What vacuum cleaner Xiaomi to choose in 2021: expert guide

The home appliances market in 2021 was a revolution, and Xiaomi was at the forefront of this change, offering consumers an incredibly wide range of cleaning solutions. If a couple of years ago the choice was between a classic wired unit and an expensive branded robot, now the range includes powerful vertical models, smart washing stations and compact devices for the car. It is easy for a potential buyer to get confused by the abundance of indexes, suction characteristics and navigation types that the Chinese giant’s ecosystem offers.

The biggest challenge is not the lack of good models, but the abundance of them: the suction power of modern devices has reached the level that was previously considered the lot of professional cleaning equipment, and filtration systems have learned to trap the smallest particles of dust, ensuring the purity of the blown air. At the same time, robotic vacuum cleaners have ceased to be just toys, randomly poking against walls, and have become high-tech gadgets with laser mapping and the ability to dry and wet cleaning.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what vacuum cleaner is relevant in the current realities, taking into account the value for money. We will analyze the technical details that are often overlooked when buying, and help you determine your priorities. A critical factor in 2021 was the availability of support for work in the Mi Home smart home system with regional server binding, which means that before buying a particular model, you need to make sure that it will work correctly in your region without the need for complex manipulation of router settings.

Vertical wireless vacuum cleaners: freedom of movement

Vertical models, often called “stick vacuum cleaners,” have become an absolute hit because of their versatility. Unlike bulky classic solutions, they allow you to instantly remove a scattered cereal or pet hair without unwinding long wires. The flagship of the lineup in 2021 is deservedly considered the Xiaomi Mi Vacuum Cleaner G10, which combines lightness, a powerful battery and an advanced filtration system.

One of the key features of such devices is the ability to transform into a hand vacuum cleaner, which is especially true for owners of cars or private homes, where you need to regularly clean upholstered furniture, curtains and hard-to-reach corners. The cyclone system in modern Xiaomi models has become much more efficient, which allows you to maintain a high suction force even when filling the container, although regular cleaning of the filter is still a mandatory procedure.

When choosing a vertical vacuum cleaner, you should pay close attention to the battery life and type of charging station mounting. Some models require drilling the wall to install the dock, while others can simply be cornered or hung on the bracket without using a drill. Also important is the noise level, which, despite the high power of the motor, Xiaomi devices remain at a comfortable level without causing irritation to household members or animals.

And the replacement nozzles that come with the help of a special backlit brush or a turbo brush to collect hair greatly expands the functionality of the device, and for pet owners, this becomes a decisive argument, since a regular brush can quickly clog and lose efficiency, requiring constant manual brushing with scissors.

Robot vacuum cleaners with laser navigation (LDS)

If you’re looking for a clean device without your direct involvement, Laser Distance Sensor (LDS) models are the best choice. In 2021, room mapping technology has become standard even for the mid-budget segment. Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E10 series or more advanced Pro-indicated versions build an accurate map of an apartment, allowing them to clean rooms in consecutive parallel stripes rather than chaoticly.

The main advantage of these models is that they can zonate and install virtual walls through the app. You can prevent the robot from going under the bed with low clearance, or you can send it to clean the kitchen only after cooking. The navigation laser is located on the top and creates a 360-degree view, which allows the device not to get lost in space and effectively return to the base for recharging if the cleaning area is large.

Importantly, laser models tend to have a higher profile, which can be a problem for very low furniture.However, Xiaomi engineers are constantly working to reduce the size, and many new models quietly pass under sofas and beds, removing dust that has accumulated in the depths for years.

The efficiency of cleaning in corners and along walls also depends on the design of the side brush. In 2021, there were models with improved brush geometry that better sweep garbage out of corners where the main roller can not reach, which makes laser robots an excellent choice for apartments with complex layouts or more furniture.

Robots with wet cleaning and vibration function

In 2021, there was a significant leap in wet cleaning technology, and while earlier the robot had just dragged a wet cloth behind it, new models like the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ have adopted sonic vibration technology. A special platform under the cloth performs thousands of reciprocal movements per minute, effectively erasing dried spots that a regular static cloth can't handle.

The key element of such systems is the electronic water supply control. The application allows you to choose from several levels of humidification, which is critical for different types of flooring. Laminate or parquet requires a minimum amount of moisture to avoid swelling, while for porcelain porcelain, you can set the maximum water supply for better laundering.

Special attention should be paid to the automatic lifting of carpets, which detects the fuzzy surface of the carpet, and the robot either increases the suction or (in more expensive models) raises the platform with a cloth to avoid wetting the carpet, which makes the device truly versatile, allowing you to clean the entire area of the apartment in one pass without manually changing modes.

You can't expect a robot to be as clean as a manual washing with chemistry, but to keep it fresh and clean, it's a breakthrough technology. Regularly replacing the water in the tank and washing the microfiber in a timely manner ensures that there's no bad smell and no stains on the floor.

Comparison of key characteristics of 2021 models

To make a final decision, you need to do a comparative analysis of the technical parameters, different models are focused on different use cases, and it makes no sense to overpay for features that you do not need. Below is a table that helps to organize data on popular devices.

And as you look at the table, vertical vacuum cleaners have a much higher suction power than robots, which is logical because they're designed to clean carpets deeply and remove large debris, whereas the robot's job is to keep it clean and collect dust daily. Battery capacity also varies, with robots working longer but at less power, and vertical models working intensively but requiring more frequent recharging in larger areas.

The cost of consumables should also be considered when choosing: HEPA filters, side brushes and main rollers are consumables that require replacement every 6-12 months depending on the intensity of operation. For wet-cleaning models, microfiber consumption is added, which, however, can be washed repeatedly.

Smart features and ecosystem Mi Home

You can't talk about Xiaomi's tech in 2021 without mentioning the software. Mi Home (or Xiaomi Home) is the central control node that connects all devices. With a smartphone, you can not only start cleaning, but also set up a schedule, see a map of the cleaned area and receive notifications about the need for maintenance.

Integration with voice assistants like AliGenie or Google Assistant (through third-party integrations) allows you to control your voice cleaning. Imagine a situation where you finish cooking in the kitchen, say "clean the kitchen," and the robot immediately goes to do the task while you're resting, a level of comfort that you quickly get used to.

⚠️ Note: When buying devices designed for the Chinese market, make sure that the app selects the region "China" otherwise the device may not connect to the network or work unstable.

Also worth noting is the firmware update feature: From time to time, Xiaomi releases updates that improve mapping algorithms or optimize engine performance, and regular software updates through the app are key to the stable operation of a smart device throughout its lifetime.

Choice criteria: what to look at in the store

So to sum up, we'll give you some clear criteria to help you make the right choice in the store or online. First, you need to decide on the type of flooring. If you're a long-pile carpet type, robots may be less efficient, and you might want to consider a powerful vertical option.

The second criterion is pets, and wool is the enemy of any technique, so having special brushes that do not confuse the hair and a powerful filtering system becomes a priority. HEPA-filter E10 and above are mandatory for allergic people, as they delay microscopic dust and allergens.

The third factor is budget and availability. Laser navigation and wet cleaning robots cost more but save time. Vertical vacuum cleaners are cheaper but require human input. Weigh the pros and cons to keep you happy for years to come.