Bagless Robotic Sweepers

Some robot vacuums, including Scuttle Bug and RoRo, have become family pets. They even play hide-and-seek with their owners!

Robotic vacuums and mops operate independently, so when you set them up they're happy to keep cleaning on their own. With only minimal maintenance - emptying the bin and cleaning the brushes they'll continue to work for long time to be.

1. Powerful suction

bagless suction vacuums robotic sweepers have suction capabilities comparable to conventional vacuum cleaners. They come with a variety of features that allow them to manage different types of floors and sizes of homes. The top robots allow you to plan the cleaning of certain areas and define limits for areas you would like to avoid or do not want. You can also utilize an app to control the amount of cleaning your robot does and view its route while it's working.

A feature that a lot of users find helpful is the ability to select which direction and where the robot begins. This feature is particularly beneficial in areas that have many corners and doorways, based on the layout of your home. Many robots also have docking stations that let you swap out reusable or disposable dustbins and recharge the robot vacuum self empty bagless between uses. Some robots have an automatic base that empty itself, eliminating the need to purchase disposal bags.

The biggest drawback of robotic bagless robot navigator sweepers is their expensive cost. This is particularly true of models with a base that self-empties which can add substantial sums to the cost of the device. However they are becoming more commonplace and can be an ideal alternative for homeowners tired of having to manually clean their floors or struggling with pet hair.

The Eufy 11s is a great vacuum cleaner for general use and can get into every nook and cranny of my home. However it has some noticeable issues when it comes to picking up pet hair. While it has an anti-tangle tool that claims to shreds and chops hair but I still was constantly picking up and arranging cat and dog hair. The robot also appears to be stuck on carpets often and could easily get bogged down in soft, high-pile fibers.

Some of the more expensive models I tested (such as the Shark Matrix Auto-Emptying Vacuum) were superior in pet hair collection and navigation. Their dual dustbins can be adjusted to collect different amounts of debris. They are also much easier to empty. Their square shape lets them reach corners more easily than most circular robots, as well. They also have exceptional object recognition, allowing them to suck up Cheerios and piles of oatmeal while navigating fake dog turds and lamp cords.

2. Cleansing with adaptability

The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is one of the most important attributes you'll find on any robot vacuum. This is especially true for a bagless programmed cleaners model. For example, your robo vac will learn what type of flooring that you have in each room, whether they're soft or hard and how to move around furniture and other obstacles, such as stairs. The more information it has the better it will cleanse your entire house.

Smart robotic cleaners can also reach places where a traditional broom or dustpan can't, like under beds or other high spots that require you to get down on your knees. Certain robots, based on the model you choose can be programmed to clean specific areas or rooms at specific times of the day.

The best robot vacuums are able to pick up fine particles such as 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 can also maneuver into tight spaces where you might need to use a stick broom to get at. They're also quieter than canister or upright vacuums and can be set up to run in the background while you read or watch TV.

In addition to vacuuming, some models also sweep and mop floors in your home. 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. If your manufacturer suggests that you wash the filter you should clean and rinse the filter frequently (and allow it to dry).

Most mops can be used several times before needing to be replaced. However, you'll need to ensure that you purchase a model with a large water tank and mop pad capacity (the Dreametech W10, for instance, which earned an award in a 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 advanced models have charger docks that can fill the tank and empty the bin.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have evolved faster than any other household appliance. In the beginning they were a jumble of expensive devices that got stuck on the steps and sucked up with cat hair and pet litter, but now there's an array of models across the price range offering self-emptying bins that can be emptied, mapping capabilities mopping functions, and many more.

The biggest improvement that has come to the robotic vacuum is the improvement in obstacle avoidance. This is the ability to detect and avoid obstacles that can cause problems like tangled cords, furniture legs and piles of dog waste (catch the hall-of-fame CNET guide for more information on this important topic). Even the best robot vacuums can't always avoid them all the time, which means they could still be overwhelmed by them and end up getting snagged or scattering poop on your floors in a sloppy expensive and time-consuming poop.

Advanced robots make use of gyro, camera, radar, and laser (laser distance sensors, also known as LDS) guided system to map your floor plan to ensure that they're cleaning thoroughly and not missing any area. They also have the ability to keep track of and update multiple floor plans. This increases their efficiency and reduces the time they are spending cleaning the same areas or retracing steps.

If you're looking for a set-it-and-forget robot vacuum that will do the dirty work without your assistance, consider the best smart robot vacuum we've tested to date: the iRobot j7+. It was the top robot vacuum in our tests for mapping the virtual borders, and avoiding obstacles.

If, however, you're more interested in saving some 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 pick for this year: the Eufy 11S. It has great performance on carpeting with low pile and hardwood floors and is able to remove dust, pet hair and cat litter efficiently. The dust bin onboard can hold up to 45 days of dirt, and when it's full, it automatically returns to its dock to empty it.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops must be cleaned regularly like any other household appliance. How often you clean it will depend on the needs of your household and the model. You'll need to empty your trash frequently and clean the wheels or brushes depending on the model. The maintenance guide that comes with most robots will tell you how to maintain it.

You can, for instance, rinse the bin with water and wipe it down with a wet (not dripping) Melamine spong to get rid of any dirt that has been caked on. You can also clean the wheels and filters to keep it running smoothly. Nasrallah suggests that you check your wheels at least once per week to make sure they are free of debris such as hairs, threads or other debris which could cause the machine malfunction. You should also wipe down the main brushes found under your robot -the left and right drive wheels, as well as the side brush -- once every month to ensure they're free of any debris and functioning properly.

Certain models are also robot mops that can be used to add mopping to your cleaning routine. If you are planning to make use of the feature, ensure that your space is vacuum-proofed thoroughly prior to turning on your robot mop. This will stop the robot from being sucked into the vacuum by socks or pet toys that have not been secured.

Other handy features to look for include self-emptying bases that make it easier to take out the trash, a high-efficiency filter that helps reduce allergens in the air, as well as smart mapping technology that lets the robot learn the arrangement of your rooms so that it can clean them in a systematic manner. Certain models permit you to define areas that your robot can't clean -- a great option if you have kids who like to put their shoes in the hallway.

To determine the most effective 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 of ECOVACS Americas. The experts reviewed the models based on configuration, effectiveness, features, noise level mobility, and ease of maintenance.