Korea, China face off over robot vacuum suction standards

(LG Electronics)

Once considered a mere accessory to stick vacuums, robot vacuums have become an essential household item in South Korea, with domestic appliance makers now tightening their grip in response to rising competition from Chinese brands. With this shift, discussions are emerging on standardizing suction power measurements to promote fair competition in the market.

According to industry sources on Tuesday, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has started deliberations on setting suction power standards for robot vacuums following suggestions from several manufacturers. Stick vacuums, both cordless and corded, have long adhered to international IEC standards with their suction power officially measured in watts. However, robot vacuums currently lack standardized evaluation criteria and use varying units such as watts and pascals, creating inconsistencies.

Leading the Korean market, Chinese brands like Roborock and Ecovacs typically measure suction power in pascals, while Samsung uses watts, and Dyson relies on air watts (AW), which is considered equivalent to watts in terms of suction power representation. Although higher suction measurements do not necessarily equate to better performance, the larger pascal unit can create an impression of superior capability. For example, many popular models boast around 10,000 pascals, though in watts, this can be less than 5, resulting in a skewed perception of performance.

Higher suction power does not necessarily guarantee better performance but can create an illusion of superior power because pascals are a larger unit than watts. Many products on the market advertise around 10,000 pascals, yet when converted to watts, the suction power may not exceed 5.

“Pascals measure vacuum pressure in an enclosed space, while watts account for the actual airflow that draws in dust, offering a more reliable metric for consumers,” an industry insider said, stressing the need for trustworthy suction measurement standards to aid consumer decision-making.

Samsung has voiced support for setting watts as the industry standard, mirroring standards for stick vacuums, while LG Electronics, which currently uses pascals, has indicated it will comply with any future standards.

A KATS official confirmed that the organization will proceed with the formal process under the Industrial Standardization Act, including public hearings and expert committee reviews.