Review of the iLife v5s robot vacuum cleaner: a functional device for reasonable money
The popularity of robotic vacuum cleaners is growing every day. Agile assistants save owners from unnecessary worries and the need to remember when the house was last cleaned.Therefore, it is expected that this market niche is actively developing and the model range is constantly increasing. Among such a variety of cleaning equipment, the iLife V5s robot vacuum cleaner stood out.
- Long operating time without recharging
- Collects trash and cat hair well
- Spare consumables included
- Climbs onto low-pile carpet
- Works a bit noisy
- Doesn't catch debris in corners
- Can't see black furniture
Let's figure out why it attracted buyers so much - in this publication we'll look at its technical characteristics, talk about its capabilities and configuration. We also compare it with competitors - models of robotic vacuum cleaners from other brands.
The content of the article:
Appearance and dimensions
The first thing I would like to note is the design of the case. It is made of white plastic. The material is matte, so it does not get dirty and does not attract fingerprints.
An interesting solution was to add a mirrored glossy rim and paint the top cover golden. Thanks to this, iLife V5s looks more sophisticated and modern.
The light color of the body helps you find the vacuum cleaner faster in the dark. Therefore, if for some reason he does not return to the base to recharge, then it will not take much time to search for him in the dark corners of the apartment.
The drive wheels are located on the same diameter of the body circumference. Accordingly, the robot can turn around in one place, which will be useful when cleaning under furniture and in heavily cluttered rooms.
The height of iLife V5s is only 7.7 cm. Moreover, there are no protruding parts on its upper surface. It will not cling to interior items and will sneak into even the darkest corner of the room.
Hard plastic was used to make the wheels. And thanks to the lugs, the robot can easily move on any surface. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of spring hinges, which help overcome obstacles 2.5 or even 3 cm high.
To protect the furniture and furnishings in the room, the front of the cabinet is lined with a strip of soft plastic.
Infrared sensors are used to prevent collisions with obstacles. With their help, the vacuum cleaner also determines where the charging base is located. You can control its operation using the remote control.
The robot informs the owner using several short sound signals. They are not too loud and cannot be turned off. This creates certain inconveniences during operation.
To remove the dust container, you just need to press the Push button, which can be found on the top cover. The waste container is equipped with a convenient yellow handle.
A smart decision on the part of the manufacturer was to add a curtain to the design to prevent dust from spilling out through the hole through which air enters.
Video review of the iLife V5s home assistant:
Packaging and accessories of the robot vacuum cleaner
The device is packaged in a pair of strong cardboard boxes. One of them is made of thick corrugated cardboard and reliably protects all internal contents from the external environment and mechanical damage.
The second box has a smooth surface and is equipped with a handle for easy transportation. All information about the robotic device is printed on its surface.
The package includes an impressive number of accessories, consumables and spare parts.
The manufacturer put in the box:
- robotic vacuum cleaner;
- remote control and batteries for it;
- charging base;
- power unit;
- one pleated filter;
- microfiber cloth;
- a pair of main brushes and a set of spare side brushes;
- warranty card and operating instructions.
There are two user manuals: one is written in Chinese, and the second is in understandable English. The printing is quite high quality. The ink does not rub off when you run your finger across the sheet.
iLife V5s Specifications
The suction power of the model is 850 Pa. This is a good result for equipment in the mid-price segment.
The battery is lithium-ion and has a capacity of 2,600 mAh. This battery provides operation for two hours. It takes a lot of time to recharge.On average, this takes four and a half hours.
The dust container is equipped with a cyclone filter and does not have a bag. This greatly simplifies the maintenance of the robot vacuum cleaner.
As for the noise level, it is insignificant. To be more precise, during operation iLife V5s emits about 50 dB, which is equal to the volume of a quiet conversation.
A distinctive feature of the model is the ability to perform wet cleaning. For this purpose, it is equipped with a 0.3 liter tank and a microfiber cloth. If necessary, the vacuum cleaner is able to dry clean the room.
There are four operating modes:
- auto;
- manual;
- intensive;
- movement along obstacles.
In the first case, iLife V5s works until the battery is completely discharged. It moves around the room in a chaotic manner, changing its direction depending on the characteristics of the room. To activate this mode, you just need to press the Clean button.
Manual mode allows you to set the trajectory using the control panel. But keep in mind that you need to use this technique only after turning on automatic operation. Otherwise, iLife V5s will move around the room but not clean.
If some place in the house is excessively dirty, then to clean it it is better to use the third mode - intensive.
To activate it, use the control buttons to direct the unit to the desired area and press the spiral key on the remote control. The robot will begin to spin in place, which allows you to thoroughly clean the surface.
The fourth operating mode makes iLife V5s move along any obstacles. This role can be played by walls, furniture or any other interior items.
To enable this cleaning option, you need to press the key with a rectangle and arrows, which can be found on the control panel.
Recommendations and tips for use
Yes, the kit includes a detailed manual on how to use the robot vacuum cleaner. But not all people know English, much less Chinese.
And using Google translator is not always convenient. Therefore, we present a set of basic rules, adhering to which you can significantly extend the life of the iLife V5s robot.
Firstly, the charging base must be located in an accessible place - there should be a distance of 1-2 meters on its sides so that the vacuum cleaner can freely approach it.
SecondlyTo extend the life of the battery, the first charge should last overnight. In the future, the unit should be installed on a base that is connected to the network.
Third, you only need to lift the device with the panel facing up. Otherwise, you may accidentally release dust and collected debris.
Fourth, it is recommended to regularly clean the cloth, side brushes, and also wipe the sensors and charging contacts. Such simple care will improve the quality of cleaning.
When installing brushes, pay attention to the markings on them. You can see the letters L and R on them. The same symbols are on the underside of the case. If you choose the wrong side, the drone will not operate correctly.
Advantages and disadvantages
After a slight comparison of price and specifications, iLife V5s is an excellent choice among robot vacuum cleaners in the sub-$120 price segment. Unlike its analogues, the model has a modern appearance and modest body dimensions.
The list of advantages of the model also includes a large number of sensors. With their help, the drone will not crash into walls and interior items, and will also select the optimal trajectory of movement around the room.
The strengths of the iLife V5s don't end there. Many buyers liked the following aspects:
- presence of a separate water tank;
- soft bumper that does not damage furniture and wallpaper;
- double filtration system;
- batteries for the remote control, which are included in the kit.
Despite all the advantages, the model also has a number of disadvantages. The first is the absence of a virtual wall in the kit. It must be purchased separately.
There is also no function for automatically supplying water to the microfiber cloth. The last significant drawback is the ability to set a schedule for only one day, and not for the whole week.
You can read about the advantages and disadvantages of robotic cleaners Here.
Reviews about the manufacturer and model
The Chinese manufacturing company Chuwi has been operating on the market for more than 14 years. Its main activity is the production of electronics. The company has succeeded in this area.
Many buyers speak positively about the technology, in particular about the iLife V5s robot vacuum cleaner. They highlight good build quality, high performance and rich functionality.
Equipment from a Chinese manufacturer is offered at a more than affordable price. On average, the cost varies between 120 – 140 dollars.
As for the assortment, the Chuwi company offers a wide range of choices of both budget and more expensive, and therefore more powerful, equipment.
Owners of the iLife V5s cleaning robot generally speak positively about this assistant. They believe that this is one of the best representatives of such devices.
Test drive of a robotic vacuum cleaner from the Chinese brand Chuwi:
Buyers highlight the following advantages:
- affordable price for everyone;
- excellent cleaning quality;
- small sizes;
- attractive and cutting-edge design;
- ease of operation and maintenance;
- several suction powers.
Families with small children and cats are especially happy with this purchase. Thanks to iLife V5s, you no longer need to run around the apartment with a rag and a broom to maintain the minimum necessary order.
The iLife V5s model has significantly fewer disadvantages than advantages. But they still exist. The list of disadvantages should include the lack of a virtual wall. It is purchased separately.
Some owners complain that the robot vacuum cleaner resets its schedule settings when it is turned off, so they have to do the settings again.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the best models of iLife robotic vacuum cleaners, which we reviewed in this material.
Comparison with competitive models
The main competitors of iLife V5s can be considered iBoto Aqua X310, BBK BV3521 and Kitfort KT-516. They are very similar in functionality and are in the same price category as the model in question.
Competitor #1 - iBoto Aqua X310
The iBoto Aqua X310 robot vacuum cleaner is a device designed for dry and wet cleaning of premises. This is a fairly compact model weighing only 1.9 kg, while the dust collector volume is about.3 liters.
The device is powered by a 2600 mAh lithium-ion battery. It lasts for 2 hours of battery life. The suction power of this compact device is 60 W, and the noise level does not exceed 54 dB.
The operation is controlled using the remote control. There is a function for automatic installation on the charger.
Users note that the device does an excellent job of cleaning and easily overcomes various obstacles in the form of small thresholds. The quiet operation of the iBoto Aqua X310 is especially pleasing - it can be started even at night.
Among the disadvantages, they note that the vacuum cleaner can crash into black furniture and some debris remains in the corners. Although for the price it does a very good job of cleaning.
Competitor #2 - BBK BV3521
Budget model designed for dry and wet cleaning. Powered by a 1500 mAh battery, which lasts for almost 90 minutes.
Controlled using a remote control. A 0.35 liter cyclone filter serves as a dust collector. The weight of the device is 2.8 kg.
Users like the cleaning quality of the BBK BV3521, its maneuverability, compact size, and affordable price.
Much more shortcomings were named. This charging time, which greatly exceeds the operating time of the device, makes the operation too noisy. The device does not cope well with long-pile carpets.
Competitor #3 - Kitfort KT-519
The Kitfort KT-519 model is intended for dry cleaning. Powered by a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 2600 mAh. The operating time is about 150 minutes, while the charging time is only 300 minutes.
The operation of the device is ensured by sensors, and control is carried out using a remote control. Includes electric brush and fine filter.
The manufacturer equipped the model with a soft bumper, which significantly softens collisions with furniture. When the battery charge is minimal, the Kitfort KT-519 itself goes to the base to replenish it.
Among the positive aspects, it is worth noting the affordable cost, operating time without recharging, ease of operation, and ease of maintenance.
Among the disadvantages, some users note the poor quality of cleaning in the corners and debris spilling when removing the container for cleaning.
Conclusions and best offers on the market
The iLife V5s model is the robot vacuum cleaner that will interest the vast majority of consumers. It differs from its competitors in its high productivity, allowing it to clean more than 80 squares. During development, the manufacturer tried to make it easy to use and as autonomous as possible. And if you consider how much it costs, then iLife V5s can be called a true leader in its price category.
Are you looking for a robot vacuum cleaner for your apartment? Or do you have experience using the iLife V5s model? Please leave feedback on the operation of the device, write comments, ask questions, and share your experience. The contact form is located below the article.
I read a lot of reviews and opinions of people on the Internet and decided to buy this robot vacuum cleaner. Of the Aliexpress ones, it seems to be the best in terms of price-functionality-quality ratio. The only thing is that the manufacturer writes about overcoming 3cm obstacles, I read from people that there is a problem already with 2. How really, can anyone share? It's important for me.
Much depends not only on the immediate height of the obstacle, but also on its hardness/softness. Overall, the iLife V5s copes with obstacles of the stated height.