29 Oct
Blog

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD: Extra Power and Efficiency

Exterior of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD

RRP $ 37,350.00

"The Tucson Hybrid sets the bar for efficiency and performance paired with technology."

advantages

  • Unique look

  • Luxurious cabin

  • Seriously efficient

  • Impressive technology

  • Charges

disadvantage

  • Intrusive touch controls

  • Wireless smartphone compatibility only with standard screen

Hyundai designers have made a name for themselves as some of the best in the business over the past few years. Fancy designs will only get you so far, however.

It's good that the completely redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is so much more than just a pretty face. There is a lot of substance underneath. So much so that the Tucson Hybrid sets the high water mark in its class. In the pursuit of improved fuel economy, the Tucson Hybrid also comes with a healthy performance boost over the regular Tucson.

The compact hybrid scene is still relatively new. There are few competitors, and all of them match or improve the Tucson Hybrid's fuel economy. There is the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Honda CR-V Hybrid. Not exactly a crowded market, but there are some heavyweights. Seeing the Tucson Hybrid hold up against just such an established group speaks volumes for how far the model has come compared to the previous generation.

The base 2022 Tucson Hybrid starts at $ 30,235 with the required target fee of $ 1,185. Our test car with exceptionally soft carpeting was the top Tucson Hybrid Limited, which is priced at $ 38,730.

Interior and exterior design

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD Front

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Exterior of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD taillights

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD rear end

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

With so many SUVs on the streets these days, designers are struggling to find ways to distinguish their models from others. Others may obviously have problems, but Hyundai designers are thriving, producing hits at an impressive rate. When we say the Tucson Hybrid looks different than anything else on the market, we mean it. Identical twins, the Tucson and Santa Cruz even look like weird ducklings in the Hyundai family.

Usually something that looks this good requires some kind of compromise on the inside.

It starts with the weird grille, which has a jewel-like finish and is part of what Hyundai calls a "Parametric Dynamics" design. The daytime running lights of the SUV are integrated directly into the radiator grille and provide a fascinating view at night. The rest of the package is just as impressive, with enough wedges and chiseled lines to cosplay as a 190s sports car.

Usually something that looks this good requires some kind of compromise on the inside. Fortunately, there are no compromises to be found. In contrast to the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which eats its way into the cargo space, the hybrid fits the regular Tucson. There is 38.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 74.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Rear passengers get 41.3 inches of rear legroom, more space than any direct competitor for the Tucson Hybrid.

View of the interior of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022 from the driver's seat.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

View of the interior of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022 from the driver's seat.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

View of the interior of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022 from the passenger seat.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Views of the interior and rear seats of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The Tucson Hybrid's interior design may not generate the same shock and awe as the exterior, but it feels especially upscale for a compact hybrid at this price point. Our limited test equipment included leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, an electric tailgate and ventilated front seats. The natural rounding of the air nozzles and the course of the center console appear modern and yet remain functional. Materials also feel classy as others in the segment tend to use hard plastics that look and feel unsightly. A couple of glossy black panels are a fingerprint magnet, but that's the biggest problem we could find.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited infotainment system.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Typically, automakers tend to reserve their best features for higher trim levels. That's not exactly the case with the Tucson Hybrid. The standard 8-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite radio, two USB ports on the front and back, and Bluetooth. The Limited equipment we tested included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument, wireless device charging, navigation, and a Bose audio system. Oddly enough, the larger touchscreen loses compatibility with wireless smartphones for old-fashioned wired connectivity. That's an annoying decision given all of the other high-end features that the larger touchscreen is paired with.

While the 10.25-inch touchscreen is one of the reasons for upgrading to a higher level of equipment, the 10.25-inch digital instrument feels like it could be more useful.

The larger touchscreen offers crisp graphics and simple menus, but you lose rotary knobs and traditional buttons for functions like adjusting the volume and adjusting the radio. All buttons on the center console of the SUV are touch-sensitive and picky. The volume buttons have to be pressed several times, for example, in order to sensibly increase or decrease the system volume of the audio system. The smooth look of the center console is appealing, but we prefer a classic switchgear.

Inside view of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

While the 10.25-inch touchscreen is one of the reasons for upgrading to a higher level of equipment, the 10.25-inch digital instrument feels like it could be more useful. For example, it lacks the customization that Volkswagen offers in its digital cockpit instrument cluster. The available Bose audio system sounds good, but I still fondly remember the old Harman Kardon system. However, if you're more interested in tuning things than pumping the cabin with noise, Hyundai offers a unique "nature sounds" setting to play quieter sounds like "rainy day", "warm fireplace" and "busy forest".

Hyundai offers its SmartSense suite with advanced security features for many of its vehicles, although the suite's features differ depending on the vehicle. The standard safety features of the Tucson Hybrid include front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic warning. Also standard is the safe exit warning, which warns you if you open the door and if a vehicle is approaching from behind.

Higher equipment variants, such as the Limited we tested, are equipped with parking sensors, a parking camera with all-round visibility and a remote-controlled intelligent parking assistant. While the system doesn't work nearly as smoothly as it does in the displays, it can be helpful in making sure you leave enough room in tight spaces.

Experience at the wheel

The Tucson Hybrid comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor for a combined output of 226 hp. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive as standard. This value makes the Tucson Hybrid one of the most powerful hybrids in its class. The CR-V Hybrid (212 PS), the RAV4 Hybrid (219 PS) and the Escape Hybrid (200 PS) all fall behind slightly. It even beats the regular Tucson gasoline engine by 39 horses.

Look at what's under the hood of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Unsurprisingly, it also delivers more straight-line oomph than the regular Tucson. The hybrid powertrain lets most of its muscles play off the line, but still has a lot of pulling power on the autobahn. Unlike other hybrids, the Tucson Hybrid's powertrain uses a six-speed automatic transmission instead of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It delivers well-timed shifts, which can be a problem with CVTs, and even allows manual shifting with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, although they feel out of place.

Whether you're driving around town or taking the final leg of a road trip, the Tucson Hybrid offers a comfortable, smooth ride. The sophisticated driving style of the SUV is reminiscent of some of the past classes. The hybrid powertrain ensures that it stays quiet inside, but a sharp step on the gas pedal brings a lot of engine noise into the cabin.

Take the Tucson Hybrid around a curve and it will surprise you with crisp steering and confident handling. Unlike other hybrids in the class, the Tucson Hybrid doesn't sway wildly around corners, making it one of the more athletic options in the class.

Gas mileage and safety

Exterior of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The Tucson Hybrid falls behind the competition in terms of fuel economy, but is still insanely efficient. The entry-level blue is rated at 38 mpg combined (38 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) while the rest of the lineup is rated at 37 mpg combined (37 mpg city, 36 mpg highway). The Escape Hybrid leads the segment with an overall rating of 41 mpg, while the RAV4 Hybrid follows just behind with an overall rating of 40 mpg.

In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2022 Tucson received a “Top Safety Pick +” rating. The SUV received the grade “Good” and the top grade “Superior” for its front crash prevention technology in all crash tests. The headlight ratings range from “acceptable” to “good”. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet crash tested the 2022 Tucson.

Hyundai offers a 5-year base warranty of 60,000 miles and a 10-year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles. A 10-year guarantee with 100,000 miles applies to the hybrid components of the SUV. These are above average for the guarantees for the segment. Honda, Toyota and Ford all offer their hybrids with a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles. Toyota and Honda cover the battery components of their hybrid vehicles with a 10-year guarantee of 150,000 miles, depending on the purchase condition.

How DT would configure this car

Since the Tucson Hybrid has a slightly lower fuel consumption than its competitors and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the smaller touchscreen, we think the basic blue is the best choice. It's also not about sparing on features, as it comes with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, four USB ports, Hyundai's SmartSense safety features and an electrically adjustable driver's seat.

Our opinion

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid isn't the most fuel-efficient compact SUV on the market, but it's still one of the best options. Not only is it more enjoyable to drive and more sophisticated than other options, but it also offers more power and more impressive technology. It's the gold standard for the segment.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Honda CR-V Hybrid all match or have better fuel economy values ​​than the Tucson Hybrid. But they all offer smaller cargo areas, less legroom in the rear, smaller touchscreens and only wired smartphone compatibility. The Escape Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid are slightly cheaper than the Tucson Hybrid, but have interior materials that match their lower prices.

Unless you're looking for a luxury hybrid from Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln or Volvo, the Tucson Hybrid is the best choice in the affordable compact class.

Should you get one?

Yes sir. The Tucson Hybrid is the best of its kind.

Editor's recommendations



07 Oct
Blog

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD: Extra Power and Efficiency

Exterior of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD

RRP $ 37,350.00

"The Tucson Hybrid sets the bar for efficiency and performance paired with technology."

advantages

  • Unique look

  • Luxurious cabin

  • Seriously efficient

  • Impressive technology

  • Charges

disadvantage

  • Intrusive touch controls

  • Wireless smartphone compatibility only with standard screen

Hyundai designers have made a name for themselves as some of the best in the business over the past few years. Fancy designs will only get you so far, however.

It's good that the completely redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is so much more than just a pretty face. There is a lot of substance underneath. So much so that the Tucson Hybrid sets the high water mark in its class. In the pursuit of improved fuel economy, the Tucson Hybrid also comes with a healthy performance boost over the regular Tucson.

The compact hybrid scene is still relatively new. There are few competitors, and all of them match or improve the Tucson Hybrid's fuel economy. There is the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Honda CR-V Hybrid. Not exactly a crowded market, but there are some heavyweights. Seeing the Tucson Hybrid hold up against just such an established group speaks volumes for how far the model has come compared to the previous generation.

The base 2022 Tucson Hybrid starts at $ 30,235 with the required target fee of $ 1,185. Our test car with exceptionally soft carpeting was the top Tucson Hybrid Limited, which is priced at $ 38,730.

Interior and exterior design

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD Front

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Exterior of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD taillights

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD rear end

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

With so many SUVs on the streets these days, designers are struggling to find ways to distinguish their models from others. Others may obviously have problems, but Hyundai designers are thriving, producing hits at an impressive rate. When we say the Tucson Hybrid looks different than anything else on the market, we mean it. Identical twins, the Tucson and Santa Cruz even look like weird ducklings in the Hyundai family.

Usually something that looks this good requires some kind of compromise on the inside.

It starts with the weird grille, which has a jewel-like finish and is part of what Hyundai calls a "Parametric Dynamics" design. The daytime running lights of the SUV are integrated directly into the radiator grille and provide a fascinating view at night. The rest of the package is just as impressive, with enough wedges and chiseled lines to cosplay as a 190s sports car.

Usually something that looks this good requires some kind of compromise on the inside. Fortunately, there are no compromises to be found. In contrast to the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which eats its way into the cargo space, the hybrid fits the regular Tucson. There is 38.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 74.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Rear passengers get 41.3 inches of rear legroom, more space than any direct competitor for the Tucson Hybrid.

View of the interior of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022 from the driver's seat.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

View of the interior of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022 from the driver's seat.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

View of the interior of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022 from the passenger seat.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Views of the interior and rear seats of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The Tucson Hybrid's interior design may not generate the same shock and awe as the exterior, but it feels especially upscale for a compact hybrid at this price point. Our limited test equipment included leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, an electric tailgate and ventilated front seats. The natural rounding of the air nozzles and the course of the center console appear modern and yet remain functional. Materials also feel classy as others in the segment tend to use hard plastics that look and feel unsightly. A couple of glossy black panels are a fingerprint magnet, but that's the biggest problem we could find.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited infotainment system.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Typically, automakers tend to reserve their best features for higher trim levels. That's not exactly the case with the Tucson Hybrid. The standard 8-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite radio, two USB ports on the front and back, and Bluetooth. The Limited equipment we tested included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument, wireless device charging, navigation, and a Bose audio system. Oddly enough, the larger touchscreen loses compatibility with wireless smartphones for old-fashioned wired connectivity. That's an annoying decision given all of the other high-end features that the larger touchscreen is paired with.

While the 10.25-inch touchscreen is one of the reasons for upgrading to a higher level of equipment, the 10.25-inch digital instrument feels like it could be more useful.

The larger touchscreen offers crisp graphics and simple menus, but you lose rotary knobs and traditional buttons for functions like adjusting the volume and adjusting the radio. All buttons on the center console of the SUV are touch-sensitive and picky. The volume buttons have to be pressed several times, for example, in order to sensibly increase or decrease the system volume of the audio system. The smooth look of the center console is appealing, but we prefer a classic switchgear.

Inside view of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited 2022.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

While the 10.25-inch touchscreen is one of the reasons for upgrading to a higher level of equipment, the 10.25-inch digital instrument feels like it could be more useful. For example, it lacks the customization that Volkswagen offers in its digital cockpit instrument cluster. The available Bose audio system sounds good, but I still fondly remember the old Harman Kardon system. However, if you're more interested in tuning things than pumping the cabin with noise, Hyundai offers a unique "nature sounds" setting to play quieter sounds like "rainy day", "warm fireplace" and "busy forest".

Hyundai offers its SmartSense suite with advanced security features for many of its vehicles, although the suite's features differ depending on the vehicle. The standard safety features of the Tucson Hybrid include front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic warning. Also standard is the safe exit warning, which warns you if you open the door and if a vehicle is approaching from behind.

Higher equipment variants, such as the Limited we tested, are equipped with parking sensors, a parking camera with all-round visibility and a remote-controlled intelligent parking assistant. While the system doesn't work nearly as smoothly as it does in the displays, it can be helpful in making sure you leave enough room in tight spaces.

Experience at the wheel

The Tucson Hybrid comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor for a combined output of 226 hp. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive as standard. This value makes the Tucson Hybrid one of the most powerful hybrids in its class. The CR-V Hybrid (212 PS), the RAV4 Hybrid (219 PS) and the Escape Hybrid (200 PS) all fall behind slightly. It even beats the regular Tucson gasoline engine by 39 horses.

Look at what's under the hood of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Unsurprisingly, it also delivers more straight-line oomph than the regular Tucson. The hybrid powertrain lets most of its muscles play off the line, but still has a lot of pulling power on the autobahn. Unlike other hybrids, the Tucson Hybrid's powertrain uses a six-speed automatic transmission instead of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It delivers well-timed shifts, which can be a problem with CVTs, and even allows manual shifting with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, although they feel out of place.

Whether you're driving around town or taking the final leg of a road trip, the Tucson Hybrid offers a comfortable, smooth ride. The sophisticated driving style of the SUV is reminiscent of some of the past classes. The hybrid powertrain ensures that it stays quiet inside, but a sharp step on the gas pedal brings a lot of engine noise into the cabin.

Take the Tucson Hybrid around a curve and it will surprise you with crisp steering and confident handling. Unlike other hybrids in the class, the Tucson Hybrid doesn't sway wildly around corners, making it one of the more athletic options in the class.

Gas mileage and safety

Exterior of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The Tucson Hybrid falls behind the competition in terms of fuel economy, but is still insanely efficient. The entry-level blue is rated at 38 mpg combined (38 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) while the rest of the lineup is rated at 37 mpg combined (37 mpg city, 36 mpg highway). The Escape Hybrid leads the segment with an overall rating of 41 mpg, while the RAV4 Hybrid follows just behind with an overall rating of 40 mpg.

In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2022 Tucson received a “Top Safety Pick +” rating. The SUV received the grade “Good” and the top grade “Superior” for its front crash prevention technology in all crash tests. The headlight ratings range from “acceptable” to “good”. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet crash tested the 2022 Tucson.

Hyundai offers a 5-year base warranty of 60,000 miles and a 10-year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles. A 10-year guarantee with 100,000 miles applies to the hybrid components of the SUV. These are above average for the guarantees for the segment. Honda, Toyota and Ford all offer their hybrids with a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles. Toyota and Honda cover the battery components of their hybrid vehicles with a 10-year guarantee of 150,000 miles, depending on the purchase condition.

How DT would configure this car

Since the Tucson Hybrid has a slightly lower fuel consumption than its competitors and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the smaller touchscreen, we think the basic blue is the best choice. It's also not about sparing on features, as it comes with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, four USB ports, Hyundai's SmartSense safety features and an electrically adjustable driver's seat.

Our opinion

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid isn't the most fuel-efficient compact SUV on the market, but it is one of the best options nonetheless. Not only is it more enjoyable to drive and more sophisticated than other options, but it also has more power and more impressive technology. It's the gold standard for the segment.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Honda CR-V Hybrid all match or have better fuel economy values ​​than the Tucson Hybrid. But they all offer smaller cargo areas, less legroom in the rear, smaller touchscreens and only wired smartphone compatibility. The Escape Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid are slightly cheaper than the Tucson Hybrid, but have interior materials that match their lower prices.

Unless you want to go upstream with a luxury hybrid from Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln or Volvo, the Tucson Hybrid is your best bet in the affordable compact class.

Should you get one?

Yes sir. The Tucson Hybrid is the best of its kind.

Editor's recommendations



20 Feb
Blog

Wyze Robot Vacuum Review: Efficiency Without the Pricey Cost

Wyze Robot Vacuum

"The Wyze Robot Vacuum offers efficient cleaning at an affordable price."

  • Efficient cleaning

  • Smart mapping and navigation

  • Easy to set up and use

  • Can set up virtual walls

  • There is no intelligent integration of assistants

  • Often catches cables

Wyze is known for affordable products that meet the same quality standards as much more expensive options. The company's security cameras compete against bigger names without breaking the bank, and the new Wyze Robot Vacuum is no exception. The Wyze Robot Vacuum may not have as many features as the iRobot Roomba i3 +, but it does offer efficient cleaning at an affordable price.

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is just the latest in a number of new additions to the robot vacuum market. The space has become increasingly competitive, especially in the lower section. Companies like iRobot and Roborock dominate the high-end market, but the mid and budget markets are flooded with third party companies and cheaper options from big companies. Even so, Wyze has a reputation for quality at a low price, and that reputation (combined with the functionality of this vacuum) sets it apart in a sea of ​​different vacuum cleaners.

Set up

For just $ 250, it packs a lot of features into the box. It comes with two spare brushes, the charging stand, an instruction manual and a quick start guide. Setup is just as easy. Just plug in the charging stand and leave at least 1.5 feet on either side of the vacuum and at least 4.5 feet in front of it. There is also a brush cleaner and small knife in the top cover of the vacuum cleaner itself that is used to cut the string around the main brush.

It needs to be charged for about two hours before running. Once it is fully charged, download the app and follow the on-screen instructions. From this point on, it should take less than five minutes for the vacuum to operate. The included quick start guide describes these steps in an incredibly easy to understand way. Once it is set up, you can start cleaning your floor.

A good choice for a first robotic vacuum

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is a bit barebones in terms of features, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Wyze robot vacuum cleaner is straightforward and simple to operate, making it an excellent choice for the first robot vacuum cleaner.

There are three separate cleaning modes, which are defined by the suction level: Quiet, Standard and Strong. Calm is self-explanatory; It's quieter than any other mode, but it also has the lowest suction power. This mode is ideal for hardwood or linoleum surfaces, but doesn't work as well on carpets. Standard is louder than Quiet mode but has more suction power, while Strong is the loudest of the three. Strong is also the most efficient and results in the deepest and most thorough cleaning of all modes. It took longer than the other modes, but the difference was visible – the carpet looked and felt cleaner.

Few robotic vacuums at this price point have lidar capabilities.

Cleaning is only done via the app. You can schedule them to be cleaned up automatically or instruct them to start a run manually. Voice control is not yet available for the Wyze Robot Vacuum. Alexa compatibility is expected to be available in the first half of 2021, however, along with other features like spot cleaning.

There are some drawbacks, however. While the vacuum did a great job of the actual cleaning, it picked up and carried cables that were inferior to any other vacuum I've ever worked with. This is not an isolated incident, but the Wyze Robot Vacuum captured everything it came across. I had to stop it and salvage four different cables – three power cables and one ethernet cable – before it ended a run. It also ran into the leg of the couch and got stuck due to interference with the lidar signal, the laser signal used to map the area.

Smart navigation and mapping

The Wyze Robot Vacuum navigates through a room using lidar technology and creates an intelligent map in the process. You can view this map on your phone to know exactly where the vacuum is at any given moment. You can also use it to create virtual walls or divide the map into different zones. This is important as few robotic vacuums offer lidar at this price.

At the bottom right of the card there is a small icon in the form of a box. If you tap on it, you can edit the map. You can create a virtual wall to close off certain areas. For example, if you want the Wyze Robot Vacuum to clean your bedroom but not the attached bathroom, create a virtual wall on the bathroom door. You can also divide the map into different rooms, even within the same room. An example of this would be a large living room that is divided into a den and a dining area. You can turn the den into one room, the dining area into a second.

Once the rooms are divided up, you can tap on any of them to tell the Wyze to only clean that particular room. If there are multiple rooms on the card, you can choose as many as you want to clean at once. If you don't select a room and just tap Clean, the entire room will be vacuumed.

A notable feature of the Wyze is the accuracy of its navigation. If it is picked up and moved, it learns its new location and its repositioning within the smart map in just a few seconds. It also stops just before most obstacles. During a test run, the vacuum was once applied directly to the side wall of a PC that was on the floor. The vacuum stopped within an eighth of an inch of the disk, turned, and continued on its way. It used its lidar reading instead of the shock sensor, although it does use the shock sensors when navigating along walls. It can also vacuum close to the edge of a staircase without falling over. Sensors at the bottom of the vacuum guarantee that it does not move over the edge.

Use and accessory tracking

In addition to the settings, the settings menu of the Wyze Robot Vacuum offers a wealth of valuable information. In this menu you can set up specific cleaning schedules, change the suction power and turn notifications on and off. You can also access clean records to measure when the last run was, how long it took, and how much space was covered. The map editor can also be accessed from this menu.

The standout option, however, is the Accessories menu. This lists the main brush, edge brush, and HEPA filter, and the time remaining for each of these parts before they need to be replaced. If you replace it, you can update the time by tapping the accessory and selecting "I replaced it". You also have the option to purchase another part. The main brush is designed for 300 operating hours, the edge brush for 200 operating hours and the HEPA filter for 150 operating hours.

In addition to the basic Wyze Robot Vacuum settings, you can set up rules that allow interaction with other Wyze devices, shortcuts that perform actions on the home screen, and schedules that set controls at certain times of the day.

Our opinion

Wyze Robot VacuumWyze / Youtube

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is by no means a bad investment. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles other robotic vacuums have, it does a good job of cleaning a room, provided you have the right vacuum level selected – a few runs over carpet in quiet mode left dirt on the floor. The mapping and navigation is on par with much more expensive models, however, and once more features are added that allow it to interact with intelligent assistants and perform spot cleaning, it will be quite a competitor.

Is there a better alternative?

At $ 250, there are few robotic vacuums that can match. If you put in just $ 50 more you could get one iRobot Roomba e5, a robotic vacuum cleaner that is great for picking up pet hair and has all of the advanced features of iRobot.

In the premium range, the iRobot Roomba s9 Plus offers enormous cleaning functions and a range of functions that you will not find anywhere else. That comes with a premium price of around $ 1,100, of course. There's no doubt that iRobot is the king of the hill, but you don't have to sell an arm or leg to pick up a robotic vacuum that does excellent cleaning.

If even $ 250 is too much, there are budget options like the Eufy Robovac 11S, which costs $ 30 less at $ 220. It lacks the efficiency of better vacuums, but it cleans your floor so you don't have to.

How long it will take?

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is designed for a long service life and depends solely on the estimated service life of the accessories. However, the vacuum can operate anywhere from 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (although lower or higher temperatures in a house create a number of other problems). With proper care and maintenance, the Wyze Robot Vacuum will last for years to come. There is a one year limited warranty that protects it from defects.

Should I buy it?

Short answer: yes, if you are looking for a budget friendly robotic vacuum cleaner. At this price, only a few robotic vacuums have lidar functions. Although the Wyze Robot Vacuum does not yet offer voice control or spot cleaning, these functions are in preparation. It cleans your floor quickly and efficiently and will only get better over time.

Editor's recommendations