Robotic vaccuming for the minimalists: Eufy RoboVac X8 Robot Vaccum review

The Eufy RoboVac X8 is a robot vacuum, from a sub-manufacturer to tech-innovator Anker. A leading device in its RoboVac range, the X8 uses twin-turbine and AI tech to maximise its cleaning power and efficiency.

Each turbine creates up to 2,000pa, with combined power comparable to a reasonable cordless upright. Coupled with the brushes and BoostIQ AI, which automatically adapts to cleaning and surface conditions.

Using a combination of AI, laser sensors and bumper feedback, the X8 can quickly build up a floorplan for your home. Using this, the X8 will create the optimum route that ensures deep, accurate cleaning.

Controlled from the EufyHome smartphone app, the X8 is very intuitive and largely relies on its programming to get the job done. However, the user can create virtual barriers called ‘no-go zones’, create cleaning routines and trigger impromptu whole-house or spot cleans. The X8 can link to Alexa and Google Assistant devices for voice commands.

Once the X8 has mapped a floorplan and the user preferences are set up, the X8 looks after itself. It will head out to clean and return to its charging base without interference, only requiring your attention to empty the dust box (or it gets lost, which is unlikely).

The X8 did run into trouble when encountering shoelaces and cables. If you have large rooms and keep a tidy household, this shouldn’t be a problem.

For those in search of an even more robust solution, the eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid is available. This version, costing around £500, offers 2-in-1 vacuum and mopping capability.

What’s good?

Frankly, all of the tech and mechanics involved are pretty incredible.

The EufyHome app is the control panel that unlocks the X8’s powers. You can build maps and cleaning routines, edit the suction power, announcement volume and define parameters to suit your needs. The spot cleaning function was a particular highlight, allowing you to send the X8 to a specific location on the map to do a radius clean - perfect for if you’re running late and knock over some cornflakes.

The AI and laser mapping are very good, though not quite as relaxing to set up as claimed (see ‘What’s okay?’ below) and suffering one bout of disorientation (see ‘Any negatives?’). The algorithm recorded the floorplan and broke it into separate rooms, and allowed for the quick installation of ‘no-go zones’ and barriers. The X8 can even remember multiple floors if you fancy moving it to a new location.

For an in-depth look at the app, this how-to video from eufy does a decent job of showing what's it about:

If you need to relocate the X8 and its base to a new location on the floorplan, it will undertake a short scan to understand where it is and automatically recognise its new home base. This is perfect for when you fancy having furniture rearranged.

That the X8 can easily overcome low objects and uneven terrain is a real win, too, with right-angled, 0.5-inch-tall threshold strips proving no obstacle.

Besides all the flash of robotics and mapping technology, the pure cleaning ability of the RoboVac X8 really impresses. Moving from room to room, the X8 is meticulous on its path, hitting every spot and making sure both dust, hair and grit get sucked up. The side brush means that the X8 can get into corners and tight spots, too - it flicks dirt from 90-degree corners into the path of the X8, making sure that nothing can escape its cleaning spree.

Helping this ability is the adaptive brush, which reads the surface the X8 is on and adjusts suction and brushing accordingly.

Like its distant handheld cousin, the eufy HomeVac H30, the RoboVac X8 is adept at filling its modest dust box with plenty of waste. At first glance, it may appear that the X8 would need cleaning every other day. In our test, it only required emptying fortnightly, though the test house was childless and pet-less, with wooden and vinyl flooring. The frequency of emptying is likely to increase in households with extensive carpeting and shedding pets.

What’s okay?

Setting the AI up is automatic, but some caveats can make it a pretty stressful affair if you’re not prepared. For example, I had to stand guard as the RoboVac X8 mapped my floorplan, dodging over the rooms to create obstacles to block the device from barrelling into TV and game console cables and from entangling itself on carpet rug tassels.

It’s a surprisingly determined little machine, too - it managed to push a clothes airer around and pushed ajar doors open. Once the mapping process was over and the virtual barrier was set up, everything went smoothly.

Any negatives?

While all robot vacuums are designed to free up your time, you do have to make some changes in your habits if you use the automated routines. For example, you’ve got to be mindful of what you’re leaving lying about - USB cables, shoelaces, carpet tassels and loose paper is all at the mercy of the X8. This is certainly a device for the minimalists among us. Anyone else might struggle.

For the vast majority of the test, the RoboVac X8 worked well. However, once when I was at a local corner shop, I decided to remotely activate the device via the app, setting it to clean the kitchen as I walked home. I had expected to open my front door and hear the RoboVac beavering away in the distance. Instead, it was at my feet.

I’d left the door to the hallway open (usually it’s closed and the X8 thinks it’s a wall) and, for some unknown reason, the X8 had headed in the opposite direction to the kitchen, accidentally driven through what it thought was a wall, realised it was lost and turned itself off.

I sent the remote command on a strong 5G signal, and there was no fault with my home Wi-Fi. There is no apparent reason for the glitch.

At first, this excursion appeared to have deleted the app’s floorplan. Thankfully, following a reset of both the X8 (device and charging base) and the app, the data returned. A strange event, and one that hasn’t been repeated - but I haven’t regained my confidence to remotely activate it since.

What to read next:

Eufy HomeVac H30 Handheld Vacuum: 60-second review

AmazonBasics Vacuum Cleaner Review

Henry HVR160 review: Can the happiest vacuum in the world still cut it?

Free up your time with a robot vacuum cleaner

William Lobley is a Deputy Editor and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in technology, gaming and outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.

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