WINBOT MINI
2 independent reviewsRead the findings →ECOVACS's original compact window robot, small enough for panes the bigger models can't fit. It suits awkward windows near a socket. It needs a mains lead, though, and misses the edge by the frame.
Updated
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Where it sits in ECOVACS’s range
Feedback
What reviewers found
Two German home tests. testen-mit-kopf.de found it left glass mostly streak-free after one pass, and used it on tiles, mirrors and a steep roof window. Smart Home Fox got clear, shiny windows and large mirrors, and thought the corners were better than on the older W1 Pro, but saw dirt left in the last millimetres at the frame. Both see it as a robot for small to medium panes near a socket. A third write-up, hausgeraete-test.de, adds little beyond the spec sheet.
testen-mit-kopf.de, hands-on, Mar 2025 · Smart Home Fox, hands-on, Feb 2025 · hausgeraete-test.de, hands-on (Mostly restates the spec sheet, with little test detail)
Cleaning result
Mixed resultsStreaks are rare: testen-mit-kopf.de got a streak-free finish in most cases, and Smart Home Fox saw clear, shiny glass. Edges are the weak spot, with Smart Home Fox finding the last few millimetres at the frame weren't always reached.
Safety
Reviewers rate it highlytesten-mit-kopf.de and Smart Home Fox liked the tether and backup battery. ECOVACS claims a 30-minute emergency hold after power loss, but the robot stops cleaning, so tie it off as the instructions say and take it down promptly after a warning.
Surfaces it suits
Mixed resultstesten-mit-kopf.de fitted it behind an obstruction with 7.5cm of clearance and also used it on a roof window, mirrors and tiles, while Smart Home Fox found textured tiles upset its grip. Check pane size and surface limits before buying, especially for anything other than ordinary upright glass.
Ease of use
Reviewers rate it highlySmart Home Fox had it connected in under five minutes and liked the one-button start, and testen-mit-kopf.de found it light and simple to use. Both say the need for a nearby socket is the main drawback.
Noise
Not enough evidenceOnly Smart Home Fox clearly judged noise, listing comparatively quiet running as a plus. No second review we use has measured or assessed it.
Value
Reviewers rate it highlySmart Home Fox found it not cheap but worth the money for small windows, and testen-mit-kopf.de called it a worthwhile buy at under €300.
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 on everyday dirt
testen-mit-kopf.de found fingerprints, dust and light marks came off, with a streak-free finish in most cases and only a small damp mark where you lift the robot off. Smart Home Fox saw fine dust and water spots gone after a deep-clean pass, with hardly any streaks. Dried-on bird droppings needed several passes or a wipe first. Both suggest rinsing or changing the pad on very dirty glass. It's for keeping windows clean, not rescuing neglected ones.
Edges: close, not perfect
It has no side bumpers, so the pad overhangs slightly to reach towards the frame. Smart Home Fox thought the corners were visibly better than on the older W1 Pro, but the last few millimetres at the frame weren't always reached, and sharp or rounded edges were out of reach. The reviewer kept a microfibre cloth to hand for the final touch. testen-mit-kopf.de reports that Ecovacs asks you to start it at least 10cm from the edge. Expect a quick wipe round the frame afterwards.
Fits tight spots
testen-mit-kopf.de got the robot in behind an obstruction with just 7.5cm of clearance. That's the depth of the gap, not the width of glass it can clean: the smallest pane it takes is 22 × 25cm. The same tester also used it on a roof window, tiles and mirrors. Smart Home Fox found textured tiles and deep grout upset its grip, so check your surfaces against ECOVACS' instructions.
The cable is the catch
It needs mains power the whole time. Smart Home Fox called the cable the biggest drawback, since you need a socket near every window and may need an extension lead for big panes. testen-mit-kopf.de lists a shorter cable than on the larger models as a downside, and hausgeraete-test.de wished it ran on a battery. The built-in battery only holds it on the glass if the power goes, so tie the safety rope to something solid, especially outside.
Simple to set up and run
Smart Home Fox had it connected to the Ecovacs app in under five minutes, and the single button starts whichever mode you used last. testen-mit-kopf.de says the app is optional but worth having, since without it you only get the automatic mode; with it you can pick fast, deep or spot cleaning and drive it by hand. Smart Home Fox found manual driving fun but of limited use.
Both main reviews are in German and cover the original WINBOT MINI (WIN-SLAM 3.0), not the mini 2.
Our take
Should you buy the WINBOT MINI?
Best for: Small or awkward window panes with a socket nearby. Skip it if: There is no convenient socket near your windows.
buy it if you have small or awkward panes near a socket and mostly routine dirt. For big glass walls the W2S OMNI's battery station makes more sense, and if the two are close in price the mini 2 gets nearer the frame.
The WINBOT MINI is the original small WINBOT, a 21.5cm square that fits narrow panes, windows behind grilles and panes with handles close to the glass. It drops the side bumpers so the pad reaches nearer the frame. It plugs into the wall, and you carry it from pane to pane and rinse the pad yourself. The WINBOT mini 2 has since replaced it in some countries.
testen-mit-kopf.de got a streak-free finish in most cases and used it on tiles, mirrors, a very narrow gap and a steep roof window. Smart Home Fox saw clear, shiny glass and thought the corners better than on the older W1 Pro, but found the last few millimetres at the frame not always reached and kept a cloth to hand. Dried-on bird droppings needed several passes. Smart Home Fox found textured tiles broke its grip and small mirrors were too small for it. Both found the safety set-up reassuring, and both say the need for a socket near every window is the main drawback. Smart Home Fox thought it worth the money for small windows.
Where to buy
Where to buy the WINBOT MINI in United Kingdom
No United Kingdom price checked in the last 21 days. We re-check daily.
We’re still looking for more United Kingdom retailers for this model.
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Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Does it work on frameless glass?
Ecovacs lists it for framed and frameless windows, per the specifications. testen-mit-kopf.de says its corner sensors reliably spotted the edge of frameless surfaces such as shower screens and mirrors and turned it back. Keep the safety rope tied off anyway.
What happens if the power goes off?
It stops cleaning and uses a backup battery to keep its suction. the specifications claims up to 30 minutes of emergency hold, but take it down promptly after a power warning. Tie off the safety rope as instructed before every run, even indoors.
Does it leave streaks or edges?
Few streaks, some missed edges. testen-mit-kopf.de saw a streak-free finish in most cases, with a small mark where you lift it off. Smart Home Fox found hardly any streaks but some dirt left in the last millimetres at the frame. Plan on a quick wipe round the edges.
Will it fit small windows?
It needs a pane of at least 22 by 25cm and is 21.5cm square and 5.5cm thick, per the specifications. Smart Home Fox found mirrors smaller than about 25cm square too small, while testen-mit-kopf.de got it into a gap just 7.5cm deep.
How long does one window take?
Ecovacs quotes about three minutes per square metre in fast mode, per the specifications. Neither German test timed a pane. By testen-mit-kopf.de's and Smart Home Fox's accounts, the 60ml tank covers roughly 20 to 25 square metres of glass, so you won't be refilling it often.
Does it need a special cleaning fluid?
Use the fluid and dilution in ECOVACS' current instructions. Smart Home Fox and testen-mit-kopf.de tried other liquids, but neither checked what they do to the spray system over time. Their tests aren't a reason to pour any household glass cleaner into the tank.
Alternatives
Other window-cleaning robots to compare.
WINBOT mini 2
Why consider it: Its new corner brushes aim to reach the frame, and L&B Tech Reviews got good results on regularly cleaned glass.
The compromise: It's still mains-powered, loud, and you stand beside it while it works.
WINBOT W2S OMNI
Why consider it: Its battery station frees it from the socket, and Trusted Reviews found it cleared dust and water marks inside and out.
The compromise: It's much bigger, needs panes of at least 30 by 40cm, and you still rinse the pad yourself.
R3
Why consider it: Its narrow body suits slim panes, and CHOICE found it made a real dent in dirty windows.
The compromise: Its round pads couldn't get properly into the corners, and it came off the glass once in testing.
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 WINBOT MINI?
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
- testen-mit-kopf.de: Ecovacs Winbot Mini im Test: Kann der kleinste Fensterputzroboter überzeugen? ↗4.5 / 5Hands-on
- Smart Home Fox: ECOVACS WINBOT Mini Fensterputzroboter Test ↗Hands-on
- hausgeraete-test.de: Ecovacs Winbot Mini Fensterputzroboter im Test ↗4.5 / 5Hands-on · Mostly restates the spec sheet, with little test detail (not counted towards our two-review minimum)
Sources
Videos
- Search YouTube for ECOVACS WINBOT MINI ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.