What Is a Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum?

Many robot vacuums have an internal bin that needs to be manually empty at the end of each cleaning cycle. Self-emptying bases are a premium feature that adds value to the robotic cleaner.

Are they worth the recurring cost? This review takes a close look at the Shark EZ robot vacuum and its self-emptying base.

What is a self-emptying vacuum?

Self-emptying robot vacuums are robot cleaners with an internal storage system. It usually takes the form a small dustbin that automatically emptys itself when it is full. This eliminates the need to empty the dust bin manually after every cleaning cycle and also reduces the amount of time you have to spend on maintenance. You can determine the time when the bin is full through a window. These features are offered on models by iRobot Ecovacs and Shark.

The technology is relatively new and is a top feature on many robot vacuums. However, a few models can provide this capability at a a much more affordable price than you'd expect due to their high-end capabilities. For instance the Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is among our top self-emptying vacuums that can be purchased for less than $400.

The majority of robot vacuums come with dustbins that get full after a few cleaning cycles and require manual emptying prior the next clean-up. This can be a tedious process, particularly for families with a lot of pet hair and allergens that can build up quickly. In addition, emptying a robotic vacuum can be messy as you may need to get your hands on the dirty contents or risk releasing irritants into the air.

The self-emptying system eliminates both of these issues by allowing robots to move dirt and debris from their bins to an enclosed, larger storage area. This is usually a bag inside the base station, which can be easily removed and empty whenever needed. These bags can also be used to filter out dust particles and hold them, which can be beneficial for those who suffer from allergies.

The self-emptying system also has an advantage of being quieter than the majority of robot vacuums, even while emptying their containers. The transfer of debris from the robot to the base could be a bit loud but it's not a big issue for the majority of people, but it can be alarming for pets and children in the home.

The most effective self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners also come with other useful features, including Wi-Fi connectivity as well as smart home integration, meaning you can control it from your smartphone or any other connected device, automatic/set runtimes, a mapping function, mop/vacuum switch options, and much more.

How do self-emptying vacuums work?

A regular robot vacuum has an internal storage system. It is typically a small dustbin. It'll need to be regularly emptied, based on your home's size and how dirty your floors are. The addition of a self-emptying feature on the robot vacuum will eliminate the problem by reversing to its base to empty the dust bin onboard into a secondary dustbin. This is also referred to Clean Base Dirt disposal (iRobot), Auto Empty Stations (Ecovacs) or Self-Emptying Bases (Shark).

Many models of robot vacuums with this feature also come equipped with a dock which can be used to mop, meaning the machine is able to do double duty in your home. Some models have different modes of mopping and vacuuming to allow you to choose the style of cleaning you prefer.

These features are helpful but they can be costly. They're not suitable for all. These features may also add additional steps to the process of using and setting up the robot vacuum, which could be off-putting for some consumers.

The Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is an self-emptying model which is quite affordable, especially when compared to standard robot vacuums. This particular model comes with powerful suction and 3D light scanning and precise object recognition, which means it's capable of tackling just about anything on your floors. The large base can hold up to 60 days' worth of debris, and it also automatically returns to its dock for charging to empty itself when it's full.

One thing that isn't immediately obvious is how loud self emptying robot vacuum pet hair-emptying robots can be. Although there are a few options to regulate the power of the device however, the process of emptying could take up to a minute or so and may be quite loud. Some people find this sound to be a drawback of these devices.

How often should a vacuum cleaner that self-empties be cleaned?

Like regular robot vacuums, self-emptying models scour your floors for hair, dust and crumbs before returning to their base to charge. A lot of self-cleaning models do have docking stations that also function as disposal units. They automatically empty the bin of the robot cleaner into an additional storage container once it's full. You don't need to empty the half-liter container after each use, or risk creating the possibility of clogging.

In fact, the docking systems on some self emptying robot vacuum with dual brushes-emptying robots can keep up to 60 days of dirt before being disposed of, meaning that they will need to be empty far less frequently than conventional robots. However, it is important to remember that the process of transfer can be noisy and can cause a disturbance to pet or human companions and so this feature might not be ideal for households with sensitive ears.

You should continue to empty the robot's trash bin and clean its filter to avoid blockages, which can affect its performance. And you should also check the power button on the robot to make sure it's fully charged and plugged in prior to every use.

Are self-emptying vacuums really worth the cost?

Many robot vacuums have self-emptying bins that eliminate the requirement to manually empty the bin after every cleaning session. They are more expensive than traditional vacuums, however they can save you time and effort by eliminating the need to empty your robot's dustbin after every sweep.

A self-emptying robotic vacuum may appear to be a luxury that isn't needed but it can be a good investment in the event that your home is crowded or you have pets that shed. It could also be a worthwhile investment for those who suffer from allergies that are chronic or live in a place that is dusty.

Self-emptying vacuums operate by docking them with an additional basestation that comes with an hose that pulls the debris from the robot's dustbin and into the larger receptacle. This stops the dust bin from overflowing or clogging and the vacuum loses suction or smell. You'll usually need to empty your receptacle every 30 or 60 days based on how often you use the device.

Many self-emptying vacuums can be set to connect to Wi-Fi. This makes them easy to control using tablets or smartphones. Many models are compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. This allows you to control them with voice commands. This is especially useful when you have a busy family or have a strict schedule. It makes it easier to keep your home tidy when you're busy.

In terms of features, the majority of self-emptying vacuums come with high-quality motors for vacuums which means they are able to effortlessly remove dust, pet hair and crumbs as well as other debris from hardwood floors and carpets with low pile. They can also be programmed to automatically vacuum and mop on a specific schedule, which makes your life much easier.

If you're seeking a self-emptying robot vacuum that does a great job of mapping and creating virtual boundaries and detecting obstacles you should consider the iRobot j7+. This powerful robot vacuum is the top in its class and won't let you down. Shark IQ XL offers many of these features at an affordable price.