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!

Robotic vacuums and mops work autonomously, so once you've set them up, they'll be content to continue cleaning on their own. They'll last a long time with little maintenance, such as emptying the bins and cleaning the brushes.

1. Powerful suction

Bagless robotic sweepers offer powerful suction that is comparable to traditional vacuum cleaners. They also come with a range of features that help them tackle various floor types and sizes of homes. The best robots let you plan cleaning times for specific rooms and set boundaries for areas you prefer or don't. You can also use an app to adjust the level of the cleaning performed by your robot and track its progress while it's working.

A feature that many users like is the capability to choose which direction and where your robot begins. This feature is particularly beneficial in areas that have many corners and doors, based on the arrangement of your home. Many robots come with docking systems that allow you to swap out reusable dustbins or disposable ones and charge the robot in between uses. Some robots have bases that automatically empty itself, removing the need to buy disposal bags.

The primary drawback of bagless robotic sweepers is that they tend to be very expensive. This is particularly applicable to models with an auto-emptying base which can add a significant amount to the total cost of the device. These gadgets are becoming more popular and can be a great option for homeowners who are frustrated or tired with manually vacuuming their floor or dealing with pet hair.

The Eufy 11s is a good vacuum cleaner for general cleaning and is able to get into all the nooks and crannys of my home. However it has some significant issues when it comes to cleaning pet hair. It comes with an anti-tangle device that is supposed to shred and cut hair. However, I found myself constantly arranging and picking hair from dogs and cats. The robot also seems to get stuck on carpeting often and could easily get caught in fluffy, high-pile fibres.

A few of the more expensive models I've tested (like the Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum) have superior pet hair collection and navigation. Their dual dustbins can be changed to accommodate different amounts of debris. They are also easier to empty. They can also fit into corners much more easily than circular robots due to of their square-ish shape. They have excellent object recognition and can take in Cheerios and oatmeal, as well as piles of it and even fake dog turds while traversing cords for lamps and fake dog turds.

2. Cleansing with adaptability

One of the most important things you'll find in any robot vacuum, and particularly one that is bagless, is the ability to adapt to the changing conditions. The robot vacuum will be able to learn, for instance the type of flooring that you have in each space and whether it's soft or hard. It will also learn how to navigate around obstacles like furniture and stairs. The more data your robo-vac is able to gather more information, the better equipped it will be to clean your entire house.

A smart robotic cleaner can also get into corners that traditional brooms and dustpans can't, as well as under beds and other high spots that require your hands and knees. Certain robots, based on the model you choose, can be programmed to clean specific areas or rooms at certain times of the day.

The best robot vacuums are able to collect small particles like baking soda or sand and heavier debris like heaps of oatmeal or orzo pasta, metal screws and nuts or fluffy items like pet hair. They can also be able to get into tight spots where a stick broom might be difficult to reach. They're usually quieter than a standard upright or canister vacuum. They can be set to run in the background while you read or watch television.

Some models can sweep and mop floors as well as vacuum. You'll need to take extra care with these types of robots, making sure that you remove the mopping pads and wash them (and allow them to dry) before installing them again. If your manufacturer recommends that you do so then you'll need to clean and rinse the filter regularly (and allow it to dry).

Most mop models can be used multiple times before they need to be replaced, however, you'll want to make sure that you buy a machine with a large 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 and holds a hefty 5 gallon water tank and can accommodate up to 12 mopping pads). Some of the most advanced models have a built-in charging dock that both refills the tank and drains the bin, allowing you to enjoy an unrestricted hands-free experience.

3. Efficient

Robot vacuums have advanced more quickly than any other appliance at home. At first, they were a jumble of expensive devices that sat on stairs and filled up with cat hair and pet litter, but today, there's an incredible selection of models across the price range offering self-emptying bins that can be emptied, mapping capabilities, mopping functions and more.

The biggest improvement that has come to the robotic vacuum is the addition of better obstacle avoidance. This is due to the capability of the robot vacuum to recognize and avoid obstacles such as cords that are tangled and furniture legs or piles of dog waste. (Click on the CNET lead from the hall-of fame for more information). Even so, even the best robot vacuums can't completely avoid them all the time, meaning they can still get flustered by them and end up snagged or scattering poop on your floors, causing a mess 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 out your floor plan to ensure that they're cleaning thoroughly and are not missing any space. They can also keep and update multiple floor plans. This increases their efficiency and cuts down on time they are spending cleaning the same areas or repeating steps.

If you want a robot vacuum that you can set and forget, the iRobot j7+ is the best one we've tested. It was the top robot vacuum we tested for mapping the virtual boundaries, and eliminating obstacles.

If you want to save money, but don't require smart features like mapping or a bin that automatically empties, then the Eufy 11S is our budget pick of the year. It is suitable for low-pile carpets 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's full, it automatically goes back to its charging dock for emptying.

4. Easy to maintain

Robotic vacuums and mops must be cleaned regularly, just 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 dust bin frequently and you might also need to clean the brushes or the wheels, depending on the model. The maintenance manual that comes with most robots will show you how to keep it in good condition.

For instance, you could clean the bin and clean it with a slightly damp (not dripping wet) sponge made of melamine. This will remove any dirt that has accumulated. You can also clean the filters and the wheels of your robot vacuum to ensure it's running smoothly. Nasrallah suggests that you examine your wheels at least once a week to make sure they are free of any debris such as threads, hairs or other particles that could cause the machine malfunction. You should also 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.

Certain models are also robot mop machines that can be used to add a mopping step to your cleaning routine. If you are planning to use this feature, ensure that you have a thorough vacuuming of the room before turning on your robot to mop. This ensures that the robot will not be sucked in by pet socks or toys that aren't secured.

Smart mapping technology allows the robot learn the layout of rooms and allows it to clean them in a neat way. Some models let you define areas which the robot cannot clean. This is a great option if your children are known to put their shoes on the floor.

Real Simple consulted experts to identify the best bagless wifi-connected robot robot vacuum and mop to fit in your home. The experts included 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 evaluated the items on the basis of the setup, efficiency and the level of noise. They also assessed features, maneuverability and ease-of-maintenance.