Xiaomi has added three robot vacuums to its South African line-up: the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 6, Robot Vacuum 6 Pro and Robot Vacuum 6 Max. They cost between R13,799 and R24,999.
Suction is the main selling point. The 6 and 6 Pro are rated at 30,000Pa, and the 6 Max at 35,000Pa, which Xiaomi says is the highest in its own robot vacuum range. All three mop as well as vacuum, wash the mop at the dock, and use a camera to spot obstacles.
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 6 (R13,799)
This is the cheapest of the three, and it has more than you’d expect at that price. It has 30,000Pa of suction and a roller mop. It can climb obstacles up to 4cm high, and its camera recognizes over 220 types of obstacle. The body is slim enough to get under most furniture.
The base station washes the mop with 80-degree hot water and can run for up to 75 days without you emptying it. Buy on Takealot
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 6 Pro (R21,999)
The Pro keeps the same 30,000Pa motor. What you pay extra for is the sensing. Three cameras recognise more than 280 objects, including cables as thin as 3mm, and 360-degree LiDAR handles navigation. It also detects pets and steers around them. Through the Xiaomi Home app (called Mi Home in the original release) you can check in on your pet while you’re out.
It recognises 47 stain types and changes its approach to suit. For crumbs and grit it raises suction. For a liquid spill it washes the mop first, then goes back over it. If a spill mixes solids and liquid and it expects to smear it, it leaves it alone.
The roller mop has 16 water outlets to keep the pad evenly damp, and two extending arms reach along walls and into corners. The battery is rated at 4,800mAh (5,200mAh nominal) and takes about 4.5 hours to charge. The Omni station empties the dust bin, washes the mop in hot water and dries it.
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 6 Max (R24,999)
The Max has the 35,000Pa motor and the Pro’s three-camera system. Its bionic legs lift it over single steps up to 6cm high. When clearance is at least 9.3cm, it lowers its LiDAR turret and drives under furniture. It stands about 9cm tall with the turret down.
Three mechanical arms cover edges and corners. The roller cleans itself, the side brushes are designed not to tangle, and the main brush cuts hair as it goes. The battery is rated at 5,800mAh (6,400mAh nominal), with the same 4.5-hour charge time. It works with Xiaomi HyperOS Connect, so it can link to Xiaomi air purifiers and humidifiers. The Omni station washes and dries the mop. Buy on Takealot
Which to buy
| Robot Vacuum 6 | Robot Vacuum 6 Pro | Robot Vacuum 6 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | R13,799 | R21,999 | R24,999 |
| Suction | 30,000Pa | 30,000Pa | 35,000Pa |
| Obstacle recognition | 220+ types | 280+ objects, down to 3mm | 280+ objects, down to 3mm |
| Climbs | 4cm | Not stated | 6cm |
| Mop arms | None stated | Two | Three |
| Battery | Not stated | 4,800mAh | 5,800mAh |
If you only want good suction and a self-washing dock, the standard 6 does that for R8,000 less than the Pro. The Pro makes sense if you have pets or want stain-aware cleaning. Buy the Max if your home has raised thresholds or steps, or if you want the biggest battery.
