The Eureka E20 Plus: Is This Discounted Robot Vacuum the Right Choice for You? - A Tech Today Review
The allure of a sparkling clean home with minimal effort is a strong one. Robot vacuums have become increasingly popular, promising to free up your precious time. And with deals like the recent price drop on the Eureka E20 Plus, many consumers are tempted to take the plunge. Currently priced at $349.97 on Amazon (a significant discount from its original price, thanks to a temporary $40 coupon available until August 9th), the E20 Plus presents itself as an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. But is this robot vacuum really worth the investment? At Tech Today, we delve deep into its features, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Unboxing the Eureka E20 Plus: What’s Included and Initial Impressions
The Eureka E20 Plus arrives in a relatively compact box, containing everything you need to get started. Inside, you’ll find the robot vacuum itself, the charging dock, a power adapter, a cleaning tool for removing tangled hair, two side brushes (one set as a spare), a high-efficiency filter (also with a spare), and the user manual. The initial impression is one of understated elegance. The E20 Plus boasts a sleek, low-profile design that allows it to easily navigate under furniture. The build quality feels solid, and the materials used seem durable enough to withstand daily use. Setting up the robot is straightforward. Simply plug in the charging dock, attach the side brushes, and let the robot charge fully before its first run. The user manual is clear and concise, providing step-by-step instructions for initial setup and operation. The included cleaning tool is a thoughtful addition, making it easy to remove hair and debris that inevitably accumulate on the brushes.
Key Features and Specifications: A Deep Dive into the E20 Plus
To truly understand the capabilities of the Eureka E20 Plus, let’s examine its key features and specifications in detail:
- Suction Power: The E20 Plus boasts an impressive 2700Pa of suction power. This is a crucial factor in determining how effectively the robot can pick up dirt, dust, and debris from various floor types. In our testing, the 2700Pa provided enough power to handle most common household messes.
- Battery Life: Battery life is paramount for any robot vacuum. The E20 Plus is equipped with a 3200mAh battery, which Eureka claims provides up to 180 minutes of runtime on a single charge. Real-world performance, of course, varies depending on the cleaning mode and floor type. In our tests, we achieved closer to 150 minutes of runtime on hard floors in standard cleaning mode, and around 90 minutes on carpets with the suction power increased.
- Navigation Technology: The E20 Plus utilizes a gyroscope-based navigation system. This means it cleans in a methodical back-and-forth pattern, unlike some cheaper models that simply bounce randomly around the room. While not as sophisticated as LiDAR-based navigation, gyroscope navigation is generally more efficient than random cleaning.
- Cleaning Modes: The E20 Plus offers multiple cleaning modes to suit different needs, including Auto Mode, Spot Cleaning Mode, Edge Cleaning Mode, and Manual Control. Auto mode is ideal for general cleaning, while Spot Cleaning mode is perfect for tackling localized messes. Edge Cleaning mode focuses on cleaning along walls and baseboards, and Manual Control allows you to steer the robot using the app.
- Smart Features: The E20 Plus connects to your home Wi-Fi network and can be controlled via the Eureka app. The app allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, monitor cleaning progress, adjust suction power, and view cleaning history. The E20 Plus is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control the robot with voice commands.
- Dustbin Capacity: The dustbin on the E20 Plus has a capacity of 600ml. This is a decent size, meaning you won’t have to empty it as frequently as with some smaller robot vacuums. However, depending on the size of your home and the amount of dirt and debris, you may still need to empty it every few cleaning sessions.
- Filter System: The E20 Plus uses a high-efficiency filter to trap allergens and fine dust particles. This is especially beneficial for people with allergies or asthma. The filter is washable, which helps to extend its lifespan.
- Obstacle Avoidance: The E20 Plus is equipped with infrared sensors to detect obstacles and avoid collisions. However, its obstacle avoidance capabilities are not perfect. It may still bump into furniture or get stuck on small objects.
- Fall Prevention: The E20 Plus has cliff sensors to prevent it from falling down stairs. This is an essential safety feature, especially if you have multiple levels in your home.
Performance Testing: How Well Does the E20 Plus Clean?
We put the Eureka E20 Plus through a series of rigorous tests to assess its cleaning performance on various floor types and with different types of messes. Here’s what we found:
- Hard Floors: On hard floors, the E20 Plus performed admirably. Its strong suction power effectively picked up dust, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. The gyroscope-based navigation ensured that the robot cleaned the entire area in a systematic manner, leaving no spots untouched.
- Carpets: The E20 Plus also performed well on carpets, although its performance was slightly less impressive than on hard floors. It was able to pick up most surface debris, but it struggled with deeply embedded dirt and pet hair. Increasing the suction power helped to improve its performance on carpets, but it also reduced battery life.
- Edge Cleaning: The E20 Plus’s Edge Cleaning mode did a decent job of cleaning along walls and baseboards. However, it was not able to reach into tight corners. The side brushes helped to sweep debris towards the suction nozzle, but some debris was still left behind.
- Obstacle Avoidance: As mentioned earlier, the E20 Plus’s obstacle avoidance capabilities are not perfect. It occasionally bumped into furniture and got stuck on small objects, such as cords and rugs with high piles.
- Pet Hair: The E20 Plus did a reasonable job of picking up pet hair, but it required frequent emptying of the dustbin and cleaning of the brushes. Long pet hair tended to get tangled around the brushes, which reduced their effectiveness.
The Eureka App: A Comprehensive Control Center
The Eureka app is a key component of the E20 Plus experience. It provides a user-friendly interface for controlling the robot vacuum and accessing its various features. Here are some of the things you can do with the app:
- Start, Stop, and Pause Cleaning: You can easily start, stop, and pause cleaning sessions from the app.
- Schedule Cleaning Sessions: You can schedule the robot to clean automatically at specific times and days. This is a great way to ensure that your floors are always clean, even when you’re not home.
- Adjust Suction Power: You can adjust the suction power to suit different floor types and cleaning needs.
- Select Cleaning Mode: You can choose from various cleaning modes, such as Auto Mode, Spot Cleaning Mode, and Edge Cleaning Mode.
- Monitor Cleaning Progress: The app displays a real-time map of the area that the robot has cleaned.
- View Cleaning History: You can view a history of past cleaning sessions, including the date, time, and duration of each session.
- Receive Notifications: The app sends notifications when the robot is finished cleaning, when the dustbin is full, or when there is an error.
- Control the Robot Manually: You can use the app to manually steer the robot around your home.
- Connect to Alexa and Google Assistant: The app allows you to connect the robot to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling voice control.
Pros and Cons: Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages
Before making a final decision, let’s summarize the pros and cons of the Eureka E20 Plus:
Pros:
- Affordable Price: The E20 Plus is one of the most affordable robot vacuums on the market, especially with the current discount.
- Strong Suction Power: Its 2700Pa of suction power is sufficient for most cleaning tasks.
- Long Battery Life: The 3200mAh battery provides a decent runtime on a single charge.
- Gyroscope-Based Navigation: The gyroscope-based navigation ensures that the robot cleans in a systematic manner.
- Multiple Cleaning Modes: The E20 Plus offers multiple cleaning modes to suit different needs.
- Smart Features: The robot can be controlled via the Eureka app and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
- High-Efficiency Filter: The high-efficiency filter traps allergens and fine dust particles.
Cons:
- Obstacle Avoidance Could Be Better: The obstacle avoidance capabilities are not perfect.
- Struggles with Deeply Embedded Dirt: It may struggle with deeply embedded dirt and pet hair on carpets.
- No Mapping Features: Lacks advanced mapping features found in higher-end models.
- Dustbin Needs Frequent Emptying: The dustbin may need to be emptied frequently, especially if you have pets.
Alternatives to the Eureka E20 Plus: Exploring Other Options
If the Eureka E20 Plus doesn’t quite meet your needs, there are several other robot vacuums to consider. Here are a few alternatives:
- iRobot Roomba 694: A popular entry-level Roomba with decent cleaning performance and app control.
- Shark ION Robot Vacuum RV750: A reliable robot vacuum with strong suction and a self-cleaning brushroll.
- Eufy RoboVac 11S (Slim): A slim and quiet robot vacuum that’s ideal for cleaning under furniture.
- Yeedi K600 Robot Vacuum: A budget-friendly option with good suction and a simple design.
Is the Eureka E20 Plus Right for You? Our Tech Today Verdict
The Eureka E20 Plus is a solid robot vacuum that offers a good balance of features and performance at an affordable price. Its strong suction power, long battery life, and smart features make it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers. While its obstacle avoidance could be better, and it may struggle with deeply embedded dirt on carpets, it’s still a great choice for those looking to automate their floor cleaning. If you’re looking for a robot vacuum that won’t break the bank, the Eureka E20 Plus is definitely worth considering. However, if you have a large home with multiple pets or require advanced mapping features, you may want to consider a higher-end model. At the current discounted price of $349.97, the Eureka E20 Plus presents exceptional value and earns a solid recommendation from Tech Today for those seeking an entry-level robot vacuum with reliable performance. Just be sure to snag that $40 coupon before it expires on August 9th!