South Korean media: Why are Chinese robot vacuum cleaners more popular than South Korean ones?

On October 19, the South Korean media outlet "Today's Finance" published an article stating that robot vacuum cleaners have become one of the "three major appliances," along with dryers and dishwashers, and are now essential items for newlyweds in South Korea. Notably, although many South Korean consumers prefer domestic products such as televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators, Chinese robot vacuum cleaners are more popular. So what is the reason?

In fact, the popularity of Chinese robot vacuum cleaners is not limited to the South Korean market, but also extends to the global market. According to the "Q2 2025 Global Quarterly Smart Home Device Market Tracking Report" released by the global market research firm IDC, the global shipment of robot vacuum cleaners increased by 20.5% in the second quarter of this year, reaching 6.17 million units.

Chinese home appliance company Roborock ranked first in the global robot vacuum cleaner market in the second quarter, maintaining its leading position for ten consecutive quarters. Roborock's shipments reached 1.34 million units, with a market share of 21.8%, and the cumulative shipments for the first half of the year reached 2.33 million units, an increase of 67.9% compared to the same period last year.

IDC data shows that Roborock holds over 50% market share in key markets such as South Korea, Germany, and Turkey, and its shipments in North America also increased by 65.3% year-on-year.

Notably, the top five companies in the global robot vacuum cleaner market are all Chinese companies. Ecovacs shipped 870,000 units, with a market share of 14.1%. Dyson focuses mainly on the European market, with a market share of 13.1%. Xiaomi and Neato follow closely behind with market shares of 10.2% and 8.5%, respectively. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are categorized as "others" (32.3%) and did not make it into the top five.

IDC said, "Top companies are capturing an increasing share of global shipments, and the global penetration rate in emerging markets is relatively low, so there is huge growth potential."

The secret of Chinese robot vacuum cleaner companies dominating the global market lies in their strong technological capabilities. While South Korean companies sell vacuum and mop robots, Chinese companies have improved their market share in South Korea by offering integrated products. In 2022, Roborock launched an "integrated" robot vacuum cleaner that combines dusting, mopping, and drying functions. The positive reputation of this integrated robot vacuum cleaner has enabled Roborock to maintain its leading position in the South Korean market since 2022.

Behind Roborock's innovative technology is its relentless investment in R&D. The Beijing Roborock R&D Center is the driving force behind Roborock's products and services, covering product planning, design, and software. Over 50% of Roborock's employees are engineers, and the company invests more than 7% of its revenue in R&D annually. Moreover, Roborock integrates diverse customer feedback into its R&D process, striving to create flawless products. By utilizing artificial intelligence deep learning technology, Roborock integrates rich customer experiences and learns from consumer surveys, incorporating these insights into its products.

Chinese robot company Ecovacs also invested approximately 170 billion won in R&D in 2024, enhancing its technological competitiveness. Additionally, as of the first half of 2025, the company has obtained a total of 2,545 patents (including 158 overseas invention patents), consolidating its position as a global robot company.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have only recently entered the robot vacuum cleaner market, but they are still considered to be lagging behind their Chinese counterparts.

A South Korean industry insider explained, "There are over 200 robot vacuum cleaner brands in China, and internal competition is very intense. Products that stand out in the competition are imported into South Korea. In fact, compared to Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics dividing the South Korean domestic market, there must be differences in the speed of technological development and competitive spirit in China."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846398925137932/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author."