Key options
- Kind: Vacuum with fundamental mopping
- Docking: Auto-empty dock
- Navigation system: LiDAR
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
SwitchBot (of Bot finger and auto curtain opening fame) introduced the SwitchBot K10+ earlier this 12 months at IFA 2023, and it is now on sale.
A a lot smaller, extra compact robotic vacuum cleaner than you are extra used to, SwitchBot has aimed the K10+ at smaller properties but additionally state that it is higher geared up to “clear in slender areas resembling below beds and sofas, with out leaving any nook unturned.”
Costing £500 / $500, for the K10+ itself and the auto-empty dock, it is nonetheless fairly dear – you can decide up a ‘full-size’ Roborock Q5+ for across the identical value.
However SwitchBot are banking on its massive (effectively, little) differentiator interesting to a individuals who do not desire a massive robotic vacuum cleaner and dock taking over area and, let’s face it, being an eyesore.
However does it do the job in addition to its greater rivals? Learn on for our complete SwitchBot K10+ overview to search out out.
Design and elements
- Simply 248mm in diameter
- Auto-empty dock holds 4 litres
- Wi-Fi 2.4GHz
With a diameter of simply 248mm, it is round two thirds of the dimensions of a extra common robotic vacuum cleaner just like the Ecovacs Deebot T20 (362mm).
That makes it sound greater than it seems; here is an image I took of the K10+ and the ‘regular’ sized SwitchBot S10 earlier this 12 months at IFA:
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Top smart, at 92mm, it is not truly an important deal smaller than extra regularly-sized fashions which normally are available in across the 100-110mm mark, so it is nonetheless not going to get below furnishings with tremendous tight gaps.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
It isn’t simply the robo itself that is small. The auto-empty station measures in at simply 261 x 210 x 323 mm, so would require a a lot smaller area in your home.
Regardless of its diminutive stature that dock can maintain as much as 4 litres of mud and dust. Within the lid of the station there is a slot to maintain the mopping tank hidden away, in addition to an area for the cleansing device.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Whenever you unbox the K10+ you may additionally discover a substitute filter, an additional mud bag, a spare aspect brush and bundle of disposable mop cloths – extra on that in a bit.
Options
- Syncs with SwitchBot Hub
- Mapping options within the app
- Multi-floor cleansing out there
The very first thing you may must do to get the K10+ up and operating is to obtain the SwitchBot app and create a free account.
It is the identical SwitchBot account you may already be utilizing when you’ve acquired a SwitchBot Hub 2 and/or any SwitchBot equipment you have already got arrange.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Merely flip the K10+ on utilizing the on/off swap that’s below the highest flap, and undergo the pairing course of as described by the app.
The K10+ works over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and I feel because of this my preliminary setup try failed; I presume my telephone was synced to my router’s 5GHz sign.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
The excellent news is that, moderately than having to disable your router’s 5GHz sign, there’s a second Wi-Fi pairing methodology that syncs you on to the K10+’s Wi-Fi momentarily, and this did the job for me.
When you’re all paired up with the app the very first thing you may must do is ship out the K10+ on an exploration mission the place it goes out and works out a map for the areas it might attain.
Like all mapping options with robo cleaners, even from the larger manufacturers like Roborock and Dyson, the map did not handle to divide rooms up as they need to so you may must do a little bit of handbook modifying within the app to create particular rooms (in addition to including issues like invisible partitions and no-go areas.)
It can save you as much as 10 completely different maps and you may even use the K10+ on a number of flooring in your own home.
When making a map for the primary time although, you’ll need to hold the charging station to every flooring. However as soon as the preliminary map is sorted you may simply want to hold the K10+ up and down the steps… and it is solely 2.3kg so you may be okay.
In case you have a SwitchBot hub arrange you possibly can add the K10+ to automations involving different SwitchBot gadgets, resembling having a clear begin when a contact sensor signifies a door has been closed, or having the K10+ return to its base when you unlock your smart lock mid-clean.
You’ll be able to add the SwitchBot K10+ to your Amazon Alexa or Google Home ecosystems for voice command controls and, speaking of voices, the K10+ itself has an important one on board that claims issues like: âIâm caught, please begin me someplace else,â and âCleansing makes me completely satisfied.â
Efficiency
That 2,500Pa suction score sounds fairly feeble in a world the place the likes of the Roborock S8 has a 6,000Pa score.
But it surely was solely a few years in the past that 2,500Pa would have been thought of highly effective. Whereas it might’t rival its greater, dearer rivals, relating to suction on a deep carpet, it greater than did the job in my testing space which includes of hardwood flooring with rugs.
SwitchBot claims that, as a result of it is smaller than its rivals, it has a smaller turning circle so covers tighter areas higher with an estimated 90% extra cleansing protection. In different phrases, you may see extra traces, tighter collectively on the map when analysing the route the K10+ has taken post-clean.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Whether or not that 90% declare is true or not is tough to check however what I can say is that the SwitchBot actually did take its time cleansing an space; taking almost twice the time to scrub my take a look at space than the Dyson 360 Vis Nav.
It acquired into corners a lot better than bigger machines and, due to its measurement, was capable of navigate by way of gaps the place greater rivals could get into trouble.
I additionally observed that when deciding on for the K10+ to scrub a room twice, it assorted the route on the second clear for a extra full clear.
Battery life is spectacular from the 3200mAh energy pack and the robotic will return to the dock mid-clean to cost if wants be; though that wasn’t a problem for me.
With LiDAR mapping on board you’ll be able to set no-go zones and invisible partitions within the app.
There are 4 cleansing modes on provide however even on max the 48dB noise, stored quiet with SwitchBot’s SilenTech, made it one of many quietest robots I’ve ever examined.
Should you do have a bigger space to scrub and also you’re frightened that the small measurement of the on-board dustbin may not be as much as the job then concern not as it’ll return each 60, 75, or 90 minutes (relying on the mode) and have its mud sucked up into the auto-empty dock.
The advice is to switch the mud pack each one to 2 months however this clearly is determined by how soiled your own home is and the way typically you ship it out to clan.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Mopping is a function, however solely in identify actually… don’t purchase the K10+ when you’re after an honest mopping robotic.
Mainly, it drags a moist wipe round, that you simply clip in place first and the K10+ is not able to detecting exhausting flooring versus carpets, so it’s a must to set mopping areas within the map.
Placing on the mopping pad is a little bit of a faff after which it basically drags a moist wipe throughout your carpet, though you can manually carry it to areas.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Additionally, the K10 had bother returning to base with the mopping pad on.
Lengthy story brief, I would not even trouble with the mopping.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Closing ideas
The SwitchBot K10+ is not low-cost and is nowhere close to as highly effective as equally priced rivals however it’s simply a lot simpler to retailer and be stored discreet and it is smaller stature does enable for nimble navigation and clear, notably in smaller properties and areas.
How we take a look at
After we publish our evaluations, you possibly can relaxation assured that they’re the results of âresiding withâ long run checks.
Robotic cleaners normally dwell inside an ecosystem, or a spread of merchandise that â supposedly â all work in concord. And they’re designed to supply a spread of various cleansing choices. Subsequently, itâs inconceivable to make use of a robo cleaner for per week and ship a verdict.
As a result of weâre testing smart home equipment all day, on a regular basis, we all know what issues and the way a selected smart cleansing machine compares to alternate options that you may additionally be contemplating.
Our evaluations are complete, goal and truthful and, in fact, we’re by no means paid on to overview a tool.
Learn our information on how we take a look at robotic vacuum cleaners to study extra.
SwitchBot K10+: Specs
Kind | Robotic vacuum cleaner, white | |
UK RRP | £499.99 | |
US RRP | $499.99 | |
Measurement | 248 x 248 x 92 mm | |
Weight | 2.3kg | |
Launch date | 2023 | |
Suction | 2500Pa | |
Ecosystems | Amazon Alexa and Google Home | |
Battery measurement | 3200mAh | |
Dock kind | 261 Ã 210 Ã 323 mm (Auto-empty Station) |