The Best Self-Empting Vacuums

Robot vacuums can be a great option for keeping your floors tidy. However, they come with small dust bins that must be emptied manually after every cleaning session. High-end models have self-emptying bases, robot vacuums which remove this step and allow for hands-free cleaning.

The most effective self-emptying robot vacuum vacuum has a docking station that holds up to 45 days of debris without intervention from you. Smart vacuums can also track your home and can avoid power cords as well as other obstacles.

1. IRobot Roomba S9+

iRobot was the first to introduce self-emptying robots with its Roomba i7. It's now elevated the technology to a new level with the s9+. The flagship model is expensive, but it offers the most impressive performance we've ever seen from any robovac and includes upgrades other brands only dream of.

It first gathers dirt in its Clean Base. Then, it empties that into a large bag, which you dispose of every 60 days. This is an excellent option for those who prefer to clean their homes without touching it, but need peace of mind knowing your home is free of germs and allergens.

The s9+ also has advanced corner-cleaning capabilities that allow it closer to walls than previous models, and it's better in spot cleaning too. The application will return to a particular area when it senses it needs extra attention. If the area is particularly filthy, the s9 will return to it with a more powerful suction until all the mess is cleared away.

You can control the s9+ with the included app or using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (the s9+ is compatible with both) This gives you full voice commands including the ability to begin or stop and stop. You can also program an exact time for the robot to begin and end its work or you can let it decide when it's time to come back to its dock.

The s9+ can do a fantastic job on bare floors and can remove small objects like rice, as well as larger items like cereal easily. It is also great at cleaning low-pile carpets and has a strong suction, even if the dirt compartment is stuffed. However, it will not perform as well on 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-free robotic cleaners on the market. Its sophisticated mapping and navigation systems provide superior maneuverability, while its companion app provides access to many cleaning options. It also supports a broad range of third-party apps that allow you to watch your home as it is in action.

The S7 MaxV Ultra, like its predecessor, is excellent in sweeping carpets as well as hard floors. It scored well in our tests for dirt pickup and excelled at tackling hard-to-clean tasks such as the sand embedding test as well as 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 also does excellent job of mopping. It has plenty of suction to deal with small and large debris, as well as pet fur on floors that are not bare. It has a little difficulty with hair on low-pile, densely woven carpet, but it is able to suck up most of the hair on this floor type.

This model is among the quietest that we've ever examined. Its low-power Quiet mode creates the lowest noise level of 57.5 dBA. It's not as quiet in its maximum-power "Max" setting that produces more than 80 dBA.

The S7 MaxV Ultra comes with a dedicated dock that will automatically empty the robot's dustbin and refill its water tank. It's a bit more difficult to configure the X1 Omni, but once you've got it configured it will run independently.

3. Shark IQ and XL

The Shark IQ Robot XL is an excellent mid-range robot vacuum that has strong suction and a wealth of intelligent features. It has a self-emptying bagless base and maps out your home as it cleans to ensure full coverage. You can control it with the SharkClean app or via voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with physical boundary markers you can use to restrict its access to specific areas.

It's a simple all-black design that feels and looks great. It is easy to assemble right out of the box because it just requires a few snaps for the side brushes and charging dock. The dirt compartment could be a bit small so you'll need to empty it quite often.

IQ Robot XL performed well during tests and reacted quickly to the app controls. The app lets you select different power modes, make changes to settings, and track the robot's current battery level. The app has a Find Robot feature that will assist you in finding the device if it is lost.

Like other Shark products, the IQ Robot XL has impressive suction that is able to easily take on dust bunnies and pet hair. Its self-cleaning brushroll stops hair from circling the machine while it brushes through debris as well. Its navigation module makes use of sensors to scan the environment as it moves, however the process isn't as extensive as those that employ LIDAR modules. It takes a few cycles before the IQ Robot XL completely maps your space.

The Shark IQ Robot XL offers superior performance on multiple surfaces compared to the iRobot Roomba 690. It is also easier to maintain and incurs lower recurring cost. The iRobot is more robust, more durable, and charges faster and provides the same battery performance. It also comes with an array of sophisticated automation features that allow you to configure the coverage map of your home, including no-go zones.

4. Eufy 11S

The Eufy 11S robot vacuum is ideal for those who don't have smartphones or voice commands but nevertheless want a vacuum that can clean according to their schedule. The sleek robot is simple to set up and maintain and sucks up dirt and dust without much effort. It is recommended for light cleaning in order to keep your floors looking beautiful.

It's a little less impressive than the other top choices in our test program for vacuums, but it still offers some advantages that make it worth considering. For instance, its slim stature lets it navigate under furniture with a low profile, something that other vacuums can't. It also has an efficient 'Quick Clean mode that makes multiple passes to make your floors as clean as you can. The Smart Pathing" feature is not as efficient, but it is still effective enough to ensure that you don't repeat the same cleaning route repeatedly.

This model isn't able to perform as well as the iRobot Roomba S9+, however, it is better than the Coredy R550 (which is priced the same) and the bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot is built better, incurs fewer recurring expenses and has a bigger dirt compartment, lasts longer on a single charge, and is able to move more efficiently. It also gets rid of pet hair more efficiently and is more effective on both floors and carpet.

The Eufy 11S is more expensive than the iRobot Roomba 614, but it's also more expensive than the Ecovacs N79S. The iRobot Roomba 614 is more costly, but it's also more durable and has an extended battery life and can collect more dust and dirt. It's also easier to maintain, has lower cost-per-use charges, and comes with more automation capabilities. The companion app is also better, offering more useful information on the vacuum's battery's status and levels.

5. Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+

It may look like just about every other robot vacuum available, but this one has a few clever tricks in its bag. You can set specific rooms or areas to be cleaned, set its power levels and mops using the app, and even use voice controls to set your preferences. Its impressive 2600Pa vacuum power and 67dB noise level are much lower than other robots that I've tested.

The Deebot N8 Pro+ is also able to avoid obstacles with its TrueDetect 3D laser. This technology makes use of structured light to scan the room and map out its contents, which means it is able to work around furniture as well as showpieces, shoes and charger cables. It's more precise than other robots, too, as it works at the millimetre level to detect tiny objects and plot the best way to get around them.

ECOVACS' app allows you to monitor the robot's progress and schedule cleaning sessions as well as change settings from anywhere. It is able to set custom boundaries, too which gives you greater control over where it cleans and keeps it away from precious family heirlooms or messy school projects, as well as laundry.

The app is easy to use, and the instructions are clear. The entire process of setting it up takes around an hour. After you've mapped your home, you can choose to let it run automatically or design a cleaning schedule for each individual room. If the battery is running low it will go back to the dock for charging and continue where it left after fully charged. A dust bin that automatically emptys is included with the ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ and you won't need to handle its contents unless you need to change the dust bag.