ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 Plus Review – Effortless Cleaning

The ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 Plus robot vacuum delivers outstanding suction power, reaching an impressive 8000Pa across three adjustable levels. This strong suction makes it effective on various surfaces, but the downside is the noise level—it’s far from quiet, even at the lowest setting. Light sleepers may find it disruptive at night, so it’s best used during the day.

ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 PLUS Review – In the Box

• Auto-Empty Station
• Robot Unit
• Side Brushes
• Anti-Tangle Main Brush
• Washable Mopping Pad
• Mopping Plate
• High-Efficiency Filter
• Power Cord
• User Manual

ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 PLUS Key Specifications

• Suction Power: Up to 8000Pa
• Dust Bin Capacity: 400ml
• Water Tank Capacity: 240ml
• Noise Level: 65 dB(A)
• Battery: 5200mAh
• Working Time: Up to 300 minutes
• Charging Time: 6.5 hours
• Navigation: LDS
• Mapping: Multi-floor, up to 3 maps

ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 PLUS Review – Design and Features

One of the features of the N20 Plus is its dual vacuum and mopping functionality, though switching between these modes requires some manual effort. Unfortunately, the user manual doesn’t do a great job explaining this process clearly, referring to the vacuum and mopping plates as if they’re separate components. In reality, the plates are the same; the difference lies in whether the mopping pad is attached. Adding to the inconvenience is the fact that the plates connect on the side facing the charging dock, which can make switching between modes a little awkward.

Water Flow and Control

The N20 Plus has three adjustable water flow levels, giving you control over the intensity of the mopping function. This feature is perfect for homes with mixed flooring types, allowing you to easily manage cleaning between hard floors and carpets. Scheduling cleaning sessions and setting virtual boundaries are both simple, thanks to the intuitive smartphone app. You can create specific zones, set no-go areas, and even prevent the robot from entering carpeted spaces using virtual boundaries while mopping.

App Features

The accompanying app for the N20 Plus is packed with useful features. Not only can you remotely control the vacuum, but the app also keeps track of the maintenance needs of each part, providing an estimate of how much time remains before certain components, like filters or brushes, need to be cleaned. This feature helps save time and eliminates the guesswork of when to perform maintenance.

Other notable app features include settings such as “Do Not Disturb” and “Child Lock”, providing more control and safety in your home. The “Auto Resume” function is particularly helpful when the vacuum needs to recharge midway through cleaning. Once charged, it resumes where it left off, avoiding areas that have already been cleaned. The app also logs each cleaning session, giving detailed mapping information so you can see exactly which areas have been covered, including the precise cleaning path.

For homes with multiple floors or layouts, the N20 Plus can store up to three different maps, making it highly versatile. You can direct it to clean specific rooms or restrict access with a virtual wall feature, adding further convenience. The cleaning performance is thorough, and the app shows you a detailed cleaning path, ensuring you know which areas have been covered.

Water Tank Limitations

One area where the N20 Plus could improve is in managing its water tank. Depending on the size of your home and the water flow setting you choose, the tank can run out quickly. However, the app doesn’t notify you when the water tank is empty or low. When I want to check and refill it, the cleaning ends because the robot assumes I’ve switched to vacuum-only mode. This can be frustrating, as the robot restarts cleaning the entire area instead of picking up where it left off. 

Auto-Emptying Station

One of the features of the N20 Plus is its auto-emptying station, which greatly reduces the need for frequent dustbin cleaning. This functionality not only saves time but also ensures the vacuum is always ready for its next session without the hassle of manual emptying after each use.

The auto-emptying station holds significantly more debris than the vacuum’s internal bin, allowing for longer periods between cleanings and making the device much more low-maintenance. It’s a highly convenient feature for anyone looking to minimise upkeep, rather than having to keep buying dust bags from the respective brand each time. Plus, you can see all the dirt and dust that the bot has collected at your house. It’s pretty satisfying.

Navigational Issues when locating specific room(s) and charging Dock

The N20 Plus generally performs well while cleaning, but it sometimes has trouble finding its charging station, even when it’s close by. It frequently bumps into furniture, particularly dining chairs, while searching for the dock. On several occasions, I had to manually guide it to the dock after it got stuck. Additionally, the robot struggles with navigating to specific rooms, often taking a convoluted route and ending up in the wrong place. This usually requires me to end the cleaning task, return the robot to its charging dock, and start the process over.

ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 PLUS Review – Overall Impression

The DEEBOT N20 PLUS by ECOVACS stands out as a cutting-edge robotic vacuum cleaner, offering a suite of advanced features designed to revolutionise home cleaning. At its core, the PureCyclone Technology employs a two-level separation system, ensuring consistent suction power of up to 26,000Pa. This innovative approach, coupled with a 4-stage filtration system, not only maintains cleaning efficiency but also promotes better air quality by capturing particles as small as 0.3μm.

One of the standout features is the Anti-Tangle Technology, which addresses a common pain point in robotic vacuums. The newly designed main brush, with its 21° angled flat bristles and outward-rotating angled bristles, effectively prevents hair entanglement. This technology, combined with the powerful 8,000Pa suction, makes the N20 PLUS particularly adept at cleaning carpets of all thicknesses.

The integrated OZMO Vibrating Mopping System tackles stubborn stain, while the 220ml water tank ensures consistent moisture for effective cleaning. With its long-lasting 5200mAh battery, capable of cleaning for up to 300 minutes on a single charge, the N20 PLUS is well-equipped to handle large spaces. The ECOVACS HOME App provides users with unprecedented control over their cleaning experience, offering customisable cleaning plans, multi-map storage, and the ability to set virtual boundaries. These features, combined with the robot’s ability to handle obstacles up to 20mm high, make the DEEBOT N20 PLUS a versatile and powerful cleaning solution for modern homes.

The auto-emptying station is a notable convenience, minimising the need for frequent maintenance like buying dust bags and ensuring the vacuum is always ready for use.

While the N20 Plus offers strong performance and useful features, it does have some drawbacks. The vacuum operates at a relatively high noise level, which might be disruptive at night. Also, it occasionally struggles to navigate back to its charging station in our house (it probably depends on the complexity of your home layouts too). Additionally, the app could provide better features for water tank management. Despite these minor inconveniences, the N20 Plus is a highly capable and feature-rich robot vacuum that is well-suited for those seeking effective cleaning with advanced functionalities.

ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 Plus will be just A$799 from September 23 – 29 on Amazon (currently at A$949).

Disclosure: ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 PLUS review sample was supplied for reviewing