bagless robotic sweepers (www.killingspace.com)

For certain, robot vacuums such as Scuttle Bug or RoRo are now family pets. They even 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. With only minimal maintenance such as emptying the bin and cleaning the brushes - they'll continue to work for decades to be.

1. Powerful suction

Bagless robotic sweepers have powerful suction which is similar to traditional vacuum cleaners. They also come with a range of features that let them tackle various floor types and sizes of homes. The best robots let you schedule cleaning in specific rooms and set boundaries around areas you do or don't want it to clean. You can also make use of an app to alter the intensity of your robot's cleaning and see its path while it's working.

Another feature that many users find useful is the ability to alter the direction in which your robot sweeps in and from where it starts. Based on the layout of your home this feature can be particularly helpful for areas with lots of doorways and corners. A lot of robots have docking systems that allow you to swap out reusable dustbins or disposable ones and recharge the robot vacuum bagless self-emptying between uses. Some have a self-emptying base that eliminates the need for purchasing disposal bags.

The primary drawback of bagless autonomous vacuums robotic sweepers is that they are generally quite costly. This is especially the case for models that have a self-emptying base, which can add significant money to the overall price of the device. These devices are becoming more popular and can be a great option for homeowners who are frustrated or tired with manually vacuuming their floor or dealing with pet hair.

Although the Eufy 11s does a good job of general vacuuming and can get into my home's nooks and crevices, it does have certain flaws in the area of picking up pet hair. It comes with an anti-tangle device which is designed to shred and cut up hair. However, I found myself constantly arranging and picking cat and dog hair. The robot can also get stuck on carpeting often and could easily get bogged down in soft, high-pile fibers.

A few of the more expensive models I've tested (like the Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum) have superior pet hair collection and navigation. Their dual dustbins, which can be switched between to take in different amounts of debris, are more effective at collecting fur and are easier to empty. Their square shape lets them reach corners more easily than most circular robots, too. They are able to recognize objects and can eat Cheerios and oatmeal, as well as piles of it and even fake dog turds, while managing lamp cords and fake dog turds.

2. Cleaning with Adaptive

One of the most important features you'll discover in any robot vacuum, but especially bags-free models is the ability to adapt to changes in the environment. For instance, your robot vacuum bagless self emptying vacuum will know what kind of flooring that you have in each room, whether they're hard or soft, and how to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles like stairs. The more information it can gather, the better it can clean your entire home.

Smart robotic cleaners can also reach places where traditional brooms or dustpans can't, like under beds or other high places which require you to get down on your knees. Some robots, depending on the model that you select, can be programmed to clean certain areas or rooms during specific times of the day.

The best bagless robot vacuum for pet hair robot vacuums remove fine particles such as sand and baking soda and heavier debris such as heaps of oatmeal or pasta, nuts and screws made of metal and fluffy stuff such as pet hair with ease. They also can be able to get into tight spots where a stick broom could be difficult to reach. And they're often quieter than an upright or canister vacuum. They can be programmed to run in the background while you read or watch TV.

In addition to vacuuming, certain models also sweep and mop the floors in your home. These robots require special attention. You'll have to remove the mopping pad and wash it (and let it dry) before reinstalling. You'll also want to rinse and wash the filter (and let it dry) frequently if your maker suggests it.

Most mop models are able to be used for a number of times before they need to be replaced. However, you'll want to make sure that you're buying a robot with a large water tank and mop pad capacity (the Dreametech W10, for example, which won a spot in a previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award, has five gallon of water and can hold more than a dozen mopping pads). Some of the more advanced models have charger docks that can refill the tank and empty the bin.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have evolved faster than any other appliance at home. They were initially overpriced devices which got stuck on the stairs and were sprayed with cat litter and pet hair. However, today there is many models available in all price ranges that have self-emptying bins and mapping capabilities.

The most significant improvement that has been made to the robotic vacuum is the addition of better obstacle avoidance. This is the ability to detect and skirt around problem-causing obstacles like tangled cords, furniture legs and piles of dog waste (catch that hall-of-fame CNET lead for more on this crucial topic). Even so, even the most powerful robot vacuums cannot completely avoid them all the time, so they can still get flustered by them and end up getting caught or sprinkling poop all over your floors in a sloppy expensive and time-consuming oops.

More advanced robots utilize cameras, gyro-, radar- and laser-(laser distance sensor, also known as LDS) guided systems to map the layout of your space to ensure that they're getting a thorough cleaning and not missing any areas. They can also store and update multiple floor plans. This makes them more efficient and reduces the likelihood that they'll have to spend long hours retracing their steps or cleaning the same areas over and over again.

If you want a robot vacuum that you can set and forget, the iRobot J7+ is the most reliable model we've ever tested. It outperformed all competitors we tested in terms of mapping, establishing virtual boundaries and avoiding obstacles, making it the ideal "set it and forget it" robot vac.

If you're focused on saving money and don't need smart features like mapping or a self-emptying garbage bin, check out our budget selection for the year Eufy 11S. It's a great choice for carpeting and hardwood floors with a low pile, picking up pet hair, dust and cat litter with ease. The dust bin onboard can hold up to 45 days of dirt, and when it is full, it automatically returns to its charging dock for emptying.

4. Easy to maintain

Like any household appliance robotic vacuums and mops need periodic cleaning. But how often depends on the model and your household needs. You will need to empty your trash frequently and clean the wheels or brushes according to the robot model. The maintenance guide that is included with all robots will tell you how to keep it in good condition.

For instance, you could wash the bin and then clean it with a moist (not dripping wet) sponge made of melamine to get rid of any dirt that's accumulated. You can also clean your robot vacuum's filters and wheels to ensure that it runs smoothly. Nasrallah recommends you check the wheels at least once a week to make sure they're free of threads hairs, or other debris that could get caught inside and cause the machine to malfunction. It is also recommended to clean the main brushes found under your robot -the left and right drive wheels, as well as the side brush -- every once every month to keep them free of debris and working correctly.

Certain models are also robot mop machines that can be used to add a mopping step to your cleaning routine. If you intend to utilize this feature, ensure that you thoroughly vacuum-proof the room prior to turning on your robot to mop. This will stop the robot from being sucked into the vacuum by socks or pet toys that aren't properly secured.

Smart mapping technology helps the robot to learn the layout of the rooms, so that it can clean them in a neat manner. Some models let you create areas that the robot will not clean. This is ideal if your children are known to put their shoes in the hallway.

Real Simple consulted experts to identify the best bagless 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 the founder of Nerd in the House) and Michele Jones (associate brand marketing director at ECOVACS Americas). The experts assessed the products on the basis of the setup, efficiency and noise level. They also looked at the ease of maintenance, features, and maneuverability.