Ecovacs Deebot X1e Omni in the test: Great vacuum robot if the price is right

ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 E OMNI

February 05, 2023 at 10:00 am

The Ecovacs Deebot X1e Omni positioned itself in the test as the vacuum robot flagship. Does that make the Lite version of the X1 the better choice?

Ecovacs Deebot X1 e Omni im Test

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Powerful vacuum robot with many features

The Deebot X1e Omni is a great vacuum robot and is in no way inferior to the top model. It is characterized by high suction power, a strong wiping function and many comfort features. Above all, the versatile cleaning station makes everyday life much easier. The model definitely belongs to the upper class of the vacuum robot, even if the X1e does not have an integrated water tank and somewhat weaker camera technology than the top model. The main disadvantage of this is that cleaning takes a little longer overall. The vacuum robot is recommended if the price is significantly lower than the X1, otherwise it is better to use the top model.

We liked that

Strong suction power
Wiping performance is among the best on the market
Very simple operation
App with many functions
Very good navigation thanks to laser and camera
Video surveillance with intercom function

We didn’t like that

Missing water tank, therefore longer cleaning time
The workmanship is not quite as high as that of the top model
Slightly weaker camera technology than the X1

Something is happening on the robot market. In 2022, a large number of new devices came onto the market, and the product ranges of individual manufacturers became significantly broader. Overall, a lot has happened technically in this area in recent years: higher suction power, better wiping systems, object recognition and convenient cleaning stations that reduce human intervention to a minimum.

What is striking about the new devices is the dwindling differences within the manufacturer ranges. While there are still big gaps between entry-level and professional devices, there are only nuances with different models in a price league. And that is exactly the case with the new vacuum robot from Ecovacs.

The manufacturer usually offers its model series in two to three different versions. In addition to the different price, there are usually differences in the extraction stations, which are functionally limited to the essentials, the extraction of dust. Things are different with the Ecovacs Deebot X1e Omni.

The new model is essentially a lite model of the current flagship, the Deebot X1 Omni. Technically, the devices are almost identical, except for one big difference, you have to look for it with a magnifying glass. But the price is surprising and potential buyers are made the choice unnecessarily difficult. But first things first.

Scope of delivery, processing, setup
cleaning and navigation
suction and wiping performance
video surveillance
Ecovacs Sprachassistent YIKO
Buy recommendation
Conclusion & alternatives

Scope of delivery, processing, setup

The Deebot X1e Omni comes with everything you need for operation. In addition to the vacuum robot and cleaning station, there is a manual and a cleaning tool. Difference to the top model: Instead of two pairs of mops and a spare dust bag, the e-model only comes with one version.

You have to make slight but negligible compromises in processing. Overall, this is very good, but the surface is no longer silver-matt, but in high-gloss white. This makes it more susceptible to fingerprints, and dust and dirt are also much more visible. Visually, the device is reminiscent of the Deebot T10 Plus, which we have already tested for you, also because of the changed power button.

Apart from that, the device is structurally identical to the X1 Omni. Unfortunately, the main brush is still made of rubber and bristles, which makes it a little more prone to tangling hair. However, it is still very easy to remove and can be cleaned in no time at all.

Everything is the same, even with the side brushes: As is typical for Ecovacs, two are used, which is an advantage over models with just one when cleaning crumbs and the like. As with the Roborock Q7 Max+ or the Yeedi Vac 2 Pro, the dust container can be easily removed from the device. You don’t have to do this for emptying, because the station does that. However, from time to time it becomes necessary to change the filter or rinse out the container if dirt has stubbornly settled.

The biggest difference to the X1 Omni is the missing integrated water tank. This is no longer the case with the e variant. Instead, the vacuum robot moves to the cleaning station, has the mops cleaned and moistened and then starts wiping. Disadvantage: The device has to return to the station more often than the version with a tank, since it is not possible to get wet again.

The cleaning station itself is the same as in the top model and therefore also a real colossus. 58 centimeters high, 45 centimeters wide and 43 centimeters deep. It takes up a lot of space, but at the same time ensures a high level of comfort.

Ecovacs Deebot X1 e Omni in pictures

In this gallery we show you the Ecovacs Deebot X1 e Omni in detail.

The dust container is located in the lower part of the station, while the dirt and fresh water tanks, each with an enormous capacity of six liters, are located under the top cover. The cleaning station takes care of all the essentials. It sucks up dirt, washes the mops, drains the dirty water, wets the mops with fresh water and dries them with hot air after cleaning is complete.

Ecovacs solves the commissioning and setup in an exemplary manner. All you need is your smartphone and the Ecovacs app. You then create a user account and connect the device to the WLAN using a QR code printed on the vacuum robot. After a first mapping of the rooms you can start.

In addition to laser navigation, the Deebot X1e Omni also has an integrated camera for orientation and object recognition. The camera technology is slightly slimmed down. “AIVI 3D” is used in the X1 Omni. The 3-camera system with cross laser offers the best object recognition in the product range and can also measure the height of objects, among other things.

The e-model, on the other hand, relies on AIVI 3.0, the equipment level below. The camera detects static and moving objects and has a night light sensor, but it does not determine the height of objects. Despite the drawbacks, the technology works well and reliably.

The camera system is slightly weaker than the top model. (Source: Netzwelt)

The device detects slippers, toys or other things lying around and avoids them. There were also no half-sucked up charging cables in our test, nor did the vacuum robot get stuck in problem areas, which is quite the case with other models.

The camera is also used for 3D map creation. As early as during the mapping, the device recognizes beds, for example, and positions them correctly on the map. If you want, you can add more pieces of furniture manually.

The advantage lies in a targeted area cleaning. The Deebot X1e Omni can, for example, clean around the dining table. This is not possible via the classic 2D map. The vacuum robot supports several floors and is therefore also suitable for use in multi-storey apartments and houses.

suction and wiping performance

The suction and wiping performance of the Deebot X1e is very good, and the wiping technology in particular is currently one of the best on the market. At 5,000 pascals, the suction power is at the top, only a few models from other manufacturers can do a little more. Overall, the performance is excellent and leaves nothing to be desired. Crumbs and dust are reliably removed, even from carpets.

It could be assumed that the wiping performance is worse than that of the Deebot X1 Omni because of the missing water tank. However, this is not the case. The mops are moistened with the desired amount of water (low, medium, high) via the station and then do their job very well. The device only has to return to the cleaning station more often to moisten the mopping pads. This was the case three times with a cleaning area of around 40 square meters and the “High” water level.

Apart from that, everything corresponds to the top model, and we couldn’t determine any differences in battery life either (same capacity as X1 Omni). You can find more details about the wiping and suction power and the Ecovacs app in our test report on the Deebot X1 Omni.

video surveillance

As with the other Ecovacs vacuum robots, the camera of the X1e Omni is not only used for object recognition. You can accompany the vacuum robot during its work via video stream through the premises. This is how the device becomes a surveillance camera; a two-way audio system also enables announcements to be made from a cell phone or tablet. Videos and images can be saved as usual, but the quality is only mediocre, as is the case with the competing models.

If you have concerns about data protection because of the camera: data protection and data security of the Ecovacs vacuum robot and the app are certified by TÜV Rheinland. In addition, the device reports via the integrated loudspeaker and an indicator light when the camera is switched on.

Ecovacs Sprachassistent YIKO

Ecovacs now uses its own language assistant “YIKO” for its vacuum robots. From our point of view, it is not really mature, at least when the device communicates in German. Commands like “clean the living room” sometimes don’t work. Control via the app is therefore much easier and more reliable. However, we assume that the manufacturer will constantly improve the language assistant. Currently it is more of a gimmick than a real help.

Buy recommendation

The Ecovacs Deebot X1e Omni is an excellent vacuum mopping robot, which is particularly suitable if you do not focus on the mopping function. Although this is just as good as the top model, the cleaning time is longer due to the more frequent return to the station.

Ecovac's Deebot X1e Omni and Deebot X1 Omni only differ in detail. — Ecovac’s Deebot X1e Omni and Deebot X1 Omni only differ in detail. (Source: Netzwelt)

The recommended retail price for the e-model is 1,299 dollars, for the Deebot X1 Omni 1,499 dollars. However, the actual market price is usually significantly lower. The X1 is regularly offered for 999 dollars, you can get the X1e at the market launch (as of February 2023) for 849 dollars.

With a price difference of 150 dollars, you can confidently go for the X1e. However, should the prices approach each other, we recommend that you buy the X1, as it has better workmanship, camera technology and the integrated water tank.