Bagless Robotic Sweepers

For some, robot vacuums like Scuttle Bug or RoRo have become the family pets. They play hide-and-seek with their owners.

Robotic vacuums and mops operate independently, so once you have them set up, they'll be content to continue cleaning on their own. They'll last a long time with minimal maintenance, like emptying the bins and cleaning the brushes.

1. Powerful suction

Bagless robotic sweepers have powerful suction that is similar to traditional vacuum cleaners. They also have a variety of features that let them tackle different kinds of floors and sizes of homes. The top robots allow you to plan cleaning times for specific rooms and set boundaries for areas that you prefer or don't. You can also use an app to adjust the amount of cleaning your robot does and see its path while it's in action.

A feature that many users find helpful is the ability to select which direction and where your robot starts. Based on the layout of your home it can be beneficial in areas with lots of doors and corners. Many robots come with docking systems that allow you to switch out reusable bins or disposable ones, and then recharge the robot between uses. Some have self-emptying bases that eliminate the need for purchasing disposal bags.

The biggest drawback with bagless robotic sweepers is that they are generally quite expensive. This is especially true for models with a base that self-empties and can add significant amounts to the cost of the device. However these devices are becoming more popular and are an ideal alternative for homeowners who are tired of having to manually clean their floors or battling with pet hair.

While the Eufy 11s does an excellent job at general vacuuming and can get into the majority of my home's nooks and crannies however, it has some notable shortcomings in the area of collecting pet hair. Although it comes with an anti-tangle brush that shreds and cuts up hair, I still was constantly taking up and arranging dog and cat hair. The robot can also get stuck on carpets and become trapped by soft, high pile fibers.

Some of the most expensive models I tested (such as the Shark Matrix Auto-Emptying Vacuum) featured superior pet hair collection and navigation. Their dual dustbins are able to accommodate different amounts of debris. They are also easier to empty. Their square-ish shape helps them reach corners more easily than most circular robots, as well. They are able to recognize objects and can eat Cheerios, piles of oatmeal and even fake dog turds when navigating the lamp cords and fake dog turds.

2. Adaptive cleaning

The ability to adapt to the changing conditions is among the most important features you'll discover on any robot vacuum. This is especially true for a bagless model. For instance, your robo vacuum will know what kind of flooring you have in every room, if they're soft or hard and how to move around furniture and other obstacles such as stairs. The more information your robo-vac has more information, the better equipped it is to effectively clean your entire home.

A smart robot cleaner can also get into corners that a traditional broom and dustpan cannot, as well as under beds and other high spots that require getting down on your knees and hands. Depending on the model you select, some models can even be programmed to clean certain 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 heaps of oatmeal, orzo pasta and nuts and screws made of steel and fluffy stuff such as pet hair effortlessly. They are also able to get into tight places where a stick broom might be difficult to reach. They're also quieter than canister or upright vacuums, and can be set up to be running in the background while you read or sit down to watch television.

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

The majority of mop pads can be used several times before needing to be replaced, but you should ensure that you purchase a model with an ample water tank and mop pad capacity (the Dreametech W10, for instance, which earned an award in the previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award, has a hefty 5 gallon water tank and can hold up to a dozen mopping pads). Some of the most sophisticated models offer an all-in-one charging dock that both refills the tank and empty the bin, allowing you to enjoy an entirely hands-free experience.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have developed faster than any other household appliance. In the beginning, they were a collection of overpriced devices that sat on the steps and sucked up with cat and pet hair litter, but today, there's an incredible selection of models at every price point that have self-emptying bins, mapping functions mopping functions, and much more.

The robotic vacuum has been upgraded by incorporating more effective obstacle avoidance. This is the capability of the robot vacuum to detect and avoid obstacles like furniture legs and cords that get caught in knots, or piles of dog waste. (Click on the CNET link from the hall of fame for more information). Even so, even the most powerful robot vacuums cannot always avoid them all the time, so they may still be frightened by them and end up snagged or scattering poop on your floors, causing a mess expensive and time-consuming oops.

More advanced robots use gyro-, cameraradar-, laser-(laser distance sensor, also known as LDS) guided systems to trace the floor plan of your room in order to ensure they're undergoing a thorough clean and aren't missing any spaces. They can also keep and update multiple floor plans. This helps them be more efficient and reduces the likelihood that they'll have to spend many hours retracing their steps or cleaning the same areas repeatedly.

If you're looking for a robotic vacuum that you can set and forget, the iRobot j7+ is the best we've tested. It was the most efficient robot vacuum we've tested for mapping, creating virtual borders and eliminating obstacles.

If you want to save money and do not require sophisticated features such as mapping or a bin which automatically empties, then the Eufy 11S is our budget-friendly pick of the year. It works well on low-pile carpets and hardwood floors, and picks up pet hair, cat litter, and dust. The bin onboard can hold up to 45 days of dirt. When it's full, the bin is automatically returned to the dock for charging to be emptied.

4. Easy to maintain

Like any household appliance, robotic vacuums and mops also require periodic cleaning. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the needs of your household and the model. You'll have to empty the dust bin regularly, and you may need to clean the brushes or the wheels, based on the model. The maintenance manual that comes with the majority of robots will tell you how to keep it in good condition.

For instance, you could wash the bin and then clean it with a slightly damp (not wet but not dripping) sponge made of melamine. This will remove any dirt that has accumulated. You can also clean the wheels and filters of your robot vac to keep it running smoothly. Nasrallah recommends that you inspect your wheels at least once per week to ensure that they are free of any debris like hairs, threads or other particles that could cause the machine to malfunction. It is also recommended to clean the main brushes under your robot -both the right and left drive wheels, and the side brush -- every once every month to ensure they're free of any debris and functioning correctly.

There are models that are robot mop machines that can be used to add mopping to your cleaning routine. If you intend to utilize this feature, ensure that you thoroughly vacuum-proof the room before you turn on your robot to mop. This ensures that the robot will not be dragged around by pet socks or toys that aren't secured.

Smart mapping technology aids the robot to learn the layout of rooms so that it can clean them in a systematic manner. Certain models permit you to define areas that the robot will not clean -- a great option for parents who are known to pile their shoes on the floor.

Real Simple consulted experts to identify the best bagless robot sweeper robot vacuum and mop to fit in your home. These included 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 at ECOVACS Americas). The experts evaluated the products based on configuration, effectiveness and noise level, features mobility, and ease of maintenance.