The many Xiaomi robot vacuums compared (2021)

This comparison will give you an overview over Xiaomi's many robot vacuum cleaners. This list includes only robot vacuums released under the Xiaomi, Mi, or Mijia branding and not those from partner or sub-brands such as Roborock and Viomi.

Xiaomi's naming strategy has always been, and apparently will remain, a mystery. The fact that many models have multiple names, depending on where they are sold, has not been exactly helpful in the creation of this comparison. In my native Switzerland, for example, Xiaomi sells most robot vacuums under a different name than the one listed on Xiaomi's website. Coupled with that, there are sometimes different versions for different regions.

Despite that, I was able to create the following comparison, which describes Xiaomi's many robot vacuums, ordered by when they were released. The most interesting row in the following tables is most likely the Model ID. In it, the device's manufacturer can be identified. Xiaomi seems to be having their robot vacuums manufactured by three of their partner-/sub-brands: Roborock, Viomi, and Dreame. And most models share some similarities with models released under the partner-/sub-brand's name.

I would like to point out that this article is a comparison and not a review of individual robot vacuums. The data is taken from official spec sheets and research done in my own spare time. I cannot guarantee that everything mentioned in this comparison is 100% correct, and I am open to suggestions in the comments section, which you will find beneath this article.

Xiaomi robot vacuums without mopping

Xiaomi has only released two robot vacuums without any mopping functionality. The original Mi Robot, which was Xiaomi's entry in to the robot vacuum market, released in 2016 and the Mijia 1S, released in 2019. Since then, all releases have been capable of mopping alongside vacuuming, so it is safe to assume that the models listed below will be the last of their kind.

¹Taken from the Valetudo documentation

Specifications of non-mopping Xiaomi robot vacuums

Xiaomi robot vacuums with mopping

Since releasing the two non-mopping robot vacuums, Xiaomi has added four newer models, capable of mopping as well as vacuuming, to their line-up, making it a total of six Xiaomi robot vacuums. Of these, the Xiaomi Mijia 1T is the latest, and also the most powerful, model.

¹Taken from the Valetudo documentation

Specifications of mopping Xiaomi robot vacuums

¹Taken from the Valetudo documentation

Xiaomi Mi Robot (discontinued)

At a glance

Xiaomi Mi Robot

SoC: Allwinner R16 (4x)

RAM: 512 MByte

Flash: 4 GB eMMC

Navigation sensor: LiDAR

Front sensor: Ultrasonic

Side sensors: Infrared

The Xiaomi Mi Robot is the first robot vacuum to be sold under the Xiaomi branding. It first hit shelves in September 2016 and was manufactured by Roborock. The Xiaomi Mi Robot bears many similarities with one of Roborock's most popular models: the Roborock S5. Even their codenames seem to indicate the similarity, with the Xiaomi Mi Robot's codename being ruby and the Roborock S50's being rubys. Both share the same system-on-a-chip (SoC), amount of RAM and Flash, and operating system.

While being rather similar, the two vacuums are not identical. The Xiaomi Mi Robot does not have any mopping capabilities, which the Roborock S5 does. The front side is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, whereas the Roborock S5 uses infrared sensors on the front and sides. Ultrasonic sensors are generally more reliable, but pricier, when compared to infrared sensor, making this a win for the Xiaomi Mi Robot.

While I tried my best to find this particular robot vacuum from Xiaomi online, my search was fruitless. I'm assuming that the Xiaomi Mi Robot has been discontinued with no stock remaining.

Xiaomi Mijia 1S Robot Vacuum Cleaner

At a glance

Xiaomi Mijia 1S

SoC: Rockchip RK3326 (4x)

RAM: 512 MByte

Flash: 4 GB eMMC

Navigation sensors: LiDAR, upwards facing camera

Side sensors: Infrared

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The Xiaomi Mijia 1S is the direct successor to the Xiaomi Mi Robot. While many numbers on the spec sheet remain the same and the design is rather similar, there are some significant upgrades under the hood. The Xiaomi Mijia 1S uses a visual sensor to map a home, giving the owner much finer controls over where the robot vacuum cleans.

While the Xiaomi Mijia 1S was manufactured by Roborock under the codename ruby2, it bears no resemblance to any of their products. No robot vacuum released under the Roborock branding uses a camera for navigation. The Xiaomi Mijia 1S is much more an upgraded Xiaomi Mi Robot than anything else.

Compared to its predecessor, upgrades to the Xiaomi Mijia 1S include the ability to set virtual boundaries and schedule the cleaning of a specific room, automatic room recognition, and enough storage to store multiple maps. Both its predecessor and the Xiaomi Mijia 1S feature a reported battery life of 150 minutes, a 420 ml dustbin, a HEPA filter, and a 5,200 mAh battery capacity.

According to the Model ID, both are manufactured by Roborock. One more advantage the newer model has is a ~10% increase in suction power, coming in at a respectable 2000 Pa.

Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop P

The suction power of the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop P received a ~5% bump up to 2100 Pa and at 550 ml, its dustbin is significantly larger. However, the larger dustbin and the mopping capabilities come at the cost of battery capacity with Xiaomi only managing to fit a 3200 mAh unit, compared to the 5200 mAh unit in the Mijia 1S robot vacuum. This obviously results in a shorter run time. The Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop P also drops the camera in favour of only a LiDAR sensor.

Xiaomi Mijia 1C (Mi Robot Vacuum Mop)

Officially, the Xiaomi Mijia 1C is sold as a budget alternative to the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop P, hence the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop naming in some regions. The biggest downgrade lies in the mapping technology and battery capacity. The more expensive version features a LiDAR sensor, whereas the cheaper version has to make do with just a single visual sensor. To add to that, the battery capacity is only 75% the amount of the more expensive model.

When comparing the Xiaomi Mijia 1C and the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop P, I would be inclined to go with the former, even if money were no object. The higher suction power and larger dustbin is a clear win for me. Though the increased run time is neat, I wouldn't be too concerned if all I did was run the vacuum when I wasn't at home, and it had enough time to return to its station and recharge before continuing.

Xiaomi Mijia G1

At a glance

Xiaomi Mijia G1

Navigation sensor: Proximity and gyroscope

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The Xiaomi Mijia G1, or Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Essential, is possibly the most basic of Xiaomi's robot vacuums. That fact is also reflected in the pricing. Despite that, it can do both vacuuming and mopping. It has a 2500 mAh battery capacity and a respectable suction power of 2200 Pa.

Unfortunately, there isn't much information on the Xiaomi Mijia G1 freely available. From looking at images, though, it does appear to use just proximity sensors and not a LiDAR sensor or camera. Despite the use of only basic sensors, it does appear to draw a map which can be access using the Mi app.

Xiaomi Mijia 1T

The Mijia 1T, also known as Vacuum 1T and Mi 1T, is Xiaomi's latest robot vacuum. With a suction power of 3000 Pa, it easily outclasses all other models Xiaomi has to offer. But keep in mind that the specifications aren't the be-alls and end-alls. For example, the Roborock S7 has a lower suction power than its predecessor, but easily outperforms it in most situations.

As with other more recent models, the Xiaomi Mijia 1T is once again manufactured by Viaomi, as with the Xiaomi Mijia, bears a striking resemblance to the Dreame Robot Vacuum-Mop F9. Though on the inside, Xiaomi's version has definitely been upgraded as it featured a stronger SoC, more RAM and Flash storage, and an additional camera.

Speaking of the camera, the Xiaomi Mijia 1T is another model that doesn't feature a LiDAR tower and instead relies on one upward facing camera and one Time of Flight (ToF) camera. The latter camera can measure the distance between itself and an object based on the time difference between the emission of a signal and its return to the sensor.