The 8 Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums, According to Thousands of Reviews
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If vacuuming is a cleaning task you always put off, chances are you could use a robot vacuum cleaner that does the hard work for you. These little cleaning machines have become household essentials because they pick up everything, including snack crumbs, tracked-in dirt, and pet hair, on command. But robot vacuums come with a few drawbacks: mainly that they require constant dustbin emptying. If getting your hands dirty after each cleaning sounds like a hassle you'd rather skip, we've got a solution for you.
Self-emptying robot vacuums are exactly what they sound like; they're upgraded versions of basic robot vacuums that automatically empty their dustbins when they return to their bases. And most bases only need to be emptied once every 30 to 60 days.
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Now that popular vacuum brands like iRobot, Shark, and Yeedi have developed several self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners, it can be difficult to choose which model is right for you. That's why we've rounded up the best self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners, according to thousands of reviewers. Keep reading to shop eight customer-loved picks from Amazon and Walmart.
Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums, According to Reviewers:
Best Overall: iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Best for Pet Hair: Shark IQ Self-Empty Robot Vacuum
Best for Carpets: iRobot Roomba i3+ Robot Vacuum With Automatic Dirt Disposal
Best for Hard Floors: Shark EZ Robot Vacuum With Self-Empty Base
Most Versatile: Yeedi Vac Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
Best Splurge: iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum With Automatic Dirt Disposal
Best Budget: IonVac SmartClean V4 Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Best Robot Vacuum and Mop: iHome AutoVac Nova Self-Empty Robot Vacuum
What to Look for When Buying a Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
When purchasing a self-emptying robot vacuum, there are a lot of features to consider. It should have strong suction power to pick up dirt, dust, and pet hair from all floor types. Look out for models that promise at least a three-stage suction (referring to the number of suction fans in the vacuum) and a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filter to ensure it captures the smallest particles from your floors.
Self-emptying robot vacuums automatically empty their dustbins when they return to their bases after cleaning. Most models fill the large dustbin over 30 to 60 days, so you only need to empty the tank every month or two.
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These advanced models are typically more expensive than traditional robot vacuums, with prices ranging from $300 to $1,600, depending on their smart features. Other than the high suction power and dustbin size, your self-empty robot vacuum should be able to schedule cleanings ahead of time, connect to a smart speaker, and navigate through your home without colliding into edges and furniture. Some models are even designed to deep clean corners, avoid pet accidents, and mop your hard floors.
To help you on your search for the right self-emptying robot vacuum for your home, we've rounded up the eight best, according to reviews. Learn more about each one below.
Best Overall: iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
This self-emptying robot has earned over 8,900 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers, so awarding it as "best in show" is a no-brainer. This robot vacuum is equipped with powerful suction, three-stage cleaning technology, and smart navigation that avoids common household obstacles like cords, shoes, and even pet accidents. The dustbin is large enough to hold up to 60 days worth of cleaning debris. It allows you to schedule cleanings through the iRobot mobile app or voice control with a smart speaker. Plus, it gives you cleaning suggestions based on your habits, seasonal allergies, and pet shedding.
"The j7+ was the best vacuum purchase I've made yet," one shopper said. "The camera review is such a cool feature because he can self image problem spots and report back on something he is not sure of. Not to mention this is the quieter of the models I have bought; [it's] almost near silent on carpet and well hushed when working on hardwood."
Best for Pet Hair: Shark IQ Self-Empty Robot Vacuum
If you have shedding pets, it can feel like no amount of vacuuming takes care of the problem. But this robot vacuum is specifically designed to remove pet hair with its self-cleaning brush roll, high suction power, HEPA filter, and dual spinning side brushes that sweep pet hair and dust from corners and edges. You can schedule it to clean your whole home or specific rooms with the sound of your voice through smart speakers.
A shopper with multiple shedding pets said it does a great job at picking up pet hair, and one parent of six kids and two dogs said it was "by far the best purchase" they've ever made.
Best for Carpets: iRobot Roomba i3+ Robot Vacuum With Automatic Dirt Disposal
This self-emptying robot vacuum comes with 10 times the power-lifting suction of older Roomba models, the brand claims, allowing it to efficiently pick up pet hair and dirt from carpet. It has a dirt detector that boosts its suction on tough messes, dual multi-surface rubber brushes that adjust to different floor types, and three-stage suction power for grabbing the smallest of particles. It also comes with personalized cleaning suggestions and a dustbin you only need to empty every two months.
"This vacuum is an absolute life and back saver," a shopper wrote. "Does an outstanding job on both carpet and solid floors in a very reasonable amount of time."
Best for Hard Floors: Shark EZ Robot Vacuum With Self-Empty Base
Not only does this robot vacuum have a high suction power for most messes, but it also cleans row by row to ensure it completely covers your home. It's designed to clean most floor types, but it's especially good at picking up larger particles, like cereal crumbs and pet hair, from hard floors. And the voice-controlled, self-emptying vacuum comes back to its base to recharge after each cleaning. Shoppers say it easily maneuvers from hard floors to carpet, and it efficiently picks up dirt and hair from wood and tile floors.
Most Versatile: Yeedi Vac Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
With visual mapping sensors, a 200-minute run time, and a four-stage cleaning system, this robot vacuum truly does it all. And did we mention it mops hard floors, too? The vacuum boosts its suction power and shuts off the mopping function when it detects carpets and rugs. The dustbin holds dirt for up to 30 days worth of cleaning. Plus, you can schedule cleanings, create no-go zones, and select specific rooms to clean via Yeedi's mobile app or voice control through a smart speaker. Shoppers say it easily moves around furniture without getting stuck, and many are "amazed" by how much pet hair and dust it picks up.
Best Splurge: iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum With Automatic Dirt Disposal
A self-emptying robot vacuum is an investment, so you might as well splurge on a high-quality model with smart features. This iRobot vacuum has a three-stage cleaning system that's 40 times more powerful than older Roomba models, according to the brand. While most robot vacuums glide past edges and corners, this one is designed to deep clean them with its advanced sensors and corner sweeping brush. Its mapping technology is so advanced, you can even command it to clean certain spots in your home, like under your kitchen table and couch with voice control. Best of all, the large dustbin holds up to 60 days worth of dirt and dust.
"This Roomba S9+ is a welcome addition to our house," one shopper said. "The ability to clean any combination of rooms is a great feature. The self-emptying feature is a real labor saver. Once the mapping is finished the Roomba cleans quickly and efficiently."
Best on a Budget: IonVac SmartClean V4 Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Although this self-emptying robot vacuum looks simple, it certainly packs a punch with six cleaning modes, a three-stage cleaning system, and a HEPA filter. It efficiently cleans on all floor types for up to 120 minutes on a full charge. You can set cleaning modes, like auto clean, manual clean, and spot clean, through a remote, mobile app or with voice control. Considering all of these features, its usual $400 price point is quite reasonable. It smoothly transitions from hard floors to carpet, and it picks up everything from pet hair to cat litter and dirt, according to reviewers.
Best Robot Vacuum and Mop: iHome AutoVac Nova Self-Empty Robot Vacuum
Since you're already in the market for a self-emptying robot vacuum, consider getting one that mops as well. This hybrid model has a high suction power that grabs small dust particles along with pet hair, and it mops hard floors while avoiding rugs and carpet. Its mapping technology creates a floor plan of your home to prevent the vacuum from getting stuck, and you can set boundaries and no-go zones as needed. Shoppers love that it effectively grabs pet hair and dirt and that they can customize maps and boundaries for vacuuming, mopping, or both.
