Bagless Robotic Sweepers

For some, robot vacuums like Scuttle Bug or RoRo are now family pets. They even play hide-and-seek games with their owners!

Robot vacuums and mops have self-cleaning capabilities that you can set up. With little maintenance such as emptying the bins and cleaning the brushes - they'll continue to work for decades to come.

1. Powerful suction

bagless intelligent robot robotic sweepers offer powerful suction that's similar to traditional vacuum cleaners. They also come with a variety of features that help them tackle various flooring types and sizes of homes. The top robots allow you to schedule cleaning in certain areas and define boundaries for areas you would like to avoid or do not want. You can also use an app to adjust the intensity of your robot's cleaning and track its progress while it's working.

Another feature many users find useful is the ability to change which direction your robot sweeps and where it starts. Based on your home's layout, this can be especially useful in areas with a lot of doors and corners. A lot of robots have a docking system that allows you to change out your reusable dustbins or disposable ones and charge the robot between use. Certain robots have bases that automatically empty itself, removing the need to purchase disposal bags.

The primary drawback of bagless robotic sweepers is that they are generally very expensive. This is particularly true of models that have a base that is self-emptying, which can add significant amounts to the cost of the device. These devices are becoming more popular and can be a great option for homeowners who are exhausted or annoyed in the process of manually vacuuming their floors or dealing with pet hair.

The Eufy 11s is an excellent vacuum cleaner for general use and can get into every nook and cranny of my house. However it has some significant issues when it comes to picking up pet hair. While it has an anti-tangle tool that claims to shreds and cuts up hair, I still was constantly cleaning up and arranging hair from cats and dogs. The robot also seems to get stuck on carpeting frequently and easily get bogged down in fluffy, high-pile fibres.

Some of the more expensive models I tested (such as the Shark Matrix Auto-Emptying Vacuum) featured superior pet hair collection and navigation. Their dual dustbins that can be switched between to collect different amounts of debris, are more effective at collecting fur and are much easier to empty. They can also get into corners more easily than other circular robots because of their square-ish design. They have excellent recognition of objects and can take in Cheerios and oatmeal granules and even fake dog turds while navigating cords for lamps and fake dog turds.

2. Cleaning with Adaptive

One of the most important features you'll find in any robot vacuum, and particularly one that is bagless automated sweepers is the ability to adapt to changing conditions. For example, your robo vacuum will know what kind of flooring you have in every room, whether they're hard or soft and how to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles such as stairs. The more information your robo-vac can gather the better it is to effectively clean your entire home.

A robotic cleaner that is smart can also get into corners that a traditional broom and dustpan can't, as well as under beds and other places that require your hands and knees. Based on the model you select, some robotics can be programmed to clean certain areas or rooms at specific times of day.

The most effective robot vacuums will collect small particles like sand or baking soda and heavier debris like heaps of oatmeal or orzo pasta, metal screws and nuts or fluffy items like pet hair. They'll also scoot into tight spaces where you might need to use a stick broom to get at. They're usually quieter than a standard upright or canister vacuum and can be programmed to run in the background while you read or watch television.

Some models can sweep and mop your floors as well as vacuum. These robots require extra attention. You will have to remove the mopping pad and wash it (and let it dry) before reinstalling it. It is also recommended to rinse and wash the filter (and let it dry) regularly if your manufacturer suggests it.

The majority of mop pads can be used multiple times before having to be replaced, however, you'll need to ensure that you're buying a robot with a large water tank and mop pad capacity (the Dreametech W10, for example, which won an award in the previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award, has five gallon water tank and can accommodate up to 12 mopping pads). Some of the most sophisticated models offer an all-in-one charging dock that refills the tank and empty the bin, giving you an unrestricted hands-free experience.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have developed more quickly than any other home appliance. In the beginning they were a mess of overpriced machines that were stuck on the steps and sucked up with cat and pet hair litter, but now there's an incredible selection of models across the price range offering self-emptying bins that can be emptied, mapping capabilities mopping functions, and much more.

The biggest improvement that has occurred to the robotic vacuum is the improvement in obstacle avoidance. This is due to the capability of the robot vacuum to recognize and avoid obstacles such as furniture legs and cords that get caught in knots or piles of dog waste. (Click on that CNET lead from the hall-of fame to find out more). Even the best robot vacuums can't completely avoid them all the time, meaning they could still be overwhelmed by them and end up snagged or sprinkling poop all over your floors in a messy costly and time-consuming poop.

Advanced robots employ cameras, gyro-, radar- and laser-(laser distance sensor, also known as LDS) guided systems to map out the floor plan of your space to ensure that they're getting a thorough cleaning and aren't missing any areas. They're also able to store and update multiple floor plans. This makes them more efficient and decreases the likelihood of having to spend many hours trying to find their way back or cleaning the same areas over and over again.

If you want a robot vacuum that you can set and forget, the iRobot+ is the best we've ever tested. It was the top robot vacuum bagless self-emptying vacuum we tested for mapping the virtual boundaries, and getting around obstacles.

If, however, you're more focused on saving money and don't want to invest in smart features like mapping or a self-emptying garbage bin, take a look at our budget selection for this year Eufy 11S. It's a great choice for carpeting and hardwood floors with a low pile cleaning up dust, pet hair and cat litter well. The bin onboard can hold up to 45 days worth of dirt. When it is full, the bin is automatically returned to the charging dock to be cleaned.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops need to be cleaned regularly as does any other appliance used in the house. However, how often you clean depends on the model and your household needs. You will need to empty the dustbin regularly and clean the wheels or brushes according to the robot model. The maintenance guide that comes with most robots will explain how to maintain it.

You can, for instance clean the bin using water and wipe it with a moist (not dripping) the spong made of melamine to remove any dirt that has been caked on. You can also clean your robot vacuum's wheels and filters to keep it running smoothly. Nasrallah suggests that you examine your wheels at least once a week to ensure they are free of debris such as hairs, threads or other debris that could cause the machine to malfunction. Also, you should clean the brushes beneath your robot - the left and right drive wheel and the sidebrush - once a month. This will keep them free of debris.

There are models that are robot mops that can be used to add a mopping step to your cleaning routine. If you plan to use this feature, ensure that you thoroughly vacuum-proof the room before turning on your robot to mop. This will keep the robot from being sucked into the vacuum by socks or pet toys that aren't secured.

Smart mapping technology helps the robot to learn the layout of the rooms so that it can clean them in a neat manner. Certain models let you set no-go areas that your robot can't clean, which is ideal if you have kids who like to put their shoes on the floor.

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 at ECOVACS Americas. The experts assessed the products by evaluating their setting up, efficiency, and the level of noise. They also considered features, maneuverability and ease-of-maintenance.