Hello, everyone! Welcome to the Robotobzor channel! Today we will review a new budget robot vacuum cleaner with lidar for navigation and a wet cleaning function. The model is called Midea M6 (vendor code VCR21LDSW) it costs between $200 and $250 at the time of writing this review. For this money, you can find very few lidar robots that are now on sale. And not all of them are recommended. Next, I will test the Midea M6 in detail and will express my own opinion whether this robot vacuum cleaner is worth buying. I would be grateful if after watching the video you will subscribe to the channel and like this video. Let’s go!
Equipment
The robot vacuum cleaner came in such a branded box:
The package includes:
- Charging base.
- Power adapter.
- User manual.
- Holder with microfiber cloth.
- And a spare HEPA filter.
Design
Now let’s have a look at how the Midea M6 is designed. It is made in white color. The body shape is square with rounded corners. In theory, this allows the robot to sweep debris in the corners, which will be tested today.
The front part has a soft-touch mechanical bumper. On top of the control panel there are 2 mechanical control buttons and an indicator for connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Lidar is responsible for navigation. It is equipped with a spring-loaded button that prevents the robot from getting stuck under furniture.
The combined container for water and dust is removed from behind. It is spacious enough. The tank holds up to 250 ml of water, and the dust container is designed for 600 ml of dry debris. A pump is installed inside the tank for electronic regulation of the water supply. Filtration system based on a mesh and HEPA filter, which can be washed with water. The container is also washable. On top of the cover there is conveniently stored a tool for servicing the robot.
The holder with a mopping pad is fixed on two clamps. The mopping pad fastens with the help of flypapers and a pocket. Water enters the mopping pad through 4 holes.
There are 4 fall protection sensors on the bottom of the robot. There are two side brushes. They are three-beam, quick-detachable, with pile tassels. The central brush block is floating, but the frame is floating, not the turbo brush itself, which is very strange. On the frame we see a strip of pile, which most likely helps to collect wool and hair from the floor. The central brush is equipped with soft pile inserts. On both sides, it can be disassembled for easy cleaning of wound hair and wool.
In general, I have no complaints about the design of the robot. Some decisions surprisingly pleased, especially considering the cost of the model.
Specifications
The main characteristics of Midea M6, declared by the manufacturer:
- Battery: Li-Ion 3350 mAh
- Suction power: up to 2000 Pa
- Cleaning area >100 sq.m.
- Battery life: up to 120 min
- Dust container: 600 ml
- Water tank: 250 ml
- Passage of obstacles: up to 20 mm
- Dimensions: 340*97mm
Of the characteristics, I would like to once again highlight the increased capacity of the containers for water and dust. It is also worth noting not very high suction power, which will be tested in real conditions. The battery is also weak, but for areas up to 100 sq.m. it will be enough.
Functionality
The main functions of Midea M6:
- Saving multiple cleaning maps in memory.
- Automatic zoning of the rooms into areas.
- Choice of rooms and areas for cleaning.
- Setting the number of robot passes: from 1 to 3.
- Installation of virtual walls and restricted areas.
- Separate restricted areas for wet cleaning.
- Continue cleaning after charging at the base.
- Automatic power increase on carpets.
- Adjustment of power and level of water supply.
- Manual control.
- Scheduled cleaning.
- Support for voice assistants.
- Do not disturb mode.
- Cleaning log.
- Monitoring the status of consumables.
As you can see, there are a lot of functions and they will definitely be enough to keep the house clean.
Testing
Review with tests:
Navigation
And finally, let’s move on to the tests. First of all, let’s check the Midea M6 navigation in the room with obstacles. After leaving the base, the robot passes the room along the perimeter, after which it cleans it with a snake. It didn’t get stuck on the dryer. Separately swept around the dryer and chair legs. This test passed successfully!
Speaking of navigation within the home, Midea M6 cleans room after room around the perimeter, then with a snake. There were no uncleaned areas left, only in the dining area in the kitchen between the chairs and the table, the robot spent more time than the usual rounded robot vacuum cleaner. Due to the angular shape, it is more difficult for him to turn around and get out of tight places. Considering this, I recommend moving the chairs a little apart so that the robot has more free space. But in general, navigation is good for this model.
Suction power
The suction power is also pleasantly surprised. Even despite the declared only 2000 Pa, this robot managed to suck out debris from a gap 4 mm deep. In reality, the suction power is increased in this model.
Dry cleaning
As for dry cleaning, Midea M6 was able to collect all the debris on the stand, and even swept almost perfectly in the corners thanks to the special shape of the body. Some of the hair and fur got wrapped around the turbo brush and got stuck in the fluffy area of the frame, but the bulk of the debris is still collected in the dust container. This test is passed!
Carpet cleaning
But the quality of carpet cleaning is not so perfect. In my opinion, the robot vacuum cleaner cleaned the carpet at an average level, even despite the increased power. Maybe there are not enough rubber inserts in the turbo brush, which is why some of the hair is left on the carpet, or alternatively, the turbo brush itself is not floating and presses against the carpet not strong enough. In general, not critical, but far from the best result.
Mopping
There are no complaints about the quality of rubbing off the dirt. Midea M6 was able to wipe dried dirt from the laminate. There was an unwashed strip left along the plinth, but this is still the weak point of all robot vacuum cleaners that I had on the review.
Wet cleaning and carpets
Speaking of wet cleaning in the presence of carpets, even though the Midea M6 is able to detect carpets, with a nozzle with a napkin installed, it does not go around them and does not turn off the water supply. I recommend installing special restricted areas for wet cleaning in the carpet area.
Passage of obstacles
I have no complaints about passage ability. Midea M6 is able to overcome sills up to 20 mm high, as stated by the manufacturer.
Passage of dark surfaces
With the passage of dark surfaces, the situation is not entirely clear. Initially, the robot backed away when it hit the black mat, but then it began to ride on it and move freely. In general, I do not count the test as successful, since problems are observed, but in reality it may be that the robot will be able to drive onto dark surfaces.
Noise level
Finally, we measure the noise level of Midea M6 in different modes. At minimum power, the robot works very quietly, the noise level is in the range of 54-55 dB. At medium power, it rises to 62-64 dB. And at maximum power, the peak value was 67 dB. The noise level of this robot is not high.
Personal opinion
Midea M6 was reviewed and tested in detail. According to our rating system, it managed to score 108 points.
The overall rating of models that passed the Robotobzor test https://robotobzor.com/ratings/general-rating-of-robot-vacuum-cleaners.html.
I will share my personal opinion about the robot. What I liked about it:
- Sweeps debris in corners.
- Simultaneous dry and wet cleaning.
- Increased suction power.
- Good cleaning performance on hard surfaces.
- All important features in the app.
- Good passage ability.
- Large containers for water and dust.
- Support for voice assistants.
- Low noise level in quiet mode.
- Budget cost, as for a lidar robot vacuum cleaner.
Speaking of disadvantages, here is what i noted:
- Fear of dark surfaces.
- There are problems with cleaning carpets with medium pile.
- Software problems.
Let me explain the last point in more detail. Reviews about the MSmartHome application are mostly negative and this applies to all robots, and not specifically to this model. But even with the Midea M6, there is a problem. Several times during the tests, the robot vacuum cleaner was disconnected from the Wi-Fi network and had to be reconnected. What is the reason is not clear. Wi-Fi connection just turned off when it was charging at the base. This is perhaps the only serious remark, for which points were lowered. But maybe the problem is specifically in my robot, who knows.
Anyway, at the cost under $200, this is a very interesting robot vacuum cleaner to buy. Even more, it left a positive opinion about itself and is recommended for purchase as it is one of the few robot vacuum cleaners capable of sweeping debris in the corners.
On this note, I would like to end the review. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments below. Happy tech shopping. Bye!
