The Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuums for 2025

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If you're tired of emptying your robot vacuum's bursting dustbin daily, consider investing in a more self-sufficient model. Self-emptying robot vacuums have become common, and you've come to the right place in your search for the best of the bunch. We've been reviewing robot vacuums that can empty their dustbins since Roomba introduced the feature in 2018. Our top pick, the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni, offers a truly hands-off floor cleaning experience with the ability to vacuum, mop, empty its dustbin, wash and dry its mopping pads, and then wash its own base station. Whether you want a top-of-the-line 2-in-1 or a basic, affordable model that works well, our list of the best self-emptying robot vacuums has options for all needs and budgets.

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. Finding one for less than $1,000 would have been difficult a couple of years ago, but that's no longer the case. TP-Link's RV30 Max Plus is one of the most affordable self-emptying robot vacuums we've tested at just $299.99.

In 2020, iRobot introduced its most affordable model with a self-emptying dustbin, the Roomba i3+. Today, the Roomba i3+ EVO (the same hardware with updated software) remains 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 empty only about once per month manually. 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 base station 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+ 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.