The Best Self Emptying Robot Vacuum
The best robot vacuums that self-empty feature bases that can hold the equivalent of a month's worth of debris and automatically empty it. It also creates a detailed map of your home which allows you to label rooms and establish "no-go" zones.
It has superior obstacle-avoiding capabilities, and it is safe from power cords and rogue socks.
Roomba s9+ from iRobot
This is a premium model from iRobot and performs extremely well. It is able to maneuver easily across a range of different surfaces and is very efficient at collecting dust, dirt, and debris. It's also well-built and looks pretty good, too.
The S9 is the latest model from iRobot's premium S Series robot vacuum. It has a few additional features that help it different from other models. For instance, the iRobot app uses the camera on this unit to create an interactive map of your home that helps it navigate and clean efficiently.
It can also automatically return to the location where it started if its battery runs low during a cleaning session, so you don't have to waste time re-cleaning the same spots. You can also start cleaning sessions and stop them with a simple voice command or using the iRobot app, and this smart vacuum will even clean in the dark!
Another excellent feature is Carpet Boost, which gives the S9 additional suction power when it encounters carpeting so it can suck up more dirt and debris. The unit is an open-front design that allows it to get closer to walls and corners than the older round designs. Be aware that this model isn't able to work well with high-pile or shag carpeting.
During our testing we discovered that the iRobot S9+ cleans thoroughly and efficiently on a range of floor surfaces, from medium-pile to hard carpets and rug. It also performed well on laminate floors, and vinyl flooring. It was capable of navigating around furniture and other objects, but it had issues with stairs where it could crash into bookcases.
We loved the fact that the S9 automatically returns to its base to empty its dust bin when it's full, which significantly minimizes the need to be hands-on with maintenance. The dust bin should last for around 30 loads, or around a month or two and you'll need to replace the filter every once every so often (which is actually recommended by iRobot). We've found that the iRobot S9+ doesn't get very loud during operation, so it's a good choice for those who live with kids or pets.
Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
designed to remove one of the most difficult tasks off your hands, robotic vacuum cleaners take care of all the work to get carpeted and hardwood floors free of everyday dust. Some robot vacuum cleaners are able to be controlled using a smartphone application, while others feature mopping technology for bathroom and kitchen flooring. They're a great option for busy families, and are becoming more affordable than ever. If you're looking to get the latest technology for your robotic cleaner and you're looking to shell out a bit more.
The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid is an all-in-one vacuum and mopping machine, making it a good choice for those in a home with multiple floors. The vacuum's 0.6l bin can hold plenty of pet hair. Dual motors give an impressive amount of cleaning power. The dustbin can be taken away and emptied easily which is beneficial since you'll have to do it often.
It's easy to set up too, although I recommend fully charging the X8 Hybrid before running it for the first time. You'll have to install the Eufy Home app and follow the instructions for connecting to your Wi-Fi network. Once you've done this, the app will help you to create a detailed map of your home. Rooms can be named, divide rooms into sub-rooms (good for open plan living) and guide the X8 Hybrid to specific areas that need cleaning at the time of. Eufy's application is more user-friendly and refined than other robots that have similar mapping and scanning functions.
One of the best features on the X8 Hybrid is that you can control the mop or vacuum with your voice thanks to integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This is a nice feature that makes the robot hands-free. It was very effective in our test home.
Like other robotic vacuums, the X8 Hybrid has some issues with bare floors. It may be unable to see pet hair or small objects, and it is prone to hit things - such as its own charger on the base for charging. It's also not as quiet as some other models we've tested and the whirring noise could be distracting.
Roborock V3S Pro
The robot doesn't have as many features as some of the more expensive models we tested, but it has all the basics. It has a huge enough dust bin that can hold plenty of dirt until it's empty and its vacuum and mop system is perfect for hard floors and low-pile carpets. It's also quiet. We were able to watch television while it was cleaning without feeling as though we were being constantly bombarded by noise.
Our test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to set up and use, and they were impressed by its capacity to get all the mess off their flooring. It was effective in getting rid of pet hair, messes and carpeting however, it had a harder time removing stubborn stains. The app was simple to use and intuitive. It was able to schedule the vacuum to clean on a regular basis to reduce the here amount of manual work. It doesn't feature the ability to avoid objects or map technology, which means it cannot be able to be directed to specific rooms or follow virtual borders (though magnetic boundaries work).
The V3S Pro is another model in iRobot’s affordable line. It offers several impressive features for an affordable cost. It topped all other robot vacuums we tested in terms of mapping and avoiding obstacles, and it's the best budget pick for those who are looking for an intelligent self-emptying robot vacuum that can take care of pet hair and messes on both carpets with low pile and hardwood floors. It's also extremely quiet and has a large dust bin that can hold plenty of debris before it needs to be emptied.
The V3S Pro did not make it onto our top choices lists from reliable sources that conduct hands-on tests, however it received high marks from Modern Castle, Smart Robot Reviews and The Ambient. The V3S Pro was easy to use and set up, however the battery life was a bit short.
Roborock Q Revo
The Q Revo is a solid entry-level robot vacuum and mop that doesn't scrimp on features or prices. You'll get a lot of the features that you'll find on the top models, like intelligent navigation and mapping, all without spending top dollar. You can even use voice commands using Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri shortcuts to create custom automations, and then start your cleaning routine at any time while you're away.
Roborock has put in the time to develop this smart cleaner. The result is that the product is exceptionally well-built and feels like it was built with top materials. Its base is sturdy and solid, and has an integrated charging port for the battery. You'll find the docking station for the clean-water tank and dirty-water bins on top. Under them, you'll discover an enclosure that houses the sealed vacuum bag.
After you have connected your device to the application, you will be able to see a 3D and 2D map of your house which shows where your robot is at any given time and the area it is cleaning. You can also build virtual barriers to ensure that your robot isn't in certain areas or to only clean certain types of flooring. It can also adjust its power settings based on the kind of floor being cleaned and choose the most effective cleaning method.
The Q Revo is unique to many other robot vacuums because it can lift both of its mop heads while vacuuming. This prevents carpet fibres from becoming stained. In fact, it's one of the few vacuums on market that can do this.
When mopping, the Q Revo's 5500Pa suction capabilities are sufficient to remove dust particles, strands of pet hair and other particles. The all-rubber brush works well to break up animal and human hair, as it adjusts to uneven surfaces.
Its only downside is that it does take a while to fill and empty water tanks, both clean and dirty. You can reduce the frequency of this by using the auto-empty feature that will empty the bin automatically after a couple of days. You'll still need to check the level of water on the dock manually however, since there's not an automatic reminder.