The Ecovacs Deebot X12S OmniCyclone is the new flagship model for the company, coming out fresh from a year stacked with every company launching a new model; the X12S OmniCyclone just might be the underdog here that is worth taking a look at. It has a futuristic-looking dock and robot that is deceptively appealing.
After spending a few weeks putting this robovac through its paces, I can comfortably say that this is the best robot vacuum I have ever used. Before I get stuck into the specifics, it is important to know I live in a single-level apartment with a dog (who is currently shedding A LOT!). Every room is easily accessible, and there are no barriers for the robot to get around.
Design
The Deebot X12S notably takes the complete opposite approach from its competitors, going down the spacey, futuristic route that had me concerned that it looked too spacey and plasticky for my apartment. Fortunately, when I unpacked the box and set everything up, it was clear that it actually fit right into my place perfectly.
The robot has a three-pronged star on its face that acts as the on/off button; you can also lift the silver cover to access the buttons underneath to connect and sync the robot to the base and your phone for the app. There are twin cameras on the front of the robot and a sensor.
This robot is a full vacuum and mop with a roller system, wheels and side brushes that ensure maximum coverage when cleaning. In the dock are clean water and dirty water tanks that are conveniently located at the back of the dock, tucked away out of sight. On the front of the dock is the bagless dirt chamber that does a great job of helping you visually see when you need to empty it. The front left-hand side opens up with the cover coming off to hide the included cleaning solution that keeps your floors sparkly clean.
The ramp for the robot is black and has enough grooves and edges to not trap dirt, which is a huge step up from previous robot vacs I have reviewed. On the back of the unit is the power cord and some hooks to wrap it around so nothing is hanging loose. While the silver and black tones took a while to get used to, I did find it easy to locate the robot when it disappeared under my bed frame, and the removable cover makes it easy to wipe down and keep looking brand new.
Performance
This is where I was completely sold. I have tried and tested a few robo vacs over the last year, and while they did a good job, it took them about 2 – 3 times as long as the X12S does to do it. This could be down to the 27,000Pa suction that includes dust-mite allergen removal.
As I mentioned earlier, I have a shedding dog and a messy housemate, so my current robot vac needs to go twice a day to keep things looking clean. I am happy to say that the X12S has reduced my ned to once per day for both vacuuming and mopping, and while my old robot vac used to take an average of 1.5.2 hours to fully do the job, the X12S does this in less than an hour with the extreme settings on.
I haven’t been this impressed with the performance of a robot vac in a really long time. The majority of my apartment is hardwood floors, so naturally this is the easiest floor for this to work on. Spills in the kitchen and around the dog food bowls were cleaned up easily. I do have a couple of rugs that are light in colour, and this is where my scepticism was alleviated. Not only did it vacuum the rug intensely, but the rug also looked cleaner than any of my previous robovacs were able to achieve. It easily navigates around coffee tables and furniture, while still getting in as close as it can to ensure maximum coverage.
It is incredibly good at sensing objects and pets around the apartment. If it does get caught up in the odd bath mat or two, it easily untangles itself on its own and keeps on cleaning. There was only one time when it got stuck on a sock, and I had to intervene, but apart from that, the performance has been completely flawless and far exceeded my expectations.
The robot also has additional AI and app features worth exploring. The app is quite detailed; you can see the maps that have been created for your home and name the zones if you wish. You can also set the intensity of the vacuum and mopping, as well as whether the robot does a single or double pass through. There is an AI option that looks at your cleaning history and then automatically will turn on and complete a job if it thinks your house might be dirty.
The downside of this for me was a 11pm clean wasn’t great for me or my neighbours. I may turn this back on in the future if software updates come out addressing that issue or at least allowing for some guardrails to be put in. If you don’t want to open the app, you can say “Hey Eco” and then ask it to clean, stop or schedule a cleaning time. It’s handy and very responsive, although placing it near the TV does set it off sometimes if a show says something similar. It never actually started cleaning or anything, but it did respond and wait for the command.
Verdict & Value
The Ecovacs Deebot X12S is an incredibly impressive vacuum and mop system. It handles cleaning and mopping effortlessly, and the lack of maintenance required after every clean is a godsend for a pet household. Priced at A$2,999.00, what you are getting for this price point is exactly what you would expect.
There are some extra purchases required, like the cleaning solution for the mop; however, after using it for three weeks, the solution hasn’t gone down too much, so the value here appears to be great. The cleaning results from the robot speak for themselves, and the added AI features and voice recognition really help its features match its futuristic look. The Ecovacs DEEBOT X12S is the best robot vacuum I have ever used, and is worth every cent.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Easy to set up; Perfect and thorough cleaning every time; Voice features that are responsive.
Lowlights: The look may not work for everyone
Price: A$2,999.00
Available: Now via the official Ecovacs website
Review based on a unit provided by Ecovacs.
Featured header image provided by Ecovacs.
