The Best Robot Vacuum Deals This Week*
- iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $999.99 (List Price $1,399.99)
- Shark AV2501AE AI Robot Vacuum With Self-Empty Base — $319.99 (List Price $649.99)
- Roborock Q5 Pro 5500Pa Robot Vacuum and Mop — $299.99 (List Price $429.99)
- Ecovacs Deebot N10 Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop With Base — $349.99 (List Price $649.99)
- Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop — $999.99 (List Price $1,599.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
The whole point of a robot vacuum is to cut down on your housework, but cleaning the unit itself can become just another chore on your (probably already long) list. If you're tired of emptying your bot's bursting dustbin on the daily, consider investing in a more self-sufficient model with automatic bin-emptying abilities.
I test these products regularly and one of the best innovations in the space in recent years has been the development of robots that can empty their own dustbins. After making the switch, you won't ever want to go back. Beyond offering greater convenience than their traditional counterparts, self-emptying robot vacuums significantly limit your exposure to dust, a big plus if you suffer from allergies.
As you might imagine, these vacuums tend to cost more than manual models. Is the premium worth it for you? Read on for an overview of how they work, what to look for when buying one, and the best self-emptying robot vacuums we've tested.
Table of Contents
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni
Best Vacuum and Mop Hybrid
Why We Picked It
The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni is among the most advanced robotic floor cleaners on the market, with the ability to both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, wash and dry its own mop cloth, and refill its water tank. It even doubles as a roving home security camera with two-way audio and features a built-in voice assistant (dubbed Yiko) that enables voice controls without a separate smart speaker. When its dustbin is full, the X2 Omni empties the contents into a 3-liter dust bag in its base station. When you run out of bags, you need to buy replacements from Ecovacs ($39.98 for a pack of six).
Who It's For
This top-of-the-line model is suitable for those who are willing to pay a premium for convenience. With solid battery life, strong suction power, and AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology, the X2 Omni is an excellent option for large homes, as well as those with pets. The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra offers similar features and performance, but the X2 Omni is our Editors' Choice thanks to its more streamlined design, Yiko virtual assistant, larger dust bags, and built-in hot air mop dryer.
PROS
- D shape for better corner, edge cleaning
- 8,000Pa of suction power
- Hot-water mop washing
- Lifts mop over carpet
- Built-in security camera and voice assistant
- Efficient cleaning and mapping
- AI obstacle avoidance
CONS
- May still dampen carpet
- Occasionally gets stuck
- Shorter battery life than predecessor
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.6 by 13.9 by 3.74 |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 105 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
iRobot Roomba j7+
Best for Avoiding Pet Accidents
Why We Picked It
The iRobot Roomba j7+ is one of the smartest standalone robot vacuums you can buy, with a pet waste-evasion guarantee and a self-emptying base that means you rarely have to lift a finger. It uses a built-in camera and machine learning technology to recognize obstacles in its path and automatically reroute around them. When it docks after a cleaning run, the robot automatically empties its dustbin into an allergen-sealed bag that holds around 60 days' worth of debris, depending on how often you vacuum and the cleanliness of your home. You get two in the box; when you run out, you can purchase a pack of three for $19.99. As with the Combo model, its self-emptying base is fairly compact and looks classy, with a matte ribbed texture on the canister and a leather pull tab on the lid.
Who It's For
If you have a cluttered home or accident-prone pets, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is the model to buy. It comes with a P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee: If the Roomba j7+ fails to avoid solid pet waste within a year of purchase, iRobot will send you a new one for free. Also check out the Combo model, which carries a $300 premium over the standard Roomba j7+ and adds one key feature: mopping.
PROS
- Pet waste-avoidance guarantee
- Auto-empty base
- Intelligently suggests Keep-Out Zones
- Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
- Allows for scheduled area cleanings
- Rarely gets stuck
- User-friendly companion app
CONS
- Expensive
- Unimpressive battery life
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.3 by 13.3 by 3.4 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 86 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE
Best for Bag-Free Self-Emptying
Why We Picked It
Although most self-emptying robot vacuums transfer the contents of their bin into a bag, the Shark IQ Robot XL takes a different approach. It has two dustbins: one in the robot itself, and a larger one in the base station that you need to empty only about once a month. The advantage of Shark's bagless auto-empty system is that you never have to worry about running out of bags. Otherwise, it delivered strong suction power in our tests, effectively cleaning dust, debris, and pet hair from hard flooring and carpet, and it never got stuck.
Who It's For
If you want to upgrade from a basic robot vacuum to one with self-emptying abilities, the Shark IQ Robot XL is an excellent choice. Thanks to its bagless self-emptying system and self-cleaning brushroll, it's one of the lowest-maintenance models we've tested. That said, allergy sufferers might prefer the comparably priced Roomba i3+ EVO, which empties its bin into an AllergenLock bag, thus preventing any dust exposure. The more expensive Shark AI XL is another compelling choice that offers double the bin capacity of the Shark IQ XL.
PROS
- Features a bagless self-emptying base and self-cleaning brushroll
- Maps your home and supports scheduling, area cleaning, and virtual no-go zones
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Comes with a physical boundary strip
- Never got stuck in testing
CONS
- Average battery life
- Can get loud
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.9 by 12.6 by 3.5 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 97 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
Best for Vigorous Mopping
Why We Picked It
The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra stands alongside the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni as one of the most hands-off floor-cleaning robots on the market. Like the Omni, this high-end hybrid can do it all: It vacuums and mops your floors, then empties its dustbin, washes its mopping cloth, and refills its water tank so it's always ready for the next run. With a maximum suction rating of 5,100 pascals (Pa), the S7 MaxV Ultra is among the most powerful models we've tested, too. It comes with a preinstalled 2.5-liter dust bag and an extra one in the box. Replacement bags cost $31.99 for a pack of six.
Who It's For
If you're deciding between this Roborock model and the similar X2 Omni, go with the former if you have a lot of hard flooring and you mainly care about mopping performance. Roborock's bot uses sonic vibrations to scrub your floors 3,000 times per minute, whereas the X2 Omni's circular mopping pads spin at just 180 revolutions per minute. Both robots left our test floors spotless, but the S7 MaxV Ultra is slightly better at deep cleaning. We prefer this model over the newer Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, which has a non-removable mop mount and slightly scratched our floors in testing.
PROS
- Self-washing and refilling mop
- Self-emptying dustbin
- AI-powered obstacle avoidance
- Carpet sensor and mop-lifting feature
- Best-in-class mopping performance
- Works as a security camera with two-way audio
- Can install/remove mop bracket while robot is docked
CONS
- Expensive
- Large base
- No hot-air mop-drying
- Smaller water tanks and dust bag than top competitor
- Camera doesn't point outward when robot docks
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.8 by 13.8 by 3.8 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 126 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
iRobot Roomba s9+
Best for Cleaning Corners
Why We Picked It
The older Roomba s9+ boasts some strengths over the newer Roomba j7+, including stronger suction power and better edge cleaning thanks to its D shape. When the s9+ docks itself, the Clean Base automatically sucks up all the dirt it collected. The base holds up to 30 cleaning runs' worth of debris and the app notifies you when it's time to swap it out for a new one. The vacuum comes with two bags, and you can buy more in packs of three for $19.99.
Who It's For
With 40 times the suction power of the Roomba 600 series, the s9+ is the strongest choice among iRobot's lineup for homes with carpets or shedding pets. But if lots of objects crowd your floors or your pets occasionally have accidents in the house, the Roomba j7+ is the better option.
PROS
- Self-emptying dustbin.
- Ultra-powerful suction.
- Smart navigation.
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
CONS
- Expensive.
- Loud.
- Mediocre battery life.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.3 by 12.3 by 3.5 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 60 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+
Best Midrange Hybrid
Why We Picked It
This midrange Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ 2-in-1 is equally adept at vacuuming and mopping your floors, and it can empty its own dustbin after it completes the job. High-end robot vacuums now tip 8,000Pa of suction, but you don't necessarily need that much power. Its rating of 2,600Pa is still sufficient for carpeting and pet hair if you let it do multiple passes. In testing, the N8 Pro+'s automatic bin emptying feature worked well, always successfully transferring debris to the bag in the base. It comes with a hypoallergenic disposable dust bag preinstalled and there's an extra one in the box. Additional packs of three bags go for $20.
Who It's For
The Ozmo N8 Pro+ is a couple of years old, but it's still a worthwhile choice, especially because we've seen it on sale for around $400. That's a steal considering the Roomba i3+ EVO costs about the same and lacks mopping support. In this price range, we also like the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI; it adds home monitoring abilities, but has less suction power (1,500 Pa) and requires you to purchase its auto-empty dock separately.
PROS
- Vacuums and mops
- Includes self-emptying dustbin
- Strong suction power
- Automatically detects carpet
- Supports virtual boundaries, schedules, and zone cleaning
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
CONS
- Expensive
- Minor mapping issues in testing
- Average battery life
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.9 by 13.9 by 3.7 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 96 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
iRobot Roomba Combo j7+
Best Mop-Lifting Technology
Why We Picked It
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is the first floor-cleaning robot with a fully retractable mop, a feature that allows this pricey 2-in-1 to suction debris and remove grime in a single run without wetting carpets. It supports self-emptying and comes with two Dirt Disposal bags, each of which holds roughly 60 days' worth of debris assuming normal use. Replacement packs of three cost $19.99.
Who It's For
The Combo j7+ offers the same advanced AI obstacle avoidance technology and poop-evasion guarantee as the standard non-mopping Roomba j7+, so it's an excellent option for homes with a mix of floor types. Some high-end competitors on this list offer more scrubbing oomph and require less mop maintenance, but the Combo j7+ is a top choice for efficient double-duty cleaning runs. Its successor, the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+, is worth considering as well if you can find it on sale. We like the Combo j7+ better for its value, but the Combo j9+ adds extra suction power and a self-refilling water reservoir.
PROS
- Vacuums and mops
- Retractable mop prevents carpet wetting
- Excellent obstacle avoidance
- Pet waste-avoidance guarantee
- Auto-empty base
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
- Supports virtual Keep Out, No Mop, and Clean zones
- User-friendly companion app
CONS
- One unit malfunctioned in testing
- Mop tank requires manual refilling each time
- Scrubs less than some competitors
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.3 by 13.3 by 3.4 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 111 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
Most Affordable Self-Emptying Roomba
Why We Picked It
The Roomba i3+ EVO is iRobot's most affordable model with a self-emptying dustbin. It offers 10 times the suction power of the entry-level Roomba 600 series and did a good job of removing dirt from hard floors and carpets in testing. When it finds an especially dirty area, it automatically engages Dirt Detect mode and moves over the offending spot multiple times. This model also boasts smart mapping capabilities, so you can send it to specific rooms with phone or voice commands. Its Clean Base comes with a preinstalled bag and you get an extra one in the box. Replacements cost $19.99 for a pack of three.
Who It's For
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a compelling option if you suffer from allergies because it uses a high-efficiency filter to capture allergens as it cleans, and transfers its bin contents into a bag. One caveat is that the i3+ EVO's mapping capabilities are limited to a single floor; its pricier siblings can remember multiple floors, a must for multi-level homes. For comparison, the Roomba j7+ boasts more advanced obstacle-avoidance tech and the Roomba s9+ offers the most suction power in iRobot's lineup.
PROS
- Self-emptying dustbin
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
- Supports scheduling and area cleaning
- Detects and focuses on heavily soiled areas
CONS
- Average battery life
- Can be loud
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.26 by 13.26 by 3.63 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 90 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
Shark AI Self-Empty XL RV2502AE
Best Bagless Bin Capacity
Why We Picked It
The Shark AI Self-Empty XL offers the same bagless self-emptying system as the Shark IQ XL, just with double the bin capacity. Shark estimates that the large dustbin in its base station can hold up to 60 days worth of dust and debris between manual emptyings. The base station canister traps 99.97% of dust and allergens down to 0.3 microns, complying with HEPA standards according to the company. A transparent window on the right side of the base lets you check the fill level. This model also offers an UltraClean Mode for pet hair and carpeting. In testing, the vacuum delivered strong suction power, effectively collecting dust, debris, and pet hair from hard flooring and carpet. It got stuck occasionally, however.
Who It's For
Shark makes some of the best-performing robot vacuums we've tested, but for homes with shedding pets, we recommend this model over the more affordable Shark IQ XL because of its larger bin capacity. We also appreciate the convenience of Shark's bagless auto-empty system, but allergy sufferers should stick with an option that uses bags to avoid all potential exposure.
PROS
- Excellent cleaning performance
- Large base only needs to be emptied about every two months
- New UltraClean mode for pet hair and carpeting
- Two-hour battery life
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Supports scheduling, no-go zones, and area cleaning
CONS
- Occasionally gets stuck
- Loud
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.7 by 13.7 by 4.1 inches |
| Battery Life (Tested) | 120 minutes |
| Mop/Vacuum Hybrid | |
| Scheduling | |
| Virtual Walls | |
| Remote Control | |
| Phone Control |
How Do Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums Work?
Using a standard robot vacuum can sometimes feel like trading one dirty task for another: You no longer have to vacuum your floors, but you have to clean your robot all the time—ideally after every run—to ensure it continues to work properly. When manually emptying a robot vacuum's dustbin, some of what's trapped in there inevitably escapes into the air. If you're allergic to dust like I am, I recommend wearing a mask when doing this chore. I tend to start coughing and sneezing without one.
Most self-emptying robot vacuums eliminate this step. They typically come with a sizable base station that charges the robot and features a canister on top with an allergen-sealed bag that holds at least a month's worth of debris.
When the robot docks in the base after a cleaning run, the auto-empty function initiates automatically. The process produces a lot of noise for about 15 to 30 seconds—about the volume of an old-school standing vacuum—as it sucks the debris from the robot's bin into the dust bag. When the bag is full, you usually get an alert in the robot's companion app. The robot or base also likely has a full-bag indicator light. Needless to say, these models offer a far superior user experience than traditional robot vacuums that require a significant amount of manual labor.
Are Self-Emptying Vacuums Worth It?
Self-emptying robot vacuums have existed for about a decade, but they didn't really take off until iRobot introduced the Roomba i7+ in 2018. With a $949.99 debut price, it was one of the priciest robot vacuums we'd seen up to that point, but it still impressed us in testing.
Since then, iRobot and its competitors have steadily released new self-emptying robot vacuums, and the pricing on these models has been coming down. A couple of years ago, it would have been difficult to find one for less than $1,000, but that's no longer the case. They're still not cheap, but you can now find self-emptying models in the $600 range (or less on sale).
In 2020, iRobot introduced its most affordable model with a self-emptying dustbin, the Roomba i3+, and it's a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade from a traditional model that requires manual bin emptying.
Most self-emptying robot vacuums bundle everything you need in the box. Others come with a standard docking station but require you to purchase the auto-empty base separately. All-in-one models are generally easier to set up, but buying the components separately gives you the flexibility to use the robot with the auto-empty dock or its standard docking station.
Aside from the hefty price, one of the drawbacks of self-emptying models is the ongoing cost of replacement bags. Self-emptying vacuums typically come with one dust bag preinstalled in the base and one extra in the box. As mentioned, each dust bag holds around a month of debris, but that depends on how often you vacuum and the cleanliness of your floors. The cost of replacement bags varies, but expect to pay around $20 for a pack of three to six.
You can find knockoffs online, but it's worth it to buy the official bags. We tried third-party bags with the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, and a poor-fitting cardboard mount prevented the auto-emptying feature from working properly.
If the ongoing cost of dust bags deters you, you might prefer Shark models, which have a unique, bagless auto-empty system. After docking, the vacuum automatically empties its dustbin into a larger, bagless bin in the base that you need to manually empty only about once per month. When its large dustbin is full, you hold it over the trash, press the Empty button on the side, and the bottom opens so the contents fall directly into the trash. It's a relatively clean process, though if you have a severe dust allergy, you might prefer a model that uses bags.
Another thing to keep in mind: Most auto-empty models are an eyesore. Due to the canister on top, self-emptying base stations are typically much larger than traditional robot vacuum docks. If aesthetics are a big concern and you can't hide the robot away in a corner, this could be a drawback.
Fortunately, vendors seem to be placing more of an emphasis on design as of late. The Roomba Combo j9+, iRobot's latest self-emptying robot vacuum, features a classier canister design than previous models, with a wood top that can double as a side table. Instead of flipping it open from the top like its predecessors, you use a leather pull tab to open the front, which also looks nice with its matte ribbed texture. The new front hatch lets you place lamps and knickknacks on the lid without needing to remove them when it's time for maintenance.
Finally, whether you decide to go with a self-emptying vacuum or a standard model, be sure to read up on our robot vacuum tips to get the most out of your new cleaning companion. And if you are loyal to iRobot, we have a roundup of the best Roombas.
