Bagless Robotic Sweepers

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

Robot mops and vacuums operate independently, so when you've set them up, they'll be happy to clean on their own. With only minimal maintenance such as emptying the bin and cleaning the brushes they'll keep working for long time to be.

1. Powerful suction

Bagless robotic sweepers provide powerful suction which is comparable to traditional vacuum cleaners. They have different features that allow them to handle different types of floors and sizes homes. The top robots allow you to schedule cleaning in certain areas and define boundaries for areas that you prefer or don't. You can also make use of an app to alter the amount of cleaning your robot does and view its route while it's working.

Another feature many users like is the capability to change the direction that your robot sweeps and where it starts. This feature can be particularly beneficial in areas that have many corners and doors, based on the design of your home. Many robots also have a docking station that lets you swap out reusable or disposable dustbins and recharge the robot between uses. Some have a self-emptying base that eliminates the need to purchase disposal bags.

The primary drawback of robotic bagless sweepers is the high cost. This is particularly true for those models with an auto-emptying base, which can add significant cost to the overall price of the device. However they are becoming more commonplace and can be an excellent alternative for homeowners who are tired of manually vacuuming their floors or dealing with pet hair.

Although the Eufy 11s does an excellent job at general vacuuming and getting into most of my home's corners and crannies, it does have some notable shortcomings in the area of cleaning up pet hair. Although it comes with an anti-tangle brush that supposedly shreds and cuts up hair, I still was constantly picking up and arranging dog and cat hair. The robot also appears to get stuck on carpets often and could 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 are able to collect different amounts of debris. They are also simpler to empty. Their square shape allows them to navigate around corners better than circular robots, as well. They have excellent object recognition and can eat Cheerios and oatmeal granules and even fake dog turds while traversing the lamp cords and fake dog turds.

2. Cleansing with adaptability

The ability to adapt to the changing conditions is one of the most important attributes you'll see on any robot vacuum. This is especially true for bagless model. For example, your robo vacuum will be able to recognize the type of flooring that you have in each room, whether it's hard or soft, and how to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles such as stairs. The more information it has the better it will clean your entire home.

Smart robotic cleaners can also reach places that traditional brooms or dustpans can't, like under beds, or other high places that require you to be on your knees. Depending on the model you select, some robotics are able to be programmed to clean certain rooms or areas at certain times of the day.

The most effective robot vacuums can pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand heavier debris such as heaps of oatmeal, orzo pasta, as well as metal screws and nuts and even fluffy items like pet hair effortlessly. They also can get into tight places where a stick broom could be difficult to reach. And they're often quieter than a standard upright or canister vacuum and can be set to operate in the background while you read or watch television.

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

Most mops are able to be used for a number of times before they need to be replaced. However, you'll want to make sure that you purchase a model with an ample water tank and mop pad capacity (the Dreametech W10, for instance, which earned a spot in a previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award is equipped with a hefty 5 gallon of water and can hold up to a dozen 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 an entirely hands-free experience.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have developed more quickly than any other home appliance. In the beginning, they were a jumble of expensive devices that sat on the steps and sucked up with pet hair and cat litter, but today there's an amazing selection of models in every price bracket that come with self-emptying bins that can be emptied, mapping capabilities mopping functions, and many more.

The robotic vacuum has been enhanced by adding better obstacles-avoiding capabilities. This is the ability to detect and avoid obstacles that cause problems like tangled cords furniture legs and piles of dog waste (catch the hall-of-fame CNET article for more details on this important subject). Even the best robot vacuums cannot avoid 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 camera, radar and laser (laser distance sensors or LDS) guided system to map out your floor plan and ensure that they are clean thoroughly and not missing any area. They're also able to keep track of and update multiple floor plans. This increases their efficiency and cuts down on time they are spending cleaning the same areas or retracing steps.

If you're looking for a true set-it-and-forget robotic vacuum that can complete the job without assistance from you, consider the best bagless robot vacuum for pet hair smart robot vacuum we've tested up to date: the iRobot J7+. It was the most efficient robot vacuum in our tests for mapping, creating virtual borders and getting around obstacles.

However, if you're more looking to save money and don't need smart features such as mapping or a self-emptying garbage bin, check out our budget selection for this year: the Eufy 11S. It works well on low-pile carpets and hardwood floors, and picks up cat litter, pet hair and dust. The bin onboard can hold up to 45 days of dirt. When it is full, the bin will automatically return to the dock for charging to be empty.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops need to be cleaned periodically, just like any other appliance used in the house. However, how often you clean depends on the model and your household needs. You'll need to empty the dust bin regularly and may also have to clean the brushes or wheels, based on the model. The maintenance manual that comes with most robots will show you how to maintain it.

For instance, you can wash the bin and then clean it using a moist (not dripping wet) sponge made of melamine to get rid of any dirt that's accumulated. You can also clean the filters and the wheels of your robot vac to ensure it's running smoothly. Nasrallah recommends that you inspect your wheels at least once a week to make sure they are free of debris such as hairs, threads or other particles that could cause the machine malfunction. Also, you should clean the brushes beneath your robot including the left and right drive wheel, and the sidebrush - once a month. This will ensure that they're free of dirt.

Some models can do double-duty as robot mops that are automated, which will add mopping to your home cleaning routine. If you intend to utilize this feature, make sure you have a thorough vacuuming of the room before turning on your robot to mop. This way, the robot won't be sucked up by any pet toys or socks that aren't secured.

Other features worth looking for include an auto-emptying base that makes it easier to take out the trash, a high-efficiency filter that helps reduce allergens in the air, and a smart mapping technology that aids the robot to understand the patterns of your rooms so it can clean them in a systematic manner. Certain models allow you to set areas that your robot can't clean -- a great option for parents who tend to pile their shoes in the hallway.

To determine 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 of ECOVACS Americas. The experts assessed the products on the basis of setting up, efficiency, and the level of noise. They also assessed the ease of maintenance, features, and maneuverability.