Xiaomi's robotic vacuum cleaner, does not need your help

The vacuum cleaner promises to vacuum and wash the entire house by itself. Does it do the job? What's new in the sector of vacuum cleaners that know how to wash and how much will the treat cost?

  Don't interfere with him: Xiaomi's robotic vacuum cleaner - takes care of itself /  (photo credit: Xiaomi PR)
Don't interfere with him: Xiaomi's robotic vacuum cleaner - takes care of itself /
(photo credit: Xiaomi PR)

The Hamilton Group, the importer of the 'Xiaomi' brand to Israel, is launching a new series of regular robotic vacuum cleaners, which includes the 10X, S10 and 10E models that come with an upgraded suction power of PA4000, a new and powerful docking station that combines charging and emptying waste and a full two-year warranty official importer.

Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 robotic vacuum cleaner is the premium model in the new series and has a strong suction power of 4000PA with the possibility of operation in two modes of operation: suction and washing. The new vacuum cleaner series replaces the company's leading MOP2 series. "XIAOMI revolutionized the robot vacuum cleaners category in Israel and is the main responsible for the development of the category and the fact that it is in constant growth," said the Hamilton Group.

The manufacturer 'Xiaomi' promises that the new series of vacuum cleaners presents an especially strong suction power with 4000Pa, independence in the field and smart control through a remote app. Also according to the manufacturer, the new Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 robotic vacuum cleaner we tested is equipped with a powerful battery with a capacity of 5200mAh, an improved LDS laser sensor for spatial scanning and a washable HEPA filter (assembled in the dust tank).

Leading features of the model: Accurate mapping of the work area (even in the dark) Prevention of collision with obstacles New generation LDS laser navigation Fast planning on the move Docking and charging efficiency Shows smart interaction Cleans the house according to the setting Has powerful suction Personalized cleaning Vacuum cleaner and fur in one pass Automatic vacuum cleaner, 1 vacuum bag contains about 60 vacuums, extremely long battery life (180 minutes)

  Xiaomi robotic vacuum cleaner, model X10 / pr (credit: Xiaomi PR)
Xiaomi robotic vacuum cleaner, model X10 / pr (credit: Xiaomi PR)
Dimensions -

98.8 x 350 x 353 mm Lithium battery 14.4V / 5200mAh Time to fully charge about 6 hours Net weight of the vacuum cleaner - 3.3 kg Weight of the vacuum cleaner with accessories - 7.4 kg Connects to wireless connectivity - Wi-Fi 802.11b/g /n 2.4GHz Dimensions of the docking station: 397 x 285 x 384 mm The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 vacuum cleaner kit contains: the robot vacuum cleaner docking station for dust collection (with bag) main brush brush cover replaceable dust bag dust container washing pad water tank side brush tool Cleaning an electric cable 1 Operating manual in Hebrew and warranty letter

The vacuum cleaner I tested, the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 model, is equipped with a docking station with a modern and clean look, which allows it to be placed in the center of the house without it interfering with the design and movement in the space. Location and installation: As soon as I opened the kit, I took out the docking station independently and placed it without difficulty in the corner I chose in the living room of the apartment, next to an electrical outlet and in an area with good WIFI reception, as recommended in the instruction booklet. I didn't need professional help or installation and the fact that I did it myself made the initial experience positive. It is important to note that the docking station cannot be placed in an outdoor area such as a balcony - it is not intended for outdoor conditions (I admit that this crossed my mind). The design: the product as a whole, the vacuum cleaner + the docking station, is impressively designed, its shape and its clean colors (mainly white and a little gray in less visible areas) are perceived as pleasant and for those who prefer a minimal and monochromatic look at home, it meets expectations.

first run:

The instruction booklet is clear - I turned the activation button located on the side of the docking base to the ON position and connected it to the vacuum cleaner by means of prolonged fighting on the activation seam of the vacuum cleaner, an action that connected the two and ended with a confirming warning sound. To begin use, it is advisable to charge the vacuum cleaner at its base for 6 hours, until fully charged, and I did so - I started the test the next day, after going through the entire operating manual and realizing that the product is friendly and easy to operate. The docking station: the water tank is located at the base of the vacuum cleaner, i.e. the docking station, and its contents are sufficient for about 80 minutes of washing.

The tank releases water without leaks and in a measured manner at 3 levels of water flow control, depending on the type of floor. Under the docking is used for charging and pouring clean water, but also for collecting the waste into a built-in dust bag with a volume of 2.5 liters which is capable of containing the amount of dirt of dozens of pumping operations.

work plan:

With the first activation, the vacuum cleaner goes to a comprehensive scan of the house and draws a "road map" as a regular cleaning mission (until we decide to change). During the scan, you can set up virtual walls or block a certain area from any action, for example, the bathroom area, only wash and not vacuum. It is possible to build a cleaning route suitable for our needs, depending on the times, the level of cleanliness, the types of surfaces, etc. At each session you can program it to work in certain areas according to their needs.

  Xiaomi X10 Robot Vacuum /  (credit: PR)
Xiaomi X10 Robot Vacuum / (credit: PR)

For example, every day he goes out to vacuum and wash the living room and kitchen and for two days he also vacuums the rooms. Remote control: there is an option to operate the vacuum cleaner using a remote app, even when we are not at home and even watch the cleaning progress in real time and return home at the end of the working day to a clean house. I must point out that the option for remote control is indeed nice and advanced, but it doesn't seem to me that it was used. One such attempt didn't work through my fault, I forgot to move the obstacles out of his way, he got caught in the dog's blanket and was stuck until I got home to free him.

Independent in the field:

An option that the vacuum allows is pre-programming requested work times, I found it more effective, so that you can determine in advance the days and hours we want him to work and before we leave the house, "prepare the ground for him" - for example, I planned for him to go to work every morning during the hours when we are all not at home.If it needs charging while working on a large area or needs cleaning brushes between rooms, it returns independently to the charging station and takes care of itself - rests or cleans itself and then returns to the same point from which it stopped.

  Xiaomi robotic vacuum cleaner, model x10v /  (credit: Xiaomi PR)
Xiaomi robotic vacuum cleaner, model x10v / (credit: Xiaomi PR)

The noise level:

the vacuum cleaner works at high power and correctly, the noise it makes is unpleasant to the ear, therefore, the possibility of turning it on regularly, on the days and hours I chose, when we are not at home - is accurate for me.

The connection to the applet:

Download the Mi Home application to the mobile phone through a simple installation that any young person or any person with basic access to technological devices will be able to do on their own in an operation that will take about a minute. As mentioned, through the applet, you can manage the vacuum cleaner's tasks at any time and from anywhere.

Powerful battery:

the battery capacity (5200mAh) allows continuous work of about 3 hours and coverage of a wide area of up to 150 square meters without the need for charging - in normal pumping mode only. In pumping and washing mode, the working time is extended and the battery is depleted faster.

Navigation system:

The new generation LDS laser navigation system is particularly smart and capable of comprehensively mapping the entire house and identifying types of surfaces, carpets, stairs and obstacles that should be avoided.

  Xiaomi robotic vacuum cleaner, model X10 /  (credit: Official website screenshot)
Xiaomi robotic vacuum cleaner, model X10 / (credit: Official website screenshot)

The price of the vacuum cleaner: NIS 2,399.

It can be obtained at the Mi Store chain of stores in Rishon Lezion Rothschild 64, Dizengoff Center, Modi'in, Ofer HaKryon Mall and Mol Hayom Mall in Eilat, on the official website of Xiaomi Israel and at authorized resellers.

In summary:

the price of the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 vacuum cleaner reflects a reasonable price in the vacuum cleaner market in general and in the robot category in general.

Similar products that do no better work, can reach in certain models, also at a cost of NIS 5,000 or more.Its output in relation to the price is rewarding and the disadvantage is that its purchase does not eliminate the need for an additional vacuum cleaner at home, one that we can operate ourselves, hold in our hand and direct the spider cold in the corners of the ceiling, into the rails, sofas and even the car.