Best Self-Empting Robot Vacuums and Mops
The Eufy 11S robotic vacuum is one of the most affordable self-emptying vacuums on the market. It was able to efficiently remove dry oatmeal from hard floors and low-pile carpeting in our tests. Its dustbin is easy to empty and open- easier than those of some other models in the same price range.
It recharges at the base and resumes cleaning when it's at its best. Its obstacle-avoidance technology is caught in socks and cords, and it can't get under thresholds that are low.
1. iRobot Roomba 11S
The 11S is a less expensive self-emptying robotic vacuum cleaner that lots of users seem to enjoy. It's good at scooting under furniture and is thought to be a smart option for those with hard floors or those who want to perform light cleaning. Its suction is weaker than our top picks, however it still does the job. It comes with a huge dust bin as well as a long-lasting battery. The app lets you schedule your daily cleaning or choose a specific room. It's also possible to map out your home, which can help the device avoid areas that you don't want to visit.
The app is simple to use and has an intuitive layout. It's not a full-featured app, but it is easy to use and allows you to check the status of your robot. It also includes an informative tutorial that can guide you through the basics.
The cleaning pattern of Bounce Navigation isn't always logical. Sometimes it follows straight lines and other times it focuses on the edges of the space. However, it cleans your entire floor. It's not the most effective at climbing obstacles - it was unable to get under our pet food bowls as well as piano pedals, and was caught up in our 2.25 inch shag carpet several times.
We believe there are better robot vacuums than the 11S. The iRobot Roomba is easier to maintain, has lower recurring costs and charges more quickly. It also has a bigger dustbin, and performs better on all surfaces and can also climb over low-lying obstructions (like electrical cords) more easily.
The eufy RoboVac 11S is another alternative for regular vacuuming. It is designed very similarly to our top pick and it is great in removing fine dirt and larger debris on hard flooring. It also does a great job on medium- and low-pile carpet. It has a large dirt container and utilizes BoostIQ for automatic suction power adjustment. It comes with a user-friendly remote control, and it is possible to schedule daily cleanings using the app. The battery lasts for around an hour and the bin is easily emptied by removing it from its dock.
2. Roborock S7 maxV Ultra
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra robot vacuum and mop is a fantastic robot that comes with a an array of amazing automated features. It comes in three versions including the standard S7, the S7 MaxV Plus and the S7 MaxV Ultra. The S7 MaxV Ultra is the only one with an Empty Wash Fillet Dock (or an alternate Auto-Empty Dock). These docks allow the robot to return to its original location and empty the debris it has collected in a dust bag, or reservoir, empty the dirty water tank, and wash its mopping pads.
Sensors on the S7 collaborate to clean and avoid obstacles. It can identify floor types, save a map of rooms and zones and even detect levels of dirt. It also has the ability to plan and execute spot cleaning sessions. It was able to perform well in our tests, but it didn't quite match the iRobot Roomba j7+ in our carpet deep clean test.
Utilizing the companion app, you can program the S7 to run a cleaning cycle based on your schedule. You can choose an option for cleaning that is eco or automatic, and the day, week or even a time. You can also choose whether the robot will stop when its power is exhausted or when it comes across an obstruction.
You can still make use of the S7 even if you don't have an iPhone by connecting the charging dock to a remote control. The remote controls are a bit confusing initially, but once you've mastered the use of them, they function well. The power button functions as a general 'Clean' button and the "Spot Clean" button directs the robot to clean a small area around itself. The "Spot Clean" button also activates the child lock.
Roborock's mobile app has been enhanced to include a live view feature that lets you observe what the S7 does at home. You can activate it by pressing a certain sequence of buttons on your S7 and then creating an unlock pattern in the mobile app that is available at any time you wish to see what the S7 is doing.
3. Shark IQ Large
Shark isn't as well-known for its robot vacuums as iRobot and Roborock However, our tests on this model has shown it to be among the top self-emptying robot vacuums available on the market. It is easy to set up and has an enormous bin which can be easily emptied (albeit loudly) into a trashcan once it is full. It can also be programmed to sweep the entire house on a set schedule.
The IQ XL can connect to your home WiFi and allows you to monitor it from the Shark app and view its battery level as it cleans. The app lets you set up a cleaning routine and also receive push notifications on its condition as well as pause cleaning and then restart cleaning, or set it to clean one specific area. It can also be controlled with voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The app can tell you which power mode it is currently in--Eco, Normal, or Max--but we didn't find that any of these modes had a significant impact to cleaning performance.
The IQ XL will automatically empty the dustbin at the end of a cleaning cycle into the base, which will then automatically empty itself. The bin can store up to 60 days of debris, so you won't have to empty it more than once unless your pets have long hair. If you must empty it, all you have to do is detach the side bin, put it over a trash container and press a button to empty its contents.
The Shark IQ XL is a great vacuum cleaner. It does a decent job cleaning floors that are not bare and can move well. However it's not the best choice for carpeted floors. Shark IQ XL feels a slightly less sturdy than the Roomba 694. It removes lots of dirt from carpeted flooring and does a decent job of moving itself around however it isn't close to matching the iRobot Roomba i7 in regards to performance on carpeted surfaces. The i7 is also built better and feels more durable. It is robust, has lower maintenance requirements, is able to charge lower costs for recurring expenses, is faster to charge, and offers comparable battery performance, and comes with the most advanced automation features like no-go zones and the capability to pick specific rooms to keep clean.
4. iRobot J7+
This robot vacuum and mop combo is a rare beast that can perform both tasks efficiently. iRobot Combo j7+ has all the smarts and features of its j7 counterpart, including LiDAR maps and self-emptying. But it also offers additional features for mopping and vacuuming.
The j7+ utilizes the latest acoustic sensor to determine the type of floor and allows it to vacuum or mop the room on its first pass. It also uses this info to prioritize cleaning rooms that have carpet or rug flooring over rooms with hard floors.
The J7+ is more quiet than most robotic vacuums when it's running, and even quieter when it's mopping. Its maximum reading on our decibel meter was 64db which is similar to the background noise of office chatter.
You can easily set up a cleaning schedule and change what happens when the dust canister is full. The j7+ is also controlled by voice assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant and other. for a hands-free approach and the app lets you create and view maps of your home.
In our tests, the J7+ was a solid performer on carpeted and hard floors, and it cleaned up most of the dirt we tossed at it. It struggles a bit with pet hair and larger debris like sand, however it can clean these things with a little more effort. It also has decent navigation capabilities, as well as a pair of cliff sensors that keep it from falling down a flight of stairs or getting stuck on furniture legs.
robotvacuummops.com j7+ has a few minor flaws. One of them is that it can be caught on rugs or cords and does not always turn off the mopping function once it's finished vacuuming. In all other respects, it's an excellent product that ticks all the right boxes.
The j7+ by iRobot is one of the best self-emptying systems we've tested. It deposits its 14oz / 0.4-liter dust container into the base station, where it will automatically empty itself for you to. This will reduce the amount of trash you need to dispose of. You will only have to replace the dust disposal bag at the dock once every 60 days, depending on how often you use the j7+.