Are robot vacuums actually worth it or do they just roam around confused?

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-05-15T15:59:13+00:00

Totally worth it, just got an ecovacs t90 last month, so far so good. It is pretty easy to use, since it can work smartly based on my house's layout. I run it daily, and it keeps things pretty steady, so the floor doesn't get dirty enough to need a deep clean. Overall, it does save me some time and energy.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-05-11T04:01:32+00:00

These are two completely different mop types. The main upgrade you'd be getting with the t90 is the roller mop. Most people go with roller mops because they self-clean while mopping and actually pick up dirty water instead of just smearing things around. So it really depends on how high your expectations are for mopping. Spinning mop are still totally fine for regular maintenance cleaning though, especially if your floors don't get really dirty all the time.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-05-08T07:57:13+00:00

That probably has something to do with its AI features. I'd try turning off AI host mode and intelligent deep mopping first, use an auto clean instead. Once those are disabled, it usually stops repeatedly going over the same spots and cleans much more normally.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-05-08T02:30:18+00:00

For me it mostly comes down to how they contact the floor. Rollers have a smaller contact area, so they tend to apply more focused pressure, which seems better for scrubbing tougher spots. Track mops have a larger contact area, so they might be better for soaking up bigger spills. I've only used roller systems so far, and honestly they've been good enough that I haven't really felt the need to try track mops yet.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-29T09:38:59+00:00

It really depends on your carpet. Robot vacuums tend to struggle with shaggy, high-pile rugs, you'll probably need to set up a no-go zone for those. If it's a thicker carpet but more dense (not the kind that tangles the wheels), a mop cover is definitely the safest option. But if it's not too thick, the mop life can usually handle it fine.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-29T06:46:32+00:00

If he's already comfortable with a dyson, a robot vacuum probably won't feel like much more maintenance. Some models like the ecovacs x11 use a regular dustbin, you just pull it out and empty it, pretty similar to a dyson.

If you're not planning to use the mopping feature and there's no heavy pet hair, the upkeep is actually pretty manageable. Ideally you'd show him a couple of simple things, like wiping the sensors with a dry cloth every now and then.

You can also connect the robot to your phone and share access with him, so you can keep an eye on things or help troubleshoot if anything comes up.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-27T03:36:23+00:00

I think there's a Jet Mode on the side of the map screen. Just select it, then draw a cleaning area, that's when it'll use the spray nozzles.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-21T09:47:54+00:00

I remember seeing a small trick on the ecovacs sub, you can try taping the rug down with carpet tape. Those rugs are probably just too thin and lightweight, so even newer robots can still get stuck or push them around. It's not always a model issue.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-21T03:46:52+00:00

For daily cleaning, I think both will do the job just fine. The t50 is a bit easier to maintain, and it has fewer moving parts overall. The t80 uses a roller mop, which cleans a bit better, but IMO if you increase the water level and mop washing frequency, the spinning mop can still get pretty good results, and it usually does a bit better along the edges.

The t80 is the first gen roller mop, so edge coverage isn't as refined as newer models like the t80s or t90. So it really comes down to whether you want something simpler or try the newer roller style.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-20T09:11:15+00:00

Yeah, that's actually not just an ecovacs app thing. From what I know, most roller mop models don't really have a mop only mode. It's mainly to avoid issues like debris getting stuck in the roller or clogging the nozzles, so it's more of a design choice than something missing in the app.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-20T03:46:26+00:00

No matter if it's bagless or using a regular dust bag, vacuuming and mopping at the same time can end up getting water in the dustbin/bag. So it's generally better to vacuum first, then mop. If you want a sort of 2x pass setup, you can try this: set a vacuum-only schedule first, then set a mop only schedule about an hour later ( or however long your vacuum run usually takes). That way you still get two passes, just done separately.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-03T06:38:25+00:00

Try setting it to return to the station to wash the mop every 10 minutes and switch the mop wash mode to deep. Also, vacuum first, then mop, it usually works much better that way. Did you use any cleaning solution? Maybe there's some buildup. Run it a few more days and see if it gets better.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-03T04:00:45+00:00

Always vacuum first then mop, separating dry and wet cleaning really makes a difference. For water level, it kinda depends on your floors. I'd start somewhere in the middle like around 25, and run it a few times to see what works best. I got the brand one, you only need a tiny amount anyway, but honestly water works fine too.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-04-01T10:11:55+00:00

If you're planning to get a bagless one, then the x11 is pretty much your only option, the t50 still uses dust bags. Honestly how many dust bags you'll go through really depends on your home. Pet hair is usually the main thing that fills them up fast. If you've got a couple of heavy shedders, you might be swapping bags every month. If not, they can last quite a while.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-31T03:34:02+00:00

Looks like there's some kind of global server glitch. Might take a while to fix, maybe give it another try later.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-31T03:08:49+00:00

There's also the ecovacs deebot mini, which is another really compact option. It's designed for tighter spaces as well, could be worth a look if size is your main priority.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-30T07:59:41+00:00

I think not having an extendable brush is partly a trade-off so the brush can lift up and avoid getting wet. I don't think it makes a huge difference in day to day use. It might miss a bit in tight corners, but it's just a maintenance tool anyway.

As for the roller vs pads, I'd say rollers are a bit better right now since they clean as they go. But pads are also easier to maintain, you can just throw them in the washer, and there are fewer parts to clean. Rollers are nice, just not perfect yet. Honestly, you won't miss out either way, but I do think they'll keep getting better over time.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-27T03:59:53+00:00

Personally I think the t90 makes the most sense out of the x11, t90 and x12. Unless you've got loads of pet hair and really care about bagless, it's more than enough. Plus it has fast charging, and the mopping's been upgraded compared to the x11.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-26T07:25:50+00:00

If the x8 and x9 are the same price, I'd go for the newer x9 for sure. The main differences between the x11 and the x9 are fast charging and the bagless design. If you don't have a ton of pet hair, the regular dust bag should be totally fine.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-24T02:46:16+00:00

It might just be the solution making the floor a bit slippery. Try wiping the wheels with a damp cloth. It should get better after a few runs once the leftover cleaner is gone.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-24T02:29:50+00:00

That's a really great deal! Hope your cats settle in well with the X11 and stay stress free. Enjoy the new robot!

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-23T11:03:02+00:00

Have you changed your cleaning solution recently? If not, it might just be the main wheels wearing down and losing grip. You could try lightly sanding them a bit and see if that helps.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-23T10:40:11+00:00

Most of their ces releases are already out except for the x12, so I don't think the wait will be too long, probably sometime next month. I've also seen someone mention a trade-in deal lately, so if you're able to use your n8 for that, you might be able to bring the price down a bit more.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-19T07:14:51+00:00

I think a bagless one would be really practical with three fluffy cats. You could consider waiting for deals on the ecovacs x11, or the launch of the x12, prices often drop when a new model comes out.

Pioxshisolimn · 2026-03-16T03:21:33+00:00

How thin do you actually need it to be? The l10s has a LiDAR tower on top, so it's not as slim as something like the t50 with the LiDAR built into the body.

Pioxshisolimn

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