The Best Self Emptying Robot Vacuum
The most effective robot vacuums that self-empty have an underlying container that can hold the equivalent of a month's worth of debris and empty it automatically. It can create a detailed home map, allowing you to label rooms and create "no go" zones.
It has superior obstacle-avoiding abilities, too, so it will keep out of power cords and rogue socks.
iRobot Roomba s9+
This is a premium model from iRobot and performs well. It can move easily across different surfaces, and is extremely efficient at sucking dirt, dust and debris up. It's also very well-built and looks pretty good as well.
The S9 is iRobot’s latest premium S Series robot vacuum. It comes with a number of additional features that make it stand out from other models. The iRobot App can, for example, use the camera to create a map that assists the robot to navigate and clean effectively.
It will also return to the place where it started if its battery runs low during the cleaning process and you don't need to waste time re-cleaning the same areas. You can manually start and stop cleaning using the voice command or through the iRobot App. This smart vacuum is able to clean in the dark!
Carpet Boost is another great feature. It gives the S9 more suction power when it comes in contact with carpeting, meaning it can pick up even more dirt. The unit is an elongated front design, which allows it to get closer to corners and walls than the older round designs. However, keep in mind that this model won't work well with high-pile or shag carpeting.
During our tests, we discovered that the iRobot S9+ cleaned thoroughly and efficiently a range of floor surfaces including medium and hard carpets. It also worked well with laminate flooring, and vinyl flooring. It did a good job of navigating furniture and other objects, but it had issues with stairs where it could accidentally crash into bookcases.
We liked the feature that the S9 automatically returns to its base to empty its trash bin when it's empty, which dramatically reduces the need for hands-on maintenance. The dust bin is expected to last for around 30 loads or a month and half. You'll need to replace the filter on a regular basis (as suggested by iRobot). Our experience suggests that the iRobot S9+ doesn't get extremely loud when it's in use, so it's a good choice for those who live with kids or pets.
Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Robot vacuum cleaners are designed to do the work for you and can be used to clean hardwood and carpeted flooring. Some robot vacuum cleaners can be controlled using apps on smartphones, and others feature mopping technology for bathrooms and kitchen flooring. They're a great choice for busy families and are becoming more affordable. If you're looking for the most advanced technology for your robotic cleaner and you're looking to shell out a bit more.
The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid is an all-in-one vacuum and mopping machine which makes it a great choice for those in a home with multiple floors. Its dual motors give it impressive cleaning power and the 0.6l dust bin can hold a lot of pet hair. The dustbin is easily removed and emptied which is great since you'll need to do this regularly.
It's easy to set it up too, although I recommend fully charging the X8 Hybrid before running it for the first time. Install the Eufy Home application and follow the instructions to connect it to your WiFi network. The app will help you create a map of your house. Rooms can be named or divide large spaces into smaller rooms (good for open-plan living) and guide the X8 Hybrid to specific areas that need cleaning at a given time. Eufy's app is more intuitive and precise than other robots that have similar scanning and mapping functions.
The X8 Hybrid has a great feature: you can control the mop or vacuum through voice thanks to the integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This is a nice feature that makes the robot even more hands-free. And it works well in our test house.
The X8 Hybrid, like many robotic vacuums, has a few issues with flooring that is not clean. It is prone to be unable to see pet hair or small objects, and it is prone to hit things - such as its own charger that sits on its base for charging. It's also not as quiet, and the whirring sound can be distracting as other models.
Roborock V3S pro
This model doesn't have as many features as the more expensive ones we've tested, but it does cover the basics. It has a large enough dust bin to hold plenty of dirt until it's time to empty it and its mop and vacuum system is perfect for carpets with low pile and hard floors. It is also very quiet. We were able to watch the TV while it was cleaning without feeling as though we were being overwhelmed by the sound.
Our testers were impressed by how simple it was to install and use, and were impressed with its ability to clean all the mess off their flooring. It was successful in getting rid of pet hair, messes and carpeting however, it was a bit more difficult at eliminating stubborn stains. The users found the app to be user-friendly and intuitive, and they were able to schedule the vacuum to clean on a regular basis to reduce the amount they needed to do manually. The only drawback is that it doesn't have any mapping technology or object avoidance, which means you can't direct it to specific rooms or follow virtual boundaries (though magnetic boundary strips are compatible).
The V3S Pro is another model in iRobot’s affordable line. It has some impressive features at an affordable cost. It beat out all other robot vacuums we tested when it comes to the ability to avoid obstacles and map them, and it's the perfect budget option for those who are looking for a cleaner self-emptying robotic vacuum that can take care of pet hair and messes both on carpets with low pile and hardwood floors. It's also quiet and has a huge dust bin that can hold a lot before it needs to be emptied.
The V3S Pro did not make it onto our top choices lists of trusted sources who perform hands-on tests, but best affordable robot vacuum it was praised by Modern Castle, Smart Robot Reviews and The Ambient. The V3S Pro was easy to use and set up, however the battery life was short.
Roborock Q Revo
The Q Revo is an entry-level robot vacuum and mop that provides a wide range of features for a low cost. You can get many of the high-end features, like smart navigation and mapping without spending a fortune. You can use voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri shortcuts for custom automations, and to start your cleaning process while you're away.
Roborock took its time in designing this smart cleaner. This is why the product is extremely sturdy and feels as if it was made with premium materials. Its base is stable and solid and has an integrated charging port for the battery. The docking station is located for the tank that is clean and the dirty-water bins above. Below, you'll find an enclosure that houses the vacuum bag that is sealed.
After connecting your device to the app, you'll be able to see a 3D and 2D map of your home that shows you where your robot is at any time and what area it is cleaning. You can also build virtual barriers to keep your robot from certain areas or to only clean certain types of flooring. It's also capable of adjusting its power settings based on the type of floor being cleaned, as well as selecting the most effective method of cleaning.
Contrary to other robot vacuums like the Q Revo, it can lift both mops while it's vacuuming to avoid staining your carpet fibres. In fact, it's one of the few vacuums on the market that can do this.
The Q Revo's suction capacity of 5500Pa is sufficient to get rid of dust specks and pet hair while mopping. The all-rubber brush can be great at disentangling hair from animals and humans and also adapting to uneven surfaces.
Its only downside is that it takes an extended time to fill and empty the water tanks, both clean and dirty. Luckily, you can decrease the frequency of this by using the auto-empty feature that will automatically empty the container after a few days. There isn't an automatic reminder to examine the level of water at the dock.