Recently Xiaomi released the cheapest robot vacuum in the lineup, the MiJia G1.
It is equipped with a gyroscope and follows a back-and-forth navigation pattern without missing a spot. Since we have both, the MiJia 1C and 1G, let's talk about the difference between the two.
We put it to different kinds of tests to check cleaning performance. Let's talk about it.
Xiaomi MiJia 1c vs G1: the main differences
The Xiaomi 1C:
- Mapping technology. The 1C uses a visual sensor to create a more accurate map
- The 1C is also capable of recognizing its location on the map
- The MiJia 1C saves a map after cleaning
- It also allows interacting with the map such as setting no-go zones and zoned cleaning
- Has stronger suction
The Xiaomi G1:
- On Max mode, the G1 runs up to 70 minutes which is almost twice longer than the 1C (40 minutes)
- On carpet, the G1 automatically increases suction which makes the battery more efficient
- For long hair and pet owners, the G1 has a cleaning brush with detachable side tips
- Water tank design. The 1C has two separate containers for dust and water. The G1 has a two-in-one bin so the water tank is always attached
- The charging dock design is different. The G1 allows adjusting charging cord so it looks sleeker
Xiaomi MiJia 1C vs. G1 comparison chart
| Model name / Specs |  Xiaomi MiJia G1 |
 Xiaomi MiJia 1C |
|---|---|---|
| Suction power | 2,200 Pa | 2,500 Pa |
| Battery size | 2,400 mAh | 2,500 mAh |
| Battery life (low power) | 90 min | 110 min |
| Battery life (high power) | 70 min | 40 min |
| Climbing ability | 0.79 in / 20 mm | 0.67 in / 17 mm |
| Mopping | yes | yes |
| Mapping technology | gyroscope | gyroscope + visual sensor |
| Cleaning brush | with detachable tips | solid |
| Carpet identification | yes | no |
| Dustbin size | 600 ml | 600 ml |
| Water tank size | 250 ml | 200 ml |
| Container type | 2-in-1 | 2 separate |
| Electric water tank | yes | yes |
| HEPA | yes | yes |
| App saving | no | yes |
| Virtual no-go zones | no | yes |
| Zoned cleaning | no | yes |
| Scheduling | yes | yes |
| Tracking the robot’s movements in real-time | yes | yes |
| Height | 3.23 in / 8.2 cm | 3.23 in / 8.2 cm |
| Price | $361.62 Aliexpress |
$308.95 Aliexpress |
Navigation and Mapping
The biggest difference between the two is mapping technology which leads to navigation.
The 1C has a visual sensor and a gyroscope which helps it to recognize walls and doors location better. The G1 only has a gyroscope, and its map is not accurate. In homes with a complex layout, it might distort the map and get completely lost which I haven't noticed with the 1C.
Both robots follow a back-and-forth cleaning pattern. As I said, in clean layouts, both do not miss a spot methodically covering the whole cleaning area. In a complex layout, the 1C orientates better especially if it has a map saved.
As to mapping, the 1C builds a more accurate map. It has straight lines and overall the map looks nicer. The G1 creates a map similar to most gyroscope-guided looking maps.
Another thing is map saving. The 1C saves a created map. If you run the robot downstairs, it would start a new map but in case the charging dock is not there, the robot would not replace the first map.
With a created map, the robot finishes cleaning faster.
The Xiaomi MiJia G1 does not save a map. It creates a new map with every cleaning.
I noticed that the G1 bumps into things a bit more harshly than the 1C does. It might be because of the 1C having a rubber bumper or lack of a built-in camera.
Does the Xiaomi 1C or G1 work in the dark?
The Xiaomi 1C can work in the dark. It has other sensors and behaves as gyroscope-guided robots when the light is off.
When the map is saved, the 1C navigates based on the map but navigation is not as precise compared with when the light is on.
If you want to run the robot in the dark, first let it create a map with lights on and when it's 100% complete, run the 1C at night.
As to G1, it does not make a difference when to run the robot, it would navigate the same way either way.
The design
The 1C has a glossy finish and is more roundish while the G1 is matte white and looks sleeker. I personally prefer the way, the G1 looks as it does not leave fingertips on the lid and overall looks nicer.
Another thing is the side sweepers. The 1C has one and the G1 has two. In my experience, the G1 tends to scatter debris on hard floors with the two which never happened with the 1C.
On carpets, both perform the same.
One of the most significant things that would sell the G1 to me over the 1C is the main brush. Those are not interchangeable by the way. The G1 has a cleaning brush with two detachable side tips where hair tends to wrap around the most. In comparison, the 1C's brush is solid.
Dustbin. The dustbins of the two are different. The G1 has a two-in-one dustbin + water tank. The 1C has a separate water container and a dust container. The size of the water tank and dustbin is the same for both.
The G1 also has a double filtration system. It has a cover between the dustbin and HEPA filter so it does not get as clogged.
Last but not least is the charging dock. The G1 allows adjusting the power cord so the whole charging station looks sleeker. There is room for the cord underneath.
With the 1C, you would have to hide the cord behind manually by figuring out how to make it look nicer.
I personally prefer it when the dock has room for the cord.
Suction & Battery life
The G1 has a bigger battery and weaker suction at the same time so it lasts up to 90 minutes on the lowest settings while the 1C can do up to 110 minutes.
The Xiaomi MiJia G1 is the only Xiaomi model that automatically increases suction on carpet.
Both resume cleaning tho so it means when the robot does not finish cleaning on one charge, it returns to complete the job after recharging.
The App
The Mi Home app probably makes the most significant difference between the two.
Both allow selecting cleaning mode and set water level output as well as scheduling the robot and start/stop it.
As I said before, the 1C saves one created map. It might need to run a few times before completing it but in the end, you have a fully built map. Once the map is created, you can set no-go zones to keep the robot off some places, or zoned cleaning to order it clean within a certain zone.
You can't select a particular room to make the robot clean there but you can draw a zone instead.
As to the G1, it creates a new map every time it cleans. The G1 lacks no-go zones, zoned cleaning, and map saving. You can only see the map in the cleaning history and can not interact with it.
You can track both devices in real-time in the app.
Schedule
With the 1C, you can set the time and when to repeat cleaning as well as selecting the cleaning mode. With the G1, you can only set a time and day when to clean.
The G1 has an additional option, the "vacuum along the edges". When turned on, it makes the robot clean along the walls only.
Cleaning performance & Tests
I tested both on hard floors, low and medium-pile carpets with sand, and different types of debris.
On hard floors, both did equally good but the scales showed different results with the G1 scored 91% and 1C - 95%. Visually tho there was no debris left on the floor.
When tested both robots on a low-pile carpet with debris both did about the same job by scoring 96% (G1) and 95% (1C).
Deep clean with sand was different. The MiJia 1C did a bit worse by picking up 76% of sand compared to 79% the G1 did. It might be due to the stronger suction of the G1. Anyhow, this is not a big difference and should not change your decision on which one to get.
On a medium-pile carpet after a pickup test, both scored about 95%.
As you can see, based on cleaning results, both robots perform equally the same.
Watch the full comparison video
Mopping
As to mopping, both have the same specifications, same size water tank, and water level control.
We tested both at removing stubborn and fresh stains and based on our test results both do a good job with the 1C being slightly better which you might not notice on a day-to-day basis.
Both robots have a 200 ml dustbin but it seems that the G1 consumes more water. After testing both for 30 minutes on low power, the 1C had 170 ml of water left in the tank and the G1 — 150ml.
Price & Where To Get
- Xiaomi MiJia 1C: $308.95 (Aliexpress); £219.99 (Amazon UK)
- Xiaomi MiJia G1: $155.58 (Aliexpress); £206.85 (Amazon UK)
To conclude, which one to buy?
Those two robots are similar yet different. So which one should you go with?
As to cleaning performance, on a day-to-day basis, you wouldn't see a big difference. When getting deeper, you can see some small things that do make a difference between the two. Those would be the battery life, navigation, interaction with the map, etc.
The Xiaomi MiJia 1C has a shorter battery life (on Max mode) but it builds an accurate map and overall navigation is more efficient. It also allows interacting with the map so the robot is suitable for homes with some cluttered areas. It saves a map and can recognize its location. If the dock stays in the bedroom and you manually place the robot in the kitchen, it will understand its location (if the light is on). It bumps into things less often than the G1 does.
On the other hand, the G1 has carpet identification and cleaning brush with detachable side tips which is ideal for long hair as well as a lower price. The robot is good for small homes with a clean layout. If you do not need virtual walls or other things, the 1C has, and simply want the best robot for under $200, the MiJia G1 would be the best buy.