The SwitchBot S20 is a robust robot vacuum designed to meet the cleaning demands of larger homes. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, the SwitchBot K11+, the S20 offers enhanced features and seamless integration with smart home ecosystems, including Apple’s HomeKit via Matter support.
Key Features of the SwitchBot S20
The SwitchBot S20 is engineered to tackle extensive cleaning tasks with efficiency and precision. Its standout features include:
– Powerful Suction: With a suction power of 10,000Pa, the S20 effectively removes dirt, pet hair, and debris from both carpets and hard floors.
– Automated MultiClean Station: This station automates several maintenance tasks:
– Dust Disposal: The vacuum empties its dustbin into the station, which can hold up to 90 days’ worth of debris before requiring a bag replacement.
– Water Management: The station refills the vacuum’s clean water tank and drains the dirty water, ensuring the mopping function operates with optimal efficiency.
– Mop Pad Maintenance: After each cleaning session, the station dries the mop pads, preventing mold and unpleasant odors.
– Advanced Navigation: Equipped with LiDAR and AI technologies, the S20 maps your home accurately, identifies over 100 types of obstacles—including furniture and cables—and can traverse thresholds up to 20mm in height.
– Smart Home Integration: The S20 supports integration with various smart home platforms, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, through Matter compatibility. This allows users to control the vacuum directly from their preferred smart home app without the need for additional hubs, aside from a HomeKit Hub for Apple users.
Personal Experience with the SwitchBot S20
In my household, the SwitchBot S20 has become an indispensable tool for maintaining cleanliness in our primary living areas. By configuring room names within the SwitchBot app, these designations appear in the HomeKit interface, enabling targeted cleaning sessions for specific areas. Although these are not recognized as native HomeKit rooms—a limitation likely due to Matter’s current capabilities—this workaround proves highly functional.
Each evening, post-dinner, I initiate a cleaning cycle for the dining room and kitchen directly through the Home app. While I prefer to mop hardwood floors using a specific product and thus do not utilize the S20’s mopping feature, the vacuuming function alone has significantly reduced the time and effort required for daily cleaning. The S20 consistently collects a substantial amount of dust and debris, underscoring its effectiveness.
Integrating the S20 into HomeKit
To incorporate the SwitchBot S20 into the HomeKit ecosystem, follow these steps:
1. Setup via SwitchBot App: Begin by connecting the S20 to your Wi-Fi network using the SwitchBot app.
2. Enable Matter Support: Within the app, navigate to the vacuum’s settings and select the Matter setup option. The app will generate a Matter code for pairing.
3. Add to HomeKit: Open the Apple Home app, tap to add a new accessory, and choose the More options link. The S20 should appear as an available device. Select it, input the Matter code, and assign it to the desired room within your HomeKit setup.
Once integrated, the S20 can be included in automations and scenes, allowing for customized cleaning schedules and routines. By naming rooms in the SwitchBot app, these labels are accessible within HomeKit, facilitating room-specific cleaning commands. Although these are not true HomeKit rooms, this method provides a practical solution for targeted cleaning.
Conclusion
The SwitchBot S20 stands out as a top-tier robot vacuum, offering exceptional value for those seeking a device compatible with Matter and HomeKit. Its powerful suction, intelligent navigation, and innovative integration with smart home platforms make it a compelling choice for homeowners. The ability to assign room names within the SwitchBot app and access them through HomeKit enhances user control, despite current limitations in direct HomeKit room integration. Over time, the S20 adapts to its environment, reducing instances of getting stuck and ensuring thorough cleaning cycles. Its combination of power, intelligence, and reliability makes the SwitchBot S20 a highly recommended addition to any smart home.
