How to choose a window robot

Start with your home

Find your situation, then go to the step that answers it. Each step lists the window robots we track by what their maker states.

The 8 window robots we track, side by side

US market only: prices in US dollars on the maker’s own US store, before tax. One row per robot sold; bundles on the same page aren’t the robot’s price. Glass thickness, tilt, cord length and rope figures are in Steps 2 to 5. Every figure is the maker’s, with its condition and source in the same cell; “Not stated” means the maker doesn’t say on the pages we read, and a conflict means the maker’s own pages disagree. In price order, not ranked.

Step 1: Decide whether it will clean outside glass

Decide first whether it will clean outside glass, because the manual sets the conditions. Among the 8 window robots we track, the manuals for 7 of the 8 models say it can clean outside windows if it’s tethered, the wind is calm, and it isn’t raining or snowing; for the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO we didn’t find a manual on Ecovacs’ site, so its rules for outside glass aren’t stated. 4 of those manuals also say to lock the safety tether to a strong indoor railing before use.

How to use it: if you mean to clean outside glass, read the manual’s rules before you buy, check you have a strong indoor railing to anchor the tether to, and plan for a calm, dry day. Indoors, the wind and rain conditions don’t come into it, but the manual’s other rules, the safety rope among them, still apply.

Step 2: Check your glass and frames

Check that your glass is the kind the maker names, then check the frame. Among the 8 window robots we track, Ecovacs lists framed and frameless glass for 7 of the 8 models, within each manual’s limits; for the Ecovacs WINBOT W3 OMNI it doesn’t state the frame type. Ecovacs gives a thinnest glass of 3 mm for 7 of the 8 models; for the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO it doesn’t state a glass thickness.

On frames, Ecovacs’ own pages disagree for 7 of the 8 models. The manuals say: “Do not use the Appliance on a framed window with a frame smaller than 5mm (0.2 inches).” or “Do not use the Appliance on a framed glass with a frame smaller than 5 mm (0.2 in).” Ecovacs’ WINBOT FAQ says it works on glass free of “frames under 2 mm”. That’s unresolved: if your frame falls between the two figures, ask Ecovacs which applies to your model before you buy.

How to use it: Ecovacs’ words are about flat glass; the manuals rule out cracked glass and glass with stickers, gaps or raised patterns. Measure how far your frame stands proud of the glass before you buy. Frameless glass

Step 3: Measure your smallest and largest pane

Measure your smallest and largest pane before you choose. Among the 8 window robots we track, Ecovacs gives a smallest window for 7 of the 8 models; for the Ecovacs WINBOT W3 OMNI it doesn’t state one. For the largest, it gives a size for 5, and for the Ecovacs WINBOT mini, Ecovacs WINBOT mini 2 and Ecovacs WINBOT W2 PRO OMNI Ecovacs’ own pages give different sizes. Ecovacs gives how far the glass may tilt for 3 of the 8 models; for the Ecovacs WINBOT mini, Ecovacs WINBOT mini 2, Ecovacs WINBOT W2 PRO OMNI, Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO and Ecovacs WINBOT W3 OMNI it doesn’t state a tilt range.

How to use it: compare your panes with Ecovacs’ own words below, each with its source. Where Ecovacs’ pages give different sizes, that’s unresolved: if your pane falls between them, ask Ecovacs which applies to your model before you buy. Smallest pane

Step 4: Check the power, the cord and the backup battery

Check where the nearest outlet is, then the cord. Among the 8 window robots we track, 4 run on battery or plugged in and 4 plugged in only, Ecovacs says. Ecovacs says all 8 models stay on the glass for over 30 minutes with the power off: a claim about holding on after a power cut, not cleaning time, and not a promise it can’t fall. Ecovacs gives a cord length for 7 of the 8 models; for the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO it doesn’t state one.

How to use it: a plug-in robot needs an outlet within its cord’s reach of the window. A plug-in robot’s backup battery is there to hold it on the glass if the power fails, not to clean. The manuals for the Ecovacs WINBOT mini, Ecovacs WINBOT mini 2 and Ecovacs WINBOT W2S say to keep it plugged in while it cleans. Holds on without power

Step 5: Check the safety rope and what you’d tie it to

Check how it’s held if it slips, and what you’d tie it to. Among the 8 window robots we track, 4 use one cable for power and the safety rope, and 2 come with a separate backup safety rope, Ecovacs says; the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S comes with a safety rope whose length and strength it doesn’t give; for the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO it doesn’t state a safety rope. 4 come with a station and 4 don’t.

How to use it: before you buy, work out what you’d tie the rope to: 4 of the manuals name a strong indoor railing. Keep the area below the window clear while it works. Station

Ecovacs gives rope strengths in newtons and kilograms, some as “up to” and some as “at least”, and we haven’t found how it measures them. They’re listed below as stated, but they aren’t comparable, and this guide doesn’t rank by them.

Step 6: Read spray, edges and the app as the maker’s claims

Treat spray and edge cleaning as Ecovacs’ own descriptions. Among the 8 window robots we track, Ecovacs says all 8 models spray water or solution themselves and all 8 detect the window’s edges. This guide doesn’t compare how clean the glass ends up. Ecovacs lists app control for all 8 models and buttons for 3; for the others we didn’t find buttons stated. Ecovacs’ WINBOT FAQ says: “Yes, WINBOT robot window cleaner can work without Wi-Fi. However, without Wi-Fi, you lose app-based features like access to more cleaning modes and troubleshooting guidance.”

How to use it: check the manual for what you may put in the tank before the first clean.

Step 7: Check for a paid plan, then the price and warranty

Check whether a paid plan is needed, and read the warranty terms. Among the 8 window robots we track, Ecovacs doesn’t say a paid plan is needed for any of them. We didn’t find one mentioned on Ecovacs’ app page or product pages we read (Nov 12, 2026): that’s our finding, not a promise from Ecovacs. The extended warranties sold on the product pages aren’t a plan the robot needs. Ecovacs states a warranty for all 8 models on the pages we read. The Ecovacs WINBOT mini and Ecovacs WINBOT W2 PRO OMNI were on sale the day we checked.

Below: the price on the maker’s own US store in US dollars, before tax. Not counted: tax, wiping pads, cleaning solution and other parts. In price order, not ranked.

Step 8: Read the safety rules and the recall check

Read the manual’s safety section before the first clean. Among the 8 window robots we track, we found a user manual on Ecovacs’ own site for 7 of the 8 models. The key line from each is below, in Ecovacs’ words, with a link to each model’s manual. For the Ecovacs WINBOT W2S PRO we didn’t find a user manual on Ecovacs’ pages we checked (Nov 12, 2026), so there’s no quote: read the one in the box.

Before you buy: what the makers don’t say

Ask the maker or seller about these before you buy. For each of the 8 window robots we track, these are the things this guide covers that Ecovacs’ pages we read don’t state, or state two different ways. “Not stated” isn’t a no: it means we didn’t find it. This guide also can’t tell you how clean the glass ends up, how it does at edges and corners, how noisy or quick it is, how much setup and pad-changing it takes, how reliable it is, or what pads and solution cost over time: those need hands-on use.