APQ W100 Window Cleaner: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

Cleaning the windows in your home can be a tedious and time-consuming chore. The good news is that window cleaning robots have been developed to help automate this task. Window cleaning robots are devices that are designed to autonomously clean the interior and exterior glass surfaces of windows.

One of the latest window cleaning robots to hit the market is the APQ W100. This robot not only cleans windows for you but does so efficiently and safely. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the APQ W100 window cleaning robot.

Overview of the APQ W100

The APQ W100 is a window cleaning robot designed to automate the tedious task of keeping your windows streak-free and crystal clear. This robot features an advanced vacuum system to suction itself onto glass surfaces, allowing it to climb up walls and clean windows efficiently.

With its slim profile of 3 inches, the W100 can fit into tight spaces to clean even hard-to-reach areas. It uses strong suction and specialized squeegee blades to scrub and wipe windows clean. The robot can be scheduled to clean at the same time daily or weekly. It runs quietly at just 60dB so you won’t be disturbed.

The W100 has built-in safety sensors so it won't fall off ledges. It comes with a remote control, allowing you to manually drive the robot if needed. An anti-drop rope gives you peace of mind that the robot won't accidentally detach from windows. This window cleaning robot requires minimal setup and is easy to get cleaning quickly.

Design

The APQ W100 window cleaner robot has a sleek, modern look with a white and blue color scheme. It has a square shape measuring 12.2 x 12.2 x 7.1 inches and weighs around 5.5 pounds.

The main body is constructed from durable ABS plastic with rubber tracks on the bottom for traction. On the front are sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and map the cleaning path. The top of the robot houses the water tank, spray nozzles, and microfiber cleaning pads.

Two side spinning brushes made of soft silicone help scrub the window surface. The brushes can spin at up to 180 rpm. The robot comes with a 23 foot tethered power cord and drive mechanism allowing it to move up, down, left and right on windows. It can handle cleaning windows up to 4mm thick.

The minimalist design and compact size make the W100 easy to store when not in use. Overall the construction feels sturdy and made to withstand frequent use.

While the APQ W100 has a solid design, some consumers may want to consider other options like the UboElfins HCR-06. This window cleaning robot has a similar square shape but with a black and red color scheme. It is a bit larger at 13.4 x 13.4 x 7.5 inches and heavier at 6.2 pounds.

The HCR-06 is made of ABS plastic as well but has added aluminum alloy components for increased durability. It uses vacuum suction to adhere to windows rather than tracks. The suction is rated at up to 13kPa allowing it to stick to surfaces and operate upside down.

This robot comes with two large spinning mops that rotate at up to 180 rpm to scrub windows. It has a longer 33 foot cord for more range and can clean windows up to 20mm thick. The water tank capacity is also larger at 180ml vs 120ml on the W100.

While a bit bulkier, the suction design of the UboElfins HCR-06 allows it to tackle more challenging cleaning tasks. Consumers that need to regularly clean large or hard to reach windows may benefit from this upgraded performance.

Both robots demonstrate thoughtful design optimized for window cleaning. The choice comes down to the size of windows, frequency of use, and desired cord length. For large panoramic windows or second story windows, the HCR-06 would be the better option. But for standard sized windows, the more compact APQ W100 gets the job done.

Cleaning Performance

The APQ W100 has strong suction power that allows it to adhere tightly to glass surfaces. Its dual side brushes combined with the suction power enables it to thoroughly clean windows.

The device has a cleaning path width of 15 inches, allowing it to cover a good amount of surface area on each pass. The extra-wide cleaning path helps make window cleaning more efficient. There are several cleaning modes to choose from. It has an automatic cleaning mode that intelligently maps the window area and cleans in a zig-zag pattern. For manual control, you can switch to one of the directional cleaning modes - upward, downward, left or right. This allows you to target specific spots or edges. There is also a spiral cleaning mode that starts from the center and works outward in a spiral pattern.

The different cleaning modes and wide cleaning path give you flexibility to clean windows in the most optimal way. Overall, the APQ W100 delivers excellent cleaning performance for various window types. While the APQ W100 offers strong cleaning abilities, there are other window cleaning robots that can deliver top-notch performance as well. For example, the AlfaBot X7 is an advanced window cleaning robot that combines powerful vacuum suction with high-speed rotating microfiber pads to scrub surfaces clean.

With dual vacuum motors, it generates up to 6000PA of suction power which allows it to stick firmly to glass and efficiently suck up dirt and debris. The rotating microfiber pads spin at high speeds to wipe away tough grime, dirt, and stains from windows. Working together, the vacuum suction and rotating pads give the AlfaBot X7 the scrubbing power to tackle even the dirtiest windows.

The AlfaBot X7 has an edge cleaning mode which focuses its cleaning effort along the window edges and corners - areas that are prone to collecting more dirt. This helps ensure a comprehensive clean across the entire window. It has a large 5 inch wide cleaning path so it can cover more surface area in less time. The AlfaBot X7 is designed to automatically scan and map window areas before cleaning to optimize its cleaning route. With strong suction, high-speed rotating pads, and intelligent route planning, the AlfaBot X7 stands out as a high-caliber window cleaning robot.

While the APQ W100 delivers very good window cleaning performance, the AlfaBot X7 represents the cutting edge in robotic window cleaning with its combination of intense vacuum suction and high-speed scrubbing pads. Consumers looking for the most advanced and thorough window cleaning robot should consider the AlfaBot X7 as a top choice on the market today.

Navigation

The APQ W100 uses intelligent navigation technology and advanced algorithms to map the area of the window and determine the most efficient cleaning path. It is equipped with infrared sensors that allow it to detect and avoid obstacles like window frames while cleaning.

The robot uses an anti-drop technology which combines sensors and a strong vacuum motor to firmly attach the robot onto the glass as it cleans. There are side brushes that help guide the robot around window edges and corners. The robot can even automatically switch directions when it encounters an obstacle or edge.

The robot cleanly navigates around any obstructions thanks to the infrared sensors on the top, bottom and sides. It cleans in an efficient back-and-forth S-pattern optimized to cover every spot on the glass. Overall the navigation system is designed for maximum cleaning coverage while avoiding falls.

Battery Life

The APQ W100 is powered by a rechargeable 2200 mAh Li-ion battery. According to the manufacturer, it can run continuously for about 80-100 minutes on a full charge. This is decent runtime that should allow you to clean several windows or small areas before needing to recharge.

Charging time is stated to be around 4-5 hours. So you'll want to charge it fully overnight before planning to use it the next day. Quick recharges during the day are possible, but won't fully replenish the battery.

The replaceable battery uses smart charge technology to avoid overcharging. It is designed to provide 500 charge cycles during the lifetime of the cleaner.

The battery runtime is ample for most home cleaning tasks. But you may need an extra battery or improvised charging if tackling large commercial buildings.

Scheduling and Controls

The APQ W100 can be controlled through the GLOAX app for Android and iOS devices. This allows you to set cleaning schedules, monitor the robot's progress, and manually control it if needed.

You can schedule the W100 to clean at specific times, like every weekday at 10am. The schedule is easy to set up in the app. There are options for one-time cleans or repeating daily, weekly, or monthly schedules. Scheduling is great for automating your window cleaning.

In addition to scheduling, the app gives you status updates on the robot's cleaning progress. You can view where it's cleaning and how much battery is left. If it encounters any errors, you'll get alerts right away.

The W100 has some basic navigation AI and obstacle avoidance, but the app allows manual controls too. You can drive and steer the robot as needed through the touchscreen controls. This is handy for targeting specific problem areas or guiding the robot if it gets stuck.

Overall the scheduling and app controls add automation and convenience. You don't have to monitor the W100 constantly or worry about manually operating it. The combination of scheduling plus status updates and manual controls provides a smooth, hands-off cleaning experience.

Safety Features

The APQ W100 has several important safety features to prevent accidents while cleaning windows. One key feature is the drop sensors on the bottom of the robot. If the W100 detects that it is falling or dangling over the edge of a window, the drop sensors will kick in. This immediately stops the spinning brushes and causes the robot to slowly reverse away from the edge until it senses solid ground again.

The emergency stop button is another critical safety addition. If you ever need to quickly halt the W100 mid-clean, you can firmly press the red emergency stop button on the top. This will instantly stop all movement and turn off the robot. Once the emergency is addressed, you simply press it again to resume cleaning. This is an important reassurance in case the robot is acting erratically near an open window.

Overall, these safety features minimize the risk of the W100 falling during operation. This is vital for peace of mind when cleaning exterior windows high up off the ground. Sensors and emergency stops are a must for a window cleaning robot working in potentially dangerous environments. The APQ W100 checks those boxes to promote safe and secure window washing.

Pros of the APQ W100 Window Cleaner Robot

• Effective cleaning performance on glass. Reviews indicate the vacuum suction and cleaning pads of the W100 remove dirt, dust, and grime from windows, leaving them sparkling clean. It can handle windows of various sizes.

• Smart navigation technology. The robot uses intelligent route planning to map the window area and clean in efficient zig-zag motions. Sensors prevent it from falling off ledges. This allows thorough cleaning of the windows with minimal missed spots.

• Convenient scheduling features. You can schedule the W100 to clean at specific times, like when you're away at work. This automation makes keeping windows consistently clean easy. It also has a useful auto-return and recharging function.

• Safety features for worry-free use. The W100 has safety technology like child locks and automatic shut-offs to prevent accidents and give peace of mind when used on second story or higher windows. Squeegee pressure can also be adjusted to prevent window scratches.

Cons

• The W100 struggles cleaning windows that are heavily soiled or have lots of debris stuck to them. It tends to just bump over dirt and grime instead of scrubbing it off. For very dirty windows, you'll need to do some manual pre-cleaning.

• At just 27 watts, the vacuum suction is not very powerful. It can have trouble creating a strong seal on the window to effectively vacuum up water. This can lead to dirty water dripping down during cleaning cycles.

• Battery life is limited. The W100 only runs for about 35 minutes per charge. This may not be enough time to clean all the windows in a large house in one session. Extra batteries can be purchased, but that drives up the total cost.

• Navigation and sensing technology is basic. It lacks some of the advanced laser and camera systems found in more expensive window cleaning robots. This can result in more random bumping into window frames. It may have trouble detecting very shiny or reflective surfaces too.