How to change the filter of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s vacuum cleaner robots have been leading the smart cleaning market for years, thanks to their excellent price-to-quality ratio, but even the most advanced navigation algorithm and powerful turbine won’t be able to effectively clean air and surfaces if the filtration system is clogged with dust. Many owners forget about regular maintenance of consumables, leading to a drop in suction power and overheating of the motor.

Replacing a filter is not just a formality, but a necessity to maintain the health of the household, especially if you have allergies or pets in the house. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly determine the need for replacement, what types of filters are used in different models of Roborock and Xiaomi Vacuum, and also consider the subtleties of care for them.

Before you start replacing, it's important to understand how your gadget's air purification system works. Modern models use multi-stage filtration, where each element is responsible for delaying particles of a certain size. Ignoring replacement timing causes fine dust to seep back into the room, negating the benefits of cleaning.

Filters and their purpose in the Xiaomi ecosystem

The most common combination of two or three elements in the brand's devices is a small-mesh filter designed to trap large debris, wool and hair, preventing them from entering the engine compartment, which is usually made of synthetic material and subject to regular cleaning, but does not always require a complete replacement.

The second and most important element is HEPA-It's the filter that captures microscopic dust, pollen, mold spores and bacteria, depending on the class (E11, E12 or H13), The cleaning efficiency is 99.9 percent, and it's a complex corrugated structure, and it's made of a special fiber that can't be damaged when cleaning.

• 🧹 Primary grid: protects the motor from large dust and hair, easily washed with water.
• 💨 HEPA-element: retains microparticles up to 0.3 microns, critical for allergic people.
• 🧽 Pre-motor sponge: found in older models, serves as additional protection for the turbine.

It is worth noting that in some flagship models, such as Xiaomi Vacuum Mop 2 Pro or Roborock. S7, a combined module where the grid and HEPA-In such cases, the entire layer is replaced, which makes maintenance easier, but requires the purchase of original components.

⚠️ Warning: Never use a vacuum cleaner without a filter installed. Dust will get directly into the electric motor, which will lead to irreversible failure of the device and loss of warranty.

How to determine if the filter is time to change

Not only is consumable life exhausted, but it's also indirectly affected by the device's operation. The first signal is often a change in the sound of the engine, which starts to buzz louder or quieter because of a disruption in airflow, and the robot can stop more often and make a blockage error.

Visual examination gives the most accurate results. HEPA-The filter has become a stable gray or black hue, and the water washing does not return the original color, so the pores are finally clogged. Even if the filter looks normal, but you use the device daily in an apartment with pets, its throughput may have decreased.

Mi Home or Roborock often has a built-in filter resource counter, and although it's designed for average conditions, the actual timing may vary, for example, during flowering or animal molting, the strain on the filtering system increases significantly.

There's a simple test: run the robot in maximum power mode on a clean surface, and if after 5-10 minutes of operation you notice that the blowing hole is a stream of air with a characteristic smell of dust or "scorched", this is a sure sign that the filtration is not coping, in which case the filter should be replaced immediately.

Preparation for replacement: necessary tools and conditions

The replacement procedure does not require complex tools or special skills, but following simple preparation rules will help avoid errors. You will only need a new set of consumables and possibly small scissors to remove the protective packaging. It is important to replace in a well-lit place to see the fine details of the structure.

Before you flip the robot over, make sure it's turned off. Although most models have protection against accidentally turning on when lifting, it's better to be safe and press the power button or use the app to stop. Turn the device bottom up, putting it on a soft surface so as not to scratch the body or sensors.

If you plan to not just replace but also clean the container, prepare a water container and a soft brush. Do not use aggressive chemicals, as residues of detergents can damage plastic parts or filter materials. Dry microfiber is great for cleaning sensors and contacts.

Step-by-step: how to change the filter

The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the series of devices, but the general principle remains the same for all models Xiaomi and Roborock. First you need to access the dust collector, in most cases, it is located at the top of the case and fixed by latches.

Press the dust collector cap lock and remove the container. Be careful not to spread the accumulated debris. Inside the container you will see a filter compartment. In older models (for example, Xiaomi Vacuum 1S), the filter is simply inserted into the end, in new ones (Roborock S5 Max and later) it can be closed with an additional lid-grid.

1. Remove the old filter from the bay. If it's stuck, tap the container lightly on the edge of the bin.
2. Clean the inside of the container of dust using a dry brush or compressed air.
3. Remove the new filter from the package and remove all protective plastic bags.
4. Install the new element in the grooves before a characteristic click or tight fit.
5. Return the filter cover (if any) and close the dust collector.
6. Insert the container back into the robot body before clicking.

Once installed, it is important to reset the filter resource counter in the application, and to do this, go to the device settings, find "Consumables" or "Filter" and click "Reset" to allow the system to correctly track the next service cycle.

Can I wash? HEPA-filters and how to extend their life

Around the washing issue HEPA-There are many myths about filters, and Xiaomi officially recommends changing them every time. 2-6 But many users practice careful washing of the primary mesh, which is really acceptable and helps to extend the life of the main filter.

Same as himself. HEPA-The layer is not recommended to be washed with water, and the fibers from which it is made can become deformed when wet and then dry, which will increase the size of the pores and loss of filter properties. In addition, the humid environment is ideal for the reproduction of bacteria, which will then be inflated by the robot throughout the apartment.

If you decide to take a risk and wash it. HEPA-filter (e.g. in an emergency), do it only with cold water without pressure and dry for at least 48 hours in a warm place. But remember: the complete tightness of the fibers after wetting is never restored, and the efficiency of cleaning will fall.

💡

To extend the life of the filter, clean the robot's main brush of wound hair regularly, and the less debris that gets into the turbine, the slower the filtration system clogs.

Original or analogue: what to choose for replacement

There are a lot of compatible filters on the market that are significantly cheaper than the original ones. Should you overpay for the Xiaomi brand? The original consumables are guaranteed to match the stated characteristics of density and airflow resistance, which is especially important for models with wet cleaning function, where the pressure balance is critical.

Quality analogs (such as those from well-known accessories brands) are often as good as the originals, but you need to be able to choose them. Pay attention to the density of the padding and the quality of the layers docking. Cheap copies can have gaps at the edges through which unfiltered air will enter the engine.

When buying, pay attention to the labeling. For models of the Roborock S5/S6 series, some sizes are suitable, for Xiaomi Vacuum Mop - others. There are no universal solutions here, a mistake of a couple of millimeters can lead to leakage of the system.

💡

The optimal strategy is to use original filters during active allergies or flowering, and at the rest of the time – quality proven analogues, controlling their condition.

⚠️ Attention: When installing a non-original filter, keep an eye on the indicators in the application. If the robot starts to report a clog frequently or the suction power drops, then the resistance to airflow is too high and the filter needs to be replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)