Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI Review: Streak-Free Cleaning Without Much Effort?

The Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI combines a compact window-cleaning robot with a battery-powered OMNI station. WIN-SLAM 4.0 handles route planning, TruEdge 2.0 takes care of edges and corners, and with up to 10,000 Pa of suction, the robot stays firmly attached to the glass while cleaning. In our test, it had to demonstrate how well it performs in practice on six apartment windows, several mirrors, large picture frames, and hard-to-reach glass surfaces. Navigation worked reliably, and the result was glass that was virtually streak-free. However, you can’t completely say goodbye to window cleaning just yet: the frames still require manual cleaning, and for heavily soiled windows, the cleaning pad needs to be rinsed under the faucet more frequently.

Technical Specifications of the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI at a Glance

Model	Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI
WINBOT Dimensions	272 x 272 x 76 mm
WINBOT Weight	approx. 2.1 kg
Dimensions of the station	approx. 5 kg
Navigation	WIN-SLAM 4.0
Edge cleaning	TruEdge 2.0
Suction power	up to 10,000 Pa in cleaning mode
Water Tank	120 ml
Battery	5,200 mAh
Battery life according to the manufacturer	up to 110 minutes
Charging time (manufacturer’s specification)	up to 3 hours
Volume (manufacturer’s specification)	66 dB
Cleaning modes	Quick, Thorough, Deep Clean, Edges, Stains, Area, High Power, and Remote Control
Suitable tilt angle	up to ±45 degrees
Price at the time of testing	599 euros

Package Contents and OMNI Station

ECOVACS ships the WINBOT along with its portable OMNI Station. It serves as a power source, control unit, transport aid, and storage solution for the robot. Cleaning pads and cleaning solution are also included.

The box contains:

• ECOVACS WINBOT W2S PRO
• OMNI Station
• two microfiber cleaning pads
• 230 ml cleaning solution
• Safety cord with suction cup
• Power cord
• User manual

The station weighs about 5 kg, but can be easily carried from room to room using the large handle. The cable retracts neatly and doesn’t end up lying around on the floor after cleaning.

On a hard surface, the station is additionally secured by a suction system. This prevents it from simply sliding along when tension is applied to the connecting cable. It can only be moved again normally once the handle is lifted. On carpet or similarly soft surfaces, however, this securing mechanism does not work.

The app is optional and can remain so

Many smart home devices require an app to function properly at all. With the WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI, this is handled more conveniently. For normal window cleaning, you don’t necessarily need the ECOVACS HOME app. Just place the WINBOT on the window, wait until it has secured itself and confirmed it’s ready, and then start the cleaning process. This works even without a smartphone.

In our test, we used the app anyway. It provides access to the various modes, settings, and remote control. If you want to touch up specific areas or switch between multiple cleaning programs, doing so via touchscreen is much more convenient than repeatedly pressing the mode button on the docking station.

However, operating the device directly on the OMNI station isn’t quite perfect. Of the three control buttons, the two outer buttons for power and mode selection—of all things—tend to get slightly stuck if you don’t press them fairly centered. We didn’t have any issues with the middle button, though.

For normal operation, however, we found the app to be more of an optional feature. A window-cleaning robot benefits from being able to simply place it on the window and let it start cleaning without having to take out your smartphone every time. On the other hand, those who switch between modes frequently will likely prefer the app.

12 safety features protect the WINBOT

With a window robot weighing a good 2 kg, fall protection is particularly important. ECOVACS combines twelve hardware and software safety measures in the W2S PRO OMNI. These include, among other things, automatic pressure compensation, a flexibly mounted wiping plate, acceleration and edge sensors, and an additional safety cable. The optocoupler sensor is designed to detect frameless edges within 0.007 seconds.

According to ECOVACS, in the event of a power outage, the WINBOT will remain attached to the window for at least 30 minutes with a fully charged battery. During our test, we never felt that its adhesion might become an issue. Quite the opposite, in fact: once or twice, the system issued a precautionary alarm, even though we didn’t see any problem. In any case, there were no accidental detachments—and we decided against conducting a deliberate drop test.

WIN-SLAM 4.0 reliably finds its way

Our six apartment windows are relatively similar in design, but due to their location on a city street, they were anything but freshly cleaned. Dust and typical street grime on the outside surfaces thus provided a very useful real-world test.

WIN-SLAM 4.0 moved along the windows in predictable paths and covered the surfaces evenly. We did not observe any large missed areas or unnecessary back-and-forth movement. After completing the run, the WINBOT returns to a location near its starting position. Of course, you should still stay nearby during cleaning, but we didn’t have to intervene regarding navigation.

TruEdge 2.0 gets very close to the frame

TruEdge 2.0 did a good job cleaning the edges. The WINBOT moves very close to the frames and also cleaned the corners of our windows thoroughly. We didn’t notice any wide, uncleaned streaks left behind.

However, it’s not always possible to avoid small residues entirely. In a few spots, a bit of residue remained right at the edge, which was easily removed with a quick wipe using a microfiber cloth. A complete follow-up cleaning of all window edges wasn’t necessary after our runs, though.

For heavier dirt, a second pass makes a difference

Since our windows hadn’t been cleaned in a while, we ran the pad over several panes twice. The difference was noticeable: After the second pass, the glass looked more even, and even stubborn residue had largely disappeared.

Overall, the result came very close to completely streak-free glass. Upon closer inspection, we still found a few faint traces here and there, such as at the end point of a pass. In normal light, these were barely noticeable.

With so much street grime, however, the microfiber pad became clogged fairly quickly. We rinsed it out roughly after every pair of windows. This isn’t a fixed guideline, but simply depended on the level of dirt in our case. For windows cleaned regularly, the pad should last significantly longer.

The 120-ml tank didn’t need to be refilled

The built-in tank holds 120 ml. The cleaning solution is automatically sprayed onto the window and then absorbed and spread by the microfiber pad. During our regular window-cleaning routine, we didn’t have to refill the tank even once.

Consumption in deep-cleaning mode was interesting. With one tank filling, we roughly managed about 50 cleaning passes, with one pass corresponding to about half of a typical double window for us. That amounts to roughly 25 to 30 m² of glass surface area. ECOVACS specifies approximately 26 m² per fill for deep cleaning—our actual results fall pretty much within that range. In quick mode, the manufacturer specifies approximately 72 m².

The dosing worked well, too. The liquid didn’t run down the window unnecessarily, and we didn’t notice any dry spots either.

There is one point to consider regarding running costs, however: ECOVACS relies on its own WINBOT cleaning solution, which can be reordered directly through the app, among other options. The manufacturer does not list any alternative cleaning solutions for the W2S PRO OMNI. We would therefore not recommend pouring just any mixture into the tank; the cost of the cleaning solution should be factored into the budget for frequent use.

It also works on mirrors, tiles, and other smooth surfaces

In our test, the WINBOT didn’t stick exclusively to window panes. Several mirrors, including a very large mirrored surface, could be cleaned without any problems. As long as the surface is flat and large enough, the process is virtually the same as cleaning a window.

Large picture frames with glass fronts also worked well. The compact design helps here, as the robot still has enough space to navigate even on smaller contiguous surfaces.

In principle, however, the WINBOT can also handle other smooth, solid surfaces. Among other things, we tested it on flat cabinet surfaces and on a refrigerator. The key requirement is that the surface be as flat as possible and able to withstand both moisture and the glass cleaning solution used. For delicate coatings, wooden surfaces, or unknown materials, we would therefore recommend testing the surface’s reaction beforehand in an inconspicuous spot.

The situation is similar with smooth tiles. If they are laid flat and the grout lines are not too wide or deep, the WINBOT can travel over them. Significant differences in height or wide grout lines, however, limit the robot’s effectiveness, as it requires a largely smooth surface for traction.

The benefits become clear with hard-to-reach windows

We didn’t necessarily find the WINBOT most interesting when used on a standard window at arm’s length. A window like that can also be cleaned quickly with a cloth and a squeegee. Its advantage really shines in situations where you’d otherwise have to use an extension pole, a ladder, or contort your body into an uncomfortable position.

In our home, a bathroom window above the bathtub is one such example. The upper areas are difficult to reach by hand. With the WINBOT, however, you simply place it against the window and let it do the work on its own.

Even slightly sloped glass surfaces are no problem. ECOVACS specifies an operating range of up to ±45 degrees, which means, for example, that glass roofs or elements of a patio canopy with a corresponding slope are suitable. However, the WINBOT cannot clean overhead.

Especially for large glass surfaces or areas that would otherwise only be reachable with tools, this design makes much more sense than for two small windows at eye level.

66 dB is audible but not disruptive

A window-cleaning robot with a constantly running suction fan is not a quiet household appliance. ECOVACS specifies 66 dB for the W2S PRO OMNI.

In everyday use, however, we found the background noise perfectly acceptable. You can hear the robot clearly, but having a normal conversation in the same room is still no problem. Since a single pass doesn’t take forever anyway, we didn’t find the volume bothersome.

At some point, the station’s voice prompts can become almost more noticeable than the actual operating noise. It provides quite frequent announcements about the start, end, and various status updates. If you no longer need further announcements after the third window, you can lower the volume in the app or turn off the voice prompts entirely. We ended up doing that as well.

The charging station makes the power outlet (almost) irrelevant

The OMNI station has a 5,200-mAh battery, allowing it to operate independently of a power outlet. ECOVACS specifies a runtime of up to 110 minutes per charge.

In our test, cleaning a double window with four individual panes—each run twice in deep-cleaning mode—consumed roughly 20% of the battery. This isn’t a lab measurement, but it gives a good sense of how far you can go on a single charge. This runtime was sufficient for our window cleaning session.

An interesting feature is the station’s reserve: when not connected to a power source, it retains about 20% of its charge. If the battery level drops below that, the WINBOT will no longer start wirelessly. This means the station cannot be completely drained while in mobile operation.

Charging was also quite fast. Our station arrived with an 87% charge and was back at 100% after about 25 minutes. Of course, this is just a partial charge and isn’t comparable to the full charging time. On the other hand, we weren’t as impressed with the station’s charging cable. It’s quite short, which means the station has to be positioned relatively close to an outlet to charge.

In everyday use, however, we especially liked the portability. Just grab the station, carry it to the next window, and keep going. No need for an extension cord running through several rooms.

What manual work is still required when cleaning windows?

The W2S PRO OMNI doesn’t handle window frames, rebates, or window sills. Its job essentially ends at the glass surface.

In addition, for heavily soiled windows, you’ll need to maintain the cleaning pad. During our cleaning session, we had to remove it several times, wash it out, wring it out, and reattach it. Those who clean their windows more regularly will have to do this much less often.

In terms of time, the effort can be roughly estimated as follows: For a double window with four glass panels and two passes through each in deep-cleaning mode, we estimated about 10 minutes of actual cleaning time. Moving the WINBOT between the individual panes and any necessary rinsing of the pad are additional tasks.

Thus, the WINBOT automates a large part of the actual glass cleaning, but not the entire window-cleaning process. However, it works through the roughly 10 minutes required for our double-pane window largely on its own. During this time, you can take care of the frames, the windowsill, or simply do something else.

Where does the WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI fit in the market?

At 599 euros, the W2S PRO OMNI falls into the higher price range. Competition now exists both from comparable mobile stations and from significantly cheaper models without a battery base.

Model	Station	Battery Life	Special Feature	Price*
ECOVACS WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI	Portable charging station	up to 110 min.	TruEdge 2.0, WIN-SLAM 4.0, 120-ml tank	599 euros
ECOVACS WINBOT W3 OMNI	Charging station with pad cleaning	Up to 130 min.	WIN-SLAM 5.0, Vortex Wash	649 euros
Dreame C1 Station	Portable battery station	up to 180 min.	CornerClean, Dual Spray, AI route planning	599 euros
Dreame C1 Station S	Portable charging station	Up to 60 min.	8,000 Pa, CornerClean, Dual Spray	549 euros
MOVA N1	No charging station	Mains-powered	Compact design, Dual Spray, intelligent route planning	249 euros, currently 199 euros

*Prices in the manufacturer’s store as of the time of writing.

The range thus extends from the significantly more affordable MOVA N1—which lacks a mobile charging station—to Dreame’s C1 models, which come much closer to the ECOVACS concept. If you’re primarily looking for a compact solution for occasional use, you don’t necessarily have to spend 599 euros.

The ECOVACS WINBOT W3 OMNI, however, is particularly interesting. At the time of testing, it costs only about 50 euros more and, with Vortex Wash, offers exactly the feature we missed on the W2S PRO OMNI during longer cleaning sessions: The docking station automatically washes the dirty pad. With the W2S PRO OMNI, this step is left to the user.

Conclusion: It becomes more useful with every difficult window

The ECOVACS WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI performs its core task very well. On our windows and mirrors, the result came very close to completely streak-free glass; navigation worked reliably, and even along edges and in corners, there was very little left to touch up.

We see its greatest benefit in situations where cleaning glass would otherwise take time or require inconvenient manual effort. The WINBOT works its way across the surface on its own, allowing you to do something else at the same time. This advantage really adds up, especially when dealing with multiple or larger panes.

Still, it’s not entirely hands-free. In cases of heavier soiling, the cleaning pad needs to be rinsed out occasionally; window frames aren’t cleaned, and using your own cleaning solution incurs ongoing costs. Minor operational details, such as the external buttons on the charging station that are slightly awkward to press, do little to detract from the overall positive impression.

At 599 euros, however, the W2S PRO OMNI isn’t a budget-friendly helper. Precisely because the W3 OMNI currently costs only slightly more and already handles pad cleaning, it’s worth comparing prices. For those with plenty of suitable glass surfaces who use the device regularly, the W2S PRO OMNI noticeably lightens the workload. With just two small windows at eye level, the effort would be too great for us; with six windows, mirrors, and hard-to-reach surfaces, the situation is quite different.