The Best Self Emptying Robot Vacuum
The most effective robot vacuums that self-empty come with a base which holds the equivalent of a month's worth of debris and empty it automatically. It also creates a detailed map of your home and allows you to label rooms and create "no-go" zones.
It is equipped with superior obstacle avoidance abilities, too, so it can stay clear of power cords and rogue socks.
Roomba s9+ from iRobot
This is among the best models offered by iRobot and certainly performs well. It is able to move effortlessly across different surfaces and is very effective at sucking dust, dirt and other debris up. It's also well-constructed and looks pretty nice too.
The S9 is the most recent model in iRobot's premium S Series line of robot vacuums and, as such, it comes with several additional features that differentiate it from other models. The iRobot App can use, for instance, the camera to create maps that allows the unit to navigate and clean more efficiently.
There's no need to spend time cleaning the same spots over and over again in the event that the battery gets depleted. You can also set it up to start and stop cleaning sessions using a simple voice command robotvacuummops or via the iRobot app. This smart vacuum can also clean in the dark!
Another great feature is Carpet Boost, which gives the S9 extra suction power when it comes into contact with carpeting, so it can suck up even more dirt and debris. This unit also uses the square front design, which is more close to walls and corners as opposed to the earlier round designs. However, keep in mind that this model won't work well with high-pile or shag carpeting.
In our tests, we observed that the iRobot S9+ cleaned thoroughly and efficiently a range of floor surfaces including hard and medium-pile carpets. It also did well with laminate flooring, and vinyl floors. It did a good job of maneuvering around furniture and objects, however it had issues with stairs where it might accidentally hit bookcases.
We were impressed by the fact that the S9 automatically returns to its base to empty its dust bin once it's full, which greatly reduces hands-on maintenance needs. Its dust bag should last for around 30 loads, which is about one month or so, and you'll have to replace the filter once every few months (which is actually recommended by iRobot). The iRobot S9+ is not very loud when it's in use which makes it a great option for families with children or pets.
Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Robot vacuum cleaners are designed to take care of the work for you and they are able to clean hardwood and carpeted flooring. Certain robot vacuum cleaners can be controlled via an app on your smartphone, while others come with mopping technology to kitchen and bathroom flooring. They are a great option for busy families, and they are becoming more affordable. If you're looking for the most advanced technology in your robotic vacuum cleaner, then you'll have to pay a little more.
The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid vacuum and mopping machine is a fantastic choice for people who live in a multi-floored home. Its dual motors offer an impressive cleaning capacity and the 0.6l dustbin can hold plenty of pet hair. The dustbin can be removed and emptied easily this is important because you'll need to clean it frequently.
It's also easy to set it up, although I recommend fully charging the X8 Hybrid prior to running it for the very first time. You'll have to install the Eufy Home app and follow the instructions for connecting to your Wi-Fi network. After you've completed 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 require cleaning at a specific time. Eufy's app is more intuitive and refined than other robots with similar scanning and mapping capabilities.
A great feature 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 wonderful feature that makes the robot more hands-free. It was a success in our test home.
The X8 Hybrid, like many robotic vacuums, has problems with floors that are not fully covered. It may miss pet hair and other small items, and it tends to hit things - such as its own charger on the charging base. It's not as quiet as some other models we've tested, and the whirring noise can be distracting.
Roborock V3S Pro
This robot doesn't have the same number of features as some of the more expensive models we tested, however it does provide the essentials. It has a huge enough dust bin that can hold plenty of dirt until it's empty, and its vacuum and mop system works great on both hard floors and low-pile carpets. It's also quiet. We were able watch TV while it cleaned without feeling as though we were being bombarded with the sound.
Our test participants were extremely pleased by how easy the machine was to operate and set up. They also loved its ability to eliminate all the mess from their floors. It was successful in picking up pet hair, messes, and carpeting, but it had a harder time getting rid of stains that were stubborn. The app was simple to use and easy to understand. They could schedule the vacuum to clean regularly to reduce the amount of manual work. The only downside is that it doesn't include any mapping technology or object avoidance, so you can't send it to specific rooms or follow virtual boundaries (though magnetic boundary strips work).
Another model from the iRobot's budget line which is the V3S Pro has some impressive features for the money. It was the best of all robotic vacuums we tested when it comes to mapping and avoiding obstacles, and it's the perfect budget pick for those who want a cleaner self-emptying robotic vacuum that can handle pet hair and messes on both carpeting and hardwood floors. It's also very quiet and comes with a massive dust bin that can hold a lot of debris before it needs emptying and you don't have to be concerned about having to empty it every time you use it.
The V3S Pro did not make it onto our top choices lists of trusted sources who test hands-on, but it received high marks from Modern Castle, Smart Robot Reviews and The Ambient. They liked the ease with which it was install and use, but they noted that its battery life is limited and it wasn't able to avoid some of the most stubborn problems we've encountered.
Roborock Q Revo
The Q Revo is a solid basic robot vacuum and mop that doesn't skimp on features or price. You can get many of the high-end features, like smart navigation and mapping without paying top dollar. You can make use of voice commands using Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri shortcuts for custom automations, and to start your cleaning process while you are away.
Roborock has spent time in the development of this smart cleaner. As a result, the product is exceptionally well-built and feels like it was made with premium materials. Its base is solid and robust with the charging port built into the battery. On top, you'll find the dock for the clean water tank and dirty water bins. Under them, you'll discover an enclosure that houses the vacuum bag that is sealed.
When you connect your device to the app, you'll be able to see a 2D or 3D map of your home, which shows where your robot is currently situated and the area it's cleaning. You can also set up virtual barriers to keep the robot out of certain areas and make sure that it only cleans certain kinds of floors. It can also alter its power settings based on the type of floor being cleaned and choose the most efficient cleaning method.
The Q Revo stands out from many other robot vacuums because it can raise both mop heads while vacuuming. This helps to prevent carpet fibres from becoming stained. It's actually one of the very few vacuums that can do this.
When it comes to mopping the Q Revo's 5500Pa suction powers can be enough to take out specks of dust or pet hair strands and other particles. The all-rubber brush can be excellent at separating human and animal hair, as well as adapting to uneven surfaces.
The only downside to this device is that it takes an extended time to empty and fill the clean and dirty tanks. You can reduce the frequency of this by using the auto-empty function which will empty the bin on its own after a few days. There is no automatic reminder to verify the level of water in the dock.