Robot vacuums have become increasingly sophisticated but also more expensive, with many models now costing upwards of $1,000. These advanced machines often come with impressive features such as stain detection, obstacle climbing, and even stair navigation. However, for those seeking a reliable, basic robot vacuum and mop without breaking the bank, Eufy's latest offering, the Omni C28, presents a compelling option.
Eufy, a brand known for balancing affordability with solid performance, has previously impressed with its 2024 model, the X10 Pro Omni. That model offered a strong set of features at a reasonable price point, making it popular among users who wanted dependable cleaning without the premium cost. Now, Eufy has introduced the Omni C28, which launched at the end of February. It is priced only about $100 more than the older X10 Pro Omni but brings notable upgrades, including stronger suction power and a new mop design.
One of the key improvements in the Omni C28 is its suction capability. The new model delivers nearly double the suction power of its predecessor, boasting 15,000 Pascals compared to 8,000 Pascals on the X10 Pro Omni. This increase allows for more effective vacuuming, especially on hard floors and low-pile rugs. While it doesn't match the suction strength of some high-end models, it performs solidly within its price range.
In addition to enhanced suction, the Omni C28 features a self-cleaning roller mop. Unlike the previous model's rotating mop pads, this roller mop continuously cleans itself during operation, helping prevent the spread of dirt and grime throughout the home. Both mop systems apply downward pressure to scrub floors, but neither can autonomously detect particularly dirty spots like pricier AI-powered models. During testing, the Omni C28 was able to scrub away some large dirt smudges effectively, though it struggled to completely remove tougher stains such as cherry juice, even after multiple mopping passes.
A practical advantage of the roller mop is its ability to raise itself when transitioning from mopping floors to vacuuming carpeted areas, avoiding dampness on rugs. This is a notable improvement over the older X10 Pro Omni, which in some cases left carpets slightly wet. The Omni C28's mop retraction worked well on the reviewer's low-pile carpet, ensuring the rug stayed dry while vacuuming. The vacuuming performance on carpets was decent, though the stronger suction of more expensive vacuums was still noticeably superior.
The Omni C28's base station is compact and includes built-in drying fans for the roller mop. These fans speed up the drying process but produce a gentle noise for a couple of hours after the vacuum finishes its cleaning cycle. While this background noise was somewhat more noticeable than expected, it can be mitigated by placing the base station in a less central location or scheduling cleaning runs for times when the noise will be less disruptive, such as during the day when no one is home.
One of the standout features of the Omni C28, especially at its price point, is its ability to learn and store multiple maps of different floors within a home. Although the vacuum cannot climb stairs independently, users can manually move it to various floors and switch between stored maps in the companion app to ensure efficient cleaning. This multi-floor mapping capability is not new for Eufy-its earlier affordable models included the feature-but it remains a valuable inclusion, especially since some more expensive robot vacuums lack it.
The mapping process itself is straightforward. Users select "make a new map" in the app and then activate the vacuum to start scanning the floor layout. Once completed, each map is labeled in numerical order and can be easily switched through the app interface. During testing, mapping generally completed within a few minutes on most floors, although the Omni C28 had some issues with the reviewer's upper floor. It initially missed three rooms during its first mapping attempt and later identified a bed frame as a separate room, repeatedly returning to clean around the bed in a seemingly erratic pattern. The reviewer ended the cleaning run early when the vacuum became entangled with a power cord beneath a bedside table.
Speaking of cords, users should take care to clear loose cables and cords from the vacuum's path. The Omni C28 tried to suck up power cords twice during testing, which required quick intervention to free the cords and resulted in some hair tangles being pulled out of the vacuum's brush. While this is a common challenge for many robot vacuums, some models like the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal handled the same cords without issue. This suggests that cord entanglement may be a normal limitation for more budget-friendly models like the Omni C28.
Overall, the Eufy Omni C28 offers a compelling blend of features and affordability. It performs well on hard floors and low-pile rugs, effectively vacuuming and mopping these surfaces. Its self-cleaning roller mop and enhanced suction distinguish it from the previous model, while the multi-floor mapping adds convenience for users with multi-level homes. Although it falls short in some areas, such as spot detection for heavy stains and carpet cleaning performance on thicker carpets, these shortcomings are understandable given the price.
For anyone seeking a versatile robot vacuum and mop combo that covers the basics well without a premium price tag, the Eufy Omni C28 is a strong candidate. It delivers on essential cleaning tasks, learns multiple floor layouts, and comes with a user-friendly app experience. While it may not replace more expensive models for users with heavy-duty cleaning needs or complex homes, it stands out as a practical and affordable solution for everyday floor maintenance.
In summary, the Eufy Omni C28 earns a solid 7 out of 10 rating. It improves upon its predecessor with stronger suction and a self-cleaning mop, offers multi-floor mapping, and maintains an accessible price point. Minor issues with cord entanglement and occasional mapping quirks do not overshadow its overall value. For consumers looking for a dependable, budget-conscious robot vacuum and mop, the Omni C28 is certainly worth considering.