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The best Roborock robot vacuums and mops you can buy: Expert tested
As a dog owner, I feel like I need to vacuum twice daily to keep up with the ridiculous amount of loose pet hair on my floors. But who has the time for that? Certainly not me. Yet my floors stay clean, thanks to my favorite life hack: a robot vacuum. My Roborock is reliable, efficient, and even doubles as a mop. As someone who tests robot vacuums daily, I can tell you that a robot vacuum and mop can help ease your mind and save time.
Roborock introduced me to the wondrous world of robot vacuum and mop combinations over five years ago when few companies offered 2-in-1 robots. Since then, robot vacuum and mop combinations have boomed, taking what started as a dripping microfiber pad dragged along your floors and evolving into efficient self-washing rotating mop pads, self-washing mop rollers, and self-emptying robots.
Also: The best robot vacuum deals: Save on Roomba, Roborock, and more
What is the best Roborock robot vacuum right now?
I've tested several Roborock robot vacuums and robot vacuum mops over the last few years, and they've mostly been incredible machines. Each is a little different, so there's certainly a great Roborock to fit your home's needs. My pick for the best Roborock robot vacuum overall is the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra. It combines some of the strongest suction on the market with a reliable mopping system in a largely hands-free package. Read on for the rest of my picks to find the best Roborock vacuum for you.
The best Roborock robot vacuums and mops of 2024
- 10,000 Pa suction
- Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance
- Empties the dustbin as needed during cleaning
- Expensive
- Can leave streaks when mopping
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is arguably one of the best two-in-one machines on the market. It is a self-washing, self-drying, self-emptying, self-refilling, and self-cleaning machine that removes manual work from vacuuming and mopping. With its 10,000Pa suction power, DuoRoller Riser brushes, and VibraRise 2.0 mopping system, you can rest assured that your flooring surfaces will be left sparkling without lifting a finger.
During my testing, I found that the S8 MaxV Ultra was outstanding as a vacuum -- it picked up pet hair from my rugs that would typically require my wired upright Bissell to clean up. When I tested how well it could clean up crumbled crackers and coffee grinds, it didn't leave a single spec behind. The mop's extending side brush can also reach places others on the market can't, giving you a deeper clean.
Review: I tested Roborock's most expensive robot vacuum and found 4 reasons to buy it
Many other customers agree that the S8 MaxV Ultra is the way to go if you have more money to spend. As one Amazon reviewer says, "Say bye-bye to mixing soap and water. It has a separate soap dispenser. Clean and dirty water bins are easy to lift, fill, empty, install. No leaks! The bot program is 100 times better than our Shark, which we liked, but often called stupid as the Shark would often bang into the same thing multiple times, get stuck, and get lost."
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra tech specs: Price: $1,800 | Suction power: 10000Pa | Dustbin volume: 270 ml | Water tank capacity: 100 ml | Runtime: 180 minutes
- Great on hard flooring
- Comparatively affordable
- Roller brushes occasionally get tangled
If you want Roborock quality without a high-end price tag, the Roborock Q5+ is for you. It offers 2,700Pa suction, great for picking up pet hair and dirt off your hardwood, laminate, and tile floors. As someone with heavy-shedding pets, I wouldn't recommend this device for a mostly carpeted home, but it could keep up with my dog's hair everywhere else.
Also: The best robot vacuum deals right now: Save on iRobot, Roborock, and more
The PreciSense Precision LiDAR mapped my home efficiently and navigated obstacles easily. It's a self-emptying machine that promises up to seven weeks in a bag, although my bags last closer to four to five weeks thanks to my two dogs, cat, and young child. For $500, hands-free, trustworthy cleaning is a great option for so many people, including this Amazon customer who says, "We have a big fluffy dog that would leave lots of hair and dirt all over the place, and we can see a huge difference since getting the Roborock."
Roborock Q5+ tech specs: Price: $400 | Suction power: 2700Pa | Dustbin volume: 470mL | Runtime: 180 minutes
- Dual vacuum-mop capability
- Excellent suction
- No automatic emptying
The Roborock S8 takes the cake for the best object detection, touting the company's latest Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance. Having tested the S8 Pro Ultra, one of my favorite features was the robot's intelligence during the day and at night. Even in the dark, the S8 can detect and avoid obstacles, so I could run the robot at night after everyone had gone to bed.
Also: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review: This 2-in-1 vacuum can do just about everything
In addition to top-notch object detection, the S8 has a 6,000Pa suction, high-speed mopping, and a 400ml dustbin. The S8 doesn't include the docking station, but the Roborock S8+ does. If you're okay with manually emptying your dustbin, you can get a highly intelligent and capable machine for a great price. One Amazon customer agrees, saying, "I come home to spotless and clean floors every day with very little effort on my part, and that, to me, is easily worth the $800 or so."
Roborock S8 tech specs: Price: $550 | Suction power: 6000Pa | Dustbin volume: 400ml | Runtime: 180 minutes
- VibraRise mopping technology
- 5500Pa suction power
- Empty Wash Fill Dock
- Large docking station
- Expensive
The Roborock S7 Max Ultra boasts a 5500Pa suction power, VibraRise Mopping System, and the Empty Wash Fill Dock, a self-washing, self-refilling, and self-emptying docking station. Once the S7 Max Ultra has a map created of your home, you fill the Clean Water tank, tap a few buttons, and all of your flooring surfaces are cleaned.
The PreciSense LiDAR navigation ensures the robot isn't mopping your carpet and rugs while avoiding common household objects like pet waste, wires, and shoes. I've tested several Roborocks and haven't had one mop my rugs or get tangled up in a phone charger.
Also: Don't break your back while you deep clean. Use these gadgets instead
I know this isn't the latest Roborock, though. When directly compared to the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, the S7 Max Ultra has 500Pa less suction, a single all-rubber brush instead of the DuoRoller brush, and doesn't lift the brush when it's traveling from area to area. The biggest difference, though? You'll save $300 going with the older S7 Max Ultra. And you aren't skimping out on a machine, either. This is still one of our favorite Roborocks. As one Amazon customer said, "I know this might be an expensive purchase, but I assure you, it's worth every penny."
If you're looking for a Roborock that can vacuum and mop your floors, has top-of-the-line technology, and will not let you down, the Roborock S7 Max Ultra is for you.
Roborock S7 Max Ultra tech specs: Price: $1,300 | Suction power: 5500Pa | Dustbin volume: 2.5L | Water tank capacity: 200ml | Runtime: 180 minutes
- Oscillating mop heads
- Fantastic carpet detection
- Subpar obstacle avoidance
The best-valued midrange Roborock is the Roborock Q Revo, thanks to its 5500PA suction power, dual oscillating mop heads, and multifunctional dock. I love oscillating mop heads on robot vacuums because they can reach a maximum of 200RPM, but more importantly, they can be cleaned in the multifunctional dock. It's a self-washing, self-drying, self-emptying, and self-refilling dock, taking all the dirty work out of vacuuming and mopping.
This docking station is much smaller than other multifunctional docking stations, meaning the water tank and dustbin volume are smaller. But don't be fooled; the Q Revo can mop up to 4,305 square feet before needing manual intervention. In true Roborock fashion, the mop heads can lift when it's time for the robot to vacuum carpets or rugs, ensuring that all your floors can be cleaned in a single run.
Also: The best robot mops for 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
For $800, you're getting a powerful and capable machine for almost half the price of some of Roborock's larger models. One Amazon customer said, "This thing just works. I finally feel like I have a robot vacuum that works for me instead of against me. This robot is from the future."
Roborock Q Revo tech specs: Price: $770 | Suction power: 5500Pa | Dustbin Volume: 80ml | Water tank capacity: 80ml | Runtime: 180 minutes
What is the best Roborock?
With a versatile cleaning approach and strong suction power, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is the best Roborock you can buy right now.
To see how it stacks up compared to other Roborock vacuums, here is an overview of our picks for the best Roborock units:
| Roborock vacuum | ZDNET's take | Price | Suction power | Functionality | Self-emptying | Self-washing |
| Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra | Best overall | $1,800 | 10,000Pa | Vacuum and mop | Yes | Yes |
| Roborock Q5+ | Best budget | $400 | 2,700Pa | Vacuum | Yes | - |
| Roborock S8 | Best for obstacle avoidance | $550 | 6,000Pa | Vacuum and mop | - | - |
| Roborock S7 Max Ultra | Best for pet owners | $1,300 | 5,500Pa | Vacuum and mop | Yes | Yes |
| Roborock Q Revo | Best value | $770 | 5,500Pa | Vacuum and mop | Yes | Yes |
Which Roborock is right for you?
While any one of these Roborocks can make great cleaning devices, the choice ultimately depends on your home's floors, the kind of messes you deal with daily, how powerful you need it to suction dust and debris, and the price you're willing to spend.
| Choose this Roborock robot vacuum... | If you want... |
| Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra | The best overall option. We love its versatility, the ease in which it transitions from one flooring surface to the next, and the overall cleaning power -- both for mopping and vacuuming. |
| Roborock Q5+ | A robot vacuum that's still extremely capable and hands-free, but will save you hundreds compared to some of the other options on this list. |
| Roborock S8 | A capable vacuum to tackle the dirtiest messes that will expertly avoid obstacles, reducing stuck brush roller mishaps. |
| Roborock S7 Max Ultra | A 2-in-1 clearing station to come with your Roborock. This includes its 5500Pa suction power, a self-emptying dustbin, and a self-washing mopping system. |
| Roborock Q Revo | You're interested in getting the most bang for you buck. The suction power, oscillating mop heads, and multifunctional dock make this robot vacuum and mop a great option. |
Factors to consider when choosing a Roborock robot vacuum
While trying to determine the best Roborock robot vacuum, I kept several factors at the forefront of my testing and research that can also aid in your search.
Floor types: Some Roborock robot vacuums are equipped to work with certain floor types, like carpet or hardwood. Others may be able to accommodate other floor types, like stone or marble. Before you buy, consider the types of flooring in your home and which vacuum is most appropriate.
Mapping: For full automation, your robot vacuum mop must have a mapping feature to navigate each room. You also want to consider an obstacle avoidance feature that can avoid things like furniture, wires, and even pet waste. This feature is a must-have in my home with strewn-about toys.
Battery: A Roborock robot vacuum is hardly worth it if it doesn't have the battery to keep it going. Consider the battery time before choosing the best robot vacuum mop to ensure it has enough power to clean your home. If you select a robot vacuum with the technical capability to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, and then resume the job where it left off, this may not be as big of a factor as others on this list.
Connectivity: Many of the best robot vacuum mops offer voice control, some even with Alexa. Others may feature an app that allows you to control your robot from afar, set schedules, track progress, and control the machine's efforts. If you're hoping for voice activation rather than using an app, check and see if the machine is compatible with the home assistant of your choice.
How we test Roborock vacuums
ZDNET has several robot vacuum reviewers that have tested over 50 units over the past few years. We conduct tests in real homes with real challenges and in a controlled lab environment for comparison.
Here's what we consider when testing robot vacuums and mops at ZDNET:
- Determine evaluation criteria: For our key evaluation criteria, we consider how robots perform by assessing their suction power, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We also assess the user experience, the robot's versatility, longevity, and whether it delivers on its specifications.
- Unboxing: During this process, we assess the packaging and setup experience and note any accessories and unique features.
- Testing environments: We test the robot vacuums on different floor types (like carpet and hardwood) and see how they navigate various obstacles to test performance.
- Performance metrics: We test suction power with various debris types and assess obstacle navigation and mapping accuracy.
- Extra features: When testing robot vacuum and mop combinations, we evaluate their effectiveness at removing stains and overall cleaning quality. We also check how unique features work, like obstacle avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, etc.
To top it all off, we gauge the device's longevity and long-term performance by using it over a few months. Our review timelines vary, but we typically test robot vacuums for about a month before reviewing and keep our reviews updated while the device is available.
For more details, check out our comprehensive robot vacuum testing methodology.
What surfaces does a Roborock work with?
Roborock works with a variety of surfaces, including hardwood, carpet, laminate, and tile flooring. However, each Roborock works with different types of flooring, so be sure to review the specs before committing to a model.
Are there alternative Roborocks worth considering?
There are plenty of other Roborock models on the market aside from these top picks. In our search, we also found these Roborocks that may be worth a second look:
The Roborock S7+ offers 2500Pa, VibraRise sonic vibration mopping, and self-empties in the auto-empty dock. It's another solid option to consider if you're on the hunt for a two-in-one machine.
If you're wanting a simple Roborock without all of the bells and whistles, the Roborock Q5 is for you. It has 2700Pa suction but doesn't come with an empty base.