Midea S8+ is an improved version of the popular Midea M7 Pro, which got a self-cleaning station. Other than that the robots are identical in their build, functions, and quality. Here I will thoroughly test Midea S8+, after which I will say if this robot is really worth buying. Keep in mind, this robot costs $450-$550 which is totally standard for a self-cleaning robot vacuum. So, let’s get started!
Package
The robot came in this box:
Apart from the robot itself and the cleaning station, the box includes:
- A separate water container with a vibrating platform. The robot already includes a regular container.
- A nozzle for mopping with an attached microfiber cloth.
- A manual.
- Two extra bags for the station.
- Two extra side brushes.
- Extra HEPA Filter
The kit is complete, and includes all of the extra parts you would need to use the robot. This is a plus.
Design
Now, let’s look at how Midea S8+ looks from the outside. Let’s start with the vacuum itself. It’s round. The coating can’t be easily made dirty. The robot stands about 97 mm (3.8 inches) off the ground.
On the front is a mechanical bumper for safe collisions. On the top are 2 mechanical control buttons. The LIDAR is protected by a case around it to save it from getting stuck under furniture.
The dirt container is located under the top lid. On it is a conveniently located tool for cleaning and maintaining the robot. Inside we can see openings with curtains for the auto cleaning container. Interestingly enough, the curtains are made to stop debris from falling out with a gear that helps it automatically open and close. The robot has a triple filtration system: Mesh, HEPA, and with a foam rubber. This is good.
Under the container, in the robot itself, are openings to get dirt from the robot to the base. The earlier model, Midea M7 Pro, doesn’t have these openings, so just buying a station in addition to the robot would not work, unfortunately.
Behind the robot is a water tank with a capacity of 220 ml (7.4 OZ). Inside there is a pump for electronic water regulation. The cloth is attached to the nozzle with Velcro and pockets.
Instead of the regular water tank, you can install a special tank with a vibration module. It holds up to 200 ml (6.7 OZ) of water. An electronic drive is installed inside, from which the cloth can vibrate, as well as a pump for electronic adjustment of the water supply. The cloth is divided into 2 parts, attached to the platform with Velcro. The cloth’s sides move against each other, resembling a person rubbing his hands. I’ll test how well this actually helps later.
On the bottom of the robot, there are 4 anti-fall sensors, 2 side brushes, and a petal shaped bristle central turbo brush. It’s very well executed. The hair is dense, and you can take off the brush on both sides to clean it from hair and fur that may be wrapped around on it.
The robot’s quality is above average. Now let’s look at the station. Garbage is unloaded through the bottom. The suction tube can be taken off from the bottom for cleaning, or in case something gets stuck during the cleaning process. The bag is at the top under the lid. It holds up to 2.5 liters (.66 gallons) of waste, which is enough for the robot to go 1 or two months without a change. The bag itself is made out of paper, not a fabric like most other robot vacuum cleaners with a self-cleaning station. I personally have no complaints regarding the station.
At first glance, it’s very similar to the Ecovacs Deebot OZMO T9 AIVI Plus station, which I previously reviewed
Technical features
Midea S8+’s main features, given by the manufacturer:
- Battery Li-Ion 5200 mA*H.
- Suction power up to 4000 Pa.
- Work time up to 180 mins.
- Cleaning area up to 250 square meters (820 Feet).
- Dust container 450 ml (15.21 OZ).
- Bag inside station 2,5 liters (.66 gallons).
- Water container 200/220 ml (6.7/7.4 Oz).
- Obstacle size up to 20 mm (.78 inches)
- Robot size: 350*97 mm (13.7x 3.8 inches).
- Base size: 454*301*440 mm (17.87x 11.85x 17.32 inches).
The characteristics are not different from the earlier Midea M7 Pro. The only thing worth noting is the increased suction power, which I will definitely have to look into in testing.
Functionality
Now, let’s move on and review Midea S8+’s functions. The robot vacuum cleaner is controlled with the MSmartLife app, which you can download by scanning the QR-code in the instructions. Registration and connection of the robot to the network should not cause any problems, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
On the main operating panel, the robot vacuum builds a map of the room and automatically zones it into rooms. Under the map you can see three cleaning modes: automatic cleaning of the entire area, cleaning of selected rooms, and cleaning in selected areas. Here you can also choose the precise cleaning mode and adjust the number of passes the robot makes in a select zone: from 1 to 3.
On the right is a section where you can set virtual walls and restricted zones on the map, and even make separate restricted areas for mopping.
The main operating panel also displays the function giving the robot’s immediate self-cleaning and water sterilization function in the tank. You can notice how the UV lamp inside the tank turns on. An interesting addition, I’ve honestly never seen this in a vacuum before.
Another useful section in the app is where you can set cleaning parameters. Here you can adjust the amount of water given and suction power, select the efficient cleaning mode, in which the robot vacuum cleaner moves in a tighter snake like pattern, turn on the platform vibration and turn on automatic power increase when the robot gets on carpets.
In the Map Manager section you can select the map you want from the robot’s memory. By the way, Midea S8+ can store several different maps in its memory. In the editor, you can change room boundaries, name rooms and set no-go zones.
The main settings can save multiple maps, tune the frequency and even duration of self-cleaning, give manual control of the robot, and set scheduled cleaning. When setting up the schedule, you can choose the time, days of the week, cleaning mode, amount of times you want the robot to clean, and the rooms you want cleaned. I’ll add that Midea S8+ speaks in several languages. You can also set “Do not disturb” times, view the cleaning log, and check your items’ status.
Midea S8+’s functionality is very interesting. You can flexibly adjust the cleaning parameters to your liking. The ads even say that this robot can individually clean the parameters for each room, but I never found that function. Additionally, this robot can be controlled through voice assistants, which is absolutely awesome!
Testing
Navigation
Finally, let’s move on to the tests. First and foremost, let’s test Midea S8+’s navigation in a room with obstacles. At first, the robot goes through the whole room’s perimeter. The drying rack gave him a challenge, but he still managed to get out of the trap on his own and continue cleaning. While cleaning with a snake like pattern, the robot was able to sweep separately around each chair leg and box, and then return to his base. The vacuum passed with flying colors!
As for the rest of the house, the robot goes room by room first along the perimeter, then in a snake-like pattern through the area. The vacuum is very fast at cleaning, and there are no areas left dirty. This model’s navigation is spectacular!
Suction power
As advertised, Midea S8+’s suction is very good. It was able to suck out debris from all cracks, including 10mm (.39 inches) just like Midea M7 Pro was.
Hard floor cleaning
The vacuuming quality is good, the robot picked up all the garbage from the hardwood floor, leaving only a small amount of dirt in the corners, where round vacuums cannot reach. At least the ones that were in our reviews. Most of the dirt is in the container. The brush got some hair and fur wrapped around it. The robot passed the test.
Carpet cleaning
Thanks to the high suction power and clever brush design, the robot collected all of the dirt from the carpet, leaving it sparkling. I have no complaints to Midea S8+ in this area either.
Mopping
But there are certain nuances that come up during mopping. With a regular water container and a microfiber cloth put in, the robot isn’t very good at scrubbing dirt, instead smearing it all over the floor. And for everyday mopping, this is not very good. The cloth doesn’t mop the floor evenly and there are dry streaks after every pass.
On the other hand, when the vibrating mop module is installed, the robot is really effective at scrubbing off not only regular debris and dirt, but also dried stains, almost as well as robot floor scrubbers. In our test, we used sauce and spilled coffee, which we then left for a day to let the stains dry. So with this attachment, the robot did an excellent job.
It’s also important to note that Midea S8+ is capable of vacuuming and mopping the floor simultaneously!
Wet cleaning on carpets
Speaking of mopping with carpets, this vacuum cleaner, though detects carpets, doesn’t automatically go around them while mopping. Because of this, I recommend setting separate no-go zones on carpets for mopping.
Self-cleaning quality
Midea S8+’s self-cleaning quality is good. Almost all of the dirt is unloaded from the robot to the dust collector into the station. The test is passed successfully!
Passage of obstacles
Like stated by the manufacturer, the robot has no problem moving up and down 2 cm (.78) high rungs.
Passage of dark surfaces
There are also no problems with going through dark carpets, and the robot doesn’t see them as cliffs, which is a huge benefit.
Noise level
Finally, let’s test Midea S8+’s volume in different modes. At minimum power the volume is around 58-60 dB. In standard mode it reaches 63 dB, and at maximum power the volume is about 64-65 dB. This robot vacuum cleaner isn’t too loud, considering it’s high suction power, which is incredible!
Summing up
Midea S8+ was thoroughly tested and reviewed. Our algorithm gave it a 87 out of 100, which places it in the top 3 list of robot vacuum cleaners reviewed by us so far.
Now I’ll share my personal opinion on the robot after thorough testing. I liked the following:
- High vacuuming and mopping quality
- Good navigation.
- Addition of a self cleaning station.
- High suction power.
- Debris collection quality.
- Addition of a vibrating module for scrubbing off dirt.
- High-quality self-cleaning.
- Large amount of functions in the mobile app.
- The robot isn’t afraid of dark spaces.
- Good off-road.
- Full box with spares.
- Not too loud.
As for the mishaps, I have no particular complaints about this model. The manufacturer has really worked on the bugs, if you want to compare it with Midea M7 Pro, which had a tiny problem with navigation. Otherwise, for the amount it costs, this is just an amazing vacuum. If only the engineers had added a system of detecting objects on the bumper, a function that automatically lifts the cloth on the carpets and a station for rinsing this cloth, this robot-vacuum cleaner could even be up there with Roidmi EVA, Roborock S7 MaxV and Ecovacs Deebot OMNI X1. But these robots are definitely more expensive. So for a budget of $500 – Midea S8+ is definitely one of the best robot vacuum cleaners you can own, if not the best.
On this note, I would like to end the review. If you still have questions, make sure to leave them in the comments. Enjoy your shopping, bye!
