Lefant M1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Review: Laser Guided for Pet Owners

Robot vacuums have come a long way, and the Lefant M1 tries to push the envelope with features like laser navigation and a hefty suction power of 5500Pa. It seems like a good fit for those who have pets shedding all over the house. But does it live up to the expectations? I've put it through its paces to find out.

With a compact design, the M1 aims to reach those tight spots that other robots might miss. It's supposed to handle pet hair effortlessly on both carpets and hard floors. That's a big claim, especially for pet owners who know how hair seems to get everywhere.

The feature list is impressive, with a long 150-minute runtime and smart app controls. You can direct it with Alexa, which sounds convenient, but does it really work smoothly in a real-world setting? Let's dig into the specifics and see if it's worth your investment.

This review will cover everything from design to battery life, aiming to give you a complete picture of what to expect from the Lefant M1. Whether you're tired of fur-covered floors or just looking for an easier cleaning routine, this might be the solution you're looking for.

The Lefant M1 is compact compared to many other robot vacuums, measuring just 32cm in width. This smaller form factor helps it slip into tighter spaces under furniture where larger models might struggle. It's particularly useful if you have a lot of nooks and crannies that need attention.

The white color gives it a clean look, and while it's not the most stylish gadget, it doesn't scream for attention either. The build seems pretty solid, though it is made of plastic. That might cause concerns about long-term durability, but I haven't noticed any immediate issues after a few weeks of use.

On the practical side, the dustbin's 520ml capacity is pretty decent, reducing how often you need to empty it. The design also includes dual side brushes, which are effective in reaching corners and edges. The addition of a mop function is a nice touch, even if it's more of a light clean than a deep scrub.

In summary, the design is functional and does the job without any unnecessary frills. It might not win any design awards, but it's well-suited for the task it was built for.

The Lefant M1 comes with a 4000mAh lithium iron phosphate battery, which is supposed to cover up to 200 square metres or run for about 150 minutes on a full charge. In my experience, it lived up to the claim. I have a moderately-sized apartment, and it managed to finish a cleaning session without needing to recharge midway.

One of the impressive features is the auto-recharge capability. When the battery level dipped below 15%, the vacuum made its way back to the charging dock without requiring any intervention. After recharging, it resumed cleaning, which is a handy feature if you have a larger area to cover and don't want to babysit the vacuum.

That said, it's worth noting that the charge time can be a bit long. If you're planning multiple cleaning sessions in a day, this might be a bottleneck. Being patient is key here, as once it's charged, it does offer pretty decent coverage.

All in all, the battery life is a strong point for the Lefant M1, especially if you have a larger space or multiple pets creating a mess throughout the day.

The Lefant M1 boasts a 5500Pa suction power, which is pretty solid. In practice, this means it can handle pet hair, dust, and crumbs without much fuss. I tested it on both carpet and hard floors, and it did a decent job on both surfaces. The laser navigation technology was a highlight. It allowed the vacuum to map out the room efficiently, and it didn't get stuck or wander off course often.

One thing I liked was the vacuum's ability to handle multiple floor types without missing a beat. The transition from a hard floor to a carpet was smooth, and I didn't have to babysit it. The SLAM mapping feature was another plus, as it seemed to remember the layout of my home after a couple of runs, making subsequent clean-ups faster and more efficient.

On the downside, while it's good at picking up loose debris, it sometimes struggles with more embedded dirt, especially on thicker carpets. Also, the vacuum tends to be a bit loud on the maximum suction setting, which might be a concern if you have a skittish pet or a sleeping baby.

Overall, the performance is nothing to scoff at, especially for a mid-range model. Compared to some competitors, it holds its ground well, though it's not without its quirks.