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Robot cleaners have been with us for several years now and become quite common and affordable. However I was amazed to discover some game-changer features about Ecovac’s latest robot cleaner, the Deebot X2 Omni that makes this a highly recommended robot cleaner despite the high price tag of about SGD$1700. First of all when you take a look at it, you will be surprised to find that it is square in shape rather than round.
If you visit the Ecovac’s website on the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, you will be able to read all about its spanking new features. However what do all the technical specifications mean, and are they all necessary. Thanks to the loan model that I’ve tried for the last two weeks, here’s what I think are the reasons why you would want to get the Deebot X2 Omni robot vacuum plus cleaner.
More convenient to use
The single biggest plus point of the DEEBOT X2 OMNI for me is that it’s simply more convenient to use. There is no need to manually wash the mop. It is able to rub and wring the mop cloth repeatedly until it is clean again. In fact, if you hook the docking station, also known as the OMNI station, to a water inlet, it will also be able to perform an auto-water refill. I’ve personally sighted the mop cloth after it has been cleaned and I would have to agree it did not look dirty or grey.
It is also able to auto-empty the robot cleaner at the OMNI station. The frequency in which you have to step in to empty the bin compartment of the OMNI station is greatly reduced since its capacity is much higher than the capacity of the robot cleaner. Its auto clean function also means you don’t even have to spend time maintaining the OMNI station. This might be a huge plus point for mobility-challenged people. Their caregivers need only attend to the robot cleaner once in a while.
Should your house have curbs/thresholds or rugs, the DEEBOT X2 OMNI is capable of elevating itself without your assistance, up to a certain height. Conversely, it easily detects steps and will not topple downwards, as my poor Deebot of a less advanced model did.
Cleans better
Having a robot vacuum with a mopping function is obviously much better than one with just the basic vacuum function. The unique OZMO Turbo 2.0 Rotating Mopping System provides consistent pressure to the floor for deep cleaning. The suction power has been increased to 8000Pa, which means it is capable of cleaning tough and bigger dirt patches.
Also, the new square-shape design with built-in edge detection sensor means the DEEBOT X2 OMNI is able to go much closer to edges and corners (30mm closer). The little feeler looking thing reaches out far enough to sweep past the furniture or walls to minimise dead space. This means tricky areas or areas with lots of chairs and tables can also be cleaned more effectively. This is especially useful for cluttered rooms or rooms with a lot of furniture.
Of course, the more cluttered the room, the longer the Deebot will have to take to manoeuvre itself in and out of the tight spaces. Its improved technology allows it to reverse in and out of tight spaces despite its square shape. According to Ecovacs, the DEEBOT X2 OMNI is able to chalk in a 99.77% cleaning coverage per unit area, which is pretty impressive. You can’t expect miracles though. I happen to leave several shuttlecocks under the chair and the DEEBOT X2 OMNI refused to clean under the chair.
Super smart
Through upgraded 3D mapping, the DEEBOT X2 OMNI can now identify and clean specific areas, for example the dirt under the dining table in the living room. Simply swipe your finger on the App over the target area and the X2 will take care of it. It’s like having your own personal cleaner at your beck and call! The YIKO voice assistant supports multiple voice control scenarios, including conversations with multiple command, so you don’t even have to fiddle with the app.
But nevertheless, even if you feel you are not tech savvy, the DEEBOT X2 OMNI will still work just fine. When we first started using the unit, we did so without downloading the app, and the X2 was still able to clean the entire house. You also don’t have to fix it to a water source, it just means you have to top up the water compartment manually, as well as drain the waste water, preferably after every use as the water starts to smell after about the 3rd usage.
Cons?
The biggest downside for getting such an advanced robot vacuum, aside from the pricing, is that the OMNI station does take up some space. It might be more compact than other models out in the market, however it still means you will need to dedicate a spot in the house, near to a water source to fully utilise its self-cleaning functions.
I was hoping that the X2 would be less noisy, given the upgraded specifications, but it was still noisy enough that I could hear it while I was in the next room.
Conclusions
A smart and convenient robot cleaner helper, suitable for households who want a fuss-free and minimal maintenance cleaning solution. The OMNI station looks sleek and pleasing to the eye too, which can’t be a bad thing.
Disclosure: I received a loan model for a 2 week testing.
