Ecovacs Deebot Mini – cleaning robot for small apartments (test)

The Ecovacs Deebot mini cleaning robot is a response to the needs of people who have not yet been able to find space for classic cleaning robots. Both the robot is small (28.6 cm in diameter) and its docking station is 38.5 cm high. In fact, the robot even has a retractable handle and can be carried around the house like a handbag.

First impressions are absolutely positive – it’s a lovely piece of equipment, and the colorful water and sewage tank placed at the top of the station is somewhat reminiscent of old iMac computers. Such a small companion for everyday cleaning does not require a separate space for its existence, it can be hidden in an unused corner of the apartment or placed under the coffee table.

And all this without what would seem to be radical cuts in functionality. We have a 1.8-liter dust bag in the docking station, two rotating mopping pads magnetically attached, and pads drying with air at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. Typical operation does not exceed the noise level of 55 dB, and this short moment of dust collection from the vacuum cleaner to the station is up to 70 dB.

The LDS Lidar and line laser duo are responsible for navigation, thanks to which the equipment moves gracefully in the narrowest corners, even when it is dark. The 3200 mAh battery allows for up to 150 minutes of cleaning. In practice, at maximum load (maximum suction power, maximum accuracy, maximum water consumption, frequent returns to the station), the equipment is able to clean about 60 sq m of net area, i.e., depending on the clutter, it can easily cope with an apartment of about 100 square meters, and in lighter modes and larger ones.

Noteworthy is the huge tank for clean water (2.6 l) and sewage (1.7 l). Although the robot itself is small, the docking station offers quite full-size capabilities and does not require frequent access to it.

The brushes used in the vacuum cleaner are based on Zero Tangle 2.0 technology, with alternating bristles and rubber strips – both are arranged in a V-shape, which makes it easier to untangle the hair and reduces the need to check them frequently. In addition, we have a single broom that moves the dirt towards the brushes.

The mopping pads do not detach themselves during vacuuming, as is the case with the most expensive Dreame vacuum cleaners, and there is no automatic lifting function on carpets. However, there is nothing stopping you from removing the pads and letting the vacuum cleaner roam around the apartment just for the vacuuming mission.

By default, the active mode is vacuuming with simultaneous mopping, where this process is carried out continuously for both activities, not alternately. Despite the lack of an additional camera (which can be an advantage for people who value discretion), the navigation system is surprisingly agile, and only under the computer chair did the device sometimes get lost for a moment.

The equipment can pass over the program by up to 1.7 cm, and this limit is mainly due to its small size. Unfortunately, my threshold of about 2.4 cm was an insurmountable opponent for Ecovacs Deebot mini. Usually he didn’t even try to overcome it, and when he did, he shouted for help to get him off the top. The advantage here is a convenient handle for carrying the vacuum cleaner – if not between rooms, then thanks to it we can conveniently transport the vacuum cleaner to another floor. In the map editor, we can also indicate where we have placed ramps to make the vacuum cleaner’s ascent easier.

Top robots with suction power of up to 35,000 are now entering the market. Bye, typical values ​​for the top shelf are around 20,000. Bye, and here we have this power of 9 thousand. Bye. And it works better than I expected. This is quite enough to deal with hard floors and carpets, but I wouldn’t bother with carpets, especially those with long pile. For such adventures you need higher caliber equipment.

Interestingly, however, even the test with spilled soil after transplanting plants and a handful of dried leaves that can choke larger Ecovacs Deebot mini vacuum cleaners passed unscathed. I’m shocked that this doesn’t require a job costing thousands of dollars, just a toddler for PLN 1,200 is enough.

Mopping rigidly combined with vacuuming has some disadvantages. This mode may, in specific situations, wet and rub previously dry dirt, doing more harm than good. And the more carefully I looked at the robot’s work with the spilled earth, but it was OK, and at the end of the cycle there was no dirt on the floor, much less mud.

Although the robot is small, the application for its operation is exactly the same tool that manages the most expensive robots in the manufacturer’s offer. Importantly, the application is well Polished and its structure should not pose any difficulties even for people who are not familiar with technologies. One thing I set at the start during the tests was a high frequency of mopping. They can be rinsed every room or after a set time (every 6 / 10 / 12 minutes). I also set the dust container to empty itself frequently – this ensures greater suction efficiency.

There is also the possibility of voice control using Google assistants, Alexa and Siri, free map editing, along with virtual borders and the ability to indicate carpets. And during set hours, the vacuum cleaner may not disturb us, skipping automatic emptying, scheduled tasks or not showing the lighting in the station.

Although, as I wrote above, the robot cannot abandon the mops at the station and only vacuum (they have to be detached manually), there is nothing stopping you from sending it to just mop without vacuuming when necessary. An interesting solution is also the self-cleaning function of the docking station, in which the tray is filled with water, we have a minute to wipe it with a brush, and then the dirty water is automatically pumped out to the sewage tank.

After weeks of testing, I still can’t get over how cute such a compact cleaning robot is. Design and workmanship are definitely the advantage of the small Ecovacs and it should win the recognition of people who value stylish minimalism. It is also a perfect toddler for a studio apartment or a small house.

The biggest problem may be the limited ability to overcome thresholds. 1.7 cm is not much. The handle for lifting the robot helps with transport, but that’s not what all this automation was supposed to be about.

It cannot be denied that Ecovacs Deebot mini is a proposition for those who save money – PLN 1,200 is often the maximum we can spend and I believe that in the case of this model it will be money well spent. However, let’s not get too excited about cleaning carpets, especially those with long pile, as even powerful vertical vacuum cleaners have problems with them. On hard floors or carpets, Ecovacs Deebot mini moves confidently and surprisingly effectively.

I could probably complain that Ecovacs’ proposal does not have a number of functions of robots for PLN 6,000, but remembering that we are talking about equipment for 1/5 of that price, I think that we have something to praise this minion for. It vacuums effectively, does not make noise, does not break furniture, wipes wet, and at the same time does not take up unnecessary space. I agree – 9/10.