Cleaning windows is a chore. Cleaning exterior windows on the second floor is a death wish. In 2026, you don't need a ladder; you need a robot.
Window cleaning robots have evolved from clumsy gadgets into reliable tools. Two models dominate the market: The dual-spray specialist Hobot 2S and the path-planning genius Ecovacs Winbot W1 Pro. Both stick to vertical glass using powerful suction and scrub away dust. But which one handles corners better? Let's clear up the confusion.
The Spray Tech: Ultrasonic vs. Cross-Spray
Dry cloth just moves dust around. You need water. How these robots apply it matters.
Hobot 2S (The Ultrasonic Mist)
Hobot features Dual Ultrasonic Sprayers (one on the left, one on the right).
How it works: It nebulizes water into a fog that mimics human breath on glass. It sprays, then wipes. Because it has sprayers on both sides, it can clean moving left and right without turning around. It is incredibly efficient.
Ecovacs Winbot W1 Pro (The Cross-Spray)
Ecovacs uses a Cross Auto-Spray system.
How it works: It sprays jets of cleaning fluid in a wide angle from the corners of the robot. It wets the glass more thoroughly than the Hobot mist, which is better for caked-on mud or bird droppings, but it consumes fluid faster.
The Corner Problem: Square vs. Round
Hobot 2S: It is perfectly square. This allows it to get deep into the 90-degree corners of your window frames. It claims to leave surprisingly little uncleaned space in the corners.
Ecovacs Winbot W1 Pro: Also square-ish, but the cleaning pad doesn't extend fully to the very edge of the device sensors in the same way. While excellent, Hobot generally wins the "Corner Test" by a few millimeters.
Safety: Falling is Not an Option
Both robots use a powerful vacuum engine to stick to the glass.
- Suction Power: Ecovacs boasts 2800Pa of suction power, which is massive. It grips textured glass better.
- The Backup (UPS): If the power goes out, both robots have a built-in battery (UPS) that keeps the suction running for 20-30 minutes, screaming a loud alarm so you can rescue it.
- Edge Detection: Hobot 2S is famous for its Edge-Leakage Sensors. It can clean frameless glass (like glass railings or shower doors) safely without falling off the edge. Ecovacs can do this too, but Hobot's sensors are slightly more sensitive to gaps.
Comparison Table: 2026 Specs
| Feature | Hobot 2S | Ecovacs Winbot W1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Spray System | Dual Ultrasonic (Mist) | Cross Auto-Spray (Jet) |
| Cleaning Pattern | Linear (Z-Shape) | WIN-SLAM 3.0 (Intelligent) |
| Frameless Glass? | Yes (Excellent) | Yes (Good) |
| Price | ~$500 | ~$400 |
FAQ: Does it replace a human?
Does it leave circle marks?
Older rotating robots left swirl marks. These square robots move in straight lines (Z-Path), so they minimize streaks. However, if the window is extremely dirty, you might need to run the robot twice (once dry, once wet).
Can it clean my bathroom tiles?
Yes! As long as the tiles are smooth and the grout lines aren't too deep, both robots stick to bathroom walls and shower screens effortlessly.
Buy Hobot 2S if: You have large frameless glass (balcony railings) or want the absolute best corner cleaning. Its dual spray system is slightly more efficient for maintenance cleaning.
Buy Ecovacs Winbot W1 Pro if: You want a more affordable, powerful scrubber that handles dirtier windows better thanks to its wetter cross-spray system.