What Is a Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum?
Many robot vacuums come with a built-in dustbin that needs to be emptied manually after each cleaning cycle. Self-emptying bases can be beneficial to robot vacuums.
But are they worth the cost of recurring? This review takes a close look at the Shark EZ robot vacuum and its self-emptying base.
What is a self-emptying vacuum?
A self-emptying robot vacuum is a type of robot cleaner that has an internal storage system, usually in the form of a small dust bin that automatically emptys itself when it is full. This eliminates the need to do manual emptying of the dustbin after each cleaning cycle and cuts down on maintenance time. You can determine the time when the bin is full through the window. These features are available on models by iRobot Ecovacs and Shark.
The technology is relatively new and is a premium feature on a lot of robot vacuums. However, a few models offer this functionality at lower costs than you would expect considering their advanced capabilities. For example the Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is one of our top-rated self-emptying vacuums that you can purchase for under $400.
Most robot vacuums come with dustbins that are filled after some cleaning sessions. They must be empty manually before the next cleaning session. This can be a tedious process, particularly for families that have a lot of pet hair and other allergens that accumulate quickly. Cleaning a robotic vacuum can be also messy, since you may have to get your hands on the dirty items and risk releasing irritants into air.
Self-emptying solves both of these issues by making it possible for the robot to transfer dirt and other debris from the dustbin to an additional enclosed storage area. This is usually a bag or canister within the base station that is easily removable and can be emptied when needed. These bags also filter out dust particles and hold them, which is a boon for people who suffer from allergies.
robot vacuum mops of the self-emptying system is that it's less noisy than most robot vacuums even when emptying the container. The transfer of debris from the bot to the base may be a bit loud, which isn't a big issue for the majority of people, but it might be alarming for pets and children at home.
The top self-emptying robotic vacuum cleaners have many other useful features, including Wi-Fi connectivity as well as smart home integration, so you can control it via your smartphone or other connected device, automatic/set runtimes, a mapping function mop/vacuum switch and many more.
How does an automated vacuum cleaner work?
A typical robot vacuum comes with an internal storage system. This is usually a small dustbin. It'll need to be regularly emptied, based on your home's size and how filthy your floors are. This problem can be eliminated by adding a self-emptying feature to the robot vacuum. It will return to its base and empty the bin onboard into a second dust bin. This is also referred to as Clean Base Dirt disposal (iRobot) or Auto Empty Stations (Ecovacs) or Self-Emptying Bases (Shark).
Many robot vacuums that come with this feature come with docks that can be used to mop, allowing the machine to perform double duty at home. There are even different modes for cleaning and mopping, which allows you to achieve the specific cleaning style you want.
It's important to keep in mind that while these features can be helpful, they do cost a lot to the robot vacuum, and they're not a viable option for everyone. These features can also add additional steps to setting up and using a robot vacuum, which may be off-putting for some consumers.
The Shark RV912S EZ Robot Vacuum is an example of a self-emptying model that's quite affordable, especially when compared to standard robot vacuums. This particular model has powerful suction, 3D light scanning, and precise object recognition, meaning it's able to tackle just about anything on your floors. Its large base holds up to 60 days of debris, and it returns to its charging station to empty itself when it's fully emptied.
It's not clear how loud a robot which can empty itself could be. While there are sometimes settings that can be used to regulate the power of the device, the process of emptying can take up to a minute or so and may be quite loud. Because of this, some people find the noise to be a drawback of these devices.
How often does a self-emptying vacuum have to be empty?
Like regular robot vacuums, self-emptying models scour your floors for dust, hair, and crumbs then return to their base to charge. Some models that self-clean do have docking stations which double as disposal units. They automatically empty the bin of the robot cleaner into an additional storage container once it is full. This means that you don't have to deal with manually emptying the half-liter bin after each use, and you're less likely to overfill it, causing a clog.
The docking system on self-emptying robots can store dirt for up to 60 days before having to be removed. This means that they need to be emptied less often than standard robots. It is important to keep in mind that the process of transfer can be noisy and can startle pet or human companions who are around them, so this feature may not be suitable for families with sensitive ears.
To prevent clogs that will impact the robot's performance you should empty and clean the robot's filter. It is also important to ensure whether the robot is plugged in, and charged, before each use.
Are self-emptying vacuums really worth the cost?
Many robot vacuums are equipped with self-emptying dustbins, which remove the requirement to manually empty the bin after every cleaning session. These machines are more expensive than traditional robot vacuums, but they save you time and effort by removing the need to empty your robot's trash bin after every sweep.
A self-emptying robotic vacuum may seem like a frivolous expense, but it can be worth the investment if your home is busy or you have pets that shed. You may also want to consider it if you have chronic allergies or live in a smoky area.
Self-emptying vacuums work by docking with a bigger base station, which has a hose to pull the particles from the robot's trash bin into the larger receptacle. This prevents the dust bin from overflowing and clogging which can cause the vacuum to smell or lose suction. You'll usually need to empty your receptacle every 30 or 60 day depending on how often you use the device.
Most self-emptying vacuums are able to connect to Wi-Fi, making them easy to control from a smartphone or tablet. Many are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, which allows you to utilize voice commands to control your robot. This is especially useful if you're on a schedule or have a household that is incredibly busy and makes it easier to keep your house clean even when you're busy.
In terms of features, all self-emptying robot vacuums feature an excellent vacuum motor that allows them to easily remove dust, pet hair and crumbs, as well as other debris from hardwood floors and low-pile carpeting. They can also be programmed to automatically vacuum and mop on an established time frame, which can make your life significantly easier.
If you're looking for a self-emptying robot vacuum that does an excellent job of mapping and creating virtual boundaries and spotting obstacles then look no further than the iRobot j7+. This powerful robot vacuum is the best in its class and will not let you down. Shark IQ XL offers many of these features for an affordable price.