VIOMI SE: a new model in a chic white and gold color

This review will examine a rather interesting robot vacuum cleaner in the sub-$300 price range. The model is called the Viomi SE. Priced around $250-$270, it's a more affordable version of the 2020 flagship. Viomi V3, which we have a review of on our website. The price was reduced by removing the separate dust bin and water tank, leaving only the combined container, and by installing a 3200 mAh battery instead of 4900 mAh. Incidentally, this also reduced the suction power from 2600 to 2200 Pa. But in my opinion, this robot has a more premium design, namely a white body with rose gold accents, and it looks simply stunning. Below, I'll review and test the Viomi SE in detail, after which I'll express my opinion on whether this robot vacuum is worth buying. So, let's get started!

Equipment

The Viomi SE arrived for review in this box. In addition to the robot, it contains:

1. Charging base.
2. Power adapter.
3. Wet cleaning nozzle with a microfiber cloth installed.
4. Operating instructions.
5. Spare side brush.
6. And a spare microfiber cloth.

The kit does not include a spare HEPA filter or a set of disposable wipes, and the separate water tank and dust collector have been removed, leaving only a combined container.

Appearance

The robot vacuum cleaner is round and matte white. The lidar and the surrounding area are rose gold. As mentioned at the beginning of the review, it looks great.

An obstacle detection sensor is installed on the front bumper.

On the top of the case are two buttons: start/pause and forced return to the charging base. The docking terminals are located on the back, near the ventilation holes.

The combined container is located at the bottom. Next to it is a brush for cleaning the dust bin and the central brush. Above, you can see an opening with a sealed valve for filling with water. The tank capacity is 200 ml. After removing the HEPA filter, you'll see the dust bin. Its capacity is 300 ml.

Let's turn the robot vacuum over and examine its underside. It has a single, quick-release side brush, four anti-fall sensors, and a central brush. It's made of bristles and petals and cannot be disassembled. Only one cap is removable for cleaning out tangled hair.

A damp cleaning attachment is attached to the back. The cloth is quite large, larger than that of the Roborock.

Overall, the Viomi SE's build quality is above average. The robot is quite heavy, suggesting that its components are not the most affordable.

Technical specifications

Main characteristics of Viomi SE:

• Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 3200 mAh.
• Suction power up to 2200 Pa.
• Operating time up to 120 min.
• Cleaning area up to 200 sq.m.
• Dust collector capacity is 300 ml.
• The volume of the water tank is 200 ml.
• Obstacle clearance 2 cm.
• Noise level up to 75 dB.
• Dimensions 350*95 mm.
• Weight 3.6 kg.

The characteristics are quite standard, as for a modern one robot vacuum cleaner with lidarI can't point out anything special. Some of the characteristics will be tested later.

Functional capabilities

Let's take a look at the Viomi SE's features. The robot vacuum is controlled via the Mi Home app, so connecting shouldn't be a problem. Mine connected quickly.

The app's main screen displays a map created by the robot, which it has automatically zoned into rooms. Below the map are buttons for starting automatic cleaning mode, forcing the robot to return to its charging base, and a section for managing the map, which we'll cover later.

Below these buttons is a slider for selecting the cleaning mode. Only the vacuum mode is available, which allows you to adjust the suction power. For those unfamiliar, Viomi's signature feature is a maximum-power mode called "Violence." There's also a simultaneous dry and wet cleaning mode, which allows you to adjust both the power and the water flow rate. You can also select a wet-only mode, which allows the vacuum to only mop the floor without vacuuming.

When working with the map, you can edit rooms by merging or separating them, and even choose names for each one. You can also set virtual walls and no-go zones on the map, send the robot to a specific spot for cleaning, and select cleaning zones on the map.

Additionally, in the settings, you can select perimeter cleaning mode, double-pass cleaning of the entire available area, a Y-pattern in floor cleaning mode, and view a cleaning log. You can also schedule cleaning at a specific time, day of the week, in a selected mode, and even in specific rooms. Individually adjusting the power and water flow level for each room, as is possible with Roborock, is not possible.

You can also enable "do not disturb" mode at a set time and select a cleaning map from the list of saved maps. Yes, Viomi SE can store multiple cleaning maps. If necessary, you can disable map saving mode or delete a map from memory entirely. You can also mute voice notifications and adjust their volume.

Additionally, you can monitor the status of consumables, activate the robot's search by sound signal, manually control the device and, if necessary, calibrate the sensors, change the robot's name, share control with other family members, and update the firmware if a new version is released.

That's all the app's functionality. Essentially, this model includes all the necessary features for automatically maintaining a clean home.

Testing

You can watch a detailed video review and test of the Viomi SE in our separate video:

Navigation

Let's move on to the tests. First, we'll test Viomi SE's navigation in a room with obstacles. First, the robot navigated the entire accessible area around the perimeter, then traversed the room in a zigzag pattern. It didn't get stuck on the dryer, navigated around each chair leg and a box, and then returned to its base. The test was successful.

Regarding cleaning the entire available area, during a test drive, Viomi SE divided the entire area into convenient zones, first cleaning each zone along the perimeter, then moving in a zigzag pattern. It took 48 minutes to clean 32 square meters. However, after the robot saved the map and zoned it into rooms, the next time it was run, it began cleaning room by room, first along the perimeter, then in a zigzag pattern. With this navigation algorithm, the cleaning time was significantly shorter, about 35 minutes. Viomi SE's navigation is good, and there are no complaints.

Suction power

This robot's suction power is on par with its peers. It can vacuum debris from a depth of 2 mm. Many robots with 2600-2700 Pa suction power achieve similar results, so I believe the Viomi SE is as powerful as its older predecessor, the V3.

Dry cleaning of laminate flooring

The dry cleaning performance is also good; the robot picked up all the debris from the floor and only left it in the corners, where most round robot vacuums fail. So, the test passes.

Cleaning the carpet

However, the Viomi SE didn't perform very well on carpet. It failed to pick up some hair and lint, making it less suitable for cleaning carpets. However, some hair and lint were collected in the dust bin, as was the main brush.

Wet cleaning

But I have no complaints about wet cleaning. I've been using the company's products for several years now. Viomi I can say that these robots are more suitable for wiping floors.

You can see that the Viomi SE was able to remove dirt from the floor without leaving streaks. It didn't remove the strip along the baseboard, like all the other similar products we tested. This is a common issue with all popular robot vacuums.

However, the Viomi SE is suitable for delicate wet cleaning. The cloth adheres well to the floor, leaves an even mark, and wets the floor thoroughly at maximum water flow. And don't forget that the Viomi SE can move in a Y-shape.

Obstacle clearance

This robot has excellent obstacle clearance. It can navigate thresholds up to 2 cm high without much effort.

Driving on dark surfaces

However, the robot vacuum cleaner is sensitive to dark surfaces, like most other Xiaomi models across all sub-brands. This is a drawback.

Noise level

Let's check the Viomi SE's noise levels in different modes. At minimum suction power, the noise level is around 63 dB, in Standard mode it reaches 66 dB, and in Violence mode, the peak was 71 dB. The manufacturer claims a noise level of up to 75 dB, so the robot cleans even quieter.

Let's sum it up

Viomi SE has been thoroughly reviewed and tested. our evaluation system he was able to dial 63 out of 100 pointsAnd for the price, this is a good result. The robot is positioned in the premium group of models, with robot vacuums priced above and below it in the list, priced at $300 and above. For example, the more expensive Viomi V3 scored slightly higher, 67 out of 100 points, precisely due to its more complete package and longer-lasting battery. Otherwise, the robot vacuums are comparable in cleaning performance and functionality.

Overall rating of robot vacuum cleaners tested on robovac.washerhouse.com: https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/rejtingi/robovac-obshhij-rejting-robotov-pylesosov-robo.html.

As for my personal opinion about Viomi SE, here are the advantages I can highlight, considering the price segment up to $300:

1. Good navigation.
2. Saving multiple cleaning maps in memory.
3. All advanced functionality in the application.
4. Electronic regulation of power and water supply.
5. Capable of vacuuming and washing floors at the same time.
6. Better wet cleaning.
7. High build quality.
8. Stylish design.
9. Long battery life.
10. Good cross-country ability.

The main disadvantages include:

1. Not very high quality cleaning on carpets.
2. Small total volume of compartments for water and waste.
3. Recognition of dark surfaces as elevation changes.
4. Poor equipment.

If your home or apartment doesn't have many carpets or any at all, this robot vacuum cleaner is ideal for both price and quality, costing around $250. Personally, I have a largely positive opinion of the Viomi SE after a detailed review and testing, so I can recommend it, especially if you don't want to overspend and these concerns aren't critical.

On that note, I'd like to conclude the review. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments below the video. Don't forget to subscribe and like. Happy shopping, everyone. Bye!