Mova over, Roomba
It’s time to learn a new brand: Mova, which recently entered some new European markets. One of the first products to be launched is the Mova E30 Ultra robot vacuum cleaner.
If you’d like to compare it with our top recommendations, have a look at our round-ups of the best robot vacuums and the best cheap robot vacuums.
Andreas Bergsman
It’s basically a Dreame machine, which becomes clear on closer inspection as the similarities are striking, right down to the component level. This is an advantage, as Dreame has long demonstrated high technical competence. If Mova continues in the same vein, the newcomer could well be a success, especially given its competitive pricing.
The Mova E30 Ultra, which on paper is a relatively advanced model and comparable to, for example, the Dreame L10 Ultra or Roborock’s bestseller Q Revo, is competitively priced for Europe.
A design we recognise
The robot vacuum has a design we’ve become used to lately, and as I said, it might as well be adorned with a Dreame logo. It’s round in shape, with a raised area on top that houses the laser-based navigation system. In addition, the robot is equipped with several sensors all around and a camera in the front to identify any obstacles.
Andreas Bergsman
As well as a dust bag, the base station contains a 4-litre tank for dirty water and a 4.5-litre tank for clean water. Of course, it also automatically cleans the mops both during and after cleaning sessions. What it lacks, however, is a detergent container – only water is used for mopping.
Andreas Bergsman
Features that simplify everyday life
Installation is quick, and all information about functions and setting options is presented clearly in the Mova app. If you already have the Dreame app, you can also connect the robot to that instead.
After the first survey, your home is ready for cleaning. In addition to the usual settings, such as naming rooms and creating no-go zones or virtual walls, the app offers several features to explore. Among other things, you can activate the Robo Swing function.
Unlike more advanced models, which can “fold out” the mop unit to get closer to edges and corners, the Mova E30 Ultra uses a cheaper and more time-consuming solution in which it rotates around its own axis to achieve the same result. It works, but as I said, it takes time.
Most features can be customised in different ways in the app to best suit your home. You can create cleaning schedules for each room and set how the robot will handle any carpets, thanks to the ultrasound-based detection. It’s simple and user-friendly, but if you want to make it even more convenient, you can activate the Clean Genius function.
The robot will use its sensors to automatically tailor and adjust the settings for each room in your home. The feature works really well – if the system notices that certain surfaces need extra care, the robot will run an extra round there.
Cleaning results that impress
When it comes to cleaning and results, the Mova E30 Ultra delivers really well. With a suction power of 7,000Pa, it can suck up most things that get in its way. However, it does have a bit of a problem with accessibility, so if your home has high thresholds or other obstacles, it’s worth bearing in mind. In my home, it was a drying rack that became the robot’s nemesis, an obstacle that other models I’ve tested have overcome without much effort.
Andreas Bergsman
The obstacle detection is also a small Achilles heel. Small objects, such as charging cables or lighters that happen to fall on the floor, don’t even seem to exist to the robot – they get stuck underneath it or get sucked up with a happy buzz. So if you don’t want the robot to have an unscheduled “snack break”, it’s important to keep the floor free of small items.
In conclusion, the Mova E30 Ultra is a welcome and affordable alternative to the more established brands. It’s easy to use and delivers good results, both in terms of vacuuming and mopping, which means it can easily compete with models that cost significantly more.
Personally, I’d prefer a model with better obstacle detection, but if you can live with picking up small items and keeping floors clear of obstacles, this is a great choice. The price tag also makes it an even more attractive option.
