During the recent CES event, Eufy unveiled a unique addition to their product line: the E20, a robot vacuum that doubles as a stick and hand vacuum. This innovative appliance claims the title of the first “three-in-one” robotic cleaning device and has earned accolades, including a CES Best of Innovation award. However, after testing the E20 for over a week, some aspects left more to be desired, proving to be perplexing and somewhat disappointing.

Eufy has previously garnered attention for some excellent security camera models. However, their vacuum products have often not met high expectations. The Omni S1, which I evaluated last year, possessed an intriguing design and satisfactory performance, but it struck me as quite overpriced. The most favorable assessment I could give Eufy’s lineup was for the X10 Pro Omni, which I regarded as “decent” given its price.

The E20 initially sparked excitement. Its compact and lightweight packaging stood out against the typical cumbersome boxes that most robot vacuums come in. However, unpacking revealed a missing component: the lid for the robot itself. Instead, the design features an open face, emphasizing the stick vacuum’s handle, giving it an incomplete appearance. When detaching the handle, the robot becomes unstable, often failing to remain docked. Furthermore, the absence of a designated docking area for the stick and attachments seemed like a significant oversight, despite Eufy’s plan to offer a wall dock for an additional $10 upon the product’s launch.

Once operational, the E20 effectively mapped out the environment, yet it faced challenges while navigating the space. The weight distribution of the handle contributed to its awkward balance, resulting in frequent entrapments. As a stick vacuum, the E20 performed adequately. However, its shorter stature felt somewhat simplistic compared to the advanced models with screens from brands like Dyson, Samsung, and Narwal that were tested during the past year. Moreover, the E20’s minimal capacity became a noticeable inconvenience; it required returning to the dock repeatedly when cleaning even a small space. Each return involved dismantling the vacuum, waiting for it to empty, and then reassembling it.

The handheld function, combining the handle with any attachment sans the stick, provided similar performance. Although the multitool attachment was a highlight, having a more conventional handheld vacuum readily available would be more efficient than managing the E20.

Strikingly, amidst a market where robot vacuums tout impressive suction capabilities (some reaching up to 22,000Pa), the E20 only achieves 8,000Pa, while its stick counterpart boasts 30,000Pa. This discrepancy raises questions about the shared motor technology; Eufy claims both utilize the same motor, but the robot’s suction power is intentionally limited to conserve battery life.

What the E20 does excel at is affordability, retailing at $549 with pre-ordering starting January 6, along with an introductory discount of $50. However, since it functions strictly as a vacuum rather than a versatile robot vacuum/mop combination, alternatives may suit buyers better within this price bracket, such as the Switchbot K10+.