Ecovacs X11 Omnicyclone review – the new benchmark in robot vacuums

We may be close to peak robot vacuum features and capability, short that is of the next generation where they pick up things for you and can climb stairs (two features I’m happy to avoid for now as first-generation gimmicks). The Ecovacs X11 Omnicyclone is the culmination of a long period of development and product evolution but sets a new benchmark for premium robot vacuums.

Let’s be clear, it had to be good. It costs $2,999! It wasn’t more than a couple of years ago that the top-end robot vacuum was $2,499, so there’s been a jump there, and while I respect the technology and features they have, this is not a device for everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of options in all price brackets, and I think most likely this is a robot you buy after getting the satisfaction that comes from a lower-end model actually delivering on the promise of the robot future, then realising you want to get a new one to do the job so much better.

Design & Cleaning

There’s a genuine sense of premium that comes from the design of the Ecovacs X11 Omnicylone – the finish now looks similar to other premium household appliances, think your high-end fridges or ovens. I know it sounds strange, but it feels like inspiration has come from that area of the appliance world.

After flirting with a D-shaped robot design a few years ago, we’re back to the simplicity of the circle, and it’s a very simplistic overall design. With sensors all built into the “face” of the robot, there’s no top LiDaR spinning, and that gives a cleaner look to the top of the robot itself.

That circular design still works because of the cylindrical mop design on the X11 – its “Tru Edge” technology means it can extend out from the centre, making the actual shape more like a “D” or a one-sided D at the very least, allowing the mopping to go right to the right-hand edge of the line being cleaned. And when not on the edge, it retracts to the centre for general cleaning.

My home is entirely hard floors, but with a large rug in the lounge room. That’s the perfect scenario for a device like this. Its excellent suction makes it perfect for regular ongoing cleans, and then the fantastic mopping system is great for either regular or weekly deep cleans.

Personally, I think a schedule of every second day doing a full vacuum and mop is the ideal use case for a robot like this. Of course, using the app, you can send it anywhere at any time for a spot clean too.

Setting this off to clean and mop the floors just a few hours before you get home means you come home to the feeling of clean, and that really can make a difference to how you feel!

While there are improvements in suction and mopping, it’s not something I’ve noticed as a huge leap year on year with the Flagship Ecovacs models I’ve been using – but robot vacuums aren’t something you upgrade regularly. For someone coming from a robot vacuum that one or more years ago was $1500 or less, this is a huge leap forward, and you will get a noticeable leap – particularly in mopping quality.

Omni Station

This is the biggest change to the Ecovacs Flagship “X” series robot in many years. Gone is the vacuum bag in the home station, replaced with a cyclonic tube which looks just like many stick vacuums if you took the stick off!

Using this cyclonic style vacuum in the Omni Station means you get superior suction from the station to clear out the actual robot. It also means no bags required. This saves money long term, and the frustration of having to order new bags and remember where you kept them.

Clean and Dirty Water tanks are on top, and they seem just slightly smaller in volume than last year’s model, but are still plenty enough for weeks of use, probably 8-10 days is more the refill rate for me on an every second day cleaning schedule.

Remember the water isn’t used just to fill the vacuum so it’s got water to mop with, it’s also used to clean the mopping pads.

I like the look of this base station, it’s on the large size, but it also works hard for you.

Fast Charging

Core to the capabilities and selling points of the X11 is the fast charging when docked in the Omni station.

Ecovacs say it picks up 6% charge in the time that it washes the mops during a clean. They also elude to this being the robot that can just clean and clean and clean thanks to this fast charging.

I doubt that – I’d say on average my Robot Cyril (Cyril the Cyclone?) burns through 18-22% battery before heading in to clean the mop, it does this probably 3 times on a large cleaning run, so while it certainly is adding juice and doing it fast, I’m not sure it really could just keep going and going.

That said, on a big clean, you’d look at it this way – you’ve probably got 120% battery to use, instead of just the 100 you normally have – if that makes sense?

In a head-to-head battle against pretty much any comparable model on the market, the Ecovacs X11 would have the battery life example thanks to this fast charging – that’s all that really matters.

Ecovacs App

Probably Ecovacs’ best feature behind the actual cleaning has always been the strength of their App.

It’s just so easy to add your new robot.

Then it’s a pretty nifty quick mapping process before you’re presented with an impressive floor plan of your home.

Take the time to split areas and label rooms, as well as any no-go areas and it really is at its best.

New this year is a Threshold option – adding a spot where you need the robot to “climb” over a bit of a step. By that I mean 2.4cm high at most. Look, it works, but it’s not perfect at that height. Anything 2cm or less it’s going to nail, so those bumps between rooms are no longer an issue.

I notice a new ability to re-order your cleaning schedule, I like this, so if you’ve said do room 1,3 then 5, while it’s cleaning 1 you can swap 5 and 3 around.

There’s also a lot of good info during the clean, and great custom settings before you clean.

Love, love, love this app, makes owning a robot vacuum a breeze.

Overall thoughts

The Ecovacs X11 OmniCyclone isn’t the first robot I’ll recommend to you. There are other fantastic options at lower prices from Ecovacs, but it really depends on you and your needs.

If you have a larger floorplan, and mopping is critical, this becomes a really easy consideration.

Of course, you’ve got to be prepared to spend $2,999 – that’s a big, big call to make.

I know it’s worth it, but I also understand how that would be a stumbling block for many. If that’s the case, my recommendation is to buy a $1,500 robot with an auto-empty station. Learn what it can do, how it can free up time for you in your week, and then, down the track, consider that as a hand-me-down for someone in your extended family and step up to the main game with a premium flagship product like the Ecovacs X11 Omnicyclone – you will not regret it, of that I am certain.

Web: Ecovacs & JB HiFi