6 Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums, Tested by Cleaning Experts

The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab has been testing all kinds of vacuums for over 100 years. To evaluate and find the best self-emptying robot vacs, we subject each model to several performance, maneuverability and ease-of-use tests, collecting hundreds of data points across several testing categories.

✔️ Combo device vs. two separate robots: Across the board, more brands are releasing combination robots that can both vacuum and mop. These models can cut cleaning time in half and save space at home, as only one charging base is needed. If your home has a lot of carpets, make sure that the combo model you buy has good carpet recognition abilities and can lift the mopping pads high enough off the floor to avoid wetting carpets unnecessarily. If you have the space for it and prefer to have two separate models, consider getting a vacuum and a mop from the same brand that can work together to keep your floors clean. For example, iRobot has its Imprint Link Technology that allows the brand’s Roombas and Braava Jets to communicate with each other and start a mopping task after a vacuuming session is completed.

✔️ Analyze your space: If you have a larger home, you will likely need a robot that has a long-lasting battery and a large dustbin. Most models are now able to pause a cleaning task, recharge and then resume the task where it paused earlier, though charging time for a full battery can be anywhere from 2 to 7 hours. With a self-emptying model, dustbin size is less important as the robot will automatically return to its base to empty when it is full. Another solution is to schedule cleaning tasks for separate rooms in your home on individual days so your robot has a smaller area to cover during each session. All robot vacuums can clean tile and vinyl floors, but if your home has lots of wood flooring, make sure that the model you choose is safe for use on this surface. Fluffy brush rolls and the ability to control the amount of water that is dispensed onto floors are things to look out for.

✔️ Features: The newest robots on the market have a long list of impressive features. Some brands will even release new features through a robot’s app via software updates. Here are some of the most common ones available:

• App integration: Through apps, many robots allow you to schedule cleaning sessions, track a robot's movement, set up no-go zones and adjust settings like suction power and the amount of water that is used when mopping. If your self-emptying robot has a camera, some apps will allow you to view a live feed as it moves around the home. Without an app, some models may have the ability to establish no-go zones and spot clean but likely will not have many other adjustable features.
• Mapping capabilities: When cleaning for the first time, most robot vacuums and mops will create a map of your home which allows them to clean faster in the future. Some models can only save one map at a time, while others can save multiple maps, ideal for homes with two or more levels. Mapping capabilities can also be more limited on some models, saving major structural aspects of your home like walls and doorways, but not smaller objects like chairs and dog beds. Through a robot’s connected app, many models also allow you to label objects and designate the area around them as no-go zones to keep your robot away. You may be able to send the robot to clean just one zone or room in your home at a time, like the kitchen after dinner prep.
• Carpet sensors: Many robots are able to sense the difference between hard floor and carpet, increasing suction to better remove stubborn, embedded dirt. This is especially useful if your robot mops and vacuums in the same session. Look for models that will stop dispensing water when carpets are detected. Note that just one of the self-emptying robots we tested for this story lifted the mopping pad high enough to avoid wetting our test carpets.
• No-go zones: If you want to keep the robot out of certain areas, make sure the model you purchase allows you to designate areas as no-go zones. Older models work with strips you have to set up around the area you’d like to keep the robot out of, while new robots usually are able to remember areas to stay away from after you’ve designated them as no-go zones through the appliance’s app.
• Schedule cleaning: One of the greatest strengths of robot vacuums is that they can be made to clean while you are away. Another perk of using your robot vacuum with a connected app is being able to set a cleaning schedule for your robot to follow when you are away from home. For even more customization, look for a model that allows you to set different schedules for every room in your home with individualized suction power settings set for each room.

✔️ Price: Self-emptying robot vacuums can be pretty pricey. Models with fewer features and older releases are often less expensive than the newest models on the market. One brand we tested has a trade-in program that provides you with credits to purchase a new model from the brand in exchange for your old robot. You can find models for as low as $20 on retailers like Amazon, but we don’t recommend these as they will likely not perform well.

We think so! None of the robot vacuums, robot mops or combo vacuum mops we’ve tested will replace a full-size vacuum and mop, but they will keep floors cleaner in between major floor cleaning tasks. When it is finally time to pull out your favorite manual vacuum, they can also reduce the amount of time it takes to whip your floors back into shape.

A robot vacuum may be especially helpful if you have allergies. "All types of vacuum cleaners can result in particles and allergens being thrown up into the breathing zone... [An] added benefit of a robotic vacuum cleaner is that if you are particularly sensitive to dust and allergens, you can vacuum while not even being in the room," says Dr. Gráinne Cunniffe, Science Lead, Allergy Standards Ltd and Principal Investigator at the iAIR Institute. Because they eliminate the chore of emptying the robot's dustbin after every cycle, self-emptying models can be even better.

If you have a busy schedule, limited mobility or just dislike having to clean often, a robot vacuum can be a worthwhile investment. But it's one that could cost you upwards of $800. Some of the newest models with tons of bells and whistles cost even more — $1,000 and up.

But you know what they say: You get what you pay for. Today's models don't just rely on the old bump-and-go method — haphazardly changing direction once it hits an obstacle — which is common among inexpensive models under $500. The special features on newer models such as cameras, advanced navigation, obstacle avoidance and self-emptying docks all add to the price.

These high-end features are valuable since these models offer a more thorough clean. They have high suction power, and their detailed mapping and navigation abilities make them less likely to miss spots. They also help protect other investments in your home, like furniture legs or trim and molding. Importantly, they're also less likely to encounter and spread any obstacles, including the dreaded pet mess.

Typically, robot vacuums should be emptied after every cleaning session. Because self-emptying units do this part for you, the onboard dust bin on self-emptying robots does not need to be emptied at all, but the charging base where dust and debris are collected usually needs to be emptied or have a bag replaced every 60 to 90 days. Of course, if your robot is picking up more debris than usual, it will likely require more frequent emptying than that.

Jodhaira Rodriguez was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. She tested dozens of floor cleaning devices including vacuum and mop combo devices, stick vacuums and more. She tested many of the self-emptying robots included in this round-up.

Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. To update this story, he evaluated several newer robot vacuum models and scrutinized previous testing data to compare them to our past favorites.