Ecovacs Deebot 661

The Deebot 661 launched in September 2019 as Ecovacs’ budget-friendly entry into hybrid vacuum-mop robots. Originally priced at $399.99, it promised combined cleaning capabilities without the complexity of mapping technology. Ecovacs has since discontinued the model, though you can still find it floating around on Amazon Marketplace, BJ’s Wholesale, and Newegg for anywhere between $250 and $400 depending on condition and seller.

Here’s the honest truth: this robot made sense in 2019 when mapping technology cost a premium. In 2025? Better alternatives exist at the same price point. But if you’re eyeing a deep discount or found one at a garage sale, here’s everything you need to know.

The Hardware Rundown

At 13.07 inches across and just 3.11 inches tall, the 661 fits under most furniture without issue. It weighs 7.49 pounds and comes in black only.

The cleaning system uses a single rotating main brush with two side brushes. Ecovacs includes four total side brushes in the box (two pairs), which provides decent out-of-box value for a budget model. The 520ml dustbin holds a reasonable amount of debris, though you’ll empty it every cleaning cycle or two depending on how much mess accumulates.

One notable omission: Ecovacs never published an official suction power rating (measured in Pascals) for this model. The similar Deebot 601 rates at 800 Pa, so we can reasonably assume comparable performance, but there’s no way to verify cleaning effectiveness scientifically.

Battery Life and Power

The 2600mAh lithium-ion battery (14.4V) delivers up to 110 minutes of runtime in standard mode. Charging takes about four hours from empty. In practical terms, expect to cover roughly 1,000 to 1,200 square feet per charge, though that varies with floor type and cleaning mode.

One user reported significant battery degradation after three years of regular use, dropping from 110 minutes to just 15 minutes. This tracks with typical lithium-ion aging, but replacement batteries run $30 to $50 if you need one.

Filtration

The 661 uses a washable high-efficiency disk filter. It’s not HEPA-certified, though aftermarket HEPA filters are available from third-party sellers on AliExpress and Amazon if you need better particulate capture.

Mopping: Functional But Basic

The mopping system is about as simple as they come. A 300ml water tank feeds a passive microfiber cloth that drags across your floors. No vibration, no rotation, no electronic water control. Gravity and robot weight provide the only downward pressure.

The cloth attaches with velcro and Ecovacs includes just one. After each mopping session, you’ll hand-wash it before the next use. For a 200 to 300 square foot area, the tank holds enough water. Larger spaces require refilling.

The bigger problem? This robot can’t detect carpet. If you insert the water tank and send it off to clean, it will mop right over your rugs. Supervise accordingly, or avoid mopping mode entirely if you have mixed flooring.

Navigation: The Achilles’ Heel

Random pattern navigation. Those three words explain most of this robot’s limitations.

Without mapping technology, the 661 bounces around your home like a particularly determined pinball. It cleans areas multiple times while missing others entirely. Users consistently report incomplete coverage, especially in multi-room layouts or homes with complex furniture arrangements.

The robot includes anti-drop cliff sensors and a front bumper for collision detection. It handles basic obstacle avoidance through bump-and-redirect, not intelligent recognition. Cables, shoes, pet bowls, toys - all potential hazards that the 661 will push around, get tangled in, or attempt to vacuum over.

Where It Gets Stuck

Thresholds over half an inch tall cause problems. The cliff sensors sometimes trigger false positives on raised rugs or very dark floors, thinking they’re stairs. Users report getting wedged between multiple chair legs, caught on rug tassels, and tangled in long human hair.

This isn’t a “set it and forget it” machine. You’ll want to robot-proof before each cleaning session: pick up cables, secure small objects, and address any known trouble spots.

App and Smart Features

The Ecovacs Home app provides basic remote control, scheduling with day-of-week selection, and cleaning history tracking. You can see live stats during operation: area cleaned (in square meters), battery level, and cleaning duration.

Cleaning modes include:

• Auto mode - Random pattern cleaning across the entire floor
• Edge mode - Follows walls for perimeter cleaning
• Spot mode - Spiral pattern for concentrated dirt areas
• Max suction - Doubles suction power for tougher messes

Voice control works through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. No HomeKit or Matter support.

App store ratings hover between 3.4 and 4.5 stars depending on when you check and which region. Common complaints include connectivity drops (some users report Wi-Fi disconnection every other day), map movement lag, and occasional freezing. A physical remote control comes included as backup.

What’s in the Box

The package includes the robot itself, a charging dock, power adapter, 300ml water reservoir, one microfiber cleaning cloth, two pairs of side brushes, a pre-installed filter plus one spare, a cleaning tool for maintenance, a physical remote control, and documentation in English, French-Canadian, and Spanish.

Maintenance Reality

The main brush removes without tools for hair cleaning, which you’ll do regularly. Users report tangling issues and false “brush tangled” errors that sometimes require disassembly to clear.

Replacement parts remain available through a mix of official Ecovacs channels and third-party sellers. The DEEBOT 600/601/661 Buddy Kit (model DO3G-KTA) includes one main brush, four side brushes, and three filters for $25 to $35. Individual filter replacements run $8 to $15. Budget $20 to $40 annually for maintenance with moderate use.

Known Problems and Failure Points

After three or more years of use, several issues emerge across user reports:

• Battery degradation - Significant capacity loss (110 minutes dropping to 15)
• Brush motor failures - Main and side brushes stop responding mid-cycle
• Drive wheel faults - Manifest as single-beep error codes
• Charging dock problems - Robot fails to charge properly; contact cleaning sometimes helps

The one-year warranty covers defects but not wear and tear. Ecovacs provides support via phone (1-844-326-8227, Monday through Friday 9 AM to 9 PM EST), email ([email protected]), and live chat.

Who Should Consider This Robot

The Deebot 661 works best for:

• Simple, open floor plans with minimal obstacles
• Primarily hard floors (hardwood, tile, laminate)
• People who don’t mind daily robot-proofing
• Deep-discount purchases in the $150 to $200 range

Skip it entirely if you have:

• Multiple rooms requiring complete coverage
• High thresholds or thick area rugs
• Mostly carpeted floors
• Limited patience for manual intervention
• Any expectation of modern obstacle avoidance

The 2025 Buying Context

For $250 to $300, the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus includes LiDAR mapping and an auto-empty dock. The Dreametech D10 Plus runs $279 with mapping. Roborock’s Q5 Max+ at $360 offers superior navigation and obstacle handling.

The 661 made sense as a budget hybrid in 2019. Today, you’re paying similar prices for vastly inferior technology. The only reasonable case for buying one now is finding it heavily discounted (under $200) for a simple single-level home with cooperative floor layouts.

Technical Specifications

Spec	Value
Dimensions	13.07” diameter x 3.11” height
Weight	7.49 lbs
Dustbin	520ml
Water Tank	300ml
Battery	2600mAh Li-ion, 14.4V
Runtime	Up to 110 minutes
Charging Time	4 hours
Navigation	Random pattern
Threshold Climbing	Up to 13mm (struggles above 0.5”)
Connectivity	2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google Assistant
Warranty	1 year

Support Resources

• Phone: 1-844-326-8227 (Mon-Fri 9 AM-9 PM EST, Sat-Sun 9 AM-6 PM EST)
• Email: [email protected]
• Live Chat: Available through Ecovacs website during business hours

The r/ecovacs subreddit has some 661-specific threads, though discussion mostly focuses on newer models now.