Window cleaning robots have never been in the spotlight as much as robotic vacuum cleaners or, more recently, lawn mowers. Still, the new W3 Winbot from Ecovacs is worth your attention if you have one any windows that are taller than you.
In fact, many can get away without a vacuum that doesn’t have a robot roaming the hallways of their home. Floors are fairly easy to clean, although the time required to sweep or vacuum often makes the job more attractive for an automated system.
Windows are easier to clean. Spray, wipe, repeat. Over and over until you’ve cleaned every window in your house. It is the effort to clean larger windows that results in drainage. If you have windows that can be cleaned without a ladder, you probably won’t appreciate a smart window cleaning robot.
I have been using the Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni for a few weeks now. But the funny thing is that I don’t have huge floor to ceiling windows in my house and surroundings. I have normal two-panel partitions and several glass doors throughout the house. On paper I should find no reason to like Winbot.
But I.
At its core, the W3 Omni is a small, suction-protected wash pad that sweeps through windows to clean from edge to edge. It has a few modes that we’ll get to, but it’s marketed to users who have large windows and can’t clean them regularly. In that case, just close the Winbot and let it fly back and forth like a robot vacuum cleaner.
Unlike latest model I tried, the Winbot W3 Omni comes with a portable power/docking station. No need to plug it in and pull the safety cord. It’s paired with a dual power/safety cable that automatically shuts off when you’re done.
When not in use, the bot hangs from a small storage hook at the back, and a washing machine of sorts sits in front of the station. Before and after washing, the pillow is placed inside and the washing cycle is selected. With a clean pad, you place the Winbot on the window and let it clean.
The system is as all-in-one as you can get. A small battery sits in the back, and the display on top gives a rough estimate of how long it will last before it needs to be recharged.
Performance
The startup process usually goes like this: I go to Winbot’s docking station and press the power button. After a few seconds, I release the front washer door and remove the dry pad from under the robot. I flip through the small on-board display and start the wash cycle. A minute passes, then I take a wet pad and attach it to the robot. I find the window I want to start cleaning and place the Ecovacs W3 Omni Winbot on it. After I hold the top button, when it has enough suction, it gives me a little wiggle and starts cleaning.
I use the app occasionally, but this model is so self-contained that I only need to use the built-in display for a quick clean. In addition, there are deeper cleaning modes that take advantage of the bot’s strengths. For example, “thorough cleaning” means more pass and edge cleaning, but uses more solution and takes more time. It’s designed to be used on outside bottles, so it can remove pollen and other debris that has built up over time.
There is also a hard mode that requires the application. It cleans the pillow in parts, giving instructions for washing it. The box comes with two cleaning pads, so this is a little easier. It’s not something you’re going to force a robot to do very often.
Edge cleaning works really well thanks to the W3 Omni’s new True Edge scrubbers. The robot has two rotating pads that move as close as possible to the edge of the window. They add a little mechanical effect to the spots where dirt accumulates the most.
If you do it in the right order and start by thoroughly cleaning the exterior windows, the Winbot W3 Omni does a fantastic job of getting those hard-to-reach spots. Although it’s set up for the internal pumps that Ecovacs use, I used a heavier cleaning mode and the included solution, which works like a glass cleaner.
Ecovacs robotically dispenses a small amount of cleaning solution, which is used quite quickly. You can get away with just water in the onboard water tank, as the microfiber wash pads do most of the work for you. But if you want the best cleaning performance, a cleaning solution is the best choice. It is not clear whether other solutions can be used besides the company’s proprietary fluid.
One issue I have with the Winbot setup is the tendency of the wash pad to leave a bit of a “goodbye gift”. At the end of the cleaning cycle, part of the dust and dirt from the pad remains on the window and leaves a mark on the silhouette of the washing pad. You can use a paper towel or cloth to wipe in one stroke, but that takes away from the automated magic. At least a little.
Overall, it does a great job of cleaning any window I put it up against.
Plus, I was surprised how long it could last without needing a charge. Remember that the battery powers the robot itself and regular wash cycles. According to Ecovacs, one charge gives you 120 minutes of cleaning. Since most windows account for very little actual runtime, the docking station does not need to be charged. If you use it regularly like I do, I would consider one charge per month.
The portable nature of the Winbot truly provides the comfort of home. If it has a charge, take it anywhere and let it do all the work. If you have kids, make it a fun game! As a kid, I would have loved to control this little bot, even if it was just a “job”.
Who is this for?
In the beginning, I was put off by the fact that most people wouldn’t need something like W3 Omni Winbot.
But for those with houses or apartments with large windows, Ecovacs’ W3 Omni Winbot really makes a lot of sense. With about 20 feet of power cable from the base station, you can reach high windows without having to worry about grabbing a ladder. Throughout the process, W3 Omni sprays and wipes for streak-free cleaning. And when it’s done, it goes back to where you left it.
Even in my own home, I have found that it not only saves time but also energy. I can run it on my sliding door or larger windows and walk away to do something. If I don’t come back in 4 or more minutes to finish cleaning, it will hang in the window until I turn it off. Remove it, move to the next window. It is simple and effective.
But this is also 750 dollars.
Where robot vacuums are similar in price, I buy it. Still, $750 is a big ask for a very special product. I can regularly see many cases where the asking price for spotless windows is worth it. For those with smaller windows in their homes, the W3 Omni Winbot may not resonate as much. On the other hand, W3 Omni Winbot is a game changer for large windows and might be worth it. real saved effort and energy.
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