### The SwitchBot S20: An In-Depth Assessment
In the past, I covered the [SwitchBot K11+](https://amzn.to/4nCx8fq), a more compact robotic vacuum that was ideal for tighter spaces. This week, my focus is on the newly released [SwitchBot S20](https://amzn.to/46V66cH), which caters to much larger residences. After several months of usage, I’m convinced it might be the finest robot vacuum available today, featuring some impressive solutions for rooms within Apple’s Home app.
#### Notable Attributes of the SwitchBot S20
The SwitchBot S20 is crafted to manage spacious homes and more intricate cleaning tasks than its smaller counterparts. It merges strong suction power, sophisticated mopping capabilities, and complete smart home compatibility into one device.
– **10,000Pa Suction Strength:** Sufficient power to lift dirt, pet fur, and debris from both carpets and hard surfaces.
– **Automated MultiClean Station:** Empties dust, refills clean water, releases dirty water, and dries the mop pads. The dust bag can last for up to 90 days before requiring a change.
– **LiDAR and AI Navigation:** Scans your living space, navigates around obstacles, and can ascend thresholds of up to 20mm. It identifies furniture, cords, and over 100 distinct types of hurdles.
– **Smart Home Compatibility:** Integrates with SwitchBot devices in the app and supports HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and more through Matter. For those in the Apple ecosystem, this translates to direct control within the Home app without needing an additional hub other than a HomeKit Hub.
#### My Usage Experience
I primarily employ the SwitchBot S20 to clean our main level living zones, which tend to be the most soiled areas of the house. I organized the rooms within the SwitchBot app, and their titles appeared in HomeKit. While they aren’t genuine HomeKit rooms, I suspect this is due to a Matter limitation. Nonetheless, I appreciate SwitchBot’s workaround as it allows me to initiate room-specific cleanings directly from the Home app.
Each evening after dinner, I initiate a cleanup cycle in the dining room and kitchen. It’s a quick and effortless process from the Home app. As I’ve indicated previously, I only use a specific product for mopping our hardwood floors, so I don’t utilize the built-in mopping features, but the vacuum itself has saved me a significant amount of time. Honestly, since integrating this unit, I haven’t used a traditional vacuum at all. I’m amazed by the amount of debris and dust it collects daily.
#### Integrating with HomeKit
Similar to the SwitchBot K11+, the Matter component of the SwitchBot S20 is configured in the SwitchBot app. Once linked, navigate to the vacuum settings and locate the Matter setup option. The app will guide you through the process and produce a Matter code. Afterward, open the Home app, tap to add a new accessory, and use the “More option” link. You should find the vacuum icon on the subsequent screen. Tap it, paste the Matter code, and the S20 will appear in HomeKit.
Once added, you can assign it to a room and customize its name. At this stage, you’re set to begin automating cleanings and incorporating it into scenes just like any other HomeKit accessory. If you label your rooms in the SwitchBot app based on the mapping, they’ll be accessible for use within HomeKit, though again, not as true HomeKit rooms.
#### Conclusion on the SwitchBot S20
The SwitchBot S20 has emerged as my top recommendation for overall value in a Matter and HomeKit-compatible robotic vacuum. Incorporating the SwitchBot room names into the Home app is a clever solution, and the suction power is remarkable. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the LIDAR mapping. It initially became stuck in a few areas during the first couple of uses, but over time, it adjusted and now completes a full cycle without my intervention. It’s powerful, intelligent, and dependable, making it an effortless endorsement for anyone seeking a robot vacuum that performs excellently with HomeKit.
You can purchase it from [Amazon](https://amzn.to/46V66cH) or directly from [SwitchBot](https://www.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-floor-cleaning-robot-s20).
