Weissgauff Robowash Vision: A "German" Robot Vacuum Cleaner That's Not German

Recently, offers for two new German-quality robot vacuum cleaners, the Weissgauff Robowash and Weissgauff Robowash Vision, appeared online. Their attractive price and competitive specifications caught our attention. At first glance, they seem worthy of consideration, but many (including us) are put off by the relatively unknown brand for European quality. In this article, we'll review the Weissgauff Robowash Vision and a stripped-down model without a camera. Aside from the top-mounted camera, the robots are essentially identical, so let's take a closer look using the more advanced robot vacuum as an example.

Briefly about the brand

After spending a little time searching through search engines, it became clear that we weren't the only ones interested in the origins of Weissgauff. There are entire investigations online about when the company actually appeared, what it does, and whether it really has any connection to Germany.

As it turns out, the brand itself isn't German; only the quality, as stated on the official website, is considered German. No actual address abroad is listed, only a mention of the location of official representatives in Russia, along with the legal address and company information.

These and many other details suggest that this is most likely a Russian company, masquerading as German quality while selling robot vacuum cleaners made in China that are indistinguishable from their competitors. This isn't new to us; we've seen German and Japanese robot vacuum cleaners before, which are unknown in both Germany and Japan.

This digression was necessary so you understand what we're dealing with. This isn't to say that Weissgauff robot vacuums are bad, it's just to clarify that things weren't as smooth as expected from the start. Now let's get to the review itself.

Differences between models

The main differences between the Weissgauff Robowash and the Weissgauff Robowash Vision:

1. The battery capacity is 3400 mAh for the advanced version and 2600 mAh for the standard version.
2. The model with a camera has an “Intercom” function, which allows you to transmit audio messages to the robot vacuum cleaner via your smartphone.
3. An active camera allows you to connect to the robot vacuum cleaner in real time and receive images on your smartphone. It's a kind of watchman function.

That said, the price difference is $30 ($170 vs. $200). It's not a huge difference, but the camera doesn't improve cleaning efficiency either. If the camera allowed the robot to navigate better (like iRobots or iClebo), that would be a different story.

Equipment

The robot is delivered in two packages: an outer protective box made of corrugated cardboard and an inner cardboard box equipped with a handle for easy carrying.

When examining the outer box, we first see a picture of the Weissgauff Robowash Vision itself. The main specifications and features of the robotic vacuum are also listed. The labels are in Russian. The components are protected and distributed on separate pallets, as well as packaged in plastic bags.

The delivery kit, in addition to the robot vacuum cleaner itself, contains the necessary accessories, spare parts, and consumables:

1. Remote control.
2. Charging base.
3. Network adapter.
4. Replaceable HEPA filter.
5. Microfiber cloths (2 pcs.).
6. Side brushes (4 pcs.).
7. Brush for cleaning components.

The robot vacuum cleaner manufacturer has provided batteries for the remote control, so you won't need to purchase them separately.

The Weissgauff Robowash Vision comes with a brief and detailed instruction manual in Russian. Also included are a dust collector cleaning sheet, a warranty card, and a support information booklet from the manufacturer.

Appearance

The Weissgauff Robowash Vision robot vacuum cleaner is made of matte plastic. Viewed from above, the device is almost perfectly round and white. Its dimensions are quite compact: 340 x 340 x 90 mm, and it weighs 3.5 kg.

The robot vacuum cleaner's rear edges are tapered at the bottom, allowing it to navigate obstacles, while a slight angular transition from the top panel to the side surface reduces the risk of the cleaner getting stuck under furniture.

When you pick up the Weissgauff Robowash Vision robot vacuum, you'll immediately notice the prominent 360-degree camera, one of this model's key features. The camera is protected by a durable cover and a special mechanism that retracts it when it encounters an obstacle.

The front panel also features a mechanical power button and a series of indicators for the camera, Wi-Fi, and return-to-dock mode. The dust compartment flap is also located here.

The robot has a soft bumper on the side and a liquid reservoir on the back. A rubber strip protects furniture. A tinted plastic window on the bumper houses infrared obstacle sensors, a base detection sensor, and a remote control command receiver.

On the back of the Weissgauff Robowash Vision robot vacuum cleaner are the drive wheels on the sides, the front swivel roller, the battery compartment, the contact pads, two side brushes, the main turbo brush, a panel with holes for supplying water to the attached cleaning cloth, and three height sensors.

Technical specifications

Let's move on to a review of the technical characteristics of the Weissgauff Robowash Vision robot:

Type of cleaning	Dry and wet
Power supply	Li-Ion battery 14.4 V, 3400 mAh (or 2600)
Opening hours	up to 140 minutes
Charging time	180-240 minutes
Power consumption	40 W
Suction power	800/1200/4000 Pa
Dust collector	Cyclone filter (bagless)
Dust collector capacity	500 ml
Water tank capacity	450 ml
Overall dimensions	340x340x90 mm
Weight	3.5 kg
Noise level	65 dB

Functional capabilities

The Weissgauff Robowash Vision robot vacuum cleaner has the following operating modes:

• Snake cleaning – the device cleans the entire available cleaning area, and when finished, it returns to the base to recharge the battery (the mode is started by pressing a button on the remote control or on the body);
• Intensive cleaning – used to clean a specific area with the most dirt (to do this, you need to take the robot to this place and press the button with the circle and arrows icon on the remote control);
• Along walls and in corners – cleaning mode along the perimeter of the room (activated by the button on the remote control with the rectangle icon and arrows).

When operating in one of these modes, you can press the button with the fan icons on the remote control, which will increase or decrease the suction power by one level.

The robot vacuum cleaner can also be controlled manually, which is sometimes essential. The user can also set the Weissgauff Robowash Vision to start automatically at a specific time.

In addition to dry cleaning, the robot vacuum cleaner can also wet mop the floor. To do this, simply fill the tank with water and attach a cloth to the bottom. The robot vacuum cleaner will do the rest.

Remarkably, the wet cleaning tank is installed alongside the dust collector, not in its place. This allows the robot vacuum to mop and vacuum simultaneously.

The proprietary app for Android or iOS devices significantly expands the device's functionality. It lets you select a mode, adjust fan suction and liquid flow rate, set up a schedule and voice alerts, and track consumables and spare parts.

The mobile app also displays a map of the rooms created by the Weissgauff Robowash Vision, along with the camera's movement trajectory. But the most unique feature isn't even this; it's the app's ability to display everything the camera is currently seeing. This allows you to monitor the situation in your home and communicate with its inhabitants.

Operating instructions

A brief and detailed manual is included with the robot vacuum cleaner. It describes the operating parameters, functionality, and design of the cleaner, as well as troubleshooting tips.

You can download the instructions by following the link: Robowash Vision instructions.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

1. Modern design.
2. Good equipment.
3. Wet cleaning.
4. Active video camera.
5. Voice control + Intercom function.
6. Control from a smartphone.
7. Suction power regulation.
8. Voice-over in Russian.

I would like to highlight several disadvantages:

1. There is no movement limiter included.
2. The manufacturer claims a suction power of up to 4000 Pa. This figure is likely twice the actual value. All modern robot vacuum cleaners, including Xiaomi, have a suction power of around 2000 Pa. It's unlikely that "German quality" allowed for this figure to be doubled, given that no design changes have been made to the robot.

Overall, considering the $200 price tag and all the necessary features, including wet cleaning, this model may be worth considering. However, given the brand's complicated origins, this raises doubts about warranty support and the level of service it provides. We'll see what real customer reviews are like.

Analogues:

• Cleverpanda i5
• Genio Deluxe 500
• iBoto Aqua V715B
• Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• iLife A8
• iClebo Pop
• Clever & Clean AQUA-Series 03