Ecovacs’s New Deebot X12S Is Smarter, Stronger, and Cheaper Than Our Favorite Mopping Robot Vac

3 min readEcovacs’s newest flagship robot vacuum was released today, and it’s making some notable changes to an already impressive formula. The Deebot X12S OmniCyclone follows the X12, which we tested earlier this year, with updated suction specs, a smarter artificial intelligence assistant, and a few refinements to its mopping and cleaning capabilities.Despite being the newer model, the X12S also costs less than its predecessor. While we haven’t tried the X12S ourselves yet, the focus on hands-off, everyday cleaning through improved features makes it an intriguing follow-up to the X12. Here’s what’s changed—and whether this looks like the better buy.Pros53 air watts of blast suction for a deeper clean on carpetMop roller scrubs at 220 rpm with 4,000 pascals of downward pressure to lift stubborn stainsDocking station dries the mop, tray, and internal components with hot air after every wash cycleConsOverall features add complexity that some users might not likeVacuum and Mopping Power Get a RevampThe X12 is rated for 22,000 pascals (Pa) of suction power, putting it firmly in the premium category for robot vacuums. Most of the robot vacuums we recommend fall between 4,000 and 16,200 pascals, with the higher-end models being rated at 22,000. The X12S shifts away from highlighting pascals and instead touts 53 air watts of suction. Pascals measure negative pressure, or how hard a vacuum pulls against a surface, while air watts take both suction and airflow into account. Air watts are more commonly used to describe the performance of upright and cordless stick vacuums.This X12S brings handheld-vacuum-like capability to a robot vacuum, making it a compelling option for everyday cleaning across carpet and hard floors. That doesn’t necessarily mean it can replace a dedicated vacuum for every job, particularly on high-pile carpeting where deep agitation of the fibers is important. Instead, the X12 and X12S both handle surface-level—and some embedded—debris while taking care of day-to-day cleaning to keep floors looking presentable.For mopping, the X12 and X12S both use the Ozmo Roller 3.0, an advanced system that stands out from traditional mop heads. The roller has a longer reach than individual mop heads, spins at up to 200 rpm, and applies 4,000 Pa of downward pressure to remove stubborn grime. It also continuously rinses itself using water from 16 pressurized nozzles, helping ensure that the roller is using clean water as it moves across your floors.The A.I. Assistant Is SmarterThe X12 uses Agent Yiko 2.0, an A.I. assistant and cleaning manager that analyzes cleaning routines and room layouts to create tailored cleaning schedules. The X12S moves to Yiko 3.0, with one of the biggest changes being its ability to learn over time, rather than focusing on in-the-moment commands.It uses large language models (LLMs) to analyze your home, environments, and habits to design optimal routes on its own, and the voice assistant acts like a memory cache. This means you can speak more casually and the A.I. assistant will determine if its a single task versus a long-term cleaning preference, and adapt accordingly.Some Features Have Stayed the SameWhile the X12S brings some noticeable improvements, much of its core cleaning system carries over from the X12. You’ll get a bagless docking station that handles washing, drying, refilling, and emptying automatically. The X12S also retains the focused jet stream to loosen dried-on spills before the roller takes a pass at them.The mop roller extends outward to get closer to baseboards, edges, and corners, and side airflow and strong suction power suck up hair before it has a chance to wrap around the roller. Overall, these changes feel more like refinements to an already capable cleaning system than a complete rework of the X12.Which Robot Vacuum Should You Get?The Deebot X12S costs around $1,300 before discounts, while the X12 sits at about $1,500, despite being the older of the two. This makes the X12S particularly interesting on paper: It’s the newer flagship, introduces an updated A.I. assistant, and changes the way Ecovacs presents suction performance. And it still costs less than the X12.The trade-off is that all of these features can also add complexity. If you prefer a robot vacuum that you can set up and mostly leave alone without spending a ton of time learning controls and capabilities, the X12 may be the simpler choice. The X12S is better suited for someone who wants to take advantage of automation, voice controls, and tech-forward features.We haven’t tested this model yet, so I can’t say whether these updates translate to better real-world performance. But based on specs alone, and our experience with the X12, the X12S appears to offer more for less if you’re looking for a robot vacuum that can handle frequent, everyday cleaning across carpet and hard floors while taking some of the extra work off your plate.Shop the Ecovacs Deebot X12S OmniCyclone Robot VacuumOther Robot Vacuums We RecommendRoborock Qrevo Series Robot Vacuum and MopTapo RV30 Max PlusNow 13% OffEureka J15 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum and MopAmber is a Reviews Editor with bylines on Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products sites. Specializing in kitchen gadgets, small appliances, lifestyle, and consumer tech, she brings hands-on testing and a detail-oriented approach to every review. In her free time you can likely find her trading trinkets at an EDM festival, searching for hidden gems at thrift stores, or cuddling with her two cats.