The Best Self-Empting Vacuums
Robot vacuums are great for keeping your floors clean, but they often come with small dust bins that require manual emptying after each cleaning session. Premium models come with self-emptying bases, which eliminate this step to provide an effortless experience.
The best self-emptying vacuum cleaners have docking systems which can hold up to 45 days worth of trash, with no intervention. These smart vacuums can also track your home and avoid obstacles such as power cords.
1. iRobot Roomba S9+
iRobot has pioneered self-emptying robot vacuums using the Roomba i7. The company took the technology to the next level with the s9+. This flagship model is expensive, but it also has the best performance of any robot vacuum we've tested. It also has improvements that other brands can only envy.
Then, it draws dirt into its Clean Base automatically. 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 are looking for the peace of head that comes with knowing their home is always free of germs and allergens.
The s9+ is equipped with improved corner cleaning capabilities, allowing it to clean closer to walls and is better at spot-cleaning. If it senses that a particular area needs extra attention the app will then send it back there with a recurring schedule. If the area is really dirty, the s9 will return with more powerful suction until the mess is cleared.
The s9+ can be controlled using the app included or using Amazon Alexa (the s9+ is compatible with both) that lets you give complete voice commands, including the ability to stopping, starting and pausing. You can also program a specific time for the robot to begin and stop its work or let it decide when it's ready to return to its dock.
The s9+ does a great job on floors that are unfinished, clearing small debris like rice as well as larger objects like cereal effortlessly. It's also pretty adept in tackling carpets with low piles and has a strong suction with full dirt compartments, though it doesn't do as well on more dense carpets.
2. Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra robot vacuum and mop can sweep clean rugs, detect rugs and even self-clean. It is among the hands-off robotic cleaners available. Its sophisticated mapping and navigation systems offer the best maneuverability. The companion app allows users to choose among a variety of cleaning options. It also supports third-party apps that allow you monitor your home as it is operating.
The S7 MaxV Ultra, like its predecessor, is a master in sweeping carpets as well as hard floors. It scored highly in our dirt pickup tests and was able to handle difficult-to-clean tasks such as the sand embedding tests and the carpet deep clean test, which we conduct by weighing the robot's dustbin before and after a set amount of time. The S7 MaxV Ultra is also adept at mopping, with lots of suction power to deal with the bulky and small debris as well as pet hair on bare floors. It is more difficult with low-pile carpets 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 amount of 57.5 dBA when in low-power 'Quiet' mode. It's not as quiet when it's in its maximum-power setting, 'Max which can produce more than 80 dBA.
The S7 MaxV Ultra is equipped with docking station that automatically refills the water tank of the robot, as well as emptying its trash bin. It's a little more difficult to set up the X1 Omni, but once you've got it configured the robot will operate on its own.
3. Shark IQ Large
The Shark IQ Robot XL is a solid mid-range robot vacuum, with strong suction and a wealth of smart features. It has self-emptying bags that are bagless and maps your home as it cleans for full 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 has a minimalist, all-black appearance and feel. It requires only a few steps out-of-the-box, with just a couple of snaps to join the side brushes included and the charging dock. The dirt compartment is tiny, and you may need to empty it often.
IQ Robot XL performed well in tests and responded quickly to the app's commands. The app lets you select power modes, modify settings, and view the level of battery power while it's working. The app also features a Find Robot button that helps you locate the device if it is lost.
Like other Shark products like the IQ Robot XL has impressive suction that is able to easily take on pet hair and dust. Its self-cleaning brushroll stops hair from circling the machine while it brushes through debris as well. Its navigation module uses a combination of sensors to detect the surroundings as it moves, but the process isn't as extensive as robots that use 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 all surfaces when compared with the iRobot Roomba 690. It is also less maintenance-intensive and comes with a lower recurring cost. However the iRobot feels better-built, charges more quickly, has comparable battery power, and comes with an extensive set of features for automation that allows you to customize your home's coverage map using no-go zones.
4. Eufy 11S
The Eufy 11S is a great option for those looking for a robot vacuum that can clean on their schedule but do not require smartphone or voice control. This slim robot is simple to set up and maintain and it is able to easily remove dirt and dust. It is best used for cleaning light-duty daily tasks to keep your floors looking great.
It's not as impressive than the other top picks in our vacuums testing program however, it has some advantages that are worth considering. For instance, its slim stature lets it navigate under low-profile furniture that most other vacuums aren't able to. It also has an efficient 'Quick Clean mode, which makes use of multiple passes to make your floors as clean as you can. The 'Smart Pathing' feature isn't as effective however it's enough to help you avoid repeating the same cleaning paths repeatedly.
This model isn't able to perform better than the iRobot Roomba S9+, although it's better than the Coredy R550 (which is priced the same) and the bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot is more durable, has less recurring costs, has a bigger dirt compartment and lasts longer on charge, and moves more effectively. robot vacuum mops gets rid of pet hair faster and performs better on carpet and bare floors.
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, however, it's built better and has longer battery life, and is able to collect more dust and dirt. It's also more easy to maintain, has lower recurring costs, and has more automation capabilities. The companion app is also superior, offering more information about the vacuum's current battery's status and levels.
5. Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+
It may look like almost every other robot vacuum available, but this one has a few clever tricks to its name. It allows you to use the app to manage the power levels of mops, vacuums, and even set your preferences. Its suction power of 2600Pa is impressive and, at 67dB, it's quieter in use than most other robots I've used.
The Deebot N8 Pro+ is also able of avoiding obstacles with its TrueDetect 3D laser. This technology uses structured light to scan the room and map its contents, meaning it can work around furniture as well as showpieces, shoes and charger cables. It is also more accurate than other robots since it detects small objects at a millimetre-level and plans a way to avoid them.
ECOVACS' app lets you monitor the robot's progress and schedule cleaning times, and also change settings from anywhere. It is also able to create custom boundaries that give you better control of the areas where it cleans. This helps keep it away from important household items as well as messy school projects and laundry.
The app is easy to use and offers clear instructions for getting started, with the entire setup process taking about an hour from start to end. Once your house is mapped you can let it run on its own, or create an individual cleaning plan for each room. If the battery is depleted, it will return to the dock for charging and continue to where it left when fully charged. An auto-empty dustbin is included in the ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ and you won't need to touch its contents unless you wish to change the dust bag.