What Is a Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum?

Many robot vacuums come with an integrated dust bin that has to be manually emptied after every cleaning cycle. Self-emptying bases add value to robot vacuums.

Are they worth the ongoing cost? This review examines the Shark EZ robotic vacuum and its self-emptying base.

What is a self-emptying vacuum?

Self-emptying robot vacuums are cleaners with an internal storage system. It usually takes the form of a small, compact dustbin that automatically empties itself once it's full. This eliminates the need to do manual emptying of the dustbin after each cleaning cycle and cuts down on maintenance time. You can tell the time when the bin is full by looking through a window. You can find these features on models from iRobot, Ecovacs, and Shark.

This technology is fairly recent and is a feature that is present on a variety of robot vacuums. However, some models offer this functionality at lower costs than you might expect given their high-end capabilities. Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum, for example, is among the top-rated self-emptying robot vacuums that you can purchase for less than $400.

Most robot vacuums have dustbins which fill up after a few cleaning sessions and require manual emptying before the next cleaning cycle. This can be a tedious procedure, particularly for households with a lot of pet hair and other allergens that accumulate quickly. Emptying a robotic vacuum is also messy, since you might have to touch the dirty contents and risk releasing irritants into the air.

Self-emptying eliminates both issues by allowing robots to automatically move dirt and debris from their bins to a larger, enclosed storage area. It's usually an enclosed canister or bag inside the base station, which is easily accessible and can be emptied when needed. These bags also filter fine dust particles, trapping them and being a boon to allergy sufferers.

Another advantage of the self-emptying system is that it's generally less abrasive than the majority of robot vacuums even when emptying the container. The transfer of debris from the bot to the base can be a bit noisy but it's not a big deal for most people, but it can be a nightmare for pets and children at home.

The Best robot vacuum self empty self-emptying robots also come with a variety of useful features, such as Wi-Fi and smart home connectivity, so you can control them using your smartphone or other connected devices such as automatic/set run times, a mapping feature, vacuum and mop switching options, and more.

How does an automatic vacuum cleaner work?

A typical robot vacuum has an internal storage system, usually smaller than a dust bin. Based on the size of your house and how dirty your floor is, it is necessary to clean it often. The addition of a self-emptying feature on the robot vacuum eliminates the problem by reversing to its base to empty the dust bin onboard into a second dust bin. This is often referred to as Clean Base Dirt Disposal (iRobot), Auto Empty Station (Ecovacs) and Self-Emptying Base (Shark).

Many models of robot vacuums with this feature also come equipped with a dock that can be used to mop so that the machine can be used to serve two purposes at home. Certain models come with different modes of mopping and vacuuming to allow you to choose the cleaning style that you prefer.

It's important to keep in mind that while these features can be helpful, they do add a significant amount of cost to the robot vacuum, so they're not for all. These features may also add additional steps to using and setting up a robot vacuum, which can cause some people to be uncomfortable.

The Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is an example of a self-emptying model that is still relatively affordable, especially in comparison to standard robot vacuums. This unit has powerful suction and 3D light scanning. It can also identify objects with pinpoint accuracy. The large base can hold up to 60 days worth of debris, and it will automatically returns to its charging dock to empty its own tank when it's filled.

One aspect that isn't always apparent is how noisy self-emptying robots can be. Although there are some options to regulate the power of the device, the process of emptying could take up to a minute or so, and it can be quite loud. Some users find this noise to be a negative aspect of these devices.

How often should a vacuum that self-empties be emptied out?

Like regular robot vacuums, self emptying models scour your floors for hair, dust, and crumbs then return to their base to charge. Many self-cleaning models come with docking stations which also function as disposal units. They automatically empty the robotic cleaner's bin into a larger storage container when it's full. This means you don't need to deal with manually emptying the half-liter container after each use, or risk overfilling it and creating a clog.

In reality, docking systems that are used on certain self-emptying robots are able to hold 60 days or more of dirt before disposing of, meaning they will need to be empty much less frequently than traditional bots. But it's important to note that the transfer process is loud and could wake the pets or other people around and so this feature might not be ideal for households with sensitive ears.

You should still regularly empty the robot's dustbin and clean its filter to avoid blockages, which can impact the robot's performance. And you should also check the power button on the robot to ensure it's properly fully charged and plugged in prior to every use.

Are self-emptying vacuums really worth the price?

Many robot vacuums have self-emptying bins that eliminate the requirement of emptying the bin manually after every cleaning session. They are more expensive than traditional robot vacuums, but they can save you time and effort by not having to empty your robot's trash bin after each sweeping.

A best self-emptying vacuum robotic vacuum may seem like an unnecessary luxury, but it can be a worthwhile investment if your home is busy or you have pets that shed. It is also an investment worth making for those who suffer from allergies that are chronic or live in a place that is dusty.

Self-emptying vacuums work by docking with a bigger base station with a hose that pulls the particles from the robot's trash bin into the larger receptacle. This stops the dustbin from overflowing and becoming clogged, which can cause the vacuum to smell or lose suction. In the majority of cases, you'll need to empty the bin every 30 or 60 days, based on how often you use the device.

Most self-emptying robot vacuums can connect to Wi-Fi. This makes it easy to control them from smartphones. Many are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home that let you make use of voice commands to control your robot. This can be especially helpful if you're on a schedule or have a household that is incredibly busy which makes it easier to keep your home tidy even when you're busy.

In terms of features, the majority of self-emptying robot vacuums have high-quality motors for Best Robot Vacuum Self Empty vacuums, which means they can effortlessly remove dust, pet hair, crumbs, and other debris from hardwood floors and low-pile carpeting. They can be programmed to clean and vacuum at a set time and make your life easier.

The iRobot J7+ is the best robot vacuum for pet hair self emptying robot vacuum for self-emptying, mapping, creating virtual borders and detecting obstructions. This powerful robot vacuum will not disappoint. If you're on a tight budget however, the Shark IQ XL is an excellent choice that has many of the same features for a lower price point.