Robot vacuums are great for keeping your floors tidy. However, they come with tiny dustbins that have to be manually emptied after each cleaning session. High-end models have self-emptying bases that remove this step and allow for hands-free cleaning.
The best self-emptying vacuum cleaners have docking systems that can hold up to 45 days worth of debris, with no intervention. These smart vacs also can map your home and stay clear of power cords and other obstacles.
1. IRobot Roomba S9+
iRobot was the first company to introduce self-emptying robots in its Roomba i7. It has now taken that technology to a whole new level with the s9+. The flagship model is pricey but it also offers the best performance of any robot vacuum we've tested. It also includes upgrades that other brands can only envy.
robot self emptying vacuum takes in dirt and then it is able to store it in its Clean Base. Then, it empties that into a large, dust bag which you dispose of every 60 days. This makes it a great option for those who prefer to be hands-off when it comes to cleaning, but still need the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their home is clean and free of germs and allergens.
The s9+ also features advanced corner cleaning capabilities that bring it much closer to walls than the previous models could, and it's better in spot cleaning too. If it detects that a particular area needs more attention it will send it back there with regular schedule. If the area is extremely dirty, the s9 returns to it with a stronger suction until all the mess has been removed.
The s9+ can be controlled by the included app or Amazon Alexa (the s9+ is compatible with both) that allows you to give full voice commands that include the ability to stopping, starting and pausing. You can also set a time frame for the robot to begin and stop its work or you can let it decide when it's ready to come back to its dock.
The s9+ does an excellent job on floors that are unfinished and can remove small objects like rice as well as larger objects like cereal easily. It is also good at cleaning low-pile carpets and has a strong suction, even when the dirt compartment is stuffed. However, it will not work as well with thicker carpets.
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 most hands-off robotic cleaners available. Its advanced mapping and navigation systems offer superior maneuverability. The companion app allows users to choose from a range of cleaning configurations. It also works with third-party applications that allow you to monitor your home in action.
The S7 MaxV Ultra, like its predecessor, is a master in sweeping carpets as well as hard floors. It scored well in our tests of dirt pickup and excelled at tackling hard-to-clean tasks such as the sand embedding tests and the carpet deep clean test, which we conduct by weighing the dust bin of the robot before and after a certain amount of time. The S7 MaxV Ultra also does an excellent job at mopping. It has enough suction to handle both large and small debris and pet fur on bare floors. It has a tougher time when it comes to carpets with low piles that are densely woven, but it still manages most of the hair.
This model is among the quietest we've tested, with a maximum noise level of just 57.5 dBA when in the low-power 'Quiet' mode. It's not as discrete in its maximum power mode, 'Max', which generates more than 80 dBA.
The S7 MaxV Ultra is equipped with a dock that automatically refills the water tank of the robot, as well as 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 XL
The Shark IQ Robot XL has a powerful suction, and plenty of clever features. It has a bagless self-emptying base and can map your home's interior as it cleans for complete coverage. You can control the SharkClean through the SharkClean App or with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also use physical boundary markers to limit the access of the device.
It's a basic black style that feels and looks great. It requires very little assembly from the box, requiring only a couple of snaps to connect the included side brushes and the charging dock. The dirt compartment could be somewhat small, and you will need to empty it quite often.
In tests in tests, the IQ Robot XL quickly responded to the app's controls and performed well during cleaning cycles. The app allows you to choose power modes, change settings, and track the robot's battery level. The app also has a Find Robot feature that will aid you in locating the device if it's lost.
As with other Shark products, the IQ Robot XL has impressive suction that is able to easily take on pet hair and dust. The self-cleaning brushroll stops hair from clinging to the machine as it combs out debris. Its navigation module uses sensors to monitor its surroundings while it moves. However, the process isn't as extensive as robots that utilize LIDAR sensors. It takes a few clean cycles before the IQ Robot XL completely maps your space.
The Shark IQ Robot XL offers superior performance on all surfaces compared to the iRobot Roomba 690. It is also easier to maintain and incurs lower recurring cost. However, the iRobot feels better-built, charges faster while offering similar battery power, and comes with an extensive suite of automation features that allows you to configure your home's coverage map to include no-go zones.
4. Eufy 11S
The Eufy 11S robot vacuum is ideal for people who don't want to use smartphones or voice commands but nevertheless want a vacuum that can clean according to their schedule. The slim model is easy to set up and maintain, and it's able to effortlessly clean dirt and dust. It's perfect for light cleaning to keep your floors looking good.
It's not as impressive than the other top picks in our vacuums test program however, it has 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 highly effective "Quick Clean" mode, which makes use of multiple cleaning cycles to scrub your floors as thoroughly as possible. The Smart Pathing" feature is not as efficient, but it is still effective enough to prevent repeating the same cleaning process repeatedly.
This model isn't able to perform better than the iRobot Roomba S9+, however, it is better than the Coredy R550 (which is similar in price) and the bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot is built better, incurs less recurring costs, has a bigger dirt compartment and lasts longer on a charge, and maneuvers more effectively. It also gets rid of pet hair more effectively and performs better on floors with carpets and bare floors.
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 built better, has a longer maximum battery life, and sucks up more dust and dirt than the Eufy. It is also easier to maintain and has lower regular costs. It also has more automation capabilities. The app that comes with it is better, too, offering more useful information about the status of the vacuum as well as its battery level.
5. Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+
It might look similar to the majority of robot vacuum available, but this one has a few clever tricks in its bag. It allows you to use the app to control the power levels of mops, vacuums, and even make your own preferences. Its impressive vacuum power of 2600Pa and 67dB noise level is considerably lower than other robots that I've tried.
Deebot N8 Pro+ can also stay clear of obstacles thanks to its TrueDetect 3D Laser. This technology makes use of structured light to scan the room and map its contents, which means it is able to work around furniture, showpieces, shoes and charger cables. It's more precise than other robots since it works at a millimeter level to identify small objects and devise a way around them.
ECOVACS The app allows you to monitor the robot's progress and schedule cleaning sessions as well as alter settings from anywhere. It can set up custom boundaries, too, which gives you better control over the area it cleans and also keeps it away from precious family heirlooms or messy school projects, as well as laundry.
The app is simple to use and provides clear directions for getting started, with the entire setup process taking about an hour from start to finish. After you've mapped your home, you can either let it run itself or create a plan of cleaning for each individual room. When the battery is low it will be returned to the dock that charges it and continue where it left when fully charged. An automatic dustbin is provided in the ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ which means you don't have to open the contents unless you wish to change the dust bag.
