The Best Self-Empting Vacuums
Robot vacuums are excellent for keeping your floors clean, but they often have dust bins that are small and require manual emptying after every cleaning session. The best models come with self-emptying bases that remove this step and allow for hands-free cleaning.
The most effective self-emptying vacuum cleaners feature docking systems that can hold up to 45 days of debris, with no intervention. These smart vacs also map your home and can avoid power cords and other obstacles.
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+. The flagship model might be costly, but it comes with the highest performance we've seen on any robovac, and comes with upgrades that other brands can only dream of.
It first collects dirt in its Clean Base. Then it empties the dirt into a large bag that you can throw away every 60 days. This makes it a great choice for those who want to take a hands-off approach to cleaning but want the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their home is regularly free of germs and allergens.
The s9+ also comes with advanced corner-cleaning abilities that get it much closer to walls than previous models, and is more adept in spot cleaning, too. If it senses that a particular area needs special attention the app will then send it back there with a recurring schedule. If the area is dirty, the s9 can return to it using stronger suction until the mess is gone.
The s9+ can be controlled using the app included or using Amazon Alexa (the s9+ is compatible with both) and allows you to provide complete voice commands, including the ability of the ability to pause, stop and start. You can also program a specific 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+ is great on carpets that are not bare. It is able to easily take small pieces of debris, like rice, and larger objects like cereal. It is also great in cleaning carpets with a low pile and has a powerful suction, even when the dirt compartment is full. However, it does not do as well with carpets that are thicker.
2. Roborock S7 maxV Ultra
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra robot vacuum and mop can sweep carpets, detect rugs, and self-clean. It is one of the hand-off robotic cleaners that are currently available. Its advanced mapping and navigation systems deliver the best maneuverability, while its companion app gives you access to a variety of cleaning configuration options. It also supports a wide variety of third-party applications that allow you to monitor your home's activities while it's in action.
Like its predecessor, the S7 MaxV Ultra is excellent at sweeping both carpets and hard floors. It did well in our dirt pick-up tests and was a savior when it came to cleaning difficult tasks such as the sand embedded test and carpet deep clean test. These tests are conducted by weighing the dustbin of the robot both before and after the set time-frame. The S7 MaxV Ultra is also adept at mopping, with lots of suction power to deal with large and small particles as well as pet hair on bare floors. It has a harder time with carpets with a low pile which are densely woven but it is still able to handle the majority of the hair.
This model is among the quietest we've tested with a maximum sound level of just 57.5 dBA when in its low-power "Quiet" mode. It's less discrete in its highest power 'Max' mode, which can produce more than 80 dBA.
The S7 MaxV Ultra comes with an exclusive dock that automatically empty the robot's dustbin and replenish its water tank. It's a little more difficult to configure the X1 Omni but once you've gotten it set up the robot will operate independently.
3. Shark IQ XL
The Shark IQ Robot XL is an excellent mid-range robot vacuum, with powerful suction and numerous smart features. It is self-emptying with a bagless base and maps out your home as it cleans to ensure complete coverage. You can control it with the SharkClean app, or with voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also utilize physical boundary markers to limit its access.
It's a simple, all-black look and feel. It requires very little assembly from the box, requiring only a couple of snaps to join the included side brushes and the charging dock. The dirt compartment may be small, so it will be necessary to empty it quite often.
IQ Robot XL performed well in tests and responded quickly to the app's controls. The app allows you to choose power modes, make changes to settings, and also monitor the current level of battery in the robot. The app also has an Find Robot feature that will help you find the device in case it gets lost.
The IQ Robot XL, like other Shark products, has a strong suction that can easily handle dust bunnies and dog hair. The self-cleaning brushroll prevents hair from sticking to the machine while it combs debris. The navigation module uses sensors to scan the surroundings while it moves. However, this process is not as comprehensive as robots using LIDAR modules. The IQ Robot XL must run a few clean cycles to identify your space.
The Shark IQ Robot XL offers superior performance on a variety of surfaces compared to the iRobot Roomba 690. It is also less maintenance-intensive and has a lower cost of recurring. However, the iRobot is more durable, charges more quickly, has comparable battery power, and comes with an advanced suite of features for automation that allows you to set up your home's coverage map with no-go zones.
4. Eufy 11S
The Eufy 11S robot vacuum is perfect for those who do not want to use smartphones or voice commands but still want a robot that can clean according to their schedule. The slim model is easy to set up and maintain, and it is able to easily remove dirt and dust. It is recommended for cleaning light-duty daily tasks in order to keep your floors looking fantastic.
It's not as impressive as other top picks but has some advantages worth considering. For instance, its small stature lets it navigate under furniture with a low profile that other vacuums can't. It also comes with a powerful 'Quick Clean' mode which uses multiple passes to clean your floors as thoroughly as possible. The 'Smart Pathing" feature is less effective, but still good enough to avoid repeating the same cleaning path repeatedly.
The model isn't as well as the iRobot Roomba S9+, however, it is better than the Coredy R550 (which is the same price) and bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot is built better, incurs fewer recurring costs and has a larger dirt compartment, lasts longer on a charge, and moves more effectively. It also gets rid of pet hair more efficiently and performs better on floors with carpets and bare floors.
The Eufy 11S will cost you more than the iRobot Roomba, but also more expensive than the Ecovacs N79S. However, the iRobot is better-built and has a longer maximum battery life, and sucks up more dirt and dust than the Eufy. It is also simpler to maintain and has lower recurring costs. It also has more automation capabilities. The companion app is superior, too, offering more information on the status of the vacuum as well as its battery level.
5. Ecovacs Deebot Pro+
This robot vacuum may look similar to others on the market, but it has some clever tricks in its bag. The app allows you to manage the power levels of mops, vacuums, and even customize your preferences. Its impressive vacuum power of 2600Pa and 67dB noise levels are much lower than other robots I've tried.
Deebot N8 Pro+ can also avoid obstacles with its TrueDetect 3D Laser. This technology makes use of structured light to scan a space and map out its contents, meaning it can work around furniture as well as showpieces, shoes and charger cables. It's much more precise than other robots,, as it works at the millimeter scale to recognize tiny objects and plot a way around them.
Using the ECOVACS application, you can also monitor the progress of your robot, schedule cleaning sessions and change settings from wherever you are. It is able to set custom boundaries, that gives you more control over the area it cleans and also keeps it 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 whole setting up process taking just an hour from beginning to the end. Once it's mapped your house you can allow it to run on its own, or create a customized cleaning plan for each room. It will return to its charging dock once the battery gets low, and will continue where it left off once it's fully charged. The ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ has an automatic empty bin and you don't have to do anything unless you want to change the dust bag.