Dreame
X40 Pro Ultra

Dreame
Dreame

Dreame

I have NOTHING good to say about dreame. I have an X40 ultra, and the thing cant even put on the mops by itself, let alone do a decent scan of the apartment
Similar experience here (also AU) - I has the X40 Ultra worked perfectly for 17 months and then just died entirely. Sent in for servicing got it back and it was "fixed" in that it would now turn on and the motors worked but other than that it was still useless as it couldn't even complete a mapping run. Dreame wanted to have another go at fixing it but I refused as their service centre is obviously incompetent (I'd have at least expect them to test it after "fixing" it). Anyway, the robot's on it's way back to them and I'm now waiting on a refund. I bought directly from Dreame.
My X40 worked perfectly for 17 months and then died (like totally died - it wouldn't do anything). It went back for servicing and when I got it back at least its motors would work - but it couldn't navigate at all - I couldn't use it as it couldn't complete a map. And the amount of effort it took me to get them to accept it back for servicing in the first place was ridiculous. I'm sure the first 2 or even 3 replies you get are from bots regurgitating stock "try this & try this" steps. I'm currently at 6 weeks waiting for a solution.
Just don't. At all. Get some other brand instead. I was happy with my X40 for 18 months until it completely broke down, sent it back to be fixed (they wanted the entire thing - dock & all), finally got it back and it still didn't work. I'm now attempting to get a refund as I don't even want it anymore.
My X40 made it to 17 months. Never buying Dreame again after suffering through their "support" process.
My X40 did something similar at 17 months. Wouldn't connect to wifi, wouldn't even factory reset. I sent it to be fixed and they sent it back with a new major issue (navigation totally broken). After a few weeks of pain arguing with them I finally managed to get a refund. Won't be buying Dreame (or Mova) again.
I loved my X40 until it broke down and then I had to endure the Dreame terrible service process - "fixed" but not actually fixed, etc, etc. If you do get one make sure to purchase from Amazon or elsewhere with good returns policies, don't buy direct from Dreame.
Dreame X40 Ultra here, had it since moving into new house with all hardwood floors and we have not mopped or vacuumed once since. We run it every night (two story house so we run it when we are asleep) have set it up to go daily with a mixture of deep clean, vacuum then mop and fast cleaning throughout the week. The only extra we do is occasionally use the swifter microfibres sweeper to dust behind the couch and around the side board to get any dust out so that Meryl can pick it up (our vacuum is called Meryl Sweep). 100% recommend. Caveat, no kids no pets unless you count the fish tanks.
Recently got a Dreame X40 Ultra, it’s pretty nice. Can’t think of anything else I’d need from a vacuum. I just change the water containers; liquid detergent usage is pretty minimal so it’ll last months. Love that the mops are detachable magnetic pads instead of the velcro type and it automatically washes & dries them at the base station
Might be a dumb question, but have you checked eBay for refurbished stuff? They have a dreame x40 ultra there that is now down to $320 with a two year warranty still... We bought two of them when they were $350 and are pretty happy, floors are noticeably cleaner, mops well, and no fur clogs with 3 cats.
Would you be open to a refurbished unit? Dreame X40 Ultra models are only $320 or less when in stock and if you add the tricut brush option to avoid/reduce pet hair tangles, it's a solid option. Basically a 2 year old flagship. Personally I'm waiting on the X50 Ultra to be under $500 refurbished, probably $350-450, as that one has a newer brush design that's even better at avoiding any tangles. Plus and the x40 ultra it have solid obstacle avoidance due to AI powered cameras and lidar, and the x50 ultra even has threshold climbing. The only thing that's not ideal about them is that they have spinning mops not roller mops. Technologically speaking roller mops are better for both wet spills and just for picking stuff up off the floor vs just spreading it around. However reviews vary for even identical systems, so it's hard to say which models with rollers are best and roller mops are almost exclusively in high end models.
I'd consider a refurb x40 ultra or l40 ultra from Ebay for around $300 or less when coupons come around. I needed the threshold climbing so got an x50 ultra refurb from them which came last week and has been a solid replacement to an Ecovacs Deebot T8+. However the x50 ultra was $500+tax with 9% back via Capital One Shopping, so not quite in the budget range you're looking for.

Roborock
Qrevo S
Reliable, great mopping (lifts pads), but poor cable avoidance.

Roborock
Saros 10 Series
Slim, quiet, excellent avoidance, but weak on carpet.

Dreame
L40S Ultra
Superior avoidance, great for pet hair, but poor on carpets.

MOVA
P10 Pro Ultra
Budget king, smart avoidance, but struggles on patterned carpets.

Roborock
Qrevo Curv Series
Great for pet hair; handles high thresholds, but poor avoidance.

Ranked #1
Dreame - X50 Ultra

Ranked #1
Roborock - Saros 10 Series

Ranked #1
Roborock - Qrevo Curv 2 Flow

Ranked #1
Roborock - Saros 10 Series

Ranked #1
Dreame - X50 Ultra

Ranked #1
Dreame - L40S Ultra