Hello to all the readers of Investio website! This review will take a look at the most unique robot vacuum cleaner in the Xiaomi lineup. The model was named Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner and from the name it becomes clear that this is an ultra-thin robot vacuum cleaner. Its height is only 5.5 cm from the floor, thanks to which the robot vacuum cleaner is able to drive under low furniture and collect garbage in such hard-to-reach places where a human hand cannot reach. In addition, Mijia Ultra-Thin is able to detect objects on the floor and gently go around them during cleaning, build and save a room map in memory, and also perform wet cleaning. Undoubtedly, given the implemented capabilities, we can assume that Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner is the best thin robot vacuum cleaner in the world at the end of 2021. Only now it is important to check how efficiently this model copes with its main task and whether it was possible to maintain the high quality of cleaning by squeezing the robot vacuum cleaner almost in half. Based on the test results, I will express my own opinion whether it is worth buying this robot. And it costs, by the way, from 400 to 500 dollars for Aliexpress. So let’s go!
Buy Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner on Aliexpress
Equipment
Let’s start with an overview of the components. In addition to the robot vacuum cleaner itself, the box contains:
- Charging base.
- Power adapter with Chinese plug.
- EU plug adapter.
- Combined container for water and waste.
- Wet cleaning nozzle with pre-installed microfiber cloth.
- Spare napkin.
- The documentation for the robot vacuum cleaner in Chinese.
- Vacuum cleaner robot cleaning tool.
- A gift from the seller.
Equipment
In general, the equipment is not bad. There is even a spare cloth and, in principle, a spare HEPA filter. Because one is in the combined container, and one is in the dust collector, which is installed in the robot itself. At least for the first time, you have spare consumables.
Appearance
Now let’s take a look at how the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner works. It is made in black, glossy plastic.
Top view
It is worth paying attention not only to the thin body, but also to the diameter of the robot vacuum cleaner reduced to 32.3 cm. Here is a visual comparison of the height of this model and a standard robotic vacuum cleaner with lidar:
Comparison of a conventional robotic vacuum cleaner and a thin
Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner is much more compact.
Body height
A ToF sensor is placed on the front mechanical bumper, thanks to which the robot vacuum cleaner is able to detect objects on the floor and carefully go around them during cleaning. A similar solution is implemented in the Xiaomi Mijia 1T , which was also reviewed.
ToF sensor
The control panel contains 2 mechanical control buttons and the main navigation organ – a camera, thanks to which the robot vacuum cleaner builds an accurate map of the room and stores it in memory.
Control Panel
The dust collector is located at the back of the robot. Surprisingly, it is quite roomy, despite the small height of the case. The container holds up to 500 ml of dry waste. They even installed a curtain inside, which prevents accidental spilling of debris when removing the container. Filtration system based on mesh and HEPA filter.
Dust collector
Instead of a dust collector, you can install a combined container for water and garbage in the robot vacuum cleaner. Inside we see an installed pump for electronic regulation of the water supply, this is a plus. The reservoir holds up to 200 ml of water, while the trash bin holds 225 ml of dry waste. The filtration system is the same as for the separate dust collector.
Combined container
The nozzle with a napkin is attached from the bottom due to the clamps. The napkin is fastened with Velcro and a groove. Water enters the napkin through 3 holes.
Napkin attachment
Let’s see how Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner is arranged from below. It has 4 fall protection sensors. One side brush – three-beam, quick-detachable. The central brush is bristly-petal. Detachable from coiled hair and wool on both sides.
Bottom view
Central brush
It is important to note that the length of the brush is significantly shorter than that of other robotic vacuum cleaners in the Xiaomi line . You can see for yourself the difference between the standard center brush and the one in the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin.
Comparison of center brushes
Yes, and it is worth noting that an optical sensor is installed above the brush, which helps the robot vacuum cleaner navigate in space and more accurately build a map of the room. This is a plus. Well, the wheels themselves, of course, are smaller in diameter. Next, be sure to check if the passability of obstacles has changed.
Optical sensor
In general, the build quality of the robot is above average. It is quite consistent with its price segment.
Specifications
The main characteristics of Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner, declared by the manufacturer:
- Li-Ion battery 3200 mAh.
- Suction power up to 2200 Pa.
- Cleaning area up to 100 sq.m.
- Battery life up to 100 min.
- Dust collector 500 ml.
- Combined container 225 + 200 ml.
- Passage of obstacles 2 cm.
- Dimensions 323 * 55 mm.
Functionality
Let’s move on to the review of the features of the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner. The Chinese version of the robot vacuum cleaner, article STYTJ04ZHM, came to my review. Accordingly, this model is connected to the China region. The connection did not cause problems, the robot vacuum cleaner connected to the smartphone and the Wi-Fi network the first time.
App control
On the main working panel, the robot vacuum cleaner builds a map of the room and automatically zones into rooms. With a swipe up, the menu rises, in which you can adjust the suction power and the degree of wetting of the napkin.
To the right of the map, 2 cleaning modes are displayed: in the selected zone and the local mode. In addition, you can select the desired rooms for cleaning by clicking on them on the map.
In the settings section, you can turn on the mode of saving the map, as well as set up cleaning according to the schedule by selecting the time, days of the week and the suction power. Surprisingly, you cannot choose the right rooms for cleaning. You can also turn on the mode of continuing cleaning after recharging at the base, set the time when the robot vacuum cleaner should not bother you, turn on and off sending notifications to your smartphone, select one of two languages of voice notifications and adjust their volume.
Mi Home features
In addition, in the settings, you can view reports on past cleanings, monitor the status of consumables, manually control the robot vacuum cleaner and enable the search for the robot by a sound signal. Suddenly he will drop somewhere under the closet and get stuck there. You can quickly find it by sound.
In the map management section, you can manually change the boundaries of rooms, give names to these rooms, as well as set virtual walls and restricted zones. And even separate restricted areas for wet cleaning.
Map management
Well, in addition, you can change the name of the robot, share the controls with other family members and update the firmware version. This is all the functionality of the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner.
All the basic features are included, however, for complete happiness, the function of automatically increasing the power on the carpets is not enough, given the not so powerful battery, as well as the cleaning settings according to the schedule in the necessary rooms. But it is worth noting that despite the control through the China region, the robot vacuum cleaner quickly responds to commands and the application does not freeze, this is a plus!
Testing
And finally, let’s move on to the tests. A detailed video review of Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin has already been prepared and published on the channel:
Navigation
First of all, let’s check the navigation of the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner in the obstacle room. First, the robot vacuum cleaner goes through the entire available area with a snake, then makes a control walk around the perimeter and returns to the base. Separately around the legs of the dryer and the box, he did not sweep, but on the other hand, he did not get stuck on the legs of the dryer. The navigation is pretty standard.
Navigating an obstacle room
As for navigation within the home, Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin cleans room by room with a snake, then goes through the entire available area around the perimeter and returns to the base. We see that he has the same problem as the Mijia 1T – on carpets, the sensor system for recognizing objects does not behave correctly. There remain not only uncleaned areas, but entire rooms. For example, in one of the rooms there is a fluffy carpet, the robot recognized it as an obstacle and generally refused to enter it. And the most inconvenient thing is that the sensor system cannot be simply turned off in the application so that the robot behaves like models without a ToF sensor on the bumper. Although analogues from the line of Roborock, Dreame and Ecovacs have such an opportunity. As a result, the robot leaves the missing sections, for which points will be deducted.
Navigation within the home
Well, I will additionally check how well the ToF sensor detects objects lying on the floor. For the test, I used the most common household items that can interfere with cleaning. So Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin pleasantly surprised, he carefully drove around all the traps and finished cleaning.
Identifying objects on the floor
Despite the fact that the object detection system does not recognize them and does not mark them with the corresponding icons on the map, we see that this system is still coping with its task. Although it is worth noting that the robot is not always so good at recognizing objects, sometimes it still moves over them. So the object detection system still needs some work, but progress is being observed.
Suction power
But what was my surprise when, when checking the suction power, the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner was able to suck out debris even from a 10 mm gap, which is within the power of powerful flagships, which claimed 3000-4000 Pa. It is not only very thin but also very powerful robot vacuum cleaner!
Suction power
Dry cleaning
The dry cleaning quality is not perfect, but clearly above average. Only the corners remain uncleared, and a few more debris remains on the stand, which the robot scattered with a side brush. Some of the hair and hair are wrapped around the brush, but the bulk of the debris is still collected in the dust collector. The test is valid!
Dry cleaning
Carpet cleaning
But on carpets, the cleaning quality is just average. The robot vacuum cleaner collected most of the rubbish, but still the carpet is not perfectly cleaned.
Carpet cleaning
It should be noted, though, that this is a problem with most robotic vacuum cleaners in the Mijia line. They are best suited for cleaning hard floors and low pile carpets. And the fact that this model does not have the function of increasing power on carpets is an indirect confirmation of this.
Wet cleaning
The wiping quality of dirt is below average. The napkin is not very tightly pressed to the floor and does not absorb dirt very well, so we see that after driving through the stand, a significant part of the dirt and stains on the wall remained. This test failed.
Wet cleaning
Although it is worth admitting that the implemented system is quite suitable for everyday wet cleaning and dust collection. In addition, the device is capable of simultaneously vacuuming and washing the floor!
Passage of obstacles
But what was my surprise when the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner easily ran over the two-centimeter nut, despite the reduced wheel diameter and low body. The robot vacuum cleaner has good passability.
Passage of obstacles
Passage of dark surfaces
Well, one more plus – Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin is not afraid of dark floor coverings and passes freely on them, unlike most analogues.
Passage of dark surfaces
Noise level
Finally, let’s check the noise level of the robot in different modes. In silent mode, the noise level is in the range of 60-62 dB. In the average mode it reaches 64 dB, in the intensive cleaning mode the noise level does not exceed 67 dB, and at the maximum power the peak value was 72 dB. The noise level of this robot vacuum cleaner is increased, but this is also due to the high suction power.
Summing up
Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner has been reviewed and tested in detail. According to our rating system, he managed to score 66 out of 100 points and this is an excellent result as for a chamber robot vacuum cleaner . Only 1 point less than the best in my opinion Xiaomi robot worth up to 20 thousand rubles – Dreame F9 .
I will share my own impression of the reviewed device. Liked the following:
- It’s actually a very thin body.
- The presence of a camera for navigation, due to which the robot builds an accurate map and stores it in memory.
- The function of identifying objects on the floor.
- High suction power.
- Simultaneous dry and wet cleaning.
- Roomy dust collector.
- All basic functionality in the application, which works well even on Chinese servers.
- Good obstacle passability.
- Not afraid of dark floor coverings.
As for the shortcomings, the main ones are:
- Not very high quality carpet cleaning.
- Poor quality of wiping off dirt.
- The object detection system does not work correctly on carpets.
- It is not possible to select rooms for cleaning when setting up a schedule.
In the end, by far the Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner is the best thin robot vacuum cleaner at the time of writing. All possible analogs are inferior in navigation, functionality, design and build quality. Xiaomi engineers really tried hard and managed to cram everything that a robot vacuum cleaner should have into such a thin case. Definitely, this model deserves attention, especially if your priority is to clean under low furniture, where a large amount of debris and dust usually accumulates. Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin will be able to cope well with its main task if there are no fluffy carpets in the house, because the main disadvantage for me personally is precisely that it does not clean carpets very well and behaves strangely when arriving on them. If he does it at all.
