Review of the iLife V55 robot vacuum cleaner

Among all the robotic household appliances, users often show interest in vacuum cleaners. The iLife company offers budget options for home care devices. The iLife V55 vacuum cleaner is not a new model, but it remains popular among consumers. We talk about the characteristics, appearance, customer reviews and the identified pros and cons of the model.

Model description

Technical and functional characteristics are presented in the table.

Specifications

The main technical parameters of the iLife V55 vacuum cleaner are collected in the table:

Appearance

The iLife V55 robot has an almost perfect round shape with a slightly protruding bumper.

View from above

The model is presented in two colors: light gold and white. At the front there is an LED display and touch buttons.

Using the “Push” button, the lid opens, under which there is a garbage container and an IR sensor.

Side view

To protect the device from damage during collisions, a rubberized bumper is attached to the front of the robot.

Obstacle detection sensors are also installed along it. In front of solid obstacles, the robot slows down its movement. On one side there is an on/off button and a connector for charging from the network.

Bottom view

On the bottom of the iLife V55 there are:

• two side brushes for collecting debris;
• swivel roller;
• terminals for charging from the base;
• a cover under which the battery compartment is located;
• suction port;
• two driving wheels;
• height difference detection sensors;
• compartment for installing containers.

The microfiber is fixed with Velcro on a special panel that is attached to the bottom of the robot.

Design

Externally, the ILIFE V55 robot vacuum cleaner is similar to other models of this Chinese company. The shape is round, the material is durable and reliable ABS plastic. The lid is golden in color. It contains:

• Backlit display with touch control buttons
• A beautifully designed lid, under which the garbage container is hidden (opens by pressing it)
• Infrared signal receiver

The side of the body is white. The front part is covered with a protective bumper. It contains 10 IR sensors hidden under a black stripe that monitor obstacles that arise along the device’s path. There is also a charging connector and a power button on the side. At the bottom there are two large wheels with two-way rubber treads, which make it easy to climb on soft surfaces. A small wheel at the front rotates the body.

Two side brushes with long plastic “mustaches” are installed in front. The left and right are different from each other, therefore they are designated by the letters R and L. Between them there are two contacts for the charger, a compartment for the battery. There is a place in the back to attach a microfiber cloth. The size of the case is small, its diameter is 30 cm, its height is 7.8 cm, allowing it to pass under furniture. The weight of the device is 2.3 kg.

Operating rules, modes

The robot comes with instructions in Russian. It describes the design of the iLife V55 vacuum cleaner, provides rules for use, safety requirements, technical specifications, possible problems and other information.

Before turning on for the first time, turn on the vacuum cleaner using the main button at the bottom of the device (position I), and charge it directly from the mains overnight. The inscription “Full” indicates that the battery is fully charged.

The user manual describes the rules for preparing the floor covering for the iLife V55 vacuum cleaner:

• remove ceramic and other fragile items;
• wipe wet areas of the floor dry;
• remove soft thick carpets and carpets with fringes;
• close doors to rooms that do not require cleaning;
• limit access to cables, pet dishes, toys with a virtual wall or large hard objects;
• remove objects in which the robot can get stuck and get tangled in brushes (towels, slippers, cords, etc.).

Control is carried out using buttons on the case itself or the remote control.

Several cleaning modes are available to the user:

• auto;
• in a spiral (for a particularly contaminated area);
• along the walls;
• turbo.

The user can manually control the robot using the remote control by pressing the arrow buttons.

iLife V55 Pro robot vacuum cleaner with wet cleaning function

Good afternoon to all lovers of smart technology. After all, you see, such devices really make our lives easier. In my review, I will show you a good assistant in the daily fight against dust, debris and animal hair - a robot vacuum cleaner with a wet cleaning function - iLife V55 Pro.

Specifications

• Model: V55 Pro
• Voltage: 14.4V-14.8V
• Battery: Li-ion
• Power: 22 W
• Charging Type: Auto Charge / Manual Charge
• Dust container capacity: 0.3 l
• Water tank capacity: 0.18L
• Application: Tile, Wood, Carpet
• Cleaning modes: Auto, Spot, Along walls, Scheduled
• Virtual wall: Yes
• Charging time: Approximately 200-350 minutes
• Working time: 110-130 minutes
• Button type: Touch
• Display: LED module
• Diameter: 348 mm
• Height: 92 mm
• Weight: 2.68 kg

Packaging and delivery

The vacuum cleaner is packed well, in 2 shipping boxes. The first one is made of thick, rough cardboard. The one underneath is made of strong and presentable-looking color printed cardboard. This box is quite informative; on it you will see an image of the device and the main technical characteristics.

The kit includes everything you need to operate and run the device right out of the box, right down to the batteries for the remote control and the virtual wall.

So, in the box there are:

• robot vacuum cleaner
• dock station
• network adapter
• adapter
• remote control complete with batteries
• virtual wall complete with batteries
• spare filter
• two spare side brushes
• brush cleaning tool
• main and additional microfiber cloths
• brief operating instructions, by the way, in Russian
• warranty card

Appearance

The vacuum cleaner has a classic round body, which shines because it has a glossy black surface with a shiny edging in the center, this edging is not metal. It highlights the area of ​​the lid under which the garbage container is located. It is made of dark transparent plastic and has a carrying handle.

Looking under the cover, you can find a dust container with two removable filters: a coarse filter and a HEPA filter.

The vacuum cleaner has compact dimensions (diameter 35 cm, height 9 cm) despite the fact that in its body it fits 2 containers with a total capacity of 480 ml.

On top of the front side of the vacuum cleaner there is an IR sensor and a touch control unit. It is represented by functional buttons:

1. PLAN – set a work schedule
2. SPOT – launching point mode of operation
3. “Basket” - dust bin full indicator
4. HOME – installation on a charging station
5. CLEAN – start button in “Auto” mode

Compared to other models, this robot is somewhat tall - 9 cm; there are models whose height is only 7 cm. But this is explained by the possibility of wet cleaning. The enlargement of the body occurs due to the presence of a second water tank and the attachment of a special napkin to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner.

The end of the vacuum cleaner is also plastic, sensors are located around the entire perimeter and in the bumper, and air ducts are located on the left and right.

At the front end there is a front movable bumper, in the lower part of which a rubber pad is glued. It is designed to protect the body during accidental impacts against obstacles.

There are 4 sets of sensors on the bottom that detect height differences and prevent the device from falling.

On the right side of the front side there is also a charging connector.

On the back of the vacuum cleaner there are side brushes made of synthetic bristles, a nozzle, 3 wheels, a place to install a container with water, an area for attaching a napkin, a power button and a sticker with some information about the vacuum cleaner.

Between the brushes there is a contact group for docking with the base station and recharging the robot vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner is very maneuverable due to its 3 wheels. 2 of them are large, with a diameter of 5 cm. They have rubber linings with a tread and are well cushioned. Thanks to them, the robot vacuum cleaner copes well with obstacles up to 13 mm in height.

The third wheel is located closer to the edge in the nose of the vacuum cleaner. It is designed to determine the distance traveled by the device. The wheel can be easily removed, either separately or with the platform on which it is attached. This is convenient for removing debris.

The water container, with a volume of 180 ml, is made of a combined material. Its upper part is made of black matte plastic; it has a much larger area than the tank itself. Which is made of transparent dark plastic. At first glance, it may seem that the tank is too small, but the volume of water is quite enough to do a light wet cleaning of a room with an area of ​​50 m2, or even more. The tank has a hole for filling it with water, which is securely closed with a silicone plug.

It is not difficult to secure the fabric napkin; on one side it is put on the holder, on the other it is secured with Velcro. The napkins are easy to care for and can be washed in soapy water.

There are no complaints about the build quality and materials, everything is done well, you won’t find any unevenness, cracks, creaks, or glue. At first, the glossy surface is confusing, but with a dry cloth, the dust that has settled on the case is easily wiped off, and the case shines again.

The docking station is made of plastic. There is a contact group on the footrest, which the robot vacuum cleaner runs onto to replenish the battery charge level.

The base of the docking station is equipped with rubber feet, which ensure reliable grip of the docking station with the floor surface at the moment when the robot drives onto it. The correct installation of the device is confirmed by the vacuum cleaner, which emits a sound signal.

To clean a certain area of ​​the room, manufacturers include in the package with the vacuum cleaner means that limit its movement. Some vacuum cleaners are equipped with tape-style limiters. I find it more convenient to use a portable wall in the form of a free-standing block. Which is exactly what the wall included in this kit is. This wall follows the design of the charging station. The virtual wall is powered by two LR14 batteries. It limits the movements of the robot vacuum cleaner, actually acting as an obstacle that it encounters along the way.

As I said above, the vacuum cleaner can be controlled using the remote control. The remote control contains buttons that control the movement of the robot vacuum cleaner, activation of the Turbo mode, buttons responsible for selecting one or another cleaning mode, and a return button to the charging station.

The remote control is powered by two AAA batteries, which are included in the kit.

In general, I would like to say that I was pleased with the kit, the manufacturer took care, included spare components, and, surprisingly for budget equipment, the entire necessary set of batteries. Immediately after unpacking, the vacuum cleaner can start working.

Functional features and operation of the device

So, V55 Pro works in 6 modes:

1. Automatic cleaning
2. Cleaning along the walls
3. Spot cleaning
4. Wet cleaning
5. Manual method of controlling the robot using a remote control
6. Scheduled cleaning

There are some of them that can be launched in 2 ways: from the remote control or using touch control from the device body. The only drawback of this device is the lack of software for creating a floor plan. But, I’ll tell you, I was still satisfied with the result of the vacuum cleaner; after working with the program, not a single corner of the apartment remained dirty.

Let's look at each mode in more detail.

Automatic cleaning assumes that the robot independently selects the most optimal operating mode, and you can choose 1 of 2 speeds, i.e. further increase or decrease the suction power.

Cleaning along walls or cleaning along the perimeter involves the robot moving along the walls of the room. This mode is especially relevant for pet owners, because animal hair often collects along the walls.

You will start spot cleaning mode when you accidentally spill cereal on the floor or decide to clean up bread/cookie crumbs after lunch. You should decide on the central point where the most debris is concentrated, install the vacuum cleaner there, and it will begin to move in a spiral, as if sweeping away debris underneath itself, while increasing its range of action. After a certain point, it begins to gradually move towards the center to the starting point, decreasing the radius. Activation of this mode is possible both from the remote control and using a button on the case.

To refresh the floor surface, you can use the robot vacuum cleaner in the Wet cleaning mode, which is compatible with any other mode, you just need to fill the tank with water. This does not mean that the floor will be perfectly shiny, because no detergents can be used. However, you will notice the difference between dry cleaning and wet cleaning. I recommend using this mode after the floor has been cleaned by the robot, for example in automatic mode on low power. This way you will save battery power, and it will be enough to start the vacuum cleaner again. After cleaning the waste container, fill the tank with water and start a new mode. During wet cleaning, the cloth adheres tightly to the floor, and water is supplied to the cloth from a water reservoir. Dust and debris will collect on the napkin. While mopping the floor, you can interrupt the vacuum cleaner and rinse the cloth. Under no circumstances leave a wet cloth attached to the vacuum cleaner after cleaning, as... it comes into contact with the floor surface, and from prolonged contact with the floor covering it can release moisture and ruin it.

By “manual cleaning” I mean step-by-step control of the vacuum cleaner using the buttons of the same name on the control panel: left/right, forward/backward.

Scheduled cleaning is one of my favorite modes. This way you can program the device, and your assistant will do the cleaning when you arrive, without straining your hearing with the sound of a running engine and without limiting your activities (for example, playing floor games with a child) with his presence. Setting timers is possible using buttons on the device body. You can set a timer that repeats at the same time 7 days a week, or you can create a schedule for it to work for seven days. Be careful to leave the vacuum cleaner running on its own; you must make sure that there are no small parts, laces, or wires left on the floor, and that the vacuum cleaner itself is sufficiently charged when it starts.

If the battery charge level reaches a critical minimum, the robot vacuum cleaner will rush to the base station to replenish the charge, after which it will continue the cleaning cycle from the place where the program was interrupted.

At the end of the cleaning cycle, the vacuum cleaner returns to the place from which it was launched; if the launch was performed in automatic mode and the vacuum cleaner was at the charging base, the robot will return to the base station to replenish the battery charge level.

By the way, about autonomy and recharging of the vacuum cleaner

This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a fairly powerful battery with a capacity of 2600 mAh. This charge is enough to vacuum an apartment with an area of ​​80 square meters alternately in 2 modes, dry and wet cleaning. In other words, the battery lasts for 2 hours of operation of the device, provided that the battery is fully charged when the cleaning cycle begins. At the same time, you can safely set the maximum suction power. This is an excellent result for a cordless washing vacuum cleaner.

One of the advantages of this model is the ability to charge the device in two ways: Automatic charging or Manual charging. I described the conditions for automatic charging above. For manual charging, the device has a connector for connecting it to the network. Charging time does not depend on the selected mode.

Conclusion

Having tested this device, I was again satisfied with the iLife product. This vacuum cleaner has a sufficient range of functions for high-quality cleaning. Planning the cleaning area and remembering the coordinates of the room, a variety of operating modes, including spot mode and manual control, 2 power modes, various sensors that protect the device from falls and collisions, warnings about the fullness of the dust collector, enhanced case protection, long battery life. Maneuverable and compact, it will refresh your flooring using the wet cleaning mode, or clean in hard-to-reach places, under the bed, chest of drawers, and can even look under the kitchen cabinet. It will easily overcome thresholds up to 13 mm high. And if you only need to clean a specific area, use a virtual wall. You can program the robot to work in your absence by setting a start time for each of the 7 days a week. By the way, having a low noise level, it will not burden you, even if it works in your presence. The good news is that the garbage container is removable, and the filters can be cleaned and washed with water.

I would like to say that iLife products are popular among buyers in the CIS countries. I became convinced at the moment when, while picking up my vacuum cleaner from a transport company, I almost mistakenly picked up someone else’s, the same one. And there are also enough Russian-language reviews on Aliexpress about them.

Aliexpress

User reviews

Analysis of user reviews from online store sites allows us to draw conclusions about the iLife V55 robot model:

1. Quality of cleaning. The model is relevant for hard surfaces. Excellent for regular cosmetic cleaning, it collects fur, hair and small debris well. Doesn't remove wool from carpet. Avoids places near the base.

2. Life time. The answers are mixed. After a short time (1–12 months), the vacuum cleaner breaks down (does not respond to buttons or remote control, crashes into all obstacles, spins in one place). In other cases, the robot has been working properly for more than two years.
3. Guarantee. In Russia, there are service centers only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. This makes diagnostics and repairs much more difficult. The required telephone numbers are indicated in the attached documentation. When purchasing on Aliexpress, sometimes sellers will accept the item back and refund the money.
4. Wet cleaning. Not all users use this feature. High-quality cleaning of laminate and linoleum is noted. Water needs to be added approximately every 40 minutes. To ensure better cleaning, the microfiber must be washed several times as it gets dirty.
5. Build quality. From the outside it looks like a reliable device. Inside there are thin wires and plastic, fragile connectors.
6. Accessories. The set includes 2 replaceable side brushes, microfiber and a filter. Everything necessary for further replacement is available in Chinese online stores.

7. Overcoming obstacles. Doesn't like light rugs, but often climbs onto a heavy rug without problems. Overcomes thresholds up to 2 cm.
8. Pet reaction. Some cats and dogs are afraid, others do not react. It is noted that animals can turn on the vacuum cleaner and open the lid, since the buttons are very sensitive.
9. Navigation. Due to the lack of a route map function, the vacuum cleaner may travel through the same place several times or skip some areas. Finds the base in the vast majority of cases, sometimes it can take a long time to search. Sometimes it does not detect dark-colored obstacles and does not cause damage.

Advantages and disadvantages

Based on reviews and reviews, we can highlight the advantages of the iLife V55 robot:

1. Sufficient capacity of lithium-ion battery (2600 mAh).
2. Double filtration system.
3. Programming cleaning for every day.
4. Control using a panel on the case and a remote control.

5. Turbo mode.
6. Possibility of step-by-step dry and wet cleaning.
7. Average noise level.

Users evaluate the reliable packaging of the product and the availability of spare parts (brushes, filter and microfiber).

However, the disadvantages include:

1. Small volume of dust collector.
2. Long battery recharging time (4–5 hours).
3. There is no “Zigzag” mode; in automatic mode it skips some places.

In addition, many note the inconvenience of setting cleaning schedules. The start delay can be set to 23 hours 45 minutes. Thus, each day cleaning begins 15 minutes earlier than the previous one.

User manual

The robot vacuum cleaner is designed for cleaning hard surfaces in residential areas. It works on fleecy surfaces, but much slower. The operating instructions indicate the basic safety requirements when working with the device.

iLife V55 cannot be used to suction:

• Liquids
• Coarse dirt
• hot ash
• glass shards
• Combustible materials

It is recommended to charge only with the devices included in the delivery set. Do not immerse the vacuum cleaner in water or other liquids or operate it in open areas.

Operating modes

The robot vacuum cleaner operates in the following modes:

• Auto
• Local cleaning
• Perimeter cleaning

Automatic cleaning is activated by a button on the body or via the remote control. Local and perimeter cleaning is started via the remote control.

Control

You can control the operation of the iLife V55 robot vacuum cleaner using the remote control or the buttons on the lid. The robot does not communicate with a smartphone. If the power is on and the display shows nothing, the vacuum cleaner has entered sleep mode. To wake it up, press the power button twice. If the display lights up, one press is enough.

To pause the vacuum cleaner, press the Clean button. To resume cleaning, press the same button for 15 seconds. To complete cleaning, press the same Clean button and hold until the display goes off. The vacuum cleaner goes into sleep mode. If you press the HOME button twice, the device will finish working and go to the base.