We Tested 17 Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums, and These 6 Are the Best for Hands-Off Cleaning

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a truly hands-free robot vacuum that self-empties with ease, we highly recommend the iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum. It’s powerful, effective, and very smart, and will even send you photos of obstacles so it knows what to avoid and go around. We also love that you can schedule cleanings in specific rooms and areas, and that the app is so easy to use. For a tried-and-true budget-friendly option, we recommend the Yeedi Vac Station Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum & Mop for non-pet-owners only, as it doesn't handle hair very well.

Our Testing Process

We tested 17 self-emptying robot vacuums in our Des Moines lab and assessed them based on setup, effectiveness, noise level, maneuverability, features, ease of emptying, and overall value. Our first test involved taking the robot vacuums out of their boxes and evaluating how quickly and easily we could assemble the product.

Next, our testers evaluated the effectiveness of the robot vacuum by putting debris—wig hair, faux fur hair, Cheerios, and sand—on the hard floor and rug to see if it could completely suck up those materials in a two-minute time period. If the vacuum couldn’t, we noted how many additional passes it took and if any of the debris got stuck in the machine, like in the wheels and brush roll.

For the robot vacuums that had a mopping feature, we tested each model’s effectiveness by putting coffee and syrup on the floor and seeing how well it was able to clean the mess in a two-minute time period. We noted if it took multiple passes and if there was any smearing or leftover sticky residue. We also judged the maneuverability of these machines by seeing if they could easily slide under furniture, go between chair legs, and transition from the rug to the floor (and vice versa) without any issues. We also left out a USB cable, a sock, and chocolate pudding (to simulate pet waste) to see if the robot vacuums could detect them and successfully avoid them.

Finally, we evaluated the ease of emptying each robot vacuum. We noted if the robot vacuum successfully emptied its own contents by itself without any errors or malfunctioning. We also considered the size of the dustbin and bag, how many days you could leave the dust bag in the docking station, and if emptying the dust bag made any mess.

For the robot vacuums that have a mopping feature, we tested each model’s effectiveness by putting coffee and syrup on our floor and seeing how well it was able to clean the mess in a two-minute time period. We noted if it took multiple passes and if there was any smearing or leftover sticky residue. Our testers also judged the maneuverability of these machines by seeing if they could easily slide under furniture, go between chair legs, and transition from the rug to the floor (and vice versa) without any issues. We also left out a USB cable, a sock, and chocolate pudding (to simulate pet waste) to see if the robot vacuums could detect them and successfully avoid them.

Finally, our testers evaluated the ease of emptying each robot vacuum. We noted if the robot vacuum successfully emptied its own contents by itself without any errors or malfunctioning. We also considered the size of the dustbin and bag, how many days you could leave the dust bag in the docking station, and if emptying the dust bag made any mess.

How to Shop for Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums

Capacity

Capacity is an important factor to consider when shopping for robot vacuums because it determines how much debris it can hold and how much can be stored in a dust bag before it needs to be replaced. Because of their very small size, robot vacuums can only hold so much (upwards of two cups). Before you buy one, assess how much debris would need to be picked up from your floors. If your floors are more likely to be riddled with frequent little messes, such as those from kids or pets, then it’s best to go with a robot vacuum with a larger dustbin. But according to Dodge, there isn’t a large range of dustbin capacity between robot vacuums, so don’t spend too much time searching for the largest. The dustbin capacities of the models on our list range from 0.2 to 0.42 liters.

Another thing to consider is how often you want to change the dust bag. The dust bag, located in the docking station, is usually able to hold a lot more, so you don’t need to empty it frequently. In fact, most manufacturers specify how many days you can leave the dust bag in the docking station before it needs to be emptied. If you are someone who doesn’t enjoy having to empty dust and debris, get a robot vacuum with a docking station that only needs to be emptied every couple of months. However, Dodge says that households with furry friends shouldn’t wait too long to empty the dust bag, as pet messes can quickly cause a smell.

Battery Life

The average battery life of a robot vacuum on one charge is between 1.5 to 2 hours, according to Dodge, although it depends on the vacuuming mode you’re using, the type of floor, and the condition of the battery. If you want your robot vacuum to clean the entirety of your apartment or home, choose one with a longer battery life. But if you’re only programming it to run in dirtier areas of your home, such as your dining area or kitchen floors where bits of food are bound to fall on the floor, you may not need a robot vacuum with a very long battery life.

Wi-Fi and Smart Home Connectivity

While it’s not essential for a self-emptying robot vacuum to have Wi-Fi and smart home connectivity, both features are undoubtedly helpful. Many self-emptying robot vacuums are able to be connected to Wi-Fi, which can be hugely convenient since you can use that to set up “automatic/set run times, a mapping feature, mop/vacuum switching features,” and more, White says.

It’s also highly convenient for a robot vacuum to have smart home connectivity, which enables you to easily control it via devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, even if you’re not in the same room—or even in the house at all.

Noise

When choosing a self-emptying robot vacuum, it’s important to consider how noisy it may be during use. Most robot vacuums produce between 70 and 80 decibels, which is about equivalent to a lawn mower or garbage disposal. Also, “most robot vacuums are a little noisier while they self-empty, but luckily the feature is a quick process,” adds White. If you’re concerned about the noise level, opt for a robot vacuum that features a Quiet Mode, and/or try to schedule your cleanings for when you’ll be out of the home and away from the sound.

Price

Self-emptying robot vacuums vary greatly in price, with most models costing anywhere from $500 to $1,500. The more expensive devices tend to boast helpful features like mapping and scheduling capabilities, quiet modes, long battery lives, and attachments like side roller brushes. When figuring out your price cap, think first about which features, if any, are most important to you, and then you’ll be able to determine what types of robot vacuums are going to fit your bill.

More Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums to Consider

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum: There’s a lot to like about this robot vacuum from iRobot, including its skill at navigating corners and above-average mapping abilities. Still, it’s not great with picking up larger debris, and its suction isn’t as powerful as others we tested.

Questions You Might Ask

How does a self-emptying robot vacuum work?

These types of robot vacuums automatically empty the dustbins into their docking stations. Within the docking station is a dust bag that collects all the debris. Instead of emptying the dustbin every time you vacuum, all you have to do is simply remove the docking station’s bag when it’s full and replace it. This feature is usually designed to filter out and trap fine dust particles that would otherwise release into your home’s air, making it a great option for people with household allergies.

What is the lifespan of a self-emptying robot vacuum?

“The typical lifespan is four years,” according to White, which means you should be able to get plenty of use out of your vacuum, as long as you maintain it regularly. Luckily, “the self-emptying feature on a robot vacuum typically only needs attention every six months,” White adds, and most robot vacuums will alert you when they need a new emptying bag.

Are self-emptying robot vacuums worth the price?

It depends on your household and how much time you want to spend cleaning. “The most important advantage of a vacuum robot is the absence of a human being in the cleaning process,” Dodge says.

That said, we think self-emptying robot vacuums are worthwhile investments for people who want to minimize the amount of time spent cleaning. They would also work well for households that experience frequent small messes to the point where someone would have to pull out a regular vacuum nearly every day to clean them up.

Dodge says that a robot vacuum’s power is equivalent to a medium-sized regular vacuum, so it is best used to get rid of the short hair and regular dust that accumulate around the house. So if you’re looking to chuck your regular vacuum in lieu of a robot vacuum, don’t. In fact, the biggest mistake Dodge sees people make with robot vacuums is not knowing that there are limits to their cleaning abilities.

“A robot vacuum isn’t an industrial vacuum. It can support cleanliness in your home but can’t clean up a big mess, like after some renovation or big party,” he says. “If you purchase a robot vacuum, first clean the house with regular means then start to regularly use the robot.” As such, investing in a self-emptying robot vacuum is great for homes with children and pets, as well as high-mess areas, such as kitchens and dining rooms, that would otherwise be hard to keep clean.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple, and Rachel Simon, a writer for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, and many other publications. We researched the best self-emptying robot vacuums and tested 17 of the most popular options, evaluating them on ease of use, value, effectiveness, noise level, and more. We also spoke to Steve Dodge, CEO of SoCal Robot Repair, as well as Whitney White, Airbnb cleaning specialist, for expert tips on how to choose a self-emptying robot vacuum.

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