Comparison Xiaomi Xiaowa E20 vs Xiaomi MiJia Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Type(s) of cleaning for which the vacuum cleaner is intended.

Almost all modern units have the function of dry cleaning. In turn, wet cleaning is usually provided as an addition to the dry mode and is rarely used as the only cleaning mode. Here is a more detailed description of these options:

— Dry. Traditional cleaning without the use of water: the vacuum cleaner draws in air, collects debris in the dust container and purifies the air through a filter system. It is considered somewhat less effective than wet, but it has practically no restrictions on its use: almost any material can be cleaned in this way. In addition, such cleaning is much easier for the user (no need to fill or even drain water). And the units themselves, which have only a dry mode, are simpler and more inexpensive than similar models with a wet cleaning function. In addition, for some types of vacuum cleaners, this is the only available option. A typical example is handheld models of both household and industrial specialization (see "Product type").
We note that the possibility of water suction (see below) can be provided even in vacuum cleaners with a purely dry type of cleaning (most often in industrial and household models — see "Product type").

— Wet and dry. The ability to carry out not only the dry cleaning described above but also wet cleaning. It is in this fo...rmat that all washing vacuum cleaners work (see below). However, we emphasize that not every unit with the wet cleaning function is a washing vacuum, and even the water suction function (also see below) is not always available in such models. The fact is that many vacuum cleaners with this feature use the simplest possible operation mode: water from a special container is supplied to a special nozzle and moistens the floor after cleaning. However, even such a treatment method significantly increases efficiency compared to conventional dry cleaning. An additional nozzle collects dirt that the vacuum cleaner could not draw in, and moistening the floor refreshes the room and prevents dust from rising into the air that could remain after cleaning. For washing vacuum cleaners, in turn, other advantages are also common. The main disadvantages of all models with two types of cleaning are the complexity of the design, greater weight and higher cost than similar units with only a dry format.

— Wet. This option means that the vacuum cleaner is designed for wet cleaning only and does not require a dry operation. See above for details on these modes. Here we note that it is a very rare option used in single models of conventional and upright vacuum cleaners (see "Product type").

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 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 capacity of a tank for water or detergent a vacuum cleaner with a wet cleaning function is equipped with. (see "Cleaning type").

Large capacity allows you to work longer without refilling the tank. On the other hand, an increase in capacity has a corresponding effect on the size, weight and cost of the unit. Thus, manufacturers choose this parameter taking into account the general specialization and the “weight category” of a particular model. So, in robots (see "Type"), the volume of the water tank is, by definition, small. Even in the heaviest models, it does not exceed 650 mL. But other types of vacuum cleaners can differ markedly in this parameter.

In general, for non-robot units, a capacity of 1 liter or less is considered very limited, 1 – 2 liters is small, 2 – 3 liters is average, more than 3 liters is above average. However, it much depends on the type. For example, in conventional vacuum cleaners, the capacity does not exceed 2.5 liters, and "for workshop" models this is very little — in most cases, they have a tank capacity of 3 liters or more.

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.

The highest height of thresholds and various small obstacles that the robot cleaner can effectively overcome.

Most modern robots are able to effectively cope with obstacles with a height of 10 to 18 mm — this allows at least without problems to cross the edges of carpets, and small height differences at the boundaries of rooms (due to the difference in the type of coating), etc. But the models where the indicator is 20 mm or more are already referred to as robots capable of crossing high thresholds. However, even in such devices, the permissible height of obstacles does not exceed 30 mm. It is due to the fact that to overcome high obstacles, in particular, large wheels and high ground clearance are needed — and these features, in turn, increase the overall height of the robot, make it difficult to move under furniture and other low-lying objects, as well as reduce suction efficiency. On the other hand, even thin robots, whose height does not exceed 70 mm, can have very good crossing ability — for some of them, the maximum threshold height is about 25 mm.

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.

The time required to charge the cordless vacuum cleaner fully (see "Power supply").

Larger batteries tend to take longer to charge. On the other hand, modern batteries can use various solutions that speed up the process, so there is no strict dependence here.

Separately, we note that the speed of charging batteries is usually uneven: at first, the process is fast, then it gradually slows down. So if, for example, the specifications indicate a charging time of 2 hours, then charging from 0 to 50% will take a little less than an hour, and from 50% to 100% the remaining time.