Bagless Robotic Sweepers

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

Robotic vacuums and mops operate autonomously, 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 keep working for years to be.

1. Powerful suction

bagless suction vacuums robotic sweepers have suction capabilities comparable to that of traditional vacuum cleaners. They have different features that let them handle different types of floors and the sizes of homes. The best robots let you plan the cleaning of certain rooms and set boundaries for areas you want or don't. You can utilize an app to change the intensity of your robot's cleaning and see its route when it is working.

One feature that many people find helpful is the ability to choose which direction and where the robot starts. Depending on your home layout this feature can be particularly helpful for areas with lots of doorways and corners. A lot of robots have a docking system that allows you to change out your reusable dustbins or disposable ones and recharge the robot in between uses. Some even feature a self-emptying base that eliminates the need to purchase disposal bags.

The main drawback of most bagless innovative cleaner robotic sweepers is that they are generally quite costly. This is especially true for models with a base that can be self-emptied which can add substantial amounts to the price of the device. These gadgets are becoming more popular and are a great choice for homeowners who are frustrated or tired with the hassle of manually vacuuming their floors or dealing with pet hair.

The Eufy 11s is an excellent vacuum cleaner for general use and is able to get into all the corners and crevices of my house. However it has some significant problems when it comes to cleaning pet hair. It comes with an anti-tangle tool which is designed to shred and cut hair. However I was constantly arranging and picking up hair from dogs and cats. The robot also appears to be stuck on carpets a lot and can easily get caught in plush, high-pile fibers.

Some of the most expensive models I tested (such as the Shark Matrix Auto-Emptying Vacuum) had superior pet hair collection and navigation. Their dual dustbins that can be switched to collect different amounts of debris and are more efficient at collecting fur and are much easier to empty. They also can get into corners more easily than most circular robots because of their square-ish design. They also have superior object recognition, allowing them to suck up Cheerios and a heap of oatmeal while deftly maneuvering fake dog turds and lamp cords.

2. Cleansing with adaptability

One of the most important features you'll discover in any robot vacuum, but especially a bagless model is the ability to adapt to changes in the environment. The robot vacuum will be able to recognize, for instance what kind of floor you have in each room, whether it is hard or soft. It will also learn to maneuver around obstacles such as furniture and stairs. The more information your robo-vac can gather, the better able it is to effectively clean your entire house.

Smart robotic cleaners can reach places where traditional brooms or dustpans cannot, such as under beds or other high spots that require you to sit down on your knees. Depending on the model you select, some models can be programmed to clean specific rooms or spaces at specific times of the day.

The most effective robot vacuums can remove fine particles such as sand and baking soda heavier debris such as piles of oatmeal or orzo pasta, nuts and screws made of metal and fluffy things like pet hair with ease. They also can get into tight places where a stick broom may be difficult to reach. They're usually quieter than an upright or canister vacuum and can be programmed to run in the background while you read or watch TV.

In addition to vacuuming, certain models can also sweep and mop the floors in your home. You'll need to take extra care when using these kinds of robots, making sure that you take out the mopping pads and wash them (and let them dry) before installing them again. You'll also need to wash and rinse the filter (and let it dry) periodically if your manufacturer recommends it.

The majority of mops can be reused multiple times, but make sure you buy one that has a large tank of water and a lot of mopping pads (the Dreametech W10 for example, which won an award called the Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award in the past, can hold up 12 mopping pads and 5 gallons). Some of the most advanced models come with a charging dock which can replenish the tank and empty the bin.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have advanced faster than any other appliance at home. They were originally expensive machines that were snagged on the stairs and were sprayed with cat litter and pet hair. Today there is numerous models available in a variety of price ranges, that can self-empty bins and mapping capabilities.

The biggest improvement that has come 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 guide for more information on this crucial topic). Even the best robot vacuums can't stay clear of them all the time. This means that they can get flustered and end in snagging or scattering dog waste on your floors.

Advanced robots use gyro cameras, radar, and laser (laser distance sensors or LDS) guided system to draw out your floor plan to ensure that they are clean thoroughly and aren't missing any area. They can also store and update multiple floorplans. This makes them more efficient and decreases the chance that they'll need to spend long hours retracing their steps or cleaning the same spots repeatedly.

If you're looking for a robot vacuum that you can set and forget, the iRobot+ is the most reliable model we've ever tested. It outperformed all competition in our tests when it came to mapping, creating virtual boundaries and avoiding obstacles, making it the perfect "set it and forget it" robot vacuum.

If you're looking to save money, but don't require smart features such as the ability to map or a bin that automatically emptys, then Eufy 11S is our budget-friendly pick of the year. It is suitable for flooring with a low pile and hardwood floors and cleans up cat litter, pet hair and dust. Its onboard dustbin holds up to 45 days of dirt and when it gets full, it automatically returns to its dock to empty it.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops need to be cleaned regularly, just like any other household appliance. However, how often you clean depends on the model and the needs of your household. You will need to empty the dustbin regularly and clean the wheels or brushes depending on the model. The maintenance manual that comes with most robots will explain how to keep it maintained.

For instance, you can clean the bin and clean it using a moist (not wet but not dripping) sponge made of melamine to get rid of any dirt that's caked on. You can also clean the wheels and filters of your robot vacuum to ensure that it runs smoothly. Nasrallah recommends that you inspect your wheels at least once per week to make sure they are free of debris like hairs, threads or other particles that could cause the machine to malfunction. You should also clean the brushes beneath your robot - the left and right drive wheel and the sidebrush - every month. This will help keep them free of any debris.

Certain models can double as automated robot mops, which adds mopping as part of your routine of cleaning at home. If you intend to use the feature, vacuum-proof your room thoroughly before turning on your mop robot. This way, bagless robot vacuum and mop the robot won't be sucked in by pet socks or toys that haven't been secured.

Smart mapping technology aids the robot to learn the layout of the rooms and allows it to clean them in an organized way. Some models let you create areas which the robot cannot clean. This is ideal if your children tend to strew their shoes in the hallway.

To find the best bagless robot vacuum and mop for your home, Real Simple consulted experts such as 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 reviewed the products based on setup, effectiveness in features, noise level that allow for maneuverability, as well as ease of maintenance.