The best robot vacuums that self-empty have bases that can hold the equivalent of a month's worth of debris and automatically empty it. It also creates a precise map of your home which allows you to label rooms and create "no-go" zones.
It also is equipped with superior obstacle avoidance capabilities, so that it is safe from power cords and rogue socks.
Roomba s9+ iRobot from iRobot
This is a top model from iRobot and it performs very well. It can move easily across different surfaces and is very effective at sucking dirt, dust and other debris up. It's also very well-constructed and looks pretty nice too.
The S9 is the latest iRobot premium S Series robot vacuum. It comes with a number of additional features that make it different from other models. The iRobot App use, for instance, the camera to create maps that allows the unit to navigate and clean more efficiently.
There's no need to spend time cleaning the same spots over and over again in the event that the battery gets depleted. You can also start and stop cleaning sessions using a simple voice command or via the iRobot app, and this smart vacuum will even clean in the dark!
Another feature that is great is Carpet Boost, which gives the S9 extra suction power when it comes into contact with carpeting, so that it can take in more dirt and debris. mop robot vacuum has the square front design, which is more close to corners and walls than the older round designs. Be aware that this model isn't able to work well with shag or high-pile carpeting.
In our tests we discovered that the iRobot S9+ cleans thoroughly and efficiently on a variety of floor surfaces, from hard to medium-pile carpets and rugs. It also did well on tiles, laminate floors, and vinyl flooring. It also did a nice job of navigating between furniture and objects, although it struggled a bit with stairs, and can crash into objects like bookcases.
We liked the fact that the S9 automatically returns to its base to empty its trash bin when it's full, which greatly reduces hands-on maintenance needs. The dust bag will last for about 30 loads or a month and a half. You'll need to replace the filter periodically (as suggested by iRobot). In our experience, the iRobot S9+ doesn't get extremely loud when it's in use which makes it a good choice for those who live with kids or pets.
Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Designed to eliminate one of the most difficult tasks off your hands, robot vacuum cleaners take care of all the work to get carpeted and hardwood floors free of the everyday dust. The most effective ones can be controlled and monitored via an app on your smartphone, and some even have mopping technology for kitchen and bathroom floors. They're a great option for busy families, and are becoming more affordable than ever before. If you want top-of-the-line features on your robotic cleaner, you'll have to spend a bit more.
The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid is an all-in-one mopping and vacuum machine making it a great option for those living in a flat with multiple floors. Its dual motors offer incredible cleaning power, and the vacuum's 0.6l dustbin can store plenty of pet hair. The dustbin is able to be removed and emptied without fuss which is beneficial because you'll need to clean it frequently.
It's also simple to set up, although I recommend fully charging the X8 Hybrid prior to running it for the first time. You'll need to install the Eufy Home app and follow the instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once you've done this the app will assist you create an accurate map of your home. You can label the rooms, split large spaces into sub-rooms to make it easier for open-plan living and direct the X8 Hybrid towards specific areas in need of cleaning at a particular time. Other robots also have similar mapping and scanning functions, but Eufy's app is more refined and intuitive than the other.
The X8 Hybrid has a great feature: you can activate the mop or vacuum by voice thanks to the integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This is a nice feature that makes the robot even more hands-free, and it is very effective in our test home.
Like many robotic vacuums, the X8 Hybrid has some issues with floors that are bare. It is prone to miss fur and small items and tends to bump things, such as its charger on the charging platform. It is also not as quiet, and the whirring noise can be distracting as with other models.
Roborock V3S pro
The robot doesn't come with the same features as some of the more expensive ones we've tested, but it does cover the basics. It has a huge dust bin that can hold a lot of dirt before it needs to be emptied. The mop and vacuum system is great for both hard floors and carpets with a low pile. It's also super quiet, and we were able to sit and watch the TV while it was working without feeling like it was blazing us with the sound.
Our test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to set up and use, and they were amazed by its ability to take all the mess off their floors. It was successful in cleaning pet hair, messes and carpeting, but it was more difficult in eliminating stubborn stains. The app was easy to use and easy to understand. They could schedule the vacuum to clean regularly to reduce the amount of manual work. The only drawback is that it doesn't have any mapping technology or object avoidance technology, so you can't direct it to specific rooms or follow virtual boundaries (though magnetic boundary strips work).
The V3S Pro is another model that is part of iRobot's affordable line. It comes with several impressive features for a reasonable price. It was the top robot vacuum in our tests for navigating and avoiding obstacles. It's also the best budget option for those looking for an intelligent, self-emptying robotic vacuum that can take care of hair and pet messes on hardwood floors or carpets with low pile. It's also super quiet and comes with a massive dust bin that can hold lots of debris before it has to empty, so you don't have to worry about constantly emptying it.
The V3S Pro did not make it onto our top choice lists from reliable sources that conduct hands-on tests, however it received high marks from Modern Castle, Smart Robot Reviews and The Ambient. They liked the ease of setup and use, but they noted that its battery life was short and it didn't manage to avoid some of the most difficult mess we've put it through.
Roborock Q Revo
The Q Revo is a solid low-cost robot vacuum and mop that isn't slack on features or cost. You'll get a lot of the features that you'll find on top models, such as smart navigation and mapping, without spending top dollar. You can also make use of voice commands using Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri shortcuts to create custom automations and begin your cleaning cycle remotely while you're away.
Roborock has taken its time designing this smart cleaner. As a result, the product is exceptionally solid and feels like it was built with top materials. Its base is sturdy and stable, with an integrated charging port for the battery. You'll find the docking station for the clean-water tank and the bins for dirty water on top. There's also a panel under the dock that holds the vacuum bag that is sealed.
Once you pair your device to the app, you'll see a 2D or 3D map of your home. It will show the location of where your robot is in and the area it's cleaning. You can also design virtual barriers to keep your robot out of certain areas or clean only certain kinds of flooring. It's also able to adjust its power settings based on what type of floor is being cleaned, and choosing the most efficient method of cleaning.
The Q Revo stands out from many other robot vacuums because it can lift both of its mop heads while vacuuming. This prevents carpet fibers from getting stained. It's one of the few vacuums that can accomplish this.
When mopping the Q Revo's 5500Pa suction powers are enough to suck up dust particles, strands of pet hair and other particles. The all-rubber brush is great at disentangling human and animal hair and adapting to uneven surfaces.
The only downside to this machine is that it takes some time to empty and fill both the clean and dirty tanks. Luckily, you can reduce the frequency of this by using the auto-empty feature, which will automatically empty the bin after a few days. There is no reminder to examine the level of water in the dock.
