TL;DR: For small apartments, choose the $100 Dibea D18 cordless vacuum first over the $300 Roborock robot for better versatility and value.
When you search for a vacuum for your small apartment, you'll quickly run into two camps: robot vacuums and cordless stick vacuums.
Ideally you'd get both, but on a budget, you need to pick one first. So the question is: if you can only buy one, which should it be?
I've used both of these for the past three months:
- Robot vacuum: Roborock Q8 Max Plus (~$300 range)
- Cordless vacuum: Dibea D18 (~$100 range)
Since the price points are different, this isn't a "which is better" comparison. It's about which one you need first in a small apartment.
How do robot and cordless vacuums compare?
| Feature | Roborock Q8 Max Plus | Dibea D18 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$300 | ~$100 |
| Suction | 5,500Pa | Normal 4,000Pa / Max 9,000Pa |
| Cleaning style | Automatic (scheduled) | Manual (you push it) |
| Battery | 5,200mAh / up to 240 min | 2,200mAh / normal 45 min, max 25 min |
| Dustbin | Auto-empty station (2.5L) | Manual empty (550ml) |
| Mopping | ✅ Vacuum + mop simultaneously | ❌ |
| Weight | 3.6kg (robot) | 1.2kg (main unit) |
| Noise | Medium (loud during auto-empty) | Normal quiet / max mode loud |
| Corner cleaning | △ (round shape limitation) | ◎ (direct nozzle access) |
| Bedding cleaning | ❌ | ✅ (mini motorized brush) |
| High surfaces | ❌ | ✅ (lightweight, one-handed) |
What's the price difference between these vacuums?
The Dibea D18 is around $100, while the Roborock Q8 Max Plus is around $300. That's a 3x price gap.
When you're just starting out and buying everything for a new apartment, $100 is a lot easier to swallow. "Get the cheap one now, add a robot later" is a perfectly valid strategy.
On the other hand, if you factor in the daily convenience of automatic cleaning, the Roborock's cost-per-day drops to about $3.30 over three months.
Which vacuum has better suction power?
On paper, the Dibea D18's max mode (9,000Pa) beats the Roborock (5,500Pa). But here's the thing:
A robot vacuum runs every single day. When you vacuum daily, dust never has a chance to accumulate, so even lower suction keeps floors spotless. A cordless vacuum only cleans when you feel like it — and let's be honest, "I'll do it tomorrow" can easily turn into a week.
On the flip side, the Dibea can focus on one spot intensely. Corners, gaps between furniture, narrow crevices — you can shove the nozzle right in there. A robot physically can't reach those spots.
Bottom line:
- Consistent daily cleanliness → robot wins
- Targeted deep cleaning → cordless wins
Which is more convenient for daily cleaning?
This is the biggest difference between the two.
The Roborock Q8 Max cleans on a schedule while you're at work. It even empties its own dustbin. You come home to clean floors without lifting a finger.
The Dibea D18 requires you to physically pick it up and push it around. For a 500 sq ft apartment, that's about 15~20 minutes. After a long day at work, those 15 minutes feel like a lot.
However, the Dibea has a major advantage: it works on shelves, air conditioner tops, couches, and bedding. The mini motorized brush attachment pulls a shocking amount of dust out of mattresses — something a robot can never do.
How much maintenance does each vacuum require?
Roborock Q8 Max Plus:
- Dust bag replacement: every 5~6 weeks (~$2~3 each)
- Mop pad: manual wash every 3~4 days
- Main brush: replace every 3~6 months (~$10)
- Filter: replace every 3~6 months
Dibea D18:
- Dustbin: empty weekly (free)
- Roller brush: remove hair every 2 weeks, replace every 6~12 months
- Filter: washable, replace every 6 months
The Dibea's maintenance cost is essentially zero. The Roborock runs about $1~2/month. Not a huge difference, but the Dibea is simpler.
Which vacuum is quieter during operation?
The Roborock is reasonably quiet during cleaning, but the auto-empty cycle is loud for about 10~15 seconds. Fine during the day, not great at night.
The Dibea is fine on normal mode, but max mode is noisy. If your apartment walls are thin, keep it to normal mode after 10 PM.
Overall, noise is a wash — both have their loud moments.
Which vacuum takes up less storage space?
The Roborock needs floor space for the robot and its charging/auto-empty station (305×440×448mm). In a studio, that means finding a spot near the entrance or under the bed. You also need to keep floors clear so the robot can navigate.
The Dibea mounts on the wall with two screws. Virtually zero floor space. In a tiny apartment, this matters a lot.
So Which Should You Buy First?
Get a robot vacuum (Roborock Q8 Max) first if you:
- Have zero energy for cleaning after work
- Live in a 500~800 sq ft apartment with hard floors
- Value "always clean floors" as a lifestyle upgrade
- Can budget ~$300
- Have door thresholds under 2cm (check this!)
Get a cordless vacuum (Dibea D18) first if you:
- Are on a tight budget early in your apartment journey
- Need to clean bedding, shelves, and furniture (not just floors)
- Have carpets or rugs
- Have a layout too cramped for a robot to navigate well
- Are home often enough to vacuum regularly
My Personal Take
Honestly, having both is the dream. The robot handles daily floor maintenance, and the cordless tackles corners, bedding, and high surfaces.
But if you can only pick one? I'd say start with a cordless vacuum. Here's why:
- Lower upfront cost
- Cleans floors, bedding, shelves — everything
- When you add a robot later, they complement each other perfectly
The exception: if you know you'll never voluntarily vacuum, go straight for the robot. A cordless vacuum you never use is just wall decoration.
What are the detailed pros and cons?
Want the full deep-dive on each product?
Dibea D18 — Cordless Stick Vacuum
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