Xiaomi S40 Pro Review: What Secrets Does Its Aggressive Pricing Hide?

Xiaomi has long perfected the formula for creating mop vacuum robots that balance cost-effectiveness with robust functionality, as seen previously with the S20 Plus. This model was effective, unobtrusive, and incredibly user-friendly.

The S40 Pro continues in this vein but extends its capabilities specifically in one crucial area: edge and corner cleaning. Where many robots still perform poorly along baseboards or at the foot of furniture, this model employs extendable brushes and mops to reach dirt along walls. Its side brush can extend, as can its right mop, enhancing coverage in areas that are typically less well cleaned.

However, the Xiaomi S40 Pro doesn’t compete with the market’s most sophisticated models. It doesn’t rely on advanced AI, and it lacks a self-emptying station, requiring manual intervention for emptying its dustbin, refilling its water tank, and washing its mop pads.

After several days of testing, let’s assess its performance in daily use.

Technical Specifications

This review was conducted with a product loaned by the brand.

A Design That Prioritizes Simplicity

The Xiaomi S40 Pro maintains the brand’s typical minimalistic design. It features a rounded shape that is visually discreet, designed to blend seamlessly into any interior without drawing attention. The lack of a multifunctional station allows the charging base to be tucked under low furniture, maximizing discretion.

Underneath the S40 Pro, there is an extendable side brush and a right mop that can shift position, ensuring cleaning close to edges. At the center, Xiaomi opts for a hybrid brush that prevents hair and fibers from tangling.

On the top, a fixed LiDAR dome helps the robot navigate and analyze its environment, while a cover provides access to the dustbin, which must be manually emptied. Fortunately, the dustbin is easy to handle and accessible.

The front of the robot is equipped with structured light 3D sensors, allowing it to detect and avoid obstacles in its path.

The overall impression is one of seriousness. The robot seems well-assembled, without unnecessary frills.

A Comprehensive App, Yet Lacking in Intelligence

As is common with Xiaomi products, the S40 Pro is controlled through the Mi Home app. This well-established solution centralizes all the brand’s connected devices in a single interface. For those already equipped with Xiaomi products, this is undoubtedly a benefit: everything is consolidated in one place, eliminating the need to juggle multiple apps.

The mapping is clear, room creation is straightforward, and you can customize the cleaning with the now-standard options for such devices. You can initiate cleaning by room, set no-go zones, create virtual walls, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific days and times.

There are also standard settings for suction power, water flow, and mopping mode, which allow for precise adjustments based on the floor type or level of dirt. However, the robot lacks an intelligent mode that would automatically adjust cleaning settings. Also, it cannot perform a second pass for heavily soiled areas or avoid spilling liquids, as it does not have sensors to detect such conditions.

A few settings only allow for the activation of the mop and side brush extension, as well as carpet detection. However, this last feature isn’t customizable; the robot simply increases its suction power and raises its pads when it detects a carpet.

Despite having obstacle sensors, the robot does not display them on the map, although it effectively avoids them.

The software experience is consistent with the product’s positioning and adequately covers essential needs. However, it lacks refinement and can be unintuitive in daily use, often requiring several clicks to perform an action.

This is particularly evident with liquids. The S40 Pro does not have dedicated detection for this type of mess. During our tests, it managed to vacuum spilled soda, demonstrating that it can handle such situations. However, it did so without identifying that it was dealing with a liquid, and thus took no special precautions. This is not a robot that can be left to manage all the small daily mishaps on its own, adjusting its behavior automatically.

Excellent Daily Performance

Without aiming to impress with a lengthy spec sheet or flashy features, the Xiaomi S40 Pro seriously accomplishes its mission.

In terms of suction, the robot effectively handles dust, crumbs, and small daily debris. Its 15,000 Pa suction power is adequate for everyday dirt, especially on hard floors. The extendable side brush is a real asset, allowing the robot to collect dirt along baseboards and in corners. In my tests, it managed to clean the accumulated dirt along kitchen baseboards, a task that even more expensive robots sometimes struggle with. On thick carpets, it may struggle to reach deep into the fibers, mainly due to its more modest suction power and the absence of a dual roller brush. However, this is not what is expected of it, especially at this price point. For everything else, it does an excellent job, leaving no visible dirt behind.

The mopping function is also a pleasant surprise. The Xiaomi S40 Pro does more than just lightly moisten the floor to give it a bit of shine. It is genuinely capable of handling many common types of stains. During our tests, it effectively cleaned coffee and ketchup stains, with very satisfactory results on such messes. Naturally, for an old or particularly stubborn stain, manual intervention might still be necessary, but for regular floor maintenance, the robot definitely gets the job done. The right mop’s ability to extend allows it to clean along edges and in corners, thus providing complete floor coverage.

Of course, the robot cannot automatically wash its mops before and after cleaning, and it is also not suitable for cleaning thick spills or stains. Indeed, it could spread them further along its path, as it cannot go back to wash its mops and resume cleaning with clean pads.

The lack of artificial intelligence and advanced sensors is noticeable in some situations. Indeed, the robot cannot detect liquids as such and will not be able to distinguish a liquid spill. In our tests, it vacuumed spilled soda, whereas more intelligent models would handle the area by washing it, then rinsing their pads before resuming work. In short, it performs very well for daily cleaning, but it cannot be relied upon to intelligently react to unusual incidents like a higher-end model would.

Another positive aspect in daily use is its relatively low noise level. With about 60 dB in operation, the S40 Pro is quite quiet for a mop vacuum robot. While still audible, it never becomes intrusive. It is possible to run it while working nearby, watching television, or being busy in another room. This is a significant comfort, especially for a device that is meant to be run regularly.

Reliable Navigation and Excellent Obstacle Detection

To navigate its environment, the Xiaomi S40 Pro relies on a well-known duo: a LiDAR sensor housed in its top dome and a structured light 3D sensor at the front. The former quickly maps the dwelling and constructs coherent trajectories, while the latter primarily serves to identify obstacles in its path to avoid collisions.

In practice, the robot is very effective in its movement. Initial mapping is quick, rooms are well recognized, and paths are logical. The S40 Pro does not seem to wander aimlessly: it moves methodically, adequately covers surfaces, and manages changes in the environment throughout its cleaning. In daily use, this translates to reassuring and fairly clean navigation, even in somewhat cluttered spaces.

Obstacle detection also works satisfactorily in most common situations. The robot detects objects in its path and adjusts its trajectory to avoid them. This prevents a good portion of unnecessary collisions with furniture, as well as elements left on the floor, such as shoes, toys, or cables.

However, we are still dealing with an effective but not particularly sophisticated system, as this is where the Xiaomi S40 Pro shows one of its limitations: It “sees” obstacles, it avoids them correctly, but it does not indicate them on the map and does not interpret the type of object it might be. This is indeed a detail, but brands like Mova, Dreame, and Roborock perform much better in this regard.

Furthermore, the S40 Pro has a fixed LiDAR dome. In other words, it is not retractable, which does not allow the robot to pass under the lowest furniture. However, its height of 9.7 cm remains acceptable, especially since its extendable brush still allows it to collect a good portion of the dirt under certain furniture.

Simple, Yet Manual Maintenance

This is perhaps one of the main compromises of the Xiaomi S40 Pro compared to more ambitious models: its maintenance relies almost entirely on the user. Here, there is no multifunctional station to automatically empty the dustbin, wash the mops, or dry the pads after a cycle. Therefore, all these tasks must be done manually, on a regular basis.

In practice, this starts with the dustbin, accessible under the top cover. Fortunately, Xiaomi made it easy to access and simple to handle. Removing and replacing it poses no particular difficulty, making the operation relatively hassle-free. The same goes for the water tank, which must be filled manually before mopping sessions. For large areas, and depending on the water flow setting you choose, you might even need to refill it mid-way. Unfortunately, the app does not notify you when the tank is empty, which means you have to fill it before each cleaning operation.

The mops also require a minimum of attention. Since they are not washed or dried automatically, you need to remember to remove and clean them after each use, especially after repeated passes in areas like the kitchen or entryway. This inevitably adds a bit of manual labor, where an autonomous station would make the experience much more passive.

The good news is that the pads are easily washable in the machine, and the main brush is designed to limit entanglements of hairs and fibers.

Thus, the Xiaomi S40 Pro remains quite simple to maintain overall. Access to various components is convenient, the manipulations are basic, and nothing seems unnecessarily complicated. We are simply dealing with a robot that requires regular follow-up, which is the price to pay to enjoy such a low cost.

Price and Availability

The Xiaomi S40 Pro is sold for around 250 euros on Amazon and Cdiscount. It is also available on Xiaomi’s official store for about 280 euros.

This is a particularly competitive price, especially considering the cleaning performance and capabilities of the product.

Xiaomi

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Maya Singh

Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.

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