Review of the iLife v7s robot vacuum cleaner: a budget and quite functional assistant

The development of technology and the automation of familiar household appliances make it possible to get rid of tedious household chores.Previously, smart devices cost exorbitant amounts of money and were practically inaccessible to ordinary consumers, but now the situation has changed.

The ideal budget option for autonomous house cleaning is the iLife v7s robot vacuum cleaner from the Chinese brand Chuwi.

Next, we will talk in detail about this model and compare it with similar devices from other manufacturers.

Packaging and equipment of the robot

Many manufacturers have learned to make equipment with artificial intelligence. A worthy representative of this type of technology is iLife v7s.

In order to avoid any damage during transportation, Chuwi packs the smart vacuum cleaner in two cardboard boxes.

The outer box is made of denser material that protects the device from possible mechanical influences. The inner packaging is equipped with a special tray, in the compartments of which all parts are securely fixed

The average cost of a model on the market is about 12,500-13,000 rubles.At such a low price, the equipment package is quite impressive.

It includes:

• robot vacuum cleaner;
• battery charging station;
• remote control and network adapter;
• containers for water and dust collection;
• spare mop head and side brush;
• two additional HEPA filters;
• brush for cleaning working elements;
• two napkins made of microfiber;
• instructions translated into several languages.

There is no device included that limits the space for the vacuum cleaner to operate. If necessary, it can be purchased separately. It is worth noting that ordinary chairs can also serve as an artificial barrier.

The product has a pleasant stylish design. The glossy surface of the front part is decorated in a creamy shade of powder color, the side elements and edging are painted in white and black tones

Design features of the robot cleaner

The device body is made of high-quality durable plastic. Compact dimensions, a rounded shape reminiscent of a washer, and beveled lower edges allow the robot to successfully overcome various obstacles.

The robotic cleaner comes with two plastic containers: a blue one is for water used when performing wet cleaning, a dark one is for dust. Both boxes are equipped with handles for easy removal

There is a touch button in the center of the top block. It is equipped with a light indication that informs about various operating nuances:

• flashing orange – the battery is actively charging;
• flashing green – the device is executing the selected mode;
• continuous red – emergency situation;
• continuous orange – critically low charge;
• Continuous green – the room is being cleaned.

In order to gain access to the containers, just open the lid using the key. The water tank is made of blue plastic, the dust receptacle is made of transparent material with a dark tint. Both containers can be easily removed for subsequent cleaning using special handles.

On the sides of the vacuum cleaner there is a plastic bumper, a sensor system, and a power connector. The lower plane contains floor-mounted infrared sensors, a toggle switch that turns the device on and off, and a side brush.

Movement is ensured by a swivel roller and two drive wheels with rubberized treads, thanks to which the device can cope with obstacles up to 2 cm high.

The central quick-release turbo brush has an original design. It alternates rows of silicone and pile inserts in a V-shape, which significantly increases the efficiency of collecting small debris

Next to the roller there is a holder for a napkin, which is necessary for wet cleaning. A Li-ion battery with a capacity of 2600 mAh is located in a separate compartment near the contact group. The battery is easily removed by unscrewing just one screw.

The easiest way to control the device is through a remote control powered by two AAA batteries. Using one of the ten buttons of the remote control device, you can start the device, adjust the direction of movement, pause the process, schedule cleaning by the hour, and turn on the desired mode.

The display shows the clock and the time at which the cleaning is scheduled to start. The maximum distance for receiving signals from the remote control is 4 m

Robotic vacuum cleaner v7s in action

The robot performs well on even and smooth surfaces. He quickly collects debris on tiles, parquet floors and linoleum.Judging by the reviews, it is not difficult for him to cope with short-pile carpets. However, during wet cleaning they must be removed.

Device functionality

When the battery level is sufficient, the device starts up via the Clean button or by receiving appropriate commands from the remote control. When the vacuum cleaner approaches an object, sensors on the bumper are instantly activated, signaling it about an obstacle.

A well-thought-out navigation system gives the robot the ability to easily navigate around interior objects encountered along the way, the legs of chairs, tables and other furniture, and prevents falls from a height

In the work process, moments are not excluded when the robot accidentally finds itself in a position that impedes its further progress. In such cases, he turns off the brushes and retreats, backing up, and then tries to pass the obstacle again.

If it is not possible to get out of the trap, the device gives the owner sound and light signals. He remains motionless while waiting for help.

After depleting its energy reserve, V7S returns to base. Since the robot finds it using an infrared beam, the device must be located in the line of sight. Otherwise, the device will not have time to reach it.

After reaching a critically low level, the vacuum cleaner has about 20 minutes to search for the docking station. It takes 4 hours to fully recharge

Robot Specifications

The key advantage of the model is the combination of dry and wet cleaning functions in one device.

According to information provided by the manufacturer, the battery life from one full charge is 2-2.5 hours for dry cleaning and up to 2 hours 40 minutes for wet wiping the floor.This is enough to fully clean several rooms twice in an average apartment of about 75 square meters. m.

The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a modern HEPA filter. Unlike conventional ones, it traps the smallest particles of dust that settle on equipment, furniture and floor coverings. This is especially important for apartments with windows facing directly onto the roadway.

The technical characteristics and built-in functions of the iLife v7s device are sufficient to organize complete autonomous cleaning of dust and debris accumulated in the apartment

Detailed overview of technical parameters and design features:

The model is characterized by an average noise level not exceeding 55 dB. In wet wiping mode, in which no air is sucked in, this level is noticeably reduced.

A power of 22 W allows the vacuum cleaner to collect both relatively large debris and small specks.

Basic cleaning modes

Selecting certain programs and setting the necessary settings for the robot is possible only from the control panel.

In total, the model provides five different modes:

1. Auto. The robot independently analyzes the situation and chooses the optimal mode. After that, it moves chaotically between the interference and changes settings depending on the circumstances.
2. According to a given schedule. The vacuum cleaner leaves the docking station and begins cleaning even in the absence of the owner, focusing on the time specified by it. Settings on the timer are carried out with an accuracy of up to 15 minutes.
3. Surface. Cleaning is done with a focus on areas in corners and along walls.
4. Local. The device cleans the room in a targeted manner, concentrating on particularly contaminated areas. In spot cleaning mode, Spot iLife v7s travels in a spiral.
5. Manual. All movements are adjusted by remote control.In this case, it is possible to force the robot to be sent to the charging base.

The robot does dry cleaning itself, using the central turbo roller and side brush, which collect dirt, wool and hair well. A dark container with a volume increased to 500 ml is installed in the compartment, then the mode is selected.

About once a week, or before wet cleaning, you will have to spend 5-10 minutes caring for the parts: empty and wipe the dust bin, clean the brushes, drum and body

To wipe the floor, you need to replace the dust collector with a reservoir filled with water, and install a mop on the bottom on top of the turbo brush, inserting it into special grooves. A fabric napkin with Velcro is attached to the surface of the plate.

After turning on the vacuum cleaner, liquid from the tank will flow onto the rag in a drip pattern, constantly keeping it slightly wet. For a large area, 450 ml may not be enough. In this case, you will have to turn off the equipment, remove the container and add the missing amount of liquid.

This type of cleaning requires constant supervision by the user. It cannot be done offline.

The device performs fairly high-quality wet cleaning, but you shouldn’t count on washing off dried pieces of dirt and stubborn stains. Such procedures require much greater pressure on the floor than that created by a robot weighing just over 2 kg

It is recommended to remove the reservoir immediately after completing the process to prevent leaks. You should also wash the plastic tray, remove adhering dirt and moisture from the body, and wash the napkin.

If you liked this robot vacuum cleaner model, we also suggest that you familiarize yourself with other models in this series. More details - go to link.

Pros and cons of the model

Those who use the iLife v7s smart assistant around the house leave mostly positive reviews about the device online.

Among the main advantages are the following:

1. Multifunctionality at low cost.
2. The effectiveness of dry cleaning on different types of hard surfaces.
3. Easy to use and maintain.
4. A large number of sensors ensuring good maneuverability of the unit.
5. Possibility of self-charging.
6. Wet wipe option available.
7. Spacious container volume.

As practice shows, there are also some shortcomings. Consumers indicate that the robot vacuums almost perfectly on flat surfaces, but there are some problems with removing dirt collected at the joints of the slabs.

The vacuum cleaner does not know how to build maps and create a floor plan, so it cannot remember route patterns, register landmarks and track the trajectory. It also does not have a remote control option via a smartphone app.

Perhaps the reason for insufficient cleaning of hard-to-reach places was the lack of a second side brush for sweeping debris, which is found in a similar model from iLife A6.

You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of robotic vacuum cleaners Here.

Comparison with main competitors

Many well-known brands compete for the best development with the optimal combination of price point, performance and technical parameters of a smart vacuum cleaner. Chinese and Japanese companies have achieved particular success in this area.

Experts call the main competitors of the iLife V7S robot the Panda X900 Wet Clean, Genio Profi 240 and Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner.

Competitor #1 – Panda X900 Wet Clean

The device is designed not only for standard dry cleaning, but also copes well with the functions of a floor polisher. Its basic configuration includes a “virtual wall” limiting device and two side brushes, which the hero of the review cannot boast of.

The Japanese Panda vacuum cleaner benefits from decent suction power of up to 85 W, the function of surface disinfection with an ultraviolet lamp, and the ability to recognize heavily soiled areas.

The devices are similar to the v7s robot: compact overall parameters, a high-quality sensor system, several effective cleaning modes, anti-allergenic HEPA filters, and large containers.

And customer reviews indicate that this inexpensive model is great for keeping the house clean. Compact dimensions easily allow you to remove dust even under furniture.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting that it does not cope well with pet hair and is completely unsuitable for cleaning long-pile carpets.

Competitor #2 – Genio Profi 240

Quiet in operation, the Chinese Genio has anti-entanglement technology and an advanced navigation system that allows it to better navigate in space.

At the same time, it has the worst parameters regarding battery capacity, noise, and the maximum possible coverage of the cleaning area - 2000 mAh, 62 dB and 70 sq. m. respectively.

The iLife model leaves the Profi 240 one step behind in terms of floor cleaning quality. In addition, the v7s features an improved turbo brush design and a separate fluid reservoir.

The Genio vacuum cleaner operates without a brush and uses an energy-efficient motor that covers large areas without additional charging. The disadvantages of the model include the insufficient width of the napkin and the absence of a unit for wet cleaning.

Competitor #3 – Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner from Xiaomi is very similar in functionality to v7s. It is also designed for dry and wet cleaning of premises and is designed to operate autonomously for 150 minutes, after which it returns to the base.

12 infrared sensors are responsible for operation, and control is carried out using a remote control. There is also support for the Mi Home smart home system.

In Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner, the dust collector is located on top, and not on the side like in similar models. This design allows you not to worry about spilling debris when removing it from the device.

Users note that the device copes well with the task and is not afraid of even pet hair. This is a fairly budget model with an excellent set of useful features.

A detailed review of this robot vacuum cleaner model can be found in this material.

Conclusions and best offers on the market

The stylish and functional hard worker iLife v7s tops numerous world ratings, and is therefore recognized as the undisputed leader in the budget price segment.

The robot perfectly maintains cleanliness, taking care of the routine cleaning procedure, which usually takes a lot of time from the owners. You won't be able to get anything better at this price.

Do you have anything to add to this material? Or have questions about choosing a robot vacuum cleaner for your home? Please leave your comments, ask questions, participate in the discussion - the contact form is located under the article.