We analyze the iLife V8S robot vacuum cleaner, one of the most complete at the lowest price

Cleaning robots have become more and more common in our homes, home automation is entering through the big door and one of the main problems of this spiral of stress that surrounds us is precisely the time for cleaning, that is why some brands such as iRobot, iLife or Conga have specialized in making our lives easier. We have in our hands the No products found.

iLife V8S is an intelligent cleaning robot capable of scrubbing, sweeping and vacuuming in a single device, stay with us to discover what this peculiar device consists of. So much so that it has become one of the main alternatives to consider due to its very tight relationship between quality and price.

We stand before one of the few devices that, in addition to sweeping and vacuuming, has an intelligent scrubbing system, although we have to place the right hopes in the face of this type of "wetter" work, especially considering that they rather opt for the mop system so common in Anglo-Saxon culture, far from the results offered by a traditional mop , but pleasantly satisfying for a daily cleaning.

During IFA 2018 we met iLife V8S

As we have just mentioned, it was during the last IFA of this year 2018 when Chuwi, the main brand and owner of iLife, presented this peculiar device wanting to attract an important market due to its tight price, despite being the most expensive of iLife is remarkably cheap when compared to competitions. Its launch price was approximately 280 euros, although if you stay until the end you can get it for almost half. Is this iLive V8S really good enough to stand up to established rivals?

Design and materials: A well-established standard

Here neither iLife nor any brand has the slightest intention of going beyond the preset. We have 13 inches in diameter and a height of approximately eight inches, something very similar to the rest of the products of the same company, and also of the competition. Built in rigid plastic on all four sides (metaphorical, since it is totally round), it presents a superior design that imitates brushed metal but as we have said, it is completely polished plastic, not very resistant to scratches, although being an imitation of metal. it is unlikely to show dust (a fairly common malady in these products) and fingerprints.

At the top it has its huge Play button to start it in automatic mode, followed by another slightly smaller random cleaning button. The upper part is crowned by a small LED information screen that will give us the time and the cleaning data. We also have the rest of the buttons (exactly three) dedicated to the rest of the cleaning functions.

Box contents

• 4x cleaning brushes (2x each zone)
• 2 scrub mops
• Remote control and timer
• Charging base
• Power adapter
• Cleaning tool
• 2x HEPA filter

The upper part is left for the "dumb" wheel that allows it to pivot on itself at the front, surrounded by the anti-fall sensors. The sides are governed by the brushes that drag the dirt towards the vacuum system, located in the center. For the rear part, there is the dirt tank and the mop in the event that we have decided to install just this accessory. The total weight of the device is 2,7 Kg, little considering the abilities, but it is due to a great absence, the rotating central brush.

Garbage suction and storage: Good suction but a big absentee

We once again emphasize that we are missing a detail so that this robot vacuum cleaner meets all our needs, that is, this time we are going to start with its most negative point. It lacks a central brush that performs a much more thorough cleaning prior to vacuuming, I am not very clear why the iLife team has been able to leave this accessory out, it certainly makes the device offer somewhat lower results than expected.

Regarding the suction power we enjoy between 900 and 1.000 Pa, enough for a classic cleaning. To store the dirt it has a 0,75 liter scavenging tank which is quite large and has given us quite good results, for its part, the water tank for wet cleaning has only 0,3 liters, so we do not recommend cleaning the whole house with a tank, in addition, this we it will invite you to change the mop, which may have reached its dirt pick-up limit before the deposit runs out.

Autonomy and noise levels: within expectations

When we use the basic suction level, the noise is almost non-existent, the thing changes when through the control or its own button panel we order the iLife V8S to suck at the full lung, where we obtain noise levels very close to 70 dB in total. While it is not annoying, it also does not offer a characteristic enough noise level to differentiate it from any rival, but it is far from being the loudest on the market, it does not bother at all, daily cleaning becomes pleasant, and this is extremely important in homes where there are pets given to have problems with this type of products such as cats.

Autonomy is a little more in question, According to the mark, we have 80 minutes in total, which in my experience of use have remained between 50 and 60 with efficient use. For this, it uses a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 2.600 mAh. However, it has a characteristic that is strictly necessary for me at the technological height in which we find ourselves, and that is that automatically returns to its charging base When it detects that autonomy is reduced, it prepares for the next round of cleaning. To carry out a full charge with its base it will require approximately four hours, it should be noted that it also has a physical charging port on the side next to the disconnect button that will allow us to charge it anywhere.

Cleaning modes and extra specifications

iLife gives your devices without scanning capabilities a series of standardized cleaning modes that will allow us to adjust the device to the needs of each moment:

• Automatic: The device will clean automatically as long as it does not encounter obstacles, totally random
• Mode route: The device will move between lines within the same room to clean a range
• Mode bordered: The device will choose a point and begin to border the room at the ends, avoiding the centers, always around the skirting boards and obstacles

In addition, thanks to the command and the screen we will be able to program weekly to the iLife V8S to carry out certain cleaning according to our needs. We do not have an application or a scanning system, so the programming is presumed totally analog and any problems that the iLife V8S encounters in its cleaning routine will either be solved randomly or cause total inefficiency.

For its part, the iLife V8S has a series of sensors that make your daily cleaning more efficient:

• Fall arrest sensors
• Eight proximity sensors to avoid large obstacles
• Rubber coated bumper for small obstacles

Does it really scrub? A point that is important to clarify

iLife promises a "scrubbing" system. Actually it has a motor integrated in the tank dedicated to progressively moistening the mop in two lateral points. It's as easy as filling the 300ml reservoir, inserting it where the vacuum cleaner's waste storage is located and putting the mop rubbers on. That is why it is important to remember that it is not a scrubbing system designed for large surfaces or more problematic floors.

It is ideal for wiping a wet mop that we can moisten with detergents that take care of our floor, the problem is that it is highly inefficient on any surface that is not parquet or flooring. Places with mineral floors such as the kitchen or bathroom are affected by the low absorption capacity. Therefore, I personally discard this product to scrub those areas, however, the result on the floor is quite good, combined with cleaning products, take care of your parquet in a gentle way, although you should forget about removing entrenched stains for obvious reasons.

User experience and editor's opinion

We have been testing the iLife V8S for a long time and the truth is that we have found ourselves before a product that wants to be so complete that it can sin of not specializing in anything. It does not offer the same sweeping quality as those with a central brush, its most negative point, although it shows more than enough for a daily cleaning, it does not give the same results.

At the level of functionality and autonomy, it provides correct results and the scrubbing system is limited to wooden floors in real practical use. So, we are facing the cheapest alternative if what we are looking for is a combination of vacuuming and scrubbing, it will give good results if we are looking for daily cleaning and especially absorption of animal hair and fluff.

The device has a discount code that iLife has granted to our readers, during this Amazon Prime Day you can buy it for 199,99 euros, and if you take advantage of our discount code by entering «V8SCHMTR »When processing the purchase, it will stay at 195 euros. Therefore, take advantage and buy the iLife V8S at No products found..

Pros and cons