The kids are at school, my wife is at work, I don’t have the TV on, and it’s really quiet here. I can even hear a clock ticking in the next room. Near me, I can hear a gentle hum, like a light fan noise. Turns out, that’s my Ecovacs T30 Pro slowly drying the mopping pads underneath having completed a clean of the kitchen floor a little while ago.
While the T-series for Ecovacs isn’t their most premium of all products, it appears they’ve come out of the gate in 2024 with features here that debut ahead of their next flagship product launching later in the year, and while there will always be an new Ferrari launching, you’ve gotta take the one you need when you need it, and right now, the Ecovacs T30 Pro might be the very best you can get.
First and foremost, the whole auto-empty station is a decent size, but smaller than previous X series OMNI stations from Ecovacs. But it’s the design of it that is brilliant. You’ve got the “garage” for the T30 down below, where every time it runs it gets a service, full wash of the mopping pads and then they are dried too.
In the middle is the traditional vacuum “debris” bag. So big it would be months and months before you’d ever need to empty it. I’ve been using the T30 Pro for two months, and that bag isn’t looking close to being full.
Then there’s the water tanks. The clean water tank, and the dirty water tank – both are sitting on top, and can just be lifted to remove. No need to open a lid then get them out, just pick them up and go. And they too are big.
Having used plenty of robot vacuums, particularly from Ecovacs over the years, there’s a lot that this does just the same. Advanced mapping, a winner. Returning to the Lidar based mapping, down a step from the X2 which uses ToF sensors, I personally prefer the LiDar, but of course you compromise height there, because the X2 isn’t as tall so can go under things like cabinets or couches. I’m cool with that – what I need is a great map, so I can specify my areas to clean, as well as do whole rooms and areas.
Core features of the T30 I’m seeing for the first time and found most valuable on this device, outside of the auto-empty station are the Kick-out mopping pad and the spot cleaning.
Looking at how this robot – we called Travis – is able to run along the wall, with essentially one leg dragging out the back to the side.
This mopping pad is therefore able to get right up along the wall, so you are getting a vastly more comprehensive clean.
Do I notice the difference looking at the room – no, but do I notice that it’s doing it and doing it well, yes.
I also sense that the robot is more accurately choosing it’s lines to drive along, making sure to overlap and ensure that every spot gets mopped given with the kick out pad there’s then a gap between the two mopping pads. Does a very comprehensive clean.
And speaking of which, how many times have you got to the end of dinner, cleared up and done the dishes to realise that the floor has bits and stuff all over it. Well, now you can just grab the robot, place it where the dirt is, and press the spot clean button. Your T30 Pro robot will then clean a 1.5square meter area around that spot.
Game-changer.
The $1,799 price tag makes it edge into the higher range for robot vacuums, and I’m convinced it’s worthwhile – but for sceptics, perhaps better to get something in the $700 price point. You need to learn and understand the power of these things to really embrace the robot life.
For those who get it, you’ll see the benefits of these features, the annual improvement cycle we’re seeing from the competitive market of robot vacuum companies. This isn’t something you buy every year. But if you’re like me and want for the next great thing, consider passing on your older model to family while you get the upgrade.
If this is your first Robot vacuum, it’s an outstanding place to start.
Hard to fault this one, makes me wonder what’s coming next if this isn’t their flagship model!
Well worth a look, you’ll find it at Ecovacs, JB Hi-Fi and Amazon.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.
