The Best Self-Empting Vacuums
Robot vacuums are great at keeping your floors clean however, they usually come with small dust bins that require manual emptying after each cleaning session. Premium models come with self-emptying bases that eliminate this step for the hands-free experience.
The best self-emptying vacuum cleaners feature a docking system which can hold up to 45 days worth of debris, with no intervention. These vacuums are also able to track your home and avoid obstacles such as power cords.
1. iRobot Roomba s9+
iRobot was the first to introduce self-emptying robots in its Roomba i7. It's now taken this technology to a new level with the s9+. This flagship model may be costly, but it comes with the best performance we've seen on any robovac, and comes with upgrades other brands could only dream of.
It first sucks dirt into its Clean Base automatically. Then, it emptys the dirt into a huge bag that you are able to throw away every 60 days. This makes it an excellent option for those who wish to take a hands-off approach to cleaning, but also are looking for the peace of head that comes with knowing that their home is regularly free of germs and allergens.
The s9+ has enhanced corner cleaning capabilities, allowing it to be closer to walls and is better in cleaning up spots. The app will return to a specific area if it feels it requires more attention. If the area is very dirty, the s9 returns to it with a more powerful suction until all the mess has been removed.
You can control the s9+ using the included app or by using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (the s9+ can support both) It allows you full voice commands, including the ability to start or stop and stop. You can also program an exact time for the robot to begin and end its work, or you can let it decide when it's time to return to its dock.
The s9+ does a great job on plain floors and can remove small objects like rice, as well as larger items like cereal with ease. It also excels for cleaning carpets with low piles and has a powerful suction, even when the dirt compartment is full. However, it will not do as well with carpets that are thicker.
2. Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra is a robot vacuum and mop which can sweep, detect rugs, and self-clean making it one of the best hands-off robotic cleaners available. Its sophisticated mapping and navigation systems provide superior maneuverability, while its companion app provides access to a variety of cleaning options. It also supports third-party apps that let you monitor your home in action.
The S7 MaxV Ultra, like its predecessor, is great in sweeping carpets as well as hard floors. It was able to perform well in our tests for dirt pick-up and excelled when it came to cleaning difficult tasks such as the sand embedded test as well as the carpet deep clean test. We perform these tests by weighing the dustbin of the robot both before and after the set time frame. The S7 MaxV Ultra also does excellent job of mopping. It has plenty of suction to take care of large and small debris as well as pet fur on bare floors. It has a harder time when it comes to carpets with low piles that are tightly woven, however, it can still handle the majority of the hair.
This model is one of the quietest we've tested, with a maximum noise level of just 57.5 dBA in the low-power "Quiet" mode. It's less discrete when it's in its highest power 'Max' mode which produces over 80 dBA.
The S7 MaxV Ultra is equipped with docks that automatically fill the robot's water tank and emptying its dustbin. It's a little more difficult to configure the X1 Omni but once you've set it up the robot will operate independently.
3. Shark IQ and XL
The Shark IQ Robot XL has an impressive suction and many clever features. It has self-emptying bags that are bagless and also maps your home's interior while it cleans to ensure full coverage. You can control the SharkClean through the SharkClean App or by voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has physical boundary markers that you can use to limit its access to certain areas.
It's a simple, all-black design that looks and feels great. It is easy to assemble straight out of the box, since it requires only some snaps to connect the side brushes and charging dock. The dirt compartment is somewhat small, and it will be necessary to empty it often.
IQ Robot XL performed well in tests and responded quickly to the app's commands. The app allows you to choose power modes, make changes to settings, and also monitor the robot's current battery level. The app also has an Find Robot button that helps you locate the device if it is lost.
As with other Shark products Like other Shark products, the IQ Robot XL has impressive suction that is able to easily take on dust bunnies and pet hair. Its self-cleaning brushroll stops hair from wrapping around the machine as it combs through debris, as well. Its navigation module makes use of sensors to monitor the surrounding area while it moves, but the process isn't as extensive as robots that use LIDAR modules. It takes a few cycles before the IQ Robot XL completely maps your space.
The Shark IQ Robot XL offers superior performance on a variety of surfaces when compared with the iRobot Roomba 690. It is also more easy to maintain and has a lower cost of recurring. However, the iRobot is more durable, charges more quickly, has comparable battery power, and comes with an extensive suite of automation capabilities that allow you to set up your home's coverage map to include no-go zones.
4. Eufy 11S
The Eufy 11S is a great option for those who want a robot vacuum that can clean according to their schedule but do not require a smartphone or voice control. Suggested Browsing is easy to install and maintain, and can take out dust and dirt with minimal effort. It is best used for light cleaning in order to keep your floors looking fantastic.
It's not as impressive than the other top picks in our vacuums test program However, it does have some benefits that make it worth considering. Its short stature allows it to fit under furniture with a low profile that other vacuums are unable to. It also has a very effective 'Quick Cleaning mode that makes multiple passes to make your floors as clean as you can. The 'Smart Pathing' feature isn't as effective, but it's good enough to ensure that you don't repeat the same cleaning paths over and over again.
This model is not as good as the iRobot Roomba S9+ but it performs better than Coredy R550, which is identical in price to the Bobsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot is built better, incurs fewer recurring costs, has a bigger dirt compartment, lasts longer on a charge, and can move more efficiently. It also gets rid of pet hair more efficiently and performs better on both bare floors and carpet.
The Eufy 11S is more expensive than the iRobot Roomba 614, but it's also more expensive than the Ecovacs N79S. However, the iRobot is better-built, has a longer maximum battery life, and picks up more dirt and dust than the Eufy. It's also more easy to maintain, incurs fewer cost-per-use charges, and comes with more automation capabilities. The companion app is better, providing more useful information about the vacuum's current battery status and level.
5. Ecovacs Deebot Pro+
It may look like just about every other robot vacuum on the market however, this one has some clever tricks in its bag. You can use the app to control the power levels as well as mops and make your own preferences. Its suction power of 2600Pa is impressive and, at 67dB, it's much quieter than other robots I've used.
The Deebot N8 Pro+ is also able to avoid obstacles with its TrueDetect 3D laser. This technology makes use of structured light to scan a space and map its contents, which means it can work around furniture, showpieces, shoes and charger cables. It's far more precise than other robots because it operates at the millimetre level to detect small objects and plan a way around them.
With the ECOVACS application, you can also monitor the progress of your robot, schedule cleaning sessions and change settings from wherever you are. It can set up custom boundaries, which gives you greater control over where it cleans and helps keep it from important family heirlooms or messy school projects, as well as laundry.
The app is easy to use and provides clear instructions for getting started. The entire setting up process taking just an hour from start to end. Once you've mapped your home, you can let it run on its own or make a separate cleaning schedule for each room. If the battery is depleted it will go back to the charging dock and continue to where it left when fully charged. The ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ has an automatic empty bin which means you don't have to do anything unless you want to change the dust bag.