SwitchBot makes some of the most affordable HomeKit-compatible robot vacuums on the market. I've spent several months testing the SwitchBot S20 and K11+ to see how these budget-friendly models stack up against pricier alternatives I've reviewed.
SwitchBot S20
The S20 carries an MSRP of $799, though frequent sales often bring it below $500—making it competitive with other affordable robot vacuums that lack Matter integration.
While I've noticed clear differences between SwitchBot's offerings and premium models, the S20's cleaning performance has been impressive. As a hybrid vacuum and mop, it handles both crumbs and floor mopping simultaneously.
The S20 boasts 10,000Pa suction, though in practice I've found it difficult to distinguish suction power differences across models—they all handle dust, fur, dirt, and debris effectively. An anti-tangle system prevents hair and fur from causing issues, while rubber ridges on the vacuum brush help capture lightweight messes. A side brush sweeps along baseboards, though it doesn't match the crevice-cleaning ability of my Roborock vacuum. You may need to manually vacuum the perimeter occasionally.
The roller mop design is my preferred mopping system. Unlike rotating pads that can spread dirt around, the roller continuously washes itself during cleaning, which feels more hygienic as it scrubs grime off in real-time. While no robot vacuum removes crusty, dried-on stains in one pass, the S20 handled dried ketchup well after two passes. These devices aren't meant for deep cleaning, but with multiple weekly cleanings—or even daily runs—my floors stay cleaner than with manual mopping alone.
I have wood flooring and tile without carpet, limiting my carpet testing. However, it's handled my larger rugs without issue and caused no damage to wood floors.
The S20's base station offers an optional plumbing hookup for automatic waste water disposal and clean water refilling. For this review, I chose manual tanks to avoid permanent installation, but the option is valuable. The base station itself features a simple, unobtrusive design that doesn't dominate floor space.
The 2.7L clean water tank and 2.5L dirty water tank require refilling and emptying roughly once weekly, depending on usage frequency. The base station includes a compartment for robot vacuum-specific floor cleaner. The tanks are accessible, easy to open, and quick to service.
Dust and dirt collect in a bag requiring replacement every three months, creating an ongoing expense. Light cleaning and maintenance of the robot vacuum itself is needed periodically, as the mop and other components eventually wear out—typically once yearly. The base station uses 50°C hot air to dry the mop after cleaning, preventing mold growth and mildew odors.
Now for the drawbacks. The base station includes a thin plastic mat to protect floors from wheel marks, which SwitchBot expects you to adhere to the floor. I'm not attaching plastic to my flooring, and I was disappointed by the lack of a snap-in floor protector like most robot vacuums provide. Without adhesive, the plastic shifts around uselessly, so I simply tolerate some drips and dirt on my kitchen floor.
Compared to Ecovacs and Roborock models I've tested, the S20 runs loud. I couldn't sleep or work through its vacuuming noise, though a mode reduces suction for quieter operation—it's still not quiet enough. It sounds like a vacuum, but that's not the worst tradeoff for a lower price point.
The S20 offers modes for vacuuming, vacuuming then mopping, or simultaneous vacuuming and mopping. However, SwitchBot doesn't provide a mop-only option.
The AI capabilities fall short of pricier vacuums, though this has some advantages. It ignores my kitchen rugs entirely rather than getting stuck on them. If a rug catches on the wheel, it drags it along until freed. I don't mind this, as it eliminates rescue missions. The vacuum operates independently most of the time without requiring intervention.
It avoids cords almost entirely, and I've only seen it pick up a cat toy and a sock. The Ecovacs robot I tested sometimes erred too cautiously, misidentifying objects and avoiding them for less thorough cleaning. The S20 is less cautious, which could be problematic if you have many floor items.
While the AI mapping isn't as capable as premium robots, the S20 identified every room in my house and navigates them reasonably well. It struggles with thresholds, especially taller ones. It gets stuck in my bathroom and, instead of recognizing the issue and alerting me, keeps attempting to escape until the battery dies.
I can edit maps to create no-go zones, label rooms and objects, and make other adjustments to control cleaning areas. These edits are essential with SwitchBot vacuums.
The S20 runs approximately 100 minutes before needing to recharge in vacuum and mopping mode, cleaning roughly 1,000 square feet in my house before that point. It can't complete my entire house on a single charge, but in-app scheduling lets me clean a room or area daily on a rotating cycle. Battery life extends to nearly three hours in vacuum-only mode.
SwitchBot K11+
The SwitchBot K11+ is a much smaller, vacuum-only robot best suited for compact spaces—I'd consider it for an apartment. After three attempts, I couldn't get it to accurately map my entire house, and the AI appears limited.
I can isolate it in a single room for accurate mapping, so it works in smaller areas, but it's still not particularly intelligent. Like the S20, when it can't reach an area, it doesn't give up and move on—it continues attempting until the battery dies, forcing me to hunt it down. This is inconvenient when I'm away from home.
The suction is decent at 6,000Pa according to SwitchBot, but it doesn't pick up debris as quickly as the S20. What I appreciate most about the K11+ is its compact size. It accesses smaller nooks and crannies that larger robot vacuums can't reach, making it ideal for tight spaces.
There's technically a feature for attaching a Swiffer-style mop to the K11+ for mopping capability, but that seems like more hassle than quickly mopping the floor myself.
Matter Integration
With an Apple Matter hub (Apple TV or HomePod), SwitchBot vacuums connect to the Home app. Basic functions work through the Home app or Siri, and I've found Siri integration genuinely useful.
While I initially wasn't impressed with the limited robot vacuum controls in the Home app, I can now say things like "Siri, vacuum the kitchen" or "Siri, mop the dining room" for targeted cleaning when needed, which has proven handy.
That's primarily how I use Matter, though the Home app also supports automations and integration with other Apple products. You can set up the robot to vacuum when you leave home, avoiding the noise entirely.
Neither Siri nor the Home app can fully control a robot vacuum without the dedicated SwitchBot app. Features like map editing, firmware updates, cleaning progress monitoring, troubleshooting, and checking replacement part estimates require the SwitchBot app—this is true of any robot vacuum.
HomeKit integration is nice to have but limited, and it's not a feature I'd prioritize when choosing between robot vacuums.
Bottom Line
If you want a robot vacuum and mop that cleans and mops effectively without a premium price tag, the SwitchBot S20 is worth considering. You'll deal with some frustrations—loud operation, map editing requirements, and occasional rescues from stuck situations—but it cleans well.
I wouldn't recommend the smaller K11+ unless you have a compact space. It's not designed for larger homes, but it's a solid apartment vacuum if you can live without mopping functionality.
How to Buy
The SwitchBot S20 is available from the SwitchBot website for $520 after a 35 percent discount (I've seen lower prices, so waiting for a bigger sale may be worthwhile), while the SwitchBot K11+ is available for $220 after a 45 percent discount.
Note: SwitchBot provided MacRumors with an S20 and a K11+ for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
This article, "SwitchBot S20 Review: A Budget-Friendly Robot Vacuum and Mop With Matter Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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