Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+: a complete suite of advanced features in one robot vacuum! The best of 2021?!

Greetings to all readers of robovac.washerhouse.com! I've finally reviewed and tested one of the best robot vacuum cleaners in the world at the end of 2021.

This is the much-talked-about Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+. Priced at $700 and up, it boasts some serious technical features. I'll list them in order. First, there's an active camera for object recognition and remote home monitoring, mounted on the front mechanical bumper. Second, there's a self-cleaning station for the dust bin.

Third, the iRobots' unique AeroForce cleaning system uses two silicone squeegee rollers that rotate in opposite directions. Fourth, the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ features a vibration module for wet cleaning, which removes stains more effectively. Furthermore, the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ is equipped with a module that holds an air freshener cartridge, a lidar sensor for navigation, and some interesting features in the proprietary mobile app.

This model appears to be equipped with all the advanced technologies needed for maximum cleaning efficiency and autonomy. All that remains is to see how well this robot vacuum actually performs its primary function and how well its features work.

I'll demonstrate this further. A link to purchase from a trusted seller is provided at the end of the review. Currently, the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ is only available for order from China, and there are some nuances to this, which I'll discuss below. So, let's get started!

Equipment

The robot vacuum cleaner arrived in a large branded box like this:

In addition to the self-cleaning station and the robot itself, the kit includes:

1. A power adapter for connecting the base to the mains. Please note that the plug is Chinese and does not include a European standard adapter; you will need to purchase one separately in advance.
2. A separate water tank that is installed instead of the room aromatization module.
3. Set of 10 disposable wet wipes for wiping floors.
4. Spare bag for self-cleaning station.
5. Air freshener cartridge.
6. Operating instructions in Chinese.

This is the entire package. Basically, everything you need is included, except for spare consumables such as side brushes, a HEPA filter, and reusable cleaning cloths. I recommend purchasing this kit separately when ordering the robot vacuum.

Appearance

Now let's take a look at the appearance and design of the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+. It's black. The body is made of high-quality plastic with a non-marking coating. The body is just over 95 mm tall.

The mechanical bumper at the front features a camera for recognizing and avoiding obstacles on the floor. The technology is called TrueDetect 3D and TrueMapping 2.0.

At the back, we see the module that houses the air freshener cartridge. Aromatization occurs through the ventilation holes next to the release button.

A lidar sensor is responsible for navigation and room mapping. It is equipped with a spring-loaded cover to prevent the robot from getting stuck under furniture. A single control button is located nearby: Start/Pause.

The 420 ml dust container is located under the top cover. Next to it, you'll find the power switch and a Wi-Fi reset button. A QR code for connecting the robot to the network is located on the side. A cleaning tool is conveniently located below.

The manufacturer states on the dust container that it can be washed with water, as can the entire filtration system. Just be sure to thoroughly dry the container and filter elements before use. A protective flap inside prevents accidental spillage when removing the container. The filtration system is triple: mesh, foam, and HEPA filters. This is a plus. Incidentally, the HEPA filter appears to be class E12.

Here's how the air freshener module works:

It's replaced by a water tank with a vibration module. It holds about 180 ml of water, not a huge amount. Water flows through three holes onto the cloth. The water flow is regulated electronically.

This is what a disposable wet wipe looks like:

Its structure is quite dense, much denser than the disposable wipes found on most other robots. I believe it could be used multiple times without affecting the cleaning performance.

Let's take a look at how the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ is designed from below.

It's equipped with six fall protection sensors, which is a plus. It has two side brushes, three-beam, and quick-release. The terminals for docking with the charging station are located at the front.

And in the center, we see the AeroForce cleaning system, which is featured in iRobot robot vacuums. Two scraper rollers are made of wear-resistant silicone. The rollers disassemble on one side to remove tangled hair and fur.

By the way, for anyone interested, are the rollers from iRobot Roomba i7+ — No, I checked that. Ecovacs's rollers are slightly shorter. Apparently they did it that way on purpose so they wouldn't be interchangeable, and each manufacturer could profit from their own consumables.

Yes, well, actually, under the rollers there are openings for unloading waste from the dust collector into the self-cleaning station.

Now let's take a look at how a self-cleaning station is designed. Here's a general overview:

It's equipped with a platform that the robot rides on. This platform has openings for emptying debris into the suction channel. There's a storage compartment at the back for excess cord, which is a plus.

The top lid opens with a push. A 2.5-liter waste bag is installed inside. It's a standard design. Its capacity isn't the largest compared to similar models. Some self-cleaning robots have bags that can hold 3 or 4 liters of dry waste.

It's good that when you enter the base, the wet cloth won't come into contact with the floor. The wooden flooring won't be exposed to excessive moisture.

Overall, the build quality of the robot vacuum cleaner is very high, and there are no complaints about it.

Technical specifications

The main characteristics of the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+, as stated by the manufacturer:

• Li-Ion battery 5200 mAh.
• Suction power up to 3000 Pa.
• The power of the self-cleaning station is 1 kW.
• Operating time up to 180 min.
• Cleaning area >100 sq.m.
• Dust collector capacity is 420 ml.
• The water tank capacity is 180 ml.
• Obstacle clearance up to 20 mm.
• Dimensions: 350*97 mm.

Overall, the specifications are standard for a premium robot vacuum cleaner in 2021.

Functional capabilities

Connecting to the application

Let's move on to an overview of the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ features. The robot vacuum is controlled via the proprietary Ecovacs HOME mobile app. But here's the catch: since this robot is designed for the Chinese market, you won't be able to connect it without a Chinese phone number (+86 and 11 digits).

After ordering, be sure to ask the seller to create an account for you to log in to the app and connect the robot to the network. They sent me the login information, and after that, I connected the robot vacuum to my smartphone and home network without any problems.

Once you log in to the app, the entire interface will be in Chinese. Again, the seller should send you instructions on how to set the language to English and configure basic cleaning settings. If you have any difficulties, please let me know, and I'll try to help.

Functional overview

Let's take a look at this model's features. The control panel displays the robot's status and battery percentage. It also features buttons for quickly launching automatic cleaning mode and forcing the robot to return to the charging base. Clicking "Enter Smart Cleaning" opens the robot's basic control options.

The main screen displays a map of the room. The robot vacuum automatically zones it into rooms, even showing areas with carpets. Three main cleaning modes are available:

• Area – select the desired rooms for cleaning.
• Auto – automatic cleaning mode for the entire available area.
• Custom — setting rectangular cleaning zones.

In the Edit Map section, located at the bottom left, you can view Wi-Fi network coverage, set no-go zones, and virtual walls on the map. You can even set custom no-go zones and virtual walls for wet cleaning mode.

You can also edit room boundaries, combining several rooms into one or vice versa, dividing a room into separate zones. You can also name the rooms if needed. Hidden in the top center is a map selection menu. The Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ supports multi-maps, which means it can store multiple unique maps in its memory.

Let's return to the main screen. Swiping up reveals a section with more flexible cleaning settings. In View & Edit mode, you can select the number of times the robot will sweep the entire area: 1 or 2.

In addition, there is a 4-level adjustment of suction power and a 3-level adjustment of water supply to the cloth.

You can also customize the room cleaning sequence and the wet cleaning algorithm. A simplified serpentine cleaning algorithm is available, as well as a more thorough floor cleaning with a back-and-forth motion along a single strip.

If needed, you can set a reminder to rinse the cloth after a certain amount of time. Incidentally, as mentioned earlier, the water tank is equipped with a moving platform that oscillates up to 480 times per minute, allowing for more effective cleaning.

Additionally, you can turn the air freshener on and off if this module is installed.

When setting up a cleaning schedule, you can set the time, days of the week, and the rooms you want to clean.

By the way, if you switch to Customize mode, you can even customize the suction power, the degree of wetting of the cloth, and the number of passes the robot makes for each room. That's a plus!

You can also select the language for voice notifications and adjust their volume. As mentioned earlier, the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ can speak English and Chinese.

Let's move on to the settings section. Here you can change the robot's name, view its cleaning history (including its patrol history), and set the time when you don't want the robot to disturb you.

In the Smart Cleaning section, you can enable or disable the object recognition feature and activate a mode that saves detected objects, which the robot will recommend you remove before its next use. You can also enable a mode that continues cleaning after recharging at the base, an automatic power boost when entering carpets, and a self-cleaning function when entering the station.

When setting up a remote connection to the camera, you can set a security password and change it if necessary. Additionally, the camera displays accessory wear and the firmware version, which can be updated to the latest version if necessary.

You can remove some data from the main screen if it bothers you by going to the Map Display section.

What's even more interesting is the section that displays a 3D map of your home. Yes, the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ can create a 3D map, and that's pretty cool! You can manually add furniture, appliances, and interior items, which will certainly help the robot navigate its surroundings better. We also see that this map displays virtual walls and off-limits zones. It's all very interesting!

And finally, I'd like to show you the capabilities of remotely connecting to an active camera. After entering the password, you can set patrol points for the robot in security mode. You can also manually take a screenshot and send it to your smartphone, point the robot to a point on the map, navigate to the desired area using the joystick, and even call the robot to hear sounds around it and, if necessary, communicate with nearby people. This is certainly an interesting solution that expands the standard capabilities of a robot vacuum cleaner!

The functionality is comprehensive. It's also worth noting that the robot can automatically increase suction power when approaching carpets during dry cleaning, and vice versa—automatically avoiding carpets when detecting them in combination or wet cleaning modes.

Unfortunately, the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ is currently not controllable via Yandex Alice. I can't say for sure about Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know in the comments.

Testing

A detailed video review with all the tests has already been prepared and published on our channel. I recommend watching the video:

Navigation

And finally, let's move on to the tests. First, let's check the robot vacuum's navigation in a room with obstacles. Immediately after leaving the base, the robot began navigating the perimeter, where it encountered the feet of a dryer and got stuck. Oddly, the object detection system didn't tell the robot to avoid this obstacle.

He couldn't escape the trap, and even after I freed him, he deliberately drove back into the same spot and got stuck. The same thing happened with the iRobot Roomba i7+.

Apparently, the problem arises from the robot's heavy weight and the rollers moving towards each other. So, I had to remove the dryer to continue the test. In a real-life situation, I'd have to set up a no-go zone in that area to prevent the robot from getting stuck. In any case, I deducted points for it.

Overall, after completing the perimeter, the robot cleans the entire accessible area in a serpentine motion. It even circled all four chair legs and the box separately. This is certainly a plus, but the test wasn't fully completed.

As for navigation within the home, the robot cleans room by room, first in a serpentine pattern, then along the perimeter. The object detection system works correctly on fluffy carpets, unlike some similar robots previously reviewed.

In one of the rooms, I specifically installed a double path, and strangely, the robot moved through the area not in a perpendicular snaking pattern, as I'd expected, but along the same trajectory. In any case, this test was successful. There were no uncleaned areas, and the cleaning speed was quite standard.

Obstacle recognition and avoidance

I would also like to demonstrate how the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ active chamber copes with its main task.

I laid out the main objects on the floor that could interfere with the robot's cleaning process. These included a sneaker, a fake pet toy, a cell phone charger, tights, a child's toy, a bathroom scale, a sock, and a slipper.

So, this robot doesn't recognize pet excrement, it drove around a sneaker carefully, it hit the floor scales with its bumper quite hard because it doesn't detect them with its lidar and doesn't recognize them with its camera, it also moved a children's toy, even though it determined its location with its lidar, and it couldn't recognize a sock at all, as a result of which it drove over it, chewed it with its rollers, and made an error.

After I manually removed the sock, the robot continued cleaning from where it left off, completed the cleaning process and returned to the base.

It's worth noting that it bypassed the charger cord, as well as the tights. So, the object detection system definitely needs some work. We see that the cleaning log displays one specific item. The robot simply recognized the sneaker as an item. All other items remained unmarked.

In other tests, the robot vacuum cleaner sometimes managed to correctly recognize and map the charging cable and sneakers. But again, this doesn't always happen.

At the request of my subscribers, I've checked a few more camera-related issues. First, it performs even worse in the dark. Second, this robot vacuum doesn't detect puddles. So, the TrueDetect 3D and TrueMapping 2.0 technology is definitely still in its infancy, and the manufacturer needs to refine it, which I sincerely hope it does.

Suction power

The Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+'s suction power was impressive. It was able to suck up debris even from a 10mm gap. This is a powerful robot vacuum!

Dry cleaning of laminate flooring

The quality of debris collection on laminate floors is excellent. The robot sweeps corners even better than most other robots, although it still leaves some debris behind due to its round shape. A small amount of hair got caught in the side brush and a very small amount wound up in the rollers. Most of the debris was collected in the dust bin.

Collection of wool and hair

Again, at numerous requests from subscribers, I conducted another test I hadn't done before – I checked how well the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ collects pet hair and, just as importantly, how well it cleans. The hair and pet hair collection performance is excellent.

Under such extreme conditions, the brushes took a much greater beating. So, cleaning the robot is as simple and convenient as possible.

We remove the side brush from its housing, then easily remove the wound hair and fur and replace the brush. The scraper rollers are just as easy to use. We cut through the wound hair with the included knife and gently remove any excess from the roller. The side rollers are also easy to clean, which is another important advantage of the robot.

Carpet cleaning

The Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ also handles carpet cleaning with ease, thanks to its powerful suction and well-designed cleaning system. Passed the test!

Wet cleaning

The cleaning performance on slightly dried-on dirt is excellent. Some small streaks remain, but this is largely due to the fact that disposable wipes are thinner than reusable ones. I imagine the stand would be much better with a reusable wipe installed, but unfortunately, one wasn't included.

As for everyday wet cleaning, it's important to note that the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ can vacuum and mop simultaneously. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, the robot automatically avoids carpets during wet cleaning. This is a plus.

Self-cleaning quality

The station's dust collector self-cleaning performance isn't very high. The dust collector is clogged with various types of debris after several tests, and here's what you see after self-cleaning:

A lump of hair and fur couldn't get past the curtain in the dust collector. After a second self-cleaning cycle, the condition was much better, but not perfect. So, self-cleaning isn't the best on the market.

By the way, a comparative test of self-cleaning stations from various brands will be released soon, featuring the new Roborock station, as well as self-cleaning stations from iRobot, Ecovacs, Dreame, Roidmi, and other brands. I recommend subscribing to the channel so you don't miss the video. I think it will be interesting to watch, and after several tests with different types of debris, we'll be able to give a more objective assessment of this station compared to others.

Obstacle clearance

The Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ has excellent maneuverability. It easily crosses a 2 cm threshold.

Driving on dark surfaces

Unfortunately, the robot vacuum cleaner is wary of dark surfaces, detecting them as elevation changes. This is another criticism of the robot.

Noise level

Finally, we measured the T9 AIVI+'s noise level in different modes. At minimum power, the noise level was around 60-62 dB, in Medium mode it reached 64 dB, in Max mode it reached 67 dB, and in Max+ mode the peak was 72 dB.

The noise level is a little elevated, but this is acceptable given the high suction power.

Let's sum it up

Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ has been thoroughly reviewed and tested. our evaluation system he managed to gain 88 out of 100 points, even taking into account the points deducted for the not entirely correct operation of the object recognition system, as well as for the robot getting stuck on the dryer. Nevertheless, at the moment, this is the best result among all robot vacuum cleaners that were reviewed and thoroughly testedAnd there have already been almost 70 of them since the actual testing began. First, I'll highlight the main pros and cons I discovered after getting to know the robot in detail, after which I'll express my personal opinion on whether it's worth buying.

I liked the following:

1. A highly effective cleaning system based on two silicone scraper rollers, which iRobots are famous for.
2. The robot effectively collects wool and hair, and is also easy to clean.
3. High suction power.
4. Good navigation if we are talking about lidar.
5. The presence of a vibration module for more effective removal of dirt.
6. Simultaneous dry and wet cleaning.
7. All advanced functionality in the application.
8. Construction of a 3D map.
9. Remote connection to a home surveillance camera + so-called security mode.
10. High quality cleaning.
11. Good cross-country ability.
12. High quality assembly.
13. The presence of a self-cleaning station, although it may not be the best among its analogues.
14. The presence of an object recognition system, which, although still crude, can still be improved with subsequent software updates.
15. The room aromatization function is something I haven't seen in other robot vacuum cleaners.

As for shortcomings and comments, there are also quite a few. Namely:

1. Currently, the robot vacuum cleaner is intended only for the Chinese market. Therefore, a Chinese phone number is required to register an account. The robot's interface and voice notifications are in English, and Yandex.Alice and possibly other popular voice assistants are not supported. Furthermore, the robot itself must be ordered from China. This entails problems with warranty service, customer support, and, of course, delivery takes over a month. This is perhaps the main drawback of such an expensive model.
2. Poor manufacturer support, at least in Russia. Ecovacs has a good reputation abroad, but the manufacturer's support in the market is dismal. Even if you order a robot from China, I doubt local distributors will be able to help, as evidenced by online reviews.
3. The object detection technology needs serious work; it's very crude and doesn't correspond to the premium segment of the robot. I really hope this shortcoming will be addressed over time. At least, the same Roborock S6 MaxV Initially I also had some problems with detecting objects, but over time the problems became much less.

These are the three main drawbacks, in my opinion. Additionally, I can highlight the following downsides based on my personal experience:

• Small capacity of the water tank.
• The robot can get stuck, for example, on the feet of the dryer.
• Fear of dark floor coverings.
• Not very good self-cleaning.

So, ultimately, I would recommend carefully weighing all the pros and cons highlighted before purchasing this model. In any case, the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T9 AIVI+ currently offers the most compelling combination of functionality and design. I have no complaints about cleaning quality; the robot met all expectations in this regard and proved that it deserves to be considered one of the best. The best robot vacuum cleaners of 2021So, if its advantages are more significant to you, you can buy it without hesitation. I ordered it from Alibaba; the purchase link is below. At least I had no doubts about the seller, and the price is slightly lower than on AliExpress.

On that note, I'd like to end this review. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments. Happy shopping, everyone. Bye!