Introduction: Why are Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners so popular?
The robot vacuum cleaner market has undergone a revolutionary transformation over the past 5 years, and Xiaomi has become one of the main drivers of this process. The company has not only released several models, it has created a whole ecosystem of devices under different sub-brands: Mi Robot, Dreame, Viomi and even Mijia. Each line has its own unique features, but for the average customer, all these names often merge into one whole. Meanwhile, the difference between models can be huge - from basic cleaning to a full-fledged smart home system with laser navigation and a self-cleaning station.
The main problem when choosing is the lack of clear classification. Z10 The Pro looks similar, but the first one is focused on dry cleaning with minimal moisture, and the second one is focused on deep floor washing with a vibrating mop. V3 With its unique carpet recognition system, it's even easier to get confused. In this article, we’ll break down all the key differences between Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners so you can choose the model that’s perfect for your tasks – whether it’s cleaning an apartment with pets, washing laminate or fighting dust in a large house.
We will pay special attention to the technical characteristics that directly affect the quality of cleaning: suction power, type of navigation (laser lidar vs gyroscope), battery capacity, wet cleaning support and compatibility with the Mi Home ecosystem.
Subbrands Xiaomi: who is who in the market of robot vacuum cleaners
Before comparing specific models, it is important to understand how Xiaomi structured its range, with several different lines of products under one brand, each with its own specialization:
- 🔹 Mi Robot is a classic series associated with Xiaomi’s first robot vacuum cleaner (Mi Robot Vacuum). 1S). Here the emphasis on the balance of price and functionality, but in the latest models appear and premium features.
- 🔹 Dreame (formerly Dreame Technology) is a sub-brand focused on cleaning innovation, and it is here that the first models with vibrating mops, self-cleaning stations and ultra-power turbines appear.
- 🔹 Viomi is a premium direction where robot vacuum cleaners integrate into smart homes, support voice control, and have advanced mapping algorithms, often equipped with dual side brushes and improved obstacle recognition.
- 🔹 Mijia – budget and compact solutions, usually without laser navigation, but with a good price/quality ratio for small spaces.
It is important to understand that Dreame and Viomi are not just “subsidiaries”, but stand-alone companies that Xiaomi supports within its ecosystem, so their devices can have unique features that are not even in the flagship Mi Robot. W10 Can automatically wash and dry the mop, and Viomi V3 It recognizes the types of coatings and adjusts the suction force in real time.
⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners are compatible with the Mi Home app. For example, some Dreame models require the installation of Dreamehome proprietary software, which can create problems when integrating into the overall smart home ecosystem.
Key technical differences: what to look at when choosing
When it comes to robot vacuum cleaners, the specifications determine 90 percent of the user experience, and even seemingly similar models can be dramatically different in cleaning efficiency.
1. Type of navigation: lidar vs gyroscope vs camera
This is the most important criterion affecting the accuracy of cartography and the ability of the robot to navigate in space:
- 🔦 Laser lidar (LDS) — The gold standard for premium models. The scanner rotates 360.°, precise 3D-Examples: Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, DreameBot Z10 Pro, Viomi V3.
- 🌀 gyroscope + Optical sensors are a budget solution that does worse in complex spaces (lots of furniture, mirrors, glass surfaces). 1C, Mijia 1T.
- 📷 Camera (VSLAM) — It's used in some Viomi and Dreame models, and it works well in daylight, but it can go blind in the dark. S9.
2. Suction power: 1800 Pa to 4000 Pa
And there's a simple rule here: the higher the power, the better the robot can do carpets and deep cleaning.
- 💨 1800-2200 Pa - enough for laminate, tile and short-tail carpets, suitable for small apartments without animals.
- 💨💨 2500-3,000 Pa is the best option for most users, and it collects wool, sand and small debris.
- 💨💨💨 3,500 Pa and higher is a premium segment that can pull dirt out of deep carpets, but these are usually noisier and more expensive.
Note that the actual suction power may be different than the stated power. D9 has a peak power of 4000 Pa, but in automatic cleaning mode usually runs at 2500-3000 Pa for saving charge.
3. Wet cleaning: is it worth overpaying?
Not all Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners support wet cleaning, and those that support do so in different ways:
- 💧 Basic wet cleaning is a simple napkin that the robot drags around with it. The efficiency is minimal (just for floor refreshment). Examples: Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P.
- 💦 Vibrating mop - a napkin vibrates at a frequency of up to 3000 rpm, which allows you to wipe off dried spots. Examples: DreameBot Z10 Pro, Viomi V3.
- 🚿 Self-cleaning station — not only does the robot wash the floor, but it also automatically flushes the mop in the base. W10 viomi SE.
⚠️ Note: If you have long-pile carpets in your home, wet cleaning can cause them to spoil.Most Xiaomi robots automatically turn off the water supply on carpets, but it is better to clarify this feature in the characteristics of a particular model.
| Parameter | Budgetary models | Mid-segment | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigation | gyroscope | Lidar (LDS) | lidar + camera (VSLAM) |
| Suction power | 1800–2200 Pa | 2500-3,000 Pa | 3,500-4,000 Pa |
| Wet cleaning | No or basic. | Vibrating mop | Self-cleaning station |
| Time to work. | 60-90 minutes | 120-150 min | 180+ mine |
| Price (2026) | 15 000–25 000 ₽ | 25 000–45 000 ₽ | 50 000–80 000 ₽ |
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Lidar navigation and suction power from 2500 Pa are the minimum requirements for effective cleaning in a medium-sized apartment.
Comparison of flagship models: who is better in 2026?
If you're looking for a top-end Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner, you're looking at a few top-end models, and we've compared them against the key criteria so you can decide which one is right for you.
DreameBot W10 — wet-cleaner
This model stands out with a unique automatic mop washing and drying system that no other Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner has. After cleaning, the robot returns to the station, where the mop is washed with hot water and dried with warm air, eliminating mold and unpleasant smell.
Additional benefits:
- 🔋 Battery 5200 mAh (up to 180 minutes of operation).
- 💨 Suction power of 4000 Pa.
- 🧹 Double side brushes for better garbage collection along walls.
Cons: High price (about 70,000) ₽) Large station size, which takes up a lot of space.
Viomi V3 — smart cartography and carpet recognition
The main feature of this model is the coating type recognition system, and the robot automatically detects where the laminate is and where the carpet is, and regulates the suction force and the water supply. 3D-Cartography with the possibility of saving up to 5 floors.
Advantages:
- 🗺️ Precise navigation thanks to Lidar + camera.
- 💧 Pressure-controlled vibrating mop.
- 🎤 Support for voice control through Alice and Google Assistant.
Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro – Best Price/Quality Balance
If you don't need bells like a self-cleaning station, but you want a reliable robot with good navigation, this is the perfect choice. It's equipped with lidar, supports wet cleaning (albeit without vibration), and has a suction power of 3000 Pa.
Features:
- 🔄 Automatic Continuation of Cleaning After Recharging.
- 📱 Integration with Mi Home and the ability to configure cleaning areas.
- 🔇 Low noise level (65 dB in standard mode).
What model to choose for a house with animals?
Budget Models: Should You Save Money?
Xiaomi Robots in Budget Segment (up to 25,000) ₽) These are usually devoid of lidar navigation and powerful turbines, but this does not mean that they are useless. Such models are suitable for small apartments (up to 50 m2) with minimal furniture and without long-pile carpets.
Mi Robot Vacuum 1C — budget-segment legend
This model has long been on the market, but is still in demand due to its low price (about 15 000). ₽) It's got a gyroscope, suction power of 2,000 Pa, basic wet cleaning, and the downside is that it doesn't have accurate mapping, so it can skip sections or hit obstacles.
Mijia 1T — compactness and minimalism
One of the smallest models in Xiaomi’s lineup (just 7.8 cm tall), which allows it to climb under low furniture: suction power is 2200 Pa, navigation on a gyroscope, suitable for cleaning dust and fine debris, but can not cope with large particles or wool.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s low-cost robot vacuum cleaners often don’t have automatic return to base at low charge, which means that if the robot runs out of charge away from the dock, you’ll have to carry it manually.
Compatible with your floor type (laminate, tiles, carpet)
Availability of spare brushes and filters in the kit
Ability to manually control via remote or application
The warranty period (in budget models it is often shorter)-->
Compatibility with a smart home: what you need to know
One of the key benefits of Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners is their integration into the smart home ecosystem, but there are a few important nuances to consider:
1. Management applications
Not all models work through Mi Home, some require separate apps to be installed.
- 📱 Mi Home – suitable for most Mi Robot and Mijia models.
- 📱 Dreamehome is for Dreame Robots Only.
- 📱 Viomi Home – for Viomi devices.
This means that if you already have other Xiaomi devices (like light bulbs or sensors), then the Dreame robot won’t show up in the same app as them.
Voice control
Most of the current models support control through voice assistants:
- 🗣️ Alice (Yandex) – working with Mi Home and Viomi Home.
- 🗣️ Google Assistant – supported by most models.
- 🗣️ Siri (via HomeKit) – only in some premium models (e.g. Viomi) V3).
3. Automation and scenarios
With Xiaomi robots, you can create complex cleaning scenarios.
- 🕒 Starting of cleaning on schedule (daily at 10:00 am).
- 🚪 Automatic cleaning when opening a window (if there is an opening sensor).
- 🐕 Prohibition of cleaning in certain areas when no one is home (geozona).
However, such scenarios will require a smart home hub (such as the Xiaomi Mi Home Gateway), which is often sold separately.
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If you plan to integrate a robot vacuum cleaner into a smart home, check before buying whether the model supports the MiOT protocol (necessary to work with Mi Home).
Frequent problems and how to avoid them
Even the most advanced robot vacuum cleaners Xiaomi is not immune to problems, let's look at the most common of them and how to solve them.
1.The robot does not build a map or is "lost"
This is a problem for models with a gyroscope or in poor lighting (for chamber robots).
- 🔦 Make sure there is enough light in the room (for models with a camera).
- 🧲 Check if there are magnetic stripes or metal objects in the cleaning area that can interfere with navigation.
- 📱 Update the firmware of the robot through the application.
2. Poorly picking up garbage on carpets
If the robot can not cope with carpets, the reasons may be as follows:
- 💨 Insufficient suction power (for carpets, models from 2500 Pa are needed).
- 🧹 Clogged brushes or filter (cleaning required).
- 📏 Too high pile (Xiaomi robots do not work well with carpets above 1.5 cm).
3. The battery is discharged quickly
Battery life depends on the model, but there are universal tips for extending its life:
- 🔋 Do not keep the robot on the base constantly - once a month discharge and charge it completely.
- 🌡️ Avoid cleaning in extreme temperatures (below 5)°C or higher than 40°C).
- ⚡ Use only original chargers.
⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner has stopped holding charge after 1-2 years of operation, it is likely that a battery replacement will be required. ₽, You can find compatible batteries and change them yourself.