Sunday, September 29, 2024

SwitchBot K10+ assessment: specs, efficiency, worth

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: K10+ stationed at its base charging




The SwitchBot K10+ is a small, hard-working robotic vacuum that guarantees to help Matter in a future replace. However until you have got the SwitchBot Hub 2, it will not be HomeKit appropriate.

SwitchBot, an organization most famously recognized for creating the Good Swap Button Pusher, presents a spread of sensible dwelling units appropriate with Matter by way of the Hub 2. And shortly, the K10+ will be part of them as soon as the subsequent model of Matter is launched.

That is thrilling as a result of robotic vacuums are an effective way to assist maintain your flooring clear with out the effort of doing it your self. With their included sensors, they will intelligently map out your own home after which be instructed to scrub particular areas and rooms.

For the previous week, we have examined the K10+ in a totally carpeted home with a kitchen, eating room, lounge, and hallway linked to a number of bedrooms. It received the general job completed, nevertheless it’ll work higher in smaller areas with wood or tiled flooring than carpeted family-style houses.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Acquainted design in a smaller physique

The SwitchBot K10+ sports activities a design much like that of different robotic vacuums however is inbuilt a extra compact type. That is nice for residences and tiny houses that do not provide a lot further space for storing.

Measuring 9.76 x 9.76 x 3.62 inches and weighing 5.06 kilos, the K10+ is sufficiently small to go below low surfaces and into tough-to-reach areas. It is also gentle sufficient to effortlessly decide up when altering its location, which is appropriate for multilevel houses.

A robotic vacuum cleaner on a tiled floor near wooden furniture.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Cleansing below the counters and hard-to-reach areas

When cleansing our kitchen, it might get below the house between our cupboards and the ground. This may sometimes be a fancy space to scrub with our conventional vacuum, nevertheless it was no downside for the K10+, which swept each nook beneath.

On high is an influence button to activate cleansing mode or activate the machine, however one other means is by lifting the magnetic faceplate and utilizing the swap beneath. Moreover, there is a dwelling button to ship the vacuum again to its base to cost, nevertheless it’ll additionally try this robotically after ending a activity.

A robotic vacuum cleaner on a tiled floor with visible control buttons and a charging cord.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Management panel below magnetic faceplate

When first pushing the facility button, we thought it will solely be for turning the vacuum on and off, however we had been mistaken. As an alternative, it went into cleansing mode and began vacuuming our entire home.

This will likely confuse most customers because you would not anticipate the facility image to provoke cleansing. It could be helpful for SwitchBot to include a separate cleansing button so you understand what every button dies earlier than urgent it.

The LiDAR sensor within the center helps map out your own home’s ground plan and forestall potential collisions with something in its path. But when the vacuum does run into one thing, the bumper throughout the entrance will shield it and spring the K10+ again onto its route.

One element we observed is how simply scratched the bumper will get after colliding with objects steadily. They’re unnoticeable from far-off, however you may see them once you stand up shut. They will not affect the performance of the robotic vacuum however will alter the looks barely when seen.

Because the K10+ cleaned our home, we constantly heard the bumper clicking when colliding with objects. The fixed clicking did not annoy us because the robotic vacuum does this to get into each nook, so it was anticipated.

An opened robotic vacuum cleaner on a tiled floor with its dustbin and brush exposed.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Removable mud bin to manually empty particles

On the again of the K10+ are inserts to connect the mopping pad plate and the removable bin that homes all the things the vacuum picks up. The 2 charging connectors on reverse sides of the bin join the vacuum to its base for charging.

Flipping over the K10+ will reveal the comb body, the multi-surface brush, and a removable edge-sweeping brush. You may must manually put the edge-sweeping brush on because it will not be connected when taking the vacuum out of the field.

Close-up of a robotic vacuum cleaner on a textured floor, showing brushes and wheels.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Edge-sweeping brush that’ll gather particles not reachable by solo-suction

To connect the edge-sweeping brush, you snap it into place, however eradicating it requires just a little drive because it turns into securely mounted when placing it on. We by no means had an occasion the place we wanted to take the comb off, so problem eradicating it wasn’t encountered.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: The vacuum’s dwelling base

Accompanying the SwitchBot K10+ is the Auto-Empty Station, the place the vacuum will cost and robotically empty itself by way of the Station’s particles evacuation port.

Measuring 10.3 x 8.3 x 12.7 inches, the Station can match below a desk or inside a slender nook. Due to its prolonged energy wire, you do not have to position it near an outlet, however there is a built-in wire wrap to bundle unused cable.

A white portable base with a black vent stands on a tiled floor next to wooden furniture.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Auto-Empty Station ready for robotic vacuum to return

When discovering a spot for the Station, it is necessary to keep in mind that the K10+ shall be protruding from it when it is docked. Be cautious of its environment because the K10+ has to have the ability to entry it when coming and going. We initially positioned it below our kitchen desk in entrance of a textured rug, and the robotic vacuum had no subject accessing or leaving the Station when going over it.

The LED indicator on the entrance will warn you of various data relying on its coloration. When it is white, it means the K10+ is actively charging; when it is pink, it means the canister lid is open, or the mud bag must be changed. One other approach to inform if the mud bag must be changed is that if the Station does not robotically empty the particles from the vacuum when it docks itself.

The mud bag might be discovered inside the highest of the Station, and SwitchBot recommends you modify it each one to 2 months. We want we might see how full the bag was from throughout the SwitchBot app, however sadly, all it informed us was how usually it must be modified.

A close-up of a white, textured cloth draped over an open-lid container, with a pair of wooden tongs resting on top.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Mud bag discovered on high of the Auto-Empty Station that may simply be switched as soon as full

There’s one other bag within the field when the time comes to alter it, however as soon as it is used, you need to buy further ones. A four-pack is accessible on Amazon for $15.

Altering the bag is straightforward; all it takes is to take away the prevailing one by its cardboard insert, discard it, after which insert the brand new one into the identical location.

Though buying further ones will not be too costly, we’d’ve most popular a reusable possibility be included since you need to take away the entire bag when changing them. This may be each cost-efficient and environmentally pleasant.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Mapping out the structure

Earlier than the SwitchBot K10+ begins recording the structure of your own home, you need to select the motion it takes as soon as completed. You’ll be able to have the K10+ solely map out your own home or clear it after it is completed.

For our assessment, we selected to have the K10+ solely map out our home earlier than cleansing so we might see every step intimately. It additionally allowed us to make sure every room was divided accurately within the app earlier than it began cleansing.

A white robotic vacuum cleaner on a grey carpeted floor near a wall, with illuminated buttons visible on top.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Robotic vacuum cleansing the carpet within the hallway

Whereas mapping, the K10+ will go to varied spots inside a room, seize the encompassing space by turning 360 levels, after which transfer on to its subsequent level. The mapping course of is fast, and with the LiDAR sensor, the vacuum does not must go to each space in a room to seize its structure.

You’ll be able to watch the method from the SwitchBot app, and as we watched it, we noticed the vacuum beginning to document one other room whereas nonetheless mapping its one-in-progress. This occurred when the opposite room’s door was open, nevertheless it did not get the entire structure till it went deeper into the room.

However whereas this did assist make the duty faster, the vacuum typically recorded a room we did not wish to be mapped out. Though you’ll be able to block off these areas within the app, it will be higher to delete them completely, however there is not any approach to take away them at present.

Because the K10+ is mapping, it will not concurrently clear, so until you initially informed it to scrub afterward, you need to direct it to take action as soon as it is completed recording.

For multi-leveled homes, you need to decide up the K10+ and place it on the subsequent stage to have it begin mapping out its structure.

A built-in cliff sensor below the bumper detects stairs and prevents the vacuum from falling. However even when the sensor was principally profitable, there have been instances when the K10+ would fall down our stairs, and we needed to retrieve it.

When the robotic vacuum was initially mapping out our home, we thought the sensor would absolutely catch discover of our stairs, nevertheless it did not. This was uncommon as a result of it did cease itself from falling when close to the steps earlier than. Fortunately, it solely fell one step, nevertheless it most likely would’ve damaged if it had gone down all the flight.

Since this occurred greater than as soon as, we selected to face on the high of the steps to stop the vacuum from falling when remapping. As soon as the home was fully mapped out, we programmed the K10+ to not go close to the steps as an additional layer of safety.

It is a disgrace the robotic vacuum was unreliable round stairs and wanted help to stop it from falling. The K10+ is meant to guard itself to make sure a clean mapping expertise, however manually helping to keep away from accidents decreases the notion.

After your own home is mapped out, you may see an entire structure throughout the SwitchBot app, the place you’ll be able to rename, redivide, and merge the scanned rooms. The structure could look complicated initially, however one of the best ways to decipher it’s by finding the Station on the map and evaluating it to the recorded ground plan.

Once we received the ultimate mapping of our home, we noticed a number of areas that wanted to be redivided and merged. The structure consisted of rooms bleeding into one another and a few being divided into two separate places. Happily, fixing these points wasn’t tough and solely took a minute to finish.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Vacuuming the exhausting to achieve areas

Earlier than vacuuming, put away any objects the vacuum might sweep up. If the K10+ will get caught on something, it will pause cleansing till you repair the problem.

Whereas it’s comprehensible to choose up susceptible gadgets, it will have been extra handy for the K10+ to note them and keep clear with the LiDAR sensor.

Getting ready your room for the robotic vacuum minimizes the usefulness of setting it on a schedule to scrub robotically. In case you overlook to choose up an merchandise and the K10+ will get caught on it, the cleansing course of shall be halted till you intervene. Relying on once you repair the problem, this might end in an extended cleansing time.

When cleansing our home, the K10+ sucked up the cable to our shades and fought with certainly one of our canine’s chewed-up ropes, so pay attention to what’s accessible.

Additionally, earlier than the K10+ vacuums, it’s best to connect the edge-sweeping brush if you have not already. It’s going to assist gather further particles the vacuum will not be capable to attain, and when testing, the vacuum did a greater job accumulating filth and mud with it on than off.

The K10+ has a high-performance motor and built-in duct design to permit suction energy as much as 2,500Pa. Due to this, the vacuum swept up gadgets similar to dry cat meals when within the kitchen and small chipped items of wooden when by the hearth.

Because it vacuums, the K10+ will first lap across the room’s perimeter after which begin cleansing the within. Because it does this, the vacuum will go in a straight line, flip round, after which proceed to the next line. If one thing vital is in the way in which, the K10+ will discover it — however go round it — and proceed on its route.

When cleansing, the K10+ made minimal noise, with ranges reaching round 48 dB. Nonetheless, rising the suction energy does make it louder. We set the suction stage to MAX — the very best stage — and whereas we might hear it down the corridor, we weren’t disturbed by its loudness.

A smartphone screen displaying a colorful map of a vacuum's cleaning path within a house layout on a robot vacuum app, indicating different rooms and cleaning statistics.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Vacuuming map of areas already clear

We had the K10+ vacuum our entire home, and though it did a suitable job, it favored the tiled flooring over the carpeted, which was to be anticipated. We noticed extra leftover particles on the carpeted surfaces than within the kitchen, the place the flooring is tiled.

We particularly noticed this in areas all through the lounge the place we sprinkled dry cleansing powder earlier than vacuuming. Whereas it picked up cat hair, items from our canine’s rope, and filth from exterior, it had hassle sucking up the cleaner in some areas.

This was stunning because the dry cleansing powder might simply be included into the carpet once we rubbed our footwear towards it. And for the K10+ to not make a dent within the cleaner’s placement was pitiful since we had it on probably the most sturdy suction setting.

The K10+ additionally had opposite relationships with completely different depths of carpeting. Whereas the lounge had shallow carpeting, the bedrooms had been deeper. This resulted within the vacuum not doing as nicely within the bed room as in the lounge by leaving particles — which was undoubtedly accessible — nonetheless mendacity round.

Alternatively, when navigating the room, the K10+ excelled by transferring round and avoiding unrecorded objects that weren’t current throughout preliminary mappings. It received below our mattress, navigated round chair legs, and simply transferred from completely different surfaces.

The vacuum additionally not often received caught or misplaced, nevertheless it steadily collided with furnishings and partitions but remained unhurt due to the entrance bumper. If you do not need it to run into objects as a lot, allow decreased collisions throughout the vacuum’s settings, however some areas could also be left uncleaned.

Once we turned off the decreased collision mode, we observed the vacuum randomly ramming itself into furnishings when cleansing round it. This primarily occurred when cleansing round chair legs, and though the bumper protected it, the affect sound was extra vital than when the mode was enabled.

As soon as the K10+ was completed cleansing, it notified us of its completion and returned to the Station to cost and unload what it had collected. When docked, the Station robotically sucked within the particles after which began charging the robotic vacuum.

Though the K10+ will not be too loud when cleansing, the identical can’t be mentioned in regards to the Station when sucking in what was collected. It is deafening and can startle you if you happen to’re not paying consideration, nevertheless it solely lasts a minute, so it will not be energetic for too lengthy.

Smartphone notification from SwitchBot on a blurred background, stating

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Charging notification

Whereas the Station will suck in a lot of the particles, you may must untangle something caught throughout the multi-surface brush beneath the vacuum. It is principally easy, with the comb effortlessly coming out, however we did have to make use of nail clippers to cut up any tangles we had points with.

One helpful function was the messages the K10+ would say earlier than and after cleansing. These messages ranged from the vacuum saying it is going again to cost to saying it “loves to scrub” earlier than beginning to vacuum. These helped us keep knowledgeable of its actions with out wanting within the app.

Nonetheless, whereas the bulletins had been informational, the K10+ would communicate sooner and in a higher-pitched voice when saying it will recharge or unload. This was very completely different from the normal-paced assertion it made when going to scrub.

We now have regarded into its voice package deal settings and have had no luck discovering a swap — or clarification — to repair this subject.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Placing it to the check

Whereas the K10+ did a good job of cleansing round our home, we needed to place it to the check and see if it lives as much as the way it’s marketed. For our check, we unfold out a combination of film popcorn, dry cat meals, and dry pet food inside a managed space within the hallway. We selected these objects to simulate varied weights and sizes to see which the K10+ might and could not decide up.

The K10+ began sturdy by clearing a direct path by way of the combination by repeating the identical technique it had completed earlier than, going across the perimeter after which cleansing the within.

A robotic vacuum cleaner surrounded by scattered pet food and crumbs on a carpeted floor.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: K10+ actively choosing up the mess from pre-made mess to check suction energy

We had been impressed by the way it might simply decide up the combination of scattered objects, proving that the suction might suck up gadgets of assorted weights. However though it began sturdy, the vacuum reached its restrict fairly shortly.

After choosing up half of the mess, the robotic vacuum’s mud bin turned full, and the K10+ stopped accumulating further particles. But, it continued on its route however would solely roll over — not decide up — the combination.

Because the K10+ moved round on its route, its multi-surface brush received caught, and the cleansing activity was paused. To repair this, we moved it off the mess to an already clear space, and from there, the robotic chugged ahead.

After it went round the entire space — but nonetheless containing soiled sections — the K10+ introduced it was completed and was returning to recharge. As soon as it docked at its station, it robotically unloaded its dustbin, nevertheless it was not fully emptied because of the dimension of what was collected.

By eradicating the magnetic plate and lifting the deal with, we checked the dustbin and noticed it was nonetheless full after suction. This resulted in us having to manually take away and empty the bin into the trash.

Whereas this activity was easy, we had been stunned we needed to do it since we believed the Station’s suction energy was mighty.

Full dust bin showcasing dry cat food, dry dog food, and movie popcorn

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Full mud bin after choosing up the mess from our check

In the end, we had been upset within the cleansing outcomes as a result of half of the mess was nonetheless there though the K10+ decided it was completed cleansing. It could’ve been environment friendly for the vacuum to note its bin was full, empty itself at its base, after which return to complete its activity. But, it continued on its route, collected nothing, and received caught.

Moreover, whereas returning to the Station, it will leak and depart bits of what had been collected on its route. This brought on an enlargement of the preliminary mess into already clear areas, doubling the work that must be completed later.

General, the K10+ can decide up varied gadgets of various sizes and weights, however the extra vital they’re, the sooner its bin will replenish, lessening its cleansing effectivity.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Not one of the best mopping expertise

Like vacuuming, the K10+ will even intelligently mop flooring with its included wipes, however earlier than you can begin cleansing with it, you need to join the mopping pad plate.

You’ll find the mopping pad plate contained in the Station’s lid, and as soon as it is connected to the K10+, the robotic vacuum will robotically swap to Mopping Mode. It’s going to additionally verify the swap by verbally saying it.

A close-up of a robotic vacuum cleaner on a textured floor, showing accumulated dust in its transparent dustbin and a

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Mopping a tiled flooring

Placing on the mopping pads was easy; you set them between the clips and fasten them to the adhesive facet panels. It might take a strive or two to get the method down, nevertheless it’s clean crusing when you do.

The robotic vacuum will carry out the identical route as when vacuuming. This contains going across the perimeter after which cleansing the within of it. Nonetheless, it will not concurrently vacuum when mopping since you need to take away the multi-surface brush to connect the mopping pad plate.

When mopping, the robotic vacuum won’t detect if it is on a carpet, so choosing up any mats within the room earlier than beginning is a good suggestion. Exactly dividing the rooms or inserting no-go zones throughout the app will even assist guarantee it will not go on carpeted surfaces.

The K10+ picked up particles in our kitchen, leaving a moist path from the cleansing resolution on the wipe. However because it went on, we heard steady scraping and realized the wipe had indifferent from the plate clamps and bunched up beneath the center of the vacuum. Due to this, solely a fraction of the kitchen was mopped, with the remaining remaining soiled.

But, when the wipe did keep on, it picked up an honest quantity of particles, however the vacuum did not point out when it must be modified. This implies you may need to test to see if the wipe must be changed periodically. Happily, the robotic vacuum will decide up the place it left off after you modify the wipe.

After mopping the realm, you’ll be able to discard the wipe, take away the moping pad plate, and place it again contained in the charging base lid. Afterward, the robotic vacuum will robotically swap again to Vacuum Mode and return to its base.

Wanting on the aftermath of the areas mopped, the K10+ did an honest job, however the ground wasn’t as shiny as if we had cleaned it with a conventional mop. The wipes supplied are much like disinfectant wipes, so we did not anticipate excellent outcomes once we first put them on.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Charging methodology when clear

When the SwitchBot K10+ returns to the Station, it’s going to verbally verify that it has begun charging. You can even see the vacuum’s charging standing within the SwitchBot app.

From our assessments, charging was comparatively fast, and when the K10+ was absolutely charged, it will robotically go into sleep mode. This can protect the battery and forestall it from overcharging.

However though charging was quick, we skilled the K10+ having to recharge itself earlier than it completed vacuuming our entire home. The home has 5 rooms, however after cleansing 4, the battery stage hit 20%, and the robotic vacuum paused what it was doing and went to recharge.

After the K10+ returned to its base, we had been notified that it will resume the place it had left off as soon as absolutely charged. But when it completed charging at a time once you programmed it to not clear, it would not proceed till the interval was over.

This was nice to know as a result of it eradicated the worry of the K10+ beginning to vacuum in the midst of the night time. Nonetheless, you may must preset these instances to make sure it will not start to scrub throughout them.

A smartphone screen displaying a notification from SwitchBot about a Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ that won't resume cleaning during Do Not Disturb mode but will continue afterward.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Notification stating that cleansing will occur after Do Not Disturb interval

Within the case of the K10+ being by accident pushed from the Station when it is charging, it will robotically reposition itself again to the place it was earlier than. This got here in use once we by accident kicked it when reaching for one thing on the kitchen desk.

Moreover, repositioning itself assured us that if it had been unintentionally moved with out our information, it will robotically reposition itself to cost.

But, however, we did run into hassle when having the K10+ attempt to self-dock on carpeted surfaces. It could proceed to maneuver away from the Station and take a look at once more till it gave up.

We initially needed to position it in the lounge the place there’s more room, however since there have been points with the carpeting, we selected to place it within the kitchen. This subject limits the customization and freedom we needed to place the vacuum the place we see match, and since it could actually clear carpets, we did not anticipate a docking subject.

When you can manually place the K10+ on the charger, we discovered it cumbersome after every cleansing cycle. Robotic vacuums are supposed to have the ability to function themselves primarily, and never having the ability to dock itself took a few of that notion away.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: The principle controls within the native app

The SwitchBot K10+ have to be arrange inside its native app earlier than you need to use it. As soon as arrange, you’ll be able to entry all the extra options unavailable by way of the bodily buttons.

When tapping on the vacuum from the house web page, you’ll be able to have it begin cleansing, end cleansing, or return to the Station to recharge. However tapping “Extra” on the backside will result in further K10+ controls.

For what you primarily use the K10+ for, having these instructions simply accessible will make directing the robotic vacuum extra environment friendly. Since they’re proper there, you will not need to fumble by way of a number of settings to seek out them.

A smartphone screen displays a vacuum cleaner app notification saying

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Fast actions within the native app to manage the K10+

Within the middle of the display screen is your own home’s mapped-out ground plan. A quantity will label every room, however these might be simply renamed within the Rooms class of the app.

On the highest are three classes: Room, Complete Home, and Space. Tapping into one lets you command the K10+ to scrub particular areas inside every part.

This turned certainly one of our favourite options as a result of it allowed us to decide on which room(s) to scrub when getting ready for the day. We might repeatedly have the K10+ vacuum the eating room earlier than consuming dinner or put together the lounge earlier than all of us went in to calm down.

Having a clear room to stroll into all the time feels good, and the K10+ helps obtain that by cleansing particular rooms in particular orders when you’re performing different duties.

If a large number happens, however you do not need the K10+ to hoover the entire room, you’ll be able to choose an space to scrub, and the robotic vacuum will solely clear there. That is solely doable throughout the Space part of the app.

Close to the underside left of the display screen are controls to manually empty the mud bin and to alter the cleansing mode. Nonetheless, you may want to put in the mopping pad plate earlier than you turn to Mopping Mode.

Three smartphones display an app for controlling a robot vacuum, showing settings, a colorful floor map, and accessory usage statistics.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Native app to set cleansing schedule, map structure, and test utilization life of assorted components

Near the underside proper are controls to determine what number of rounds you need the vacuum to scrub and a save button if you happen to select to divide the rooms in another way than earlier than.

Beneath these buttons is an choice to set no-go zones, which forestall the K10+ from cleansing particular areas you block off. These might be positioned wherever in your own home, besides the place the Station is, and can take impact instantly when positioned, even when the vacuum is at present cleansing.

Whereas we would set these zones earlier than cleansing, it was good to know the modifications would go into impact instantly if we noticed a susceptible space when it was cleansing.

We set these by our pet’s meals bowl — because the K10+ constantly moved it when cleansing — and our lounge chair as a result of it repeatedly received caught within the wires beside it. The K10+ adhered to those zones, and we had no points with it disobeying them when cleansing.

Furthermore, they’re helpful when setting particular zones for mopping. To remove going over carpeting, we set no-go zones on each ends of the kitchen, and since these are just for mopping, they did not have an effect on the K10+ when vacuuming.

On the backside of the display screen is a setting to alter the depth of the vacuum’s suction. You’ll be able to set it to quiet, commonplace, sturdy, or MAX. Totally different strengths will trigger completely different ranges of noise.

Tapping on the three dots within the decrease proper will present further choices. You may get a report on the utilization life of assorted equipment and a cleansing report of when the K10+ was final energetic.

There are additionally different choices to edit the map structure and set schedules for once you need the robotic vacuum to scrub robotically. It was good to get up to a vacuumed hallway each morning with out worrying about stepping on any cat litter that had fallen from our cat’s paws.

Moreover, we set the robotic vacuum to start out cleansing our lounge at 4 p.m., and when the time got here, it began up and went to cleansing. We enabled it to run on weekdays solely, but when we needed to alter the frequency, we might simply accomplish that.

If the K10+ is caught, you’ll be able to management it manually out of your machine by activating RC Mode. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to solely transfer it ahead, not backward, and it does not vacuum when controlling it.

This was disappointing since it will’ve been useful to have the choice to scrub any missed areas manually. There’s a clear possibility below the controls, nevertheless it’ll solely instruct the robotic vacuum to scrub the entire home as a substitute of enabling the function when manually controlling it.

Going into the settings of the K10+ will allow you to change the underlying options of it. This consists of adjusting the voice’s sound quantity, activating the kid lock, and setting how usually you need the vacuum to return to the Station to empty itself robotically.

Moreover, you’ll be able to set a number of intervals all through the day for the K10+ to not disturb you. Throughout these intervals, the robotic vacuum won’t clear, say something, or empty itself.

We now have a well being support that is available in each weekday, so we set the K10+ to not clear once they’re right here so it does not get of their means. This ensured no battle between the well being support’s work and the robotic vacuum’s cleansing.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Connecting to the Apple ecosystem

The SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ is at present not appropriate with HomeKit or Matter however does work with Siri Shortcuts. However when Matter help does arrive, we suggest not deleting the native app since a lot of the vacuum’s greatest options will nonetheless be situated in it.

Siri Shortcuts

Inside the settings of the K10+, you’ll be able to choose preset shortcuts to be added to Siri. These can include programming the actions of the vacuum, finding it, or altering the suction or cleansing energy.

Nonetheless, you can’t set a shortcut to scrub a selected room; it will solely be for cleansing your entire home. We discovered ourselves having the robotic vacuum clear particular person areas greater than all the home, so not having the ability to set a shortcut to a room was disappointing.

Establishing a shortcut is identical course of as you’ll do earlier than, nevertheless it have to be created throughout the SwitchBot app because the actions are usually not accessible within the Siri Shortcuts app.

Three smartphones display a sequence of setting up a Siri voice command to control a robotic vacuum, from selecting actions to recording a voice phrase and confirming the setup.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Siri Shortcut integration with K10+

When the shortcut exports over to the Shortcuts app, you’ll be able to both maintain it as is or add further steps to occur as soon as it is activated.

Like different shortcuts, you’ll be able to activate it by both saying the recorded phrase to Siri or manually choosing it throughout the app. As soon as activated, the SwitchBot mascot will seem in a notification confirming that the vacuum obtained the command.

We skilled no delay when activating the robotic vacuum by way of Siri Shortcuts, and the K10+ responded promptly to the directions whereas moreover altering duties when commanded.

Additionally, since Siri Shortcuts work by way of HomePods — which we have now in each room — we might command the K10+ by way of them if we noticed a room that wanted cleansing. This accessibility allowed us to direct the robotic vacuum even when we did not have our iPhone on us.

Nonetheless, since Siri Shortcuts does not at present provide the important options the native app has, we sometimes instructed the K10+ by way of the SwitchBot app reasonably than the Shortcuts app.

Matter help

As soon as Matter 1.2 is launched, sensible vacuums shall be appropriate with Matter-supported ecosystems. SwitchBot is likely one of the firms that may bounce immediately on board with the K10+.

SwitchBot has already adopted Matter help into their present units by way of the Hub 2, and the K10+ shall be no completely different. As soon as accessible, you’ll be able to bridge the vacuum to the House app like with different appropriate SwitchBot units.

We’re informed the technical plan for the mixing shall be to have an on-and-off swap – like how switches have already got within the House app — for mapping. There will even be an possibility for cleansing and recharging.

A modern digital clock displaying the time

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Hub 2 have to be appropriate with Matter

Nonetheless, no particular timeline has been decided for Matter implementation, and layouts might change when Matter 1.2 is launched. However no matter when it is launched, you may want a Hub 2 to entry HomeKit compatibility.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Your vacuuming companion, with some setbacks

The SwitchBot K10+ is a good cleansing companion once you need your own home vacuumed however do not wish to do it your self. Nonetheless, whereas it cleaned carpeted areas nicely, the K10+ is extra appropriate for smaller areas with tiled or wood floors that does not have to be mopped.

With its small design, the K10+ might get below furnishings and into tight areas comfortably. Though it did stumble upon objects most instances, the bumper saved it protected and pushed it again on monitor when it occurred.

A robotic vacuum cleaner on a tiled floor beside a charging dock.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: K10+ ready for its subsequent cleansing activity whereas stationed at its base

Moreover, having the robotic vacuum be capable to vacuum one or a number of rooms — in a selected order — whereas we did different duties was very helpful. This meant we might give attention to dusting or doing laundry whereas the K10+ swept the particles off the flooring.

Alternatively, though the K10+ is at present promoted to assist with mopping your own home, it did not do a wonderful job. The recurring subject of the wipe randomly detaching brought on a lot of the room to stay soiled and compelled us to make use of extra wipes than wanted.

As well as, the problem with docking itself on carpet shuns out folks whose home is especially constructed with it — like ours. If the vacuum can clear carpeting, then it ought to be capable to dock itself with no points on the identical flooring.

General, we loved our time with the K10+ as a result of it helped vacuum our flooring with little to no trouble. On the flip facet, there are a handful of points SwitchBot should deal with earlier than this may be categorized as among the finest robotic vacuums in the marketplace.

In case you stay in an residence or tiny dwelling and need an clever robotic vacuum that’ll quickly be appropriate with Matter, then the SwitchBot K10+ is value trying out. Nonetheless, if you happen to want a vacuum or mop for heavy-duty cleansing, you could wish to have a look at extra conventional choices.

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Execs

  • Easy setup and connectivity methodology
  • Quiet cleansing
  • Routinely prices itself when the battery is low
  • A number of customization settings for cleansing

SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+ assessment: Cons

  • Loud mud accumulating
  • Unreliable stair detection
  • Problem docking itself on the carpet
  • Wipe randomly detaches when mopping

Ranking: 3 out of 5

The place to buy the SwitchBot Mini Robotic Vacuum K10+

You should purchase the SwitchBot K10+ from their web site for $499.99, however on the time of this assessment, you’ll be able to apply a 20% off code to your order. It is just accessible in white.

It’s also accessible on Amazon for a similar worth, with the identical promo, and accessible in the identical coloration.

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