Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 950 vacuum robot for $429.99 | 399,99€ at Amazon

After many were a bit disappointed by the announced map storage of several floors in the Roborock S6, Ecovacs is moving away with the new flagship model. It should also be able to recognize carpets while wiping. The  We have already tested the Deebot Ozmo 950. Spoiler: An all-purpose weapon for the household.

• Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 950 vacuum robot
  • at Amazon for $429.99
  • at  Amazon.de for 399,99€ | Amazon.com.au for $799 – activate $200 coupon

Technical data: Comparison to Ozmo 930

Recently Ecovacs has released a firmware update that includes the following features and improvements:

• Manual room division: Owners of the O950 can now manually join individual areas together or divide larger areas into smaller ones.
• Label function: icons can be added to individual areas so that they can be distinguished (living room, bathroom, etc.) Own designations are not (yet) possible.
• Cleaning plans for each area: Day, time and rhythm can be created and switched on and off individually for each area.
• Virtual walls with scale tool (in meters): No longer just a box, now it is also possible to draw lines on the map. With the scale tool, boundaries can be defined even more precisely.

Scope of delivery

The Ozmo 950 is the first to emerge from a secure and tidy package (as usual from Ecovacs), and there’s also a lot more in the package:

• Charging station with charging cable
• two additional brush heads (two are mounted at the bottom)
• 0,2 l small water tank with microfibre cloth
• 5 cleaning cloths
• additional HEPA filter (one already at dust chamber)
• Attachment for direct vacuuming (good for cleaning carpets)
• small cleaning tool
• Operating instructions in every imaginable language
  • Manual and FAQ also in the app
• short Quick Start Guide

A generous scope of supply, all due respect. It is always nice to have some spare parts like additional brush heads and HEPA filters with you. But what gives me a headache are the 5 enclosed cleaning cloths. If these cannot be washed out, but can only be used once per wiping process, this is anything but environmentally friendly. We already know this from the Roborock S6, but the cloths here look a bit more machine washable. We’ll see.

When unpacking, it becomes clear that the water tank is identical to that of the Ozmo 900. Can you hope for such a good wiping function? More about that later. In any case, the enclosed attachment is nice, which enables the 950 to be directly vacuumed (without a brush in front of it). This is used in particular on long-floor carpets on which the brush does not grip.

Design and workmanship

First impression, if we look at the robot only optically: Really stylish device! Extremely high-quality plastic, matt black, nothing seems cheap. But the highlight in terms of design is the area under and around the flap on the top. The first thought here is that the material used is textile (which would be a blast), but on closer inspection you will notice that it is a slightly roughened plastic. Looks really good (and feels good too). Every editor in the office wanted to feel.

On the upper side you can find the LDS (Laser Distance Sensor), which we also know from the Xiaomi models. This brings the robot to a height of 9.3 cm, but it is even lower than most models with a laser tower. In general, the robot doesn’t look as clumsy as comparable models. Before you buy, you should still check whether the robot fits under the sofa or the chest of drawers (anywhere you want it to vacuum). Otherwise, you may have to increase them.

The processing is top as expected, no processing errors can be detected. As we already know it from the Ozmo 900 and Ozmo 930, there is a reset button, the on/off switch and the dust chamber under the flap on the top.

A CE mark can also be found on the underside of the robot, where the main brush, which can also be found, can be removed and cleaned easily.

Optically and in terms of workmanship the most beautiful Ecovacs model so far. What do you think about the design?

Charging station and working time

Basic requirement for vauum robots above the $200 limit? Find the charging station for charging the battery autonomously within a few seconds. No problem for the Ozmo 950, provided it is started from it. Since it can scan the environment for the station with its laser distance sensor (and always knows where it is), it is easy for it to do so.

After a full working time of 3 hours, the robot must return to the station. On average, a good vacuum robot has 2 hours of working time – 3 hours is quite an announcement. But hey, if you advertise to be able to store several floors as cards, you should probably also have the battery power for several floors. ? Of course, the working time varies depending on the “degree of difficulty” of the premises.

As the battery level decreases, the robot “returns home” and recharges the battery. However, it also determines whether it has already finished cleaning all the rooms or not. If it is not yet finished, it automatically continues cleaning after charging the battery. You can call that really smart.

Ecovacs packs the same charging station as the Ozmo 900 into the package again, so the charging cable can be rolled up on the back again. So it does not get in the way and does not serve as a trip hazard (for the robot and the person).

Operation and navigation of the Ozmo 950

Using the laser distance sensor, the O950 scans the premises, providing the most accurate navigation method available.

Ecovacs calls the software package inside the robot “Smart Navi 3.0 Technology“, which was also used on the Ozmo 900. This technology makes it possible to scan and create a map of the premises (mapping). The result is displayed live in the app, so you know where the robot is in the four walls (including the route).

The collision sensors prevent frontal collisions and falls from heights, such as stair treads. In general, obstacle detection by the laser distance sensor is exemplary; furniture is only lightly hit (if at all). It approaches the obstacle to within a few centimetres, brakes and then approaches the object to be cleaned to within a few millimetres. So even more sensitive pieces of furniture do not run the risk of falling over (e.g. vases).

https://youtu.be/85dRFA6PU2U

Ecovacs is already working on a technology that will enable robots to recognize cables and socks in the future. Especially cables are not a friend of robots, they get entangled in them or even destroy them in the worst case. Maybe we will be lucky and Ecovacs will present the “KI AIVI” at IFA (we will also be there) as a new achievement.

Overcoming obstacles and dust chamber

Ecovacs has also done some work on overcoming obstacles, the robot overcomes obstacles of up to 2 cm in height thanks to improved drive mechanics – provided these are slightly rounded. With completely straight obstacles, such as door thresholds, the end is at 1.5 cm – the Xiaomi and Roborock models can do more (up to 2.5 cm).

During cleaning, a V-shaped main brush rotates on the underside. Further forward, two rotating brush heads are placed, which push dust and dirt in front of them towards the main brush. Under the main brush is the intake hood, i.e. the way to the 0.4 l small dust chamber.

The dust chamber can be found as usual under the flap on the upper side. Practically it can be emptied contact-free over the garbage can, so allergy sufferers like me have no problems with it.

In addition, the vacuum robot sends voice messages about everything that is bothering it at the moment. However, this can be displayed in the app. Fortunately, because the voice presetting is much too loud and penetrating (because very active).

The “Ecovacs Home” app: control and functions

The new app from Ecovacs is called Ecovacs Home (Android, iOS). The robot can also be used without an app, but offers much less functions – which you wouldn’t want to miss with a $600 model. You could start and stop the robot manually using the control element on the top.

After downloading the app, the (disposable) mail address must be used for registration as usual.

As usual from Ecovacs, the integration into the WLAN is uncomplicated and takes less than a minute. The vacuum robot is then displayed in the app as “Online”. The app then wants you to “introduce yourself” to the robot: Activate continued cleaning and set DND mode (Do Not Disturb)? Advisable.

Continued cleaning when the battery is low

With continued cleaning activated, the robot detects whether the cleaning of the rooms is complete or not. If the robot has not been everywhere when the battery power is reduced, it returns to the charging station, recharges the battery and then does the remaining work. Ergo recommended and smart.

The Do-Not-Disturb mode is used to define a period of time during the day (e.g. 22-7 hrs) during which the robot does not communicate via voice messages and uses the quiet suction stage. However, this also presupposes that the robot is explicitly allowed to run within this time period, for example because the working times have been deliberately set in this way.

On the quiet vacuum level, the operating volume is 45 dB, on standard 55 dB, on maximum 60 dB and on maximum+ 67 dB. These are average values; the quiet vacuum level is so quiet that you think the robot is not working at all. By way of comparison, we humans talk at an average volume of 60 dB.

With the OTA technology (“Over-the-Air”) the DEEBOT has a simple update procedure. Firmware updates and thus new functions are loaded onto the robot via WLAN. To do this, the O900 must be located at the charging station so that the battery performance does not diminish during the download.

Further setting options

The variety of selectable settings within the app is very large. To give you an overview, I list these briefly with explanation:

• Set suction power (Quiet, Standard, Maximum, Maximum+)
  • Working time and noise level vary accordingly
• Set water flow rate (Low, Medium, High, Very high)
  • how much water from the water tank should land on the microfiber cloth?
• Choose the language of the robot (German, English, French etc.)
• Cleaning cloth reminder (when to change?)
• Auto suction power amplification (carpet detection, increases suction power on carpets)
• Cleaning schedule (define working times of the robot)
• Restore map (reset current map)
• Multifloor card (if cards from several floors are to be stored: Switch on!)
• Switching voice messages on and off (unfortunately not volume adjustable, but only on or off)

In addition, the condition of the wearing parts (use of accessories) and the cleaning protocol (when, how long and how much work) can be traced.

But what is the most exciting and innovative attitude? That’s right, the multifloor map, which makes it possible to save the maps created for several floors. So you can use the robot in bigger houses without any problems. But before we can do that, we first have to create the maps. Next stop: Mapping.

Mapping: Map display in the app

As explained above, the vacuum robot measures the four walls using its laser distance sensor (LDS). It displays what it finds in front of it as a map in the app. Since he knows within seconds where he has to stake out a single area in the premises, he first travels the outer walls (or obstacles) and then “fills up” these drawn quadrants by traversing them in straight paths (called Z-shaped mode). See for yourself:

The procedure is very efficient as the robot does not leave out any area of the premises. Unless, of course, there is an obstacle in the way that it cannot get past due to its dimensions (clotheslines are no problem). Before the first cleaning it is advisable to remove smaller elements such as toys, socks and cables, as the robot does not (yet) recognize them. But Ecovacs is working on it with its KI AIVI technology.

What sets the Ozmo 950 apart from other models in this price range: It detects carpets (with carpet detection switched on) absolutely reliably and even records them on the map (see screenshot above). Why is this advantageous? This area can be delimited with a special “non-wipe zone” or virtual wall so that the carpet does not get wet when wiped. In addition, the vacuum robot increases the suction power as soon as it detects a carpet underneath it.

I once tried to show this in the video (Sound on, excuses the picture quality):

https://youtu.be/ELh_1y7HZKQ

By the live representation of the map one can understand also from on the way (office, university etc.) where the robot is at present. If you don’t watch the robot on its way in the app, the robot will also send push notifications to the smartphone (if you want).

Room layout, virtual walls and non-wipe zones

Probably everyone at home has their own area where they don’t want the robot to work – and they just aren’t willing to put cables or carpets away. For this you can draw virtual walls and non-wiping zones on the map (after having let the robot drive all the rooms once). Virtual walls (screenshot below red) are not crossed by the robot, non-wipe zones are ignored by the robot with the wipe function switched on.

This allows the robot, which is already acting intelligently, to be given even more precise instructions as to where it should work and where not. Examples at my home, where he should not work: The cable corner, where, among other things, the television is connected, glass bottles in the kitchen that stand on the floor. Logical, sensitive corners.

Where it shouldn’t wipe with me: under the desk and on the carpet. Briefly pull squares to the right place with your fingers, confirm, easy.

In addition, Go-To zones can also be drawn in, allowing the robot to specifically vacuum or wipe a specific area. For example, if you have tilted the cereal at the breakfast table. Laziness is becoming more and more common if you have a vacuum robot. Believe me. Just the way he works the carpet here:

https://youtu.be/8HUAt4vEieo

Even if this has already been said far too often in vacuum robot advertising and sounds hackneyed: If you have a vacuum robot as good as the Ozmo 950 at home, you really have more time for other things than housework. You don’t have to worry (if there are no cables or vases in the way) about letting the robot drive while you’re on the road. He simply does his job, ergo what you expect from him. And that even on several floors.

Selective room division also controllable via Alexa

Ecovacs is very generous when it comes to firmware updates, at least when it comes to the top models. Thus, the Ozmo 950 first got the selective room division, in which the individual rooms can also be made recognizable by means of icons (e.g. bed for bedroom, bathtub for bathroom etc.). Moreover, the WLAN coverage can be displayed within your own four walls. Then everything looks like this:

With the update you can have the rooms run in a certain order or you can have only a certain number of rooms vacuumed. Another firmware update (end of March 2020) was then quietly and secretly delivered by Ecovacs, which means that individual room cleaning can also be controlled via Amazon Alexa. From Ecovacs’ point of view, this is only possible with the Ozmo 950 and its almost identical little brother, the Ozmo 920.

Possible voice commands in area cleaning are for example (all start with “Alexa, tell DEEBOT that …”)

• “to vacuum the guest room.”
• “he should mop the master bedroom.”
• “the nursery is waiting for him.”
• “the children have made a bit of a mess in the kitchen.”

This makes Ecovacs the first manufacturer after iRobot to implement this specific control in (as of April 2020) two models.

Card storage of several floors

Ecovacs calls “Multi-Floor-Mopping” one of the two exciting innovations. In other words, you can save several floors as maps and call them up again. Ecovacs provides the instructions in the app:

1. Ozmo 950 and charging station to another floor.
2. Start cleaning from the charging station.
3. A new card is created and saved.

Of course, you still have to transport it to another floor by muscle power (or lifta?). This may take some time before robots can climb stairs. However, two steps in the app still have to be taken in order for floor storage to work.

• Activate “Advanced mode” in the settings.
• Activate “Multi-storey cleaning” in the settings.
• Switch on location on smartphone.

After you have followed the first map with the second map, you can also save the second map. I have tried the functions in several buildings and floors – it works fine. Up to three maps can be easily recalled under the app menu item “Map management”. Looks like this:

Thus the systematic cleaning from room to room reaches a new standard: Ecovacs succeeds in installing the card storage of several floors error-free on one device before Roborock, Xiaomi or ILIFE. We hope that the other manufacturers will make improvements to their top models – for example, by updating the firmware?

The wiping function

“During wiping, the DEEBOT automatically avoids carpets and only wipes the hard floor”. You can read this announcement on the Ecovacs page. And indeed: Even when using the wipe function, not a single drop lands on my carpets in several trips. Of course, you can also draw “non-wiping zones” on the map for safety’s sake.

To use the wipe function of the robot, you don’t have to set anything extra within the app, just follow the steps below and the O950 recognizes by itself that it should wipe.

Water quantity adjustable

The amount of water that lands on the microfibre cloth can be adjusted in the app. If you could choose between low, medium and high water flow rate in the Ozmo 900 under the menu item “Water flow rate”, you will now find the additional option “very high“, but also the hint that the ground could get so wet that the robot with its tires could slip on it.

The amount of water you should set depends very much on which floor you want the robot to wipe and requires some trial and error. Sometimes the 0.2 l small water tank is empty too quickly or the floor too wet, then again there is too little water on the floor. But here you find a solution with which you agree.

The Ozmo 950 does not replace manual mop wiping, but once a month you will still have to wipe twice. For a vacuum robot, however, this wiping function can currently be described as “very good”.

Conclusion: Buy Ecovac’s DEEBOT Ozmo 950?

Recently I have been impressed by several models in the test phase, especially the Roborock S6 and 360 S7. When it comes to technology, features and the overall package, you have to be envious: The other manufacturers will have to follow suit, Ecovacs is presenting a flagship model that has been thought through from front to back. Only the suction power could be higher, but the cleaning results are still impressive – both on hard floors and on carpet.

Multiple floor map storage and carpet detection when the wipe function is activated – these are the two top features that make the Ozmo 950 not only a top model, but also a rather expensive one. Almost $800 is a price to consider if you really need this functionality. If you don’t have several floors, you can also use other models. Maybe you just want to vacuum, but don’t want to have it wiped off?

But if you’re willing to spend the money, you’ll get the most varied overall package you can expect. How do I know that? I recently had the iRobot Roomba i7+ here and am just trying out the Vorwerk VR300. Both models are above $900 – and are neither so powerful nor do they have so many functions.