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The best self-emptying robot vacuums we all know and cherish have received remarkable upgrades, boasting advanced technology that enhances user-friendliness. These cutting-edge vacuums feature a self-emptying base that autonomously eliminates debris from the vacuum and deposits it into a disposable dust bag. The frequency of replacing the base’s dust bag typically averages around once a month, although this may vary depending on how often you dispatch your robot for cleaning duties.
They often have a higher price tag than those that do not have bases that can empty themselves, but they come with a greater number of features. Additionally, the majority of the models that we tested could also function as robot mops. In addition, we have been putting our robot vacuums through their paces ever since they were originally brought to market more than 20 years ago. In this most recent round of testing for self-emptying robot vacuums, 11 of the most recent and widely accessible models on the market were put to the test.
In addition to putting each robot through our comprehensive performance, usability, and maneuverability testing, we also examined how well each robot was able to empty itself. The robots that were examined all featured dustbins that could be removed with relative ease, but they varied in their capacity to clear away dry material and navigate around relatively tiny obstructions.
What is a Self Emptying Robot Vacuum?
Robotic vacuums with self-emptying functions, also known simply as self-emptying robotic vacuums, are cleaning robots that, as their names imply, are capable of automatically emptying their built-in dustbins when such dustbins become full. When it comes to vacuums, their mechanism is identical to that found in standard robotic vacuums. However, they are more intelligent than humans in the sense that they are able to determine when the amount of trash that they collect has reached a particular threshold. When their quantity reaches a point where it exceeds their capacity, they will make their way back to their respective docking stations. The garbage that they collect will afterwards be put into the dust bag that is connected to the docking station.
They have similar functions to those of regular robot vacuums, such as self-cleaning and intelligent control, among other things. They are more portable and take up less space than conventional vacuum cleaners. As a result, they are able to access areas that are challenging for vacuums to get, such as the nooks and crannies under the bed. In addition to this, they are capable of independently planning cleaning paths and identifying a wide variety of barriers and items.
Benefits of Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums
Certainly, the following is a list of the prospective advantages that you can expound on in the part about the advantages of using a robot vacuum cleaner that empties itself:
- Time-Saving Convenience: Self-emptying robot vacuums save a lot of time because you don’t have to keep an eye on them or do anything by hand. Traditional robot vacuums need to have their dust bins emptied often, which can take a lot of time. With models that empty themselves, you don’t have to think about emptying the bin for a long time.
- Routine for Cleaning: These vacuums have a more regular and thorough way of cleaning. Since they can keep cleaning until their bin is full without stopping, you can be sure that they will clean every part of your home better.
- Ideal for Allergy and Pet Owners: Self-emptying robot vacuums are a game-changer for people who have pets or allergies. Allergens and pet hair are less likely to get back into the air when dirt and waste are constantly cleaned and thrown away into a sealed bin.
- Low Maintenance: The fact that it empties itself makes maintenance chores less often. You don’t have to empty the dustbin of the vacuum after every cleaning run. Instead, you only have to empty it when it’s full. In the long run, this saves you time and work.
- Optimized Cleaning Sessions: Self-emptying models make cleaning sessions more efficient because the vacuum doesn’t have to stop to empty the bin. This lets you clean bigger areas without having to stop. This makes cleaning sessions more efficient because the vacuum can cover more ground in one run.
Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums Comparison Table
Self-emptying robot vacuums can clean better because they can work for longer periods of time. Before, we might have to stop what we were doing to empty the trash every time they were done cleaning. Self-emptying robot vacuums can empty themselves and get back to cleaning. The trash bag connected to the docking station can hold more trash than the built-in trash can.
Vacuuming & Mopping | Self-Emptying Base | Mapping & Navigation | Room Recognition | App Control | Voice Assistant Compatibility | Battery Life | Latest Deal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 Omni | Yes | No | SmartNav 3.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Deal |
iRobot Roomba j7+ | Yes | Yes | iAdapt 3.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Deal |
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL | Yes | Yes | IQ Navigation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Deal |
Yeedi Vac Station | Yes | Yes | SLAM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Deal |
AIRROBO T10+ | Yes | Yes | LiDAR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Deal |
Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums
A traditional robot vacuum may feel like exchanging dirty professions. You will no longer need to vacuum your floors, but you must clean your robot frequently—ideally after each use—to keep it working. Hand-emptying a robot vacuum’s dustbin releases debris into the air. This step is unnecessary for most self-emptying robot vacuums. They usually feature a large base station that charges the robot and a canister with an allergen-sealed bag that holds a month’s rubbish. The base station may charge the robot.
ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Dimensions | 16.9 (D) x 17.6 (W) x 22.8 (H) inches |
Dustbin capacity (on robot) | 350 mL |
Dustbin capacity (on base) | 3 L dust bag |
Robot height | 4.1 inches |
Notable features | Base cleans and dries mopping pads, recharges and resumes, schedules cleaning |
Check Price |
The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni came out on top in our comparison of robot vacuums that empty their own dirt and debris bins. Not only can this robot vacuum be used as a mop, but it also has a camera that streams a live view of your home to your phone, washes and dries the mopping pads after each cleaning session, and keeps all of the available accessories inside of its self-emptying base. In addition, it washes and dries the mopping pads after each cleaning session.
This model has been evaluated in the past by our specialists, and as a result of its outstanding performance, it was selected to be included in our round-up of the finest robot mops. In the more recent testing that we have conducted in the laboratory, it has amazed us with its ability to avoid impediments. It has successfully avoided huge and small obstructions just before it hit them, and it has brilliantly picked up hard debris along edges and in tight corners.
The Good
- Great obstacle avoidance
- App allows you to view video feed from robot’s camera
- All accessories are stored in the base
The Bad
- Too tall to clean under low furniture
- Charging base has large footprint
iRobot Roomba j7+ (7550)
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Dimensions | 15.7 x 11.9 x 13.3 inches |
Dustbin capacity | 60 days |
Max runtime | 90 Min |
Robot height | 4.1 inches |
Notable features | Dirt detection, obstacle avoidance, voice control |
| Check Price |
Because of its small size and improved obstacle avoidance capabilities, the Roomba j7+ is the finest self-emptying robot vacuum for the majority of homes. Even though its base is only half the size of the bases of many other models that can empty itself, it can nonetheless hold enough dirt and dust for up to 60 days. In addition to this, it features the most advanced obstacle detecting capabilities of any Roomba model, and it can automatically avoid objects like power wires, stray socks, and dog toys that have been left on the floor. In the event that your dog has a tendency to have accidents, it is even able to identify and avoid pet waste.
This robot vacuum will generate a thorough map of your home, allowing you to name the various rooms and even set up virtual “no-go” zones in specific areas of the house. (Although it may be challenging at times to precisely position these on the map.) It has two multi-surface rubber brushes to collect pet hair, grime, and dust, and the base utilizes an enclosed bag to collect all of the waste, making it easier to empty than many other models now available.
The Good
- Compact base can still hold 60 days worth of dirt
- Better obstacle detection and avoidance than most models
- Creates a detailed map of your home
- Can be synced with an iRobot robotic mop
The Bad
- Tricky to accurately place “no-go” zones on the map
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Dimensions | 12.9 by 12.6 by 3.5 inches |
Dustbin capacity | 60 days |
Max runtime | 97 minutes |
Robot height | 4.1 inches |
Notable features | Dirt detection, obstacle avoidance, voice control |
| Check Price |
The Shark IQ Robot XL is unique among self-emptying robot vacuums since it does not transfer the contents of its bin into a bag as do most other self-emptying robot vacuums. It has a trashcan in the robot itself, as well as a larger one in the base station that needs to be emptied around once a month on average.
With Shark’s bagless auto-empty technology, you never have to worry about running out of bags because the system empties itself automatically. In all other respects, it demonstrated a powerful suction strength during our tests, successfully removing dust, debris, and pet hair from both hard flooring and carpet, and it never became stuck.
The Good
- Bagless base and self-cleaning brushroll
- Maps your home for scheduling, cleaning, and virtual no-go zones.
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Comes with actual boundary strip
- Never stuck in testing
The Bad
- Average battery life
- Can get loud
Yeedi Vac Station
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Dimensions | 8.3 (D) x 10.2 (W) x 13.8 (H) inches |
Dustbin capacity | Up to 60 days |
Smart room mapping and virtual boundaries | Yes |
Robot height | 3.1 inches |
Battery life | 200 minutes |
| Check Price |
The Yeedi Vac Station boasts 3,000 Pa of suction, self-emptying, and mopping, and it’s virtually always on sale for less than $400. As a buyer, you should always be wary of something that seems too good to be true, and this product certainly fits that description. We understand your skepticism, but after putting this vacuum through its paces, we are confident in recommending it as the top option for shoppers on a budget.
The suction force of this vacuum cleaner is impressive, particularly when combined with the automatic carpet boost feature. You also have the option of manually adjusting the power of the Yeedi. And let’s face it: with its mopping and automatic emptying capabilities, this Yeedi will unquestionably make your life easier and reduce the amount of work you have to do.
The Good
- Low profile
- Very long run time per charge
- Stops mopping and boosts suction on carpet
- Great for cleaning up messes on various floor surfaces
The Bad
- Only holds map of one floor at a time
- Struggles on corners
AIRROBO T10+ Robot Vacuum
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Dimensions | 8.3 (D) x 10.2 (W) x 13.8 (H) inches |
Dustbin capacity (on robot) | 300 mL |
Dustbin capacity (on base) | 3.3 L dust bag |
Robot height | 4.1 inches |
Notable features | Recharge and resume, schedule cleaning, virtual no-go zones, zone cleaning, voice control |
| Check Price |
The Airrobo T10+ astonished us with its performance in tests measuring its ability to pick up pet hair. During all three of our carpet pickup tests, it was the only model that left our rugs and carpets fully free of the fake pet hair we used. Additionally, the T10+ was the only model that came with its own remote control. The suction power of the vacuum may be adjusted by the user via the remote control, which also allows the user to drive the robot around their home, send the robot back to the base where it empties itself, and initiate the spot-cleaning mode of the robot.
It is the only self-emptying robot that we evaluated that gives users access to these features without requiring them to connect to an app on a smartphone. However, after just over ten minutes of cleaning through our obstacle course, it left the bare floors pristine, especially in tight corners and along edges. The obstacle avoidance skills of this model are not as successful as those of other models.
The Good
- Only model tested that can be controlled with remote control
- Good reach into tight corners
- Left test carpets almost completely free of faux pet hair
The Bad
- Some debris left behind under the robot after self-emptying
- Pushed small obstacles instead of avoiding them
How to Choose Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums?
Choosing the best self-emptying robot vacuum requires evaluating various elements to match your cleaning needs and preferences. Follow this step-by-step process to make an informed choice:
- Cleaning Performance: Look for a robot vacuum with strong suction power and good cleaning skills. Read reviews and comments from users to find out how well it works on different types of floors, like hardwood, carpet, and tile.
- Mapping and navigation: Modern robot vacuums use laser mapping or camera-based navigation systems to make a thorough map of your home. This lets them clean faster and avoid getting in the way. Choose a model with maps and navigation features that you can trust.
- Self-Emptying Functionality: Robot vacuums with this feature can empty their dust bins directly into a larger base station. Check the base station’s size. If it’s big, it will need to be emptied less often. Some models even have features that stop dust and germs from spreading when they are being emptied.
- Battery Life and Recharge Ability: Think about how long the robot vacuum’s battery will last and how well it can be charged. Look for models that can keep cleaning even after being charged if they haven’t finished yet.
- Smart features and connectivity: Many robot vacuums can be managed by voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant or by apps on a smartphone. Check to see if it works with your smart ecosystem of choice and think about features like scheduling, zone cleaning, and virtual limits.
Questions and Answers
The self-emptying base of the Eufy L35+ Hybrid Robot Vacuum and Mop is the smallest of all of the models that we examined, making it the clear winner for the category of best robot vacuum for small areas. It was successful in emptying its on-board garbage each and every time, achieving a debris clearance rate of approximately 98% on average.
If you use a self-emptying bot, there will be less of a chance that you may reintroduce debris. If you live in a large house with a lot of floor space to cover, then it will be even more valuable to you. You won’t have to empty the robot vacuum as frequently because it will clean more thoroughly than a conventional vacuum would.