Recommend me a Robot Vacuum that is not a Xiaomi.

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Recommend me a Robot Vacuum that is not a Xiaomi.

gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#275855 14-Sep-2020 09:43

Have loved the hardware on my first gen Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum cleaner. The android app however? Utter trash. Cannot get it to stay signed in for any length of time, or get it to reliably display notifications (after a couple of years of on and off troubleshooting). Looking at the reviews on the Google Play store, everyone seems to give the app either 4/5 stars, or 1 star with a rant about the issues with being signed out and the fact that notifications don't work.

Anyway, it's time to move on, can anyone recommend something with equivalent capabilities (lidar etc) that isn't Xiaomi?

Chippo

129 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#2563486 14-Sep-2020 09:46

Perhaps I can tweak your question, Have you considered just changing the app? Perhaps integrating your existing Xiaomi into a home automation system?

Here's the configration for Home Assistant: https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/xiaomi_miio/#xiaomi-mi-robot-vacuum

Not suggesting that's an easy answer, but a lot more fun. Plus, a Raspberri Pi to run Home Assistant is much cheaper than an iRobot Roomba (Presumably the only other sensible suggestion you'll get).

I work for a global Data Protection Software company - But my opinions are my own.

Zorg2000

73 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2563529 14-Sep-2020 09:49

I recommend the Roborock S6. I’ve had it for nearly a year now and hasn’t missed a beat. I picked it up from PBtech on one of their sales so wasn’t too expensive. I’ve only had the iOS app so not sure about android version but it is relatively functional. I haven’t used the mop but the reviews I have read have been good.

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2563564 14-Sep-2020 11:01

We have Ecovacs Deebot 950. Very happy with it for vacuum use. App is easy to use and responsive. We do not use the mopping functionality though.

Do whatever you want to do man.

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2563651 14-Sep-2020 12:17

Have you tried going to settings in the app and clearing the cache?

I'll 2nd the S6, run it for ages now and it's been rock solid - both vacuum and app (although also on iOS, so maybe their android dev team sux :-) )

gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#2563658 14-Sep-2020 12:27

chimera:

Have you tried going to settings in the app and clearing the cache?

Tried it all, all the way back to uninstall and reinstall. It did work perfectly for about 12 months or so when I first got the vacuum, at some stage an update has introduced the issue and Xiaomi are unwilling to acknowledge or resolve it.

Klathman

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2563664 14-Sep-2020 12:43

chimera:

Have you tried going to settings in the app and clearing the cache?

I'll 2nd the S6, run it for ages now and it's been rock solid - both vacuum and app (although also on iOS, so maybe their android dev team sux :-) )

I've got an S6 as well but using Android. I don't have any problems with the app and have never had to re-log back on on any of my devices. If it's the same as the roborock app then I guess YMMV.

The only issue I've had with having to reauthenticate is actually the Echo integration.

gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#2563671 14-Sep-2020 12:53

Klathman:

I've got an S6 as well but using Android. I don't have any problems with the app and have never had to re-log back on on any of my devices.

Yeah, seems that some people it works fine, others it doesn't. I'm not prepared to buy a new phone to get this thing working, take a look at the reviews:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiaomi.smarthome&hl=en&showAllReviews=true

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Psilan

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2563711 14-Sep-2020 13:44

I'm likely to buy a Deebot T8 shortly. You don't have to pay extra for the AI version, and you can buy an auto empty base later on.

Just expensive in NZ, and not many stock them.

Deebot 950 was my next option, then a Roborock S6 or S5 MAX.

Voyager referral - https://refer.voyager.nz/68QKJ8XKK

Klathman

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2563827 14-Sep-2020 15:36

gbwelly:

Klathman:

I've got an S6 as well but using Android. I don't have any problems with the app and have never had to re-log back on on any of my devices.

Yeah, seems that some people it works fine, others it doesn't. I'm not prepared to buy a new phone to get this thing working, take a look at the reviews:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiaomi.smarthome&hl=en&showAllReviews=true

That app looks nothing like the roborock one. I'm pretty sure that the hardware is basically the same but maybe they got different app devs.

Roborock - Apps on Google Play

gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#2563858 14-Sep-2020 16:50

Klathman:

That app looks nothing like the roborock one. I'm pretty sure that the hardware is basically the same but maybe they got different app devs.

Roborock - Apps on Google Play

Very interesting, from what I gather Mi Home App can manage Roborocks, but unfortunately the Roborock App can't manage the first gen Xiaomi robot vacuums. Grrr.

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2566382 17-Sep-2020 06:04

gbwelly:

Very interesting, from what I gather Mi Home App can manage Roborocks, but unfortunately the Roborock App can't manage the first gen Xiaomi robot vacuums. Grrr.

... Nor does it support the earlier Roborock branded machines - it doesn’t work with our Roborock S50.

I had to reset the map recently due to it not coping with a room layout change, and ever since it’s been crazy in the way it (doesn’t) vacuums half the house... I half hoped the Roborock app may give an answer...