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New Ecovacs Cleaning Bot Uses Water Jets to Blast Stains Away

The Deebot X12 OmniCyclone uses pressurized water sprayers to pretreat dried-on stains and to clean its roller mop scrubber.

Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin Senior Writer, Electrified Cars
Antuan started out in the automotive industry the old-fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. He now has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion vehicles. For each car he tests, Antuan covers more than 200 miles behind the wheel and evaluates driving dynamics; acceleration and braking performance; range; and efficiency. Antuan's goal is to use his extensive car knowledge to educate CNET readers and help with their next car-related buying decision. Whether you're EV-curious, an EV-enthusiast or a combustion-car loyalist, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com
Expertise Nearly two decades of testing, driving, reporting on, writing about, reviewing, and editing content about electric and ICE cars. Category focus is on electrified cars, EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, ICE cars, EV infrastructure, EV chargers, EV adapters, EV news, auton Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Antuan Goodwin
2 min read
Deebot X12 robot vacuum demonstrating its dual water jet pre-treatment

Ready, aim, fire!

 Ecovacs

Mopping up dried-on coffee spills and muddy footprints takes a little elbow grease. Ecovacs' new Deebot X12 OmniCyclone robot vacuum doesn't have elbows, so it substitutes firepower, blasting stubborn dried-on floor stains away with pressurized water jets before making its mopping pass.

The Deebot X12 OmniCyclone is, naturally, the successor to Ecovacs' Deebot X11 OmniCyclone flagship robot vacuum and mop. The new model features boosted suction that's now 22,000 Pa versus the X11's 19,500 -- suction power is measured in Pascals -- and a 50% longer mopping roller that lets it cover more floor with each pass. Ecovacs also says that it's updated the X12's hardware and software to allow the robot to clean closer to walls and baseboards, reach deeper into corners and better pick up hair without tangling. However, the coolest new party trick is the addition of high-pressure water jets.

Ecovacs calls the new feature its FocusJet Stain Pre-Dissolving Technology. When mopping hard surfaces, the robot uses cameras and infrared sensors to detect dried-on messes -- such as coffee stains, dried juice, mud and footprints. Upon approaching, dual 46,000 Pa water jets blast the stain, soaking and pretreating the mess. The vac then scrubs the softened mess with its updated Ozmo Roller Mop 3.0, lifting the dirt away. 

underside of the X12 robot vacuum

The X12's roller mop is longer than last year and automatically tucks behind a cover when transitioning to carpet.

 Ecovacs

The X12 also uses an array of 16 pressurized nozzles to rinse the mop roller, preventing dirt from spreading. When it's time to transition to carpet cleaning, the X12 can lift its mop 15mm and deploy a new Mop Roller Smart Cover to prevent dripping.

Backing up the water-blasting brawn are upgraded brains. The X12 should boast smarter AI-powered navigation that Ecovacs says will allow the cleaner to get closer to fixed obstacles, like furniture or walls, while steering clearer of pets, toys and loose wires. The robot vacuum will also feature version 2.0 of Ecovacs' Agent Yiko AI voice assistant, which can guide you through setup and intelligent scheduling, as well as suggesting adaptive cleaning plans that adjust based on a home's floor plan and the vac's detection of high-use, extra-dirty areas.

deebot x12 omnicyclone docked in the omni station

The OmniCyclone system includes the new Omni Station, where the bot can empty its dust bin, recharge and refill its water reserve.

 Ecovacs

The X12 OmniCyclone will ship with the latest version of Ecovacs' Omni Station, where the robot vacuum can automatically empty its dust bins, wash its mop roller and refill its water reserves. The new flagship base station adds a new fast-charging feature (PowerBoost Charging Plus), which can quickly add around 13% charge to the battery in just 3 minutes, allowing the bot to finish up longer cleaning missions with just a quick top-up. 

Despite its hardware and software upgrades and the addition of water-powered blasters, the Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone's price hasn't gone up. The robot vacuum retails for $1,499 at Ecovacs.com and on Amazon.