The Best Self-Empting Vacuums

Robot vacuums are great to keep your floors clean. However, they come with small dust bins that must be empty manually after each cleaning session. High-end models have self-emptying bases that eliminate this step and allows the user to clean hands-free.

The best self-emptying vacuum cleaners feature docking systems which can hold up to 45 days of debris, with no intervention. These smart vacs also can map your home and can avoid power cords and other obstacles.

1. IRobot Roomba S9+

iRobot was the first to introduce self empty cordless vacuum-emptying robots with its Roomba i7. It's now elevated the technology to a whole new level with the s9+. The flagship model is pricey however it has the best performance of all the robovacs we've tested. It also has upgrades that other brands can only dream of.

It first sucks dirt into its Clean Base automatically. Then, it empties that into a large dust bag that you throw away every 60 days. This is a great option for those who want to clean their homes without touching it, but want to have peace of mind knowing their home is free of allergens and germs.

The s9+ has enhanced corner cleaning capabilities that allow it to get closer to walls and is better at cleaning up spots. The application will return to a specific area if it detects that it requires extra attention. If the area is particularly filthy, the s9 will return to it using a stronger suction until the entire mess has been removed.

The s9+ can be controlled by the app that comes with it or via Amazon Alexa (the s9+ is compatible with both) and lets you give full voice commands including the ability of start, stop and pause. You can also set a specific time for the robot to begin and end its work, or let it decide when it's time to return to its dock.

The s9+ does an excellent job on bare floors, clearing small debris like rice as well as larger objects like cereal with ease. It's also pretty good at dealing with carpets with low piles, and has strong suction even with full dirt compartments, however it's not as well on more dense carpets.

2. Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra

The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra is a robot vacuum and mop that is able to sweep, detect rugs and self-clean which makes it one of the best hands-off robotic cleaners available. Its advanced mapping and navigation systems deliver superior maneuverability, while its companion app provides access to a variety of cleaning configuration options. It also supports third-party apps that allow you monitor your home in action.

Similar to its predecessor, the S7 MaxV Ultra is excellent in sweeping carpets and hard floors. It was able to perform well in our tests for dirt pick-up and was a savior in cleaning difficult tasks such as the sand embedded test and carpet deep clean test. We perform these tests by weighing the robot’s dustbin both before and after the time period. The S7 MaxV Ultra also does an excellent job at mopping. It has plenty of suction to deal with small and large debris, and pet fur on bare floors. It has a little difficulty with hair on densely woven low-pile carpet, yet it manages to trap most of the hair on this type of floor.

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

The S7 MaxV Ultra is equipped with docking station that automatically refills the robot's water tank and emptying its dustbin. It's a bit more challenging to set up the X1 Omni, but once you've set it up, your robot will run independently.

3. Shark IQ XL

The Shark IQ Robot XL is a solid mid-range robot vacuum that has strong suction and a wealth of smart features. It comes with self-emptying bags that are bagless and can map your home's surface as it cleans to provide total coverage. You can control it with the SharkClean app or through voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also use the physical boundary markers to limit its access.

It's basic, all-black design and feel. It's simple to put together right from the box, as it only requires just a few snaps to attach the side brushes and charging dock. The dirt compartment could be a bit small so you'll need to empty it frequently.

In tests in tests, the IQ Robot XL quickly responded to the app's controls and performed well during cleaning cycles. The app lets you select power modes, alter settings, and track the current level of battery in the robot. The app has an Find Robot feature that will help you find the device in the event that it's lost.

The IQ Robot XL, like other Shark products, has a powerful suction that can easily handle dust bunnies and dog hair. The self-cleaning brushroll prevents hair from circling the machine as it combs through debris as well. Its navigation module uses sensors that monitor the surrounding area as it moves, but the process isn't as extensive as those with LIDAR modules. The IQ Robot XL must run just a few clean cycles in order to identify your space.

Comparing to the iRobot Roomba 690, the Shark IQ Robot XL is easier to maintain, incurs lower monthly costs, and delivers stronger performance across different surfaces. However, good the iRobot is more durable, charges faster, and has similar battery performance. It also comes with an advanced suite of automation capabilities that allow you to set up your home's coverage map using no-go zones.

4. Eufy 11S

The Eufy 11S robot vacuum is ideal for those who don't want to use smartphones or voice commands, but still need a machine that can clean according to their schedule. The sleek robot is easy to set up and maintain and it's able to effortlessly pick up dust and dirt. It is recommended for light daily cleanings in order to keep your floors looking beautiful.

It's not as impressive as our other top picks, but still has some advantages worth taking into consideration. For example, its short size allows it to maneuver through furniture with a low profile, something that other vacuums cannot. It also comes with a powerful 'Quick Clean' mode which makes use of multiple passes to clean your floors as thoroughly as possible. The 'Smart Pathing' feature is less efficient, but it's good enough to prevent repeating the same cleaning path over and over again.

This model doesn't perform as well as the iRobot Roomba S9+, although it's better than the Coredy R550 (which is priced the same) and the bObsweep Bob Pro. The iRobot has a more robust design and incurs less recurring costs, has a larger dirt compartment, lasts longer on a single charge, and is able to move more efficiently. It also removes pet hair faster and is more effective on floors that are carpeted and unfinished.

The Eufy 11S is more expensive than the iRobot Roomba 614, but it's also more expensive than the Ecovacs Deebot N79S. The iRobot Roomba 614 is more costly, but it's also more durable, has a longer battery life and is able to collect more dirt and dust. It is also simpler to maintain and has fewer regular expenses. It also comes with more automation features. The companion app is better, offering more useful details about the vacuum's battery status and level.

5. Ecovacs Deebot Pro+

It might look similar to just about every other robot vacuum on the market, but this one has a few clever tricks in its bag. You can use the app to manage the power levels as well as mops and customize your preferences. Its 2600Pa suction power is impressive, and at 67dB, it's quieter than other robots I've used.

The Deebot N8 Pro+ is also able to stay clear of obstacles with its TrueDetect 3D laser. This technology makes use of structured light to map a room's contents and scan it. It is therefore able to work on the floor, around shoes, furniture charger cables, as well as showpieces. It is also more precise than other robots because it detects small objects at a millimetre-level and plans a way to avoid them.

Using the ECOVACS app it is possible to monitor your robot's progress, schedule cleaning sessions and change settings from wherever you are. It can also create custom boundaries to give you better control of where it cleans. This will keep it from important family items, messy school projects, and laundry.

The app is simple to use and gives clear instructions on how to get started, with the whole setup process taking about an hour from beginning to the end. Once you've mapped your home, you can let it run on its own or make a separate cleaning plan for each room. When the battery is low it will go back to the dock that charges it and continue where it left after fully charged. An auto-empty dustbin is included with the ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ which means you don't have to open the contents unless you want to change the dust bag.