Ecovacs N8 Pro+

Overview

The N8 Pro+ hit shelves in April 2021 with a compelling pitch: a robot that vacuums, mops, and empties its own dustbin, all for around $800. Nearly five years later, it’s showing its age. Ecovacs has shifted focus to the N30 series, but the N8 Pro+ soldiers on at steep discounts—you’ll find it between $400 and $560 now, which makes it worth a second look if you know what you’re getting into.

What does it do well? Obstacle avoidance, for one. The TrueDetect 3D camera system spots shoes, cables, and pet toys before plowing into them. Hard floor cleaning is solid, and the mopping function works better than the afterthought mops you’ll find on some competitors. But there are real drawbacks: batteries tend to fade after 18 to 24 months, the app can be finicky, and sensors sometimes fail on units that see heavy use.

The Auto-Empty Station

This is what the “Plus” in N8 Pro+ gets you. The charging dock doubles as a self-emptying base with 27,000 Pa of suction (powered by a 1000W motor) that yanks debris from the robot’s 420 ml dustbin into a 2.5-liter bag. Ecovacs claims the bags last about 30 days, and they’re hypoallergenic with auto-sealing—a nice touch for allergy sufferers.

Navigation and Obstacle Detection

The N8 Pro+ uses dToF LiDAR (Direct Time-of-Flight) for navigation, branded as TrueMapping. It builds accurate floor plans quickly and handles multi-level homes without losing track of which floor it’s on. The TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance system sits up front, scanning for objects the LiDAR might miss.

Mopping Performance

The OZMO system vibrates a microfiber pad while dispensing water at four adjustable flow levels from a 240 ml tank. When the robot detects carpet, it automatically disables mopping—no need to babysit it or set up complicated no-mop zones (though you can if you want). Don’t expect deep scrubbing power; this handles maintenance mopping and light messes, not dried-on grime.

Technical Specifications

• Suction: 2,600 Pa maximum
• Airflow: 22.29 CFM at max setting
• Runtime: 110 minutes on a 3,200 mAh Li-ion battery
• Dustbin: 420 ml
• Water tank: 240 ml
• Filtration: 3-layer system capturing 99% of particles down to 6 microns

Common Problems

Owners report three recurring issues. First, battery capacity drops noticeably after 18 to 24 months of regular use. Second, the ECOVACS HOME app can struggle with mapping—sometimes losing saved maps or failing to sync properly. Third, some units experience sensor failures after extended use, affecting navigation accuracy.

Who Should Buy This?

The N8 Pro+ makes sense for homes between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet with mostly hard floors and low-pile carpet. If you have a short-haired pet or two, it handles that fine. The noise levels are reasonable—56.8 dB in quiet mode, 70 dB at max—so it won’t wake the household during scheduled runs. At current prices under $500, it delivers good value.

Who Should Skip It?

Large homes over 2,500 square feet will strain the battery. Households with multiple shedding pets need something beefier. Deep pile carpet isn’t this robot’s strength. And if you’re building a Matter or HomeKit smart home, look elsewhere—the N8 Pro+ doesn’t support either protocol.