The Best Self-Empting Vacuums
Robot vacuums are fantastic for keeping your floors clean, but they often have small dust bins that require manual emptying after each cleaning session. High-end models have self-emptying bases that remove this step and allow the user to clean hands-free.
The most effective self-emptying vacuum comes with docking stations that can hold up to 45 days of debris without intervention from you. Smart vacuums can also track your home, and are able to stay clear of power cords and other obstacles.
1. iRobot Roomba S9+
iRobot was the first to introduce self-emptying robots with its Roomba i7. It has now taken that technology to a higher level with the s9+. The flagship model is expensive, but it has the highest performance we've seen in any robovac and comes with upgrades other brands can only dream of.
It first sucks dirt into its Clean Base automatically. It then emptys the dirt into a huge bag that you can dispose away every 60 days. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to take a hands-off approach to cleaning but need the peace of mind that comes with knowing their home is clean and free of allergens and germs.
The s9+ also features advanced corner-cleaning capabilities that allow it closer to walls than earlier models, and is better at spot cleaning as well. If it detects that a particular area needs more attention, the app will return it to the area on a recurring schedule. If the area is truly filthy, the s9 will return to it using stronger suction until the mess is cleared.
You can control the s9+ using the included app or using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (the s9+ is compatible with both), which gives you full voice commands including the ability to start and stop, as well as pausing. You can program the robot to start and stop its work at a specific time or let it decide when it should return to its dock.
The s9+ is great on bare floors. It is able to take small pieces of debris, like rice, and bigger objects like cereal. It's also pretty good at tackling low-pile carpet and has strong suction even with full dirt compartments, though it doesn't do as well on more dense carpets.
2. Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra is a robot vacuum and mop that can sweep, detect rugs and self-clean which makes it one of the most hands-free robotic cleaners on the market. Its sophisticated navigation and mapping systems offer superior maneuverability, while its companion app provides access to a range of cleaning options. It also supports a broad variety of third-party applications that allow you to watch your home's activities while it's operating.
Like its predecessor, the S7 MaxV Ultra is excellent in sweeping carpets and hard floors. It did well in our dirt pick-up tests and excelled when it came to cleaning more difficult tasks like the sand embedded test and carpet deep clean test. We conduct these tests by weighing the robot’s dustbin both before and after the time frame. robot vacuum that empties itself does a great job at mopping. It has plenty of suction to deal with small and large debris, as well as pet fur on floors that are not bare. It has a harder time with carpets with a low pile which are densely woven but it is still able to handle the majority of the hair.
This model is among the quietest we've ever tested. Its low-power Quiet mode creates the lowest noise level of 57.5 dBA. It's not as discreet in its highest-power 'Max' setting that produces more than 80 dBA.
The S7 MaxV Ultra is equipped with a dock that automatically refills the tank of water for the robot and emptying its dust bin. It's a little more difficult to configure the X1 Omni but once you've gotten it set up, your robot will run on its own.
3. Shark IQ Large
The Shark IQ Robot XL is a high-quality mid-range robot vacuum with powerful suction and numerous intelligent features. It comes with a self-emptying bagless base and maps your home while it cleans to ensure full coverage. You can control it with the SharkClean app or via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also utilize physical boundary markers to limit the access of the device.
It has a simple, all-black look and feel. It's simple to put together right out of the box since it requires only a few snaps for the side brushes and charging dock. The dirt compartment could be small, so you'll need to empty it frequently.
In tests in tests, the IQ Robot XL quickly responded to the app's controls and performed well during cleaning cycles. The app lets you select power modes, modify settings, and even check the level of battery power when it's working. The app also has an Find Robot feature that will assist you in finding the device in the event that it gets lost.
The IQ Robot XL, like other Shark products, has a powerful suction that can easily handle dust bunnies and dog hair. The self-cleaning brushroll stops hair from clinging to the machine as it combs out debris. Its navigation module makes use of sensors to detect the surroundings as it moves, but the process isn't as comprehensive as those that employ LIDAR modules. The IQ Robot XL must run several clean cycles to identify your space.
The Shark IQ Robot XL offers superior performance on all surfaces compared to the iRobot Roomba 690. It is also more easy to maintain and incurs lower recurring cost. The iRobot is more robust, has a faster charge, and provides the same battery performance. It also has an array of advanced automation features that allow you to customize the coverage map for your home and include no-go areas.
4. Eufy 11S
The Eufy 11S robot vacuum is ideal for those who don't want to use a smartphone or voice control however, they still want a robot that can clean according to their schedule. The slim model is easy to set up and maintain and sucks up dust and dirt without much effort. It is recommended for cleaning light-duty daily tasks in order to keep your floors looking beautiful.
It's not as impressive as our other top picks, but still offers some benefits worth considering. For example, its short size lets it maneuver under furniture with a low profile that other vacuums cannot. It also has an effective 'Quick Cleaning' mode that uses multiple passes to make your floors as clean as they can be. The 'Smart Pathing' feature isn't as effective however it's enough to prevent repeating the same cleaning routes repeatedly.
The model isn't as well as the iRobot Roomba S9+, however, it is better than the Coredy R550 (which is priced the same) and the bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot has a more robust design, incurs fewer recurring expenses and has a bigger dirt compartment, lasts for longer on a single charge, and can maneuver more effectively. It also removes pet hair more effectively and performs better on both bare floors and carpet.
The Eufy 11S costs more than the iRobot Roomba, but also more expensive than the Ecovacs. However the iRobot is built better and has a longer battery life, and picks up more dust and dirt than the Eufy. It is also easier to maintain and has lower ongoing costs. It also has more automation features. The companion app is superior, too, offering more details about the vacuum's status and battery level.
5. Ecovacs Deebot Pro+
The robot vacuum might appear similar to other vacuums on the market, but it has some neat tricks up its sleeves. You can set certain rooms or areas for cleaning, control its power levels and mops via the app, and use voice controls to set your preferences. Its impressive 2600Pa vacuum power and 67dB noise level are significantly less than other robots I've tried.
The Deebot N8 Pro+ is also able to avoid obstacles due to its TrueDetect 3D laser. This technology makes use of structured light to map a room's contents and scan it. It can therefore work around furniture, shoes charger cables, furniture, and display pieces. It's much more precise than other robots because it operates at the millimetre level to detect small objects and devise a way around them.
ECOVACS App lets you monitor the robot's progress and schedule cleaning sessions as well as change settings, from anywhere. It is also able to create custom boundaries to allow you to better control the areas where it cleans. This helps keep it from important household items and messy school projects and laundry.
The app is easy to use, and the instructions are clear. The entire setup process takes around an hour. Once you've mapped your home, you can let it run on its own, or create an individual cleaning schedule for each room. If the battery is depleted it will be returned to the dock for charging and continue where it left after fully charged. An auto-empty dustbin is included in the ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ which means you don't have to handle its contents unless you want to change the dust bag.