Ecovacs W3 Winbot Window Cleaning Robot Review: A Game-Changer for Large Windows

At a glance:

• Ecovacs' W3 Winbot is a suction-secured window cleaning robot designed for large windows.
• The robot uses a portable power/docking station and a dual power/safety cord that winds up automatically.
• The Winbot can clean up to 120 minutes of windows before needing a recharge, making it a convenient option for regular use.

Overview

Window cleaning robots have traditionally been overshadowed by robotic vacuums and lawn mowers. However, Ecovacs' W3 Winbot is a significant departure from the norm, offering a dedicated solution for cleaning large windows. Unlike the other models I tried, the W3 Omni is powered by a portable power/docking station, eliminating the need for a safety rope or manual winding of the cord. The robot is attached by a dual power/safety cord that automatically winds up when not in use. When not in use, the bot hangs off the back of the docking station, which also houses a washing machine for the cleaning pads. The system is all-in-one, with a small battery and a display on the top that gives a rough estimate of usage time before it needs to be recharged.

Performance

The startup process is straightforward: head over to the Winbot's docking station, hit the power button, release the front washing door, and remove the dry pad from the bottom of the robot. Scroll through the small onboard display and start the washing cycle. A minute goes by, and then grab the wet pad and stick it on the robot. Find the window you want to start cleaning, and place the Ecovacs W3 Omni Winbot somewhere on it. After holding the top button, it gives a little wiggle when it has sufficient suction, and it starts cleaning. The robot has several modes, including thorough cleaning, which means more passes and edge cleaning, but it uses more solution and takes more time. It's meant to be used on outside-facing glass, so it can clean off pollen and other debris that's built up over time. There's also a heavy-duty mode that requires the app. It cleans in sections, with prompts to wash the pad. The box comes with two cleaning pads, so this is a little easier. It's also not something you'll often need to make the robot do. Edge cleaning works really well because of the W3 Omni's new "True Edge" scrubbers. The robot has two rotating pads that get as close as possible to the edge of the window. They add a little mechanical action to spots where grime builds up the most. If you do it in the right order and start with thorough cleaning on outer windows, the Winbot W3 Omni does a fantastic job of getting those hard-to-reach spots. I used the heavier cleaning mode and the included solution, which seems to work just like glass cleaner, though it's built for whatever internal pumps Ecovacs uses. The one issue I have with the Winbot's build is the washing pad's tendency to leave a little "goodbye present." At the end of its cleaning cycle, some of that dust and dirt from the pad stays on the window, and it leaves a mark in the silhouette of the washing pad. You can use a paper towel or cloth to wipe it off in one stroke, but that takes away from the automated magic. At least, a little bit. Overall, though, it does a great job of cleaning any window I put it up against. On top of that, I was surprised at how long it could go without needing a charge. Remember that the battery is powering the robot itself and regular washing cycles. One charge gets you 120 minutes of cleaning according to Ecovacs. Since most windows make up very little actual runtime, the docking station hardly needs to be charged. If you're using this regularly like me, I would estimate one charge a month. The portable nature of the Winbot really drives the convenience home. If it has a charge, just carry it around wherever you need to and let it do all the work. If you have kids, make it a fun game! I would have loved to operate this little bot as a kid, even if it was a "chore."