Cleanliness design: how many brushes have a robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi

Owners of modern cleaning equipment often wonder about the internal structure of their assistants, trying to understand how exactly the perfect cleaning result is achieved. Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner became one of the market leaders thanks to the thoughtful engineering and affordable price, but the design of its cleaning module is not always obvious at first glance. Many users are lost, seeing different modifications and not realizing whether the cleaning system is the same in all models of the brand.

In fact, the answer to how many brushes a Xiaomi robot has depends on the device’s series and year of release. The standard configuration involves one or two side brooms and one central turbobrush, but in recent flagship models, the company’s engineers are introducing innovative solutions that change the landscape. Understanding these differences is critical for proper maintenance and timely replacement of consumables.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the architecture of the cleaning modules, explain the purpose of each element, and help you understand why your model may not have three, but four or even more cleaning elements. The cleaning system is the heart of any autonomous vacuum cleaner, and knowing its device will allow you to extend the life of the device and maintain its efficiency for many years to come.

Basic architecture of the cleaning module

The classic cleaning scheme for most Xiaomi Mi Robot and Roborock models is based on the time-tested principle of “one turbobrush plus side broomsticks.” In the standard version, the user will find one main brush located in the center of the bottom, which is responsible for knocking dust out of the carpet pile and collecting large debris. This part rotates at a high speed, creating the necessary vortex flow.

The sides of the main suction channel are usually side brushes, and the number varies: budget and mid-range models are most often equipped with a single side blizzard, while more advanced versions may have two symmetrically positioned side elements, which are designed to pick up dust and debris from corners and along walls, directing them under the main turbobrush. The side brush works at lower speeds, but covers a larger area around the robot's perimeter.

It is important to note that the total number of brushes is the sum of the central roller and the side brooms. Thus, in the basic configuration there can be two (one central + one side) or three (one central + two side ones).

Some users mistakenly believe that having two side brushes automatically makes cleaning more efficient, and in practice, the second brush often compensates for the lack of intelligent mapping in older models, helping to collect garbage when driving around in a chaotic manner. In modern navigation systems with LDS-The robot builds the optimal route, and one side brush is often enough for high-quality perimeter processing.

Central turbobrush: types and features

The central element of the cleaning system is that which comes in direct contact with the bulk of the dust. Xiaomi and Roborock devices have historically used two main types of central brushes, and understanding their differences will help you choose the right model for your needs or replace a worn-out element.

The first and most common type is the combined brush, which consists of a plastic base that holds stubbles and rubber petals, and it allows for efficient collection of both fine dust and larger particles, and bristles penetrate deep into the carpet pile, and rubber elements help to collect debris from hard coatings, such as laminate or tile.

The second type, which is common in pet models (Roborock S7 series, Xiaomi Vacuum Mop 2 Pro+), is a fully rubber turbobrush, which is made as a single roller with a V-shaped profile, and the main advantage of a rubber brush is that it doesn't really wrap its hair or wool around, which solves one of the main problems of pets robot owners. Hair just goes through the roller and ends up in a container.

• 🧹 Combined brush: better for mixed coatings and deep cleaning of long-pile carpets, but requires regular cleaning of wound hair.
• 🌪️ Rubber brush: Ideal for hard floors and short-haired carpets, minimizes maintenance, but may be less effective on very long villi.
• ⚙️ Removable mechanism: both designs in Xiaomi devices designed so that the end cover can be easily removed and the roller removed for cleaning.

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If you have a lot of long-pile carpets, choose a model with a combined brush, as rubber can get stuck or worse knocking dust out of the depths.

It’s also worth mentioning the suction power, which is directly related to the operation of the center brush. New models such as the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10+ use technology that prevents secondary air pollution, where the central brush is paired with a reinforced motor. When the bristles or rubber slats wear, the suction efficiency decreases even if the motor is working, so the condition of this element must be monitored regularly.

Side blizzards: number and purpose

Side brushes, or snowbrushes, are an important but often underrated component of the system, and they are the first to come into contact with debris on the boards, and the amount of these elements directly affects the geometry of cleaning, and most of the time you will find a configuration with one sidebrush on the right side (when you look at the robot from the front).

Single side brush models typically rely on a snake or spiral to walk along the walls with both sides of the body, saving battery life and reducing wear and tear on the rotating mechanism of the blizzard. However, in some series, especially in earlier or specialized ones, two side brushes can be found, rotating in opposite directions, creating the effect of "slamming" the debris towards the center.

⚠️ Warning: When installing a new side brush, make sure it is fixed before clicking. A loosely seated broom can vibrate, create extraneous noise and quickly fail due to beating against the body.

The lifespan of side brushes is usually shorter than that of a central turbobrush. Thin villi wear faster on a hard floor, and long hairs can wind up on the rotation axis, blocking the engine. Complete with most Xiaomi robots comes a spare side brush, which suggests that the manufacturer expects it to be replaced often.

Interestingly, in some top-end models, such as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, engineers have redefined the approach to side cleaning by introducing a dual movable side brush (DuoRoller), which extends and changes the angle of inclination. Although technically still a “side brush”, its design is radically different from the simple plastic whipped brooms found in the budget segment.

Innovation: Double turbobrushes and new systems

Technological progress is moving forward, and the answer to the question of how many brushes is becoming increasingly complex. The latest flagships of the Xiaomi and Roborock ecosystem have introduced the revolutionary DuoRoller system, which involves not one, but two central turbo brushes located next to each other.

The two central brushes rotate towards each other, which allows for much more efficient collection of debris, especially on carpets. They work like millstones, breaking dust clumps and preventing debris from flying apart. In this configuration, the robot can have not 2-3, but 4 functional rotating elements (two central + two lateral, if present).

Another novelty is the rise of models with a liftable main brush. In the Roborock S7 series and later, when the robot detects the carpet and switches to vacuum mode only (without wet cleaning), it can lift not only the rag, but also the brush itself, if necessary to prevent contamination, or lower it tighter to the floor for deep cleaning.

Having extra brushes requires a more powerful engine and an optimized airflow. Engineers have to balance the amount of cleaning elements and energy consumption so that the robot doesn't run out in 20 minutes, so you're unlikely to find a dual center turbobrush in budget models.

Table of comparison of cleaning systems in popular models

To organize the information and help you understand what to expect from your or your upcoming model, we have created a comparison table that shows the evolution of how brush numbers and types are used across generations of devices.

As you can see from the table, the trend is shifting towards improving the quality of one or two central brushes, rather than simply increasing their number. Silicone rollers are becoming the de facto standard for the medium and high segment, displacing the bristles.

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Evolution is not on the way of increasing the number of brushes, but to increase their efficiency: silicone rollers and dual systems (DuoRoller) replace old bristles.

Rules for maintenance and replacement of consumables

Regular maintenance is the key to a long life for your robot vacuum cleaner. Even the most advanced four-brush system won't work if it's full of hair and dust. Manufacturers recommend checking brushes once a week, and in homes with animals every 2-3 days.

To clean the central brush, the end caps must be removed (usually marked with color or simply removed by hand) and the roller is removed from the body. The hair wound on the axle is neatly cut off with scissors or removed with a special comb, which often comes with a kit. You can wash the brushes with water, but only after the plastic elements are completely dismantled and only if the instructions for a particular Xiaomi model allow it (silicone washing is possible, combined with metal - with caution).

⚠️ Warning: Never use a robot vacuum cleaner without brushes installed or with broken plugs.This can cause large debris to enter the turbine engine and break it.

Signs that it's time to buy new ones: strips of dirt on the floor that the robot misses; increased noise when working; visible abrasion of bristles or rubber slats. The original Xiaomi and Roborock consumables last an average of 3-6 months in daily cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)