You go into any major marketplace or electronics store, you search for "Xiaomi," and you see an endless wall of vacuum cleaners, and you get the feeling that the Chinese giant makes more of them than smartphones. Why are there so many Xiaomi vacuum cleaners? It's not just a marketing ploy, it's a complex ecosystem strategy that's often confused with chaos.
In fact, most of these devices are not manufactured directly by Xiaomi, but are created by partners in the Smart Ecosystem program. Companies like Dreame, Roborock, Roidmi, and Viomi develop unique products that are then sold under different brands or sub-brands of the parent company, which is what causes the most confusion among the end user trying to find the "right" vacuum cleaner.
In this article, we’ll break through the maze of models, understand the difference between sub-brands, and learn why the range is expanding so quickly. Understanding this structure will help you choose the device you really need, rather than overpaying for unnecessary features or marketing tricks.
Ecosystem Strategy: Why One Brand Is Not Enough
Xiaomi has chosen a unique development strategy: instead of creating many of its own development departments for each product category, the company invests in startups and specialized factories, these partner companies gain access to Xiaomi’s technology, design and sales channels, but retain some autonomy.
Each subsidiary focuses on its own niche, with Roborock initially focusing on robotic floor cleaners, and Dreame focusing on wireless vertical models with advanced motors, allowing Xiaomi to reach all price segments, from budget devices for 5,000 rubles to premium self-cleaning stations costing 50,000.
⚠️ Note: When buying a Xiaomi subsidiary (like Dreame), you may not always be able to use the Mi Home app without regional crutches. Often you need to switch the region in the app to China or Europe, which can make integration with other smart devices more difficult.
This separation allows innovative technologies to be tested on different consumer groups, and if one model with a new type of navigation does not fire under the Viomi brand, it can be repackaged and sold under the Mijia brand in another region, reducing risks for the corporation and ensuring a constant update of the range.
Major sub-brands and their specialization
To understand why there are so many models, you need to know the face of the major manufacturers, who are responsible for the logos on the boxes, and let's take a look at key players whose devices are often perceived as "just Xiaomi vacuum cleaners."
Dreame Technology is the first to go. It's now the flagship of the wireless vertical vacuum cleaner, pioneering 150,000 rpm motors and hair separation systems, and its V-series lineup (V9, V10, V11, V12, etc.) is updated every six months, creating the illusion of an infinite number of models.
The second giant is Roborock, which originally built the first robot vacuum cleaner for Xiaomi, and has grown into a self-sustaining market leader, specializing in complex map-building algorithms and wet cleaning systems, the S and G series are often the industry's benchmarks.
The third big player is Viomi. They often occupy a niche between budget and mid-range, offering devices with good value for money but with less aggressive marketing. It’s also worth mentioning Roidmi, which has been betting on stylish design and integration with automotive accessories, although their activity has declined recently.
Hidden Brand Hierarchy
Differences in the model range: from Mijia to Pro versions
Beyond the different brands, the internal gradation within the same lineup creates confusion, and you can see vacuum cleaners called "Lite," "Pro," "Max," "Ultra," and understanding these suffixes is critical to making the right choice.
Models with the prefix Lite usually have less suction power, a simplified filtration system (often without the help of the Lite). HEPA-We have a thin filter, and we have a plastic extension cord instead of a telescopic tube, which is designed for small apartments and rare cleanings.
The Pro and Max versions have top-end motors, additional nozzles (for mattresses or backlit slits, for example) and improved autonomy, and this is where the most common cyclone double separation systems are found, which prevent power loss when filling the container.
- 🔋 Battery: Pro versions use batteries with greater capacity and the ability to quickly replace.
- 💨 Power: The difference in aerodynamic drag and engine power can reach 30-40% between the basic and top version.
- 💧 Features: Only older models are often equipped with wet cleaning modules or laser dust illumination.
There is also a division by type of control. Budget models can have mechanical buttons and no display, while top versions are equipped with a manual button. OLED-It's a screen that shows how you're operating, how you're charging, and you need to clean the filter, and it makes even more visual differences between these devices that look like this.
Technical differences: motors, filtration and autonomy
Why can't you just take one model and make it for years? The answer lies in the arms race of technology. Manufacturers are constantly introducing new solutions to justify new models.
The key element is the digital motor. If 5 years ago the standard was 100,000 rpm, now Dreame and other partners Xiaomi offer 150,000 and even 190,000 rpm. This allows you to reduce the size of the engine, maintaining or increasing the suction power (measured in aerowatts, AW).
The second important aspect is filtration. HEPA-filter E10-E11. Now in models of the middle and high segment filters are installed class HEPA H13 even H14, 99.995 percent particle retention up to 0.3 microns, making Xiaomi vacuum cleaners relevant to allergy sufferers, expanding the target audience.
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When choosing a vacuum cleaner, pay attention not only to suction power (Pa), but also to aerowatts (AW). Suction power is static pressure, which says little in reality, whereas AW is a comprehensive measure of the effectiveness of carpet cleaning.
Autonomy is also growing, and while 20 minutes of operation was the norm, modern models with fast-charging technology and interchangeable batteries can last up to 90 minutes, requiring new engineering solutions in the power management system (BMS), which also encourages new revisions of devices.
Comparative table of popular lines
To systematize the information and understand what exactly is the difference between thousands of SKUs (articles), let’s compare the main lines that can be found on sale right now.
| Brand/Series | Type of device | Key feature | Price segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mijia Vacuum Cleaner | Robot vacuum cleaner | Basic navigation, affordable price | Budgetary |
| Dreame V-Series | Vertical (manual) | High power, replaceable batteries | Medium/High |
| Roborock S/G-Series | Robot with a cleaning function | Laser navigation (LiDAR), vibro wash | Premium |
| Deerma | Vertical/wired | Compact, low cost of ownership | Low. |
| Xiaomi G-Series | Vertical (manual) | Optimal balance, brand Xiaomi | Medium. |
As you can see from the table, even inside the same umbrella brand Xiaomi hides completely different devices. G-series is often a rebranding of successful models Dreame, but with the logo Xiaomi and sometimes simplified configuration, which allows the company to occupy store shelves with devices with different names, covering different sales channels.
⚠️ Note: Pay attention to the region of the version (Global) when buying, CN, EU). Global versions have a European plug, instructions in Russian and full support for voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant). Chinese versions may require an adapter and have software restrictions.
How to choose the right model and not get confused
Given the vast array of options, the choice process can become torture, but if you put aside marketing noise, the challenge is reduced to a few simple questions.
First, you need to figure out the type of cleaning you want. If you have a lot of carpets, you need a powerful vertical vacuum cleaner with a turbobrush, like the Dreame V12 or Xiaomi G10 line, and if you want to be automated, you need to look at Roborock wet-cleaning robots.
Second, you can estimate the space. For an apartment under 50 square meters, it doesn't make sense to overpay for a replacement battery and 90 minutes of work. You can use a basic model with 30-40 minutes of autonomy. For a 100-square-square-square-square-square-square-square-square-swap battery becomes critical.
☑️ Checklist before purchase
Third, pay attention to the ecosystem. If you already have a Xiaomi air purifier or smart speaker, it makes sense to take a device that works consistently in the Mi Home app without dancing with a diamond. Often models branded Mijia or Roborock Global have better compatibility.
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The main rule of choice: Do not chase the maximum power (Pa) if you do not have carpets. For hard floors, the quality of filtration (HEPA) and ergonomics are more important, since the weight of the vacuum cleaner directly affects the fatigue of the hand.