DJI’s inaugural robovac is a self-operating cleaning drone you cannot rely on

It has been eight years since my last review of a robotic vacuum cleaner. After two months spent with a new top-tier model, I’m astonished by how far they have progressed from the initial bump-and-run versions.

DJI debuted its first robot vacuums in Europe in October. I’ve been evaluating the premium Romo P model, which is yet to have a U.S. release date. This model boasts a self-cleaning docking station, a mopping feature, and enough premium specifications and appeal that made my colleague Jen Tuohy take notice.

Jen is an expert on robot vacuums. I, on the other hand, am not. Nevertheless, I can describe the experience of transitioning from a basic model to one of these multifunctional devices, which I believe many Verge readers have contemplated.

To say that I am impressed with the capabilities of DJI’s first and finest robot vacuum would be an understatement. However, I remain unconvinced that anyone should invest over $2,000 in the DJI Romo P, no matter how much I appreciate its transparent design.

I am particularly concerned about a recently uncovered security flaw that allowed unauthorized access to owners’ homes. DJI claims the issue has been resolved, which appears to be true based on our testing, but other vulnerabilities persist. This is a significant lapse by a company that is already under scrutiny by the U.S. government for its security and data privacy practices.

My colleague Sean Hollister, who witnessed my robot being remotely accessed by a third party (with my consent), provides all the details in a separate article. I have rated the Romo based on the assumption that the security flaw has indeed been patched, yet I remain apprehensive that other vulnerabilities could still be exploited on this cloud-connected camera and microphone on wheels.

Living in a home with an untrustworthy robot is unsettling.

Initial impression: it’s enormous.

I truly lack space for an appliance the size of a mini-fridge in my cramped Dutch abode, particularly one that stands out so prominently, like a tribute to all the cleaning I once did by hand. However, my engineering mind appreciates the transparent base that is “designed to be displayed, rather than hidden away” — though that sentiment is certainly not shared by the other four members of my household.

The base station represents a significant leap from standard robot vacuums that simply have charging docks. It not only charges the Romo but also automatically empties the robot’s dust bin, refills and drains its water tank, cleans and dries its mopping pads, and even cleans itself to manage odors and mold. However, this process generates a fair amount of noise, and you still need to routinely add fresh water to the giant base station tank and empty the dirty water and collected debris. But maintenance is considerably less frequent than with a basic robot vacuum, thereby creating a nearly autonomous daily cleaner.

DJI’s robot vacuum utilizes the same sensors found in its leading drones. Its dual fisheye vision sensors and wide-angle LiDAR swiftly mapped the room in under five minutes. It effectively recognized a large area rug and understood not to mop it, unlike the surrounding concrete in our combined kitchen and living space. However, when I replaced the rug with a new one and attempted to remap, it struggled to identify it. Thus, I had to manually edit the map with some effort. Subsequent adjustments for custom cleaning routines in different rooms became easier as I grew accustomed to the DJI app.

The Romo offers excellent cleaning capabilities compared to the old Deebot N97 I previously reviewed, and it even has mopping functionality — what a luxury! Its cleaning performance in corners and edges is enhanced by a brush and mop pad on the right side, which both deploy when necessary. While cleaning, either the spinning mop pads or roller brushes lift to avoid cross-contamination.

Romo can vacuum first and subsequently mop, or if I’m short on time, it can accomplish both simultaneously without leaving a mess. Additionally, it can operate as solely a vacuum or solely a mop. The app allows for easy scheduling or immediate execution of cleaning tasks. I utilize a “quick vac” and a “kitchen mop” as needed, while planning for a “daily cleaning” and a more comprehensive “deep cleaning.” I appreciate that I can define a specific area for cleaning and fine-tune the suction power, water consumption, and number of passes required. I’ve never had such precise control over a robot vacuum, but this has become typical for these premium models.

When I sprinkled a quarter cup of oatmeal on the polished concrete, the vacuum left five flakes in standard mode, one in maximum, and none with high-power “turbo” mode enabled. Generally, I must use maximum suction or perform multiple passes to ensure my heavily trafficked floor is left spick and span. With a dog and frequent beach visits, sand tends to infiltrate everything.

On my deep-pile rug, three oatmeal flakes remained even after three passes in max turbo mode. This result is acceptable, but my upright vacuum achieves significantly better results. Romo likely would have performed better with the included bristle brush instead of the rubber roller brush… but unfortunately, my dog mistook them for chew toys shortly after I unboxed the vac. Both my wife and daughter have long hair, and Romo effectively gathers it into the hollow central part between the dual brushes, akin to Roborock’s more affordable Qrevo Curv series.

Romo features a special degreasing mode that applies cleaning solution directly to the mop pads for greasy splatters and cooking residues. This function seems effective, as it deterred my beagle from obsessively licking the floor in front of the stove. The base station is capable of washing the robot vacuum’s pads at around 60 degrees Celsius (140F) upon its return.

Even with the degreasing function activated and maximum water usage selected, the robot was unable to eliminate a line of semi-dried ketchup even after three attempts — something I easily removed with a little scrubbing. Romo did a better job with a small puddle of spilled milk, although it initially seemed hesitant to approach it. This is likely due to Romo’s design to navigate around pet waste.

I appreciate that contemporary robots are systematic, avoiding the frustratingly erratic zigzagging I typically saw with bump-and-run models. This expedites cleaning and optimizes battery life. DJI emphasizes its millimeter-level obstacle-sensing technology on the Romo. It generally functions well, but is not infallible.

Romo adeptly avoided socks, shoes with loosely tied laces, dog toys, and similar-sized objects, but faltered with smaller items like coins and buttons. Impressively, it navigated around thin playing cards, as advertised, but only if they stood out against the floor — otherwise, it simply ran over them. When I dropped a small USB cable onto the concrete, Romo consistently avoided it. Yet, on my rug, it repeatedly ran over that same cable, yet still managed to complete its cleaning cycle.

DJI’s robot vacuum also mistakenly identifies certain items as obstacles, such as a water-sealed power outlet level with the floor and the slightly elevated edge of my rug, which is only about 1cm off the ground. The plush rug in my bedroom completely stymies Romo’s grip, while the thin mat in my bathroom must be removed before cleaning or else Romo will shove it aside. Strangely, it also appears to be thrown off by a reflective aluminum dog bowl, opting to push it around rather than avoid it.

Notably, Romo has a solid way of avoiding falls down stairs, and it even managed to scale a 7.5cm (3 inch) gap from a sliding pocket door — a spot where the Deebot would have been ensnared.

DJI’s Romo is loud, yet relatively quiet for a robot vacuum. Initially, the base station emits a sudden 63dB of noise during dust collection, which can startle my dog. Additionally, because Romo functions as a mop, it must jet-wash and dry those pads upon its return, which also undergoes cleaning. During the pad drying process — which lasts several hours — I recorded a constant 35dB from the base station when measured from one meter away. This isn’t overly loud but can be exhausting. I always experience a sense of relief when the drying cycle concludes, so it’s best done at night if possible.

The vacuum emits a comparatively quiet 53dB (recorded from 1 meter) when operating at standard power, increasing to 63dB at maximum, which is my preferred setting. This isn’t terrible, but is still noisier than the 55dB from the Matic robot.

Initially, I enjoyed monitoring everything remotely, tracking progress via a real-time updated map and viewing obstacles captured by the vacuum’s camera. Communicating with my bewildered dog through Romo’s camera and microphone was endlessly amusing, but the thought that others could have observed my children made me extremely uncomfortable! The remote video feature requires a pin for activation, and the vacuum announces that “remote video is starting,” but that does not prevent unauthorized access.

The personal decision to allow a robot equipped with cloud-connected cameras, a microphone, and visual sensors into your home carries privacy and security implications. While the U.S. government views DJI as a risk, many perceive the U.S. government as a risk as well. Regardless, I disabled the remote video feature on Romo and covered the camera with tape for the last few days of testing.

After more than 50 cleaning runs and 820 square meters covered, both the transparent vacuum and base continue to appear virtually pristine, despite the dirty tasks they have managed. I only discovered a scarf or blanket getting stuck in the vacuum twice, which halted its cleaning process. In these instances, I received a notification on my phone along with a picture of the obstruction.

Within 26 hours of operation, I had to refill or empty the water tanks of the base station three times, yet the 2.4L dust bag remains far from full. While disposing of the wastewater in the toilet is unpleasant, the base station itself is odorless. With self-cleaning capabilities, it employs high-pressure jets to rid itself of any debris collected. Nevertheless, DJI advises inspecting it every three months.

I must admit, I’ve enjoyed having a robot that can efficiently vacuum and mop my floors with considerably less effort compared to budget options. Romo is a commendable first attempt, similar to DJI’s debut e-bike. I’m now a proponent of multifunctional bases, yet DJI’s pricing and past security incidents warrant exploring other options.

Investing €1,899 (approx. $2,250) in the premier Romo P model secures a highly effective, nearly autonomous cleaning drone from DJI. However, for the same investment, you could hire a human housekeeper for about one hour weekly for nearly two years, who will accomplish more than just mopping and vacuuming. The €1,299 (around $1,500) Romo S might lack the transparent design and a few fanciful cleaning features, but provides far greater value.

Be aware that numerous decent robot vacuums priced between $500 and $800 from brands like Roborock and Ecovacs should perform comparably to the DJI Romo, with the very best not exceeding $1,300. The Roborock Qrevo Curvx is extremely similar for only $899.

Alternatively, perhaps all you truly require is a $200-ish bump-and-run robot vacuum that demands more manual input but won’t expose your home to a rogue HAL on wheels.

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge