If you've come across any of my articles before, you'll know that I'm not the biggest fan of robot vacuum cleaners. Look, I can totally see the appeal, but I've always found them to be more trouble than they're worth. Don't even get me started on how most of them refuse to work on any surface that isn't hard or level.
For this reason, I usually find myself trying out the best cordless vacuum cleaners instead. It's not that I'll refuse to try a robot vacuum cleaner, but I just hadn't found a model that worked for me and my home. That is, until Eufy got in touch.
Over the past month or so, I've been using the Eufy Omni S1 Pro. Upon its launch, Eufy claimed the model had been developed to react to situations like a human would. My previous experience meant this felt like a challenge, and I couldn't wait to find out whether the Omni S1 Pro deserved a spot amongst our list of the best robot vacuum cleaners.
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: price and availability
The Eufy Omni S1 Pro has an RRP of £1,200 ($1,499) and will be available to purchase on Eufy's website from 19th June 2024.
If you're wondering how I (or anyone else for that matter) was able to get their hands on one, it was launched on Kickstarter earlier this year. I've specifically been holding off publishing this review until a specific launch date had been revealed. I know, you're welcome.
Yes, it's an expensive piece of kit. However, keep reading to find out why it's worth it.
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: unboxing and set up
Setting up the Eufy Omni S1 Pro was actually a lot easier than expected, especially as robot vacuum cleaners are notorious for being complicated. One thing to note is that it does come in a huuuge box. I was expecting it to be on the larger side due to the Uniclean station, but it was a lot bigger than I anticipated.
Anyways, when I'd gotten over the fact I now had a new piece of furniture, it was a simple process getting the Omni S1 Pro ready to use. I came across a quick start guide and a number of parts, including an additional dust bag, cleaning tool, extra filter, two different power cords and the hard floor cleaner.
I then found an additional rolling mop and a removable tray. I was relieved to find the robot and Uniclean Station already assembled, and it was great that the station already had a dust bag inserted.
Finally, I unboxed two sets of side brushes which just had to be clicked into place on the bottom of the robot.
Following this, all I had to do was insert the hard floor cleaner as instructed and add clean water to the Uniclean station. After plugging it in, everything was ready to go and it was time for the app to do its magic. More on that later!
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: design and features
The Eufy Omni S1 Pro is a robot vacuum and mop all in one, meaning it comes with an array of impressive features. It's strong 8,000 Pa suction power is a good place to start, something we also saw with the Eufy X10 Pro Omni. The Uniclean which features an LCD screen if you'd rather control it manually.
When it comes to mopping, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro uses a feature called the Eco-Clean Ozone. This means the Omni S1 Pro ozonises the fresh tap water in the station, making it more effective at deep cleaning surfaces and killing bacteria. The robot will then empty the dirty water into a separate water tank, dump any solids into the removable tray for cleaning, and dry the rolling mop. This prevents a build-up of bacteria or foul odours, and prolongs its lifespan.
Dust from the robot is removed automatically into a disposable 2.5 litre bag, which is designed to store dirt and debris for at least two months.
I absolutely love all of these automatic maintenance features, and they certainly make up for its price. Not only is the Omni S1 Pro a great way to keep your home clean, but it's also exceptionally easy to keep the model clean itself. Who wouldn't want that?
The Omni S1 Pro also features a 3D MatrixEye Depth Perception system and TrueCourse Mapping, both designed to ensure precise mapping and movement within your home. Instead of running over any obstacles, these features prevent the robot from vacuuming up anything it shouldn't. If you've heard about Derek's unfortunate incident between a robot vac and a wayward dog poo, then you'll appreciate this.
It also has an Auto Mop Lift that automatically elevates the robot when it detects carpet. Believe it or not, this is quite a revolutionary feature for a robot vacuum cleaner, so I was very impressed when I first came across it.
Design wise, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro adopts a unique square body that is compact, sleek and modern. Its low 96mm profile can reach within 1cm of walls and corners and glide under low furniture seamlessly.
The Uniclean station is set at an ergonomic height that removes the need to bend down to open the lid or select any controls. It also features a clever transparent water tank which makes it east to check water levels at a glance.
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: app
As the isn't fully launched yet, I've been controlling it via the MACH app. However, I understand that the final version will be compatible with the Eufy app, so don't worry if your set up is a little different.
When setting it up, I found the Omni S1 Pro's mapping to be really accurate. After the floor plan was created, I was able to divide and name each room.
I was really impressed with the way you can set cleaning preferences per room, or create 'no mop' zones for areas that are carpeted. It's also easy to switch between vacuum and mop mode, and choose your desired level of either. For example, I preferred having the max suction for my hallway, but the standard suction was enough for my living room.
You can also choose to vacuum or mop rooms by a certain amount. For example, if you wanted to mop the kitchen floor twice but the hallway only once, you can.
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: performance
There's isn't anything negative I can say about the performance of the Eufy Omni S1 Pro; that's how much I loved it. The level of cleaning it provided was nothing short of impressive, and I found it be very efficient.
When vacuuming, the robot was able to seamlessly manoeuvre around furniture, with the 3D MatrixEye Depth Perception system helping it move around obstacles without announcing it was stuck. Trust me, if a robot vacuum cleaner does that, it can be very annoying. It was also able to run right alongside skirting boards, and the side brushes were great at collecting dust that had settled into corners.
The mopping was no different, and whilst I found it to be a lot quicker than expected, the result was still impressive. It was clear that the Eco-Clean Ozone feature was doing exactly what it was designed to do, and I don't think I've come across a robot mop that works as well as this. It also uses just the right amount of water so my kitchen floor was dry within 15 minutes of it being over.
The time it takes for the Eufy Omni S1 Pro will obviously vary with each space, but a full clean of all three rooms downstairs took around 40 minutes. That was vacuuming and mopping included, and with some rooms being cleaned more than once. I don't think that's bad at all.
One of my only qualms with the Eufy Omni S1 Pro's performance is its noise level. It's not a quiet robot vacuum cleaner by all means, and you can certainly hear it coming before you see it. For example, you wouldn't be able to put it on whilst watching TV or when the kids are in bed. The dust collection process when back at the Uniclean station is also extremely loud. However, its efficient cleaning and glistening results makes up for this, so I wouldn't let it put you off too much.
The other thing would be that the rolling mop takes a while dry after the robot returns to the Uniclean station. Whilst this is a positive feature to have, especially as it prevents bacteria built up, it's definitely something to factor in if you're careful about energy consumption. There's also a gentle buzz coming from the station throughout the drying process, so again, something to be aware of.
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: verdict
The Eufy Omni S1 Pro is one of the best robot vacuum cleaners I've tried, and I can confidently say that my house has never felt cleaner. I found its automatic maintenance features and design technologies to be more than impressive, and whilst it's in a higher price bracket than most, there are a number of reasons why it's a worthwhile buy. Its cleaning results are spectacular and the accompanying app is easy and efficient to navigate. The Omni S1 Pro is a noisy robot vacuum, but if that isn't a problem for you, I couldn't recommend it enough.
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: alternatives to consider
If you're looking for a robot vac and mop, our top choice would have to be the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. Not only does it have exceptional suction, but it features a vibrating rear-mounted mopping pad that automatically lifts five millimetres off the ground as soon as carpet or rug is detected. It also has a very similar price point to the Eufy Omni S1 Pro, making them alike in more ways than one.
If the Omni S1 Pro is a little bigger than you'd like, another alternative would be the iRobot Roomba j7+. It's a lot more compact whilst still featuring great navigation skills and a commendable vacuuming performance. It's also cheaper, coming in at £899.99
Check out these 3 mistakes everyone makes with robot vacuum cleaners next.
