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 automatically empty it. It can create a detailed home map, allowing you mark rooms and define "no go" zones.
It also is equipped with superior ability to avoid obstacles, meaning that it will stay clear from power cords and rogue socks.
Roomba s9+ from iRobot
This robot is a premium model from iRobot and performs well. It can easily maneuver across a variety of surfaces and is highly efficient at sucking up dirt, dust, and debris. It's also well-built and looks pretty good as well.
The S9 is the latest model of iRobot's premium S Series line of robot vacuums. As such, it boasts a handful of extra features that set it apart from lesser models. The iRobot App can, for example, use the camera to create maps that assists the robot to navigate and clean efficiently.
It can also automatically return to the spot where it left off when its battery runs low during the cleaning process which means you don't have to waste time re-cleaning the same areas. You can set the timer to start and stop cleaning using an audio command, or via the iRobot App. This smart vacuum can even clean in the dark!
Carpet Boost is another great feature. It gives the S9 more suction power when it comes into contact with carpeting so that it can pick up even more dirt. This unit has an open-front design that lets it get closer to corners and walls than older round designs. This model is not compatible well with shag or high-pile carpeting.
During our testing during our testing, we discovered that the iRobot S9+ cleans thoroughly and efficiently on a variety of floor surfaces, from carpets with medium to hard piles and rug. It also did well with laminate flooring, and vinyl floors. It also did a nice job of maneuvering between furniture and objects, although it struggled a bit with stairs, and can accidentally crash into things like bookcases.
We were impressed by the feature that the S9 automatically returns to its base to empty its dust bin once it's full, which greatly reduces hands-on maintenance needs. The dust bag is expected to last for about 30 loads, or around a month or two, and you'll have to replace the filter once every so often (which is actually recommended by iRobot). Our experience suggests that the iRobot S9+ doesn't get extremely loud when it's in use, so it's a good option for those living with kids or pets.
Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Created to eliminate one of the most tedious tasks off your hands, robotic vacuum cleaners can do all the hard work to get carpeted and hardwood floors free of the everyday dirt. Certain robot vacuum cleaners can be controlled by apps on smartphones, and others feature mopping technology for kitchen and bathroom flooring. They're an excellent choice for busy families and they are becoming more affordable. However, if you want the latest features in your robotic cleaner, you'll be spending a little more.
The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid is a complete vacuum and mopping machine, making it a good choice for those in a house with multiple floors. Its dual motors give it an impressive cleaning capacity and the 0.6l dustbin can store plenty of pet hair. The dustbin is easily removed and emptied, which is great because you'll be required to do this on a regular basis.
It's also simple to set it up, but I would recommend fully charging the X8 Hybrid prior to running it for the very first time. You'll need to install the Eufy Home app and follow the instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network. The app will then help you draw an outline of your home. It can identify the rooms, break rooms into sub-rooms in order to make it easier to open-plan living and help direct the X8 Hybrid towards specific areas that need to be cleaned at a certain time. Other robots also have similar scanning and mapping functions, but Eufy's app is more refined and intuitive than the other.
A great feature on the X8 Hybrid is that you can activate the mop or vacuum with your voice, thanks to integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This is a nice feature that makes the robot hands-free. It was very effective in our test home.
Like many robotic vacuums, the X8 Hybrid has some issues with floors that are bare. It can miss pet hair and other small objects, and is more likely to bump into things - such as its own charger on the base of its charging. It's also not as quiet and the whirring sound can be distracting like other models.
Roborock V3S Pro
This robot doesn't have as many features as some of the more expensive models we tested, however it does have the basics covered. It has a huge dust bin that can hold a large amount of dirt before it needs to be empty. The mop and vacuum system is great for both hard floors and carpets with low pile. It's also very quiet, and we could watch TV while it was cleaning without feeling like it was bombarding us with the sound.
Our testers loved how easy it was to install and use, and were impressed with its ability to get all the messes off their floors. It also here did a excellent job of removing pet hair and messes from carpeting, but it wasn't as successful in removing stubborn stains. The users found the app to be user-friendly and intuitive, and were able to program the vacuum to clean regularly to help reduce how much they needed to do manually. It doesn't feature the ability to avoid objects or map technology, so it isn't able to be able to be directed to specific rooms or follow virtual boundaries (though magnetic boundaries can be used).
The V3S Pro is another model in iRobot’s affordable line. It comes with many impressive features at an affordable cost. It was the best robot vacuum in our tests for navigating and avoiding obstacles. It's also a great budget choice for those looking for an intelligent, self-emptying robotic vacuum that can handle hair and pet messes on floors made of hardwood or low-pile carpeting. It's also super quiet and has a large dust bin that holds lots of debris before it needs emptying and you don't have to be concerned about having to empty it every time you use it.
While the V3S Pro didn't earn a place in any of our top choices compilations from reliable sources that conduct hands-on tests, it got high marks from reviewers from Modern Castle, Smart Robot Reviews, and The Ambient. The V3S Pro was easy to use and set up, but the battery life was short.
Roborock Q Revo
The Q Revo is a solid low-cost robot vacuum and mop that isn't slack on features or cost. You'll find many of the features you find on top models, such as intelligent navigation and mapping, without spending a fortune. You can also use voice commands using Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri shortcuts to create custom automations and begin your cleaning cycle from anywhere while you're away.
Roborock spent a lot of time developing this innovative cleaner. This is why the product is extremely well-built and feels like it was made with premium materials. Its base is strong and sturdy, with an integrated charging port for the battery. You'll find the docking station for the clean-water tank as well as the bins for dirty water on top. Under those, you'll find an enclosure that houses the vacuum bag sealed.
When you connect your device with the app, you'll see the map in 3D or 2D of your home. It will show the exact location where your robot is located and what area it's cleaning. You can also design virtual barriers to ensure that your robot isn't in certain areas or clean only certain kinds of flooring. It is also able to adjust its power settings according to the type of floor being cleaned and select the most effective cleaning method.
Contrary to other robot vacuums like the Q Revo, it can lift both mop heads while vacuuming to avoid staining your carpet fibres. It's actually one of the very few vacuums that can do this.
The Q Revo's suction capacity of 5500Pa can get rid of dust specks and pet hair when you clean. The all-rubber brush works well to separate animal and human hair as it adapts to uneven surfaces.
Its only downside is that it does take an extended time to empty and fill the clean and dirty water tanks. Fortunately, you can cut down on the frequency of this by using the auto-empty feature that will automatically empty the bin after a few days. You'll still need to check the water levels on the dock manually however, since there's no way to set an automatic reminder.