Tapo LiDAR Smart Navigation Robot Vacuum and Mop Review: A Practical Cleaning Companion with Some Flaws

When it comes to keeping a clean home, having a reliable vacuum can make a world of difference. The Tapo LiDAR Smart Navigation Robot Vacuum and Mop is designed to offer convenience with its self-emptying dock and dual cleaning capabilities.

I decided to give it a try and see if it actually delivers on its promises. The first thing that caught my attention was its 5300Pa suction power, which is quite strong compared to other models I've tested. However, power isn't everything, and I wanted to see how it performed in a real home setting.

After using it for a couple of weeks, I noticed both strengths and weaknesses. It’s definitely not perfect, but it does have some redeeming qualities. In this review, I'll break down my experience with different aspects of this robot vacuum.

So, if you're considering this vacuum, read on to find out if it might be the right fit for your cleaning needs.

When it comes to value, the Tapo LiDAR Robot Vacuum offers a fair package. Priced competitively within its category, it provides decent cleaning capabilities and some handy features like the self-emptying dock, which is a time-saver.

However, for the price, it falls short in certain areas. The mopping function, while convenient, isn’t a full replacement for manual mopping. Additionally, the charging time and performance on heavier debris could be better.

Compared to other vacuums I've tried, it offers a good balance of features and performance but doesn’t excel in any one area. If you're looking for a modestly priced vacuum that handles basic cleaning tasks well, it offers good value for money.

In conclusion, it’s a decent investment if you’re after convenience and can overlook some of its limitations.

Design-wise, the Tapo LiDAR Robot Vacuum is nothing out of the ordinary. It has a round shape typical of most robot vacuums and comes in a sleek black color. The 13-inch diameter and 3.9-inch height allow it to navigate under most furniture pieces, which is a plus.

One aspect I appreciated is the LiDAR smart navigation. It uses a grid-like cleaning pattern, which ensures it covers the entire floor space without missing spots. In practical terms, it means you’re less likely to find missed areas after it completes a cycle.

However, the vacuum is on the heavier side, weighing about 18.86 pounds. While this isn’t a big deal for an item that moves on its own, it could be cumbersome if you need to carry it upstairs or move it between floors manually.

Overall, the design is functional but not particularly innovative. It gets the job done but doesn’t stand out in the crowd of robot vacuums.

The battery life of the Tapo LiDAR Robot Vacuum is another key area to consider. With a 2600 mAh battery, the vacuum can clean for up to 150 minutes on a single charge. This is generally enough for a moderate-sized home, but if you have a larger area, it may need a recharge mid-clean.

I appreciated the Smart Recharge & Resume feature. When the battery is low, the vacuum heads back to its dock, recharges, and then continues cleaning from where it left off. This is handy as it doesn’t require constant monitoring or manual charging.

However, the charging process isn’t the fastest. It took a few hours to get back to full battery, which could be inconvenient if you’re in a rush to clean a large space. In comparison to some competitors, the charging time is on the slower side.

In short, the battery life and smart charging feature are practical, but the slow charging speed might be a downside for some users.

Performance-wise, the Tapo LiDAR Robot Vacuum is pretty solid. With a maximum suction power of 5300Pa, it's quite capable of picking up a variety of debris types. During my tests, it handled dust, pet hair, and crumbs on hardwood floors with ease. The claimed 97% dust pickup rate seemed realistic based on my observation.

One thing I liked is the automatic adjustment it makes when moving from hard floors to carpets. It increases suction on low-pile carpets to ensure no dirt is left behind. However, it struggled a bit with heavier debris like small stones or larger cereal pieces. It often required a second pass or manual intervention, which was a bit of a letdown.

The mopping feature is a nice addition, though it’s not groundbreaking. It does an adequate job on light stains but doesn’t replace a good old-fashioned mop for deeper cleaning. With three water flow settings, it offers some flexibility depending on your floor type, but don’t expect it to scrub out tough spots.

Overall, while it’s not the best performer on the market, it’s decent for everyday light cleaning tasks.