DJI’s initial robovac is a self-sufficient cleaning drone that you cannot rely on

It’s been eight years since I last assessed a robotic vacuum. After spending the last two months with a new top-tier model, I’m astonished at how far they’ve progressed from earlier bump-and-run versions.

In October, DJI debuted its inaugural robovacs in Europe. I’ve been evaluating the premium Romo P model, which is yet to have a US release date. It features a self-cleaning base, a mopping capability, and an array of high-end features and appeal that caught my colleague Jen Tuohy’s attention.

Jen is a genuine expert on robovacs. I am, to be clear, not. However, I can share my experience of transitioning from a basic model to one of these multifunctional devices, a shift many Verge readers might have contemplated.

To say I’m impressed by the capabilities of the drone manufacturer’s first and finest robot vacuum is an understatement. Nonetheless, I remain unconvinced that anyone should invest over $2,000 in the DJI Romo P, no matter how much I admire its clear design.

I’m particularly concerned about a recently exploited security flaw that allowed unauthorized individuals to view inside homeowners’ residences. DJI claims to have resolved the vulnerability, and that appears true based on our testing, yet other issues persist. It’s a significant oversight from a company already scrutinized by the US government due to concerns regarding security and data privacy.

My colleague Sean Hollister, who observed my robot being accessed remotely by an external party (with my consent), has all the details in a separate article. I’ve rated the Romo with the understanding that the vulnerability has indeed been addressed, but with ongoing concerns that further issues might still be taken advantage of on this cloud-connected camera and microphone on wheels.

It’s uncomfortable to reside in a home with a robot you can’t trust.

Initial observation: it’s massive.

I don’t have enough room for an appliance the size of a mini-fridge in my compact Dutch residence, particularly one that stands out like a monument to all the cleaning I used to do manually. However, my engineering sensibilities are quite taken with the transparent base that’s “designed for display, not just storage” — but this impression is certainly not shared by the other members of my five-person family.

The base station is a tremendous improvement over traditional robovacs with docking stations. It not only charges the Romo but also automatically empties its dust container, refills and drains its water reservoir, cleans and dries its mopping pads, and even cleans the docking station itself to manage odors and mold. However, the whole process is rather noisy, and you still need to frequently refill the larger base’s water tank and empty the dirty water and debris it gathers. But upkeep is significantly less frequent compared to a standard robovac, leading to a nearly autonomous daily cleaning experience.

DJI’s robotic vacuum utilizes the same sensors featured in its flagship drones. Its dual fisheye cameras and wide-angle LiDAR quickly mapped the room in under five minutes. It accurately recognized a large rug and avoided mopping it, in contrast to the surrounding concrete of our open kitchen and living room. However, when I replaced the rug with a new one and reattempted the mapping, it did not identify it correctly. Therefore, with some effort, I had to manually adjust the map. The following edits to make customized cleaning routines by room were easier as I became more accustomed to the DJI app.

DJI’s Romo performs exceptionally well compared to the obsolete Deebot N97 I assessed, and it also mops — what a luxury! It excels in corners and edges due to a brush and mop pad on the right side that both extend when necessary. Moreover, when it’s cleaning, either the spinning mop pads or roller brushes will lift to prevent cross-contamination.

Romo can vacuum first and then mop afterward, or, if I’m pressed for time, do both at once without making a mess. It can also operate just as a vacuum or solely as a mop. The app simplifies the creation of cleaning tasks that can be scheduled or executed on demand. I utilize a “quick vac” and “kitchen mop” when necessary and schedule a fast “daily clean” and a more detailed “deep clean.” I appreciate that I can focus on a specific area and finely adjust suction power, water consumption, and the number of passes. I have never had such detailed control over a robovac, but this has now become standard for these advanced cleaners.

I scattered a quarter cup of oatmeal on the polished concrete and the vacuum left five flakes in standard suction mode, one on max mode, and none with high-powered “turbo” activated. Generally, I require max suction or need to do multiple rounds to ensure my busiest floor is left free of grit. We have a dog and spend a lot of time at the beach, so sand tends to accumulate everywhere.

On my high-pile rug, three flakes of oatmeal persisted even after three passes using max turbo mode. Not terrible, but my upright vacuum is significantly more effective. Romo would probably have performed better had I swapped the rubber roller brush for the included bristle brush… but my dog quickly regarded them as chew toys shortly after unboxing the vacuum. My wife and daughter both have long hair, and Romo does a commendable job of sweeping it into the hollow area between the duo-divide brushes, similar to Roborock’s less costly Qrevo Curv series.

Romo features a degreasing mode that applies cleaning solution directly to the mop pads for grease splatters and cooking stains. It appears effective, as it dissuaded my dog — a very ravenous beagle — from persistently licking the floor in front of the stovetop. The base station can clean the vacuum’s pads at about 60 degrees Celsius (140F) when it returns.

Even while in degreasing mode with maximum water usage selected, the vacuum struggled to eliminate a line of semi-dried ketchup after three passes — something I could remove in seconds with a bit of elbow grease. Romo performed better with a small spill of milk, although it initially hesitated to navigate around it. This might be due to Romo being programmed to steer clear of pet waste.

I appreciate that modern robots operate in a methodical manner, avoiding the frustratingly erratic zigzagging I’ve come to expect from bump-and-run models. This improves cleaning efficiency and enhances battery life. DJI touts its millimeter-level obstacle detection technology on the Romo. It generally functions well, yet it’s not infallible.

Romo deftly dodged socks, shoes with loosely tied laces, dog toys, and objects the size of poop, but struggled with smaller items like coins and buttons. Remarkably, it maneuvered around thin playing cards, as promoted, but only if they contrasted sufficiently with the floor — otherwise, it simply ran over them. When I dropped a small USB cable onto my concrete floor, Romo avoided it consistently. However, on my rug, it repeatedly ran over the same cable yet still managed to finish its cleaning tasks.

DJI’s robovac also identifies certain items as obstacles that shouldn’t be, such as a water-sealed power outlet that sits flush with the floor and the slightly raised corner of my rug, which is no more than 1cm high. The even softer rug in my bedroom has completely thwarted Romo’s grip, while the thin throw rug in my bathroom must be removed before cleaning; otherwise, Romo will push it into a heap. Strangely, it seems to be fooled by a reflective aluminum dog bowl, which it will push along the floor instead of avoiding.

Importantly, Romo skillfully avoids falling down stairs and even managed to overcome a 7.5cm (3 inch) gap for a sliding pocket door — a spot where the Deebot would easily become stuck.

DJI’s Romo is loud, yet relatively subdued for a robovac. When cleaning begins, the base station produces an abrupt 63dB spike from its dust-collecting efforts, sufficient to startle my dog into a panic. And because Romo doubles as a mop, it needs to spray and dry those pads after returning to the base, which also undergoes a wash. During the drying phase — a process that takes several hours — I measured a steady 35dB from the base station when positioned one meter away. That’s not particularly loud but can be exhausting. I experience a sense of relief when the drying cycle concludes, so it’s best to schedule it at night if possible.

The robovac generates a relatively quiet 53dB (measured at a distance of 1 meter) when operating at standard intensity, or reaches up to 63dB at maximum, my favored setting. This level isn’t too bad but still surpasses the 55dB output of the Matic robot.

Initially, I appreciated being able to monitor everything remotely, tracking progress on a map refreshed in real-time and even viewing obstacles recorded by the vacuum’s camera. Chatting with my confused dog via Romo’s camera and mic provided endless amusement, but the thought of others potentially watching my kids startled me greatly! The remote video feature requires a pin, and the robot announces when “remote video is starting,” yet that does not prevent the streams from being potentially monitored.

The personal choice of inviting a robot equipped with cloud-connected cameras, microphones, and vision sensors into your home carries inherent privacy and security risks. Yes, the US government views DJI as a danger, but many individuals see the US government itself as a threat. Regardless, I disabled remote video functionality on the Romo and covered the camera with tape for the last few days of testing.

With over 50 test runs and 820 square meters cleaned, the transparent vacuum and base still appear almost pristine, despite the challenging tasks they’ve handled. Only twice did I discover that a scarf or blanket had been sucked into the vacuum, causing it to halt cleaning. When this occurred, I received an alert on my phone accompanied by an image of the obstruction.

I’ve had to refill or empty the base station’s water tanks three times during 26 hours of use, but the large 2.4L dust bag remains unfilled. Emptying the wastewater into the toilet can be unpleasant, yet the base station itself stays odor-free. The base station cleans itself, utilizing high-pressure jets that wash away any accumulated debris. Still, DJI recommends inspecting it every three months.

I must say, I’ve enjoyed having a robot that can effectively vacuum and mop my floors with far less involvement than budget vacuums require. Romo stands out as a commendable first attempt, much like DJI’s first e-bike. I’m now convinced about the value of multipurpose base stations, but DJI’s high pricing and past security issues serve as significant reasons to explore alternatives.

Spending €1,899 (roughly $2,250) on the top-tier Romo P model secures you an impressive, nearly autonomous DJI cleaning robot. However, with that same budget, you could hire a human housekeeper for roughly one hour each week for about two years, providing more services than just mopping and vacuuming your floors. The €1,299 (about $1,500) Romo S lacks the transparent design and several unnecessary cleaning features but offers significantly better value.

Just keep in mind that there are many solid robot vacuums available in the $500 to $800 range from brands such as Roborock and Ecovacs that should perform comparably to the DJI Romo, with the highest-rated options costing no more than $1,300. The Roborock Qrevo Curvx is very comparable for only $899.

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

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge