iRobot Roomba i7
Andrew Myers for TIME

A Vacuum That Empties Itself

iRobot Roomba i7+

Since their emergence in the early 2000s, robotic vacuums have been helping people keep house. But even the most high-end models require users to manually clean them out after each -session—a process that can be both messy and time-consuming. Not so with iRobot’s new Roomba i7+ ($950), which empties itself. While the device is powering up, a separate vacuum inside its base charger sucks the dirt and dust from the Roomba’s innards into a disposable bag—each of which can hold about a month’s worth of gunk. The process, says iRobot CEO Colin Angle, is designed to “free customers from every aspect of vacuuming, from start to finish, for weeks at a time.” And it may well help iRobot continue to beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations, especially as the holiday shopping season looms. —Alex Fitzpatrick

TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.