Can Eufy's latest multi-cleaner take on Roborock and co,?
A step up from its previous models, the Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid adds proper mapping into the max, with support for multi-level homes. Decent performance, particularly on hard floors makes this a great mid-range cleaner, but the basic mopping is only good for the lightest of floor stains
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Smart mapping features
- Cleans well, particularly on hard floors
Cons
- Mopping is very basic
- No self-emptying option
Eufy has made a name for itself making decent, well-priced robot vacuum cleaners, although they’ve lacked a few features compared to the competition.
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The Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid is something of a step-up in terms of features and quality, with improved mapping and control.
This model even throws in basic mopping, although there’s a standard X8 model that only vacuums if you don’t want this feature (it’s also got a bigger bin).
With all of the changes, can the X8 Hybrid take on the likes of the Roborock S7?
Read on to find out.
Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid: Design and build
There are only so many ways that you can put a robot vacuum cleaner together, and most, the Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid included, tend to have round bodies.
What we will say is that rather than going for a single colour finish, the patterned top with stripes makes it feel as though Eufy is trying a little bit harder than the competition.
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Three buttons adorn the top, although if you’re anything like us, you’ll only use the clean and return to dock buttons; the spot clean button requires carrying the robot where you want it clean first, and it’s far easier to use the features in the app to direct the robot.
While most robot vacuum cleaners store the bin under a lift-up flap, the X8 Hybrid’s bin pulls straight out of the back.
It’s a better design in many ways, particularly if you park your robot under a sofa or cabinet, where it’s hard to lift the top.
On top of the bin is the razer for cutting away hair wrapped around the brushes.
Otherwise, it’s largely business as usual, with a single side-sweeper brush and rotating floor brush underneath.
As the Hybrid version can also mop, there’s a 250ml water tank, which takes the microfiber cleaning cloth, that slides underneath.
Eufy provides a standard charging dock with this robot vacuum cleaner, and there’s a stick-down floor protector, too: this stops a wet cloth from ruining your floor when the X8 parks.
Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid: Features and in use
Using laser navigation, the X8 Hybrid can map your home accurately, even storing multiple maps if you have more than one floor to deal with.
Along with proper mapping, the X8 Hybrid is a nimble mover.
Sure, there will be times when it will get stuck (we’ve not tested a robot that is completely error free), but for the most part, the X8 does a great job.
It can move around chairs, over rugs and even under some sofas and chairs without a problem.
What’s important for a robot vacuum with only a single side sweeper brush is the ability to navigate so that the brush can sweep dirt from any edge into the main suction path.
The X8 achieves this, cleaning brilliantly around the edge of rooms and doing particularly well on hard floors. That’s important, as it reduces the number of times that you have to reach for a regular vacuum cleaner.
Performance on the carpet is also good, with the X8 able to deal with tougher spills. It even has a BoostIQ mode that will increase power for carpets, and use lower power on hard floors.
Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid: Mopping functions
There’s only a gravity-fed water tank on this model, so there’s no control over how much water is used. Mopping performance is quite basic, therefore.
When you’ve got looser stains, the X8 Hybrid will pick them up, but the X8 Hybrid can’t deal with tougher marks on the floor.
If you want a robot vacuum cleaner that’s great for mopping, then the Roborock S7 is a much better choice, with its sonic mop scrubbing stained floors brilliantly.
Think of the X8 Hybrid as an option for keeping lightly soiled floors looking good, but you’re still going to need to mop regularly.
Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid: App and digital assistants
With the Eufy app, you get full control over the X8 Hybrid. Once the robot is connected to your Wi-Fi, you need to perform an initial mapping run.
Once completed, Eufy has a guess as to where rooms are in your house. Don’t like what it’s done? It’s easy to change the choices and put in dividers where you want them.
Once done, you can make the X8 clean just one room and create schedules to clean specific rooms at set times.
If you need more detail, you can just draw a box on the map and send the X8 to clean that one area, which is far easier than using the spot clean button on top.
Map controls also let you set what the Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid can’t do, with barriers and no-go zones preventing the robot from going to certain places.
They’re handy if you find that the robot gets stuck in certain places – we have a cupboard that the robot thinks it can get under…
No-mop zones are areas that the X8 won’t go to when the mop attachment is connected. That can stop a prized rug from getting soaked, but automatic carpet detection would be better: the Roborock S7 can detect carpet, and it can lift its mopping unit to prevent short pile rugs and carpets from getting wet.
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant control give you simple voice commands to start and pause a clean using your voice.
Eufy Robovac X8 Hybrid: Battery life and maintenance
Battery life is up to 180 minutes, according to Eufy. In reality, that’s enough power for the X8 to complete multiple cleaning runs on a map area.
If you do have a very large area to clean, the X8 can be set to automatically return to its dock when it runs out of battery, recharge and then carry on going.
As with other robot vacuum cleaners, you’ll need to empty the bin regularly, plus cut away any hair that gets wrapped around the roller or side brush. Plus, you’ll need to wash the microfibre cloth regularly, too.
