needle top notes are infused with sparkling tones of warming mandarin and bergamot.

With a burn time of around 40 hours, the festive scent will fill an entire home. For an extra special touch, you can get your candle personalised…or why not treat a loved one to a personalised candle for Christmas?

Buy now: Personalised White Forest Candle, £30, The Chateau

5. Cosy up your accessories

Image credit: The Chateau

Bring in warming accessories to your home this winter to make sure you and the entire family keep nice and cosy. The Strawbridge family love a hot water bottle and there’s no better feeling than snuggling up on a chilly night…they’re a must at The Chateau!

The Chateau has a choice of new hot water bottle designs and you’re likely to fall in love with at least one…Nouveau Wallpaper, Wild Flower, Nouveau Heron, Potagerie and Wallpaper Museum. Each hot water bottle is finished with a cotton herringbone bow and comes with the bottle inside, ready to be used.

Buy now: Nouveau Wallpaper Hot Water Bottle, £24, The Chateau

6. Pour yourself a delicious hot chocolate

Image credit: The Chateau

Indulgence is part of the Christmas experience! And what could be better than a cosy cup of delicious hot chocolate while you’re snuggled on the sofa.

The Chateau’s Personalised Hot Chocolate Gift Set contains 160g of Venezuela 43% milk chocolate flakes, a mix of Criollo and Trinatario beans with a distinctive rich and nutty taste, that make the perfect hot chocolate when mixed with hot milk; a personalised Chateau mug, in a choice of three beautiful designs; and a 40g bag of mini marshmallows, which is definitely a favourite topping at The Chateau.

Buy now: Personalised Hot Chocolate Gift Set, £24, The Chateau

7. Let the countdown begin

Image credit: The Chateau

Now your home is feeling warm and cosy it’s time to start the countdown to Christmas! No countdown is complete without a traditional chocolate advent calendar. There’s nothing quite like the ceremony of sitting down all together in the morning and behind every door is a surprise!

The Chateau Organic Chocolate Advent Calendar is available in milk and dark chocolate (dark chocolate is vegan friendly and also deliciously rich) and has a beautifully illustrated festive-themed Chateau de la Motte Husson on the front, so every door you open feels like you’re entering into different parts of The Chateau!

Buy now: Organic Chocolate Advent Calendar, £12.50, The Chateau

Image credit: The Chateau

Discover the entire range of Chateau homeware, gifts and personalised accessories at www.thechateau.tv and follow The Trésorerie and @the_chateau_tv on Instagram for more inspiration.

The post How to cosy up your home for the festive season with The Chateau appeared first on Ideal Home.

Having just refurbished a house and decided to settle into it for the foreseeable future, this property-savvy couple came across their current house online. ‘We weren’t considering this location at all, but the house backed onto a park, and as soon as we walked in, as the cliche goes, we knew this was the one straight away.’

The property had been vacant for two years, with the previous owner, an elderly lady of 102 having lived there for 60 years. ‘It was a time warp. It needed a lot of work. There was no central heating in some rooms, and there were numerous versions of old and even older electrical fittings throughout’ explains the owner.

‘We fell in love with the hallway and parquet floor, which ironically are the two things we had to rip out to make way for the new staircase. Now, after raising the roof and replacing all the windows, there’s actually not much left of the original house.’

Neo-Georgian house exterior

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

The house is in a conservation area and the owners were keen to work with experts who knew how to navigate the council’s requirements. They settled on Gruff Architects (gruffarchitects.com) who immediately understood their vision.

‘I remember our architect asking where we’d put our Christmas tree, which was funny, because that’s one of the things I’d also considered, but thought that was just me, over-thinking!’

The architects felt the layout as you entered the house was vitally important, in order to enjoy the connections between rooms across the floor plan. ‘They adjusted the entrance hallway to relocate the stairs centrally, which allowed direct access to the new loft and opened out the plan to make a much more understandable and practical layout for each floor.’

Hallway

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

The owners were adamant that the hallway idea should feel authentic, despite being a new addition.  ‘New parquet has been laid, which looks like it’s always been there, perfectly complements the grand entrance space.’

‘When we had to move the staircase we were worried about the effect it would have on the hall, but it feels completely natural. We now have a double height ceiling space on the first floor, leading up the loft which makes the house seem grander and airier.’

Kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

The kitchen is where the family spend most of their time. The previous owners had filled in a gap between the garage and the house with a porch that was added in the 1980s. The new owners removed the door and replaced it with a window seat idea to create the seating nook.

‘The extended peninsular worktop was a last minute addition. It wasn’t meant to be so long, but now the children have a perching place to eat which has proved incredibly useful.’

The extension work is most evident in the new kitchen. Where space has been taken from the generous garden to create a large kitchen-diner. ‘We removed the back wall of the house, as you couldn’t see into the garden,’ explains the owner. Using a third of that outdoor space for the new extension.

‘I designed the kitchen with the architect and chose textures and tones that mirror the consistent colour palette used throughout the house. I decided on the colour of the kitchen early on, as I’d used the same thing in our last house.’ The owners came close to commissioning a kitchen company to make the units, but their builder was confident that he could put together a team who could achieve what they wanted – and he was right.

Dining room

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

Compared to the rest of the house this space doesn’t have many pictures because the owners wanted a serene feel. The bifold doors retract fully, so it feels like you’re in the garden when they’re open.

‘The room is a lot bigger than we anticipated. We had our existing, relatively small, table in here initially and it looked ridiculous, so we found this one from Neptune.’ At their children’s insistence, they have two Christmas trees: ‘One here in the dining area, decorated in a restrained theme, the other in the lounge, which gets strewn with everything they can find in the box!’

Living room

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

In the winter this space has a country house type of feel; it’s intimate, but there are lovely big windows. Originally two rooms, the couple removed the dividing wall to create an open-plan space.

‘It has a very different feel to the extension. The fireplace is a beautiful focal point, ready to gather round at Christmas time. Choosing a neutral hue for the surround and hearth means the style works year-round.’

Living room

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

The owners choose to create a subtle festive sparkle using lots of foliage interspersed with candlesticks and fairy lights. ‘I make my own wreath for the front door: a haphazard mixture of greenery with purple thistles and anything with a silvery tinge.’

‘The staircase has eucalyptus woven through the spindles, along with some lights. The scent is delightful right throughout the festive period.’

Bedroom

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

Speaking of the blue bedroom idea the homeowner says: ‘A fresh-feeling space has been created using a pared down palette of blue hues. I like tonal contrasts and wanted to keep the bedroom simple using a selection of tactile materials such as linen, corduroy, chenille & silk.’

‘Wall-mounted lamps helps create a scheme of layered lighting. Offering practical illumination so you don’t have to get out of bed once you’re ready to sleep.’

Ensuite bathroom

Photography Brent Darby/Future PLC

‘This bathroom still has the original 1930s bathtub which we had re-enamelled. It used to be a south-facing bedroom with a beautiful arched window. I realised it would split well into two rooms. So on the other side of a dividing wall (which the units run along) is now my study.’

The post Extending resulted in a complete transformation for this neo-Georgian house appeared first on Ideal Home.

Choose the best robot vacuum and you’ll have a new hands-free solution to those midweek cleans that just can’t wait. With completely hands-free controls and increasingly smart features, the best robot vacuums will cut down on cleaning time, just in time for the busiest time of the year. While they’re not quite ready to replace the best vacuum cleaners, robot vacuum cleaners will run around your home and pick up pet hair, dust, and crumbs, even when you’re not home. You can even schedule the best robot vacuum to slot it into your cleaning routine.

While they’ve been around for a while, there’s a reason that everyone is buying the best robot vacuum right now. They are genuinely very smart pieces of tech, and despite that, they’re easy to use and have plenty of suction. We hate complicated setups and manuals that resemble textbooks, so if you snap up an Ideal Home approved robot vacuum, that means we were able to get to grips with its controls and even app pairing. Our top picks from Ecovacs, iRobot, Roomba, Roborock and even Dyson will make your cleaning routine easier than ever, and if you want to pick up a robot vacuum on sale, take a look at our Black Friday home deals page.

How much does a robot vacuum cost?

Image credit: iRobot

Initial models could be found stranded on the doormat or bumping repeatedly into a door, but our robot vacuum reviews put the latest and greatest to the test, with options for under £200 and some recent releases that are crammed with added features such as self-emptying bins and the ability to avoid obstacles.

Best robot vacuums 2021

1. Eufy RoboVac 15c Max

Best robot vacuum for your money

Dimensions: ‎‎32.5 x 32.5 x 7.25 cm
Control: App and on-board
Reasons to buy:

• Comes with a remote control
• Compact design
• Automatically adjusts to different floors

Reasons to avoid:

• It won’t map your floors

With both a remote control and app sync available, the Eufy RoboVac 15c Max is a great option for both the tech-averse and those who want to customise every element of their vacuum. Pair it with your smart speaker, or simply press a button to set your Eufy RoboVac 15c Max around your floors.

Boost IQ is Eufy’s answer to homes with a variety of floors. Switching from carpet to hard floors will be no issue thanks to its automatic adjustments. It will adjust between standard and max cleaning modes, although you can manually choose your preference, too.

While it is neither the smartest nor the cheapest robot vacuum in our guide, the Eufy RoboVac 15c Max gets the balance right for most families. It’s a great value pick that has the perfect amount of power for most homes.

Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

2. Roborock S6

Best robot vacuum for mopping 

Dimensions: ‎35 x 35.3 x 9.6 cm
Control: App, on-board
Reasons to buy:

• Mopping power makes this vacuum a two-in-one
• Smart mapping is easy to set up
• Faultless deep-cleaning
• Automatic recharging

Reasons to avoid:

• It’s a hefty 4kg
• The mop uses just water

While it’s designed to be one of the best robot vacuums, the Roborock S6 has an optional mop attachment that works simply by filling up the water container. It’s great on hardwood floors and leaves a relatively dry trail while still picking up superficial dirt. It’s no stand-in for an actual mop because there’s no suds or antibacterial cleaning solution involved, but for a tougher clean on laminate and tile we found it did a perfectly good job.

Onto the vacuuming, which really is the star of the show, the Roborock S6 is incredibly smart. It automatically maps out your space and figures out the smartest way to clean, meaning it tracks more of a zig-zag across your room than a random dodgem route; something we found with less smart robot vacuums. The vacuum also scans the room using the LiDAR navigation on top of the machine. Other features we enjoyed included automatic recharging and the rubber bristles that aren’t prone to tangling and can accurately detect barriers and move dirt into the path of the vacuum.

If you’re looking for the best robot vacuum and mop combination it’s a smart pick, and not the most expensive option in our guide.

Ideal Home rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

3. iRobot Roomba S9+

Best luxury robot vacuum

Dimensions: ‎‎52.2 x 43.4 x 41 cm
Dust bin: 0.44 litres, with self-emptying base
Control: App, on-board
Reasons to buy:

• Amazing design for corners
• Self-emptying design is very handy
• Self-mapping is the best we’ve seen
Reasons to avoid:

• It’s as expensive as a robot vacuum can get
• Noisy self-emptying

The iRobot Roomba S9+ is one of the most expensive options on the market, but if you’re willing to spend over a grand on a robot vac, it’s a seriously smart choice. The squared front is perfectly shaped to reach into corners and run along skirting boards to pick up every hidden piece of dust or pet hair. iRobot’s 3-stage cleaning system was designed to clean very deep into your floors, with rubber treads to reach into the fibre of your carpets and loosen any rooted-in hair or dirt.

What we really love about this robot vac is how simple it is to use. Despite it’s tech-y design it looks very smart in any hallway and can be operated using the iRobot app. This will map out your home using Imprint Smart Map, which will then allow you to set certain rooms to be cleaned as well as create no-clean zones where you may have concerns about rug fringes or kids’ toys getting in the way. When it returns to the dock, the S9+ will begin to empty its own dustbin into the storage tower. This will go into a bag which will mean there is no chance for dust to escape back to your home once it’s been cleaned up, but this process is a little noisy.

Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

4. Ecovacs Deebot N79S

Best budget-friendly robot vacuum

Dimensions: ‎33 x 33 x 7.8 cm
Dust bin: 520ml
Control: App, on-board
Reasons to buy:

• Reasonably priced
• Wide reach for more efficient cleaning
• Large bin

Reasons to avoid:

• The brush is prone to tangling

An Amazon favourite due to the low cost and easy use, we were impressed by just how powerful the Ecovacs Deebot N79S is on both hardwood and carpet. It’s got a Wide Reach bristle on either side of the front of the vacuum, both of which do an excellent job of sweeping debris in the path of the vacuum as it goes around the room. Its battery holds true to the 100-minute battery life promised by Ecovacs, but we did find that after about six months of use this had depleted to around 45 minutes. Still, that’s above average for many robot vacuums.

Not everyone will be drawn to a robot vacuum that requires lots of complicated controls and syncing to a phone, and one of the best things about the Ecovacs Deebot N79S is that you can simply press a button on the top of the machine and off it goes in Auto mode. Unlike some smarter vacuums such as the Roborock S6 it does move around more randomly instead of mapping a clear path around the room, but keep in mind that it does so for only a fraction of the price. Other modes include spot cleaning and edge mode, that targets skirting boards and corners very well.

Suction is powerful and the bin is large. The issues we encountered weren’t unique to the Ecovacs Deebot N79S. For example, the side bristles can get tangled easily if (well, when) they encounter long hair. When it comes to the top of the stairs it does detect an imminent drop, but we found that we needed to rescue it from the cliff before it would continue cleaning, despite the claim that it does this automatically.

Ideal Home rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

5. iRobot Roomba 980

Best robot vacuum for total performance

Dimensions: ‎50dia x H91mm
Control: App and on-board
Reasons to buy:

•  Consistent cleaning
•  Great value for money
•  Great on rugs
Reasons to avoid:

•  The docking system is a faff

iRobot, the company behind Roomba, actually started out making bomb disposal robots for the American military. The company has been selling robotic vacuums in the US for decades. The Roomba 980 is their top-of-the-range Wi-Fi connected design that costs less than the Dyson. In our opinion, it outperforms it.

The 350dia x H91mm lozenge can sneak under all but the lowest sofa, detects when it moves from hard floors to rugs and carpet. It boosts the motor speed for better cleaning results. It has a clever twin rubber brush bar. This is easy to clean and untangle and seriously good at picking up pet hair. The brush bars don’t extend right to the edge of the vacuum. However, the two spinning brushes sweep dust into the bars, so it can clean right up to the skirting boards.

It comes with two battery powered digital fencing devices that prevent the Roomba going where it shouldn’t. Away from a tangle of wires, or outside onto the decking for instance. But we’ve not found much of a need for them. It’s excellent across all sorts of terrain. It can climb onto thick piled rugs and hasn’t fallen down stairs once.

While not as simple to empty as the Dyson, the 980 has a HEPA filter to reduce allergens escaping back into the room. The consistency of the cleaning is the best we’ve come across. That’s both in terms of the amount of dust it picks up, and how well it navigates around the room. We rarely come home to find it tangled or trapped, just docked and recharging.

One word on the docking system though. Irritatingly, it can only be plugged in from one side, which limits where you can position it. We resorted to using Blu-Tack to keep it in the right position. It was a struggle to rest it flush against a wall.

Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

6. Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S

Best quiet robot vacuum

Dimensions: ‎32.5 x 32.5 x 7.25 cm
Dust bin: 0.6 litres
Control: Remote
Reasons to buy:

• It’s quiet
• Affordable price point
• A good pick for those who want a remote

Reasons to avoid:

•  You can’t pair it with an app

Robot vacuums are pretty smart, but that doesn’t mean you need to get one with all the bells and whistles. If you’re a bit scared of setting up new apps, or you don’t get along with Alexa, the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S could be a good choice for you.

It has a good old-fashioned remote control that allows you to select a cleaning style (spot clean, edge clean etc) and how deep you would like your clean to be. The vacuum also automatically adjusts to carpets, which means you’ll get custom cleaning no matter what room it’s in.

One other thing we love is the size. It’s only 7.25 cm tall, so plenty small enough to reach under the sofa. The Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S is quiet, too. It reaches only 55bD when testing.

7. Dyson 360 Heurist

Best robot vacuum for reliability

Dimensions: ‎240 x 230mm
Dust bin: 0.33 litres
Control: App and on-board
Reasons to buy:

• Excellent suction
• Easy to empty
•  Seriously easy to use

Reasons to avoid:

•  The dust bin is tiny
•  It’s prone to getting stuck

Instantly recognisable as a Dyson product, the Dyson 360 Heurist is gorgeous. Well made, it has the same feeling of dependability (and usability) as their other vacuum cleaners. It might only measure 240 x 230mm, but it boasts of having ‘twice the suction of any other robot vacuum’. It also has the ability to look 360° around a room. And it has a high-quality carbon fibre brush bar (like the one found on the excellent Dyson V8 Handheld).

With one simple button – and a comprehensive smartphone app – it’s a breeze to use. Easy to set timers, it’ll even draw you a map to show how much cleaning it does while you’re at work. It isn’t the simplest device to link to your Wi-Fi, requiring long passwords and a fair amount of faffing. The transparent dust collector is easy to empty without creating a mess. The filters can be rinsed under the tap and the docking station sits flush with the wall.

The cord can be plugged in either on the right or left hand, depending on the nearest socket is. Watching the 360 Eye work is slow going but give it time – you’re at work after all. The excellent mapping cameras and sensors will cover the open ground with ease. The short 45min battery life and slow recharge rate mean it took over three hours to cover a large living room.

The small size means it can get through chair legs more easily than the rest. At 12cm tall it might struggle under very low sofas, but we didn’t have an issue. The first time we used it, we were embarrassed by how much dust and dirt it collected.

It was hugely impressive, with the living room looking and feeling cleaner. Over time though, we did get frustrated by its tendency to get stuck on the fireplace hearth (The Roomba or Miele had no issues with this). It became a bit of a joke as to where Dyson would be when we got home.

Ideal Home rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Do it by hand: Best steam cleaners

Can a robot vacuum replace a regular vacuum?

Anyone who has ever paid for a cleaner will know the joy of returning home to a spotless house. Even the most hi-tech of robotic vacuums can’t yet compete with that just-polished look. But they can keep on top of the daily once-around. And all without you lifting a finger. Sure, we all know people who manage to vacuum virtually every day. But if you’re busy working and hate the idea of losing free time to chores, a robotic vacuum could be for you. Especially if you have pets.

Where they struggle is with getting up and down the stairs (but if we find one that can levitate, we’ll let you know!) and hopping on and off rugs. You can zone your home to avoid these obstacles, but they do prove tricky for those who want to replace a vacuum cleaner altogether. Plus, we all need to whip out the vac every now and again to pick up a little spill, which is often best done by hand. We love our robot vacuums for keeping on track with day-to-day dirt, but we do still run around our classic vacuum to get more stuck in with the weekly clean.

How to buy the best robot vacuum for you

Image credit: Roomba

How does a robot vacuum cleaner work?

Basic robot cleaners generally clean in straight lines, running until they bump into something. They turn around and head back the way they came. Some work by spinning in a spiral from the middle of the room until they hit the edges. However, the latest designs boast NASA style sensor. This helps them map out any room and prevents them from toppling down the stairs.

All robot vacuums have drop sensors to avoid falling, and most have bump sensors in case they do run into things. A combination of cameras and even lasers help guide the top-of-the-range designs. These robots track what has been cleaned and what is left to clean until they’ve finished that particular section of your home. It might look like they work randomly, but trust us, it’s anything but!

Some can also tell if they change surfaces – from carpet to hard floor for instance. They can decrease motor power in that instance. Some can even sense if there’s more dirt and pass over the area more frequently.

How much should I spend on a robot vacuum cleaner?

A good robot vacuum isn’t cheap, and you should budget around £200 at the very least. Anything less and you’re looking at more of an automated floor sweeper than an intelligent appliance. Our best buys cost around £700 which is a lot, especially given you’ll still need to occasionally run around with a regular cleaner, but if you’re a pet owner sick of hairballs blowing across the room, the daily clean of a robotic vacuum will be worth every penny.

3. How well does a robot vacuum really clean?

We were horrified by how much dust, dirt, and pet hair was collected by the robot vacuums. Remember to pick obstacles off the floor before leaving the house. This way you will come back to much cleaner floors. And the beauty is, it will clean every day, without complaining. Admittedly the quality of cleaning is dependent on the vacuum’s ability to clean unobstructed.

If you have stuff everywhere you should expect it to get stuck from time to time. Also, it can’t get right into the corners, no matter what the blurb on the box says. It also can’t climb stairs. So if you want to clean bedrooms or bathrooms you’ll need to take it up and turn it on. If you ask us, it’s still better than doing it yourself.

What features should I look for when choosing a robot vacuum cleaner?

Image credit: Braava

1. Timers: An absolute must, there’s little point having a robot cleaner if it can’t do the housework while you’re not there. The easiest to program is the connected app-controlled models, but even basic design will have digital clock-style timers.
2. App control: If your robot vacuum comes with a smartphone app you’ll be able to control it remotely. Turn on from work for instance if you’ve got an unexpected visit from the in-laws. Plus, you can now track your vacuum’s progress and see how much of the room it has cleaned. This is useful to see if there are areas the robot can’t access.
3. Filters: The vast majority of cleaners have built-in air filters to trap unwanted particles and stop them from being pumped back into the room. Look for washable designs for longevity, although all brands sell replacements.
4. Docking station: All vacuums need recharging at some stage and being able to take themselves home for a refuel is a huge bonus. However, battery life isn’t that significant assuming you’re in no rush to get the floors cleaned. If you’re out at work, you can let the cleaner work all day – charging up as it goes. Positioning the dock however can be an issue, so check if you have a well-located spot against a wall, in close proximity to a plug. 

Get the most from your robot vacuum

Image credit: Dyson

Robot vacuum cleaners aren’t perfect yet, but you can help them perform better with these easy tips:

1. Tidy up

Even the most hi-tech sensors can’t navigate around piles of Lego or dirty laundry, so to give the vacuum the best chance of a success, have a quick tidy before you leave.

2. Don’t get rid of the old vacuum

Robots can’t clean stairs, curtains or upholstery (yet!).  Therefore you will still need a proper vacuum, or a decent cordless handheld with a nozzle and crevice attachments.

3. Use the timers

Robot vacuums work best if they clean every day. Learn how to use the schedule and set it to clean when you know you’ll be out the house.

4. Clean it regularly

As with a regular vacuum, make sure you clean the filters regularly. Get rid of any tangles as soon as you discover them.

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