Most people can agree that vacuuming is one of the most tiresome household chores. For years, people have been doing this cumbersome chore in the same way. Fortunately, manufacturers have turned the vacuuming world upside down and today we review the best self-emptying robot vacuums.
Knowing the key differences between the models available will help you select the right one for your home. Our handy buyer’s guide will highlight the necessary features such as size, smart functions, and noise levels.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: iRobot Roomba i3+
- Best Suction: Shark RV1001AE IQ Robot
- Best 2-in-1: HONITURE Q6 Robot Vacuum
- Best 3-in-1: Neabot N2 Robot Vacuum
- Best for Pet Hair: Ultenic T10 Robot Vacuum
Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Buying Advice
Best Overall: iRobot Roomba i3+
Key Features:
- Size: 13.34” x 13.26” x 3.63”
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Color: Black
- Shape: Round with disposal canister
Pros:
- Brushes adjust
- High-efficiency filter
- Trackers enable use on hardwood floors and carpet
Cons:
- Loud
- Requires additional space for a docking station
The iRobot Roomba is currently the robot vacuum that’s all the rage. This model loosens and sucks up stubborn dirt using its premium three-stage cleaning system and 10x the power-lifting suction.
With its mapping function and reactive sensor technology, the robot goes where it’s needed without getting stuck against or under any furniture. Known as the robot vacuum that empties itself, the Roomba empties itself for up to 60 days before you need to empty the dirt disposal canister.
Unique Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes make it an ideal cleaner for floors covered in pet hair. The iRobot Roomba not only cleans up after you, but after itself as well, making this the perfect answer to your vacuuming woes!
Best Suction: Shark RV1001AE IQ Robot
Key Features:
- Size: 38.9” x 26.3” x 49.6”
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Color: Black
- Shape: Round with dirt disposal canister
Pros:
- Extended periods of non-stop cleaning
- Smart map system
- Remote and app control
Cons:
- Doesn’t cross over transitions
- Dustbin too small
The Shark IQ robot vacuum is regarded as one of the best robot vacuum cleaners because of its various smart features. These include IQ navigation, mapping, and Wi-Fi connection. It also easily works with Alexa.
An added feature is the self-cleaning brushroll that easily removes pet hair while it cleans your floors. A SharkClean app or voice control with Amazon’s Alexa allows you to schedule specific cleaning times.
This ultra-modern model is ideal for big homes or homes with pets that require regular cleaning. The smart app allows you to schedule different cleaning times for different areas. Cleaning your floors has never been easier!
Best 2-in-1: HONITURE Q6 Robot Vacuum
Key Features:
- Size: 18.78” x 17.48” x 15.87”
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Color: Black
- Shape: Round with disposal canister
Pros:
- Ideal for cleaning pet hair
- Wi-Fi connected
- Good for hard floors and carpets
Cons:
- Difficult to maneuver over medium-pile carpets
- Doesn’t deep clean
The HONITURE Q6 robot vacuum has precision laser navigation, which means the Q6 can easily map out different rooms in your home. You can use the smart app to clean the whole house or certain rooms as you need!
This unit is ideal for homes with pets as its powerful suction function easily sucks up hair all over your floors. Its intelligent mapping and routing will get the floors cleaned efficiently. With its ultra-high battery capacity, it can vacuum for 280 minutes of non-stop cleaning before you re-charge it.
HONITURE Q6 is a remarkable robot cleaner with powerful suction and pick-up performance. It’s larger than most units on the market, and with a HEPA filter, it cleans thoroughly!
Best 3-in-1: Neabot N2 Robot Vacuum
Key Features:
- Size: 13.78” x 13.78” x 3.86”
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Color: Stainless steel
- Shape: Round with tall docking station
Pros:
- Auto-sealed dust bag holds 4 weeks of dirt
- Powerful suction
- Side brushes loosen and extract dirt
Cons:
- Issues with Alexa connections
- Struggles to maintain a schedule
The Neabot robot vacuum offers three levels of suction power. This allows the machine to easily pick up all types of particles, such as dust or items as large as nuts. The machine disposes the dirt into a bag-lined dustbin.
Smart functions like Lidar Navigation technology and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) make it easy for this model to clean up every corner of your home. The Neatbot Home app allows the user to adjust cleaning settings and monitor the cleaning status.
With its powerful suction option, this model carries out all the heavy-duty vacuuming functions you need around the home. It also allows you to remove the dust and debris after four weeks without the traditional cloud of dust.
Best for Pet Hair: Ultenic T10 Robot Vacuum
Key Features:
- Size: 13.78” x 13.78” x 3.86”
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Color: Stainless steel
- Shape: Round
Pros:
- Multi-floor mapping
- Effective on different floor types
- Advanced suction power
- Great for pet hair
Cons:
- Struggles to connect with Alexa
- Battery runs out too quickly
The Ultenic T10 robot vacuum simultaneously supports vacuuming and mopping, giving your floors an extra clean. Four cleaning modes ensure your carpets have a deep and comprehensive clean.
The unit has a charging base with a 4.3L large-capacity and a built-in auto-dust disposal bag. The Ultenic can easily hold debris for 60 days before you’ll need to change it.
With the four cleaning modes, the Ultenic T10 robot vacuum easily stores multiple maps, making it easy to use on different floors or locations. It recharges itself when the battery is low and then resumes cleaning exactly where it left off. Easy and effective, this model is a great asset to your cleaning arsenal!
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
 iRobot Roomba i3+ View on iRobot –> View on Amazon –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.7 | Size: 13.34” x 13.26” x 3.63” Warranty: 1-year limited warranty Color: Black Shape: Round with disposal canister |
 Shark RV1001AE IQ Robot View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Suction Overall: 4.5 | Size: 38.9” x 26.3” x 49.6” Warranty: 1-year limited warranty Color: Black Shape: Round with dirt disposal canister |
 HONITURE Q6 Robot Vacuum View on Amazon –> View on Honiture –> | Best 2-in-1 Overall: 4.3 | Size: 18.78” x 17.48” x 15.87” Warranty: 1-year limited warranty Color: Black Shape: Round with disposal canister |
Neabot N2 Robot Vacuum View on Neabot –> View on Amazon –> | Best 3-in-1 Overall: 4.3 | Size: 13.78” x 13.78” x 3.86” Warranty: 1-year warranty Color: Stainless steel Shape: Round with tall docking station |
Ultenic T10 Robot Vacuum View on Amazon –> View on Ultenic –> | Best for Pet Hair Overall: 4.0 | Size: 13.78” x 13.78” x 3.86” Warranty: 1-year limited warranty Color: Stainless steel Shape: Round |
The Complete Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Buyer’s Guide
Who said cleaning has to be a strenuous task that consumes a great deal of your time? In a world where technology has made even the simplest task so much easier, why should vacuuming be any different?
Have a look at our handy buyer’s guide to determine why you need a robot vacuum with self-empty functions. We’ll also share some of the features you should consider when you’re shopping for the best self-emptying robot vacuum.
Why You Need A Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum cleaner is a functional addition to any home. These remarkable machines give you time for other things while still getting the cleaning done. Additionally, they’re compact and take up very little space in comparison to their bulkier ancestors.
Not only do these marvels clean by themselves, but they also return themselves to their charging stations to charge between sessions. Additionally, the automatic dirt disposal (or self-emptying function) is perhaps the most remarkable feature. All these features work together to make cleaning a little less stressful!
What Are Robot Vacuum Technologies?
Before you start shortlisting self-cleaning robot vacuum options, it’s important to understand what the technology is all about. Let’s have a look at what makes robot vacuums all the rage.
- Sensor Technology: This allows these wondrous bots to navigate around your rooms while simultaneously sucking up dust and debris. By combining sensor technology and smart cameras, the risk of colliding with objects is greatly reduced.
- Mapping: An added benefit to the sensory technology are the mapping capabilities added to these machines. By using a smart camera or laser reflections, these robots can create a 360-degree view of the area. The robot then creates a map and identifies itself within that map, calculating the time it will take to finish.
- Wi-Fi: Some of the more high-end models can be controlled with a smartphone app in addition to the physical remote. This is an ideal feature for cleaning larger, more detailed spaces.
- Remote Control: Some models allow the user to control them from another room. This is a great feature for when you only need to clean a small area in a particular room.
- Self-emptying: One of the best features of these robotic vacuums is their ability to self-empty. While vacuuming, the robot will sense that it’s full. It will return to the charger station and empty itself into the cleaning tower.
If you’ve been cleaning your home the same way with the same type of vacuum cleaner that your mother used, switching to a robot model may take some research. There are a few important features to consider before making the final transition. Take a look at them in this section.
Types of Floors
Before you start shopping for a robot vacuum, consider the type of floors you’ll be using it on. Are they hardwood floors, carpeting, or a combination of both? Be sure to check that your vacuum can clean the types of floors you have. Some models are also equipped with mopping features to keep tile floors clean.
Size
The first thing that you need to be aware of is the monumental size difference between a traditional and robot vacuum cleaner. There’s also no one-size-fits-all scenario with these types of units. Choosing the right size depends on the different room layouts in your home.
It’s important to remember that these units are compact to allow them to reach the smallest spaces, such as under recliners or kitchen cupboards. They don’t use expandable bags, so there isn’t the need for a bag chamber. The general size specifications average around a diameter of 13” to 14” and a height of up to 4 inches.
Suction Power
Different models have varying degrees of suction power. Certain high-end models have more suction power, while others are fairly consistent throughout their ranges. If your home is subject to pet hair and a lot of dirt being tracked in from kids’ shoes, it would be a good idea to look for a model with higher suction power.
Noise Level
Vacuum cleaners are notorious for their noise. Many brands are changing this by creating their robot vacuums to make minimal noise. Always check the estimated noise level before investing in a unit. This might even allow you to get the vacuuming done if you have a baby that’s sleeping!
Battery Life
Be sure to review the power consumption versus the utilization of the unit. Some models can work for longer without needing to be recharged. This will prevent you from spending additional money on your power bill.
It’s also recommended that you follow the manufacturers recommendations regarding the maintenance of your robot vacuum cleaner. Doing this will ensure your machine works at its optimum level and doesn’t use more power to get the same job done!
Brush Features
If you’re going to use your robot cleaner in a home with baseboards, consider investing in a model with brushes. Robot vacuum cleaners can easily clean the dustiest corners if they have brushes.
Some models make use of a dual brush system while others use a single brush. This means you won’t have to go back later and clean the corners of baseboards missed by the robot.
Smart Functions
Needless to say, it might be time to brush up on your technology if you still think a self-emptying vacuum cleaner is a bit far-fetched! Decide if you want to be able to use your robot remotely from your smart device using an app. Functions such as Wi-Fi, mapping, and app-enabled features will go a long way toward making your cleaning easier.
Cost
Unfortunately, the convenience of having your home cleaned while freeing you up to do other things comes at a cost. To ensure you don’t go over your budget and still get value for your money, make a detailed list of what you’ll need the machine to do and compare the specs of the models you’re considering. There’s no point in paying extra money for features you’re not going to use!
FAQs
On average, you can expect your robot vacuum to last between four and six years. This is provided you do regular and proper maintenance. It also depends on the brand you’re buying, so it might be worth saving up for a more robust model!
Can robot vacuums go over bumps and stairs?
Robot vacuums can easily go over threshold dividers between rooms, providing the dividers are not more than 1” high. Some models have their main wheels mounted on springs which allow them to smoothly go over any types of flooring transitions that are not higher than 1 inch.
However, they’re unable to go over or up stairs. As more models are entering the market at cheaper prices, some homeowners can now afford to buy a unit for each floor of their house.
Do robot vacuums have suction power?
Robot vacuums are propelled around on wheels with a small motor. This motor turns brushes and rollers that easily kick up dust and debris as suction pulls the waste into an internal dustbin that’s usually no bigger than a quart of juice. Some models have increased suction power. So, be sure to read up on the suction offered by the model you’re considering before making the final choice.
Final Thoughts
Any product that does the vacuuming and frees up time for you to do other things is well worth the investment. One of the best ways to keep your home clean and put your feet up while doing it is to invest in the best self-emptying robot vacuum.
In our opinion, one of the better options you should consider is the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum because of its three-stage cleaning system. Not only does it have 10 times the power-lifting suction, but it also empties itself as soon as it detects it’s full. Then it takes itself back to the docking station and empties the dust and debris. No wonder it’s called the best robot vacuum with a self-empty base!
Say goodbye to many hours bent over a traditional vacuum cleaner and hello to a smarter, more efficient way of vacuuming! Let a self-emptying robot vacuum make your life simpler!
If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with choosing the best self-emptying robot vacuum, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.
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