Yeedi Cube Review

Yeedi just released its latest product, the Cube, combining pad-washing and self-emptying features previously available in separate products. It is now combined into one do-it-all robot vacuum/mop hybrid.

How good is their latest product? I’ve put it through a grueling series of experiments to find out and learn more in this detailed review.

Introduction to the Yeedi Cube

Whereas other do-it-all robot vacuum/mop manufacturers utilize humongous base station designs for their products, Yeedi goes the other way and designs something more compact.

How much more compact? We’ll look at the comparison photos below.

Here’s how it looks beside the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra.

And here’s a size comparison beside a Roborock Q Revo.

The size difference against the S7 MaxV Ultra isn’t that significant, but you can see the variance compared to the Q Revo.

One difference between Yeedi and other brands is that it only has a dirty water container in its base station.

You can see the dirty container on the left (check photo), the bag, and the vacuum motor on the right.

Unfortunately, the reduced base station footprint means less bag and water tank capacity.

The Yeedi Cube bag can only hold 2.1 liters of debris, 0.4 liters less than most other brands.

Another thing I don’t like about the bag is that it uses a cardboard insert, so there’s a risk of bending if you don’t slide it in properly.

Clean Water Tank

Unlike other self-washing and self-emptying robot vacuum options, the Yeedi Cube’s clean water tank isn’t on the base station.

It’s on the robot, and Yeedi calls it the UFO water tank because it’s shaped like one.

It doesn’t look big, but its capacity is decent at 1.1 liters. Obviously, not as big as the gigantic water tanks of the Q Revo, DEEBOT X1, or Dreame L10, but (still) suitable for two or three mopping and self-washing cycles, depending on the size of your home.

Pad Washing Element

The Yeedi Cube combines the pad-washing elements of a Roborock and Dreame. It uses a ribbed element for agitation that shudders from side to side.

Not having a brush component means it doesn’t need much maintenance since it’s made from durable, high-quality plastic that won’t wear out during the robot’s lifetime.

And based on experiments, it was decent at keeping the pad clean.

Mopping Pad

The Yeedi Cube mopping bracket is similar to the S7 MaxV, using a single vibrating element at the middle of the pad to agitate and remove stains.

But this bracket isn’t detachable, and you’ll need to flip the robot over to attach the microfiber cloth.

Velcro hooks are all around to ensure the pad sticks on the mopping module, which is a plus for convenience (and usability).

Another plus for the design is the large, one-piece tray, doubling as the ramp where the robot parks when it docks.

The one-piece design also makes cleaning straightforward since there’s nothing to disassemble.

Obstacle Avoidance

Next, we’ll look at the obstacle avoidance system, featuring a front-mounted IR sensor and nothing else for evading objects.

This sensor is stand-alone and not aided by lasers, so I was skeptical about how well it would evade objects.

And my hunch was verified during the experiments.

I was decent at obstacles large enough for the sensor to detect, like footwear.

One issue with Yeedi’s algorithm is it gets too close, which isn’t an issue for low-risk objects like shoes, but it can be for others like pet feces or wires.

Also, it did not avoid a weighing scale.

Twin Side Brushes

Like previous Yeedi products, the Cube has two, enabling it to reach debris at the edges on both sides.

Technically, this feature should give this robot the edge at cleaning the edges, but the low airflow hampered its performance (more below).

Since these brushes snap on, removing them without using any tools is simpler.

Combo Brush

This robot utilizes a combo brush that’s (typically) efficient at debris pick-up.

Yeedi’s version doesn’t have a floating brush cage so it won’t be as dynamic as other brands with this feature.

Also, it doesn’t have a brush lift feature, keeping the brush roll in contact with the surface at all times, even during the mopping cycle.

Self-Emptying Port

Yeedi’s self-emptying port is behind the robot’s dustbin, connected to a slot inside the base station.

Here’s a close look at the slot connecting to it inside the dock.

And it was decent at emptying, even a full bin of quaker oats.

App Features

This robot is compatible with the Yeedi app, and I’ll enumerate the most helpful features below.

1. Live Map

The Yeedi Cube is the only VSLAM robot I’ve tested with a live map feature.

Other brands like Shark and iRobot don’t have this feature in their VSLAM robots which gives Yeedi an advantage.

This feature shows the robot’s location in real-time and is quite accurate at automatically adding partitions if there are apparent door posts.

2. Map Saving

The next feature is map saving, which helps with usability since the area is saved.

Unfortunately, consumers can’t toggle more than one map at a time.

The app allows for “backups,” but this feature isn’t user-friendly for non-technical folks since there are more steps and the interface isn’t intuitive.

3. Containment

The Yeedi app has a containment feature, namely no-go and no-mop zones, which have the same function – blocking the robot from going into off-limit areas.

One difference is that the no-go zones block the robot entirely from the area, while the no-mop zone prevents the robot from mopping it.

The second function is redundant since this robot has the mop lift feature, where the pad lifts when it detects carpet.

Unfortunately, the app doesn’t shade carpeted areas, so you’ll have to approximate where these areas are on the map.

4. Base Station Options

The app also allows consumers to turn on the self-emptying feature (duh!) and set the pad-wash and drying time duration.

5. History

This feature acts like an odometer but with more nuance, showing the previous cleaning cycles and the corresponding maps.

Other data is saved, like the duration, area size, and more.

6. Accessories Usage

Need to know when to change the filter? The Yeedi app has you covered with the accessories usage tab.

It shows a list of components and corresponding percentages, similar to a countdown timer when to replace these.

This is a time-based system, so you can visually check each component to make sure these are clean.

What’s cool about this feature is a “how to” step-by-step tutorial on replacing each part in the app.

How Much Power Does the Yeedi Cube Have?

Yeedi says this model has around 4300 Pascals of suction at the higher end of the spectrum compared to older options.

I used an anemometer to check how much airflow this product has, and here are the results.

• Quiet: N/A
• Normal: 6.49 CFM
• Max: 11.68 CFM

Unfortunately, the anemometer barely moved the needed in the quiet setting and only maxed out at 11.68 CFM, below average for a robot vacuum.

And you’ll see proof in the next section, particularly with cleaning heavier debris.

How Does The Yeedi Cube Navigate?

Unlike most brands that use LIDAR, Yeedi relies on a top-mounted camera sensor for navigation (or VSLAM).

It moves around in straight lines so that it won’t wander aimlessly during its cleaning cycles, but since it uses a camera, it relies on a light source to function.

Also, it does not have a proper mapping run that LIDAR robots possess.

One issue with the Yeedi is doesn’t have a dynamic algorithm, meaning it follows the direction of the base station.

It didn’t affect its efficiency during the coverage test, finishing a two-pass run in under 18 minutes, which is in the range of the Roborock and Dreame, two more expensive options.

Basically, it’s an upgraded version of the Roomba I3, but with map saving since it uses a similar pattern.

Here’s a before and after shot after the two-pass run.

One thing to note with the Yeedi Cube is it only has a one-run, so I had to press clean again on the app for the “second” pass.

Cleaning Performance

• Overall: 88.65%
• Hard Floor: 97.6%
• Sand on Hard Floor: 99.6%
• Carpet: 95.87%
• Deep Cleaning: 61.55%

With the lower airflow output, the Yeedi Cube wasn’t as good as other premium brands during the cleaning experiments, especially carpet tests, with a slightly below-average score.

It was better on hard floors than carpets, which isn’t surprising given the lack of airflow.

Hard Floor Results

• Quaker oats: 97.6%
• Coffee grounds: 98.8%
• Quinoa: 97%
• Pet Litter: 97%

Despite the low airflow, it got decent test scores 97.6%), especially the sand experiment (more below).

But don’t expect premium-level results (high 99s) on this surface.

Sand on Hard Floor

Despite the low airflow, the Yeedi Cube was surprisingly good at picking up sand, getting a 99.6% average in two tests.

There weren’t many visible trails after the run, so it bodes well for consumers who want a tool for cleaning this debris type.

Edge Cleaning

Based on photos, the Yeedi Cube seems to do well cleaning this area, but it didn’t. 

I had to ask it to clean the areas twice (two-pass runs each), and it regurgitated chunks (from the brush roll) of it once it got to the base station.

This is another proof of its low airflow output.

Hair Wrap Experiment

I tested the Yeedi Cube on five and seven-inch hair and didn’t pick up much.

• 5-inch hair: 62%
• 7-inch hair: 35%

Again, the culprit is the low airflow, hampering its ability to pick up everything, with most of it wrapping on the brush roll and axles.

It was (actually) decent on the five-inch experiment, getting over 60%, but it struggled with long seven-inch hair.

Some of the hair fell on the assembly where the brush sits.

Carpet Results

Next, we’ll look at the cleaning results on carpet, where I tested it on the same debris types, such as quaker oats, coffee grounds, quinoa, and pet litter.

Low Pile

• Quaker oats: 94.8%
• Coffee grounds: 95%
• Quinoa: 99%
• Pet Litter: 97.4%

Again, the low airflow limits the Yeedi Cube’s pick-up on this surface, only getting 99% in one experiment (quinoa), but not as good with the others.

It struggles most with quaker oats because of the vast quantity and not-so-tight turning radius.

Mid Pile Results

• Quaker oats: 92%
• Coffee grounds: 93.8%
• Quinoa: 98.6%
• Pet Litter: 96.4%

The results on mid-pile carpet mirror the low pile numbers, but slightly worse, struggling most (again) with quaker oats and picking up above average with quinoa.

It’s not something I’d rely solely on cleaning carpets at home, only for maintenance tasks with the scheduling feature.

Deep Cleaning Results

The most significant impact of the Yeedi Cube’s low airflow is its below-average deep cleaning performance.

I tested it on embedded sand (100 grams) on mid-pile carpet and only got a 61.55% average, which is not good.

And that average is from two, two-pass runs during the tests, so a few percentage points inflate that number.

Mopping Results

Next, we’ll examine the test results of the Yeedi Cube, which I tried on juice and red wine stains.

I choose these stains since they represent different stains a robot mop will encounter daily.

Of the two, juice stains are notoriously challenging for robot mops without an agitating element since most will stall.

Here’s a before and after shot for the juice stains.

And red wine stains.

While it can remove juice stains, it struggled to finish the run, stalling badly during several instances.

It’s the same issue with other brands that didn’t have a vibrating element and (perhaps) the biggest con of this model.

The results were better in the red wine experiment, but the stalling issue persisted, maybe because of juice stain residue.

Nonetheless, the vibrating element proved to be efficient at disintegrating stains.

Another aspect to consider is the pad washing efficiency. Yeedi says that the Cube base station has a hot air drying feature, which means the pads shouldn’t be moist after the drying cycle, and it was after a few hours.

The microfiber cloth looked clean and had no residue after several pad-washing cycles.

Please note that I didn’t handwash the pad, so the result is impressive.

The brush roll guard has some caked-on residue since it doesn’t have a brush lift feature.

How Noisy Is The Yeedi Cube?

I used a sound meter to check the noise levels of the Yeedi Cube, which was loud in the max setting.

• Quiet: 59.7 dB
• Normal: 60.7 dB
• Max: 75.5 dB

Considering its low airflow output, the 75-decibel figure was somewhat disappointing.

The base station is also loud during the self-emptying cycle at over 85 decibels.

Maintenance

As with any robot vacuum, the Yeedi Cube needs maintenance to function efficiently for years. If you’re spending this much for a machine like this, keeping it functioning as long as possible makes sense.

I’ll enumerate the components you must check and clean to keep it running smoothly.

1. Brush roll: Inspect and clean weekly to remove accumulated hair and dust on the roller and axles.
2. Side brush: Clean it weekly to dislodge any hair wrapping on the arms or base.
3. Drop sensors: Wipe with a clean microfiber towel or cotton buds to remove residue and prevent error codes from firing and disabling the robot.
4. Dustbin: Examine monthly to clean any amassed debris inside and clean the filter.
5. Bag: Dispose of it once it’s full. Check its status monthly for a visual if the disposal is needed.
6. Pad washing tray: Detach and check monthly to clear residue sticking on its surface.
7. Auto-empty port: Ensure it’s free from any blockages potentially hampering the auto-empty function.
8. Dirty water tank: Rinse with a sprayer to dislodge gunk sticking on the base and inner walls.

Product Specifications

Where Can I Purchase The Yeedi Cube?

The Yeedi Cube is available in Yeedi’s online store but will soon be on Amazon.

• Yeedi Cube on Yeedi’s online store

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase from the link above, but at no extra cost, so it’s a win-win for us!

Is the Yeedi Cube Worth Considering?

Despite its limitations and lack of airflow, I’d say the Yeedi Cube is worth considering, given its lower cost than other brands.

The more compact base station will fit inside smaller spaces better because of the lower vertical footprint.

The smaller water tanks will require more frequent refills, but if you’re looking for a do-it-all robot vacuum at a lower price point, this model may fit the fill-the-bill if you don’t mind its flaws.

4 Reasons to Consider the Yeedi Cube

1. Compact Base Station: Its base station is significantly smaller than other brands like Ecovacs and Dreame, making it a huge space saver.
2. Robot handle: The rubberized handle on the robot vacuum makes transporting it from one location to another easy.
3. Low maintenance: Aside from the occasional wipe-down, its plastic pad scrubber requires almost zero maintenance.
4. Cheaper do-it-all option: This model is one of the least expensive options with pad-washing and self-emptying features.

The Verdict: Decent, Cheaper Do-It-All Alternative, But Could Be Better

While the Yeedi Cube didn’t wow me with its performance, it was good enough to warrant consideration.

One element is its compact base station, allowing it to fit inside smaller abodes with fewer restrictions.

The rubber handle on the robot makes it easy to transport from one level to another for spot clean-ups (especially tiled surfaces), but I wouldn’t recommend this on carpets because of its lower airflow output.

Mopping performance is lacking because it stalled badly, especially with the juice stain experiment.

So I don’t recommend this on anything sticky.

The pad-washing and self-emptying feature works well, and the mop-drying feature works, leaving a dry cloth after a few hours.