Overview
- Manufacturers have launched several premium models this month that pair automated base stations with heated wash and warm‑air drying, including Dreame’s new Aqua20 Pro with a steam system and MOVA’s V70 with 100°C pad washing.
- Retailers are offering time‑limited launch discounts on these flagships, for example Dreame’s Aqua20 Pro at €1,199 (€300 off) and the Dreame L40 Ultra A at €329, while ECOVACS is running Brandweek promotions on its OmniCyclone models.
- Two competing wet‑cleaning architectures dominate product choices: active rollers remove dried stains by constantly feeding and extracting fresh water, while rotating mop pads are simpler, reach edges better and risk redistributing dirty water between station washes.
- Independent tests and repair data show typical real‑world lifespans of about three to six years, with batteries and station pumps cited as common failure points and cloud service shutdowns able to cripple otherwise working devices.
- The trade‑off for buyers is clear: stations deliver convenience but add mechanical subsystems that increase maintenance and repair risk, so purchasing decisions increasingly hinge on household needs, repairability and warranty or software‑service terms.