Comparison Xiaomi Xiaowa E20 vs Roborock S5

Rated power consumed by the vacuum cleaner. In models with power adjustment (see below), the maximum value is taken into account in this case. We are talking about the characteristics of the installed motor, which is the main, and in most vacuum cleaners, the only consumer of energy.

Higher power increases suction force and improves overall cleaning efficiency. In addition, a more powerful unit is easier to equip with a capacious dust collector. On the other hand, only vacuum cleaners of the same type with the same types of dust collectors can be directly compared by this parameter (see above for both). And even in such cases, the actual suction force (see below) may be different — and it is it that determines the real efficiency. However, the total power also allows you to generally evaluate the capabilities of the vacuum cleaner, including in comparison: a 1500 W model will significantly outperform its 800 W counterpart in efficiency (although it is impossible to say exactly by how much). But what definitely depends on this indicator is energy consumption.

As for specific power values, they are largely related to the type of device. For example, handheld models, robots and uproght units have low power — less than 1500 W(and often noticeably less). Such values are quite popular among other types of vacuum cleaners (conventional, industrial, workshop, etc.), but among them there are already more solid indicators — ...f="/list/90/pr-1067/">1500 – 1750 W, 1750 – 2000 W and even more than 2000 W.

The suction force provided by the vacuum cleaner. It is indicated by the maximum vacuum (negative pressure) that the unit can create at the working nozzle.

Note that this parameter is sometimes confused with the suction power described above, which is indicated in watts. Yes, suction force to some extent determines the efficiency of the unit. However, this efficiency also depends on the performance (airflow). And the suction power, indicated in watts, takes into account both of these parameters — it is determined by multiplying the suction force by the performance (see above for more details). For this reason, there is no strict relationship between this force and suction power: for example, a vacuum of 25,000 Pa can be found in models with 250 W, 200 W and even 150 W of power.

As for the practical significance of this spec, in general, a higher suction force allows you to work more efficiently with high resistance. For example, when processing carpets with a long pile. On the other hand, more pascals (with the same number of watts) means less airflow and, accordingly, less efficiency for large amounts of work at low resistance (for example, cleaning large rooms with parquet floors). Thus, it makes sense to pay attention to this indicator mainly in cases where high suction force is fundamental for you. In other cases, it is worth evaluating the capabilities of the vacuum cleaner in terms of suction power in watts.

Note that for a number of...reasons, the suction power is most often specified for robot vacuum cleaners (see “Produc type”). For such models, a value of 1500 Pa and below is considered very small, 1500 – 2000 Pa — medium, 2000 – 2500 Pa — high, more than 2500 Pa — very high.

It is also worth mentioning that the indication of suction force is often used as a publicity trick — to improve the impression of the product. For example, the suction power of 150 watts in itself is quite modest. But at the same time, the suction force of such a vacuum cleaner can be 25,000 Pa — a very impressive figure, especially for an inexperienced buyer, but having a very indirect relation to real efficiency. Especially often, such tricks are used among upright models and the already mentioned robots — these varieties initially do not differ in high power in watts. For many of these units, the characteristics only indicate the vacuum in pascals without specifying the suction power. It further enhances the impression: for example, in the specs of a modest robot, the figure "3000 Pa" looks much more impressive than "40 W". However, such figures have a very weak relation to the real capabilities of the unit and if they are not supplemented by data on suction power in watts, they should be considered solely as bait for a not particularly sophisticated buyer.

The nominal volume of the dust collector installed in the vacuum cleaner.

This indicator largely depends on the type of unit (see above). For example, in most handheld household models, the capacity does not exceed 0.5 L. The volume of the container in upright vacuum cleaners and robots can be somewhat larger — among the first variety there are quite a few models for 1 – 2 liters or even more, and among the second — by 0.6 – 1 liter and a little more. For conventional vacuum cleaners, the minimum figure is actually about 0.8 – 1 L; dust collectors for 1 – 2 L and 2 – 4 L are very popular in such devices; the maximum capacity is actually 4 – 6 liters — units of a similar layout, but with a larger capacity, are usually referred to as household ones. In turn, relatively small containers are occasionally found among workshop models. However, in vacuum cleaners of this type, the capacity is generally quite large — it can reach 26 – 50 liters or even more ; the same applies to industrial (construction) units.

In general, a larger dust container allows you to work longer without interruptions. On the other hand, a capacious container itself takes up more space and, accordingly, affects the size, weight and price. So when choosing th...is parameter, it is worth considering the actual features of the use of a vacuum cleaner. Here we can give such an example: for a full-scale cleaning of an average city apartment, a capacity of about 1 – 1.5 litres is required. Thus, say, a 4-litre bag allows you to carry out two such cleanings with sufficient efficiency without unloading the vacuum cleaner. There are more detailed recommendations regarding the optimal volume of the dust collector, including specific cleaning options. These recommendations can be found in special sources.

A method for limiting the processed space provided in a robot vacuum cleaner.

Another name for this feature is "virtual wall". Its general meaning is quite obvious: a “wall” (or several walls) allows you to limit the movement of the robot on the surface to be cleaned. It can be useful if cleaning needs to be done in a room without a door. Or if part of the floor is occupied by small items that do not need to be cleaned (for example, pieces of a puzzle being assembled). But the specific possibilities of such a restriction are directly related to how it is implemented. Note that the function is found mainly in middle-class robot vacuum cleaners and top models. Budget robotic "cleaners" often do not have the function of limiting the zones of the processed space - they do not have one.

Here are the main options found in modern robots:

— Laser sensor. A fairly popular option due to its simplicity, low cost, as well as simplicity and ease of use in fact. Usually, when installing the laser limiter, it is enough to put it on the floor and point it in the right direction. On the other hand, such devices are not well suited for creating complex borders. The classic format of the laser limiter is linear: a doorway or room is blocked by a direct beam, which is perceived by the robot as the boundary of the treated area. In addition, some models may also provide a circular mode, when the sensor forms a "forbidden zone" in...the form of a circle or sector of a certain diameter. This format of work allows to fence off the corners of rooms and small areas near the walls (a typical example is the location of a dog or cat bowl in the kitchen). If you need to create a border of a different, more specific shape, this will require several sensors at best (even though one limiter is usually supplied in the kit if supplied at all); and in the worst case, it will be completely impossible. It is also worth considering that the range of the laser in linear mode is usually limited to 3 – 4 metres; this is most often sufficient for residential premises and small offices. However, it may not be enough for a large space. And the emitters are usually powered by batteries or accumulators, the charge of which is limited.

— Magnetic tape. Limiter in the form of a tape made of magnetic material laid on the floor. Such a tape is spotted by a special sensor and is perceived by the robot as a border that cannot be crossed. For secure fixation, it is usually made self-adhesive, and the intensity of the magnetic field in most cases ensures effective operation through carpets and other similar coverings. One of the key advantages of such restraints is that almost any shape of the restricted zone can be formed from the sections of tape: the length of individual sections can be chosen at your discretion, and the maximum total length is limited only by the stock of tape at hand. In addition, this type of limiter does not require power. The disadvantages of this option include the complexity of laying in some conditions (for example, under a continuous carpet covering). In addition, at best, a very small amount of tape is included in the package; and many vacuum cleaners are not equipped with it at all, so you need to buy a magnetic tape additionally.

— Via the application. The most advanced way to limit cleaning: the boundaries of the working area are set on a smartphone or other gadget through an application that is also used for general control of the robot. Almost all models with this function also have the function of building a map of the premises (see below) — the finished map is displayed in the application, and on it the user can set the boundaries of the working area at will. The simplest version of such borders is separate straight lines. However, control applications often provide more extensive features: broken lines and polygons from individual segments, standard shapes (circle, oval, rectangle) and even the ability to draw a border by hand. Anyway, this method of restriction is extremely convenient and functional. However, robot vacuum cleaners with this capability are expensive, mainly due to the presence of a complex mapping system.

The mapping system is provided in many modern robots. It allows you to determine the size of the room and the location of various obstacles present in it, as well as fix the route travelled by the vacuum cleaner. There are various systems according to their principle of operation, among which there are three types. Methods for building a map based on data from a sensor or a camera belonging to the basic level. But building a map using a laser rangefinder (lidar) gives more accurate results and elevates the device to a higher category. Accordingly, the presence of such a system affects the overall cost but provides several advantages. Firstly, cleaning efficiency is noticeably increased: the robot remembers which areas have already been cleaned and pays maximum attention to untreated areas. Secondly, movements are carried out along optimal trajectories, the shortest paths; this saves energy and extends battery life. Thirdly, it becomes possible to effectively clean large spaces of complex shape (for example, the entire apartment). And if the vacuum cleaner is controlled through an application on a smartphone or other gadget, the created map is displayed in this application. It gives various additional features: correcting the collected data, real-time device control, building routes, limiting cleaning through the application (see above), etc. P.

As for the methods of building maps (and further naviga...tion), there are mainly such options:

— Camera. Such systems work because the robot, using a digital camera, “examines” the room, remembering its shape and the location of objects. A fairly simple, inexpensive and at the same time practical way: usually, the camera is supplemented by an object recognition algorithm, thanks to which it can recognize obstacles stored in memory, regardless of their position in space. It is useful when you have items that are frequently moved around, such as chairs. In addition, if the map is displayed in an application on a smartphone, it looks like not just a conventional diagram but a real image, which is very convenient. The disadvantages of this option include perhaps a slightly lower accuracy than that of sensors and even more so rangefinders. However, it is not critical, and in some models, information from the camera can be supplemented with data from sensors, which completely reduces this drawback to zero.

— Sensors. Creating a map through the operation of various special sensors. Most often, such systems use sensors for obstacles and fall protection (see "Robot features"), working in conjunction with an inertial module that determines the current position of the robot in space. Receiving a signal from one of the sensors, the robot saves data on the trigger point; from such points, as a result, the map is formed. It is a fairly reliable method. It is inferior in accuracy to rangefinding cartography (see below) but it is also cheaper. The disadvantages of this type of mapping include some inconvenience when managing via the application. The map is displayed in the form of a scheme map, which is not always convenient for the user. In addition, vacuum cleaners with such systems are unable to respond in advance to a change in the situation — this change is determined only when the sensor is triggered again.

— Rangefinder (laser). Building a map using a laser range finder — lidar. Usually, such a rangefinder covers the space all 360 ° around the vacuum cleaner, scanning the space at a high frequency (hundreds and even thousands of measurements per second in all directions). It allows you to create very accurate maps in a short time and with a minimum of movement in space. In addition, the rangefinder is used not only during the initial mapping but also during further work. Thanks to this, the robot instantly reacts to changes in the environment and corrects the trajectory of movement. The main disadvantage of such systems is their rather high cost. In addition, as in the case of sensors, when controlling the vacuum cleaner from a smartphone, the map is displayed in the form of a scheme map, which is somewhat less convenient than when using cameras.

— Rangefinder + camera. It is the most advanced and functional option: the laser provides high accuracy in determining distances and a quick response to changes in the environment. And the camera allows you to create not just scheme maps but realistic images of premises that are convenient when controlled via a smartphone. The main disadvantage of such combined systems is their very high cost. Therefore, they are extremely rare, mainly in premium robot vacuum cleaners.

Advanced models of robotic vacuum cleaners can havemulti-map memory. Thanks to this feature, when moving the robot to another floor, it does not need to reacquaint itself with the premises and build a new map. As a result, cleaning will be done faster and better.

Cleaning area for which the robot vacuum cleaner is designed.

It is the maximum size of the room that the device can effectively process without the need to empty the dust container or charge the battery. It is worth choosing according to this parameter with a certain margin — this will give an additional guarantee in case of various emergencies. On the other hand, you should not take too much stock: after all, a large cleaning area requires more capacious batteries and capacious dust collectors, which significantly affects the dimensions, weight, and most importantly, the price of the vacuum cleaner.

As for specific figures, the most modest models nowadays are designed for 45 – 60 m2 — this corresponds to an average apartment with 1 – 2 rooms. And in the most advanced and heavy devices of this type, the cleaning area can be 300 m2 or even more.

The capacity of the battery installed in the vacuum cleaner.

Recall that batteries are used in all robots, as well as other types of vacuum cleaners for which mobility is important; see "Power supply" for details. As for battery capacity, theoretically, a larger battery allows you to work longer without recharging. However, there are nuances. Firstly, the actual battery life of the unit will also depend on its type, power and some features of the functionality. Secondly, the actual battery capacity is determined not only by this indicator but also by the voltage in volts. So if these batteries differ in voltage, you need to convert their capacity into watt-hours and use this data when comparing. These calculations are described in more detail in special sources.

In light of all this, only vacuum cleaners with similar specifications can be directly compared in terms of battery capacity. And it is best to evaluate the actual battery life by the directly claimed operating time.

The operating time of a battery-powered vacuum cleaner (see "Power supply") on a single battery charge.

Usually, the average operating time in normal mode is indicated here. Accordingly, in fact, the battery life of the vacuum cleaner may differ slightly from the claimed one, depending on the chosen application format. Nevertheless, the operating time indicated in the specifications is a fairly reliable indicator; it can be used both for a general assessment of battery life and for comparing the selected vacuum cleaner with other models.

Separately, we note that increasing battery life requires either the use of more capacious (and therefore more expensive and heavier) batteries or a decrease in engine power (and the efficiency of the unit as a whole). So it is worth looking specifically for a long working vacuum cleaner if these moments are outweighed by a long operating time.