Are robot window cleaners any good? I tested one – here's what you need to know before you buy

Most people have heard of robot vacuums. Perhaps you're even aware of the existence of robot lawn mowers. But did you know that now you can even get your hands on a robot for cleaning your windows?

The first time I saw one of these window bots in action at a tech show, I was mesmerized. I watched, transfixed, as the bot made its way methodically across a pane of glass, gently buffing as it went. I knew I wanted to try one out in my own home, to see if it could move outside its comfort zone of an already-clean bit of demo glass and tackle my grimy windows instead.

For those whose homes have numerous glass windows and doors, a robot window cleaner is undoubtedly an appealing prospect. Manual window cleaning is messy, and generally requires you to hire a professional – in which case ...