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Ecovacs Deebot N8 Robot Vacuum Review Ratings
generalize
Ecovacs Deebot N8 is an excellent robot vacuum with laser-based smart mapping. The performance is very good, once I set the virtual bounds, I don’t get stuck. This is regularly discounted, and the reduced price makes it one of the most affordable options on the market.
advantage
- Excellent cleaning performance
- Superb mapping with virtual boundaries
- Practical mopping function
- Amazing price when discounted
shortcoming
- In my opinion, full RRP might not be worth it, as N8+ is a better choice
Ecovacs is one of the well-known brands for selling robot vacuums on Amazon. They have a variety of options, from the affordable Deebot N79S to the most expensive Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI, which uses cameras and artificial intelligence for advanced object detection and avoidance.
The model I received is the Deebot N8, which uses LIDAR to map your room. It comes in two versions, the base model I’m reviewing or the N8+ with automatic bin removal.
Specification
- Mapping: LiDAR/dToF
- Suction: 200/600/1500/2300Pa
- Litter box: 420mL
- Water tank: 240mL
- Running time: 3200mAh/110mins
- Barrier crossing height: 20mm
- Filter: HEPA
- Battery: 3200mAh, 110 minutes
- Weight: 3.6kg
set up
Like most devices these days, setup is easy. Download the app, scan the QR code and provide your 2.4Ghz WiFi credentials.
I’ve heard reports of this conflicting with coexisting 2.4Ghz/5Ghz networks. To fix this, you may need to set up the guest network on 2.4Ghz, or temporarily disable 5Ghz. Once paired, it should work with normal 2.4Ghz/5Ghz. This is a common problem with many IoT devices.
set up
You have a nice set range. Many settings are made via the three buttons in the upper right corner.
From here, you can set a schedule, this includes automatic cleaning, which will vacuum all rooms, which can be combined with continuous cleaning, which will return to base and charge, then return to clean. Alternatively, you can set a partition schedule.
You can also set it to automatically boost when carpet is detected.
Under other settings you can see previous cleaning logs. I need to remember to open the door in the morning, and the log is handy to see if Deebot has covered the whole house.
map
Ecovacs calls their technology dToF (direct time-of-flight) laser inspection, and other companies call it LiDAR. They’re not exactly the same, but for this review, I’ll be using LiDAR, which is basically a laser system that creates a map of your room.
All lidar mapping robot vacuums I’ve used have had a very similar mapping interface and equally similar mapping results. They are doing well. These smart map vacuums are a must if you want a robot vacuum to clean multiple rooms and/or have a messy house.
On first use, the robot builds a map of your home, and when the map is built, it intelligently partitions it. It can then be used to set a schedule for an area, or if you want to manually start it to clean an area (such as a kitchen).
Deebot will save the map and automatically return to the charging dock after completing the cleaning cycle. If you control the Deebot to charge itself or manually move it to another area for cleaning during the first cleaning, Deebot will not save the map.
Restricted Area/Virtual Boundary
When loading a map, you can define virtual boundaries and mopping-free areas. These are exactly what you expect.
In my case, I have an electric clothes dryer, which proved to be a hassle for the Deebot, which would frequently roll over one leg and get stuck. Setting a small exclusion zone completely solves the problem.
Also, the kitchen has hard moppable floors, and the rest of my downstairs is carpeted, so I can set it to mop the kitchen only.
cleaning performance
I am satisfied with the quality of cleaning. I’ve experimented with all kinds of debris left by the flood, including things like salt and flour, and it’s easy to clean them all up. My kitchen looks clean and it sucks a lot of dust from my carpet.
Once I set up virtual boundaries for the dryer, it stopped getting stuck on anything.
I mop my kitchen with the Deebot, which performs like most mopping robot vacuums. It does a good but basic job, it removes the lightest dirt and helps avoid any stickiness, but it can’t compete with manual mopping.
How long does the battery last and how long does it take to charge the Deebot N8?
The Deebot N8 has a rated cleaning time of 110 minutes. Check out my cleaning log, it did 48 sqm in 57 minutes.
According to the website, it takes about 4 hours to charge, but I didn’t monitor this as it wasn’t necessary, and a single charge would do a full cleaning of my home.
If you have a very large house, the continuous cleaning option will allow the Deebot to return to charging and return to finish cleaning when the battery runs low.
Price and Alternatives
Ecovacs Deebot N8 normally sells for £499. At the time of writing, Amazon has a deal of the day bringing it down to £269.99, which is a fantastic price and the lowest price ever. It’s usually discounted to around £330.
The Ecovacs Deebot N8+ including the bin emptying charging base has a RRP of £599, but is £499 at the time of writing.
Disappointingly, if you want to upgrade your N9, you don’t seem to be able to purchase an automatic emptying station yourself.
The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 920 costs £399 and has similar specs, but with lower suction power, but a larger bin and longer run time.
The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid costs £499 and claims 2x 2000Pa suction and a 180-minute runtime, but it has a smaller bin at 400ml and a lower climb height of just 18mm.
The Roomba i7 from market leading brand iRobot costs £599. These use camera-based vSLAM technology, not LiDAR.
Dyson 360 Heurist usually around £800, also with vSLAM
The Neato Robotics D701 is a popular option at around £450
comprehensive
I have limited experience with smart map robot vacuums. Yeedi and Neatsvor impressed me, but I’m more pleased with the overall performance of the Ecovacs.
The Ecovacs Deebot N8 seems to get less stuck than the Neatsvor and is generally a more reliable robot.
My main criticism of this robot vacuum is the small litter box. I have to remember to empty it a few times a week. This isn’t a huge problem, it seems to be a standard size for other brands, but the Ecovacs Deebot N8+ and its automatic bin emptying will avoid this problem.
Since this is designed to automatically empty the station, I feel like you’d lose a lot without it. The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 920 has similar specs but is £100 cheaper.
Overall, I like the Ecovacs Deebot N8, but based on current prices, I’d recommend spending a little more for the N8+ with its self-emptying station. As I write this review, the Deebot N8 is £270 and I’d happily buy it for anything around £300.
Last updated on January 25, 2022 / Affiliate Links / Image from Amazon Product Advertising API
