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In the past few days we have tested the Eufy RoboVac 11S, the evolution of the intelligent automatic vacuum cleaner that we had reviewed a year and a half ago, considering it the best among all those tested in the editorial office up to that moment and with which we compared it for an even more in-depth analysis.
The update focuses both on the design (mainly thinner than the previous one), and on the performance, dictated by a more powerful engine capable of offer a deeper cleaning and a series of hardware adjustments that go to correct those few limitations present in the first version.
Packaging
In the box we find:
How Eufy RoboVac is made 11S
Aesthetically it is almost confused with the previous model. The materials are still the same (glass plate covering the upper surface, high quality polycarbonate for the rest of the external structure) while the color of the body changes, an almost black gray with a faux wood effect (the previous model was mouse gray ).
The company has made some small improvements which, based on our experience, keep the vacuum cleaner cleaner by requiring less maintenance between cleanings.
First of these is the presence of a small group of bristles that protrudes a few millimeters from the brush frame. In the first model, it was at this point over time that the hair sometimes got stuck which, if not removed immediately, would obstruct part of the main bristles. It was therefore necessary to disassemble the brushes (to release them it is a matter of a few seconds) to pull out the stuck hair. Here the problem does not arise precisely because these bristles prevent any hair from catching on the plastic ring of the brushes.
Another difference lies in the two metal rods placed on the bottom, in the lid that protects and keeps the lower brush blocked, now blue (in the first version it is yellow). We did not notice any particular differences in daily use but they certainly make the whole structure even more robust.
The small front wheel is accompanied by a larger rotating system, giving us the impression of guaranteeing better control of the robot. We noticed it above all when the vacuum cleaner returned to the base: the previous model moves in a more mechanical way while the new Eufy RoboVac 11S follows more curved and sweet lines, immediately finding the best path to return to the charging base.
Another small improvement lies in the position of the On / Off switch: now it can be recognized at a glance of the eye because of the bright red color and is located on the bottom of the robot. What changes? For many probably nothing, but in the first version the button was on one side and was a magnet for our nephew, who in the rare cases he came to visit us enjoyed turning it on and off continuously (the only solution was to hide it in the closet in his presence). In the new model, not seeing it, consequently he will not be attracted by the obsessive-compulsive urge to press it intermittently for whole minutes.
Like the previous model, replacing the battery and other components in case of malfunctions or following normal wear and tear over time is very easy: the brushes are released in a flash, the central rotating brush is disassembled with the simple opening a door and the battery is closed inside a special housing with a lid locked by only two Phillips screws.
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How it works
To start the automatic cleaning, simply turn on the On / Off switch on the bottom of the robot, then press the upper button on the vacuum cleaner or the Auto button on the remote control. If the vacuum cleaner is hooked to the charging base, it will reverse far enough and then turn 180 degrees and start cleaning the floor, if it is outside the charging base it will automatically start forward to the first obstacle.
Compared to the first version, the electronic brain of Eufy RoboVac 11S seemed to us in general much more effective. In fact, the device seems to recognize obstacles even better, keeping at a safe distance or slowing down, until it changes direction, if it finds them in front of it. For example, in the chairs we have in the dining room, the first generation model usually tended to climb over the steel legs until it got stuck. The most recent version instead recognizes the obstacle and bypasses it avoiding contact.
In the first cleaning we chased him all over the house, not only to understand how he behaves but also to avoid the worst in case he got stuck somewhere. Only on one occasion did he manage to stop momentarily above the mosquito net track: on that occasion, after having tried to insist on climbing for more than 10 seconds and found that he would not have made it, he changed direction with a brief reverse. The “collaboration” with carpets is also good: it manages to bypass them without problems (the user manual confirms that it is able to step over carpets no thicker than 16mm).
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Automatic Mode
Press the Auto button and go and relax on the sofa: the vacuum cleaner will automatically clean all the home floor, but with a not insignificant advantage over its predecessor.
Eufy RoboVac 11S is in fact equipped with the mode that the company calls BoostIQ. In practice, the vacuum cleaner will automatically increase the suction power when it detects that this is necessary to ensure better cleaning. The drop sensors positioned on the bottom are also an “eye” for the vacuum cleaner which, in case it notices areas dirtier than expected, will increase the engine power at the expense of greater noise and less autonomy.
In our tests we started both models, old and new, assigning them to clean two areas of the house. With the Auto mode and BoostIQ active, the battery of the new version ran out about 15 minutes earlier than the old model, however ensuring a much deeper cleaning especially on carpets where normally with the first version it was necessary to activate the “Max” mode manually.
By the way: the Max mode is also here, but based on our experience the automatic BoostIQ seemed more than enough for our carpets or in general for the most difficult to clean areas .
Room Cleaning Mode Single
To clean a single room, you can press the button on the remote control on which the symbol of a house is printed with the letter “S” in the center. At that point it is sufficient to close the door of the room and let the robot work in complete autonomy: after 30 minutes, sufficient for a complete cleaning of the floor, it will stop to save battery.
Edge Cleaning Mode
relative button (an arrow that closes in a square) allows you to activate the edge cleaning mode: the vacuum cleaner will be automatically directed towards a wall and will then follow the entire perimeter of the room or, leaving the doors open, of the entire dwelling. The side brushes touch the skirting board and clean even the corners with precision, thus finishing the entire perimeter of the house.
Stain Cleaning Mode
The symbol on the remote control is a spiral arrow. Just press it to clean a particular area of the house. For example, at the end of the dinner we could shake the tablecloth setting aside the crumbs in a point on the floor, and at that point use this particular function to collect them in a few seconds. The vacuum cleaner will spiral and clean the entire area in question.
Scheduled cleaning
The advantage in the display on the remote control emerges when the need arises to use the scheduled cleaning mode. Even with the new Eufy RoboVac 11S it is in fact possible to program the start of automatic cleaning at a particular time of day, without necessarily activating it manually.
This function is useful on two occasions. One, more common, is when you simply decide to clean the floor every day (for example) at 10:00 in the morning. Once the cleaning is scheduled, you will no longer have to think about anything. The vacuum cleaner, every day and at the same time, will detach from the charging base, clean the house (making sure to leave the doors open) and return to the base with the battery almost empty.
Scheduling could also be used to clean the floor twice a day. For example, we could schedule cleaning around 16:00 but at the same time start cleaning at 8:00 in the morning, just before leaving the house. In this way the vacuum cleaner will have enough time for the first cleaning lap and to recharge before leaving for the second scheduled lap.
Usage impressions
In general, the vacuum cleaner satisfied us. The BoostIQ mode ensures a slightly better cleaning than the previous model, which however in our opinion is more than enough to keep the house clean, as long as you use it every other day if you spend less than 12 hours at home, every day if you are you have pets or you spend most of the day indoors.
Eufy RoboVac 11S is smarter and requires less maintenance, an advantage to consider if you are particularly lazy. In addition to the small refinements already described, we also appreciated the renewed charging base. In fact, the company has completely rethought the recharging system, starting with the power supply, more compact and with the Italian vertical plug, more convenient for sockets in our latitudes as it eventually allows to exploit the adjacent ones (while the previous power supply
The base now houses an opening on the back and a cable clip that allows you to hide the portion of the excess cable, thus avoiding flying cables and maintaining a much cleaner final appearance .
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As the predecessor , recognizes the steps and therefore avoids falling badly if used in multi-storey houses and the autonomy in Auto mode (with BoostIQ active) is still very good, even if it varies according to how dirty the floor is actually. In situations that we can define as “normal” the charge promises around 2 hours of cleaning and the battery is then fully recharged in about 4 hours.
Conclusions
Who owns the previous model and does not have the need need to replace it (because it still works well and has no damaged parts) can live even without the new Eufy RoboVacc 11S. We recommend it instead if it should be the first purchase: the 50 euro difference is worth the expense both for the best cleaning, and for the adjustments to brushes and charging base that perfect what was already an excellent product.
Those who have a two-story house and already own the first model could consider purchasing the best performing model in the Living Area and, instead of retiring, move the old vacuum cleaner to the Sleeping Area. This way the house will be completely cleaned in half the time and without the need to move the vacuum cleaner from floor to floor.
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