Dyson Spot+Scrub AI robot vacuum review

A big part of that comes down to its bagless cyclonic auto-empty system, which is similar to the Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone. Instead of transferring dust into a disposable bag hidden inside the dock, the debris is sucked into a transparent bin similar to the one fitted to Dyson’s cordless vacuums. It is useful because there are no dust bags to buy, and you can immediately see when the bin needs emptying. On the other hand, you can also see everything it has collected. Dust, hair and whatever else was on the floor are effectively placed on display, which is not necessarily something I want to look at every time I walk past the dock.

The water tanks are oddly less transparent. Both the clean- and dirty-water containers are black, without a visible window or an obvious way to check their levels from the outside. That means lifting them out and opening them whenever you want to know how much clean water remains or whether the dirty tank needs emptying. It sounds like a small complaint, but it becomes irritating when other docks let you check with a quick glance.

You will also need to set aside a fair amount of space for the docking station. It has a large footprint and is not something that can be tucked discreetly into a small gap. The robot itself is unusually thick, too, especially compared with newer Dreame and Mova models that use slimmer bodies or retractable sensor towers to get beneath low furniture. The Dyson had no problem travelling around the more open areas of my home, but its height limits where it can clean. If you have sofas, cabinets or beds with relatively little clearance underneath, this is something worth considering before buying.

Cleaning performance and everyday use

Fortunately, the Spot+Scrub AI is much more impressive once it gets to work. Its object detection is superb and among the more reliable systems I have tested. It has always recognised and navigated around the usual collection of household hazards carefully, and small objects, cables and furniture legs were generally handled confidently – and it did not repeatedly bump into things while trying to decide where it wanted to go.

That confidence does not always extend to drop-offs and ledges, however. The Dyson was not as dependable around them as the recent Dreame machines I have reviewed. It tended to slip off the ledge leading into my kitchen and always required my direct intervention to put it back onto level ground. It never suffered a serious fall, but I eventually had to mark the area as a no-go zone in the app. It’s worth pointing out that I did not have to do this with the Dreame machines.

Its wet-mopping performance, however, is excellent. The Spot+Scrub AI left my marble and parquet floors visibly clean, coping well with everyday marks and even more stubborn stains, while its ability to recognise spills such as ketchup and food sauces meant it could go over the affected area several times – ensuring its cleaned. There is one drawback when dealing with such messes, though. Remember those side brushes that continue spinning instead of lifting out of the way? They inevitably pass through the spill, picking up some of the mess and leaving you to clean them afterwards. It does feels less considered than rival machines and at this price, these details start to matter.

Robot vacuums live and die by their companion apps too. Thankfully, the Dyson app is generally easy to use, although I ran into one recurring problem. Every now and then, following an app update on iOS, it required me to map my home again. I cannot say with certainty whether this is a widespread issue or something peculiar to my unit or account, but it happened often enough that I have to mention it. Remapping is not difficult, but neither is it something I expect to repeat after already setting up the robot and dividing the map into rooms.

Final thoughts

The Dyson Spot+Scrub AI gets many of the important things right. Its object detection is excellent, it mops very well, battery life is good and maintenance is simple. The bagless auto-empty system also saves you from buying disposable dust bags, even if the transparent bin can become an eyesore once it starts filling up.

The problem for Dyson is that it is entering a segment where it cannot rely on being the obvious choice. Its cordless vacuums have long been treated as the gold standards that competitors are measured against, while its beauty and hair-care products occupy a similarly influential position. Robot vacuums are different. Dreame, Ecovacs and Mova have been refining their machines quickly, and they already offer advanced navigation, strong mopping systems and increasingly elaborate docks long before the Spot+Scrub AI launched.

That leaves this Dyson machine in a slightly awkward position. At S$1,499 (though you can find heavily discounted at places like Gain City), it is priced competitively against flagship machines from Dreame and Ecovacs, but I don’t think it does enough to clearly outclass them. This is one Dyson product where “good” does not automatically mean it is the machine everyone else has to beat. In the robot-vacuum market, Dyson is not the top dog – it is the one doing the chasing – and the Spot+Scrub AI shows.

The Dyson Spot+Scrub AI robot vacuum is available at Dyson eShop, Dyson Stores and authorized retailers for $1,499. Click here to buy.