Roborocks compared: S8, S7, S6, MaxV, Ultra, Pro, Plus, Q5, Q7, Q8, Q Revo, Slim and more… what is the best Roborock?

If you’re shopping for a top robot vacuum cleaner then the Roborock name is likely to come up, as it’s one of, if not the leading brands in the space.

The Chinese company now has a substantial number of models on the market, and you’d be forgiven for being confused about exactly which devices offer which features.

We’re here to explain everything in simple terms, what the differences are between the top end models such as the S8 MaxV Ultra, S8 Pro Ultra, S7 MaxV and the S8+, the mid-rangers such as the S6 MaxV and S5 Max, and the entry to mid-range level models Q7, Q8 and Q Revo series.

Believe us, it can get confusing understanding what the different names and models are for each Roborock model.

No matter what your budget or specific needs, we’ll tell how much you can expect to spend on the different Roborock models that are available, a comparison between the Roborock vacuum cleaners and which Roborock model might be the best pick for you.

Read on for our guide to the best Roborock vacuum cleaners…

The Roborock S Series

Roborock’s S Series is where its flagships and top-dogs live.

The original Roborock S model, which actually wore Xiaomi branding, went live in 2016 and the Roborock S4 was one of the first robo cleaners we reviewed here on The Ambient, back in 2019.

The S Series is known for their advanced features and powerful performance, with Roborock often introducing cutting edge features on the latest and greatest models for the line-up.

These robots utilize sophisticated LiDAR navigation systems to meticulously map your home, ensuring efficient and thorough cleaning coverage, boast industry leading suction power capable of tackling even the toughest dirt and debris and all offer advanced mopping capabilities, with vibrating mops that scrub floors clean.

Additionally, many S Series robots come equipped with self-emptying docks, automatic mop washing stations, and even voice control integration, providing a truly hands-off cleaning experience.

Here are the pick of the current S Series crop…

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra / S8 Max Ultra

Roborock usually uses CES to whip the covers off of its new flagship cleaner and CES 2024 was no exception, with the Chinese brand unveiling the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra over in Vegas last January.

In terms of big picture smart home news, is the fact that the S8 MaxV Ultra brings Matter to the robot vacuum cleaner party; robo cleaners were one of the new device categories added by the CSA back in October, when it launched Matter 1.2.

For the users at home though, the big new additions are hardware rather than software based. First up is a whopping 10,000Pa suction rating, by far the biggest we’ve ever seen from a robo cleaner.

And it’s not just the extra suction power that will result in your floors being cleaner; there’s also a new FlexiArm Design Side Brush and Extra Edge Spinning Mop System on board, essentially a robotic arm and extra pad that extend to clean hard-to-reach spaces, with more than 99% corner coverage.

When it comes to mopping, the S8 MaxV Ultra takes what was already a winning combo from its predecessors but adds a whole bunch of new features to the mix.

With the new flagship, there’s a heavy emphasis on heat – the new RockDock Ultra not only empties, refills, and dispenses detergent to the robot, but also washes the mop with 60°C hot water and dries with 60°C heated air to prevent odor and mildew build-up.

There’s also a new dock on offer too, that can be plumbed straight into your water supply and waste, much like a washing machine or dishwasher.

VibraRise, the name Roborock gives to the functionality of lifting the mopping pad when carpet is detected, reaches version 3.0 with the S8 MaxV Ultra, adding two vibration modules, 20mm lifting, and 4000rpm high-speed sonic mopping.

There’s also some new Roborock software on board the new flagship including DirTect to recognize different types of dirt and change cleaning settings accordingly, and Reactive AI 2.0 for advanced obstacle recognition and avoidance.

Roborock has also taken a leaf out of Ecovac’s book by adding its own voice assistant to the mix, dubbed ‘Hello Rocky’.

If your budget won’t stretch to the $1,799 that the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra costs, and you don’t care about ‘How Rocky’, Matter or DirTect features then the all-new S8 Max Ultra might be for you.

It’s $200 cheaper than its V-labelled brethren but you’ll also ‘only’ get an 8,000Pa suction (8,000 is still incredibly high in the robo vacuum world.)

Read our Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra review to find out more.

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra / S8+ / S8

2023’s flagship follows roughly the same format as we’ve seen from the company in the preceding years, with the headline Roborock S8 Pro Ultra model sitting above the Roborock S8+ and Roborock S8.

The robo cleaner itself, the S8, is the same no matter what configuration you get, the other monikers refer to the extras you get in the box.

The entire S8 range ups the suction power to 6,000Pa, while a new dual rubber roller brush has been designed to pick up more dirt and resist tangles more readily compared to predecessors.

On the S8, the headline upgrades over the Roborock S7 Series, however, actually isn’t to do with the robot cleaner itself.

Instead, the RockDock Ultra, which features a new warm air drying feature for mop pads, automatic mop washing, dust emptying, self-cleaning and tank refilling, is the big improvement for the flagship S8 Pro Ultra.

The company’s own VibraRise sonic mopping technology was also upgraded for the S8, with version 2.0 offering improved efficiency thanks to the addition of a second vibration module.

As ever with the company’s premium vacuums, the entire S8 series is also equipped with real-time obstacle avoidance, meaning it’s able to react during a cycle and deviate its path around an object.

The S8+ model doesn’t have the Ultra’s highest-end dock, but still comes with auto dust emptying, so you’ll have to manually sort the water tank aspect yourself.

Read our full Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review to learn more.

Roborock S7 MaxV / S7 MaxV Plus / S7 MaxV Ultra

Until the S8 range came along and stole its thunder, the S7 MaxV was the big daddy of the Roborock range.

An S7 MaxV is still one of the most advanced robots you can get into you home; Roborock’s flagship has an impressive 5,100Pa suction rating, which was industry leading a couple of years ago.

The S7 MaxV boasts 2.0 ReactiveAI Obstacle Avoidance System, which means that – thanks to its array of RGB cameras, 3D structured light and an all-new neural processing unit – it can see objects in its path and adapts quickly to clean around them.

The S7 MaxV will recognize and position your furniture in the Roborock app, allowing for quick cleans around dining tables or sofas with just a simple tap of an icon in the app.

Like the S7, the S7 MaxV boasts VibraRise sonic mopping and an intelligent automatic lift; underneath the mopping pad is an ultrasonic vibration plate so, rather than a wet pad simply wiping away at your hard floors.

In the Roborock app you can choose between high-intensity scrub settings from 1,650 times per minute, up to to 3,000 times per minute.

It’s a great machine on its own but the S7 MaxV is also available in a couple of dock configurations, as well.

Teamed up with Roborock’s Auto Empty Dock you have the S7 MaxV Plus package, where you can expect up to eight weeks without manually emptying the dust contents.

Or, for the ultimate automated clean, the S7 MaxV Ultra package includes the Roborock Empty Wash Fill Dock; the most advanced dock the company has ever produced.

Not only will it empty the dustbin into a chamber, it also boasts two water tanks so it can both clean the mopping pads and also remove any dirty water.

Read our full Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra review.

Roborock S7 Pro Ultra / Roborock S7 Max Ultra

We’ve put these two S7 models together but they are actually a bit different.

The Max is actually the superior model of the two as it adds mop drying and obstacle avoidance to the mix, and ups the suction rating from 5,100Pa on the Pro to 5,500.

Apart from that they are very much alike and both come with the Ultra dock, which includes dirty and clean water tanks and a dustbin for auto-dirt emptying.

These models seem to be getting more of a push from Roborock than the S7 MaxV range now, and are newer, but their spec sheets and feature sets are extremely similar.

The Roborock Q Series

With the Q Series, Roborock made it even easier to get in on the high-tech self cleaning action.

Budget-friendly and still offering all the superb core functions of fellow Roborock models, the lineup – which was kick started with the likes of the Q Revo, Q5, Q7, Q7 Max and Q8 Max – allows users to receive a hassle-free solution to dusty floors and dander-filled carpets.

With some very distinct models in the Q Series collection, however, you’ll want to know all about the latest devices to learn everything you need to know…

Roborock Q Revo Master

The Roborock Q Revo Master is one of the most advanced models in the Q series, integrating cutting-edge features aimed at making floor cleaning as autonomous as possible.

This model combines a powerful 10,000Pa suction (the same as the current flagship) with a multifunctional dock that performs several automated tasks, including emptying the dustbin, refilling water tanks, and even dispensing detergent for optimized mopping.

The dock also features hot water mop washing at 60°C to lift stubborn dirt and eliminate 99.7% of bacteria.

Another weapon in the Q Revo Master’s armoury is intelligent dirt detection, which monitors the condition of the mops during cleaning and decides if they require rewashing or if particularly dirty areas need to be mopped again.

Additionally, the dock incorporates warm air drying to prevent mold growth and odor, and it can self-clean its base.

Roborock Q Revo S

The Roborock Q Revo S is positioned as an upper mid-range model within the Q series, offering an affordable alternative to the likes of the Master or Slim, without sacrificing the core features.

The Q Revo S includes a multifunctional dock capable of emptying the dustbin, refilling the water tank, and washing the mop pads.

It’s a slight upgrade from the base Q Revo, as the Q Revo S can lift its mop pads an additional 3mm, helping to protect carpets during cleaning.

Its dock features a refined design to minimize leaks, although it lacks advanced features like warm water mop washing or air drying, available in higher-end models like the Q Revo Master.

However, the Q Revo S still provides a very decent performance across various floor types and includes real-time hazard avoidance for seamless navigation.

While it doesn’t substantially improve on its predecessor’s cleaning efficiency, it strikes a good balance of value and capability for those seeking robust hybrid vacuum and mop functionality.

Roborock Q8 Max

The Roborock Q8 Max series, including the Q8 Max and Q8 Max+, offers powerful cleaning performance aimed at mid-range buyers who want convenience and functionality without breaking the bank.

The Q8 Max models feature Roborock’s DuoRoller Brush, designed to reduce hair tangles and improve debris collection, making them especially effective on carpets and hard floors.

With a suction power of 5,500Pa, they’ll handle pet hair, dust, and dirt with ease.

However, the mopping function is better suited for light maintenance rather than tackling stubborn stains, as it lacks the downward scrubbing force of high-end devices.

The Q8 Max+ distinguishes itself with its RockDock Plus, a self-emptying dock equipped with a 2.5L dust bag, capable of holding up to seven weeks’ worth of debris.

Both models are powered by a 5,200mAh battery, enabling up to four hours of runtime. Smart navigation via PreciSense LiDAR allows quick and accurate home mapping, while features like 3D mapping and automatic no-go zone suggestions enhance usability.

The app includes intuitive options for scheduling and spot cleaning, with users able to adjust settings for different flooring types to optimize performance.

Roborock Q7 Max

Below the Q8 range sits the Roborock Q7 Max series, which still provides a powerful combination of vacuuming and mopping capabilities.

It features a 2700Pa suction rating, which is still plenty for a deep cleaning across various floor types and an E11-rated washable filter to trap particulates.

Equipped with PreciSense LiDAR navigation, the Q7 Max Series creates precise maps for optimal route planning and supports multi-level mapping for larger homes.

The vacuum integrates with smart assistants like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri Shortcuts, allowing for voice control and custom cleaning schedules.

The Q7 Max+ model includes an auto-empty dock, the non-plus is robo only.

Roborock Q5 Pro

The Q5 Pro builds upon the robust foundation of the Q5 series, featuring DuoRoller brush technology that reduces hair tangles and boosts cleaning effectiveness.

It delivers 2700Pa of suction power, comparable to the Q7 Max, and offers a similar suite of intelligent navigation tools, including PreciSense LiDAR.

It’s a true budget-friendly powerhouse, packing serious suction, smart navigation, and handy automation into a slick design, delivering exceptional value for money, outperforming its low-end price point with an impressive feature set that, on some aspects, even matches Roborock’s much, much pricier models.

It’s one of the best pound-for-pound robot cleaners out there and is easily the best budget robot cleaner on sale right now, making it an ideal expansion to an existing robo arsenal, or a perfect first entry for anyone considering taking the automated cleaning plunge.

Read our full Roborock Q5 Pro review to learn more.

What to expect from a Roborock vacuum cleaner?

Whatever Roborock you opt for, you’ll be getting a superb cleaning machine, with an absolute plethora of superb features designed to keep your home clean.

Features such as….

Powerful suction

Any robot vacuum worth its salt is able to blast around the home and suck up any dust and dirt that comes its way – and that’s exactly what you can expect from Roborock devices.

Whether you opt for the likes of the Q5 and Q7, which boast an impressive suction force of 2700Pa at the lower end of the spectrum, or you want the serious power of the S8 MaxV Ultra – a model that ramps this suction rating to 10,000Pa – your Roborock will have the ability to rid your home of pet hair, dirt, pollen, dust mites and a whole lot more.

They are the ideal companion for those with allergies – particularly if you have carpets around the home in which these allergens can easily hide.

Hands-free emptying

When your Roborock cleaner has finished ridding your home of unwanted dirt, the best is yet to come.

Many configurations come paired with the Roborock Auto-Empty Dock Pure, meaning you’ll no longer have to perform the task of emptying the device yourself.

It quickly and effectively pulls dust into a separate 2.5L dust bag – an amount that Roborock estimates is enough to store around seven weeks of dust and dirt.

When you do eventually have to empty the stored-up result, you can also rest assured that the air remains clean, with the dustbag featuring an air filter that is tested to filter 99.7% of pollen as small as 0.3 microns-squared.

Long-lasting power

The dock isn’t just the base for the various S or Q series devices, though – it’s also the place where the robot vacuum will come to recharge after charging around the home and tackling dirt.

Even for those with large and extended spaces, however, the latest Roborock models won’t be found lacking battery power. You can normally expect around 180 minutes of runtime in the vacuum’s quiet mode.

No corner untouched

In fact, it’s not just the incredible staying power of the Roborock that will ensure your home remains free from grime and dust – it’s also abetted by the intuitive Roborock app and the PreciSense LiDAR system, which is the brains behind the vacuum.

Through a combination of these two forces, each Roborock is able to find the most efficient way to clean space in your home and deliver you with an easy-to-understand visual of the process.

From within the app, users can also access tons of handy features, such as scheduling – which affords the ability to set up regular cleans for any time of day, at any power level, and in any room – and multi-level mapping.

Though a Roborock can’t quite make it up and down stairs, it is able to remember the different levels of homes. All you have to do is move it from one to another and place it down; there’s no need for additional docks, and you don’t need to do anything within the app. It all means that every area of the home is under watch.

Dual-action cleaning

It’s not just about vacuuming, either, with many models you’ll also receive the mopping function.

Ideal for homes with plenty of hard surfaces, many Roborock devices are able to vacuum and mop simultaneously to ensure finer dirt and spills are all cleaned.

Roborock has been at the forefront of mopping technology in the robot vacuum industry, consistently innovating to provide superior cleaning performance. One of their most groundbreaking features is the sonic mopping system, which uses high-frequency vibrations to scrub floors up to 3,000 times per minute. This powerful scrubbing action effectively removes stubborn stains and dried-on dirt, leaving floors spotless.

In addition to sonic mopping, Roborock offers several other advanced mopping technologies:

• Auto-lifting mops: These mops automatically lift when the robot transitions from hard floors to carpets, preventing water damage and ensuring efficient cleaning.
• Self-cleaning mopping stations: These stations wash and dry the mops after each cleaning cycle, maintaining optimal hygiene and eliminating the need for manual cleaning.
• Precise water dispensing: Roborock’s robots can precisely control the amount of water dispensed onto the mops, preventing excessive moisture and ensuring efficient cleaning.

By combining these innovative technologies, Roborock has set a new standard for mopping performance in the robot vacuum industry.