Eufy X8 Hybrid

The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid made waves when it launched in late September 2021 as Eufy’s flagship robot vacuum - a machine that promised premium features without the premium price tag. With its distinctive twin-turbine design and LIDAR navigation, it positioned itself squarely between budget bots and the $1,000+ flagships from iRobot and Roborock.

What makes it interesting today? The X8 Hybrid has dropped from its original $649 MSRP to around $400 during sales, sometimes hitting $379. That price shift transforms it from a questionable value proposition into a genuinely compelling option for anyone who wants strong cleaning performance and smart mapping without emptying their wallet.

The Basics

The X8 Hybrid measures 13.6 inches in diameter and stands 3.8 inches tall - that height is mostly the LIDAR turret on top. It weighs about 7.7 pounds. The “Hybrid” designation means it can vacuum and mop simultaneously, though as we’ll see, the mopping is more of a bonus feature than a headline act.

Eufy is a smart home brand under Anker Innovations. They designed the X8 as a step up from their budget RoboVacs while keeping prices more accessible than competitors like Roborock or iRobot.

What Powers This Thing

The headline feature is Twin Turbine Technology - two 2000 Pa motors working together. Eufy claims this boosts airflow by about 80% compared to single-motor designs and picks up significantly more pet hair. Independent testing backs this up: the X8 produces roughly 17.3 CFM of airflow on maximum power, which matches high-end competitors.

Four suction levels are available: Pure, Power, Turbo, and Max. The BoostIQ feature automatically kicks up suction when the robot detects carpet, then dials back on hard floors to save battery.

Navigation comes from a top-mounted spinning LIDAR sensor that Eufy calls iPath Laser Navigation. The robot actively scans rooms to build maps and plan efficient cleaning paths. Instead of randomly bouncing around like cheaper bots, it moves in systematic rows and handles complex layouts with confidence.

Here’s what the X8 doesn’t have: a front camera. That means it can’t visually identify small obstacles like pet toys, cables, or - this is the big one for pet owners - pet waste. It discovers these by bumping into them or, worse, running over them.

The 5200 mAh battery provides up to 180 minutes of runtime on the lowest power setting. Real-world testing shows about 150 minutes on standard power or 90-100 minutes on max. The robot automatically returns to charge if it runs low mid-job, then resumes where it left off. Full recharge takes 4-5 hours.

The dustbin holds 400 ml and slides out from the rear without lifting the robot. Filtration comes from a three-layer system with a primary mesh, foam filter, and high-efficiency particulate filter - though this isn’t true HEPA, so it won’t trap 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns.

The main brush combines bristles with rubber fins in a spiral pattern. This design resists hair tangles surprisingly well - testing found essentially no hair wrapping on the roller. One side brush sweeps debris into the suction path. Noise runs quiet at 41-42 dB in Pure mode, 50 dB in Power mode, and up to 56 dB on Max.

Mopping: Set Your Expectations

The mopping system is passive and gravity-fed. A 250 ml water tank attaches to the robot’s underside with a microfiber pad beneath it. Water seeps through by gravity and capillary action - there’s no electronic pump and no way to adjust water flow.

One washable microfiber pad and five disposable pads come in the box. The pad is flat, not rotating or vibrating.

Here’s the catch that matters most: the mop cannot lift off the floor and the robot cannot detect carpets automatically. If you have mixed surfaces - say, hardwood and rugs - and you run it with the mop attached, it will dampen your carpets. Eufy explicitly recommends not using the mop unattended in homes with mixed surfaces unless you set up no-mop zones in the app.

Early firmware didn’t save these no-mop zones properly, forcing users to redraw them each time. Later updates fixed this - now the app remembers your no-mop zones and only enforces them when the water tank is installed.

The mopping handles light maintenance well: wiping fine dust, footprints, small spills on hard floors. Don’t expect scrubbing or deep cleaning. Dried stains, mud, anything stubborn - that’s still manual mop territory. The tank covers about 1000-1300 square feet of hard floor on one fill.

Eufy includes a waterproof plastic mat for under the charging base, which protects your floor from the wet mop pad when the robot docks. Thoughtful touch.

The App Experience

The EufyHome app (now Eufy Clean) runs on iOS and Android. It’s generally well-designed, reliable, and straightforward to use. Setup takes just a couple minutes - connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, link your account, and you’re running.

The app provides live cleaning maps, statistics, and full control over the robot. Multi-floor mapping supports up to five saved maps, which you’ll need to enable in settings. The mapping process uses LIDAR to explore and create floor plans, automatically dividing rooms using built-in algorithms.

Some users found the auto room division impressively accurate. Others had to create rooms manually due to early firmware quirks. Newer updates seem to have improved this for most people, and manual adjustment remains available.

Cleaning modes include Auto (whole house), Room cleaning (specific rooms), Zone cleaning (draw a rectangle), and Spot cleaning (intensive spiral around the robot’s starting point). Scheduling allows specific times, days, and room selections.

No-go zones and no-mop zones can be drawn on the map. Virtual boundaries work too. Physical magnetic strips are supported if you prefer hardware barriers.

Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration allows basic voice commands - start cleaning, return to dock, that sort of thing. No Siri, HomeKit, or IFTTT support.

The room editing interface can feel clunky. Drawing a line to split one area sometimes accidentally splits others, requiring tedious fixes. Once you’ve got your map dialed in, though, day-to-day operation is smooth.

The Dock

The charging base is a straightforward rectangular dock - metal contact plates, plug it into the wall, done. There’s no self-emptying mechanism. All debris stays in the robot’s onboard dustbin until you empty it manually.

This was a notable omission at the original $649 price point. Many competitors in that range offered auto-empty docks or at least the option to add one. The X8 Hybrid doesn’t have this capability, and no compatible auto-empty base was ever released.

The dock is compact with a weighted bottom for stability. Eufy recommends placing it on hard floor against a wall with 1.5 feet of clearance on each side and 4 feet in front. The underside includes cord wrap for cable management, and Eufy throws in five cable ties for organizing floor cords that might snag the robot.

What’s In the Box

The accessory package is comprehensive:

• RoboVac X8 Hybrid robot with dustbin, filter, and side brush pre-installed
• Charging base and AC adapter
• 250 ml water tank
• Washable microfiber mop pad
• 5 disposable mop cloths
• Waterproof floor mat for under the dock
• 1 spare side brush
• 1 spare high-efficiency filter
• 2-in-1 cleaning tool (brush and cutter) that clips onto the dustbin
• 5 cable ties
• Manuals and warranty info

Having spare filters and brushes included reduces initial maintenance costs. The cleaning tool is genuinely handy - it stores on the dustbin so you don’t lose it, and the blade cuts hair off the roller while the brush clears the bin’s mesh.

Maintenance Reality

Day-to-day upkeep is minimal: empty the dustbin after each full clean (or every 2-3 runs if floors aren’t too dirty), rinse the filter every couple weeks, wipe sensors and charging contacts monthly, clean hair from brushes weekly.

The filter is washable, which extends its life substantially. Let it air dry completely (24 hours) before reusing. With regular cleaning, filters last many months.

One quirk worth knowing: the X8’s filter contains a tiny embedded magnet that the robot uses to detect whether the dustbin is installed. Some users encountered an “Error 14 - Dust Collector not installed” message that turned out to be caused by a missing or weak magnet in replacement filters. Official Eufy filters work fine; some third-party options don’t. If your X8 suddenly refuses to start and complains about the dustbin even when it’s properly inserted, check whether the filter’s magnet is still in place.

The main brush pops out via a quick-release guard - no tools needed. The side brush does require a small screwdriver to swap, which is a minor inconvenience.

Expect to spend nothing on consumables in year one thanks to the included spares. Over two to three years, maybe $30-50 on filters and brushes. By year three, possibly $50 for a battery replacement if runtime has noticeably declined. No expensive bags since there’s no auto-empty feature, and mop costs stay low if you stick with the washable pad.

Build Quality and Durability

The X8 Hybrid looks good and feels solid. Glossy black top with bronze-colored accents, sturdy materials, a premium aesthetic. The outer bumper absorbs impacts well. Users report the unit handles daily wear without issue - no patterns of LIDAR turrets breaking or wheels failing prematurely.

Worth noting: a battery recall was issued in 2023 for certain X8 Hybrid units (serial numbers from March through July 2023 production) due to potential overheating concerns during charging. No incidents were reported, but Anker offered free replacement batteries for affected units. If you bought an X8 around that time, check Eufy’s recall page to see if your serial number qualifies.

The 5200 mAh battery generally holds up well over time. After hundreds of charging cycles, expect maybe 10-20% capacity reduction after a year of daily use - typical for lithium-ion batteries. The battery is user-replaceable with a screwdriver.

The drive wheels are robust, and no common failures have emerged. The front caster wheel can accumulate hair and should be popped out for cleaning monthly.

Expect 3-5 years of service with proper maintenance. The main wear items are consumables and eventually the battery.

Cleaning Performance

Independent testing shows the X8 Hybrid is a legitimately capable cleaner. Modern Castle’s tests found it removed 94.4% of debris by weight on average across hard floors, low-pile carpet, and high-pile carpet. Tom’s Guide scored overall cleaning performance at 92%.

Hard Floors: Excellent performance. Tests showed about 98% debris pickup on hardwood. Fine dust, rice, crumbs - nearly everything disappears, with perhaps a few grains left in crevices. Even lower power modes work well on bare floors, keeping noise minimal.

Low-Pile Carpet: Good but not perfect. Testing measured 89.5% pickup - it struggled mainly with fine sugar in carpet fibers. Larger debris, crumbs, rice, and hair were mostly picked up. Running on Max power helps with fine particles.

High-Pile Carpet: Surprisingly strong. Testing found about 95.7% pickup - actually better than low-pile in some tests. The automatic boost helps on thicker carpets. Very plush shag might pose navigation challenges, though. The robot can climb thresholds up to about 17 mm (0.67 inches).

Pet Hair: This is where the twin-turbine design shines. Pet hair removal is excellent, especially on hard floors and medium carpet. The brush resists tangling impressively well. Most pet hair collects in removable clumps at brush ends rather than wrapping tightly around the roller.

Edges and Corners: The round shape can’t physically reach deep into 90-degree corners, but the side brush does a good job sweeping debris out on hard floors.

Large Debris: Cereal, dry pet food, small chunks - no problem. The dustbin inlet is wide enough to avoid clogging with typical household debris.

Navigation In Practice

The LIDAR mapping makes the X8 much smarter than random-navigation bots. It typically starts by scanning the perimeter, then fills in with systematic zig-zag cleaning. It remembers where it’s been and doesn’t randomly re-clean the same spot unless instructed.

In a 1000 square foot area, expect about 50-60 minutes of cleaning time - faster than many camera-based robots and dramatically faster than random bots.

Large obstacles like furniture are handled well. The robot plans around walls, sofas, and tables, slowing as it approaches detected obstacles. It will bump lightly into things like chair legs since it uses the bumper for final detection, but impacts are gentle.

Small and low obstacles are the problem. Without a camera, the X8 can’t see pet toys, socks, cables, or anything shorter than about 10 mm. It discovers these by touch - sometimes after getting tangled. Cables on the floor are a particular hazard and can stop the robot if the brush catches them.

For homes with multiple floors, you’ll need to carry the robot between levels (it can’t climb stairs). With multi-map mode enabled, it can store up to five floor plans and should recognize which one to use based on the environment.

The X8 works in low light or darkness thanks to the LIDAR - it doesn’t need ambient light to navigate. Some testing suggested it might miss occasional spots in very dark conditions, but generally it operates fine at night.

For Pet Owners

Pet owners are a primary target audience for the X8 Hybrid, and the marketing claims hold up. Pet hair pickup is genuinely excellent. Daily runs dramatically reduce fur accumulation on floors. The brush design resists tangling well - you won’t spend much time cutting hair off the roller compared to older vacuums.

Noise stays low enough on normal mode that skittish pets may tolerate or even ignore it. On maximum power it’s more noticeable but still gentler than a traditional upright vacuum.

The big limitation for pet households: no pet waste detection. If your pet has an accident on the floor and the X8 runs over it, the result is exactly the nightmare scenario you’re imagining. Competing models like the Roomba j7 have AI cameras that avoid pet waste. The X8 does not.

If your pets are reliably house-trained, this isn’t a concern. If you have a puppy in training, an elderly pet with occasional accidents, or a cat that sometimes vomits, you’ll need to be strategic. Set no-go zones around areas where accidents are most likely, or don’t run the robot when there’s risk.

During heavy shedding season, the 400 ml dustbin fills quickly with fur. Some pet owners run the robot daily or twice daily and empty the bin each time.

The filter isn’t true HEPA, so extremely fine dander might pass through. The X8 still reduces allergens significantly by removing dust and hair from surfaces, but if someone in your household has severe pet allergies, you might want to add an air purifier to the equation.

Home Compatibility

With up to 180 minutes of runtime on low power, the X8 can handle large homes - 2500+ square feet if used methodically. On normal power, figure 1000-1400 square feet per charge. For even larger spaces, it’ll automatically recharge mid-job and resume.

The robot works on all common flooring: hardwood, tile, vinyl, laminate, marble, carpet, rugs. BoostIQ adjusts suction automatically for different surfaces. The rubber wheels won’t scratch hard floors.

For furniture clearance, measure anything that’s close to 3.8 inches off the ground. Most sofas and TV stands give enough room, but borderline furniture can cause the robot to wedge under and get stuck. If you hear it struggling or notice scratches on the LIDAR turret, block that area off.

Before running the robot, do a quick pickup: remove stray socks and toys, secure thin cables. Floor-length curtains can cause trouble - the robot might push into them and get tangled. Rug tassels and fringes are also hazards.

The dock needs a wall outlet with about 1.5 feet of clearance on each side and 4 feet in front. A living room corner or space under a side table works well, provided the robot has clear sightlines to approach.

Very shiny black floors or rugs can sometimes fool the cliff sensors into thinking there’s a drop. This is rare but can happen with reflective dark surfaces.

Value Assessment

At launch pricing of $649, the X8 Hybrid faced stiff competition. Many reviewers felt it was expensive for what it offered - some competitors at that price had auto-empty docks, advanced mopping (like Roborock’s vibrating mop with auto-lift), or AI obstacle avoidance.

At current street prices around $400 or less, the calculation changes entirely. You’re getting LIDAR smart mapping and powerful cleaning for the price of much simpler robots. The value proposition is genuinely strong if you can live without auto-emptying and don’t need advanced mopping or obstacle AI.

Compared to Roborock S7 (similar launch price): The S7 has a sonic vibrating mop that actually scrubs, plus automatic mop lifting for carpet. It can seamlessly vacuum and mop mixed floors without user intervention. If mopping matters to you, the S7 is the better choice. The X8 has stronger suction for pure vacuuming.

Compared to Roomba j7 ($599+ without auto-empty base): The j7 has smart obstacle avoidance through AI cameras - it can detect and avoid pet waste, cables, and small objects. That’s a meaningful advantage in cluttered or pet-heavy homes. The X8 outperforms on raw suction and debris pickup but can’t match the obstacle intelligence.

Compared to budget LIDAR robots like the Wyze ($250): The X8 offers more suction, better battery, more features, and includes mopping. Whether that’s worth the price premium depends on your home size and expectations.

Known Issues and Limitations

Mapping can reset: If you move the charging base or the environment changes significantly, the X8 might get confused and start a new map, losing your saved no-go zones and room names. Enable multi-map mode in settings and avoid moving the dock during cleaning.

Filter magnet sensor: The “dust collector not installed” error when the bin is clearly installed usually traces back to a missing or weak magnet in the filter. Official Eufy filters work; some third-party options don’t.

No obstacle avoidance AI: The robot will run over cables, pet toys, socks, and pet waste. This is a design limitation, not a defect, but it matters significantly in some households.

Basic mopping: No scrubbing, no adjustable water flow, no automatic carpet avoidance. The mop function is maintenance-level only.

No auto-empty option: The 400 ml bin needs manual emptying, and no compatible auto-empty dock exists for this model.

Battery recall: Units manufactured March-July 2023 may be affected by a battery recall. Check your serial number if applicable.

Gets stuck on tassels and cords: Like most robot vacuums, it can tangle in rug fringes and floor cables. Prep your space or use no-go zones.

Warranty and Support

Eufy provides a 12-month limited warranty covering manufacturing defects. Support channels include email, phone, and live chat. Anker/Eufy’s support reputation is generally positive - they’re known for being responsive and often sending replacement units or parts without much hassle.

The app and firmware have received updates since launch, though frequency may decrease as newer models take priority. No subscription fees are required for any features.

The Bottom Line

The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid delivers genuinely strong vacuuming performance with smart LIDAR navigation at what has become a reasonable price point. Pet owners especially benefit from the powerful suction and tangle-resistant brush design.

The mopping is a bonus feature rather than a selling point - don’t buy this primarily for mopping. The lack of auto-emptying and obstacle avoidance AI are real limitations if those features matter to you.

At current discounted prices, the X8 Hybrid represents solid value for anyone who wants capable, systematic cleaning without spending flagship money. If you’re willing to empty the bin yourself, prep your floors before cleaning, and set up no-mop zones for mixed surfaces, it’s a capable performer that should last several years with basic maintenance.