Should I get a robot vacuum with a self-emptying base?

Yes, if you can afford it. The self-emptying base is the single biggest upgrade to convenience—you empty the dock’s bag every few weeks instead of the bin every day or two. The downsides are louder emptying, more floor space, and proprietary bags, but those trade-offs are minor for most people. If you’re on a tight budget, a regular bin robot is still fine, but the self-emptying base is where the real “smart home” payoff lives.