Yeedi Cube Robot Vacuum Review

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What is the Yeedi Cube

The Yeedi Cube is a combination of a robot vacuum and mop, complete with a self-emptying and recharging station. The product's core concept, like any other robot vacuum, aims to alleviate our workload, allowing us to dedicate more time to activities we enjoy. What sets the Yeedi Cube apart is its advanced technology, which minimises the need for human intervention.

Indeed, this robotic vacuum not only learns the layout of your home but also takes charge of both vacuuming and mopping tasks. It can autonomously empty itself and dispose of dirty water, as well as identify carpeted areas. The only instances where human interaction is required are when:

• Filling the clean water tank on the robot.
• Emptying the dirty water tank on the station.
• Replacing the dust bag in the station.
• Dealing with situations where the robot becomes stuck.

Remarkably, Yeedi has managed to maintain a price point of approximately AU$1,100 for this comprehensive package. At this price level, there are no competitors in the market that offer the same range of capabilities. While you may find alternatives with superior suction, enhanced connectivity features, or longer battery life, none of them provide all of the above within this budget.

To discover a comparable autonomous cleaning solution, you'd have to consider products at a significantly higher price tier, such as the Narwal Freo (priced at approximately $1,700) or the ECOVACS Deebot X1 (which can cost around $2,000).

So, the Yeedi Cube appears to be a dream come true for those seeking maximum automation in their home's floor cleaning routine. Now, let's delve deeper to determine if it lives up to these promising features.

Suction and vacuuming

We conducted a series of tests using the Cube on various types of flooring in our home, which includes a mix of tiles and low pile carpet. It's important to clarify that we didn't have the same expectations for the Cube's performance as we would for a traditional barrel vacuum. Nonetheless, the Cube delivered a decent cleaning performance, with the Max setting being our preferred choice most of the time.

Within the app, users have three options to choose from: Quiet, Normal, and Max. "Quiet" lives up to its name by being less noisy, while "Max" not only cranks up the volume but also delivers more powerful suction compared to the "Normal" setting.

Although the Cube may not capture every speck of dirt and dust on its initial pass, it's reassuring to observe that whether in SPOT or AUTO mode, the vacuum revisits the same areas multiple times, ultimately ensuring a thoroughly cleaned floor.

In terms of functionality, the spot cleaning allows you to place the vacuum in a specific, dirty area for concentrated cleaning (approximately 1.5x1.5 metres), while "AUTO" mode employs the mapping instructions to clean designated rooms based on the app settings.

Another differentiating factor is the choice between "Quick" and "Full" cleaning modes. In our experience, the distinction between the two isn't substantial. We typically opt for "Full" because, with the "Quick" option, we noticed that the time saved during cleaning wasn't significantly different from the "Full" mode, and the cleaning results were not as satisfactory.

In our bedrooms, we particularly value the robot's effortless ability to clean under the bed, a task rarely achieved with a traditional vacuum cleaner or even a stick vacuum, thanks to the Cube's low height of 4.4 cm.

The rotating brushes, including the specialized edge brush, effectively manage corners and edge cleaning, ensuring thorough dirt removal. However, there are occasional hiccups when encountering cables on the floor.

Auto-Empty Functionality 

Throughout a cleaning cycle, or upon completion, the vacuum autonomously returns to the OMNI Station.

Here, the vacuum's internal dustbin is emptied into the station's dustbin. You'll notice a distinct noise as the station efficiently sucks up the dirt from the robot, though this process lasts only a few seconds.

Additionally, when the vacuum's battery reaches a low level, it automatically initiates a “return to the base” process, where it remains until fully charged, then resumes its cleaning duties.

Carpet detection

Carpet detection is on board, offering the option to activate an extra boost in vacuuming power, with two levels of adjustment: Max or Max+. We prefer the Max+ setting, and it's quite satisfying to witness the robot enhance its performance as it transitions into a carpeted room.

Mopping

Unlike its siblings, the Yeedi Vac models, the Yeedi Cube has a transparent water tank prominently situated on the top of the robot. This allows you to easily check the water level and ensure it's filled when needed. Refilling the reservoir is a straightforward and effortless process.

Located at the rear of the vacuum cleaner, there's a semi-circular mopping pad. Unlike other vacuums on the market with rotating mop heads, this one employs rapid vibration at 2,500 times per minute, as per Yeedi's specifications.

This approach creates the necessary friction and movement to effectively scrub dirt from the floor. It's an intriguing design choice, lending the device a more modern and sleek appearance. However, a drawback is that the mop cannot reach corners, as there are no mopping brushes or extensions protruding from the main body.

We must admit that the mopping performance exceeded our expectations. On our tiled floors, it was able to clean quite effectively, especially when set to the "High" setting. The mopping settings include low, mid, and high, indicating the amount of water used by the mop and consequently determining how wet your floor becomes after cleaning.

Once again, the "High" setting is our preferred choice most of the time. Given the presence of kids and occasional food residues stuck on the floor, having a relatively wet mop proves beneficial in effectively scrubbing away dirt.

Self-cleaning and drying

One of the standout features of the Yeedi Cube is its advanced technology that automates the cleaning process for the robot's mopping pad. It efficiently discharges the dirty water into a visible tank within the station and proceeds to dry the mopping pad.

This comprehensive process, as expected, does take some time. To clean the mopping pad, a vibrating scrubber engages while the robot is stationary, effectively restoring the pad's cleanliness.

Subsequently, the drying phase initiates, accompanied by a prolonged period of fan noise. This aspect can become somewhat irritating, particularly when the station is positioned in the living room, as the constant fan noise may wear on one's patience over time. Fortunately, users have the convenience of halting the drying process at any time via the app.

Setup, App and personalisation 

Setting up the app, the robot, and the station to ensure seamless collaboration in caring for your floors takes just a few hours from the moment you unbox the devices.

Unboxing and configuring the components may occupy approximately an hour or so of your time. However, if you diligently follow the provided instructions and guidelines, the robot should be primed for swift cleaning.

One minor challenge we encountered is that the station must be placed in an area without furniture or walls within a 1.5-meter radius on each side. This requirement can sometimes make it challenging to find the ideal spot, considering that the station also requires a power source.

We confess that we deviated from the manufacturer's instructions by positioning the station adjacent to a cabinet on its left side. Consequently, the robot occasionally faces difficulties locating the station and returning to it. In such cases, we manually place the robot in front of the station, and it successfully locates it.

Mapping 

To initiate the mapping process, we conducted a comprehensive floor scan, adhering to the instructions by clearing the floor of any obstacles and tidying up the space. The robot roamed throughout our home for approximately an hour, diligently assimilating the layout of the area and identifying rooms.

During this initial mapping session, the robot overlooked a couple of areas in our home, as reflected in the incomplete map it generated. However, in subsequent cleaning sessions, it rectified this by visiting and cleaning these previously omitted areas, essentially learning as it went along. One minor drawback to note is that while it learns and adapts, it doesn't automatically update the map. Consequently, there remains some uncertainty about whether these areas are now fully integrated into its knowledge. In this instance, we contacted the customer service team from Yeedi and received advice that the Yeedi Cube will trigger auto-map updating in the second cleaning cycle if the missing area exceeds 3 square units, which is not the case in our situation. Therefore, we have found that cleaning the missing area is sometimes hit or miss.

After completing the initial mapping, we proceeded to label the various areas of our home, such as the living room, bathroom, and so on.

Additionally, there's an option to specify "no-mop zones," which can be particularly useful in rooms with carpets and rugs. Initially, we expected that when initiating a full cleaning session (both vacuuming and mopping), the robot would vacuum and mop the tiled rooms while refraining from mopping in the carpeted areas. However, this isn't the case. When you designate no-mop zones and commence a full vacuum and mop combo, the robot exclusively tends to the rooms where mopping is applicable, leaving the designated no-mop zones uncleaned. The solution we've found is to first start a vacuuming session for all the carpeted rooms. Once this task is finished, we then initiate a separate vacuum and mop combo session for the tiled rooms.

Alexa and smart home 

We're an Alexa-using household, and the convenience of commanding, "Alexa, vacuum and mop the living room!" to watch the trusty Cube spring into action would be fantastic. Regrettably, the Alexa skill isn't available for Australian users.

Yeedi's team suggested a workaround by attempting to download the skill from the Amazon US store. However, this proved to be an unworkable solution, as it led to a frustrating loop, preventing us from acquiring the skill. We relayed this issue to them, and they assured us that their team is actively working to bring the Alexa skill to the Australian market in the near future.

Navigation 

For those entering the robot vacuum market, it's essential to understand that flawless performance cannot always be expected when remotely managing your smart device's floor cleaning.

In most instances, the robot navigates reasonably well, but occasional hiccups can occur, leading to instances where it gets stuck or loses its sense of location. Sometimes, it struggles to find its way back to its charging station, and on other occasions, physical intervention may be required for various reasons.

Can we trust the Yeedi Cube to autonomously clean our home while we're away, commanding it remotely through the app and returning to a perfectly cleaned floor? Let's put it at a 50/50 chance.

If you've prepared adequately by ensuring your home is clear of obstacles, such as cables or potential entanglement hazards for the vacuum, there's a good likelihood that the robot will successfully perform its cleaning tasks, and you'll return to a spotless floor. However, in the event that the robot encounters an issue or loses its navigational bearings, you'll have no choice but to wait until you're home to address and resolve the situation.

Comparisons

Now, it's time for what you've all been waiting for. We've conducted some research to compare the new Yeedi Cube with other popular robot vacuum brands within the same price range in the market. And here are the results.

*According to the Yeedi development team, it will be available in mid-September 2023

**Currently not available for Alexa for Australian users, as of 15th September 2023

Yeedi Cube vs Ecovacs Deebot N10+

Both robots share a similar weight, making them easy to handle. However, the Deebot N10+ has a slight advantage in size, standing at 9.3cm in height, which means it can slip under furnituref with lower clearance. This feature might be particularly useful if you have beds or sofas close to the ground, saving you the trouble of moving them.

When it comes to battery life, the Deebot N10+ outperforms the Yeedi Cube, making it an excellent choice for those with larger homes. On the other hand, the Yeedi Cube boasts higher suction power, ensuring a thorough cleaning experience. Additionally, it offers convenient and premium features like auto mop lifting and the ability to wash and dry the mop in its station.

If you have a spacious home and prioritise extended or deep cleaning sessions, the Deebot N10+ is a strong contender. On the other hand, if you seek robust suction power and multifunctionality, the Yeedi Cube may be your ideal choice.

Yeedi Cube vs Roborock Q7 Max+

Once again, we commend the Yeedi Cube for its outstanding suction power and extensive functionality. In contrast, the Roborock Q7 Max+ stands out with its impressive dust bin capacities, both internally and in its station. This means that you won't have to empty the bin in the docking station as frequently, offering a significant convenience.

However, it's important to note a substantial drawback with the Q7 Max Plus – the absence of a carpet detection feature. This means that the Q7 Max+ won't automatically adjust its suction power or avoid mopping on carpeted areas, requiring your attention and manual adjustments. While it may hold particular appeal for Apple enthusiasts due to its compatibility with Siri, it's essential to carefully consider this convenience in light of the lacking carpet detection feature and other potential limitations, which may necessitate more active monitoring on your part.

Yeedi Cube vs Roomba Combo i5+

Based on the information presented in the comparison table, we confidently recommend the Yeedi Cube over the Roomba Combo i5+. When considering both cost and performance, the Yeedi Cube clearly shines.

For the same price point, the Roomba Combo i5+ falls short with its 1800mAh battery, resulting in a shorter operating time compared to the Yeedi Cube. The Yeedi Cube also outperforms the Roomba i5+ in various aspects such as carpet detection,auto mop lifting, multi-level mapping, and more, offering a more comprehensive set of features.

Unfortunately, our experience with iRobot's customer service left much to be desired. We received a response from their customer service team two weeks after sending an inquiry, which is significantly longer than the one or two-day response times we've encountered with other companies. While it's possible that our timing coincided with a busy period for iRobot, the delay in response is an aspect worth considering when evaluating the overall experience.

Conclusion 

The Yeedi Cube offers a compelling combination of a robot vacuum and mop, complemented by a self-emptying station, all at an attractive price point, making it one of the best robotic vacuum cleaners on the market. While it excels in vacuuming performance, especially with customizable settings, and provides surprisingly effective mopping, there are some notable considerations.

The setup process is manageable but requires careful placement of the self-emptying station. Mapping and room naming enhance the user experience, but the inability to update the map as the robot learns is a limitation.

Smart home integration, particularly Alexa support for Australian users, remains pending, though the manufacturer is actively addressing this issue.

Navigation is generally reliable, but occasional hiccups may require human intervention, making fully autonomous cleaning a mixed proposition.

In summary, the Yeedi Cube offers strong cleaning capabilities, competitive pricing, and promising features, solidifying its position among the best robotic vacuum cleaners. However, it has some limitations, and users should be prepared for occasional quirks when considering this cleaning solution.