Review: Wilfa Innobot RVC-D4000SL+

A successful comeback

Norwegian Wilfa started as a vacuum cleaner manufacturer back in 1948, and after a hiatus, they are now re-launching cleaning products.

Published 13 December 2023 - 8:00 am
Wilfa Innobot RVC-D4000SL+
Åsa Warme

The Innobot RVC-D4000SL is of course a little extra exciting because it’s a brand new category for Wilfa. I know from experience that there can be many teething problems in such cases. In any case, they don’t skimp on the accessories, and in the box there are generous extras of just about everything! It actually also comes with a real instruction manual, which is not so common anymore. Completely unnecessary according to some, but still worth mentioning, I think.

Innobot RVC-D4000SL aka “Wilma.” (Photo: Åsa Warme Hallén)

I scan the QR code and download the RVC Connect app. The only experience I have with Wilfa since before is my test of an air purifier where I was directed to the Wilifi app. At the time, I felt that the app was a bit ill-conceived. Fingers crossed for better luck this time.

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The robot can connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, which is not common. Very good considering how many things we usually have running on Wi-Fi in our homes. I name the Inboot RVC-D4000SL Wilma and let her explore. It takes her 11 minutes to explore and map her surroundings.

Wilfa has certainly not skimped on the accessories! There are extra filters, a side brush, mop cloths and much more. In fact, there’s even a rubber cleaning brush. Something I didn’t think to switch to before I started the test – but that’s my fault, not Wilfa’s. (Photo: Åsa Warme Hallén)

The RVC Connect app

As I said, the app is a new acquaintance for me, and it’s not entirely unexpected that it takes some time to get to grips with the structure and mindset. RVC Connect has a much better structure and layout than Wilifi, and after a while I think I have a pretty good overview.

I can create different cleaning schedules for different rooms and adjust the cleaning mode, suction power and water flow rate. There are also virtual walls, no-go zones and no-mop zones. If you have multiple floors, you can create multiple maps. I can also add that Wilma avoids carpets in both cleaning and mopping mode, which feels a bit like the same as no-go zones.

If for some reason I want to vacuum and/or mop a less specific area, it’s perfectly possible to create a zone for this. However, it turns out that “Wilma” and I think a little differently about what to do. The result is that I specify a zone that I want her to clean – and then she does a little extra before she heads “home” again.

Cleaning and cleaning

“Wilma” is efficient when vacuuming, and she takes a systematic approach. Firstly around all the walls, and then she continues with the rest of the floor. Both I and our furniture are grateful that Wilma is a rather careful girl. She moves carefully around obstacles and doesn’t bump into them as much as the other participants in the test. It takes her 69 minutes to vacuum 50 square metres.

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The Inboot RVC-D4000SL has no problems whatsoever with our carpet in the living room, but automatically starts in turbo mode and runs. In the app, I can switch off turbo mode if I want to.

To see if the Innobot RVC-D4000SL can clean at transitions with a level difference, I send “Wilma” to clean a spot I’ve prepared with hair and cat litter. The result is not bad, but not perfect either. (Photo: Åsa Warme Hallén).

Steps proved to be the big challenge in this test. We live in an apartment with low doorsteps, but that doesn’t help. It has proven to be incredibly difficult to get to and clean completely. Even for “Wilma.”

No one is happier than me and the cats that their dining area remains untouched, even after Wilma has been out cleaning. (Photo: Åsa Warme Hallén).

What “Wilma” manages to do brilliantly, however, is to leave the cats’ food and water bowls alone right from the start. Yippee!

Moping

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The mop function on a robot vacuum cleaner doesn’t compare to grabbing a bucket and mopping yourself. Unless you’re extremely lazy and careless. What you get is more of an extra wiping and refreshing of the floors.

“Wilma” has a vibrating mop, which is definitely better than one that just slides along under the vacuum cleaner. But it doesn’t quite pass the coffee test. (Photo: Åsa Warme Hallén).

“Wilma” has a water tank with a vibrating mop pad, which obviously does a better job than a stationary one. I remove the water tank, fill it up, moisturise and attach the mop pad and get to work. With the mantra “the point is only to freshen up and not to deep clean,” in my head, I have to admit that the machine does an acceptable job. I can choose whether I want to mop in an S-shaped pattern or Y-shaped. The latter should be more thorough.

Not everything that glitters is gold, and sometimes having a robot vacuum cleaner isn’t so glamorous. When I check “Wilma’s” nozzle, she has the more traditional cleaning brush with hair on it, which means that everything gets stuck and therefore requires a little more care and maintenance. Since my cats don’t have hair, I can’t blame them either. I could have replaced it with the included rubber brush, but of course I didn’t. (Photo: Åsa Warme Hallén).

Conclusion

I didn’t have very high expectations for the Wilfa Innobot RVC-D4000SL. Simply because it’s a new product family, which can sometimes cause problems. But here Wilfa really has nothing to be ashamed of. Considering all the accessories and the fact that “Wilma” both vacuums and dusts the floors with fully acceptable results and also actually, really, avoids obstacles, I can highly recommend Wilfa.

Karakter
Wilfa Innobot RVC-D4000SL+
Premium

Wide range of accessories. Works with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Slightly slow, perhaps.

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