Robot Vacuums have quietly been advancing in the background of the technology world with Xiaomi pushing not only for more features, but also miniaturisation, better smart home connectivity and of particular importance for South Africa and the rest of the world: better pricing.

That has culminated in Xiaomi’s current batch of Robot Vacuums which are now available in South Africa. Xiaomi is now selling these devices which aren’t just vacuums, but also pack in mopping functionality while still being small enough to slip under furniture, all under their own AI-powered programming or controlled by you through the all-powerful Mi Home app.

Let’s take a look at two standout models from the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum range: one for those just starting their Robot Vacuum journey, and one for those who want the last Robot Vacuum they will ever need.

For the beginner – The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E5

The Xiaomi E5 is the perfect Robot Vacuum for those who want to take the plunge and finally pick up their first machine of this kind. Xiaomi has made this particularly enticing by pricing it so aggressively in South Africa that you can’t help but think you’re pulling off a bit of a heist by adding it to your cart.

The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E5 has a RRP of just R2 499. Home appliances just aren’t this cheap anymore but the E5 isn’t any old home appliances – it’s an advanced robot with an integrated and washable mop pad, a strong 2 000 Pa suction fan, flexible side brushes and a large 400 ml dustbin to collect any manner of floor debris.

That is all guided by a collection of sensors that not only avoids obstacle, but implements an efficient zigzag cleaning pattern to comb every millimetre of your floor.

That’s all packaged into a body just 30 centimetres across, easily able to dodge and weave between everyday objects and, standing at just seven centimetres tall, the E5 can duck under most pieces of furniture.

The E5 is the choice for you if you don’t have a Robot Vacuum just yet and you really want to give this innovative space a try without breaking the bank. You may think that this means the E5 is intended for smaller spaces but that simply isn’t the case as the 2 600 mAh battery keeps it running for 110 minutes in standard mode, allowing for longer cleaning before heading back to the charging dock. That dock, by the way, is also included in the R2 499 price.

The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E5 is available in your choice of black or white online from Takealot and at a Game store near you.

For the expert – The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20+

If you only accept the best, tick all the optional features when presented to you or you simply want to buy an almost completely automated cleaning robot for your home, the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20+ is for you.

The real magic of the X20+ is twofold: the Robot Vacuum itself and the All-in-One Base Station.

The Robot Vacuum is a top of the line unit that mops with a high-speed rotational mopping map system, vacuums with a beefed up 6 000 Pa suction fan and gets around the house, workplace or school with a combination of cameras and a laser navigation system.

The rest is a Robot Vacuum with clear navigation, cleaning prowess and a feature set that cannot be beat and we didn’t even talk about all the trimmings like accoutrements like the fact that the mop pads will lift up so they don’t wet carpets, the ability to map out your entire space from the Mi Home app and several cleaning modes to suit any floor type.

This is all enhanced by the All-in-One Base Station which automates the upkeep of your Robot Vacuum so it can keep cleaning for much longer without you needing to lift a finger. The station replaces water already used for mopping, cleans out the dustbin and – this may be our favourite feature – it even washes and dries the mop heads for you.

That’s right – all the annoying parts of owning a Robot Vacuum are now taken care of by the Base Station. Xiaomi even estimates that your X20+ can clean vacuum for up to 75 days before you need to empty the dust collected in the huge collection compartment inside of the Base Station. This is the ultimate display of how far the technology has come: in the past these machines needed to be babied and looked after to clean a room, and now you can leave them to do their cleaning for more than two months.

Pick up the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20+ from Takealot today and with a RRP of R11 999, it’s still impressive just how much Xiaomi is providing for that price.

What if I’m somewhere in the middle?

If you’re somewhere in the middle of your Robot Vacuum journey, check out the comparison table above for more on the wide range that Xiaomi offers.

Do you love the low price of the E5 but want a stronger vacuum onboard? Consider the E10. Maybe the X20+ impressed you with its laser guidance, but you don’t need the All-in-One Base Station? Check out the S10+ instead.

No matter which Xiaomi Robot Vacuum you pick, you are guaranteed to get a winner. Want to explore more? Shop the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum range – and many more Xiaomi smart home products – from Takealot, Yuppiechef, Game, Incredible, Tafelberg, and @‌home via Bash.

Also check back to Hypertext soon for more articles on each device and their unique offerings.