Dreame D9 Max review: Versatile robot vacuum cleaner with sweeping, mopping for daily use

Oct 19, 2023

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Introducing the Dreame D9 Max, the latest addition to the Indian market by Dreame Technology, a well-established Chinese household appliance manufacturer affiliated with the Xiaomi ecosystem. This innovative robot vacuum cleaner not only vacuums but also mops, thanks to its integrated water tank. Among its impressive features are a robust 4000Pa suction power, precise LiDAR navigation, intelligent mapping, convenient app control, and support for voice assistants. Let’s now dive into an in-depth review of the Dreame D9 Max to explore what makes it a standout choice for household cleaning. Let’s explore its distinctive features and functionalities to better understand its capabilities.

Dreame D9 Max: What’s in the box?

Here is a look at what’s inside the retail package of the Dreame D9 Max:

Dreame D9 Max robot vacuum cleaner
Charging dock
Dust tank (570 ml)
Water tank (270ml)
Mop Pad
Cleaning tool
Power cable
Rubber side brush
User manuals and instructions

Desing and Build

The Dreame D9 Max features a sleek and stylish design, offered in black for the Indian market. The robot’s build quality is good, with robust and high-quality plastics giving it a premium touch. At the top, there is a LiDAR sensor and user-friendly buttons for controlling the robot’s operation and docking.

The top surface has a glossy finish, enhancing its overall appeal, but it may need occasional cleaning to maintain its pristine look as it can attract dust and fingerprint marks. The robot also comes with a practical flap on top, revealing a spacious 570ml dustbin and a compact cleaning brush for routine maintenance. It boasts robust wheels that can navigate obstacles up to 2–3 cm in height. Its design enables it to easily slip under furniture, such as a cot or a table stand, accessing those challenging-to-reach spots with its 4-inch height for thorough cleaning.

The D9 Max employs a single side-brush design with silicone bristles, known for their durability and ease of cleaning. The main brush features a tangle-free design for added convenience. The device comes with a 270ml water tank accessory that can be easily attached or removed from the bottom of the robot, eliminating the need to flip the device for installation.

Assembling the device does not take much time; it should be ready to use in around 10 minutes. The compact charging base is unobtrusive and can be placed conveniently, even under furniture, dedicated solely to charging the robot with no additional features.

To get started with the Dreame D9 Max robot vacuum cleaner, begin by plugging the charging dock into a wall outlet. Next, place the D9 Max on the charging dock and turn it on using the power button. Next, download and install the Dreamehome app on your smartphone. The app will automatically identify the nearby Dreame D9 Max and guide you through the process of connecting it. This involves selecting your Wi-Fi network of choice and inputting the network’s password. Once this setup is complete, you can take control of the device via the Dreamehome app, allowing you to manage it conveniently.

Setup and Maintenance

To use the Dreame D9 Max for cleaning, it first performs a comprehensive mapping of your home’s layout. This mapping process ensures systematic room-by-room cleaning. This can be easily managed through the Dreamehome app, which also allows users to create multiple maps for homes with multiple floors. Prior to initiating the mapping process, it is advisable to clear the room of any objects or obstacles that may be lying around for accurate mapping.

In my case, I reside in a 1BHK apartment consisting of a bedroom, hall, and kitchen. During the mapping process, the D9 Max identified the kitchen as “room 1” and the remaining areas as “room 2.” You have the flexibility to adjust this sequence using the app. While mapping, users can define virtual walls, no-go zones, and no-mop zones if there are specific areas they want to avoid.

The app offers various cleaning settings, including:

Cleaning Mode: Choose from Only Sweeping, Only Mopping, or both Sweeping and Mopping.
Suction Settings: Select from Quiet, Standard, Strong, or Turbo
Water Volume Settings: Low, Medium, or High

I personally used the Customized Cleaning feature, selecting Standard suction, Medium water volume, and setting the cleaning cycle to run twice (up to three times is available). It also provides mopping patterns, including “Daily” and “Deep.” In the “Deep” mode, it follows a dense Z-shaped pattern, while in the “Daily” mode, it adopts a less dense Z-pattern.

I set a daily schedule for the robot vacuum cleaner to run at 10 am and 7 pm. It efficiently cleaned both rooms within roughly 30 minutes, covering a combined area of 290 sq. ft. I found that the water I added to the tank was sufficient for two cleaning cycles each day, with some water remaining for the following day. After the D9 Max has finished its mopping job, it is advisable to wash it because it tends to get dirty and requires user attention for proper cleaning.

While the D9 Max is cleaning, you can track its progress in real-time through the app, showing its exact location and area already covered. To sum it up, the Dreamehome app is remarkably user-friendly and offers additional features, such as cleaning history, accessory usage, status for the filter, side brush, and main brush; locate robot; and remote control. The app also allows users to integrate the D9 Max with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, although Google Assistant didn’t respond to voice commands and Alexa only recognized commands like “start the vacuum” and “stop cleaning.”

Readers should note that the Dreame D9 Max is not a fully automatic product but requires manual intervention to take out the dustbin present inside to empty it, clean its main brush, fill the water tank, and wash its mop. Thanks to the large-sized dustbin, users will not have to empty it frequently. The mop, which can be taken off the water tank, requires being washed manually. The retail box does not include any accessories like extra brushes or mops, but the brand claims that those can be purchased through Amazon India.

Cleaning Performance

The Dreame D9 Max offers impressive 4,000Pa suction power across four adjustable levels, effortlessly handling tough dirt and debris. It maintains quiet operation during standard cleaning but increases suction and sound slightly when transitioning to hard areas such as carpets, returning to its quieter mode when leaving the carpet. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to fully charge the D9 Max and can last for around 150 minutes on a full charge. It weighs approximately 5 kg (which is acceptable, in my opinion), and there’s hardly any need to lift it.

The laser mapping and navigation system enhances efficient and intelligent cleaning. Customizable cleaning control prioritizes dirtier areas, and it navigates 20mm (0.8 inches) obstacles seamlessly. Anti-fall sensors ensure safety by preventing falls, while eight infrared sensors effectively detect furniture and objects, though they may not detect cables or thin dusters on the floors as obstacles. This guarantees the robot focuses on cleaning where it’s needed most. Even if it happens to bump into something, it adjusts its path slightly and resumes cleaning. Do not expect the mop to wipe off the tough stains from the floor, but multiple mopping rounds may help reduce their visibility.

One notable aspect is the tangle-free vacuuming design, which minimizes issues with hair getting wrapped around the robot. The high-speed 190rpm side brush effectively covers corners for a thorough cleaning process. Lastly, the dustbin and filtration system are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, making them effective at filtering out allergens and pollen. With its 570ml large dustbin, you’ll find yourself making fewer trips to empty it.

Once the cleaning is complete, the D9 Max returns to its dock for recharging. In the event that its battery level drops to 15 percent while cleaning, it automatically heads back to the dock for recharging. The cleaning resumes after charging up to 35 percent of the battery capacity. Throughout its cleaning cycle, it provides announcements for different stages, such as starting cleaning, completing the cleaning process, and returning to the dock. It packs a 5,200mAh battery with a promised running time of 180 minutes. It takes around 4 hours to achieve a full charge.

Verdict

In summary, the Dreame D9 Max exhibits remarkable cleaning efficiency, effectively managing dust, hair, and larger debris. It maintains a slight distance from obstacles, leaving certain areas partially uncovered. However, these are relatively minor points that don’t significantly impact its overall performance. The D9 Max is an excellent choice for pet owners, equipped with robust suction and effective cleaning capabilities to address common pet-related challenges like hair and dander.

In Indian urban homes, which often feature limited space, it’s a common misconception that the robot vacuum cleaner is more suitable for larger residences. Yet, it’s important to emphasize that they work just as effectively in smaller living spaces, especially when there’s sufficient open floor space and minimal clutter. This ensures efficient cleaning without any hindrances. The Dreame D9 Max is also suitable for those who live in multi-level houses because it can create a different map for every floor. If you are short on time for daily cleaning and seek automation, the Dreame D9 Max proves to be an ideal and dependable companion.

Comparable robot vacuum cleaners available in India within the same price range include the Xiaomi Robotic Mop 2 Pro and the Evovacs Deepbot N10. It is important to note that I haven’t had the opportunity to test these competing products, so I cannot provide an assessment of their quality.

Dreame D9 Max price, availability

The Dreame D9 Max is priced at Rs 24,499 (~$294) in India. It comes in black shade only and is available for purchase through Amazon. At the time of writing this post, I noticed that Amazon is offering a Rs 1,000 coupon for those interested in purchasing the D9 Max.

WHERE TO BUY

Buy Dreame D9 Max @ Amazon

Disclaimer: All of the opinions in this Dreame D9 Max review are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Dreame Technology.

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