What Is a Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum?

Many robot vacuums have a built-in bin that must be manually emptied at the end of each cleaning cycle. Self-emptying bases are a great feature that adds extra value to the robot cleaner.

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

What is a self-emptying vacuum?

A self-emptying robot vacuum is one type of robot vacuum with an internal storage system, typically in the form of a small dust bin that automatically empties when it is full. This makes it unnecessary to empty the dust bin manually after each cleaning cycle and decreases the amount of time you have to spend on maintenance. You can determine the time when the bin is full by looking through a window. You can find these features on models from iRobot, Ecovacs, and Shark.

The technology is relatively new and is a premium feature on many robot vacuums. Certain models are more affordable than you'd think considering their capabilities. Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is one example. It is one of the best-rated self-emptying robot vacuums you can buy under $400.

The majority of robot vacuums come with dustbins that fill up after a couple of cleaning cycles and require manual emptying prior to the next cleaning cycle. This can be a tedious procedure, particularly for households with lots of pet hair and other allergens that can build up quickly. Also, emptying a robot vacuum can be messy as you may need to get your hands on the dirty contents or risk releasing irritants back into the air.

Self-emptying systems eliminate both of these issues by allowing robots to automatically transfer dirt and other debris out of their dustbins into a larger, enclosed storage space. This is usually a bag inside the base station that can be easily taken out and emptied as needed. The bags can also be used to filter out dust particles and hold them, which can be an advantage for those who suffer from allergies.

Another advantage of the self-emptying system is that it's less abrasive than the majority of robot vacuums, even when emptying the container. The process of transferring debris can be loud. This is not an issue for most people, but could be a concern for pets and young children.

The Best self empty robot vacuum self-emptying robotic vacuum cleaners come with a variety of useful features, like Wi-Fi connectivity as well as smart home integration, meaning you can control it from your smartphone or any other device that is connected, setting or automating runtimes, a mapping function, mop/vacuum switch options and more.

How do self-emptying vacuums work?

A typical robot vacuum utilizes an internal storage system, usually a small dustbin. It will need to be regularly emptied, based on your home's size and how dirty your floors are. By adding a self-emptying function to the robot vacuum will eliminate this problem by automatically returning to its base to empty the onboard dustbin into a separate dustbin. This is also known as Clean Base Dirt disposal (iRobot) or Auto Empty Stations (Ecovacs) or Self-Emptying Bases (Shark).

Many robot vacuums that come with this feature are also equipped with docks that can be used to mop, allowing them to double-duty at home. Some models come with different modes of mopping and vacuuming to let you pick the cleaning style that you prefer.

It is important to remember that while these features can be useful, they cost a lot to the robot vacuum, and they're not for everyone. These features can also add additional steps to the process of making and assembling a robot vacuum, which can be off-putting for some consumers.

The Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is an example of a self emptying vacuum-emptying model that's quite affordable, especially when in comparison to standard robot vacuums. This unit has powerful suction and 3D light scanning. It also can identify objects with pinpoint accuracy. Its large base can hold up to 60 days' worth of debris, and it also automatically returns to its charging dock to empty its own tank when it's filled.

It's not clear how loud a robot which can empty itself can be. While there are sometimes settings available to control the power of the device and the process of emptying could last for a few minutes or so and can be quite loud. Some users consider this noise to be a disadvantage of these devices.

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

Self-emptying models work exactly like regular robot vacuums. They sweep your floors to remove hair, dust and crumbs, then return to their charging base. A lot of self-cleaning models do have docking stations that serve as disposal units. They automatically empty the robotic cleaner's bin into an additional storage container once it's full. This means that you don't have to manually empty the half-liter container after each use, or risk overfilling it and causing a clog.

The docking mechanism on self-emptying robots can store dirt for up to 60 days before having to be removed. This means they need to be emptied less often than conventional robots. But it's important to note that the process of transfer can be loud and could wake the pets or other people around and so this feature might not be ideal for households with a sensitive ear.

It is still recommended to regularly empty the robot's trash bin and clean its filter to avoid clogs, which will affect its performance. You should also check whether the robot is plugged in, and charged, before each use.

Are self emptying robot vacuums-emptying vacuums truly worth the cost?

Many robot vacuums feature self-emptying bins, which eliminate the requirement to empty the bin manually after every cleaning session. They are more expensive than traditional vacuums, but they will save you time as they eliminate the necessity of manually emptying your robot's bin after each sweeping.

While a self-emptying robot vacuum might seem like an expensive item, it could be a great investment if you are a homeowner with a lot of activity or have pets that shed. You might also want to consider it if you have chronic allergies or live in a dusty area.

Self-emptying vacuums are operated by docking them to a larger basestation that has a hose for pulling the debris out of the robot's dust bin and into the larger receptacle. This prevents the dustbin from overflowing, or clogging and the vacuum loses suction or smell. It is recommended to empty your receptacle every 30 or 60 day depending on how often you use the device.

The majority of self-emptying robot vacuums connect to Wi-Fi. This makes it possible to control them with a smartphone. Many are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home that let you use voice commands to control your robot. This is particularly useful for those who have a busy household or have a strict schedule. It helps to keep the house clean when you're busy.

In terms of features, all self-emptying vacuums come with an excellent vacuum motor which means they are able to easily remove dust, pet hair, crumbs, and other debris from hardwood floors and low-pile carpeting. They can also be programmed to automatically vacuum and mop on the basis of a set schedule, which can make your life much easier.

If you're looking for a self-emptying robot vacuum that also does a great job of mapping and creating virtual boundaries and detecting obstacles you should consider the iRobot J7+. This powerful vacuum is among the top models in its class and will not be disappointed. If you're looking for a bargain but want to save money the Shark IQ XL is an excellent choice that has many of the same features at an affordable price.