How many brushes in the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: a complete analysis of the cleaning system

The question of how many brushes are in Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner often arises from new owners of smart appliances who are eager to understand the maintenance of their device. At first glance, the design of the bottom panel may seem complicated, but when you look at it in detail, everything falls into place. The standard equipment of most modern models, such as the Mi Robot Vacuum series or Roborock S5, involves one main turbobrush located in the center, and one side brush for cleaning along the walls.

However, the number of items can vary depending on the specific modification and year of release of the device. Some advanced models are equipped with a double side brush to more efficiently collect garbage in the corners, which increases the total number of rotating elements to three. Understanding this difference is critical when ordering consumables, as the wrong type of brush may not fit into the seat or work incorrectly.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the device of the cleaning unit, consider the differences between the different types of brushes and explain how to properly maintain the system so that the robot vacuum cleaner serves you for many years without losing suction power.

Design features of the main cleaning unit

The centerpiece of the cleaning system is the main turbobrush, which is located under a removable lid in the center of the robot's bottom, which is responsible for knocking dust out of the pile of carpets and capturing large debris. Depending on the model, this unit can have one wide brush or two narrower ones located parallel to each other. Xiaomi models most often use a combined brush that combines bristles and rubber slats.

The rubber elements in the design are necessary for the efficient collection of pet hair, which often gets stuck in ordinary bristles. The engine that drives the main shaft operates at high speeds, creating the necessary vacuum inside the channel. It is important to regularly check the condition of the shaft bearings, as they can wind hair, which leads to engine overload.

It is worth noting that some budget versions or specialized models for hard floors can be installed exclusively rubber turbobrush without pile, which makes it easier to care for the device, since such elements require almost no cleaning of wound hair, but only periodic wiping with a wet cloth.

⚠️ Warning: Before removing the main turbobrush, be sure to flip the robot vacuum cleaner over and make sure it is off.Do not attempt to remove the compartment cover if the device is in a charging station or upright position, this may cause the internal components to fall.

Side brushes: purpose and number

Side brushes play a supporting but crucial role in navigation and cleaning quality, and their primary role is to sweep debris from under the boards and corners where the main body of the robot cannot physically get close because of its circular shape. The standard number of side elements in the base Xiaomi models is one on the right side (when you look at the robot from the front).

More expensive models like the Xiaomi Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro or the flagship Roborock often have two side brushes that rotate in opposite directions, allowing air to swirl and direct dust directly under the suction hole, a scheme that greatly improves the efficiency of cleaning along the walls.

The design of the side brush usually includes a plastic base and a bundle of bristles. Over time, the bristles wear off and become shorter, which reduces the efficiency of cleaning. Also, the plastic mount can crack from impacts on furniture. Replacing this element is a simple procedure that requires no tools, and is done by placing a new part on the engine strands.

• 🌀 One-way circuit: characteristic of entry-level models, requires more careful navigation of the robot to handle the perimeter.
• 🔄 Two-way circuit: provides symmetrical garbage collection and allows the robot to clean corners more efficiently without the need for special reversal algorithms.
• 🧹 Type of bristles: can be hard for carpets and soft for laminate, it is important to choose the original or compatible consumables of the right type.

Differences between Xiaomi and Roborock

Xiaomi’s ecosystem includes many sub-brands, and most often, “Xiaomi robot” is a device made by Roborock or Dreame. Despite a single control application, their cleaning nodes may differ in design. For example, the early Mi Robot Vacuum 1S models use a classic scheme with one side and one main brush with yellow tips.

The Roborock S5 Max series and later often have a modified geometry of the main brush, where the mounting axis is shifted or the lid locking mechanism is changed. This is done to simplify user service. Dreame brand devices such as the Dreame D9 often use a system of double rubber brushes that hardly confuse hair.

When buying spare parts, it is important to pay attention not only to the brand name, but also to the specific article of the model indicated on the bottom sticker of the device.Compatibility in appearance does not always guarantee proper operation, since the length of the shaft or the shape of the slits can differ by fractions of a millimeter, which will lead to beat or noise.

Compatibility table and brush types

For the convenience of users, we have prepared a summary table that will help determine what brush configuration is used in popular models, which will make it easier to find the right supplies.

And you can see from the table that evolution has been to make it easier to care for the main brush, and if the old models required constant hair brushing, the new rubber solutions minimize this, but the side brushes in all models remain pile and require attention.

Regular maintenance and cleaning of brushes

To maintain a high performance robot vacuum cleaner needs to regularly maintain its cleaning units, the frequency of the procedure depends on the contamination of the premises and the presence of pets, on average, check the condition of the brushes is recommended once a week, and a full cleaning is every two weeks.

The maintenance process of the main brush begins with removing it from the body, and you need to flip the robot over, snap the lids that hold the clamps off, and take out the shaft. The ends of the shaft often accumulate lumps of dust and hair that need to be removed, and it's most convenient to use scissors or a special scallop that often comes with the device.

Side brushes are even easier to remove: they need to simply pull upwards, overcoming the resistance of the retainers. Wash brushes with water is not recommended, as moisture can damage the glue holding the bristles, or cause corrosion of the metal parts of the shaft. It is best to use dry cleaning or slightly moist fabric.

⚠️ Warning: Never use aggressive chemical solvents or hot water to wash plastic brush parts.This can cause plastic deformation and rotating elements to be unbalanced, causing vibration and noise.

When Replacement of Expendables is Necessary

The resource of the brushes is not infinite. Even with regular brushing, the bristles gradually wear out, and the rubber slats lose their elasticity. There are several signs that it is time to replace. First of all, pay attention to the quality of the cleaning: if the robot stopped collecting garbage from the first aisle or leaves stripes, the problem may be a worn brush.

The second sign is the appearance of foreign noise or knocking when working, which may indicate that the bearings of the main brush shaft have worn or the axis has curved, and the indicator in the application (if the model supports diagnosis) can signal the need for replacement, although relying solely on electronics is not worth it.

The average life of the main turbobrush is 6 to 12 months of active use. Side brushes live less - about 3-6 months, as they are subject to more intense mechanical impact from impacts on furniture and friction on the floor. Critical wear is considered to reduce the length of the bristles of the side brush by more than 30% of the original.

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Buy brushes in kits (main +2 side + filter) – this is usually cheaper and ensures you always have fresh consumables on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Timely replacement of brushes is not just a matter of cleanliness, but also protection of the robot engine from overload, which prolongs the service life of the entire device.