Bagless Robotic Sweepers

Some robot vacuums, including Scuttle Bug and RoRo are now family pets. They even play hide and seek with their owners!

Robot mops and vacuums operate autonomously, so once you've set them up, they'll be happy to clean on their own. They'll last a long time with minimal maintenance, such as emptying the bins and cleaning the brushes.

1. Powerful suction

Bagless robotic sweepers have powerful suction that is comparable to traditional vacuum cleaners. They also come with a range of features that help them tackle various flooring types and sizes of homes. The most effective robots let you plan cleaning times for specific rooms and set boundaries for areas you want or don't. You can also make use of an app to alter the intensity of your robot's cleaning and view its route while it's in action.

Another feature that many users find useful is the ability to alter the direction in which your robot sweeps in and from where it begins. This feature can be especially beneficial in areas that have many corners and doorways, based on the design of your home. Many robots come with docking systems that allow you to change out your reusable dustbins or disposable ones and charge the robot between uses. Some have an auto-emptying base that eliminates the need to purchase disposal bags.

The biggest drawback of robotic bagless vacuum robots sweepers is their expensive price. This is particularly true of models that have a base that self-empties, which can add significant sums to the cost of the device. However, these devices are becoming more popular and are an excellent option for homeowners who are exhausted of manually cleaning their floors or struggling with pet hair.

While the Eufy 11s does a good job of general vacuuming and gets into the majority of my home's corners and crannies however, it has certain flaws in the area of picking up pet hair. While it has an anti-tangle brush that supposedly shreds and chops hair, I still found myself constantly taking up and rearranging cat and dog hair. The robot could also get stuck on carpeting and become bogged down by plush, high pile fibers.

Some of the more expensive models I tried (such as the Shark Matrix Auto-Emptying Vacuum) were superior in pet hair collection and navigation. Their dual dustbins are able to collect different amounts of debris. They are also much easier to empty. They can also get into corners faster than most circular robots because of their square-ish design. They have excellent object recognition and can consume Cheerios and oatmeal granules and even fake dog turds, while navigating lamp cords and fake dog turds.

2. Cleansing with adaptability

One of the most important aspects you'll find in any robot vacuum, and particularly bags-free models is the capacity to adapt to the changing conditions. For instance, your robo vacuum will know what kind of floors you have in each room, whether it's soft or hard, and how to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles such as stairs. The more data your robo-vac is able to gather, the better able it is to clean your entire house.

A smart robotic cleaner can also reach corners where traditional brooms and dustpans won't, and also under beds and other places that require getting down on your knees and hands. Depending on the model you select, some models are able to be programmed to clean specific rooms or spaces at specific times of day.

The most effective robot vacuums can take out fine particles like sand and baking soda heavier debris such as piles of oatmeal or orzo pasta, nuts and screws made of metal and even fluffy items like pet hair with ease. They are also able to be able to get into tight spots where a stick broom could be difficult to reach. They're also quieter than a standard upright or canister vacuum and can be set to operate in the background while you read or watch television.

Some models can sweep and mop floors as well as vacuum. These machines require extra care. You'll need to remove the mopping pad, clean it (and let it dry) before reinstalling it. You'll also need to wash and rinse the filter (and let it dry) frequently if your maker suggests it.

Most mops are reusable multiple times, but ensure you buy one with an ample water tank and a lot of mopping pads (the Dreametech W10 for example that won an award from the Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award in the past, holds up to 12 mopping pads as well as 5 gallons). Some of the more sophisticated models have charger docks which can replenish the tank and empty the bin.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have developed more quickly than any other home appliance. In the beginning they were a jumble of expensive devices that sat on the stairs and were suffocated with pet hair and cat litter, but now there's an amazing selection of models in every price bracket that come with self-emptying bins, mapping functions mopping functions, and much more.

The robotic vacuum has been improved by introducing better obstacles avoidance. This is due to the capability of the robot vacuum to recognize and avoid obstacles such as tangled cords and furniture legs, or piles of dog waste. (Click on that CNET link from the hall of fame for more information). Even the best vacuums can't avoid them all the time. This means they could get agitated and end up snagging or scattering dog waste all over your floors.

Advanced robots employ cameras, gyroradar-, laser-(laser distance sensor, also known as LDS) guided systems to draw out the floor plan of your room in order to ensure they're getting a thorough cleaning and not missing any areas. They can also keep and update multiple floor plans. This helps them be more efficient and decreases the likelihood of having to spend long hours going back and forth to clean the same spots over and over again.

If you're looking for a true set-it-and-forget robot vacuum that will do the dirty work without assistance from you, consider the best smart robot vacuum we've tested to date: the iRobot j7+. It was the best robot vacuum we've tested for mapping the virtual boundaries and avoiding obstacles.

If you're looking to save money, but do not require sophisticated features such as mapping or a bin which automatically emptys, then Eufy 11S is our budget pick of the year. It is suitable for low-pile carpets and hardwood floors and is able to remove pet hair, cat litter, and dust. The onboard bin can hold up to 45 days of dirt. When it's full, the bin will automatically return to the dock for charging to be empty.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops require cleaning regularly as does any other appliance in the home. The frequency of cleaning depends on your household's needs and the model. You'll need to empty your trash regularly and clean the wheels or brushes according to the robot model. The maintenance manual that comes with most robots will show you how to keep it in good condition.

For instance, you can clean the bin and clean it using a damp (not wet but not dripping) melamine sponge to remove any dirt that's accumulated. You can also clean your robot vacuum's filters and wheels to keep it running smoothly. Nasrallah recommends that you check the wheels at least once a week to ensure they're free of threads hairs, or any other particles that could get inside and cause the machine to malfunction. You should also wipe down the main brushes found under your robot -the left and right drive wheels, as well as the side brush -- at least once every month to ensure they're free of dirt and functioning properly.

Some models are also robot mops that can be used to add mopping to your cleaning routine. If you intend to make use of the feature, ensure that your space is vacuum-proofed thoroughly before turning on your robot mop. This way, the robot won't be sucked up by any pet socks or toys that haven't been secured.

Other useful features to look for include an auto-emptying base that makes it easier to empty the garbage, a high-efficiency air filter to reduce allergens in the air, and a smart mapping technology that lets the robot to understand the layout of your rooms so it can clean them in a methodical way. Certain models let you set no-go areas that your robot can't clean -- a great option for parents who are known to pile their shoes in the hallway.

To determine the best bagless robot vacuum and mop for your home, Real Simple consulted experts like Forrest McCall, co-owner of the blog Mama Needs a Project; Alvin Pullins, CEO and founder of Nerd in the House; and Michele Jones, associate brand marketing director of ECOVACS Americas. The experts assessed the products by evaluating their setting up, efficiency, and the level of noise. They also looked at the features, ease of maintenance and maneuverability.