Robotic vacuum cleaner maker Dreame says untapped global demand will drive next phase of growth

Robotic vacuum cleaner maker Dreame says untapped global demand will drive next phase of growth
Robotic vacuum cleaner maker Dreame says untapped global demand will drive next phase of growth

Despite intense competition that has driven one US company out of business, the global robotic vacuum cleaner market has plenty of room to grow given low penetration rates, according to Meng Jia, president of Dreame Technology’s robotic vacuum cleaner division.

Meng anticipates steady growth in sales of robotic vacuum cleaners in the coming years, noting that market penetration remains low: less than 10 percent in China and less than 20 percent abroad.

“The robotic vacuum cleaner category has not fully realized its potential in terms of user experience,” Meng said, adding that the product was still in its “rising stage.”

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According to Meng, Europe was the largest market for Dreame’s robotic vacuum cleaners, followed by China and the United States. Europe’s dominance was driven by a consumer base receptive to cutting-edge technology, with more than half of Dreame’s revenue in the region generated by premium products priced above €1,000 ($1,174).

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner has placed the company among the top five suppliers. Photo: Brochure alt=Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner has placed the company among the top five suppliers. Photo: Brochure>

“The Chinese market is the most competitive in the world,” Meng said. The price range of 3,000 to 4,000 yuan (US$568) accounts for about 50 percent of the company’s domestic revenue, in contrast to the premium-dominated European market.

Dreame, which makes a range of home appliances, recorded the fastest growth in new job openings among Chinese companies this year, according to a report by Maimai, China’s largest professional social media platform. According to Meng, Dreame’s robotic vacuum unit was actively recruiting talent for its research and development department.

Chinese manufacturers consolidated their global leadership in the first three quarters of 2025, sweeping the top five spots for shipments of smart robotic vacuum cleaners. Together, these brands (Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, Xiaomi and Narwal) now dominate almost 70 percent of the global market, according to research firm IDC.

Dreame’s third place gives it a 12.4 percent share of the global market.

ROMO is DJI’s entry into the robotic cleaner market. Photo: brochure alt=ROMO is DJI’s entry into the robotic cleaner market. Photo: brochure>

Facing intense competition from Chinese rivals, US-based iRobot, maker of the famous Roomba brand, filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this month. As part of its restructuring, the company was to be acquired by its key supplier, Shenzhen-based manufacturer Picea Robotics.

Meng said Dreame would be largely unaffected by the iRobot acquisition.

The market potential continues to attract new players. In August, drone giant DJI made its debut in the sector with the launch of the ROMO series. Startup Pudu Robotics also launched the PUDU CC 1 Pro this year.

Meng noted that DJI has been heavily promoting its AI capabilities since it entered the robotic vacuum cleaner sector. “Dreame has also been investing heavily in AI,” he said, adding that DJI’s approach has provided clues to help Dreame’s own AI promotional strategies.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, explore the SCMP app or visit SCMP Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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