What Robot Vacuum Empties Itself?

What robot vacuum empties itself

Wondering what robot vacuum empties itself so you can avoid the messy cleanup? Here’s the guide to self-emptying robot vacuums!

Are you wondering what robot vacuum empties itself?

I love my robot vacuum. While I’m washing dishes after dinner, it’s gently gliding across the floor around me, sucking up any leftover crumbs the kids dropped on the floor. We affectionately refer to our robot vacuum as “Rosie.” However, there’s one thing I don’t love about Rosie: She can’t empty herself.

When our vacuum finishes the job, it puts itself back on the dock, completely full of trash. Even worse, if the vacuum gets full before the job is complete, it sends out an error message. When that happens, I have to stop what I’m doing so I can empty the container.

Sure, it’s not a big problem. It’s more of a minor inconvenience. But there are self-emptying robot vacuums that can take care of the job for me. So I did a little research.

If you’re like me—looking for a robot vacuum that can empty itself—here’s what I found.

How Does a Robot Vacuum Empty Itself?

How does a robot vacuum empty itself?
With a self-emptying robot vacuum, the process is the same except the vacuum actually empties itself, too

A robot vacuum is a pretty nifty design that usually works really well.

Even the most basic, budget robot vacuums are great at cleaning up dust and dirt. They come with a dock, which charges the vacuum while it’s not in use. When you’re ready to use the vacuum, just hit the button. It starts moving across the floor, sucking up dirt, dust, pet hair, and anything else in its path.

When it’s done, it moves back to the dock so it can charge for the next use. If it gets full, though, it will stop moving and alert you. You’ll have to walk to the vacuum, remove the bin, empty it in the trash, replace it, and tell the vacuum it’s good to go.

With a self-emptying robot vacuum, the process is the same except the vacuum actually empties itself, too! You don’t have to do anything at all during the whole vacuuming session. When it’s full, the vacuum moves back to the dock, which has a dustbin attached. It empties itself into the bin, then starts cleaning again.

Of course, you’ll have to empty the larger dust bin every once in a while, but it’s nowhere near as annoying as emptying the vacuum every time it cleans.

Best Budget Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums

If you’re thinking, “Wow, that sounds really neat, but also kind of expensive,” then you might be surprised. While most self-emptying robot vacuums are pricey (around $1000), there are a few that are less than half of that price. Of course, that’s still a lot more money than you’d pay for a traditional upright vacuum, but those don’t clean the floor for you, which is kind of the whole point.

After comparing self-emptying robot vacuums, I’ve narrowed the list down to two less expensive models that have great reviews.

Neabot Robot Vacuum With Self-Emptying Dustbin

The Neabot Robot Vacuum With a Self-Emptying Dustbin is a budget option that costs less than $500. Sometimes you can find a coupon to make it even cheaper!

It takes about five hours to fully charge, and it can vacuum for up to two hours on a single charge. It comes with a smartphone app, which you can use to schedule cleaning sessions.

The laser navigation feature lets the vacuum map out your entire cleaning area, so it doesn’t miss any spots while it’s cleaning. When it’s done, the vacuum empties itself into the dustbin, and you only have to empty the dustbin when it’s full—which is every 30 days or less.

iRobot Roomba i3+ (3550) With Automatic Dirt Disposal

When you think of robot vacuums, you probably think “Roomba.” It’s easily the most popular brand of robot vacuums. However, these vacuums are often more expensive than other brands, simply because they have a bigger name.

If you want a budget self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner but are stuck on the Roomba brand, you’ll probably want the iRobot Roomba i3+. It retails for $599, but you can often find it for a slightly cheaper price.

It fully charges in two hours, and it can vacuum up to 75 minutes before it needs to recharge.

It also comes with a smartphone app, scheduled cleaning, and mopping. The automatic dirt disposal system works just like other self-emptying vacuums. The vacuum returns to the dock, empties the bin in the larger dustbin, then commences cleaning. You usually have to empty this vacuum’s dustbin every 60 days.

Best Overall Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum

If price isn’t an issue, you’re probably more interested in the best self-emptying robot vacuum. Which one is the most powerful, has the fanciest features, and lasts the longest? After extensive research, this seems to be the best robot vacuum that empties itself. Its reviews are awesome, and the features seem really helpful.

iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Automatic Dirt Disposal

The iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Automatic Dirt Disposal is considered the most impressive self-emptying robot vacuum on the market. It charges in two hours, and the charge lasts an hour. Like the other vacuums on my list, it has a mapping feature, a smartphone app, and scheduling. It gets better, though.

This vacuum cleans your floors differently based on the type of flooring you have. It vacuums your hard floors using a lighter suction, then increases the power when it moves onto carpet. If it senses an area that’s more difficult to clean, it increases the suction even more (up to 40x) to make sure it gets all the crumbs and dirt.

The mapping feature is better than most, too. It maps out individual areas in your home, so you can tell it (yes, with your voice) to clean a specific room. Like the others on the list, it automatically empties itself, and you have to empty the larger dustbin every 60 days.

Final Word on What Robot Vacuum Empties Itself

A robot vacuum is a large investment, so you want to buy one that gets the job done and lasts a long time. Make sure you do your research, compare all the features, and find the best self-emptying robot vacuum that fits your budget. You’ll be happy you did.

FAQs About What Robot Vacuum Empties Itself

Why do I need a robot vacuum?

While “need” may not be the right word, a robot vacuum is super handy to have around the house—especially if you have kids or pets. A great robot vacuum that empties itself can save you tons of time with cleanup. If you’re sick of having tiny crumbs and pet hair on your floor, a robot vacuum can help keep things clean and tidy, with very little effort on your part.

Do I have to maintain a robot vacuum?

Yes, but not much more than an upright vacuum. You should clean or replace the filters, replace the brushes, and check the wheels for debris. You should also wash out the dustbin occasionally so it doesn’t get too gross. If you clean and maintain your robot vacuum like the manual recommends, it will last much longer.