Bagless Robotic Sweepers

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

Robot mops and vacuums operate independently, so when you have them set up, they'll be happy to keep cleaning on their own. They'll last a long time with minimal maintenance, such as emptying the bins and cleaning the brushes.

1. Powerful suction

Bagless robotic sweepers can suction up to that of traditional vacuum cleaners. They also have a variety of features that help them deal with different flooring types and sizes of homes. The most effective robots let you schedule cleaning in certain rooms and establish boundaries for areas you prefer or don't. You can use an app to alter the intensity of your robot's cleaning and follow its path as it works.

Another feature that many users find useful is the ability to alter the direction in which the robot is sweeping and the point at which it begins. Based on the layout of your home, this can be especially helpful for areas with lots of corners and doors. Many robots come with a docking system that allows you to change out your reusable dustbins or disposable ones and recharge the robot between uses. Some models even have self-emptying bases that eliminate the need to purchase disposal bags.

The primary drawback of bagless robotic sweepers is that they can be quite costly. This is particularly true for models with a base that self-empties, which can add significant sums to the cost of the device. However they are becoming increasingly common and are an excellent alternative for homeowners tired of having to manually clean their floors or dealing with pet hair.

While the Eufy 11s does an excellent job at general vacuuming and can get into my home's corners and crannies, it does have certain flaws in the area of collecting pet hair. Although it comes with an anti-tangle brush that supposedly shreds and cuts up hair, I still found myself constantly cleaning up and arranging cat and dog hair. The robot also seems to be stuck on carpets a lot and can easily become bogged down in fluffy, high-pile fibres.

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 take in different amounts of debris and are more efficient at collecting fur and are much easier to empty. They can also get into corners more easily than circular robots due to of their square-ish form. They are able to recognize objects and can take in Cheerios, piles of oatmeal and even fake dog turds, while managing the lamp cords and fake dog turds.

2. Cleaning with Adaptive

One of the most important aspects you'll discover in any robot vacuum, and particularly a bagless auto empty robot vacuum model is the ability to adapt to changes in the environment. For instance, your robo vacuum will be able to recognize the type of floors you have in every room, if they're hard or soft and how to move around furniture and other obstacles like stairs. The more information it has the better it is able to clean your entire home.

A smart robot cleaner can also reach into corners that traditional brooms and dustpans can't, as well as under beds and other places that require getting down on your knees and hands. Certain robots, based on the model that you select, can be programmed to clean certain areas or rooms during specific times of the day.

The best robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles like baking soda or sand, heavier debris such as heaps of oatmeal or orzo pasta, metal screws and nuts or fluffy stuff like pet hair. They are also able to get into tight places where a stick broom may be difficult to reach. They're also quieter than conventional upright or canister vacuums, and can be set to run in the background while you read or sit down to watch television.

Some models can sweep and mop floors, and also vacuum. You'll have to be extra careful with these types of robots, ensuring that you take out the mopping pads and clean them (and let them dry) before installing them again. You'll also need to rinse and wash the filter (and let it dry) regularly if your manufacturer suggests it.

The majority of mops can be reused multiple times, but make sure you purchase one with a large tank of water and plenty of mopping pads (the Dreametech W10 for example was awarded a Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award in the past, can hold up 12 mopping pads and 5 gallons). Some of the more sophisticated models come with an charging dock which can replenish the tank and empty the bin.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have developed more quickly than any other appliance at home. They were initially overpriced devices which got stuck on the stairs and were sprayed with pet hair. But today, there are 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 improved obstacle avoidance. This is the ability of the robot vacuum to recognize and avoid obstacles like cords that are tangled and furniture legs, or piles of dog waste. (Click on that CNET lead from the hall-of fame for more information). Even the best robot vacuums aren't able to avoid them all the time. This means they may get overwhelmed and end with a mess of dog waste all over your floors.

Advanced robots make use of gyro camera, radar and laser (laser distance sensors or LDS) guided system to draw out your floor plan and ensure that they are clean thoroughly and aren't missing any areas. They're also able to store and update multiple floor plans. This makes them more productive and reduces the time they spend cleaning the same areas or retracing steps.

If you're looking to find a set-it-and-forget robotic vacuum that can perform the dirty work without assistance from you take a look at the top smart robot vacuum we've tested to date: the iRobot j7+. It was the best robot vacuum in our tests for mapping, creating virtual borders, and eliminating obstacles.

However, if you're more looking to save money and don't want to invest in smart features such as mapping or a self-emptying garbage bin, take a look at our budget choice for this year Eufy 11S. It works well on low-pile carpets and hardwood floors and is able to remove pet hair, cat litter and dust. The dust bin onboard can hold up to 45 days of dirt, and when it's full, it will automatically return to its charging dock to empty it.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops require cleaning every so often, just like any other appliance used in the house. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the needs of your family and the model. You will need to empty the dustbin frequently and clean the brushes or wheels according to the robot model. Most robots come with instructions for recommended maintenance.

For instance, you can wash the bin with water and wipe it with a slightly damp (not dripping) melamine spong to remove any dirt caked on. You can also clean the filters and the wheels of your robot vac to ensure that it runs smoothly. Nasrallah recommends that you check the wheels at least once a week to make sure they're clear of threads, hairs, or any other debris that could get caught in the machine and cause it to malfunction. You should also wipe down the main brushes that are located under the robot -- the left and right drive wheels, as well as the side brush -- once a month to keep them free of dirt and functioning properly.

Certain models can double as automated robot mops, which adds a mopping phase to your routine of cleaning at home. If you intend to use the feature, make sure your home is vacuum-proofed thoroughly prior to turning on the robot mop. This ensures that the robot will not be dragged around by pet toys or socks that aren't secured.

Other features worth looking for include an auto-emptying base that makes it easier to empty the garbage, a high-efficiency air filter to reduce the amount of allergens in the air, and smart mapping technology that lets the robot understand the layout of your rooms so it can clean them in a methodical manner. Some models also let you set no-go areas that your robot vacuum and mop bagless can't clean -- ideal if you have kids who are known to pile their shoes in the hallway.

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 reviewed the models based on setup, effectiveness, noise level, features that allow for maneuverability, as well as ease of maintenance.