Are Robo Vacuums Worth It? We Review the Ecovacs DEEBOT T9+
BY SOPHIE CHUNG
Ever since my friend got a robo vacuum from her at-the-time sugar daddy, I have coveted them like nothing else.
31 MAR - 2022
Not to be a walking cliche, but it seems my sourness for cleaning has turned into a bit of a hobby since I hit the big three-zero.
I’d like to say that it’s due to a personal awakening that my priorities have changed, but I think I owe it to my new pet vacuum for inadvertently putting ‘spotless home’ on the tippy top of the list.
For the past year, I’ve been using a $40 vacuum cleaner from TradeMe, which was originally from the Warehouse. Living frugally is kind of my thing. Cheap, reliable, did the job - but it still received a lot of abuse every Sunday morning.
Gathering from my history with cleaning machines, you can expect how bewildered I was with a robo vacuum - and an Ecovacs Deebot T9+ at that.
TLDR; it’s a life-changer. You won’t regret having one of these.
At first, I was a bit skeptical about robot vacuum cleaners in general. Could it really do a good job? Would it miss any spots? Can the suction power compete with a regular handheld vacuum? Would it fall down the stairs if I left it unattended?
Once I started using the DEEBOT T9+, I was incredibly impressed with its technology and all the smart features it offers. Not to be dramatic, but I don’t know how I would live without it now and I’ll even go as far as claiming it actually has made me happier! I know it seems like a terrible sales pitch but imagine never having to vacuum or mop again. There are no more fights on who’s turn it is, you don’t have to lug it up from storage everytime you eat crisps, and did I mention it mops as well?
My Deebot is scheduled to clean the house thrice a week but when there are crumbs after a late night snack extravaganza, it goes for an extra spin. Like I said, I’m gung ho about having a spotless home now - there are no excuses when cleaning is as easy as a press of a button.
Map on the App
There’s an Ecovacs mobile app that syncs to your Deebot through your WiFi. When you first use it, the Deebot will go around your house and map out all the rooms with precision! From there, you can tailor your map further and designate certain areas to either be vacuumed or mopped. If you’re a lover of SIMS and want to take your map to a new level, you can create a 3D app and even add furnishings!
It also has a real-time obstacle detection and avoidance system, so if you have stairs, the Deebot won’t plummet to its death.
Another thing to note about the app is that it will also tell you how many hours each element of the vacuum will last, like the filter, brushes, air freshener capsule and other components that require cleaning. This means you can maintain a high performance of cleaning and care for your robot properly.
Suction and Mopping
The Deebot T9+ has the suction power of 3000 Pa. From ‘Quiet’ to ‘Max+,’ you can control the power on the app. It also comes with the OZMO Pro 2.0 Electric Oscillating Mopping System which offers high-frequency vibration of up to 480 times per minute, similar to an electric mop.
The disposable mopping pads are made of a microfibre material that captures dust and reduces water marks. They’re super easy to use and although you can discard them after a single-use, I like to wash and re-use them.
The water flow level can be controlled from ‘Low’ to ‘Ultra High’ and you can choose between ‘Quick Scrubbing’ and ‘Deep Scrubbing’ depending on the level of cleaning required.
Hands Free Cleaning
The Auto-Empty Station is also an incredible element to the DEEBOT T9+. When the robot’s dustbin is full, it automatically empties out its contents into the auto-empty station and can hold 2.5L, which is the equivalent to one month’s worth of dirt and debris. So you’ll only be emptying out the dust bag once a month.
