Robot vacuums are great in keeping your floors spotless, but they often have small dust bins that require manual emptying after each cleaning session. Premium models come with self-emptying bases that eliminate this step to provide an effortless experience.
The most effective self-emptying vacuum cleaners feature docking systems that can store up to 45 days of trash, with no intervention. These smart vacuums can also map your house and avoid obstacles such as power cords.
1. IRobot Roomba S9+
iRobot was the first to introduce self-emptying robots using its Roomba i7. It has elevated the technology to a whole new level with the s9+. The flagship model might be expensive, but it offers the most impressive performance we've ever seen on any robovac, and includes upgrades other brands could only dream of.
It first takes in dirt and then it is able to store it in its Clean Base. Then, it emptys the dirt into a large bag that you can dispose away every 60-days. This is a great option for those who want to clean their home without touching it, but still need peace of mind knowing their home is clean of allergens and germs.
The s9+ has improved corner cleaning capabilities, allowing it to be closer to walls and is more effective in cleaning up spots. If it detects that a certain area requires extra attention the app will then return it to the area on a recurring schedule. If the area is truly dirty, the s9 can return with more powerful suction until the mess is cleaned.
The s9+ can be controlled using the app that comes with it or via Amazon Alexa (the s9+ is compatible with both), which allows you to give full voice commands that include the ability of start, stop and pause. You can program the robot to begin and stop its work at a specific time or let it decide when to return to its dock.
The s9+ is great for bare floors. It can easily take small pieces of debris, like rice, and bigger objects like cereal. It is also good for cleaning carpets with low piles and has a strong suction, even if the dirt compartment is full. However, it will not perform as well on carpets that are more dense.
2. Roborock S7 maxV Ultra
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra robot vacuum and mop is able to sweep carpets, detect rugs, and self-clean. It is one of the hands-off robotic cleaners available. Its advanced mapping and navigation systems offer an exceptional level of maneuverability. The companion app lets users to choose from a variety cleaning configurations. It also works with third-party applications that allow you to monitor your home in action.
Similar to its predecessor, the S7 MaxV Ultra is excellent at sweeping hard floors and carpets. It was able to perform well in our tests for dirt pick-up and excelled in cleaning more difficult tasks like the sand embedded test, as well as the carpet deep clean test. We perform these tests by weighing the robots dustbin both before and after the set time frame. The S7 MaxV Ultra is also excellent at mopping, and has lots of suction power to handle large and small particles as well as pet hair that is bare on floors. It is more difficult when it comes to carpets with low piles that are tightly woven, but it still manages most of the hair.
This model is one of the quietest we've tested, with a maximum amount of 57.5 dBA when operating in low-power 'Quiet' mode. It's less discrete in its highest power 'Max' mode which generates more than 80 dBA.
The S7 MaxV Ultra is equipped with docks that automatically fill the tank of water for the robot and emptying its trash bin. It's a bit more difficult to set up than the X1 Omni however, it's not difficult, and once you have your robot set up and set up, it will mostly run itself without any intervention from you.
3. Shark IQ Large
The Shark IQ Robot XL has powerful suction, as well as plenty of smart features. It has self-emptying bags that are bagless and maps your home while it cleans to ensure full coverage. You can control it using the SharkClean app, or with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also utilize physical boundary markers to restrict its access.
It has a relatively simple, all-black style that feels and looks good. It requires very little assembly out-of-the-box, with just a couple of snaps to join the side brushes included and the charging dock. The dirt compartment could be small, so you will need to empty it often.
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, alter settings, and view the robot's battery level while it's working. The app has a Find Robot feature that will aid you in locating the device in the event that it's lost.
As with other Shark products like the IQ Robot XL has impressive suction that is capable of tackling pet hair and dust. Its self-cleaning brushroll keeps hair from circling the machine while it combs through debris, too. Its navigation module uses a combination of sensors to scan the environment as it moves, however it's not as thorough as those with LIDAR modules. It takes just 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 recurring costs, and delivers stronger performance across a variety of surfaces. However the iRobot feels better-built, charges more quickly, has comparable battery power, and comes with an extensive set of automation features that allows you to set up your home's coverage map with no-go zones.
4. Eufy 11S
The Eufy 11S is a great option for those who want a robot vacuum that can clean on their schedule, but doesn't require a smartphone or voice command. This slim robot is easy to set up and maintain and can take out dust and dirt without much effort. It's best suited for cleaning light-duty daily to keep your floors looking their best.
It's not as impressive than the other top choices in our vacuums testing program however, it has certain advantages that make it worth considering. Its compact size makes it able to be able to maneuver under furniture with low profile which other vacuums can't. It also has an effective "Quick Clean" mode, which utilizes multiple steps to clean your floors as thoroughly as is possible. The 'Smart Pathing" feature isn't as effective, but still good enough to prevent repeating the same cleaning route over and over.
This model isn't able to perform better than the iRobot Roomba S9+, though it does better than the Coredy R550 (which is similar in price) and the bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot is built better, incurs fewer recurring expenses, has a larger dirt compartment, lasts for longer on a single charge and is able to move more efficiently. It also removes pet hair more efficiently and does a better job on both bare floors and carpet.
The Eufy 11S is priced higher than the iRobot Roomba, but also more expensive than the Ecovacs N79S. The iRobot Roomba 614 is more expensive but it's also better built, has an extended battery life and can collect more dust and dirt. It is also easier to maintain and has fewer ongoing costs. It also has more automation features. The companion app is superior as well, providing more details about the status of the vacuum and its battery level.
5. Ecovacs Deebot Pro+
It might look similar to almost every other robot vacuum available, but this one has a few clever tricks in its bag. It allows you to use the app to regulate the power levels of mops, vacuums, and even make your own preferences. Its 2600Pa suction power is impressive and, at 67dB, it's much quieter than other robots I've used.
Deebot N8 Pro+ can also stay clear of obstacles thanks to its TrueDetect 3D Laser. This technology makes use of structured light to scan a space and map its contents, which means it is able to work around furniture, showpieces, shoes and charger cables. It is also more precise than other robots as it can detect small objects at a millimetre-level and devises a strategy to avoid them.
ECOVACS' app lets you monitor the robot's progress and schedule cleaning sessions, as well as change settings, from anywhere. It can also create specific boundaries to give you better control of the areas it cleans. This will keep it from important family items, messy school projects, and laundry.
The app is simple to use and offers clear directions for getting started, with the entire setting up process taking just an hour from beginning to finish. 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 running low, it will return to the dock for charging and continue where it left off when fully charged. The ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ has an automatic bin that can be empty, so you don't need to handle it unless you wish to change the dust bag.
