To find out how well the Winbot W2 Pro Omni cleans, I used it on a dozen windows, indoors and outside. Per the company’s recommendation, I used the fast cleaning mode on interior glass and the deep cleaning mode for exterior areas.

(Credit: Tyler Hayes)

To start, you hold the robot against the window with its handle and press the button. The suction begins within moments, and the voice from the base station confirms that you can let go. The whole process takes about 10 seconds.

In testing, I watched as the robot sprayed and diligently wiped the glass, assessing its effectiveness at removing dust and fingerprints, and whether it left visible streaks or water spots. In general, I was impressed by the robot’s ability to clean away dirt and smudges without leaving any significant traces behind. There were faint streaks in some areas, but I only noticed them upon close examination. While a human could replicate the robot’s result, I’m not sure most people could continuously perform the same level of cleaning at the same speed as the robot. 

It took the robot about two minutes to do a fast clean of a 4-by-8-foot area. After it finished, all the dirty spots that had previously been there were gone, and there were no noticeable streaks. The deep clean took about four times as long because the robot retraced its path multiple times.

On exterior windows exposed to the elements, I noticed some dirt buildup that the robot left behind in the corners. I needed to give the window a few quick wipes with a rag to fully remove that debris. Beyond that occasional manual effort, the robot’s pad will need to be removed, rinsed, and reapplied in between most window cleanings, depending on the size and dirtiness of the surface. It’s not a substantial burden, but it is still some manual work.

Additionally, I used the W2 Pro Omni around the house on large mirrors and a glass shower enclosure. It worked surprisingly well, never falling or getting confused.

A dirty cloth pad after cleaning an exterior window. (Credit: Tyler Hayes)

The edge cleaning mode might be useful for big windows that only get touched around the sides, but the fast and deep clean modes should be most helpful for the average suburban home. Unless you are taking the W2 Pro Omni to different sites, I suspect most people will settle on one or two different modes to use primarily. The various cleaning options are probably worth experimenting with initially to see how they work in different contexts.

I measured the robot’s noise while cleaning at around 61dB at a six-foot distance. It isn’t overly loud, but I could hear its buzz upstairs while I was downstairs. It could be disruptive during nap time, but otherwise, it’s about as loud as other types of autonomous cleaners.

When the robot finishes its cleaning path, it will return to the location it started. To remove it, you grab the handle and push its button until the speaker announces that the robot is shutting down. At that point, the suction ceases, and it’s free to pull away. Once, just to test it, I left the robot in its completed status for an extra 10 minutes, and it remained suctioned to the glass without a problem. You need to be semi-present when running the cleaner, but for the most part, you should be able to multitask while it does its job.

(Credit: Tyler Hayes)