iLife V8s

The robotic cleaning market is fiercely competitive. Until recently, Xiaomi robots dominated the Chinese market. However, in 2018, another well-known Chinese manufacturer, Chuwi, unveiled its latest product, the iLife V8s robot vacuum cleaner, which boasts an improved design and technical specifications, offering strong competition to Xiaomi. This device is designed for dry and full-featured wet cleaning of all types of flooring. This review will help you understand the new iLife V8s from Chuwi.

Equipment

The basic iLife package is not much different from the previous models from the manufacturer and includes:

1. A robotic vacuum cleaner with an installed dust collector, side brushes and a rechargeable battery.
2. Charging base.
3. Power unit.
4. Spare side brushes.
5. Spare HEPA filter.
6. Remote control and two AAA batteries for it.
7. Brush for cleaning the device elements.
8. Wet cleaning unit (separate water tank, two microfiber cloths + 1 additional cloth with a special holder for attaching to the bottom of the device).
9. A brief and detailed guide to operating the device in several languages.
10. Warranty card.

Like all Chuwi robots, the robot and its components are very securely packaged in two cardboard boxes and placed in bags in separate compartments.

Appearance

The iLife V8s robot vacuum cleaner's minimalist and sleek design gives it a stylish and modern look. While its dimensions aren't exactly compact, smaller models are available. However, the robot is highly functional and features a larger dust bin, making its size worthwhile. The round body is made of high-quality plastic, available in gray and black. The top of the robot vacuum cleaner houses an LCD display, a row of control buttons, and a button for removing the dust bin (which slides out from the side).

When reviewing the side of the iLife V8s, we see the familiar spring-loaded bumper, obstacle detection sensors, an opening for connecting the power supply and directly charging the device from the mains, an on/off button, and ventilation ducts.

The back panel is also fairly standard: it features two rubberized drive wheels, contacts for automatically charging the device on the docking station, anti-drop sensors, two side brushes, a suction port, a battery pack, and a microfiber cloth holder. A turbo brush is not included.

Technical specifications

So, we come to the review of the technical characteristics of iLife V8s:

Battery	Li-Ion 2600 mAh
Battery life	Up to 120 minutes
Charge recharge time	About 280 minutes
Cleaning area	150 m2
Power consumption	22 W
Dust collector	Cyclone filter, capacity 750 ml
Water tank capacity	350 ml
Overall dimensions	32x32x8 cm
Weight	2.7 kg
Noise level	68 dB

Functional capabilities

The iLife V8s Pro robot vacuum's key distinguishing feature over previous models is its i-Move technology, which allows the device to automatically plan an optimal route and remember previously visited locations. This helps conserve battery life and reduce runtime. Orientation is achieved through 13 groups of infrared sensors, preventing the robot from colliding with obstacles or falling from elevated surfaces. A gyroscope also allows the device to scan the room and divide it into separate zones for consistent cleaning.

The robot vacuum cleaner can operate in the following modes:

• Auto.
• Around the perimeter (along walls, furniture and in corners).
• Spot cleaning (local mode).
• Increased suction power mode.

There are functions for manual control of the robot's movement and planning of the cleaning schedule.

In general, the cleaning process is as follows. Dry cleaning of the floor is performed by side brushes, which sweep debris toward the suction port, which directs it through an air duct into a container with a coarse and fine filter. The dust bin is one of the largest of all robotic cleaners, meaning you won't have to empty it after each cleaning cycle.

Wet mopping is possible by replacing the dust container with a separate liquid reservoir. Fill it with water first, then attach the microfiber cloth to the bottom of the robot vacuum. The iLife V8s features i-Dropping technology, which evenly distributes liquid onto the cloth throughout the cleaning process.

As the test showed, the device copes well with its main tasks, however, as we remember, this does not replace the need for general cleaning.

Advantages and disadvantages

In conclusion, I'd like to point out that this model is considered premium, and its price reflects that (around $300 in 2018). Let's review the robot's main advantages and disadvantages.

An overview of the advantages of the iLife V8s Pro robot vacuum cleaner:

1. Pleasant external parameters.
2. Relatively small body dimensions.
3. High quality assembly and execution.
4. Wet cleaning of the floor.
5. Availability of “i-Move” and “i-Dropping” technologies.
6. Multiple sensors and built-in gyroscope.
7. The vacuum cleaner easily overcomes obstacles up to 2 cm high.
8. It is possible to increase the suction power.
9. Large LCD display on the device itself.

Review of the disadvantages of the iLife V8s robot vacuum cleaner:

1. Lack of motion limiter.
2. There are no instructions in Russian.
3. There is no turbo brush (on the one hand, it does not need to be cleaned from tangled hair and wool, but on the other hand, it is not possible to thoroughly clean carpets).

Considering the pros and cons presented, it's safe to say that this robot vacuum cleaner is well worth its price. Its features and specifications are standard for models under $200, so if you like this robot, you can buy it without worrying about overpaying.

Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the iLife V8s:

Analogues:

• Philips FC8710 SmartPro
• Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Samsung VR10M7010UW
• iClebo Pop
• X-Robot Strider
• GUTREND JOY 95
• iRobot Roomba 616