Goovi is a robot vacuum from the Onson company out of China. The Goovi D380 is one of the top flagship models they have produced thus far. What makes the Goovi so special? It cleans well and has a super affordable price tag.
Is this the right robot for you? That depends on your needs and expectations. This Goovi D380 review will examine the robot, its parts and abilities and find out how it truly functions in your home. Read on to find out if you should purchase the Goovi D380, or search for another robot vacuum.
Contents
Who is the Goovi D380 For?
The D380 is a decent robot by all accounts. As with most budget-friendly models it does have some limitations and there are a few features that get rave reviews that don’t work as well as the reviewers make it seem. However, if you are looking for your first robot vacuum, there aren’t many models that will provide you with this level of clean for the money.
The Goovi will also save you money both upfront with a lower price tag and in the long run with less expensive replacement parts. The cost to value ratio is pretty high, which makes it alluring to a lot of consumers.
That being said, if you want better technology, more control options and the ability to clean larger floor plans, then there are better models to research and buy. Let’s take a look at how the Goovi D380 performs so you can decide for yourself.
Detailing the Goovi Robot Vacuum
This section will examine and explain the various pieces and parts of the Goovi D380. We will also look at how the entire robot works as a whole and show you what you can expect from the robot, its functionality and abilities when you get it home to clean.
Goovi D380 vs D382
Let’s get this out of the way. Goovi did not do a good job naming their robots. There are actually two Goovi models, The Goovi D380 and the D382. Each model comes in white or black, creating a total of 4 listings and confusing the heck out of potential customers.
Here are the differences between the two models:
- Wireless Controls. The Goovi D382 comes with WiFI that enables the use of the Goovi Home App. The D380 doesn’t have WiFi.
- Collection bin. The Goovi D382 is reported to have a slightly larger collection bin (0.5L) over the D380 (0.47L)
The collection bin claim is most likely an error in translations. There is no noticeable difference in size, placement or thickness of the collection bins. While there isn’t a lot of difference between 0.47L and 0.5L, it is something to note. As of now, until proven different, the collection bins are the same.
The one difference that is true, however, is that the D382 has WiFi. The only thing this changes is the ability to use the Goovi Home App to take control of your robot instead of relying on the remote.
Both models come with the infrared remote, but only the D382 has the ability to use the mobile app. The mobile app gives you the same control options as the emote, complete with scheduling, movement controls and mode selection. The original app is written in Chinese, though on the initial loading, you have the option to use English as the default language.
It is important to note that if you miss this setting, you won’t get another chance to change it. When downloading and using the app for the first time, take your time on the first two pages and make your selections carefully.
Aside from the WiFI and mobile app, there are no other differences. Both the D380 and D382 come in two color options (black or white) and are otherwise identical robots.
On a final note, though, there aren’t any voice commands for the Goovi D382 at this time. Neither Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant have any skills or commands for the D382.
Bottom Line: If you want to use the mobile app for control, the D382 is your only option. However, the robots are exactly the same otherwise, and the remote is more than capable of controlling the robots without the need for the app.
Robot Fundamentals
All robot vacuums have similar basic functionality pieces. This includes things like the wheels, the extractor rollers, filters and motor. Without these parts, they aren’t a vacuum. Let’s take a closer look.
The Wheels are larger on the Goovi than on a lot of other budget-friendly robots. This allows the D380 to traverse variable height flooring easier. The robot can go from hard flooring to carpeting as long as the carpet-to-hard flooring height is less than 0.6 inches. Getting down from carpet on to hard flooring isn’t a problem.
The Filter is HEPA Rated
The filter is a high-efficiency HEPA quality filter. It will capture pollen, dust mites and other in-home allergens to help reduce their numbers in your home’s flooring. The filter isn’t washable and it is a little smaller than the filters of other higher-priced robots, so it will need to be changed out more frequently. You can expect to replace your filter every 60 to 90 days, depending on use.
Side Brushes and Brush Roller Aren’t Special
The D380 comes with two silicone bristled side brushes and a single bristled brush roller for extraction. The dual side brushes work well to gather dust and debris from the edges of your space. However, they do rotate at an extremely high rate of speed and are prone to tossing the debris instead of pushing it to the middle for collection.
Eventually all scattered debris is collected, but you may not like to watch this happen. The brush roller does well on hard flooring and carpet, including medium-pile, which is rare for an entry-level robot.
The downside here, is that there aren’t any sensors for the brush roller and cords, socks, large debris or things it shouldn’t collect are still attempted. The robot is highly prone to shutting down and beeping an alarm code at you.
The Battery is About Industry Average
Goovi’s D380 uses a 2600mAh lithium-ion battery. It will hold a charge and power the robot for up to 2 hours according to the testing reports. However, you will find that since your home has furniture, various floor coverings, obstacles, corners and walls, the actual runtime will vary.
You should expect about 90 minutes of runtime before the robot returns to the charging station to top up and await the next instructions. The robot doesn’t map your home, so it will not return to clean after it stops to charge. This is all about average for the entry-level robots. It doesn’t stand out for these reasons, but it doesn’t falter, either.
Bottom Line: The Goovi D380 is slightly more than run-of-the-mill. The basic functionality of the robot has reliable, durable pieces but nothing that stands out as exceptional.
Goovi on Carpeting
When it comes to carpeting, most robots in the entry-level and mid-tier range are only capable of cleaning low-pile carpeting. The Goovi is not normal. With the D380, you can effectively clean low and medium-pile carpeting. With the higher piles, of course the robot will move slower, draining the battery faster, but it does clean.
Carpets are actually noticeably cleaner and compared to a lot of budget-friendly stick vacuums, the D380 does a much better job. It will never replace your standard upright, no robot vacuum does that. However, it will enable you to leave the upright in the closet longer.
Is there a downside? Yes. When the robot is on carpeting, there aren’t any sensors to tell it this. The motor is a two-speed motor, but the mode selection is manual, not automatic. The side brushes don’t stop spinning on carpeting, either, and often get stuck or snagged, which can result in a shortening of the side brush motor’s life expectancy.
All of that being said, the low price point makes the Goovi a robot that you can overlook these shortcomings. The added cost of replacing a small motor or wheel every other year still offsets the purchase price of higher-end models.
Bottom Line: If you have low or medium pile carpeting and don’t mind the occasional added maintenance, there isn’t much bad to say here.
Goovi on Hard Flooring
The D380 really shines when it comes to hard flooring. Without the carpet fibers to hinder the side brushes, you get a decent clean without a lot of effort. Of course the robot runs around in various directions and uses a random cleaning pattern. However, it does its job and for the most part, it does it well.
As with any robot that doesn’t map or navigate by camera or laser sensors, the cleaning patterns will miss areas here and there. However, scheduling the robot to clean daily will help eliminate those areas. In a given week, running the robot daily, you can expect the entire floor space to get cleaned 100% a total of three times.
Edges are concentrated on when using edge-mode (more on modes later). But corners still pose a big problem. The side brushes try to access as much of the corners as possible, but the robot doesn’t spend any time here. Because of the bump sensors, the walls prevent the robot from getting in too deep.
You will be better off using your broom to sweep out the corners and even along the edges for a more thorough clean with the robot.
Bottom Line: As with almost every robot vacuum, hard flooring is no match. Just keep an eye on the corners of your hard floored rooms for debris build-up.
Goovi D380 Dealing With Pet Hair
Surprisingly, the Goovi D380 is really good at collecting pet hair. Of course you will have to take the extra time to clean off the brush roller on a more frequent basis, but the overall process should only take you about 5 minutes or so on top of your regular maintenance.
It also doesn’t matter if the pet hair (or your long hair) is on the carpeting or hard flooring, the Goovi will get virtually all of it. The dust bin will get packed full, of course, so you need to be on top of keeping it empty.
For homes with multiple shedding pets, you may find that the first few runs result in a less than ideal collection of the pet hair. This is normal. Like mowing an overgrown lawn, it will take a few attempts to get down through the collection of pet hair. Once it does, though, the Goovi will keep up on the cleaning as long as you run it daily.
Bottom Line: Pet hair is surprisingly little concern for the Goovi D380. It doesn’t have a lot of bristles around the brush roller so it is more effective at pet hair collection than other models.
Controlling your Goovi Robot
The controls for the Goovi D380 are quite limited. There isn’t a WiFi interface so you are left with local controls and an infrared remote control. The local controls consist of a single button.
When you press the button the robot turns on and heads off to clean. It also has a touch sensitive top that also makes it run off to clean. The one downside to this sensitive switch is that pets and children can touch it and the robot will start cleaning.
The other method of control is the remote. You will use this most of the time and it offers you a lot of options. First, you will need to set it up by programming the date and time. From there, you can select the cleaning mode, make a timer schedule for cleaning or take actual control of the direction the robot is moving.
There are a lot of reports, though, that state the scheduled times are often ignored. Most cases have the robot cleaning 2 to 3 hours later than the scheduled time. A few have the times off by up to 10 hours. Onson has not yet reported on this nor offered a fix. If you use the schedule, look out for this occurrence.
The arrow keys allow you to nudge the robot. While you cannot actually “drive” the robot you can alter its path. With the remote you can also select the “Max” cleaning mode which runs the motor at the second speed for a stronger suction and deeper clean at the cost of a lower battery life.
The remote further allows you to do a spot clean or edge clean. These modes give you the opportunity to focus on a single area of the home without cleaning the entire thing. And, finally you can stop a cleaning session and return the robot to the charging station, which has a port on the top to store the remote when not in use.
Bottom Line: The controls aren’t very robust, but do offer you enough control to get the floors cleaned when needed. Don’t expect the schedule cleaning to work at the exact time you program, though.
Keeping the Goovi D380 from Going Where It Shouldn’t
There is one glaring feature missing from the Goovi robots; containment. There isn’t any known form of containment for the robot, including mobile app, digital or physical containment options.
If you want to contain the robot to a room, you will need to shut the door. If you want to protect pet dishes, potted plants or lightweight end tables, you will need to pick them up. Baby gates, weighted pool noodle and heavy shoes are the most often used forms of containing robots without other options.
While this is far from a deal breaker it is something you will need to keep in mind. While the Goovi is a decent enough vacuum, having containment would make it better. As such, we have to deal without it, and that is a shame.
Bottom Line: There isn’t any containment here, so you will have to craft your own.
Specifications Chart
Have a look at the following chart. It will outline everything the Goovi D380 has to offer (or is lacking) so you know exactly what to expect.
| Goovi D380 | |
| Size | 12.6×12.6×2.8 inches |
| Weight | 9 pounds |
| Navigation | Sensor-based Pseudo-random |
| Battery | 2600mAh lithium-ion |
| Runtime | Up to 90 minutes |
| Charge Time | About 3 hours |
| Automatic Recharge | Yes |
| Entire Level Clean | No |
| Filter | HEPA |
| Drop Sensors | Yes |
| Bump Sensors | Yes |
| Dirt Detection Sensors | No |
| Camera Navigation | No |
| Wireless Communications | No |
| Mobile App | No |
| Voice Controls | No |
| Remote Control | Yes |
| Floor Types | All |
| Room Select Cleaning | No |
| Collection Bin Capacity | 0.45L |
| Washable Collection Bin | No |
| Automatic Collection Bin Emptying | No |
| Side Brushes | 2 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
Alternatives
If you have decided the Goovi is not for you, or you want to continue to shop around, here are a few comparisons from other popular models worthy of consideration.
Goovi D380 Vs. Roomba 690
The Roomba 690 continues to be a popular and well rounded robot, even over a decade since its release. Like the Goovi, the 690 runs in a random cleaning pattern, has limited control options and about a 90 minute runtime.
The 690 does have WiFi, though and you can use the industry leading iRobot Home app for control. The Roomba model also has containment in the form of the dual-mode virtual wall barriers that the Goovi lacks.
However, the D380 has a HEPA quality filter and performs better than the 690 on medium-pile carpeting. Comparably, these two robots are interchangeable and both will suit most of your robot vacuum needs at a low cost.
You may learn more about the Roomba 690 here or see the current price on Amazon.
Goovi D380 Vs. Roborock S6
The Roborock S6 is another model from an up and coming brand. The main difference here is that Roborock attempts to compete with the larger brands. The S6 is an all-in-one model that vacuums, sweeps and mops.
You can read up on the Roborock S6 here and find out why I think the mopping feature needs to be removed. However, the Roborock has things the Goovi model does not. Containment and WiFi are the leading contenders. While Roborock is still battling some of the digital containment options available for bugs, the methods are at least there and usable.
Goovi is far less expensive, but the Roborock can accomplish more. The choice may prove a difficult one here. If the S6 could fix all the bugs and make the mopping feature better, it would win hands down, though. I made a comparison review about two of Roborock’s top robot vacuums, you may check this for further information on Roborock.
See Roborock S6 pricing on Amazon.
Goovi D380 Vs. Shark IQ AE
To be completely honest, the Shark IQ is way out of the league of the Goovi model. The IQ AE (Auto Empty) attempts to compete with the top-tier models like the Roomba s9+. It holds up fairly well and offers you everything you would expect from a robot vacuum.
You also pay for those technologies and advancements and could easily purchase four Goovi robots for the price of a single Shark IQ. The Shark IQ cleans better, performs better and has easier maintenance, though, and is a worthy competitor in most markets and for those with a larger budget. You can read my review of Shark IQ AE here
You can check Shark IQ AE’s price on Amazon here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now I will answer some of the more popular questions about the Goovi D380. If you have other questions or concerns, please use the comment section below the article.
Q. How do I contact Goovi customer service?
A. As of right now, Onson, makers of Goovi do not have a formal website. They do have an introductory website where they display their new stick vacuum, but make no mention of the Goovi robot. The only method of customer service contact is through Amazon where you purchase your D380.
Q. Where is the best place to purchase a Goovi D380?
A. The only place to purchase a new-in-box Goovi D380 is through Amazon. Much like Roborock, Goovi (owned by Onson) only sells through the online wholesale giant.
Q. Can I schedule the Goovi D380 to clean twice a day?
A. You can create multiple daily cleaning schedules. However it is important that you allow enough time between cleanings for the robot to recharge fully.
Q. Where can I find replacement parts such as filters or side brushes for the Goovi D380?
A. Like the robot itself, the only place to buy replacement parts is through Amazon. There are official Goovi replacement parts, which are recommended. However, third party pieces do fit, with some complaints, of course, and are less expensive. However, it is better to spend a little more and get the parts specifically designed for your model.
Conclusion
The Goovi D380 is a decent vacuum with surprising results considering the budget-friendly cost. While it is still considered an introductory robot, there are more and more homes opening their doors for this model.
If you have a smaller home (about 1000 square feet), multiple floor types including medium-pile carpeting, or want a second robot vacuum, the Goovi D380 is a solid choice. As long as you curb your expectations and know the limits of the machine, you won’t be disappointed.
In a Nutshell
The Goovi D380 is a solid robot at a fantastic price. While it is lacking some essential features, like containment. It offers enough extras and a great cleaning on most surfaces to be worth the purchase.
What I Like
- Works well on low and medium-pile carpeting.
- Automatically recharges when the battery gets low.
- Dual side brushes allow the robot to clean edges in any direction.
What I Don’t Like
- No containment options at all.
- Misses a lot of areas on initial runs.
- Upgraded model (D382) still doesn’t offer voice commands.