The Best Self-Empting Vacuums
Robot vacuums are great for keeping your floors clean however, they usually come with small dust bins that require manual emptying after every cleaning session. High-end models come with self-emptying bases that eliminate this step to provide a hands-free experience.
The most effective self-emptying vacuum has docking stations that hold up to 45 days of debris without intervention from you. These smart vacs also can map your home and avoid power cords and other obstacles.
1. IRobot Roomba S9+
iRobot was the first to introduce self-emptying robots using its Roomba i7. It's now elevated the technology to a higher level with the s9+. This flagship model may be expensive, but it has the highest performance we've seen in any robovac and includes upgrades other brands only dream of.
It first takes in dirt and then it is able to store it in its Clean Base. Then, it emptys that into a large, dust bag that you throw away every 60 days. This is a great option for those who want to clean their home without touching it, but want to have peace of mind knowing their home is free of allergens and germs.
The s9+ has improved corner cleaning capabilities that allow it to get closer to walls and perform better at cleaning up spots. The application will return to a particular area when it senses it needs extra attention. If the area is particularly dirty, the s9 returns to it with a stronger suction until all the dirt is cleared away.
You can operate the s9+ via the included app or using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (the s9+ is compatible with both) It allows you full voice commands, including the ability to begin and stop, as well as stop. You can program the robot to begin and stop its work at a certain time or let it decide when to return to its dock.
The s9+ is great on flooring that is clean. It can easily remove small debris such as rice, as well as larger objects like cereal. It also excels for cleaning carpets with low piles and has a strong suction, even when the dirt compartment is stuffed. However, it will not perform as well on carpets that are thicker.
2. Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra is a robot vacuum and mop that is able to sweep, detect rugs and self-clean making it one of the best hands-free robotic cleaners on the market. Its advanced mapping and navigation systems offer superior maneuverability. The companion app allows users to choose among a variety of cleaning options. It also supports third-party apps that allow you to monitor your home as it is operating.
Like its predecessor, S7 MaxV Ultra is excellent in sweeping hard floors and carpets. It scored highly in our dirt pickup tests and performed well in tackling difficult-to-clean tasks like the sand embedding test as well as the carpet deep clean test, which we conduct by weighing the robot's dustbin before and after a certain amount of time. The S7 MaxV Ultra also does excellent job of mopping. It has plenty of suction to handle both small and large debris, as well as pet fur on floors without carpet. It has a little difficulty with hair on low-pile, densely woven carpet, but still manages to suck up most of the hair on this floor type.
This model is one of the quietest that we've tested with a maximum noise level of 57.5 dBA in low-power 'Quiet' mode. It's not as discrete when it's in its highest power 'Max' mode, which can produce over 80 dBA.
The S7 MaxV Ultra comes with an integrated dock that can automatically empty the robot's dustbin and refill its water tank. It's a bit more challenging to configure the X1 Omni, but once you've set it up, your robot will run on its own.
3. Shark IQ the XL
The Shark IQ Robot XL has an impressive suction and many clever features. It comes with self-emptying bags that are bagless and maps your home as it cleans to provide total coverage. You can control the SharkClean with the SharkClean App or with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has physical boundary markers that you can use to restrict its access to certain areas.
It's a basic black design that feels and looks good. It requires only a few steps out-of-the-box, with just a couple of snaps to connect the included side brushes and the charging dock. The dirt compartment is tiny, and it is likely to need to empty it often.
In tests it was found that the IQ Robot XL quickly responded to app commands and performed well during cleaning cycles. The app allows you to choose power modes, alter settings, and monitor the current level of battery in the robot. The app also comes with an Find Robot button that helps you locate the device if it gets lost.
The IQ Robot XL, like other Shark products has a powerful suction that is able to easily handle dust bunnies and dog hair. Its self-cleaning brushroll stops hair from circling the machine while it brushes through debris too. Its navigation module makes use of sensors to scan the environment as it moves, but the process isn't as extensive as those that employ LIDAR modules. It takes a few clean cycles before the IQ Robot XL completely maps your space.
In comparison to the iRobot Roomba 690, the Shark IQ Robot XL is more durable, has lower costs for recurring maintenance and provides better performance across a variety of surfaces. The iRobot is more robust, has a faster charge, and provides the same battery performance. It also comes with an array of advanced automation features that allow you to configure the coverage map for your home and include areas that are not allowed to be in.
4. Eufy 11S
The Eufy 11S is a great option for those looking for a robot vacuum that can clean according to their schedule but do not require a smartphone or voice command. The sleek robot is easy to set up and maintain, and it is able to easily pick up dust and dirt. It's ideal for light daily cleanings to keep your floors looking their best.
It's a little less impressive than the other top choices in our vacuums test program However, it does have certain advantages that make it worth considering. For instance, its small stature lets it navigate under low-profile furniture that most other vacuums aren't able to. It also has a highly effective "Quick Clean" mode, which utilizes multiple steps to clean your floors as thoroughly as is possible. The Smart Pathing feature isn't as efficient however it's enough to prevent repeating the same cleaning paths over and over again.
This model isn't able to perform better than the iRobot Roomba S9+, though it does better than the Coredy R550 (which is priced the same) and the bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot is more durable, has lower costs for recurring repairs, has a bigger dirt compartment and lasts longer on a charge, and maneuvers more effectively. It also removes pet hair more effectively and performs better on floors that are carpeted and unfinished.
The Eufy 11S will cost you more than the iRobot Roomba, but also more expensive than the Ecovacs. However, the iRobot is built better, has a longer maximum battery life, and picks up more dust and dirt than the Eufy. It's also more easy to maintain, incurs fewer recurring costs, and has more automation capabilities. self.emptying robot vacuum is better and provides more information on the status of the vacuum and its battery level.
5. Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+
This robot vacuum may look similar to others on the market but it has some neat tricks up its sleeves. It allows you to use the app to control the power levels as well as mops and customize your preferences. The suction power of 2600Pa is impressive, and at 67dB, it's quieter in use than most other robots I've tried.
The Deebot N8 Pro+ is also able of avoiding obstacles with its TrueDetect 3D laser. This technology makes use of structured light to map a room's interior and scan it. It can therefore work on the floor, around shoes, furniture charger cables, furniture, and display pieces. It is also more precise than other robots because it detects small objects at a millimetre-level and devises a strategy to avoid them.
Utilizing the ECOVACS application it is possible to monitor your robot's progress, schedule cleaning sessions, and alter settings regardless of where you are. It is able to set custom boundaries, that gives you more control over where it cleans and helps keep it away from precious family heirlooms, messy school projects and laundry.
The app is easy to use and the instructions are simple. The entire setup process takes around an hour. Once you've mapped your home you can let it run on its own or create a customized cleaning plan for each room. If the battery is running low it will go back to the charging dock and continue to where it left after fully charged. An auto-empty dustbin is included in the ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+, so you won't have to touch its contents unless you want to change the dust bag.