I believed this window-cleaning robotic was a gimmick — nevertheless it’s now one among my favourite devices of all time

I’ve examined tons of of cleansing merchandise over the course of my 10-year profession as a product tester. I’ve reviewed all of it: vacuums, mops, carpet cleaners, dusters, you title it. But you understand what I’ve by no means tried earlier than? A robotic window cleaner. So after I heard of the Ecovacs Winbot, an autonomous system that’s supposed to depart your home windows shiny and streak-free, I knew I needed to try it out for myself.

Here’s the factor, although: Robotic cleaners are sometimes mediocre, at greatest. Even the most effective robotic vacuums will be fairly finicky, so I didn’t have excessive expectations for a window-cleaning robotic. I figured it was most likely an overpriced gimmick — however oh man, was I unsuitable!

After just some weeks of testing, I’m obsessive about this magical cleansing system. I’ve greater than 30 home windows in my home — to not point out a couple of outsized glass doorways — and so they typically get uncared for as a result of I can’t be bothered to squeegee them. Not anymore, although. With the assistance of the Winbot, my home windows are cleaner than ever, and I can’t cease speaking about how a lot I like this futuristic system. Here’s why.

What is the Winbot W2 Pro Omni?

The Winbot W2 Pro Omni is a high-tech window-cleaning robotic. Using a microfiber pad and cleansing answer, the robotic will routinely wash any window that’s a minimum of 12 × 16 inches in dimension. All you need to do is place it onto the glass and press begin, and the robotic takes over, rigorously navigating across the vertical floor to wash each inch.

As it cleans, the Winbot W2 robotic will get energy from its docking station, which is hooked up by way of a cable. The twine routinely unspools because the robotic cleans, offering the slack wanted, and there’s a button that allows you to rapidly rewind it when completed. The docking station will be plugged in throughout operation if there’s an outlet close by, nevertheless it will also be charged up and used wirelessly — helpful in the event you’re going to be cleansing home windows open air. When working on battery energy, the station presents just below two hours of cleansing time.

Specs:

• Robot dimensions: 10.7 × 10.7 × 3 inches

• Station dimensions: 12.3 × 8.5 × 12.9 inches

• Station weight: 12.1 kilos

• Minimum window dimension: 11.81 × 15.75 inches

• Battery life: 110 minutes

• Cleaning modes: Fast, deep, thorough, edge, heavy-duty, or guide

What I like about it

It’s extremely efficient at cleansing giant home windows

The first window I cleaned with the Winbot was truly the outsized sliding door that leads out to my deck. I can by no means handle to wash it with out leaving streaks behind, and I used to be curious to see how the Winbot would fare.

It’s secure to say that the little robotic exceeded expectations — each my husband and I have been completely floored at how completely it washed the outsized glass door, and there was not a single streak left behind. As we watched it, we have been impressed by its methodical, grid-like cleansing sample, which by no means missed an inch. Plus, on the finish of the cycle, the robotic even makes a last cross across the edges of the glass, cleansing proper as much as the body. It’s fascinating to observe!

I proceeded to make use of the Winbot to wash each the within and out of doors of each sliding doorways, and I’m not exaggerating after I say the door has by no means appeared cleaner. The robotic eliminated the layer of winter grime from the outside, in addition to all of the canine nostril prints from the within.

Already impressed with the robotic’s efficiency, I proceeded to apply it to all kinds of home windows round my house. It tackled our basic double-hung home windows and casement home windows with no drawback, and it even climbed up the 9-foot-tall assertion home windows in our front room.

The solely time it bumped into points was cleansing the slender bay home windows in our eating room — the panels aren’t fairly vast sufficient for the robotic to show round, so it didn’t clear the perimeters as carefully because it often does.

The design is handy and considerate

As talked about, I’ve examined a number of tech merchandise in my profession, and the Winbot W2’s design is among the most considerate and handy that I’ve ever seen. I like that every part shops neatly contained in the station — it has a docking spot for the robotic itself, in addition to storage areas for the cleansing answer, further cleansing pads, and energy twine.

It all tucks up right into a compact, 12-pound kind, and there’s a giant deal with that allows you to simply carry it round. Not solely does the design make it straightforward to retailer, however I additionally love that every part is correct there when it is advisable to use it.

You don’t have to make use of the app

It looks like each gadget lately is “smart” and comes with an related app, and admittedly, I’ve far more apps on my telephone than I ever wished. So I used to be happy to find that you should use the Winbot W2 Pro Omni with out putting in the Ecovacs app. All you need to do is plug it in, and it’s able to go — no awkward Bluetooth syncing wanted.

That stated, the Winbot can be linked to your smartphone, if desired. The app lets you cycle by means of all of the cleansing modes and monitor the robotic’s progress, however I don’t assume it’s essential in any respect.

A number of issues to remember

You have to remain close by to take it off the window

The largest draw back of this robotic (in my view, anyway) is that you simply do want to remain close by whereas it’s cleansing. Once it finishes washing the window — which may take anyplace from 2 to 10 minutes, relying on the scale — it returns to its authentic spot and chimes, letting you understand it’s able to be eliminated. You then have to carry down the facility button for a couple of seconds, and it’ll launch from the glass.

For this cause, I do usually keep close by to “babysit” whereas the window cleaner does its work. I’ve discovered the most effective plan of action is to include the robotic into my common cleansing routine — I’ll pop it on a window whereas I’m dusting or vacuuming, then transfer it to the following window when it finishes. This means, I’m theoretically tackling two cleansing duties without delay.

Its interior fan is fairly noisy

When I used to be telling my mother about this magical, life-changing robotic, the primary query she requested was, “Is it loud?” It actually hadn’t even crossed my thoughts — I used to be too transfixed by its spectacular glass-climbing skills — however as soon as I finished and thought of it, I spotted that, sure, the window-cleaning robotic is kind of noisy.

Because the Winbot makes use of pure suction energy to maintain itself adhered to the window, its interior fan is kind of highly effective and, as such, fairly noisy. The robotic additionally often makes squeaking noises because it turns round. So you most likely shouldn’t attempt to use it whereas somebody is napping, nevertheless it’s not any louder than a daily vacuum.

It doesn’t work on all home windows

As beforehand talked about, the Winbot does have a minimal window dimension — 11.81 × 15.75 inches — and it will probably’t be used on curved or irregularly formed home windows. Its cleansing vary can be restricted by the size of the twine — the instruction guide says the utmost dimension window it will probably deal with is 13 x 8 toes. Features like window decals, cracks, and low-profile frames may also impede the Winbot’s operation.

What different reviewers say

I’m totally on board with the Winbot, however I used to be curious what different customers take into consideration the gadget. This specific mannequin has round 600 critiques on Amazon with a mean ranking of 4.1 stars. Here’s what some individuals needed to say:

“We have several large windows on our home — some reaching nearly two stories high — and getting them truly clean has always been a challenge,” explains one five-star reviewer. “I’m glad I gave it a try, because it genuinely works. It cleans remarkably well, sometimes needing a couple of passes on really dirty glass, but it leaves the windows almost perfectly streak-free.”

They additionally notice that they have been initially involved concerning the robotic falling, however their worries have been unfounded: “The suction power is also no joke. I tested it by tugging the tether to simulate it snagging, and this thing held on like it was glued to the glass.”

Other Amazon customers say the robotic is extremely helpful in the event you dwell close to the water: “Living on the intracoastal waterway in southwest Florida, our wall of sliding glass doors constantly builds up a layer of saltwater mist blurring our view,” notes another happy buyer. “The Winbot has made improving our view so much easier! We have 8’ tall x 4’ wide glass doors, and it cleans them well.”

Older adults particularly respect the autonomous cleansing answer: “My husband and I are in our 70s, so chores are more difficult now, and this machine keeps our windows clean and keeps us off ladders!”

That stated, there are some detrimental critiques value contemplating. In specific, several people report points with streaking: “Unfortunately, all the windows in my house that I tried to clean ended up with marks from the robot passing over them! The idea is great, it sticks very well to the glass, but unfortunately, it doesn’t clean properly.”

Should you purchase it?

If you couldn’t inform from my evaluate, I’m extremely impressed by this high-tech window cleaner. It completely exceeded my expectations when it comes to design and cleansing efficiency, and I’m actually shocked that it’s no more well-liked.

Of course, it’s fairly dear, sometimes retailing for round $500. However, I believe it’s well worth the funding if in case you have a number of home windows, outsized home windows which are arduous to wash, or simply hate standing on a ladder with a squeegee and bottle of Windex. At the tip of the day, it’s not way more costly than a robotic vacuum cleaner, and admittedly, this gadget works means higher than any robo vac I’ve ever examined.

Prices have been correct on the time of publication. Curious about how we take a look at and select merchandise at AOL? Here’s a fast rationalization, from our editors.