SwitchBot S20 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with Mop Assessment

I discover the robotic vacuum/mop business fairly fascinating. It jogs my memory of the early days of cell phones, after we noticed vital enhancements within the know-how over a brief time period, which has made writing about them extra fascinating than different niches like telephones with barely incremental enhancements every technology.

Whereas iRobot Rooma launched a few years in the past again in 2002, it took some time for the market to warmth up and reasonably priced choices to come back to market.

The Eufy RoboVac 11 was considered one of my first robotic vacuum opinions again in 2018, which was a primary robotic vacuum with no mapping that might bounce across the partitions of my kitchen.

Lidar and VSLAM mapping revolutionised every little thing, permitting robots to intelligently map your own home. Then got here auto-empty stations to scale back upkeep.

Many early fashions had mopping, nevertheless it was very primary gravity-fed addons, which I personally by no means used on the common. Previously few years, all-in-one stations with water tanks have taken off automating the entire mopping course of.

Final yr, SwitchBot was the primary firm to launch a robotic vacuum and mop that had an auto-fill and empty station that was plumbed into your water mains, permitting it to be nearly fully maintenance-free for mopping.

Now, they’ve launched its successor, the S20.

Sadly, I don’t actually have wherever the place I may join the mop station to my plumbing, so I needed to go for the extra conventional all-in-one base station with water tanks.

And with a worth of £800, it has launched at a a lot cheaper price level than the older mannequin.

SwitchBot S20 vs S10 Roboto Vacuum Specification

Options

RinseSync Expertise: Self-Cleansing Whereas Mopping

The standout characteristic here’s what SwitchBot calls “RinseSync” – a four-step course of that cleans the mop while it’s nonetheless working. The system wets, scrubs, squeezes, and drains the mop at 300 cycles per minute, making use of 1kg of downward stress. It’s an fascinating strategy that ought to theoretically forestall you from simply spreading soiled water round your flooring.

I’ve examined sufficient robotic mops to know that the majority simply drag dirty pads throughout your surfaces, so if this truly works as marketed, it might be fairly helpful. The proof will probably be in real-world testing, significantly on closely dirty areas.

Navigation and Impediment Avoidance

The S20 combines LiDAR SLAM with Place Delicate Detector (PSD) know-how and an AI digital camera system that reportedly recognises over 100 impediment varieties. It could climb thresholds as much as 20mm excessive and consists of an automated gentle for darkish environments.

The multi-sensor strategy is smart – pure LiDAR struggles with clear objects and low-lying obstacles, while camera-only methods can fail in poor lighting. Whether or not the AI impediment recognition is genuinely helpful or simply advertising fluff stays to be seen.

Cleansing Efficiency Specs

Suction energy hits 10,000Pa, which matches some premium fashions. The twin anti-tangle system features a V-shaped aspect brush and rubber important brush – each designed to scale back hair tangling, a perpetual downside with robotic vacuums in properties with pets or long-haired occupants.

Battery life varies considerably relying on mode: 250 minutes in quiet vacuum-only mode down to only 70 minutes on most energy with mopping. These figures appear reasonable based mostly on the 4,000mAh battery capability.

Base Station Capabilities

Two base station choices can be found. The usual model consists of 2.7L clear water and a pair of.5L waste water tanks, while the premium mannequin connects on to your own home’s water provide for automated refilling and drainage.

The bottom station supplies 50°C scorching air drying with 360-degree airflow – essential for stopping mould and odours in damp mop supplies. Mud disposal is rated for 90 days of hands-free operation with a 4L capability bag.

Flooring Sort Adaptability

The S20 robotically adjusts behaviour based mostly on flooring kind. On carpets, it lifts the mop 7mm and features a wiper to take away extra moisture, while concurrently boosting suction to the total 10,000Pa for deeper cleansing.

For exhausting flooring, the system applies measured water movement and stress for efficient mopping with out oversaturation. The carpet detection makes use of present sensing slightly than optical strategies, which ought to be extra dependable.

Sensible Residence Integration

Matter 1.4 help is promised for late August or early September 2025, which ought to present broad compatibility throughout sensible house platforms. Apple Residence customers get part cleansing performance, while the system additionally works with Google Residence, Alexa, and the broader SwitchBot ecosystem.

The power to customize cleansing plans for various areas and flooring varieties by means of the app may show helpful for properties with combined flooring supplies.

Bodily Specs and Practicalities

At 365 x 365 x 115mm, the S20 is pretty commonplace sized for a premium robotic vacuum. The bottom station measures 380 x 223 x 460mm for the water tank model, so that you’ll want first rate storage space or a utility space for set up.

Noise ranges vary from 60dB in quiet mode to 69dB at most energy – akin to most high quality robotic vacuums. The <4 hour charging time is affordable for the battery capability.

Unboxing / Design

The SwitchBot S20 has the same design to most robotic vacuums with its characteristic set.

The robotic itself is a typical design, you might have the LiDAR module on prime with the VSLAM cameras and LED lights on the entrance.

There’s a detachable cowl which exposes the facility swap and the small dustbin. Then on the bottom you might have the curler mop, the primary vacuum curler and a aspect sweeping brush.

As I opted for the extra typical water tank mannequin, the all-in-one station is sort of massive with compartments for clear and soiled water. Beneath these is the compartment for the mud, and to the aspect of this can be a small cubby gap containing a bottle of floor cleaner for use with the mop.

One factor I observed in my reviewer’s information was that each S20 fashions are appropriate with the older S10 water station. This might be helpful in case you are upgrading.

Set Up

Establishing the S20 is comparatively simple. Obtain the SwitchBot app, join the bottom station and robotic through WiFi and Bluetooth, and observe the in-app prompts. It’s right here that SwitchBot’s rising concentrate on ecosystem ties in – if you have already got their humidifiers, curtain openers, or sensors, every little thing hyperlinks collectively.

The bottom station requires a agency, degree floor with not less than 0.5m clearance on either side and 1m in entrance. For the plumbed model, you’ll want entry to water provide and drainage connections, although set up movies can be found by means of QR codes within the guide.

Preliminary charging takes round 4 hours, after which the robotic robotically begins its first mapping run. The method is methodical and takes about an hour for a typical house, creating an in depth flooring plan that types the idea for all future cleansing routines.

SwitchBot App Interface and Settings

The SwitchBot app supplies complete management over the S20’s features. The principle interface shows a real-time map of your own home with cleansing progress, battery standing, and present mode clearly seen.

Room identification works effectively, robotically detecting and labelling totally different areas like “Kitchen,” “Residing Room,” and “Bed room.” You may rename rooms, merge or break up areas, and set digital no-go zones with easy finger gestures.

Cleansing customisation is in depth. Every room can have its personal suction energy degree, water movement price, and cleansing sample. You may schedule totally different routines for various instances – maybe a fast vacuum within the morning and a full vacuum-and-mop session within the night.

The app additionally supplies detailed cleansing studies, exhibiting protection maps, time spent, space cleaned, and any obstacles encountered. This information helps you optimise cleansing schedules and establish downside areas.

Matter & Residence Assistant

This robotic options Matter 1.4 and might be built-in with third-party ecosystems comparable to Residence Assistant, Google Residence and Amazon Alexa.

Sadly, on the time of writing, this had not been enabled but. I used to be ready so as to add the S20 to the SwitchBot Hub 3 and this lets you have some management of the robotic vacuum from the hub, nevertheless it doesn’t at present expose the S20 to Matter, and subsequently Residence Assistant.

Moreover, I attempted the native SwtichBot Residence Assistant integration to see if that might make a distinction, however the S20 was nonetheless not obtainable in HA.

I anticipate this will probably be enabled quickly, and anticipate it to operate a bit just like the Yeedi S16 Plus, the place there may be restricted performance. Although, it is going to be fascinating if this has extra choices for triggers/actions to let you create some automations.

Mapping Efficiency

The mapping efficiency has been wonderful, which can also be true for all of the latest robotic vacuums I’ve reviewed just lately. That is primarily because of the mixture of LiDAR and vision-based mapping.

The robotic can apparently establish over 100 forms of obstacles and has a built-in LED gentle for darkish rooms.

When the robotic completes a clear, you possibly can look into the logs and think about which objects it has recognized.

Within the month I used the S20, there was just one incident when the comb obtained tangled and I needed to intervene. Contemplating I’m fairly messy and regularly have wires mendacity round on the ground, that is fairly spectacular.

The multi-floor mapping functionality works as anticipated, storing as much as 5 totally different flooring plans. Shifting between flooring requires manually carrying the robotic, nevertheless it shortly recognises its location and resumes applicable cleansing patterns.

Mopping & Auto Refill / Empty Efficiency

The RinseSync mop system represents the S20’s important promoting level, and after in depth testing, it largely delivers on its guarantees. The curler mop constantly self-cleans throughout operation, stopping the cross-contamination points that plague conventional pad-based methods.

Throughout mopping, you possibly can truly hear the system working – each few seconds, there’s a short mechanical noise because the mop undergoes its four-step cleansing cycle. Initially regarding, this sound turns into reassuring when you perceive it signifies lively self-maintenance.

The 1kg downward stress supplies efficient scrubbing motion on sealed exhausting flooring. Sticky spills that might usually require guide pre-treatment got here up fairly effectively, although closely caked-on filth nonetheless advantages from conventional mopping first.

Water utilization is conservative however efficient. The two.7L clear water tank usually lasted for about three full-house cleansing classes in my 60m² floor flooring earlier than requiring refill. The waste water tank crammed proportionally, although the collected liquid was noticeably darker than enter water – proof that the system truly removes filth slightly than simply redistributing it.

The recent air drying system works effectively, fully drying the mop inside 2-3 hours after cleansing. This prevents the musty odours that usually develop with damp mop supplies. The adjustable drying period (1-8 hours) accommodates totally different climates and utilization patterns.

One limitation: the cleansing answer should be SwitchBot’s proprietary formulation. Third-party options could injury the interior pumping system, in line with the guide. Every 150ml bottle supplies roughly 10-15 cleansing classes, including to operating prices.

Vacuuming Efficiency

I didn’t evaluate the older S10, however the S20 has had the suction energy elevated from 6500Pa to 10000Pa, which ought to give it significantly better efficiency. That may be a little bit behind the Dreame L40 Extremely (11K )and far decrease than the Yeedi M14 Plus (18k) and Yeedi S16 Plus (16.6K)

Actual-world efficiency largely matches the specs. On exhausting flooring, the ten,000Pa suction simply handles day by day particles – crumbs, mud, pet hair, and small particles disappear with out a number of passes. The rubber brush design does cut back hair tangling considerably in comparison with bristle options.

Carpet efficiency varies by pile top and density. Low-pile rugs and mats clear completely, with the automated suction enhance offering noticeably higher outcomes than commonplace energy. Nevertheless, deep-pile carpets nonetheless problem the system – embedded particles requires a number of passes or guide pre-vacuuming.

The anti-tangle aspect brush design works as marketed. Throughout testing, I intentionally scattered hair ties and unfastened threads across the flooring. The V-shaped design efficiently flung most tangles clear, although occasional intervention was nonetheless required for significantly problematic gadgets.

Edge cleansing efficiency is ample however not distinctive. The aspect brush reaches into corners and alongside baseboards fairly effectively, although guide touch-ups are typically wanted for cussed accrued filth.

Battery Life

The robotic vacuum has a 4000mAh battery and claims a run time of 150 minutes in quiet mode,  130 minutes in commonplace, 100 minutes in robust and 70 minutes in max mode.

I’ve been utilizing it within the default mode, and it usually studies the cleaned space as being 48 to 50m2 with a clear time persistently round 1 hour. So, the battery life has by no means been a problem, and even when I had an enormous home, robotic vacuums will return to base for a cost, then head again out to finish a clear.

Worth and Various Choices

Whereas the embargo for this evaluate has solely simply lifted, the SwitchBot S20 has been on Amazon for a few months.

The model I reviewed with out the plumbing mains connection has an RRP of £800, and on the time of writing (30^th of August), it was obtainable for simply £600.

The Autofill & Drain System model has the identical RRP however just isn’t on Amazon but, and there are at present no reductions.

The older S10 is mains equipped by default and has an RRP of £1100. The SwitchBot web site has a £600 off voucher, taking it to £500.

Competing choices embody:

• Roborock Qrevo Curv, which is offered for £800, discounted from £1300. That is effectively reviewed, nevertheless it makes use of mop pads slightly than a curler, which I discover to be inferior.
• Roborock Qrevo is offered for £430 with an RRP of £700. Just like the above however decrease spec general.
• Eufy Omni C20 is offered for £430 with an RRP of £600. Just like the above, however decrease spec once more. Properly reviewed
• Eufy E25 Omni is offered for £800 with an RRP of £800. That is extra superior than the others with an extending sweeping arm and a curler mop. It has a really excessive suction energy.
• Eufy E28 Omni, which has an RRP of £999 and no present reductions. That is much like the above, however the water tank is removable and can be utilized as a conveyable deep cleaner for spills.
• Dreame X50 Extremely has an RRP of £1200 and is offered for £1000. This has a singular potential to climb steep 6cm thresholds. It makes use of mop pads however has the benefit of with the ability to prolong the mop out to get into crevices, in addition to a twin brush system for higher cleansing.
• Dreame L50 Professional Extremely is offered for £850 with an RRP of £900 and can be utilized with mains water or simply the self-contained water tanks.

Total

The water tank model of the SwitchBot S20 is a stable robotic vacuum with all of the options most individuals would probably need, and it comes at a aggressive worth level.

Not likely a criticism, however there are a variety of related merchandise available on the market at good worth factors, so it maybe doesn’t stand out from the group apart from having Matter help in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.

If you have already got SwitchBot merchandise, then that is a simple suggestion, as I discover it finest to maintain as many merchandise below one ecosystem as doable.

Whereas I haven’t used it myself, the auto-fill and drain mannequin is a way more interesting mannequin because it has only a few competing choices and it’s extra reasonably priced than the choices from different manufacturers.

The RinseSync know-how works as marketed, offering genuinely cleaner flooring in comparison with primary mop methods. Mixed with stable construct high quality and complete app management, the S20 represents good worth at present pricing.

For households in search of dependable automated cleansing with minimal intervention, the S20 delivers. The system isn’t excellent, nevertheless it efficiently handles nearly all of day by day cleansing duties whereas requiring solely weekly upkeep consideration.

The £600 road worth makes it significantly engaging in comparison with premium options that price £200-400 extra for related performance. At this worth level, the S20 provides wonderful worth for cash within the crowded robotic vacuum market.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and sensible house gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to deliver a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the most recent tech developments.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many prime know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I purpose to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.