Robot Vacuum Serial Numbers: Where Deebot, Roborock, Roomba and Dreame Hide Them

A good robot vacuum with a self-emptying or mopping dock can cost well over a thousand dollars, which makes it worth stealing and worth reselling. It is also small enough to carry out of a house under one arm. If yours goes missing, the serial number is what police, your insurer and the manufacturer will ask for. If you're buying one second-hand, it's the quickest way to check the unit is what the seller says it is.

Unlike a laptop, a robot vacuum rarely shows its serial number anywhere obvious. Here's where to look, brand by brand, and what else to check before handing over cash on Marketplace or Gumtree.

Where the serial number is on the robot

On almost every brand, the label is in one of two places: on the underside of the robot, or inside the dustbin bay. On models where the bin sits under a lift-up top cover, open the cover, lift the bin out and look into the empty space. The label usually carries a barcode, the model number and the serial number (marked S/N or SN). Copy the serial, not the model number, which is shared by every identical unit.

Ecovacs Deebot

Ecovacs says the serial number is printed on the original box, usually on the narrow side, and on the robot itself, either on the bottom or inside the robot once you remove the dustbin. Deebot serial numbers usually start with the letter E followed by a string of numbers. Ecovacs' own help pages point you to the label and the box rather than the ECOVACS HOME app, so if you're doing a "Deebot serial number lookup" for a used unit, ask the seller for a clear photo of the label.

Roborock

Roborock's Australian store says the model and serial number are on the underneath of the robot, and on the packaging. On models with a top-loading bin, you'll often find a barcode label under the bin as well. In the Roborock app, open the robot, tap the settings icon in the top-right corner and choose Product Info, which lists the model and serial number.

iRobot Roomba

iRobot puts the serial number on a black-and-white barcode sticker in the dustbin compartment. Take the bin out, turn the robot over and look where the bin sat. On s Series models the bin is on top, under the lid. Roomba serial numbers start with three letters followed by numbers. In the iRobot Home app, the robot's settings include an "About" page that shows the serial number.

Dreame

Dreame robot vacuum serial numbers start with the letter R. The label is usually under the dustbin (open the top cover and lift the bin out), and the serial is also on the outer box and on the bottom of the robot. It's also shown in the robot's settings in the Dreame app.

Samsung, Dyson and other brands

The same rule applies: check the underside and the bin bay first, then the box and the manual. If the robot is connected to the brand's app, the device settings or "about" screen is the next place to look.

Don't forget the dock

Self-emptying bins and mopping stations are frequently a separately numbered part with their own label, usually on the underside or back of the dock, so record both numbers and photograph both labels. If you're buying second-hand, check that the dock is the model the listing claims and that it is actually included.

Checking a second-hand robot vacuum before you buy

1. Get the serial number before you meet. Ask for a photo of the label on the robot (and the dock). Run it through the SerialCheck search to see whether it has been reported stolen. A manufacturer can confirm what model a serial belongs to, but it can't tell you whether the unit was stolen.
2. Match the label to the listing. When you inspect it, check the serial on the robot matches the photo, and if the robot is still connected, matches what the app shows. A scratched-off or missing label is a reason to walk away.
3. Make sure the seller's account is gone. App-connected robots from Ecovacs, Roborock and others are linked to the owner's account. A robot that is still attached to the seller's account may refuse to pair with yours, leaving you with a robot you can't set up or control from your phone. Ask the seller to remove the robot from their app and factory reset it in front of you, then try adding it to your own account before you pay. A seller who can't do this, or says they "don't have the app any more", may not be the owner.
4. Ask for the receipt. Warranty claims generally need proof of purchase as well as the serial number. Ecovacs Australia's warranty, for example, asks for a receipt showing the date and place of purchase plus the serial. No receipt usually means no warranty, and it's also a warning sign. Keep in mind that the consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law don't cover goods bought from a private seller.
5. Check the battery and consumables. Ask how long a full clean takes and whether the robot finishes it on one charge. A robot that heads back to the dock early or won't hold a charge probably needs a new battery. Look at the main brush, side brushes, filter and mop pads, and budget for replacements. Manufacturer warranties typically exclude consumables like these, and Ecovacs' warranty lists brushes, filters and mops among the exclusions.
6. Watch for the usual red flags. A current flagship model at a fraction of retail, no dock or no charger, stock photos instead of photos of the actual unit, several "brand new" units from the same seller, or pressure to pay before you see it running. Our guide to buying safely on Marketplace and Gumtree covers meeting safely and paying safely.

Buying stolen goods can cost you both the item and the money you paid, even if you had no idea. We explain why in why you should always check the serial number before buying second-hand.

A privacy note for sellers and buyers

A robot vacuum knows more about your home than most appliances. Most current models store a floor plan of your home, and some carry cameras and microphones for obstacle avoidance or remote viewing. Before you sell one, delete your maps, remove the robot from your app account and factory reset it. When you buy one, do a factory reset yourself too, even if the seller says they already have, so no one else keeps access to the robot or its map of your new home. Security researchers have shown that on some models a factory reset doesn't erase everything, so keep the robot's firmware updated and review the app's privacy settings once it's yours.

If your robot vacuum is stolen

Report it to police with the serial number (for the robot and the dock), the make and model, and any distinguishing marks. Change the password on the brand's app account, and if the robot is still listed there, don't remove it until you've noted its details. Then mark it stolen on SerialCheck so anyone who checks the serial is warned. Our guide on what to do if your property is stolen walks through police reports and insurance claims, and our home security tips can help stop it happening again.

A two-photo job

Next time you empty the bin, take a photo of the serial label on the robot and another of the dock, then register your robot vacuum on SerialCheck so both the robot and its dock can be traced back to you. For everything else in the house, see our guide to where to find serial numbers on common items.