When I first saw the eufy Robot Vacuum 3 in 1 E20 pop up at CES 2025, I honestly thought it was a gimmick. A robot that turns into a stick vacuum? It sounded like one of those late-night infomercial products that tries to do everything and fails at all of them. But after seeing how it actually functions in real-world living rooms, the narrative has shifted.
Basically, eufy decided to stop treating the robot vacuum as a standalone gadget and started treating it as the "brain" for your entire floor care routine.
You've probably seen the marketing. It’s the "world’s first" to combine a robot, a cordless stick, and a handheld into one unit. But does it actually work? Or are you just buying three mediocre tools for the price of one? Let's get into the weeds of what this thing actually feels like to own.
The Transformation: How the eufy Robot Vacuum 3 in 1 E20 Actually Works
The core of the E20 is a detachable motor. That’s the "3 in 1" part. When it’s inside the robot, it provides 8,000 Pa of suction, which is pretty beefy for a mid-range bot. But the real magic happens when you click a button, pop that motor out, and snap it onto the included extension wand.
Suddenly, that 8,000 Pa jumps to 30,000 Pa.
That is a massive leap. Most high-end cordless vacuums live in that 20k to 30k range, so the fact that your robot’s "heart" can pull that much weight is impressive. You can use it as a full-sized stick vacuum for the stairs or a tiny handheld for the car.
It’s kinda weird to see your robot vacuum sitting there empty while you’re cleaning the couch with its "insides," but it saves a ton of closet space. No more tripping over a bulky upright vacuum while the robot hides under the sofa.
Navigation and the Triple-Laser Reality
One thing people get wrong about the E20 is assuming it’s a "dumb" bump-and-go vacuum because of its price point. It isn't. It uses a Triple-Line Laser system with LiDAR.
Honestly, it’s smarter than some of the $800 models I've tested.
📖 Related: How Do I Pair My Apple Watch With My iPhone: The Step-by-Step Reality
The LiDAR (that little turret on top) handles the room mapping, while the front and side lasers look for the small stuff. eufy claims it can spot things as small as 15mm. Think LEGO bricks or a rogue charging cable. In reality, it’s not perfect—it might still shove a very thin wire around—but it’s lightyears ahead of the old-school bots that just slam into your baseboards.
Mapping for Multi-Story Homes
The app allows for multi-floor mapping (up to five levels). This is huge if you live in a townhouse. You can carry the bot upstairs, let it do its thing, and it won't get "lost" or try to redraw the map every single time.
The Self-Emptying Station: 75 Days of Ignoring the Trash
We need to talk about the dock. It’s compact. Like, surprisingly small for what it does. It holds a 3L dust bag, which eufy says lasts 75 days.
Now, if you have three Golden Retrievers? You’re looking at maybe 30 days. But for a normal household, two months of not touching a dusty bin is a win.
One detail most reviewers miss is the auto-emptying in all modes. Usually, self-empty docks only work for the robot. With the E20, you can dock the handheld unit or the stick vacuum assembly, and the station will suck the dirt out of the motor unit just like it does for the robot. That’s a level of integration that actually makes the "3 in 1" label feel earned.
💡 You might also like: Jupiter Photos From Juno: Why This Tiny Probe Forever Changed How We See The Solar System
Where It Struggles (The Honest Truth)
It’s not all sunshine and clean carpets.
First, there is no mopping. If you have a house full of tile and you want those floors scrubbed, the E20 isn't your machine. It’s a vacuum, through and through.
Second, the battery life in "Stick Mode" is much shorter. While the robot can run for up to 180 minutes on a low setting, once you crank that suction to 30,000 Pa for manual cleaning, you’re looking at about 25 to 30 minutes. That’s enough for a flight of stairs and the kitchen, but don’t expect to deep clean a 3,000-square-foot house in one go with the stick attachment.
Also, the noise.
When the station empties the vacuum, it sounds like a jet engine for about 10 seconds. It’s normal for these docks, but don’t run it while someone is napping.
Is the Pro-Detangle Comb Legit?
Hair is the enemy of robot vacuums. The eufy Robot Vacuum 3 in 1 E20 features a "Pro-Detangle Comb."
It’s basically a set of teeth that sit near the roller brush. As the brush spins, the comb physically strips hair off the bristles. Does it mean you’ll never have to cut hair off the roller? No. But it significantly cuts down on the frequency. Instead of cleaning the brush every week, you might find yourself doing it once a month.
Actionable Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your E20
If you've already picked one up or are hovering over the "buy" button, keep these things in mind to avoid frustration:
- Set the Emptying Frequency: If you have pets, go into the eufy Clean app and set the "Self-Empty Frequency" to every 15 minutes. This prevents the small internal bin from getting so packed with fur that the dock can't pull it out.
- Don't Toss the Crevice Tool: The crevice tool actually stores inside the top of the robot. It's easy to miss, but it's super handy for getting into the gaps of your sliding door tracks.
- The 2.4GHz Rule: Like most smart home gear, it only connects to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. If your phone is on a 5GHz band during setup, you’ll get an error. Switch your phone to 2.4GHz temporarily just to finish the pairing.
- Check the Filter: The AeroTurbo system is great for allergies, capturing 99.97% of particles, but that means the filter gets dirty. Rinse it with water once a month (and let it dry for 24 hours!) to keep the suction strong.
The E20 is basically a space-saving hack. It’s perfect for apartment dwellers or people who want a robot but don't want to buy a separate $400 Dyson just for the stairs. It’s a solid, mid-range workhorse that finally figured out how to make a "combo" tool that isn't a total compromise.
✨ Don't miss: Why You Should Always Check Send Me a Copy of My Responses
Check your floor types before buying. If you have 100% thick, plush shag carpet, the robot's 8,000 Pa might feel a little light. But for hard floors and standard rugs? It's a powerhouse. For the price, usually around $350 to $550 depending on the sale, you’re getting a lot of engineering for your money.
Just remember to find a spot for the extension wand, because that's the only piece that doesn't have a "home" on the charging base.