R3
3 independent reviewsRead the findings →HOBOT's slim window robot, which scrubs with two spinning round pads. It suits narrow or awkward panes and shower glass. Its round pads can't reach corners, though, so you'll finish those by hand.
See the alternatives below, or switch market.
Feedback
What reviewers found
Three testers got clean windows from the R3, but none of them got clean corners. CHOICE found its test window very clean after a dry run and two wet runs, apart from a 2mm strip at the edge and the corners, and it fell off once. I'mTech got a streak-free finish on pressure-washed glass and scored it 90 / 100. Robotobzor found it covered a large window fully, coped with a 38cm-wide pane, and recommended it. All three stress it's for upkeep, not neglected glass.
CHOICE, hands-on, Jul 2025 (Bought by CHOICE) · I'mTech, hands-on, Dec 2023 · Robotobzor, hands-on, Jul 2023
Cleaning result
Mixed resultsThe glass comes up clean but the corners don't: I'mTech got a streak-free finish on prepared windows and CHOICE found its test window very clean after a dry run and two wet runs. Both, like Robotobzor, found the round pads can't reach the corners.
Safety
Mixed resultsCHOICE's unit fell off once for no clear reason, caught by the tether but losing both pads. I'mTech's reviewer says his HOBOTs have never fallen in years, and Robotobzor saw it beep, flash and send a phone alert when unplugged.
Surfaces it suits
Reviewers rate it highlyRobotobzor found it managed a window just 38cm wide as well as tiles, shower stalls and mirrors, and I'mTech used it on pool fences, shower screens and a tilted wind-out window. Both advise keeping it off frameless edges.
Ease of use
Mixed resultsCHOICE found it easy to set up and control with the remote or app, and I'mTech could start it with one button. All three, including Robotobzor, found the fine spray blew off the glass in a breeze, so pick a still day.
Noise
Mixed resultsI'mTech measured 70dB at 1m and called it no louder than a conversation, while Robotobzor measured 73 to 74dB indoors. CHOICE found the voice prompts hard to hear over the suction outside.
Value
Mixed resultsRobotobzor recommends it, and CHOICE thinks it can be worth the price with lots of glass to maintain. I'mTech rated its value highly, but later withdrew its recommendation of the Australian distributor over service and support complaints.
Verdicts come from independent, hands-on, finished reviews. An area needs at least two of them before we say more than “Not enough evidence”. We don't score robots ourselves. How this works
Clean glass, dirty corners
CHOICE ran it once dry and twice wet on a 1.3 by 1.1m window and found it very clean, with a few small patches that came off with a cloth. It missed a 2mm strip round the edge, and its shape meant it simply couldn't reach the corners. Robotobzor also found the corners stayed dirty, and I'mTech still did frames, edges and corners by hand. Expect to finish every pane with a cloth.
It fell once in CHOICE's test
During CHOICE's testing the R3 came off the window once for no clear reason. The safety tether caught it and it wasn't damaged, but both pads fell to the ground, and CHOICE marked it down for the fall. I'mTech's reviewer, who has used HOBOT robots for years, says his have never fallen, but he still ties the rope off on tall windows. Always use the tether, especially outside or above hard ground.
Dry pass first, then wet
All three testers followed HOBOT's advice to do a dry pass first, so dust doesn't turn into mud, then a wet one. CHOICE's dry run took about 6 minutes on its test window. I'mTech pressure-washed the outside glass first and then needed only one pass for a streak-free finish. I'mTech and CHOICE both say it can't shift bird droppings or heavy grime, so deal with those by hand beforehand.
Suits slim panes
The R3 is about 30cm wide and 14.5cm deep, as CHOICE measured, so it fits where square robots don't. Robotobzor found it moved without trouble on a window only 38cm wide and covered a 150 by 90cm pane completely. I'mTech used it on glass pool fences, shower screens and tiles as well as windows, and ran it on a wind-out window tilted about 30 degrees.
Wind and noise outdoors
The fine mist blows away easily. CHOICE found a light breeze took most of the spray away, and I'mTech saw seaside gusts do the same, so pick a still, dry day. On noise, I'mTech measured 70dB at 1m and called it no louder than a conversation, while Robotobzor measured 73 to 74dB indoors. Outside, CHOICE found its spoken prompts hard to hear over the suction.
I'mTech has since added a note to its reviews saying it no longer recommends products from Robot My Life, HOBOT's Australian distributor, after reader reports of delivery and support problems.
Our take
Should you buy the R3?
Best for: Narrow panes and awkward glass where the corners can be wiped by hand. Skip it if: You do not want to rinse pads or finish corners by hand.
Buy the R3 if you have lots of narrow or awkward panes, pool fencing or shower glass, and you're happy to wipe the corners yourself. If you want the corners done too, a square robot like HOBOT's own S6 Pro gets closer. If you'd rather not hunt for a socket at every window, look at a battery-station model like the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S Omni.
The R3 is HOBOT's narrow, oval window robot. Instead of tracks it walks up the glass on two spinning round pads, a bit like wiping by hand, and two nozzles spray a fine mist ahead of it. It follows the 388, which had a single nozzle, and its app adds firmware updates and your own voice prompts alongside the remote. At about 15cm deep and 30cm wide, it fits slimmer panes than most square robots.
The trade-off is the shape. Round pads can't get into square corners, so every tester finished the edges by hand. It runs from the mains, with a battery that only holds it on the glass for 20 minutes if the power goes, and you carry it from pane to pane. It works best on windows you clean regularly.
Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Will it work on frameless glass?
Not reliably. I'mTech advises keeping it away from frameless glass edges, and Robotobzor says HOBOT doesn't recommend it there because it has no corner sensors, even though it drove away from frameless edges in that test. Stick to framed glass.
What happens if the power cuts out?
A built-in battery keeps it stuck to the glass for up to 20 minutes while an alarm sounds, per the specifications, and CHOICE confirms this is only a safety backup, not for cleaning. When Robotobzor unplugged it, it beeped, spoke, flashed red and sent a phone alert.
Does it leave streaks or edges?
It leaves edges. CHOICE found a 2mm strip and the corners uncleaned, and Robotobzor also found dirty corners. On pressure-washed glass I'mTech got a streak-free finish, but noted that damp pads cause streaks, so swap them when they get wet.
How long does one window take?
I'mTech timed a 2.1 by 0.65m window at 4.5 minutes. CHOICE's dry run on a 1.3 by 1.1m window took about 6 minutes, followed by two wet runs. Dirty glass needs a dry and a wet pass, so allow for both, plus moving it between panes.
Does it need a special cleaning fluid?
HOBOT says its own detergent or pure water both work, per the specifications. I'mTech found plain water has no cutting power and recommends HOBOT's solution. CHOICE thinks plain water can do the job if you use it regularly for maintenance.
Can I use it on upstairs outside windows?
Yes, with the tether tied off. CHOICE's unit fell once and the tether caught it, though its pads dropped to the ground. Where there's nowhere to tie it, I'mTech suggests a pole or old pillows. It also needs a socket within reach of its 4m cord, per the specifications.
Alternatives
Other window-cleaning robots to compare.
S6 Pro
Why consider it: HOBOT's square model gets further into corners, and I'mTech found it the best window robot it had tested.
The compromise: It's loud, and you still stay nearby to move it between panes.
WINBOT mini 2
Why consider it: A compact square robot whose corner brushes aim to reach the frame.
The compromise: It's also mains-powered and loud, and you stand beside it while it works.
N1
Why consider it: A compact robot for narrow and divided panes, and testers found it cleans ordinary framed windows very well.
The compromise: It's unreliable on frameless glass and leaves the corners to you.
Specs
Full specifications
Each specification names its source. Manufacturer claims are not independent test results; unconfirmed figures are labelled.
Owner reviews
Do you own the R3?
Tell people how it’s held up: cleaning, maintenance, faults and support. Owner accounts are shown separately from independent reviews.
Sources
Where this page’s findings come from
Editorial reviews
- CHOICE: Is the Hobot-R3 robot window cleaner worth it? ↗Hands-on · Bought by CHOICE
- I'mTech: Hobot-R3 window cleaning robot does a great job ↗90 / 100Hands-on
- Robotobzor: Hobot R3 review and test ↗Hands-on
Sources
- HOBOT: HOBOT-R3 product page ↗Manufacturer
Videos
- Robot My Life: HOBOT R3 Robot Window Cleaner Review 2023 ↗
- Robot My Life: HOBOT R3 Robot Window Cleaner, Cleaning Glass ↗
- Search YouTube for HOBOT R3 ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.