Today we will review a very interesting robot vacuum cleaner in the price segment up to $400. The model is called Viomi SE. The robot costs about $325-350 and considered as a budget version of the Viomi V3. It was possible to reduce the price by removing a separate dust collector and a water tank from the package, leaving only a combined container, as well as installing a 3200 mAh battery instead of 4900 mAh. By the way, because of this, the suction power has also decreased from 2600 to 2200 Pa. But on the other hand, this robot, in my opinion, got more premium design – white case with rose gold inserts, and it looks just great. Next, Viomi SE will be reviewed and tested in detail. After that I will express my own opinion whether this robot vacuum cleaner is worth buying. Let’s go!
Equipment
First, let’s look at what came in our box. Aside from the robot, I got:
- Charging bas
- Power adapter
- Wet cleaning nozzle with attached microfiber cloth
- Instruction manual
- Spare side brush
- Spare microfiber cloth
The package does not include a spare HEPA filter and a set of disposable mopping pads. Also, separate water tank and dust collector were removed, and only a combined container was left.
Design
Robot vacuum cleaner has a rounded shape and matt white color. The lidar and the area around it are designed in rose gold. As mentioned at the beginning of the review, it looks great.
An obstacle detection sensor is installed on the front bumper.
There are 2 buttons on top of the case: start / pause and forced return to the base for charging. Terminals for docking with the base are located at the back, in the same place as the ventilation holes.
The combined container is placed at the bottom. A brush is stored next to it to clean the dust container and the central brush. Above we see a hole with a sealed valve for pouring the water. Tank capacity is 200 ml. After removing the HEPA filter, we see the dust collector. Its capacity is 300 ml.
Let’s turn the robot vacuum cleaner upside down and see how it is designed from the bottom. One quick-release side brush, 4 fall protection sensors and a central brush are installed. The brush is bristly-petal, not removable. Only one cap can be removed to clean the coiled hair.
A nozzle for wet cleaning is attached to the back part of the robot. The mopping pad is big enough, bigger than in Roborock.
Overall, the build quality of the Viomi SE is above average. The robot is quite heavy, which makes it clear that the spare parts in it are not cheap.
Specifications
Key specifications of Viomi SE:
- Battery Li-Ion 3200 mAh.
- Suction power up to 2200 Pa.
- Operating time up to 120 min.
- Cleaning area up to 200 sq.m.
- Capacity of the dust collector is 300 ml.
- Capacity of the water tank is 200 ml.
- Passage of obstacle 2 cm.
- Noise level up to 75 dB.
- Dimensions 350*95 mm.
- Weight 3.6 kg.
Specifications are quite standard, as for a modern robot vacuum cleaner with a lidar. I can’t say that there is something outstanding. Further, some of the characteristics will be checked during the tests.
Functionality
Let`s move on to the review of the functions of Viomi SE. The robot vacuum cleaner is controlled through the Mi Home application, the connection should not cause problems. My robot was connected pretty fast.
In the application on the main screen, we see the built map, which the robot automatically zoned into rooms. Under the map there are buttons for starting the automatic cleaning mode, forcing the robot to return to the base for charging, as well as a section for working with the map, which we will discuss later.
Under these buttons there is a cleaning mode selection slider. Only the vacuum cleaner mode is available, in which you can adjust the suction power. There is a mode of simultaneous dry and wet cleaning, in which you can adjust both the power and the level of water supply. Well, you can also choose the only wet cleaning mode, in which the vacuum cleaner will only wipe the floor, without sucking up debris.
When working with the map, you can edit the rooms, merging them, separating them, and choosing names for each. In addition, you can set virtual walls and restricted areas on the map, send the robot to the desired area for cleaning and select cleaning areas on the map.
Additionally, in the settings, you can select the perimeter cleaning mode, a double pass of the entire available area, a Y-shaped movement pattern in the polisher mode and view the cleaning log. Scheduled cleaning can be configured at the right time, day of the week, as well as in the selected mode and even in the desired rooms. It is impossible to select the power and water supply level individually for each room, as it is implemented in Roborock.
You can also turn on “do not disturb” mode at a desired time and select the cleaning map from the list saved in memory. Yes, Viomi SE can store multiple cleaning maps. If necessary, you can turn off the map saving mode or completely remove the map from memory. You can also turn off voice alerts and adjust their volume.
In addition, you can track the status of consumables, turn on the search of the robot by a sound signal, manually control the device and, if necessary, calibrate the sensors, change the name of the robot, share control with other family members and update the firmware if a new version is released.
This is the entire functionality of the application. All the necessary functions for maintaining of cleanliness in the house are present in this model.
Testing
Navigation
Let’s move on to the tests. First of all, let’s check the Viomi SE navigation in the room with obstacles. First, the robot drove through the entire available area around the perimeter, after which it snaked through the room. It didn’t get stuck on the dryer, swept around each chair leg and around the box, and then returned to the base. Test passed successfully.
As for cleaning the entire available area, during the test drive, Viomi SE divided the entire available area into zones convenient for itself, first cleaned each zone along the perimeter, and then with a snake moves. For cleaning 32 sq.m. it took him 48 minutes. But after the robot saved the map and zoned it into rooms, the next time it started, it began to clean room by room, first along the perimeter, and then with a snake moves. With this algorithm of movement, it took him much less time to clean, about 35 minutes. Navigation of Viomi SE is good, there are no comments.
Suction power
The suction power of this robot is at the same level as its analogues. It can suck up debris out of a 2mm deep gap. Many robots with a suction power of 2600-2700 Pa show the same result, so I think the power of Viomi SE is not less than in previous model V3.
Dry cleaning on laminate
The quality of dry cleaning is also good, the robot picked up all the debris from the floor and left it only in the corners, where most round robot vacuum cleaners are not able to sweep debris. So I consider the test as passed.
Carpet cleaning
But on the carpet, Viomi SE demonstrated not very good cleaning quality. Some of the wool and hair the robot could not collect from the carpet, so this robot is not the most suitable for cleaning on carpets. Although, part of the hair and wool is collected in the dust collector, as well as on the main brush.
Mopping
But there are no complaints about wet cleaning. It’s not the first year that I have been dealing with Viomi products and I can say that these robots are more suitable for mopping the floor.
You can see that Viomi SE was able to wipe the dirt off the floor without leaving streaks. It did not wipe off the strip along the plinth, like all its analogues that we had on the test. So far, this is a disadvantage of all popular robot vacuum cleaners.
But for delicate wet cleaning, Viomi SE is suitable. The mopping pad is well pressed against the floor, the footprint is uniform and at maximum water supply the floor is wetted well. Also, do not forget that Viomi SE is able to move in a Y-shape.
Passage of obstacles
The passage ability of obstacles in this robot is very good. It can move the sills up to 2 cm high without much effort.
Drive through dark surfaces
But the robot vacuum cleaner is afraid of dark surfaces, like most other models of the Xiaomi line of all sub-brands. This is a minus.
Noise level
Let’s check how noisy Viomi SE is in different modes. At the minimum suction power, the noise level is about 63 dB, in the standard mode it reaches 66 dB, and in the violence mode, the peak value was 71 dB. The manufacturer claims a noise level of up to 75 dB, so the robot cleans even quieter.
Summing up
Viomi SE was reviewed and tested in detail. According to our rating system, it scored score 63 out of 100 points. And for its money – it’s a good result. The robot belongs to the group of premium models, above and below it in the list of robot vacuum cleaners worth from $325-400. For example, more expensive Viomi V3 was able to score a bit more, 67 out of 100 points, just due to a more complete set and a battery with increased capacity. So these robots are the same in terms of cleaning quality and functionality.
The overall rating of robot vacuum cleaners that have passed the Robotobzor test: https://robotobzor.com/ratings/general-rating-of-robot-vacuum-cleaners.html.
As for my opinion about Viomi SE, here are the advantages I can highlight, given the price segment up to $400:
- Good navigation.
- Saving multiple cleaning maps in memory.
- All advanced functionality in the application.
- Electronic regulation of power and water supply.
- Able to vacuum and mop the floor at the same time.
- Better wet cleaning.
- High build quality.
- Stylish design.
- Long battery life.
- Good passage ability
The main disadvantages are:
- Not the best quality cleaning on carpets.
- Small total capacity of containers for water and dust
- Recognition of dark coatings as height differences.
- Poor equipment pack
If there are not so many carpets in your house or apartment, or there are none, then this robot vacuum cleaner will be optimal in terms of price and quality within $325-350. Personally, I have a positive opinion about Viomi SE after a detailed review and testing, so I can recommend this robot vacuum cleaner for purchase, especially if there is no desire to overpay and the comments are not critical for you.
If you have any questions, ask them in the comments below. Happy tech shopping. Bye!
