What Is a Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum?
Many robot vacuums come with 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 value to the robotic cleaner.
Are they worth the recurring cost? This review focuses on the Shark EZ robotic vacuum and its self emptying base.
What is a self-emptying vacuum?
Self-emptying robot vacuums are robot cleaners that come with an internal storage system. This usually takes the form of a small, compact dustbin that automatically emptys itself once it's full. This eliminates the need for manually emptying the dustbin after every cleaning cycle and cuts down on maintenance time. You can see the time when the bin is full through an open window. You can find these features on models from iRobot, Ecovacs, and Shark.
This technology is relatively recent and is a feature that is present on a variety of robot vacuums. However, a few models offer this functionality at lower costs than you'd expect due to their advanced capabilities. For instance, the Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is one of our top self-emptying vacuums that can be purchased for less than $400.
The majority of robot vacuums have dustbins that fill up after some cleaning sessions. They must be empty manually prior to the next cleaning cycle. This can be a tedious process, particularly for families with lots of pet hair and allergens that can build up quickly. The process of emptying a robotic vacuum is also messy, as you could be required to touch the dirty items and be at risk of releasing irritating substances into the air.
The self-emptying system eliminates both issues by allowing robots to transfer dirt and debris out of their trash bins into an enclosed, larger storage area. It is typically an enclosed bag in the base station that can be easily removed and empty whenever required. These bags can also filter dust particles, capturing them and being a boon to allergy sufferers.
The self-emptying device also has the advantage of being quieter than the majority of robot vacuums, even when emptying their containers. The transfer of debris from the bot to the base could be a bit noisy however it's not a huge deal for most people, but it could be a nightmare for pets and children at home.
The most effective self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners have many other useful features, like Wi-Fi connectivity as well as smart home integration, so you can control it from your smartphone or other connected device, automatic/set timers, a mapping feature mop/vacuum switch and many more.
How can a self-emptying vacuum function?
A regular robot vacuum uses an internal storage system, which is usually it's a small dustbin. It'll need to be regularly emptied, based on your home's size and how dirty your floors are. This problem can be eliminated by incorporating a self-emptying function to the robot vacuum. It will automatically return to its base and empty the bin onboard into a second dust bin. This is also known as Clean Base Dirt disposal (iRobot) or 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 for mopping, meaning the machine will be able to double-duty in your home. Some models have different ways of mopping and vacuuming to let you pick the cleaning style that you prefer.
It's important to note that while these features can be helpful, they do add a significant amount of cost to the robot vacuum, so they're not a viable option for everyone. These features also add additional steps to the process of setting up and using the robot vacuum, which could be a bit daunting for some users.
Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum, a self- emptying robot vacuum that's still affordable when compared to other robotic vacuums. It has powerful suction and 3D light scanning. It also can identify objects with pinpoint accuracy. The large base can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. It then returns to its charging station to re-fill itself once it is full.
It's not clear how loud a machine that is able to empty itself can be. Although there are a few settings available to control the power of the device, the process of emptying could last up to a minute or so and may be quite loud. Some people find this sound to be a disadvantage of these devices.
How often should a vacuum that self-empties be empty?
As with regular robot vacuums self-emptying models scour your floors for hair, dust and crumbs, then return to their base to charge. In contrast to regular robots the majority of self-cleaning models have docking stations that serve as disposal units that automatically empty the robotic cleaner's dustbin into a bigger storage bin when it's full. You don't need to empty a half-liter bin after every use, or risk causing the possibility of clogging.
In fact, the docking systems of certain self-emptying robots are able to keep up to 60 days of dirt prior to getting rid of, which means they need to be emptied much less frequently than conventional bots. It is important to keep in mind that the transfer process is loud and could wake the pets or other people around, so this feature may not be suitable for families with sensitive ears.
You should still regularly empty the robot's dustbin and clean its filter to prevent obstructions that could impact the robot's performance. You should also check that the robot is plugged into the power source and charged before each use.
Are self-emptying vacuums worth the cost?
Many robot vacuums feature self-emptying bins that eliminate the requirement to empty the bin manually after every cleaning session. These devices are more expensive than traditional robot vacuums, but they can help you save time and energy by removing the need to empty your robot's dustbin after every sweep.
Although a self-emptying vacuum may appear to be an expensive item, it could be a worthwhile investment when you live in a busy home or have pets that shed. You might also want to consider it if suffer from chronic allergies or live in a dusty area.
Self-emptying vacuums function by docking with a larger base station that has an hose that is used to move the particles from the robot's trash bin into the larger receptacle. This stops the dustbin from overflowing, or getting blocked and causing the vacuum to lose suction or smell. In the majority of instances, you'll need empty the receptacle every 30 or 60 days, based 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 from a smartphone. Many of them are compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. This allows you to control them with voice commands. This is especially useful if you have a busy household or are on a tight schedule. It helps you keep your home tidy when you're busy.
The majority of self-emptying robotic vacuums come with a powerful motor which is able to effortlessly pick up pet fur dust, crumbs, and other debris from hardwood floors as well as low pile carpeting. They can also be programmed to automatically vacuum and mop on an established schedule, which makes your life much easier.
The iRobot J7+ is the best robot vacuum that can self-empty, mapping the boundaries of virtual borders and detecting obstructions. This powerful robot vacuum is the best in its class and won't disappoint. If you're looking for a bargain however the Shark IQ XL is an great alternative that comes with many of the same features for a lower price point.