In this comparison, we’ll be looking at the Shinebot W400 and W450, two of ILIFE’s floor washing robots capable of cleaning dry stains and liquid spills.
Unlike other robot vacuums that drag around a damp pad, these machines have a dirty water tank and a row of sprayers that mist water ahead of the roller, enabling it to pick up messes like these better than any robot mop hybrid I’ve tested.
I’ve put these robots through a grueling series of tests on a bevy of stains and liquid messes to see how it handles them, and the results were mixed.
A quick look at the ILIFE Shinebot W400 vs. W450
I want to mention before I continue that none of these robots can vacuum debris since it has extremely low suction (only sub-1000 Pa). Plus, the design is biased towards mopping with the narrow water tank inlet.
So don’t use any of these products for vacuuming debris. ILIFE even states in the manual that you’ll need to vacuum the floor first before using this product.
It can pick up random debris here and there, but it’s not meant for vacuuming.
I didn’t do any suction tests since these machines are designed to mop floors, so suction isn’t as relevant.
But I did a lot of mopping tests using a variety of stuff like red wine, grape juice, and prune juice, notoriously tough to clean with a traditional robot mop.
ILIFE W400
- Clean water tank: 850 ml
- Dirty water tank: 900 ml
- Run time: up to 80 mins
- Navigation: Gyroscope
- Surface: Tile, Vinyl, Laminate (must be sealed)
- Vacuum: No
- WIFI: No
- Dry stains: Yes
- Wet spills: Yes
- Auto dock: No
- Width: 11″
- Mopping path: 8.75″
- Weight: 7.27 lbs.
- Noise: 60.7 dB
ILIFE W450
- Clean water tank: 850 ml
- Dirty water tank: 900 ml
- Run time: up to 80 mins
- Navigation: Gyroscope + Camera
- Surface: Tile, Vinyl, Laminate (must be sealed)
- Vacuum: No
- WIFI: Yes
- Dry stains: Yes
- Wet spills: Yes
- Auto dock: No
- Width: 11″
- Mopping path: 8.75″
- Weight: 7.27 lbs.
- Noise: 58.7 dB
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Introduction to the ILIFE W400 and W450
All robot mops I’ve tested so far from the Viomi V3, Roborock S5 Max, Roborock S7, and even the Narwal T10 drag a wet pad on the surface.
No matter what fancy technology manufacturers put in, these machines are limited in the type of blemishes they can clean.
These hybrids work best on light to moderate stains on non-sugary drinks like black coffee or red wine.
This is where the ILIFE Shinebot shines (pun intended). Their ability to clean stains and wet spills are what separates them from these hybrid options.
I wouldn’t classify these as purely robot mops since these have a roller and sprayers that mist water to help clean dirt and keep the brush clean throughout the cycle.
There are three main W-series options: W400, W400s, and W450.
ILIFE Shinebot W400
The Shinebot W400 is ILIFE’s base model without WIFI, so it isn’t compatible with the ILIFE app.
Not having WIFI affects the type of messes it can clean (more later), and it’s a significant deciding factor between it and the more expensive W450.
It comes with a dual tank system where the clean and dirty water are separate, which I’m a big fan of since it prevents cross-contamination.
These containers can hold up to 850 and 900 ml, respectively. ILIFE says it’s good for up to 30 to 40 minutes of mopping.
In the experiments I did, it far exceeded that mark, which is a good thing.
Unfortunately, you can’t open these tanks aside from the small inlet (clean tank) and outlet port (dirty tank).
It’s not an issue with the clean water tank, But it can be with the dirty container since dirt will accumulate.
The good news is this robot comes with a brush cleaning tool for the task.
Underneath it has a broad roller brush similar to floor washing products like the Bissell Crosswave.
I like that the wheels are flush to the side and out of the way, which minimizes the risk of tire marks.
Small sprayers mist water in front of the roller, keeping the pad damp and clean as it spins and picks up debris.
Behind the roller is a squeegee that picks up excess liquid to minimize streaks afterward.
It’s a well-thought-out design and the reason why it did reasonably well with the torture tests.
The Shinebot W400s is similar to the W400, but it comes with ILIFE’s proprietary cleaning liquid.
ILIFE Shinebot W450
Next, we’ll look at the top-of-the-line W450.
There’s not much difference with the design and dimensions except for the top-mounted camera.
However, the presence of a camera doesn’t affect the W450’s navigation even in dark conditions, as it relies on a gyroscope as its primary navigational sensor.
I’m not sure why ILIFE put in the camera. It could be for drawing the map, but it doesn’t seem to rely on light as much as other camera-based robots that struggle when the lights are off.
The most significant upgrade with the W450 is WIFI and its compatibility with the ILIFE app.
Initially, I didn’t think much about this enhancement, but after the mopping experiments, this is a major deciding factor.
The app enables consumers to control the number of cleaning and dry runs, water usage, and brush speed.
It allows up to three passes in the clean and dry runs for a total of a six-pass run!
Most robot mops can only do one or two passes.
The Narwal T10 and Roborock S7 can go up to three, but six is absurdly high, making the W450 the most thorough robot mop available.
What surface can the ILIFE W400 and W450 clean?
The ILIFE W400 and W450 are suitable on sealed and flat surfaces, meaning they will work on tile, laminate, and vinyl as long as it’s flat and sealed.
However, its configuration will not work on uneven surfaces or flooring with huge gaps.
These products aren’t designed for cleaning rugs or carpets, and they cannot climb even light area rugs, so set expectations accordingly.
Please don’t use it on unsealed or untreated surfaces because liquid can cause it to warp and damage the flooring.
Similarities of the ILIFE Shinebot W400 and W450
There are a lot of similarities between these floor washing robots, and I’ll go through each in this section.
1. Design and Dimensions
The ILIFE W400 and W450 share the same core design, as evidenced by the button placement and handle.
The only difference is that the W450 has the camera sensor on top, but aside from that, everything else is similar.
Both robots have the same physical dimensions measuring 11″ wide and 4.48″ tall.
2. Sprayer, Roller, and Squeegee Placement
The next similarity we’ll look at is the sprayer, roller, and squeegee placement.
I believe these components are what separate the Shinebot series from other robot mop hybrids.
Each has a critical role in how these machines pick up messes.
The sprayers mist water to help disintegrate dry stains and keep the roller clean, while the rollers pick up and funnel dirt towards the inlet.
And the squeegee scrapes up the remaining liquid on the surface and helps keep streaks to a minimum.
It’s similar to a Dyson vacuum soft roller, but ILIFE’s version is a bit fluffier.
The roller has a soft and stiff portion that helps it absorb liquid and provide agitation for tough to clean stains.
3. Water Tank Capacity
Both robots have the same twin water tank design where the clean and dirty water are stored in separate containers.
As I’ve said in the video, I like this design since it prevents cross-contamination and simplifies maintenance.
The clean water tank can hold up to 850 milliliters, while the dirty water tank has a 900-milliliter capacity.
4. Remote Control
Typical is most ILIFE robot products, the W400 and W450 come with remote control out of the box.
These devices provide access to basic features like running the default mopping cycle or spot cleaning.
If you decide to purchase the W450, I’d strongly recommend using the ILIFE app since it unlocks advanced features.
5. Charging Tray
Unfortunately, these robots will require some babysitting in that users will have to carry the robot from its charging tray to the area it’ll mop and vice-versa.
It doesn’t have a traditional charging dock that most robot mops utilize.
Depending on your preference, this can be positive or negative.
For me, it’s not a big deal since the performance benefits outweigh the hassle of having to carry it around.
These trays are made from plastic, so it’s waterproof, and the middle portion is recessed, allowing it to catch any drips or spills from the roller.
Differences between the ILIFE W400 and W450
Next, we’ll look at the variations between the W400 and W450.
1. WIFI and ILIFE app compatibility
Only the ILIFE W450 is compatible with the ILIFE app since it’s the only WIFI option.
It may not be a big deal, but for these robots, it’s a deciding factor.
The app enables consumers to control the number of passes for the clean and drying cycle, changing how it mops.
If you use the remote with the W450, it will navigate and mop like the W400, negating the advantages it offers.
Using the app will unlock its full potential, enabling it to clean wet spills and dry stains better than any robot mop I’ve tested.
2. Water Level and Roller Speed Control
Another benefit of the app is the option to control the water flow and roller speed.
I maxed out everything at 100% during the experiments, and I suggest doing the same thing to maximize mopping performance.
But you could reduce the water level for lighter duty tasks to extend its range.
3. Thread Pattern
Not sure how it affects anything, but I noticed these robots having different thread patterns.
The W400 has it moving across the wheel, while the W450 flows with the wheel similar to a tire pattern.
4. Plug Type
The ILIFE W400 (left) comes with a two-prong plug, while the W450 has a three-pronged Euro-style plug.
How do the ILIFE Shinebot W400 and W450 navigate?
One of the Shinebot’s strengths is its navigation, thanks to the gyroscopes it utilizes.
Both will traverse in straight lines, unlike old ILIFE robots that only pinball around.
But there is a slight difference between the W400 and W450.
I noticed that the ILIFE W400 moves in a crisscross pattern.
In contrast, the w450 goes in the same direction for the entirety of its cycle.
However, not having the crisscross pattern doesn’t seem to affect the W450’s performance since it can do a six-pass run (three clean cycles + three dry cycles), negating any advantage the W400 has over it.
Mopping Performance
I didn’t measure anything since it’s hard to quantify cleaning stains or pick up liquid messes.
So most of the stuff you’ll see here is visual (before and after shots).
Dried stains
I used grape juice and red wine for this experiment, sprinkled it over a test area, and ran these robots one default cycle to see how well they cleaned.
Grape juice is one of the most challenging things to clean, at least robot mops since it has a high sugar content and sticky residue.
Even robot mops with a rotating pad (Narwal T10) struggle since it doesn’t have a sprayer to help disintegrate sugary stains and remove the sticky residue.
Both robots did well, but the ILIFE W450 was clearly the better option thanks to its more thorough navigation.
In the before and after photo, you can see how well the W450 cleaned this huge mess and left zero residues, which is a huge positive.
One reason for the excellent result is more thorough navigation.
I didn’t use the entire six-run pass for this, but only half since the floor was visibly clean by the third pass.
The ILIFE W400 did well as it cleaned the stains.
What you don’t see in the photo is the sticky residue because it lacks thoroughness.
So I had to do a second run to clean the stickiness off the surface, which it did, but it left wet portions on the surface.
It eventually dried up, but it’s something to consider when choosing between these products.
This is why the WIFI connectivity that the W450 offers is a critical deciding factor – it unlocks the clean and dry functions – something absent with the W400.
Wet Messes
Next, we’ll look at how these robots handle wet messes, and it’s another deciding factor.
I tried both robots on substantial spills, more than any robot mop can handle.
Again, the ILIFE W450 did better picking up this enormous mess and leaving a pristine surface afterward.
Here’s another before and after photo.
You’ll notice the liquid on the bottom part of the photo as a missed spot, but that’s not the case.
The MicroSD card in my camera was full, so it stopped recording, but it picked up everything when I did the rerun.
In comparison, the ILIFE W400 didn’t do as well. While it picked up liquid, it didn’t finish the cycle because it stalled on many occasions, so I stopped it.
The before and after photo shows a clean surface, but it was still sticky, and with the stalling issue, I wouldn’t recommend this on big spills.
I’m not sure why this robot stalls since the W450 did not stall in several experiments I did.
It could be the threads on the tires or the lack of control with the brush speed or water.
But it’s a huge deciding factor between these products.
Noise Level Comparison
One positive for purpose-built robot mops is the low noise levels.
The ILIFE W400 and W450 are extremely quiet based on the sound meter test.
- ILIFE W400: 60.7 dB
- ILIFE W450: 58.7 dB
Surprisingly, the ILIFE W450 is quieter than the W400, registering only 58.7 dB, with the sound meter close to it.
I’ve been using it late at night for mopping duties, and it’s barely audible from our room upstairs.
How long with the ILIFE W400 and W450 run?
ILIFE says that these robots will run for up to 80 minutes. I’m guessing that’s the whole clean and dry cycle since the clean water tank range is between 30 and 40 minutes.
The charging time will be around 3 to 4 hours, but I suggest keeping it on the charging tray as the battery will drain if it isn’t kept there.
Maintenance
As with all robot mops, the ILIFE Shinebot W400 and W450 will require some upkeep to function its best.
I’ll enumerate the critical components to clean and the intervals.
- Roller: Rinse it twice a week under running water to remove dirt built-up. ILIFE recommends cleaning it twice a week, but your mileage may vary depending on what you clean.
- Dirty water tank: Empty it after each mopping cycle. One way to keep it clean is to fill it with clean water after draining and then emptying it again. This prevents gunk from accumulating inside. Use the brush to scrub the inner components at least once a week.
- Squeegee: Wipe it with a clean microfiber towel if you see any visible buildup.
- Wheels: Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe the wheels
- Suction inlet: Check for any dirt buildup on the area going into the dirty water tank and wipe down with a cloth.
- Dirty water filter: You’ll see a small filter on the dirty water tank. Rinse this if you see visible buildup and reattach afterward.
Product Specifications
Where can I buy the ILIFE W400 and W450?
These robots are available in online stores like Amazon and ILIFE’s storefront. Check the links below for the latest pricing information.
Disclaimer: Watch out—if you get click-happy with those links above, you’ll inadvertently support my coffee, energy drink, and late-night snack addictions. But hey, it won’t cost you a penny extra, so we can indulge guilt-free! It’s a delightfully caffeinated win-win for us both.
Which is the better option, the ILIFE W400 or the W450?
If you look at the price difference, there is a substantial variance between the W400 and W450, so I initially thought that the W400 was a better value-for-money alternative.
But after doing the experiments, I had to scrap that idea.
The ILIFE W450 is the better performing robot mop with better results on wet messes and dry stains.
The thorough algorithm that left an almost dry surface handled the torture tests with ease and left a nearly dry surface.
To help you decide, here are some points you need to consider before choosing one of these robots.
3 Reasons to choose the ILIFE W400
- Cheaper option: The W400 costs nearly half of the W450 that will mop light stains and do light-duty tasks well enough.
- Predictable navigation: Despite its budget price, this robot utilizes a gyroscope, so it’ll move in a straight, back, and form pattern.
- Decent mopping performance: It won’t have the thoroughness of the W450, but for daily tasks, it will mop floors well – slightly better than the Roborock S7 and S5 Max.
4 Reasons to choose the ILIFE W450
- Superior mopping over the W400: The ILIFE W450 does better than the W400 cleaning dry stains and picking up wet messes.
- More control: The ILIFE app gives consumers more control over mopping settings.
- Thorough navigation: Its compatibility with the ILIFE app unlocks its full potential and allows for up to a six-pass cycle. None of the other robot mops I’ve tested comes close.
- Leaves a dry surface: The option to do a three-pass clean and drying cycle leaves a clean, dry surface without any visible streaks.
The Verdict: The ILIFE Shinebot W450 is the Better Option for Heavy Duty Tasks
Despite its higher price tag, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the ILIFE W450 because it’s a robust machine that will mop floors well.
It did well in all the experiments, even sticky grape juice stains that other robot mops struggle to clean without leaving a sticky residue.
Even with substantial juice spills, the ILIFE W400 picked it up without the stalling issues present in the W400, leaving a dry surface that didn’t need further mopping.
If you’re looking for a workhorse robot that will clean any sealed flat surface, I’d highly recommend the ILIFE Shinebot W450.
Sure are quirks, but the mopping performance more than makes up for its limitations.
