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When you outsource vacuuming to a robot, your floors will be cleaned way more often. The only downside of this extra attention? More debris off the floor means a fuller dustbin — and emptying a vacuum's dustbin is arguably the worst part of the chore (especially if you're, cough cough, prone to allergies).
Enter self-emptying robot vacuums. These vacs ease your struggles (and your sneezing) for a few weeks at a time, at least.
To help Mashable readers find the best self-emptying robot vacuum for their homes, we've been hard at work testing the newest robotic vacuum cleaners with auto emptying. And even though some of the newest self-emptiers from iRobot and Roborock can cost you $1,000 or more, our hands-on vacuum cleaner reviews prove that you don't have to spend nearly that much.
We would say that the newest Roomba goes where no Roomba has gone before, but it's more about where it doesn't go. The j7+ is ideal for homes that are a bit of an obstacle course, like a kitchen that's home to pet food bowls or a bathroom with laundry strewn about. The j7+ uses PrecisionVision Navigation tech — a combination of new sensors and upgraded recognition software — that helps it to avoid obstacles that are typically blind spots.
A year-ish after the release of the j7 and j7+, iRobot also welcomed this mopping iteration of the j7 series. The Combo j7+ operates identically to the regular j7s when it comes to vacuuming, and looks almost identical as well. The only differences are an interior water tank and a retractable mopping pad that scrubs when appropriate, lifts completely over the vacuum body when carpet is sensed, and lays flat when not in use.
In our testing, we found that the Combo j7+ outperforms the competition when it comes to obstacle avoidance and overall cleaning. However, there's the problem of the price tag. First, you can often find this bot discounted to $799, so try to catch it on sale. Second, if you're looking for something more affordable, check out the iRobot Roomba j7+ instead. While you lose out on mopping, you can find this model on sale for just $529. Combine it with a $20 Swiffer for perfectly clean floors.
Here's the bottom line: Thanks to superior obstacle avoidance and its ability to adapt to floor type, the Combo j7+ is one of the best self-emptying robot vacuums for pets, carpets, and hardwood floors alike. And thanks to this versatility, we believe it's the best-self-emptying robot vacuum, period.
Buyers should always beware something that sounds too good to be true, and the Yeedi Vac Station promises 3,000 Pa of suction, self-emptying, and mopping — and it's almost always on sale for under $400. Skepticism is valid, but after rigorously testing this vacuum, we're convinced it's the best pick for budget buyers.
The suction power on this budget vac is formidable, especially with the automatic carpet boost. You can also manually adjust the Yeedi's power (Standard, Max, and Max+ are all options, with the latter being a significant battery drainer). And let's be real: with its mopping and automatic emptying capacities, this Yeedi will undoubtedly lighten your chore load.
What do you lose for the budget price point? The room-mapping features are a little undercooked, and it only has the capacity to map one floor of your home at a time. We also encountered shaky furniture avoidance, and sometimes it backed off completely when faced with a particularly threatening bathroom rugs.
When we hands-on tested this vac, we were impressed with how many accessories were included (like an actual mini screwdriver and bolts to connect the auto-empty container to the vacuum's base). What was less impressive was just how much time the Yeedi Vac Station needed to carry out its initial charge (and the fact that it required the user to remove its cleaning cloth attachment before charging). The Yeedi, at many points, seemed to have a life of its own: On the compatible app, it showed up as "offline" even though the robot was moving around the floor without prompting. Go figure.
Even considering these drawbacks, we definitely recommend this budget vacuum. Though the vac often skipped corners and moved in quite a wacky pattern, it flawlessly sucked up small cookie crumbs which were strategically scattered on both hardwood floor and carpet surfaces. In fact, it performed better in this regard than its Yeedi Mop Station cousin (which we subjected to our notorious "Graham Cracker Test" in a recent review).
Automatic emptying wasn't the norm when iRobot first dropped its fancy new D-shaped vacuum in 2019. The then-new smart features of the s9+ are far more ubiquitous now, but this powerhouse still does one thing better than the newest Roomba, the j7+: deep clean thick carpets. After extensive hands-on testing, we recently named this the best robot vacuum for carpetsand the best robovac for pet hair.
The s9+ cleans with 40 times the suction of 600 Series Roombas (the j7+ offers 10 times the suction) to provide some of the most thorough carpet cleaning on the market. Despite such power, the s9+ can still clean for over an hour before retreating to charge and unload debris. The flat edge is also still quite the rarity (and does a better job of snatching dust bunnies and fur balls hiding in corners).
Even though robot vacuums that offer mopping have become the norm, the truth is many hybrid vacuums only offer a mediocre mop. So if your home has more carpets than hardwood, save some money on this extra-powerful self-emptying robot vacuum.
The S8 Pro Ultra is Roborock latest flagship hybrid vacuum and mop, and like other high-end robovacs, it ups the ante from self-emptying to self-cleaning. Not only will it empty its own dust bin and refill its own water tank (swapping dirty water for clean when necessary), but it will also wash and dry its mop pads, correcting the biggest downfall of the older S7 MaxV Ultra. The dock, though still obnoxiously sized, has also undergone a chic redesign to better disguise the trio of water tanks inside.
We're still in the process of testing Roborock's new S8 line of self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners, but because it offers some upgrades over the previous generation (which we tested and loved), it's our top pick in the high-end category. As just one example, the new and improved S8 now offers 6,000 Pa boosted suction on carpets, compared to the older model's 5,100.
At $1,599.99, the S8 Pro Ultra is currently the most expensive robot vacuum on the mainstream market. Its menu of specs is almost identical to that of the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni, which is frequently on sale for less than $1,000 after a year on the market. But even on sale, we'd probably still advise opting for the $1,599.99 Roborock to avoid the IRL frustrations that come with the X1 Omni.
Roborock's new Q series makes it hard to justify going fully premium. The Q5+ acts as a buffer price-wise compared to the brand's pricey S8+ and S8 Pro Ultra, and can often be snagged for a mere $399.99 when it's on sale (which it almost always is, especially during Prime Day and Black Friday).
The Q5+ hits in all the right places: Clocking in at 2,700 Pa in suction power, it's one of the more powerful vacs in this list (Roomba does not rate its vacuums on the Pa suction scale). Its compact dock deals with its own debris for seven weeks at a time, rivaling the 45-day capacity of Shark's XL bin. It navigates via a LiDAR-created 2D or 3D map of your home. Downsides, which are minuscule irks at this price, include a tendency to snag on rugs and cords, but you can use the app to set a no-go zone.
To be honest, the lack of mopping features is actually a benefit here, as most budget and mid-range hybrids don't actually mop very well, meaning you're paying a lot more for barely any added value. And if you're looking for more deals on robovacs, be sure to check out Mashable's regularly updated guide to the best robot vacuum deals.
The iRobot fam has grown considerably since it first introduced self-emptying Roombas to our homes. Now, the i Series lets you enjoy self-emptying features without paying $1,000. If you're willing to sacrifice some fancier features (and your peace and quiet) for an affordable cleaning solution, look no further than the Roomba i3+. In addition to being the best budget self-emptying robot vacuum, it's also one of our top picks for cleaning small apartments.
To be honest, we weren't blown away when we first tested the i3+. However, after a recent software update, this robot vacuum can now create a smart map of your home, which makes it a much more impressive cleaning machine. It made quick work of mapping a three-room New York City apartment, but without LiDAR or cameras, it took a long time to map a larger three-bedroom home.
As with other Roombas, the self-empty base is extraordinarily loud when it's engaged, but we did appreciate its ability to hold 60 days worth of dirt at a time. It's also an extremely thorough cleaner, and we're not just talking about the suction power. This vacuum takes its time to sweep every inch of your home.
For shoppers searching for an affordable self-emptying Roomba, we can now happily recommend the updated i3+.
Shark is better known for its upright vacuums. However, even though the brand lacks the reputation of iRobot and Roborock, our hands-on testing has consistently shown that Shark makes some of the best robot vacuums on the market today. And in the self-emptying category, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 outperforms much more expensive hybrid vacuums.
A robot vac that has both LiDAR mapping technology and self-empties is kind of a win, and considering this Shark vac has both features, we're pretty impressed with it. In his review, Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth wrote that he couldn't believe how much he loved this vacuum, and that it's "the rare hybrid that vacuums and mops equally well." Simply put, you won't find a better self-emptying robot vacuum and mop in the budget or mid-range category.
This robot vacuum excels at navigation, and it can move over and around cables and obstacles that completely tripped up other robot vacuum cleaners we've tested. It's also a strong edge cleaner, with great suction to lift debris, dust, and pet hair from hardwood, tile, area rugs, and carpets.
Most budget hybrid vacuums are very disappointing when it's time to mop, but not so with Shark robot vacuums. This hybrid uses sonic vibrations and floor-cleaning solution to tackle stains that other vacuums leave behind. Plus, its Matrix spot-cleaning mode is truly impressive. This vacuum will spin and scrub your floors, a feature that should be standard in all hybrid models (but sadly isn't). Unfortunately, you will need to manually remove the mopping accessory when it's time to vacuum again.
Our biggest complaint? Shark's app needs some updating, as the app will sometimes alter boundaries by mistake.
To bring you this guide to the best self-emptying robot vacuums of 2023, we rigorously tested the most popular options.
Mashable shopping reporters, editors, and product testers have reviewed dozens of robot vacuums, and we're always in the process of testing more. Top brands like iRobot, Roborock, Yeedi, and eufy are constantly releasing new models, and we spends weeks (and sometimes months) carefully evaluating these new releases to determine how they compare to the competition. Not only do we want to find the best vacuum overall, but we also want to find the best self-emptying robot vacuum for pet hair, carpets, and budget shoppers.
Specifically for this guide, we tested the iRobot Roomba j7+, iRobot Roomba s9+, Yeedi Vac Station, iRobot Roomba i1+, iRobot Roomba i3+, the Shark Matrix, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1, and the Roborock S8+. (We're currently in the process of testing the new Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and the Ecovacs Deebot Omni X2.) Months of hands-on experiments and observations went into testing some of these models. We also chose to include the Roborock Q5+ based on its well-rounded feature set and our positive experiences with similar products from the brand.
When reviewing a robot vacuum, we test the bot on a combination of floor types: Hardwood, bathroom tile, thick carpeting, furry rugs, bath mats, and other surfaces all being fair game. To test a robot's agility, we intentionally litter the floor with some combination of cat toys, tasseled blankets, laundry, and cords. In addition to testing obstacle avoidance features, we also assess the robovac's overall cleaning ability. And for this category in particular, we check the self-emptying bin to see how user-friendly and reliable these features are.
Additional factors taken into account during testing include:
Smart mapping and general navigation accuracy: A big component of how proficiently a robot vacuum does its job is how intimately it knows the setup of your living space. After making their initial "navigation/mapping" run, we gauged how well the vacuums were able to maneuver around furniture, slide between different floor types, and, in general, clean all the required floor space. Compatible apps for the robovacs demonstrated whether or not the mapping was actually "smart" and accurate — and we made sure to keep in mind the differences between LiDAR (laser) and VSLAM (camera) navigation/mapping in the robots.
Noise: A commonality between self-emptying robot vacuums is that they're pretty damn loud when self-emptying. As Mashable reporter Leah Stodart once said in a vacuum review, "the transfer of debris from the bot's dust bin to the dock's dust bin can be quite loud and startling to nearby people or pets." We paid attention to just how significant these noise levels were for each vac and whether it was something which could interfere with day-to-day living in the long run, especially for those who share walls with neighbors.
Functionality of app: Each of these robovacs has a compatible app with which users can easily (or supposedly easily) control them. The most impressive app options we looked out for included the ability to create "no-go zones" or zones where the vacuum would, on the contrary, boost its suction power; to schedule a cleaning ahead of time; and to see the progress of the vacuum in real time (as well as detailed metrics on its performance after a successful cleaning). We also tested how well the app cooperated with the vacuum in question (noting, for instance, whether the machine started moving on its own willpower upon initial setup without being told to by the user).
Actual vacuum functionality/efficacy: This one is pretty intuitive and revolved around us asking a few key questions — did the vacs actually do what they were supposed to? Did they make pretty rows on carpets that indicated a thorough and methodic cleaning? Did they suction up all the dust balls and dog hair lurking in a room's corners? Did they take care of bigger, intentional messes (reminiscent of the Graham Cracker Experiment reporter Stacia Datskovska carried out with a Yeedi vac)? If the efficacy of the self-emptying robovacs still remained unclear, we looked at the irrefutable evidence found within their dust bins and the auto-empty dock dust bags.
Obstacle avoidance: For robot vacuums that claim to be able to detect and avoid problem-causing obstacles (read: pet waste and tangled cords), we made sure to verify this IRL. The feature is typically reflected in a higher price point, so it was important to see if the robot vacuums could actually skirt around obstacles without getting flustered — or if human intervention was needed to help get them unstuck, thus demoting them to the level of any ol' non-obstacle-avoidant vacuum.
Price point/value and the competition: For every tested robot vacuum, we compared its price to that of the closest competitors currently available on the market — and evaluated whether its extra features (or lack thereof) could justify the price discrepancy. Keeping in mind the fact that many of the models in this roundup are frequently on steep discount, we made informed judgements about their overall value through cost-benefit analyses (ultimately asking the question, did this wow us enough to drop X amount of money on it?)
Frequently Asked Questions
Like a regular robot vacuum, the self-emptying ones navigate around your house tackling dust, dirt, hair, and crumbs, then return to charge without your involvement. But because robot vacuums typically aren't more than four inches tall, there's little real estate inside to house a roomy dustbin like upright Dysons do. A half-liter robot vacuum bin requires manual emptying the dustbin after a few sweeping sessions, if not every single time. Though the fact that they're bagless is nice, you typically end up reaching inside to pull out hairballs that are stuck, or inhaling the inevitable puff of dust.
A self-emptying robot vacuum actually takes that job out of your hands. It automatically empties itself into a larger dustbin in its charging dock, which has the capacity to manage weeks of dirt without needing to be cleaned or dumped out on your end. You can literally set it up and forget about it. You may need to clean the brush roll from time to time, but otherwise it's a hands-free cleaning experience.
Not having to lift a finger when it comes to floor maintenance is well worth it for anyone who just doesn’t have the time — or the interest — in wrestling an upright vacuum out of the closet every few days. Not only are these handy devices extremely practical for anyone who wants to cut down on the mental (and physical) load that comes with keeping the house clean, but they allow for more frequent vacuuming than most folks' current manual schedule.
Obviously this is a subjective question, so we'll provide an argument for and against investing in a self-emptying robot vacuum. A lot of budget shoppers may choose to live without a self-emptying base, but allergy sufferers may consider it a must-have feature. However, if you want a true set-it-and-forget it solution to floor cleaning, then self-emptying robot vacuums are your best bet.
Automatic emptying quickly proves its worth in households where the layer of pet fur would otherwise have you dumping the vacuum's tiny dustbin after just a few rooms. The best self-emptying robot vacuums, which we've rounded up in this article, let you off the hook for at least a few weeks. In addition, for people with allergies, self-emptying features spare you from wrestling with awkward and messy dustbins, which inevitably release some dirt and dust into the air.
On the other hand, self-emptying features typically add $100 to $500 to the overall price tag of a robot vacuum. Self-emptying is an optional feature with many robot vacuums. So, if you're on a tight budget, you can opt to forgo the auto-emptying dustbin and save significantly. Your indoor air quality might take a slight hit when you empty the dustbin by hand. For folks who don't mind occasionally emptying a dustbin, self-emptying robot vacuums really aren't worth the added price.
Leah Stodart
Senior Shopping Reporter
Leah Stodart is a Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable. She covers shopping trends, gift ideas, and products that make life easier, specializing in vacuums, TVs, and sustainable swaps. She graduated from Penn State University in 2016 and is watching horror movies or "The Office" when she’s not shopping online herself. You can follow her on Twitter at @notleah.
Jae Thomas
Deputy Shopping Editor
Jae Thomas is the Deputy Shopping Editor for Mashable. They specialize in all things outdoor gear, kitchen goods, pet products, and fitness gadgets. Before Jae came to Mashable, they received a B.A. in Journalism and English Literature from New York University and wrote for publications like Bon Appétit, Epicurious, The Daily Beast, Apartment Therapy, and Marie Claire.
When they're not testing products or writing about online shopping, you'll find Jae whipping up an elaborate meal, hiking, camping, or hanging out with their dogs, Miso and Dashi. Reach out to them on Twitter at @jaetaurina or by email at [email protected].
Stacia Datskovska
Mashable Shopping Intern
Stacia Datskovska is an NYU journalism major (graduating this December). Her work has appeared in USA Today, Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, HuffPost, Bustle, and more. When she's not writing something or other, Stacia can be spotted crying over poetry, making a home-cooked meal, or walking on an NYC pier. For her more half-baked thoughts: @staciadats on Twitter.
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