The short version

Key points

  • The separate water station can connect to a household water line and sewage outlet, allowing automated water filling and disposal.
  • Its spinning roller mop cleans itself inside the robot, helping keep dirt and odours contained.
  • The robot delivers strong vacuuming at 65,000 Pa and particularly effective mopping performance.
  • The S10 is taller and heavier than many robot vacuums, with relatively small wheels and limited battery life.
  • Obstacle detection is useful for large objects but may miss Lego and small metal cars, while dark carpet requires a software setting.

A robot vacuum with a different docking system

The SwitchBot S10 is designed around two separate stations. The auto-empty station stores up to 4 litres of dust, which SwitchBot says is enough for around 30 to 40 days, depending on how dirty the home is. Its large side-opening suction path is intended to reduce the chance of bigger objects becoming stuck in the roller mechanism.

The robot itself is larger and heavier than many competing models. That added size can prevent it from reaching underneath some couches and tables. It also has relatively small wheels, which may make it slower on very thick carpet and could use more battery. The battery runtime was considered shorter than expected for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home.

The separately plumbed water station

The S10's most distinctive feature is its separate water station. It has small clean and dirty water containers, but the station is designed to connect directly to a household water line and sewage outlet. It does not require its own power and is powered by the robot.

The station can be positioned in another part of the home, such as a laundry, bathroom or kitchen. When correctly plumbed, it can automatically supply clean water and remove dirty water. This means the small onboard containers are less important for everyday use.

The plumbing capability is also the main condition attached to the S10's appeal. Without a suitable place to connect the station, the system does not offer the same benefit. Installation may also require a plumber, adding to the overall cost.

Self-cleaning roller mop

Underneath the robot is a spinning roller mop that cleans itself inside the unit while the robot returns for water. The mop is cleaned during floor cleaning, helping prevent dirt from drying or building up on the roller. The internal bucket is also cleaned as part of the process.

The mop can be removed and washed separately, with a monthly manual clean recommended in the review. This design keeps more of the mess within the robot rather than transferring it to the docking station, and it is intended to reduce the unpleasant smells that can occur when dirty mop water sits in a robot vacuum.

Vacuuming, mopping and navigation

Vacuum performance is strong, with stated suction of 65,000 Pa and automatic carpet boost. The robot increases suction when it detects carpet, and the review found that it performed well on carpets. Mopping was the strongest part of the cleaning performance, with the spinning roller producing very good results while continuously cleaning itself.

The front camera and top-mounted LiDAR help the S10 navigate, but its artificial intelligence obstacle detection is not as capable as some competing systems. It can identify large black cables and bigger toys, but may not see Lego or small metal cars. Clearing objects from the floor before starting a cleaning run remains advisable.

The S10 can also bump into furniture more frequently than newer robot vacuums. Its rubber bumper prevents this from being a major concern for household surfaces. Dark carpets can cause another issue, although the app includes a dark carpet mode where users can identify those areas after mapping.

Software and value

The software is simple and focused on the basic task of vacuuming and mopping. It does not provide the extensive functionality or elaborate interface found on some other robot vacuums, but the core controls are straightforward and do what is required.

The supplied description lists a price update from US$1,199.99 to US$739.99 or US$799.99. The review also discussed a target of around US$1,000 or less, and estimated an Australian cost of about $1,500 once the robot and possible plumbing are considered. These prices and estimates should be treated in the context of the video, published on 15 July 2024.

TechManPat’s conclusion

I think the SwitchBot S10 is a genuinely innovative robot because its separate, plumbed water station can make vacuuming and mopping largely automatic. I would recommend it for homes with suitable plumbing, particularly those with more hard floors than carpet and a strong need for mopping. However, I would also want the price reduced, and I would accept its larger size, weaker obstacle detection and shorter battery life as trade-offs for the self-cleaning system.
Source note

This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.