Sometimes we get review requests that are out there and just don’t fit into our format. Then we get others that are on the cusp and just barely fit into the format. Enter the Roidmi F8 Storm. The Roidmi F8 Storm is an app connected vacuum that has more to do with analytics than it does smarts. Even so, we all use vacuums and the Roidmi F8 Storm is a pretty versatile little machine. But can it replace your full-size vacuum? Find out in the full Roidmi F8 Storm review!
Specifications
The Roidimi F8 Storm has the following features and specifications:
- Nominal Voltage: 28.8V
- Power Rating: 380W
- Lithium Battery Capacity: 2500mAH
- Battery Life: 55 minutes
- Charge Time: 2.5 hours
- Suction Power: 115W
- Charging Volt Limit: 34.2V
- Suction Pressure: 18500Pa
- Noise: 83db (A)
- Weight (with e-brush): approx 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs)
- Dimensions: 1191 x 259 x 158mm
- App Requirements: Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+
What’s In The Box
This will vary depending on what Indiegogo package you purchase.
- Detachable stick
- Soft roller brush
- Extension soft pipe
- Crevice tool
- Power adapter
- Magnetic wall mount
- Filter
- Main unit
- Carbon fiber brush
- Anti-mite brush
- Mini soft dusting tool
- Mini cleaning brush
- User manual and documentation
Design
Wowsa! That’s the first reaction I had to the design of the Roidmi F8 Storm. If you don’t know, Roidmi is associated with Chinese brand Xiaomi and Xiaomi does have a knack for nice design. Everything is made of a nice durable and high-quality plastic mixed with aluminum and other materials. Nothing on this device feels cheap, it’s all solidly built and put together.
The whole unit isn’t too heavy (2.5 kg) and is perfect for those overhead jobs or even stairs, beds, and other more difficult places to reach with a traditional vacuum. All of the attachments fit in nice and snug and nothing feels like it’s chintzy or poorly made.
The magnetic wall holder is a nice touch. It’s not made to hold the unit off the floor but instead, it keeps it from sliding and falling. Just mount the magnetic puck on the wall at the same level as the Roidmi F8 Storm as it sits on the floor. Then just lean the handle against the puck and it holds the vacuum in place. It’s really a nice little design and it holds the power cable in place.
The large handle is wide enough even for my meaty paws. Most of your controls are here including mode shift, power, power led, and dust full led indicator.
Overall, the design is super nice, super premium, and super handy. Roidmi did an excellent job in making something attractive as well as making it look and feel like a quality piece of equipment.
Ease of Use
I have to say, it took me a bit of trial and error to get the Roidmi F8 Storm going. This had to do more with the instructions being in Chinese and not English. I’m hoping that the unit I received was a pre-production model intended for the press so consumer versions should have English instructions. I mean, it’s not hard to use a vacuum but it is helpful to know what bits and pieces go together properly.
Once you have the vacuum put together and charged, it’s just a matter of running it like any other vacuum. There is an app that is included but do not think this is a smart vacuum. The app is just basically analytical. It gives you data on how often you use the vacuum and how much estimated time is left on the filters. Just basic bits of knowledge that are helpful but you do not need the app to operate the vacuum.
The app connects to the Roidmi F8 Storm via Bluetooth and transmits the vacuum’s info back to your phone. With the Roidmi Intelligent Life App, you can check battery usage, filter capacity, and receive alerts to empty the vacuum. The app even tells you how many calories you’ve burned while cleaning. It’s interesting but again, not needed to use the vacuum if you don’t want to bother.
Overall, this is really simple to use and is likely even easier to use with English instructions.
Performance
The Roidmi F8 Storm touts its 100,000rpm motor and claims to have super strong suction. The brushless DC motor provides suction power up to 115W and is supposed to go after even the toughest and tightest places. Roidmi says the F8 Storm has a multistage cyclone duct system which guarantees powerful suction and in enhanced mode, the air volume reaches 1,100 L/min.
The vacuum also uses a quadruple filtration system that intercepts things like hair and chips in the first stage allowing for better allergen filtration in the remaining stages. The four stages of filtration include:
- Metal mesh filtration
- Cone for separating dust from the air
- HEPA filter cartridge
- Polymer sponge filtration
The accessories included with our review unit were all helpful. The F8 Storm did very well on bare floors and low carpets. It really excelled at doing smaller jobs like curtains, beds, car interiors, hard to reach overhead vents, and other odds and ends. Its fairly light weight really was handy and kept us from having to lug the big vacuum around to hit those areas.
Still, I don’t think this is going to replace a bigger vacuum. Its opening in the canister had some issues with larger pieces of debris and I found I had to dislodge things before I could keep going. Now, I must say, we do have 4 small children in this home so not all the larger objects get picked up before vacuuming. This isn’t going to be the case for everyone and the Roidmi F8 Storm may work perfectly well as a full-size vacuum replacement for you.
But that’s not to say it wasn’t useful. Actually, the F8 was extremely useful in spot cleaning and getting to areas we’d rather not drag out a larger device for. It was really super handy for the car and the suction power is great. Beds, chairs, sofas, computer desks, entertainment centers, there’s a ton of places the F8 Storm is useful on.
Overall, the Roidmi F8 Storm does have some powerful suction and it works well for a huge variety of jobs. Even so, some may not find that it will replace their full-size vacuum. It makes a hell of a companion to it though.
Battery Life
Battery life is 55 mins which Roidimi says is long endurance. We got just about an average of 60 minutes on a charge but we do wish that was longer. The company does fulfill the stated battery life so no complaints there, but it would be nice to have it run longer. Of course, that battery is pushing a lot of power in that brushless motor so it’s understandable. A few nice features of the battery include:
- Temperature protection
- Short-circuit protection
- Overcurrent protection
- Overcharging protection
- Over-discharge protection
- Secondary overpressure
Overall, the battery life is as advertised so it passes the promised life. We just wish they could make it last a little longer.
Price/Value
The Roidmi F8 Storm is being sold on Indiegogo right now for an early bird price of $289USD. That’s really not a bad deal considering the competition’s pricing. Once it leaves Indiegogo it will jump to $399USD. It’s really a pretty great deal at the early-bird price and competitive at the MSRP price.
Wrap Up
If you’re looking for a powerful vacuum that is versatile and easy to use then the F8 Storm is a good choice. Just be aware, it may not be a full replacement for a bigger vacuum as it does have issues with larger pieces of debris and its storage canister is smaller.
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