The performance of a given machine definitely depends on the specific household. I can’t say I’ve ever really had to suck up cereal (no children in my home), dirt clouds, and occasionally I get one leaf. I do have a significant amount of area out of the back yard before any debris reaches the inside of my home. We have a standard sidewalk, 6 deck steps and about 6 feet of deck before you reach the rear door rug. I really only get dog hair on the outside rug, and salt in the winter. I also have a large rug when you go through the sliding glass door, so I guess I have a lot of “dirt traps” before you get into the house. I will say that I’ve never had an issue with the automatic height hunting, I wonder if the newer versions were adjusted at the factory. I will say that after 8 months of use on the brush roll, I now doesn’t touch my Hardfloors much. I will say that the G4 is probably the most universal option.