eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid: Long term review of the affordable intelligent robot vacuum
There is a clear distinction between an intelligent robot vacuum with smart navigation and one that just goes around randomly cleaning until its battery runs low before going back to the charging base. While both manages the job of cleaning, the former does it with more elegance and efficiency while the latter will clean for as long as the battery lasts. The Eufy RoboVac G10 Hybrid is one of the former with the added advantage of an integrated mop.
Why Choose the RoboVac G10 Hybrid
There are top three reasons we would recommend this particular model over other robot vacuums whether from Eufy or other manufacturers.
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1. Affordable Mid-range Robot Vacuum
Firstly, it is an affordable mid-range robot vacuum from Eufy. There is now a clear distinction in Eufy’s portfolio of robot vacuums. The Bounce Series with random cleaning path, the mid-range G series with Smart Navigation, high-end and the premium L and X series with laser navigation. The Eufy RoboVac G10 is the lowest entry in the G series that includes the G20 and G30. This makes it the most affordable in its class.
2. Mop Function for hard floors
It comes with a mop unit. The keyword here is Hybrid. Pick one of the following from the G series; G10 Hybrid, G20 Hybrid or G30 Hybrid and you have yourself a hybrid 2-in-1 vacuum and mop robot vacuum. These come with a small removable water tank and mopping pad that attaches to the bottom of the dust collector. This enables it to mop after the sweeping and vacuuming action.
The conversion between the ‘vacuum only’ and the ‘vacuum and mop’ function is a manual one. Simply adding or removing the mop pad, the robot vacuum adds it’s functionality.
3. Intelligent Navigation
The third reason to go for the G10 Hybrid is it’s navigation technology. As it comes with Smart Dynamic Navigation, cleaning is much more efficient and faster with logical route planning. This ensures that the entire floor is cleaned effectively with no missed spots. Models without intelligent navigation just bump around and go on a random path sometimes even moving between rooms before ‘finishing’ when its battery runs low.
How does it compare to others in the G series
Being the cheapest in the range means some things have to give. Here is how it compares with G20 and G30. Remember, all models in the G series are available with (Hybrid) or without the Mop unit. We start with what is lacking when comparing the G10 Hybrid to the G30 Hybrid.
1. Smart Dynamic Navigation (Version 1.0 instead of 2.0)
You probably won’t be able to tell the difference, but the higher G30 Hybrid uses Smart Dynamic Navigation 2.0 versus just Smart Dynamic Navigation 1.0. In our experience, we couldn’t differentiate both systems. The G10 Hybrid goes about cleaning without doubling back on itself even when it starts in the middle of the room. This advanced dual gyro assisted tech makes it up two times more efficient in cleaning, taking half the time or less to clean the same space. Location detection helps it continue in the same straight path going around obstacles and avoids repeat cleaning.
The G10 Hybrid assisted by Smart Dynamic Navigation worked really well in cleaning the living room, hallway, kitchen and dining room before returning to the living room. We hid the charging base under the media unit.
2. No Cleaning History (Area Cleaned and Cleaning Time)
If you like data and love looking at logs and maps, you will be disappointed here. Unlike the G30 Hybrid, the G10 Hybrid does not support a mapping function on the app. It does not log cleaning history such as area cleaned and time taken to clean said area. However, with so much information bombarding us these days especially with our smartphones and watches and their countless notifications, personally, here we think, less is more. As long as it gets the job done, we don’t really need to know where it has been or how long it took to clean.
3. No Set Boundaries
Coming from a RoboVac 30C from the bounce series, we appreciated the convenience of the boundary strips. These are essentially magnetic strips that you affix to the floor to keep the robot vacuum within specific boundaries.
We placed these strips to stop the robot from going near the fireplace and the top of the stairs. The dual Hall sensors picks up the magnetic boundary strips and ensures that the RoboVac does not pass. The G30 Hybrid supports this and comes with 6.6 feet of strips but the G10 Hybrid does not. Still, the G10 is supposedly equipped with drop sensors to ensure that it doesn’t fall off the stairs or ledges, although we have not tried to test this.
4. Good for Hard Floor Only, Not Carpets
Like our RoboVac 30C bounce unit, the G30 Hybrid comes with a motorised roller brush that helps remove hair and dust from medium pile carpets. But unlike the 30C, it only comes with one side brush. On the other hand, the G10 Hybrid does not come with a motorised roller brush but is equipped with a rubber flap around the vacuum inlet to maximise dust and hair suction on hard surface. This makes the G10 Hybrid unsuitable for carpets or rugs. If you have hardwood or tile flooring all around the house, you will be fine with this, otherwise you might want to consider the G30 Hybrid.
Features We Like
Based on our long term use, we love the following features of the G10, which coincidentally is shared with the higher G30 Hybrid.
1. WiFi and Voice Command Enabled with App support
Being a smart and connected robot vacuum means the RoboVac G10 Hybrid can be controlled wirelessly via an app on the phone or with voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant smart speakers. You do not have to manually start or stop cleaning although this can be done with the button on the top of the unit.
2. Cleaning is Methodical
From our experience and thanks to the Smart Dynamic Navigation, cleaning – both vacuuming and mopping is methodical. While you can do both at the same time, we prefer to use the vacuum mode first before setting it up with the mop module for an extra clean. Thanks to the efficient navigation, there is usually enough juice left in the battery to allow us to do both upstairs and downstairs twice over. Ours is a standard UK semi-detached house.
The best way to track where the robot has been is to use the mop mode. You can see the trail left behind by the mop and that way see how efficient the navigation tech is.
If it does not finish mopping before the battery runs out, it will return to the charging base and continue where it stopped once it’s charged. Note that this auto return to cleaning function needs to be enabled on the app. Remember that the 2-in-1 hybrid system vacuums and mops at the same time. So, on the second run with the mop unit, it will still vacuum again and in our experience, still manages to fill the dust collector with its powerful 2000Pa maximum suction every time.
We are always amazed by the amount of dust it manages to collect even when the robot vacuum is used on successive days.
3. Wet or Dry Cleaning
While the G10 Hybrid is a robot vacuum with a mop unit, it will work without the mop unit, as a standard robot vacuum. For mopping, simply fill up the water tank, slap on the mop and attach it to the bottom of the dust collector. To release the mop unit, remove the dust box as normal, and the add-on mopping module will pop right off.
In our experience, we typically use the vacuum (mode) twice a week and the mopping function once a week in our house with a pet dog. Although, we have to say that we also have another RoboVac (30C) without mop unit upstairs for vacuum only. It is also important to note that we have hardwood floors throughout.
As you are not supposed to put floor cleaning liquid into the water reservoir, we use this on the mop itself. And, as we have a pet in the house, we only use a biodegradable, non-toxic and plant-based cleaning solution. For our engineered wooden floor, the Method Wood Floor Cleaner works perfectly.
We must add that because of the mop unit, the dust collector capacity is reduced from 600 ml to 450ml, compared to a RoboVac without a mop unit. But it has the same capacity as G30 Hybrid. This never bothered us as we usually empty the dust collector once a week or every time after cleaning, using a hand vacuum to clean out the filter for optimum efficiency.
The water reservoir in the mop unit is also quite small. It has a very slim tank, but that is enough for our use as we make sure the map is damp before starting the mopping function each time. We also top up the tank when moving between floors to make sure that there is enough water.
4. Sufficient Battery Life
Our RoboVac 30C with bounce navigation, otherwise known as random cleaning, lasts up to 100 minutes on a full charge but the 10C only lasts up to 80 minutes on standard suction mode with a maximum runtime of 100 minutes. That extra 20 minutes is more than enough for it to return to the charging base. We find the 80 minutes cleaning time more than sufficient for our use. Smart navigation means quicker, more efficient cleaning. The G30 Hybrid gives you an extra 10 minutes runtime but we do not think that will make a huge difference based on our needs. In a larger house or space, the extra 10 minutes of cleaning may make quite a bit of difference.
5. Automated Cleaning with Scheduling
While the vacuum cleaner is relatively quiet, only 55dB on standard suction, we really appreciate the scheduling function. We use the app to set cleaning times for when we are not at home, especially when we take the dog and kid out. That way, we do not have to put up with the noise. It is not especially intrusive but the motorised wheels and vacuum function is still audible. Our pet dog did eventually get used to the vacuum and would simply move out of its way. The robot vacuum is slow enough to allow him to do that.
6. Super Slim Chassis
Another feature we find quite useful is the height of the unit. Measuring only 2.85-inches it will pass under most furniture; chairs, sofas, side and coffee tables, even our media unit. For the master bedroom, we decided to raise the divan bed by about an inch and a half to allow the vacuum to clean and mop under the king size bed.
7. Voice Feedback
While our RoboVac 30C would just beep on error and we had to rely on the app to tell us what went wrong, the RoboVac G10 Hybrid comes with voice prompts, alerts and mode indicators. This means that it can tell you if it is trapped, when the battery is low, or simply when it has finished cleaning. Voice feedback volume level, language and customised versions such as male, female, British butler or British Duchess are available as options on the app. We love the Duchess with her funny remarks.
8. Infrared Remote Control Support
While not included with the G10 Hybrid, the RoboVac works with the infrared remote from our RoboVac 30C. We were not expecting this and were pleasantly surprised. If you are old school and would like to control your RoboVac with a remote, pick up an optional remote controller.
Final Thoughts
The G10 is a robot vacuum packed in a very thoughtful design. Special mention goes to the waterproof base-plate attached to the charger. This ensures that the floor especially a wooden floor is not soaking in water if you happen to forget to remove the mopping unit (mopping pad and water reservoir). It is placed directly in front of the charging base, where the robot would return to charge. This has saved our floors from being soaked on multiple occasions.
We recommend the RoboVac 10C if you only have hard flooring at home, and are prepared to pick up rugs or small carpets before starting the cleaning session. The lack of a motorised roller brush does mean that it is much less efficient on carpets but works wonders on hard floors.
Accessories Service
Another useful feature is the accessories service reminder in the app, see screenshot below. Our first RoboVac, the 30C does not track this although the app contains steps on how to replace these accessories and provides standard information how long before they needed replacing. The G10 Hybrid however, shows a countdown table for parts that need servicing. These include the side brush, rubber strip, filter and when to clean the sensors. Most of us would be able to judge if these are still in good condition, needed replacing or cleaning by simply looking at it but to have it on the app as a reminder can be helpful.
A main issues we had were the choice of name to use and some lubricative oil that seemed to appear on the wheel’s support arms. For the first problem, this may be related to how Alexa, our chosen voice activated assistant recognises or ‘listens’ to names. Changing its name from Rosita to Carson resolved that problem. As for the oily arm, it went away after a while.
Overall, we would thoroughly recommend the G10 Hybrid if you’re thinking of getting a robot vacuum, especially if you have hardwood floors. It has certainly taken the toll and toil out of endless maintaining a clean floor.
