Bagless Robotic Sweepers

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

Robot vacuums and mops are self-cleaning machines that you can set up. With little maintenance such as emptying the bin and cleaning the brushes they'll keep working for years to be.

1. Powerful suction

Bagless robotic sweepers can suction up to traditional vacuum cleaners. They also come with a range of features that allow them to tackle different flooring types and sizes of homes. The most effective robots let you plan the cleaning of certain rooms and establish limits for areas you prefer or don't. You can use an app to change the intensity of your robot's cleaning and see its route as it works.

Another feature that many users find useful is the ability to change the direction that the robot is sweeping and where it starts. This feature can be particularly useful in areas with many doorways and corners, depending on the arrangement of your home. Many robots also come with docking stations that let you switch out disposable or reusable dustbins and recharge the robot between uses. Some have an auto-emptying base that eliminates the need to purchase disposal bags.

The primary drawback of robotic bagless smart floor vacuum sweepers is the high cost. This is especially applicable to models with a self-emptying base, which can add significant cost 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 the hassle of manually vacuuming their floors or dealing with pet hair.

While the Eufy 11s can do a good job of general vacuuming and gets into the majority of my home's nooks and crevices, it does have some flaws when it comes to collecting pet hair. It has an anti-tangle tool that is supposed to shred and cut hair. However I found myself constantly arranging and picking cat and dog hair. The robot can also get stuck on carpeting and become trapped by soft 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 that can be switched to pick up varying amounts of debris, are more effective at collecting fur and are easier to empty. Their square-ish shape helps them reach corners more easily than circular robots, as well. They also have excellent object recognition which allows them to eat up Cheerios and piles of oatmeal while navigating fake dog turds and lamp cords.

2. Adaptive cleaning

One of the most important aspects you'll discover in any robot vacuum, and especially a bagless model is the capacity to adapt to the changing conditions. Your robo-vac will be able to recognize, for instance, what type of floor you have in each area, whether it is hard or soft. It will also be able to maneuver around obstacles such as furniture and stairs. The more information it can gather the better it will clean your entire home.

A robotic cleaner that is smart can also reach into corners where a traditional broom and dustpan won't, and also under beds and other places which require your knees and hands. Depending on the model you select, some models can even be programmed to clean certain areas or rooms at specific time of the day.

The most effective robot vacuums can take out fine particles like baking soda and sand, heavier debris like heaps of oatmeal, orzo pasta, as well as metal screws and nuts and fluffy stuff such as pet hair easily. They also can maneuver into tight spaces where you might need to move a stick or broom to reach. They're also quieter than standard upright or canister vacuum. They can be set to run in the background while you read or watch TV.

In addition to vacuuming, certain models can also sweep and mop floors in your home. You'll require extra care when using these kinds of robots, making sure that you take out the mopping pads and clean them (and let them dry) before reinstalling them. If your manufacturer recommends that you do this you should wash and rinse the filter regularly (and allow it to dry).

Most mop models can be used several times before having to be replaced, however, you should ensure that you buy a machine with an ample water tank and mop pad capacity (the Dreametech W10, for instance, which was awarded an award in the previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award, has five gallon of water and can accommodate up to 12 mopping pads). Some of the most sophisticated models offer an all-in-one charging dock that both refills the tank and drains the bin, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate hands-free experience.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have advanced faster than any other household appliance. In the beginning, they were a jumble of expensive machines that were stuck on the stairs and were suffocated with pet hair and cat litter, but today there's an incredible selection of models at every price point that have self-emptying bins, mapping functions mopping functions, and many more.

The biggest improvement that has been made to the robotic vacuum is the addition of improved obstacle avoidance. This is the ability to identify and avoid obstacles that can cause problems such as tangled cords, furniture legs and piles dog waste (catch that hall-of-fame CNET lead for more on this important topic). Even the most powerful robot vacuums cannot completely avoid them all the time, which means they can still get flustered by them and end up getting caught or scattering poop across your floors in a sloppy, expensive and time-consuming oops.

Advanced robots utilize gyroscopes, camera, radar, and laser (laser distance sensors or LDS) guided system to map your floor plan and ensure that they are cleaning thoroughly and are not missing any space. They're also able to keep track of and update multiple floor plans. This makes them more efficient and lessens the likelihood of having to spend long hours trying to find their way back or cleaning the same spots over and over again.

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

However, if you're more interested in saving some money and don't want to invest in smart features like a mapping system or a self-emptying bin, look into our budget-friendly selection for this year Eufy 11S. It has great performance on carpeting with low pile and hardwood floors, picking up pet hair, dust and cat litter with ease. The bin onboard can hold up to 45 days worth of dirt. When it is full, the dustbin is automatically returned to the charging dock to be empty.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops must be cleaned periodically, just like any other household appliance. But how often depends on the model and the needs of your household. You'll need to empty the dust bin regularly and may also have to clean the brushes or wheels, depending on the model. Most robots come with a guide to recommended maintenance procedures.

For instance, you can rinse the bin and clean it using a slightly damp (not dripping wet) 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 it's running smoothly. Nasrallah suggests that you inspect the wheels at least once a week to make sure they're clear of threads, hairs, or other debris that could get within and cause the machine to malfunction. It is also recommended to clean the main brushes found beneath your robot -both the right and left drive wheels, and the side brush -- every once every month to keep them free of debris and working correctly.

Some models are able to double as automated robot mops which can add mopping to your routine of cleaning at home. If you intend to utilize this feature, make sure you thoroughly vacuum-proof the room before you turn on your robot to mop. This will keep the robot from being dragged into the vacuum by socks or pet toys that aren't properly secured.

Smart mapping technology helps the robot learn the layout of the rooms so that it can clean them in an organized manner. Some models also permit you to define areas that your robot won't clean, which is ideal if you have kids who like to put their shoes on the floor.

To find 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 for ECOVACS Americas. The experts evaluated the items on the basis of setting up, efficiency, and noise level. They also considered the ease of maintenance, features, and maneuverability.