Robotic vacuum cleaners with an emptying station are a great helper in the home. We have already tested several of them, but mostly they were the proven Roborock brand. This time we have a lesser known model, Ultenic TS1.
What is a cheap robotic vacuum cleaner? Can we expect similar results from it as from proven brands? In our review, we will answer these questions and take a detailed look at the Ultenic TS1.
Where to buy Ultenic TS1?
Ultenic TS1
Express delivery from a Czech warehouse without duties and VAT.
This product will be delivered to you expressly from your local Czech warehouse. Delivery from Czech Republic usually takes 7-10 days and delivers courier. No extra charges, no customs duties or VAT.
Technical specifications
| Model | TS1 |
|---|---|
| dimensions | 33.5 x 33.5 x 7.4 cm |
| Weight | 7.5 kg |
| Maximum sucking power | 3000 Pa |
| Drums | 3200 mAh |
| Keep holding on na one charging | 120 minutes |
| charging | within 5 hours |
| noise | max mode ≤73 dB; standard ≤68 dB; quiet ≤ 65 dB |
| Conquering obstacles | max 5 mm |
| Capacity containers na impurities | 200ml |
| Water tank capacity | 235ml |
| Increase performance pri carpets | Yes |
| Application | Ultenic |
| WiFi | 2.4 GHz |
| Pocket na dust v the station | 3 L |
| Sucking power docking station station | 22 KPa |
Quality double packaging
The robotic vacuum cleaner Ultenic TS1 was delivered to us by courier in a box with dimensions of 42 x 40 x 34.5 cm with a total weight of 10.7 kg. We appreciate the double packaging, where the product box is placed in a second, protective box. This reduces the risk of damage during transport.
In the inner box, the vacuum cleaner with accessories is stored in three levels. On top we find a plastic pad under the charging station in foam reinforcement. Below it is the robotic vacuum cleaner itself in a cardboard reinforcement, and at the very bottom there is a charging station.
In addition to these main parts of the vacuum cleaner, the manufacturer also includes a remote control, batteries for the controller, a tool for cleaning the brush from hair, rotary mops, a spare HEPA filter, a spare dust bag, as well as a spare side brush and a manual.
Regarding the content and quality of the packaging, we are very satisfied here. In addition to the necessary components, the manufacturer also includes something extra.
Design and quality of workmanship
The Ultenic TS1 vacuum cleaner belongs to the smaller vacuum cleaners, which at first glance lacks the well-known laser system in the upper part. The vacuum cleaner is glossy black, so be prepared for a lot of fingerprints and dirt on its surface that can be seen from afar. We personally prefer white vacuum cleaners and matte finish.
In the front part there is a pair of laser cameras that take care of the detection of spaces and the navigation of the vacuum cleaner. This system is called NaviFree.
There is a pull-out unit in the back, which combines containers for dirt and water. We have 200 ml available for dust and 235 ml for water.
The underside has a classic rotary brush with bristlesnami, wheels with a deep pattern and a side brush for collecting dirt from the edges of the room.
On the vacuum cleaner we also find a pair of backlit buttons, specifically for turning on / off and returning to the docking station.
Charging station with dirt bag
Surprisingly, even a robotic vacuum cleaner at a lower price level comes with an automatic emptying system integrated in the docking station. Inside it we find a bag for dust. This is accessible through the opening plastic hatch at the top.
The station is relatively compact and in its front part there is also a smaller display that signals the status of the vacuum cleaner's battery and its activity. The design fits nicely with the vacuum cleaner.
In the package we also find plastic pads that simply click into each other and form a kind of pad for the docking station and the vacuum cleaner. It's a shame that the docking station, which is just loosely placed on this mat, doesn't click in the same way. If we want to move it, we have to carry the mat separately.
Pairing with the application and its environment
The robotic vacuum cleaner works with the Ultenic application. It requires registration and login before pairing with the vacuum cleaner. The pairing process is simple and quick.
Although the application could not search for a vacuum cleaner automatically, we had to find a specific model in the list of supported devices. After that, everything went on without any problems.
The application environment is very similar to other robotic vacuum cleaners. The screen shows a map of the premises (after the first vacuuming) and around it we find all the important buttons for controlling and setting the vacuuming. We can also rotate the map here, open the map management or send the vacuum cleaner to the docking station.
The first vacuuming was not without problems
Before the first vacuuming, most new vacuum cleaners only quickly map the room to get an initial view of the individual spaces. The Ultenic TS1 immediately set out to clean our apartment.
We tested the vacuum cleaner in a three-room apartment with a total floor area of 70 m2, but the free floor area is relatively small, as our apartment is quite cluttered with furniture and other things.
Immediately after unpacking, the battery in the vacuum cleaner had a capacity of 52%, so we did not wait and sent it for the first cleaning of the apartment. He started rather awkwardly and often just spun around in place, or made smaller movements in different directions.
After a while he went from the first room to the second, but it took him quite a long time. He wandered around the apartment until his battery capacity dropped to 19%, when he returned to recharge. Even the return to the charging station was very embarrassing and we had doubts if he would be able to return there at all.
After recharging, it did not continue its activity, so we had to launch it through the application again. The second attempt ended successfully and the application showed us a map of the apartment with the division into individual rooms.
Vacuuming and mopping modes
Ultenic TS1 offers three vacuuming modes and three mopping modes as well. Specifically, it is silent, standard and strong mode. The individual modes are graded based on the suction power and the amount of water that the vacuum cleaner will use.
The modes also differ in noise. While we measure 65 dB during the quiet mode, it is up to 73 dB in the strong mode. The automatic emptying of the dust container is particularly noisy, exceeding 80 dB.
We don't always have to vacuum the whole apartment. We can only choose individual rooms, a marked area or a point on the map. However, we did not find the so-called no-go zones or virtual walls.
Vacuuming quality and problem mop
Let's go to the most important part, which is the quality of the vacuum itself. Ultenic TS1 has a maximum suction power of 3000 Pa. We have to admit that the vacuuming quality is not the best. It has a problem especially with larger impurities, it can handle dust.
A lot of long hair gets caught on the rotating brush in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner, which still needs to be removed using the included tool.
The vacuum cleaner has a pair of round mopping cloths that should vibrate at a speed of 3000 vibrations per minute. However, only their installation is problematic. They don't stay in place at all, as if something was missing, so they kept falling out of the vacuum cleaner, so we didn't even get to try mopping properly.
Navigation in space also has its flies
The Ultenic TS1 does not have the classic laser system at the top that rotates constantly. Namiit also has a pair of laser cameras in the front part. Because of this, the vacuum cleaner can only see in front of it and often turns completely to scan the surrounding area.
This creates a lot of unnecessary movements, and in addition, his routes are not ideal either. When observing the vacuum cleaner, we often had the feeling that it somehow wanders, wanders, goes through the same places several times and somehow doesn't know where to go next.
The other robot vacuums we tested managed to go through our apartment in about 32 minutes with a battery consumption of about 16-25%, depending on the mode. The Ultenic TS1 vacuum cleaner takes up to 49 minutes for one vacuum, while consuming 51% of the battery. This vacuum cleaner is not able to vacuum our apartment even twice in standard mode.
In addition, it hits the surrounding objects, walls or furniture quite significantly.
Ultenic TS1: Final evaluation
The robotic vacuum cleaner Ultenic TS1 impresses with its low price and docking station with automatic emptying function. These are tempting parameters, from which many would expect a lot of music for a little money.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. The Ultenic TS1 is definitely not one of the robotic vacuum cleaners we would recommend. It does not have ideal space navigation, it often confuses and the vacuuming is too noisy, not very high quality and long. In addition, the energy consumption from the battery is very high, so it cannot vacuum even a small apartment more than once on one charge.
