What vacuum cleaner Xiaomi is better: a full analysis of models and technologies

Choosing a smart home assistant is a challenge due to the sheer number of models produced annually by the Mi Home ecosystem. Consumers are often lost in digital indices and sub-brand names such as Roborock, Dreame or Viomi, which formally belong to the Xiaomi platform. It is almost impossible to understand which device will fit a specific area and type of flooring without in-depth analysis of technical specifications.

In this article, we will take a look at the key options to look out for when buying in 2026, learn about the differences in navigation, suction efficiency and wet cleaning, and help you determine which vacuum cleaner is best for your apartment, whether it’s a carpet studio or a large house with laminate and tiles.

And it's worth noting that the robotics market is growing rapidly, and what was the top solution a year ago can be considered middle class today, so it's important to look at not only the brand, but also the relevance of the sensors and algorithms used to build a room map.

Key criteria for choosing a robotic vacuum cleaner

The first thing that a customer encounters is a variety of characteristics. Suction power, measured in Pascals (Pa), is an important, but not the only, measure of efficiency. 2000-2500 Pa, whereas for carpets with a long pile will require a model with an indicator of 4000 Pa and higher.

The second critical aspect is navigation, where older models used gyroscopes and chaotic motion, which led to skipping and long work. Modern devices are equipped with LiDAR sensors (laser rangefinder) that build accurate real-time maps of the room, ensuring consistent and fast cleaning of lines.

⚠️ Note: Models without a laser rangefinder (with a camera or gyroscope) may be less likely to navigate in the dark and require good lighting for the correct operation of visual sensors.

Also (cannot be ignored) is the type of dust container and the presence of a self-cleaning function, which allows you to forget about contact with dust for several weeks, which is especially important for allergic people.

• 🚀 Suction power: affects the depth of cleaning of carpets.
• 🗺️ Type of navigation: determines map accuracy and no missed areas.
• 💧 Moisturization system: from a simple cloth to a vibration wash.
• 🔋 Autonomy: the operating time from one battery charge.

The choice also includes the height of the body, and if you have a lot of low-clearance furniture, a massive LiDAR module can be a barrier, and in such cases, you might want to look at models with a recessed sensor or alternative navigation systems.

Navigation and mapping: LDS vs. VSLAM

The question of which vacuum cleaner is better depends on the technology used for spatial orientation, long the market leader being the Laser Distance Sensor (LDS), a characteristic turret on the case that rotates and scans the room with laser beams, the advantage of which is high accuracy and independence from lighting.

The alternative is VSLAM (visual) navigation, which uses a camera. Models like some versions of the Xiaomi Vacuum Mop are usually shorter in stature because they don't have a protruding laser. However, they can get lost in complete darkness and require the camera lens to be clean for proper operation.

Modern algorithms allow you to save multiple floor maps, which is convenient for two-story cottages. The Mi Home app allows you to install virtual walls and no-go zones, which is critical for protecting fringe carpets or areas with often scattered wires.

• 📡 LDS Navigation: Works in the dark, builds a precise plan.
• 👁️ VSLAM Navigation: compact body, you need good lighting.
• 🧠 Artificial intelligence: object recognition (socks, slippers).

So if you're choosing between these technologies, think about the layout. For standard apartments with lots of furniture, the laser rangefinder is more reliable. If you have a lot of low furniture that the laser module just won't get into, then you should consider compact models with a camera.

Wet cleaning: from passive cloth to vibration

Many users are looking for a 2-in-1 device to combine dry and wet cleaning. Xiaomi and sub-brands have a gradation of water supply systems. The basic level is a flowing system where water just drips onto a cloth. The effectiveness of this method is low, it only slightly moisturizes the floor.

A more advanced version is an electronic pump that adjusts the water supply depending on the speed of the robot. Top models, such as the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X series or the flagship Dreame, use a vibration platform, which mimics the movements of the hand when washing the floor, erasing dried stains.

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Use only distilled water for wet cleaning to prevent scaling in the pump and white plaque on the dark floor.

And we also have models that are automatic washing and mop drying on the base, and after dry cleaning, the robot returns to the station, where it washes the cloth with hot water and dries it with hot air, which eliminates the appearance of unpleasant odor and the reproduction of bacteria in the tissue fibers.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use chlorine-containing products or ordinary soap in the robot tank unless authorized by the manufacturer.Foam can disable the pump and water level sensor system.

For carpet owners, the important thing is that the wet cleaning module automatically lifts, and when you get on the carpet, the robot picks up a wet cloth to keep the pile from getting wet, and if you don't, you'll either have to remove the module manually or put up with wet carpets.

Comparison of popular series: Dreame, Roborock and Viomi

Xiaomi’s ecosystem includes many partners, each specializing in their own niches. Roborock is traditionally considered a benchmark for reliability and build quality. Their models are often the first to receive new technologies, such as dual rollers or advanced bases.

Dreame is committed to suction power and wet cleaning innovation, pioneering the massive introduction of hot water bases for floor washing. Viomi often offers more affordable solutions with good functionality, but sometimes loses out as the materials used.

When choosing a particular model, it's important to look not only at the brand name but also at the year the series is released. Dreame's new mid-range model may be better than Roborock's flagship three years ago. Technology is becoming obsolete quickly, and CPU performance margin plays an important role in the speed of mapping.

Comparative Characteristics Table

To organize the information and help you decide on your choice, we have prepared a comparison of popular models available on the market.

As you can see from the table, the performance gap between the budget and flagship models is significant, but for a small flat with a smooth floor, overpaying for top-end features doesn’t always make sense.

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For apartments up to 50 sq.m. with a smooth floor, there are enough models of the middle class without the function of automatic washing of rags.

Mi Home app and smart home

The robot is controlled through the Mi Home app, and the interface allows you not only to start cleaning, but also to adjust the schedule, the suction force and the amount of water supplied. It is important to properly configure the region in the application, because it depends on the list of available devices and the speed of the server response.

Integration with voice assistants like Alice, Google Assistant, or Siri adds comfort. You can ask the speaker to start cleaning the kitchen while you're in the living room. Automation scenarios allow you to launch the robot when everyone has left the house, or stop it when you start watching a movie.

• 📱 Zoning: division of the map into rooms for spot cleaning.
• 🔊 Voice control: running commands through a smart speaker.
• 🔄 Software updates: Regularly getting new features from developers.

Sometimes there are problems connecting your device to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network. Most Xiaomi robots only work in the 2.4GHz band. If you have a router that connects networks under one name, you may have to temporarily split them up or use a guest network.

Maintenance and durability of the device

To keep the vacuum cleaner running, you need to regularly maintain its main components: the main HEPA filter needs to be washed and dried every two weeks, and the main brush needs to be cleaned of wound hair, ignoring these rules leads to overheating of the engine and reduced cleaning quality.

The wheelbase also requires attention: dust builds up over time, which can lead to a robot getting stuck or stripes on the floor when moving, and it is convenient to use a brush or compressed air to clean hard-to-reach places.

⚠️ Warning: Never wash the robot body under the tap or wipe the sensors with a wet cloth.

Consumables like side brushes and filters are consumables; original components are more expensive but provide better sealability and filtering; Chinese counterparts can let fine dust back into the air, which will negate work. HEPA-filter.