Choosing an automatic cleaning assistant has become a challenge today because of the sheer number of models coming to market. The Mijia ecosystem has grown so large that it’s easy for an untrained user to get confused about features, names and functional differences. If you’re wondering which one is best for your particular home, this material will help you understand the nuances.
Modern devices are not only suction-powered, but also navigational, wet cleaning, and even pressure-washing. Laser rangefinder (LDS) has become the standard for the mid-to-high segment, providing accurate mapping of the space. However, gyroscopic navigation or camera models may be suitable for small apartments or spaces with complex geometry.
In this article, we're not just going to list the characteristics, but we're going to look at real-world use cases, and you're going to learn why one model is perfect for a long-tail carpet house and another model is useless, and we're going to talk about maintenance and durability, which is critical when you buy equipment for years to come.
Key navigation and mapping technologies
The first thing you need to look at when you're choosing is the brain of the device, which is the navigation system, and it's the first thing that determines whether the robot will clean itself out in a methodical way or randomly rush around the room. LDS-sensor – a rotating laser on the top panel that scans the room and builds an accurate map.
More affordable options can use a camera (VSLAM) or a gyroscope. Camera navigation works great in good lighting, but can get lost in the dark. Gyroscopic models build a rough plan, but often make mistakes in large rooms.
- 🚀 LDS (Laser Distance Sensor: Works in complete darkness, builds an accurate map, allows you to divide the room into rooms and set virtual walls.
- 📷 VSLAM (Camera: Requires light, avoids obstacles in dynamics, but may be worse to navigate in monochromatic interiors.
- 🌀 Gyroscope: Moves in a straight line, changing direction when colliding, does not save the map for subsequent cleaning of rooms.
For an apartment owner with lots of furniture and narrow aisles, having an accurate map is critical. Without it, the robot can get stuck under a chair or miss a significant part of the area. LDS advanced 3D-Sensors allow you to create “no-go zones” and clean specific rooms by voice command.
⚠️ Warning: If you have a lot of black furniture or dark carpets, cheap elevation sensors may perceive them as a cliff (ladder) and refuse to go to the surface.
Dry and wet cleaning: myths and reality
Many users mistakenly believe that all robots wash the floor the same way. In fact, there is a clear separation in the Xiaomi lineup. The base models simply carry a wet cloth behind them, slightly moisturizing the surface, which is suitable for removing fresh dust, but will not save from old stains.
More advanced versions, such as the Xiaomi Vacuum-Mop series or the flagship Robot Vacuum X, feature a vibrating platform. Mechanical vibration helps to remove dirt from the floor by mimicking hand movements when washing. This is a whole different level of cleanliness.
Special attention should be paid to models with the function of autonomous lifting of the cloth. When entering the carpet, such a robot automatically raises the detergent module by several millimeters to avoid wetting the pile. This is implemented through Settings → Settings of the map → Areas with carpets in the application.
Why can’t you use regular water?
If you have animals in your home, having the automatic drying function of a base mat (in self-cleaning models) becomes not just a convenience, but a necessity. A wet cloth left in a closed container quickly begins to smell unpleasant and become covered with mold.
Model analysis: from public sector to flagships
The product line is updated annually, and in 2026, several generations of devices are relevant in the market. The budget segment is represented by models like Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E10 or Mijia 1C. They lack a laser rangefinder, but they do a great job of maintaining cleanliness on hard coatings.
The middle class is the middle ground, where the Xiaomi Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ series and its counterparts rule, with laser navigation, good suction power (about 3,000 Pa), and a tank with electronic water control, the best choice for a standard apartment.
Flagship solutions like the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20+ or Ultra models offer a full service cycle, emptying the dust container, washing and drying rags, and adding water, and the cost of these kits is high, but they are as self-contained as possible.
| Model | Type of navigation | Suction force (Pa) | Wet cleaning | Self-cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mijia 1C | gyroscope | 2500 | Passive | No. |
| Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ | LDS Laser | 3000 | Vibrational platform | No. |
| Xiaomi X20+ | LDS + AI | 6000 | Turn + Pressure | Full (base) |
| S10 / S10+ | LDS Laser | 4000 | Vibrational platform | Optionally. |
When choosing a particular model, it is important to consider not only the price, but also the availability of consumables in your area. Filters, side brushes and rags for popular series are easier to find than for rare or newly released products.
The influence of the type of flooring on the choice
The type of flooring in your apartment is very demanding, and if you have laminate flooring, linoleum or tiles, almost any model with wet cleaning functions will do, but the situation changes dramatically if you have carpets in your house.
Low-pile carpets are critical for suction strength, and models below 2,500 Pa can simply "eye" the surface without pulling dust from the depths, and they've proven to have automatic power-enhancing devices when they're on the carpet.
Long-tail carpets are a test for the robot, the brush can get entangled in the pile, and the robot can get stuck, and in these cases, intelligent carpet recognition becomes a key function, and the robot either skirts them or, if it's a vacuum cleaner, it turns on maximum mode.
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Use magnetic tapes or virtual walls in the app to prevent the robot from entering areas with long cords or fringe carpets if the model does not have a rug. 3D-obstruction-camera.
Combined coatings require flexible customization. In the Mijia or Xiaomi Home app, you can configure different cleaning modes for different rooms, for example, in the living room with carpet, maximum suction, and in the kitchen with tile, active wet cleaning.
Ecosystem and management through smartphone
The robot is controlled through the Mijia or Xiaomi Home app. The interface allows not only to start cleaning, but also to adjust the schedule, suction strength and water supply volume. It is important that the server to which the device is connected is chosen correctly (often it is “Russia” or “China”, which affects the response rate).
Integration with voice assistants like Alice (through skill), Google Assistant or Siri adds comfort. You can ask the column to “start cleaning the kitchen,” and the robot will execute a command, and you need to link the appropriate services to your account settings.
Updating the firmware is an important step after purchase. Manufacturers regularly release patches that improve mapping algorithms and connection stability. Check for updates from the device menu: Settings → General → Check for updates.
⚠️ Note: When you change region in the app (for example, from China to Russia), the cleaning history and saved maps may be lost.
Maintenance and durability of components
To keep a robot vacuum cleaner in service, you need to take care of it. The main enemy is the hair and wool that are wound on the main brush. Regular cleaning (once every 1-2 weeks) will prevent the engine from overheating and jamming bearings.
Sensors, especially LDS-The tower and the elevation sensors, you have to wipe with a dry soft cloth, and the dust on the sensors causes the robot to go blind, crashing into the legs of chairs or falling from the rapids.
☑️ Monthly maintenance of the robot
The HEPA filter needs to be replaced every 3-6 months depending on the dustiness of the room, and you can wash it with water, but only if the manufacturer explicitly allows it in the instructions, and only after a complete drying (24 hours), otherwise the fine dust will turn into porridge and the engine will clog.
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Timely replacement of filters and cleaning of sensors prolong life of robot vacuum cleaner 2-3 times, maintaining the declared suction force throughout the life of the robot.