The 6 Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums That Offer Hands-Off Cleaning

Base dimensions: 15.7 x 11.9 x 13.3 inches | Robot dimensions: 13.3 x 3.4 inches | Dustbin capacity: 60 days | Max runtime: 90 minutes | Warranty: 3 years | Features: Dirt detection, obstacle avoidance, voice control

Pros: 

• Compact base can still hold 60 days worth of dirt
• Better obstacle detection and avoidance than most models
• Creates a detailed map of your home
• Can be synced with an iRobot robotic mop 

Cons:

• Tricky to accurately place “no-go” zones on the map

The Roomba j7+ is the best self-emptying robot vacuum we’ve tested (and two of our contributors have tried it out), thanks to its compact form and superior obstacle avoidance. In fact, it has the best obstacle detection abilities of any Roomba model, as it automatically avoids things like power cords, rogue socks and dog toys that get left on the floor. It can even recognize and avoid pet waste, in case your dog is prone to accidents. “iRobot is so confident in the j7+’s obstacle avoidance abilities that the brand offers a ‘P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise),’ which offers a free replacement vacuum within a year of purchase if it does happen to run into pet waste,” one Forbes Vetted tester writes in her review.

This robot vacuum creates a detailed map of your home, allowing you to label different rooms and even create virtual “no-go” zones. “The vacuum effectively found the rooms I remotely told it to clean and proceeded to vacuum them efficiently,” another contributor writes in her tested review. (That said, it can be tricky to accurately place these on the map.) It uses two multi-surface rubber brushes to capture pet hair, dirt, and dust, and the base uses an enclosed bag to trap all the debris, making it easier to empty than many other models. 

Base dimensions: 16 x 16.5 x 18.5 inches | Robot dimensions: 14 x 14 x 4 inches | Dustbin capacity: 270 milliliters, or 7 weeks| Max runtime: 180 minutes | Warranty: 1 year | Features: Self-cleaning and -refilling mop, obstacle avoidance, voice control, flexible side brush

Pros: 

• Self-cleaning and -refilling mop
• Live video via the on-board camera
• Recognizes and avoids obstacles
• Longer-than-average runtime per charge

Cons:

• The base is large and bulky
• Significantly more expensive than other models

If you want a unit that can do it all (and you’re willing to splurge), the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra can vacuum and mop both carpet and hard floors—and it does so efficiently and thoroughly. Featuring 10,000Pa of suction power, a flexible side brush for hard-to-reach areas and LiDAR navigation technology, this high-end model knows how to maneuver around everything from cords and stuffed animals to tackle the parts of your floor that actually need cleaning. As for its mopping prowess, it can clean your floors with extra-hot water (140 degrees) to lift stubborn stains, plus it has an automatic detergent dispenser. 

What’s more, when it’s done working, it empties itself into a sealed dust bag that can hold up to seven weeks’ worth of dirt and debris; it also fills up the robot with cleaning fluid and washes and dries the mopping pad after use. Lastly, it has a cute feature: It comes equipped with a camera that can take photos of your pets as it works. (You can also use the camera to watch the gadget clean your floors in real-time.)

Base dimensions: 13.38 x 18.5 x 11.42 inches | Robot dimensions: Not listed | Dustbin capacity: 0.26 gallons, or 30 days | Max runtime: 60 minutes | Warranty: 1 year | Features: Voice control

Pros: 

• Good value compared to other self-emptying models
• Cleans in a methodical row-by-row pattern
• Can be controlled using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant

Cons:

• No mapping abilities
• Doesn’t include boundary strips

The Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty is one of the most affordable self-emptying models available today—it’s actually less expensive than some standard robot vacuums! It has a basic design with minimal features, but it can still store 30 days worth of dirt in its base, meaning less maintenance for you.

This robot vacuum cleans in a row-by-row pattern for improved coverage, and it has two spinning side brushes to help clean along edges and in corners. While it can connect to your smartphone, the features are fairly limited—you can use your phone to start or schedule a cleaning cycle, but the robot doesn’t create a map of your home. Additionally, if you want to block off certain areas, you’ll need to purchase boundary strips, which are sold separately. 

Base dimensions: 12.5 x 8.5 X 15 inches | Robot dimensions: 12.9 x 12.6 x 3.5 inches | Dustbin capacity: 45 days | Max runtime: 120 minutes | Warranty: 1 year | Features: Self-cleaning brushroll, voice commands

Pros: 

• Pet hair won’t get tangled around brushroll
• Creates a map of your home for individual room cleaning
• High-efficiency filtration to capture pet dander and dust

Cons:

• Requires boundary strips to create no-go zones

If you’re constantly struggling to keep pet hair off your floors, the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum has a few key features that make it a top choice for this job. Instead of the brand’s standard multi-surface brush, this robot has a special self-cleaning brushroll that doesn’t get tangled with long strands of hair. It also has a larger base that can hold up to 45 days worth of debris, though you may find that large amounts of hair fills it up more quickly. 

Unlike the other Shark vacuum, this model is able to create a virtual map of your home, allowing you to select individual rooms for cleaning. Its multi-stage filtration system is great for capturing pet dander and other allergens, but it still requires boundary strips (not included) if you want to keep it out of certain areas. 

Base dimensions: 11.49 x 14.93 x 19.02 inches | Robot dimensions: 12.25 x 3.5 inches | Dustbin capacity: 60 days | Max runtime: 75 minutes | Warranty: 3 years | Features: PerfectEdge Technology, dirt detection, voice control

Pros: 

• Three-stage cleaning system gets deeper into rugs
• D-shaped robot offers better edge and corner cleaning
• Able to map specific objects in your home, such as tables or couches

Cons:

• Doesn’t have the same obstacle detection as the j7+

For homes with a lot of carpeting, the Roomba s9+ is one of the best self-emptying vacuums. One of iRobot’s latest models, this robot has a unique D-shaped form that features a larger brushroll and does a better job getting into corners and along edges. It also has a three-stage cleaning system that lifts and loosens debris from carpeting, as well as more powerful suction than other Roomba models. 

In addition to its powerful cleaning abilities, this vacuum offers comprehensive floor mapping, and it can even make note of specific objects in your home. This means you can direct it to vacuum under the kitchen table or in front of the couch for more targeted spot cleaning. Plus, its large base can hold up to 60 days worth of debris, meaning very little maintenance is required. 

Base dimensions: 15.8 x 13.8 x 20.7 inches | Robot dimensions: Not listed | Dustbin capacity: 2.5 liters | Max runtime: 90 minutes | Warranty: 1 year | Features: Intelligent power control, real-time tracking, voice control

Pros: 

• Adjusts suction power to suit flooring type
• Fibers on brushroll help to capture fine particles
• Five-stage HEPA filtration captures dust and allergens
• Self-cleaning brushroll won’t get tangled with pet hair

Cons:

• Scheduling options aren’t as flexible as other models

If your home mostly has hardwood floors, the Samsung Jet Bot+ will help keep them spic and span. This self-emptying robot vacuum features intelligent power control that automatically adjusts suction to suit the flooring, and it also has fibers on its brushroll that will help capture dust and fine particles. Plus, the unit is equipped with a five-stage HEPA filter that will keep allergens out of your home. 

This sleek robot vacuum creates a detailed map of your home, and you can set up virtual “no-go” zones to keep it out of certain areas. You can even check on its real-time location through the app. However, its scheduling abilities aren’t as flexible as other robot vacuums, which may be inconvenient if you want the robot to clean while you’re away.