SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ - Review

People living in a small apartment will not have enough space to store a standard robot vacuum. This is where SwitchBot has launched the K10+, which is smaller than a dinner plate and is able to vacuum and mop, but not at the same time.

Design and build

The box comes with the mini robot vacuum and mop, an auto-empty station, a bag with a spare filter, a packet of disposable mop cloths, a dust bag, a user manual and a quick start guide. Hard, white plastic has been used for the auto-empty station and it comes with an integrated plug and a power cable. Opening the top lid reveals the dust bag compartment and the mop plate has been clipped into the underside conveniently. The chamber also comes with a small cleaning tool that has a scalpel edge on one end and a brush at the other.

The station stands at 32cm, so you can keep it under a high console table, or desk. It is 21cm deep and 26cm wide and is quite compact. As compared to standard models, the K10+ is 50% smaller, even if it is a bit chunkier. There are metallic contacts on the station for charging it and the on/off slider switch is under the top plate of the robot vacuum. A Home button is also on top that can send the vacuum back to the station for charging, or to pause cleaning. You can use the Clean button for turning the vacuum on.

Set up and app

Choose a viable spot for the auto-empty station with good Wi-Fi coverage. Plug it in and install the edge sweeping brush. The top plate needs to be removed for turning on the power switch and then place the robot next to the charging points. Next, you need to download the SwitchBot app. There is a QR code in the usual manual for both Android and iOS users. You can set the vacuum for mapping the space that has to be cleaned. The K10+ can map very quickly and the LiDAR navigation only makes it simpler. The rooms are highlighted in different colors, but you may have to edit the map for precise parameters.

Performance and features

To start vacuuming, you just need to open the app and press ‘More’ or ‘Clean’. You can use the former to clean room by room, a specific area, the entire house, or to clean once or twice. You can choose from four suction levels, which are standard, quiet, max and strong. The size of K10+ does work in its favor because it can reach almost everywhere. The auto-empty is loud, which is expected, but this can be scheduled for a suitable time.

The K10+ cannot climb higher than 2cm, but you can use the app to remote control the robot vacuum directly. You can generate reports and also schedule cleaning. You can also use the app to get the status of the brush roll, side brush, dust bag, and filter and whether the sensors need to be cleaned. There is also a child lock and a do not disturb period.

The mopping process is a bit more involved, as the mop plate can be found on the underside of the auto-empty station lid. A wet wipe cloth has to be fixed to it and a pack of 30 comes with the K10+, or you can get your own. As soon as the plate is fixed over the top of the brush, the vacuum goes into mop mode immediately, which is quite impressive. The K10+ works with Google Home, Alexa, IFTTT, Siri shortcuts and SmartThings.