3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Review: The First Self-Refilling, Water-Recycling Cleaning System

The 3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop enters the robot vacuum market with a bold promise: true hands-free floor cleaning powered by the world’s first water recycling system built directly into a robot vacuum station. This innovation alone positions the S10 Ultra as one of the most forward-thinking robot vacuums available today, aiming to eliminate one of the last remaining manual tasks—refilling water tanks.

Note: This product was provided by 3i for review. All opinions shared here are based on real-world testing and are entirely our own.

---

Unboxing and First Impressions

The first thing you notice about the 3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is the sheer size of the packaging. The box is easily twice as large as that of a typical robot vacuum, and once you see the station inside, the reason becomes clear. This is not a minimal dock—it’s a full-featured cleaning hub designed to wash, dry, empty, and even generate water for the robot.

Inside the box, everything is thoughtfully packaged and clearly labeled. Along with the robot and station, you’ll find a detailed user manual, a multi-purpose cleaning tool, a carbon rod, and an 800 ml bottle of cleaning solution. Setup instructions are thorough and easy to follow, which helps reduce the intimidation factor of such a complex system.

---

Robot Design and Build Quality

The robot itself features a sleek silver body accented by a glossy black top plate, giving it a distinctly modern and futuristic look. A raised radar module sits on top, while multiple cameras and sensors are positioned around the front for AI-powered navigation and object recognition. One standout visual element is the green laser mounted low on the front, which adds to the high-tech feel and assists with obstacle detection.

Under the hood, the design continues to impress. The internal dust bin is easily accessible, with clear instructions for maintenance and filter replacement. On the underside, the robot is equipped with spring-loaded drive wheels capable of handling taller thresholds, multiple cliff sensors, side brushes, and a self-leveling main brush with a built-in hair detangling comb.

What truly sets this robot apart, however, is its full-width roller mop. Unlike traditional dual spinning mop pads, this roller-style design provides a much larger cleaning surface and maintains constant contact with the floor, allowing for more consistent scrubbing during mopping runs.

---

The All-Purpose Docking Station

The docking station is where the 3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop truly distinguishes itself. This large, multifunction base handles charging, dust emptying, mop washing and drying, and—most impressively—water recycling. Built into the station is a dehumidification system that pulls moisture from the air and converts it into clean water for the robot to use during mopping cycles.

The clean water tank is removable and easy to refill manually if needed, while the dust bag and air filter are both accessible from the front and back of the station. A removable drip tray at the bottom allows for quick cleaning and maintenance, and clear labels help guide first-time users through setup and daily operation.

It’s a powerful system, but it does come with trade-offs. The station is significantly larger than average and includes a fan that runs during water generation and drying cycles, meaning it’s not completely silent. Placement within your home is something you’ll want to consider carefully.

---

Real-World Cleaning Performance

In real-world testing, the vacuuming performance delivered mixed results. The robot collected a substantial amount of crumbs, pet hair, and fine dust during its first cleaning cycle, and the self-emptying process worked reliably. The internal filter and mesh screen showed normal buildup, consistent with what you’d expect from a deep clean.

Despite featuring a hair detangling system, some hair remained wrapped around the main brush roller after cleaning. While this is an improvement over traditional brush designs, it’s not a complete solution—periodic manual maintenance is still necessary, especially in homes with pets or long hair.

Mopping performance was more impressive overall. The roller mop stayed noticeably cleaner than traditional mop pads thanks to its real-time self-cleaning system. Some light streaking was visible, likely caused by the water jet pattern, and small amounts of debris can collect inside the mop housing over time. These areas should be checked occasionally to maintain peak performance.

---

App Experience and Smart Features

The companion mobile app is clean, intuitive, and generally easy to navigate. It provides real-time mapping, cleaning statistics, and full control over cleaning modes. Users can choose between full-home cleans, room-based cleaning, or custom zone cleaning, with adjustable suction power and water flow for each session.

Advanced features include multi-map support, consumable tracking, cleaning history, scheduling, and customizable no-go zones. However, the app does have a few notable omissions. At the time of testing, there was no live video monitoring, no mop-only cleaning mode, and no option to create separate no-mop or no-vacuum zones. Control over the dehumidifier is also somewhat limited, offering only basic on/off functionality and humidity thresholds rather than detailed scheduling.

While functional and reliable, the app doesn’t yet match the level of refinement seen in some competing flagship robot vacuums.

---

Performance Metrics and Testing Insights

On paper, the 3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is extremely powerful. With a rated suction of 13,000 Pa, it boasts the highest suction figure we’ve tested to date.

Battery life is also excellent, offering up to 180 minutes of runtime thanks to a large 5,200 mAh battery.

However, real-world carpet deep-cleaning results didn’t fully align with those impressive specs. In standardized carpet testing, the robot scored below average, suggesting that suction isn’t being fully utilized on carpeted surfaces. Noise levels remained relatively low during operation, reinforcing the idea that the vacuum may be dialing back power in certain scenarios. This behavior may be addressed in future firmware updates, but as tested, carpet performance was a noticeable weak point.

---

The Water Recycling Advantage

The defining feature of the 3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is its water recycling system. By extracting moisture from the air, the station can slowly generate clean water for mopping, dramatically reducing how often users need to refill the tank. In a test environment with approximately 40% humidity, it took just under five days to completely fill the clean water tank from empty.

This feature transforms the robot into a three-in-one device: a vacuum, a mop, and a dehumidifier. For users who value convenience and minimal maintenance, this alone may be reason enough to choose the S10 Ultra over traditional models.

---

Final Verdict

The 3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop feels like a glimpse into the future of robotic floor care. Its water recycling system is genuinely innovative and unlike anything else currently available, pushing the industry forward in a meaningful way. The roller mop design, long battery life, and quiet operation further reinforce its flagship status.

That said, it’s not without flaws. Carpet cleaning performance falls short of expectations given its rated suction power, object avoidance could be more reliable, and the app still lacks some advanced controls. The large docking station and background noise from the dehumidifier are also important considerations.

If hands-free mopping and reduced maintenance are your top priorities, the 3i S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop offers a truly unique solution. For those who prioritize carpet performance, object avoidance, or app sophistication above all else, there may be better options available today. With future software updates, however, this ambitious robot has the potential to become one of the most compelling choices in the premium robot vacuum category.