The Best Roborock Robot Vacuums of 2022 [Reviews, Comparisons, Alternatives & FAQs]

You’re in the right place if you want to know the best Roborock floor robots available right now in the market and their offerings. 

Four Roborock bots will feature and besides an in-depth review of their performances and suitability for specific vacuuming and mopping situations–multi-level cleaning, carpet cleaning, stains, muddy footprints, dusty hard floors, etc.–today’s update will also compare specific models from the line, mention some capable and affordable alternatives from competitors (for units that may be lacking one way or the other), while providing answers to some frequently asked questions.

Reviews

More than half a dozen Roborock bots have been released to date. ONLY the top four from the line (Roborock s7, s6 MaxV, s4 Max, and e4) will feature in this list. Selection is being made based on value for money, usability, and cleaning ability. That mentioned, here are four of the highest-rated Roborock floor robots worth the money. 

4 of the best Roborock bots to buy

Roborock S7 self-emptying vacuuming and mopping robot review

The first item on the list is the Roborock s7 robotic cleaner.

Like most high-end models, the Roborock s7 is feature-rich with a straight-line cleaning path. It self-recharges, self-resumes, self-evacuates (hence the “Plus” or “+” in its name), and maps floors (supports up to four-floor levels). You can select rooms for cleaning or mark zones for exclusion. There’s the sweep, mop, or sweep and mop modes. In vacuuming mode, the s7 will ramp up suction (advertised at 2500Pa) when a carpet is detected to allow for deeper brush penetration. It’ll return to normal levels on hard floors to help save power.

In mopping mode, the s7’s mop attachment vibrates up to 3000 times per minute to provide some scrubbing effect. It automatically lifts its mopping bracket when crossing carpets. The s7 offers support for App and voice commands such that you can schedule rooms to be done at certain times a day, multiple times a day, once a week, etc. You can see the robot cleaning in real-time and see the areas that had already been completed. The App also has a remote control function that lets you manually drive to specific areas.

The extractor of the s7 is of the all-rubber design similar to what’s available in the 800-, 900-, i- and s-series Roomba. Soft, it protects floors from scratches. No-bristles design with detachable tips also ensures decreased/simple upkeep. Its side brushes are speed-sensitive: They extend to reach corners and wall edges while doing enough to avoid scattering debris in open areas. Other key highlights of the Roborock s7 floor vac include;

• 67 decibels (max) noise level
• 470ml dustbin capacity
• A run time of up to 180 minutes and a 300ml water tank
• A cleaning area of ~3200ft²

Talking about cleaning performance, the s7 in vacuuming mode does such a nice job removing dust, dirt, fur, allergens, crumbs, etc. on solid surfaces (stone, marble, laminate, linoleum, hardwood, etc.).

The mopping function works awesome on dried stains, footprints, etc. seeing as it puts down an adequate amount of water to clean, on top of its vibrating mop head. No residues or tire marks, because even on the highest settings, wet areas dry within a couple of minutes. The wheels also do a great job of keeping traction while mopping on surfaces such as gloss tiles.

Check out this video from Cordless Vacuum Guide (start from 3.40) showing the s7’s exploit with red wine, tomato, and grape juice:

Moving on and talking about navigation and mapping–the s7, Laser-guided, knows where it’s been and where it still needs to go; that way it doesn’t clean one area multiple times while missing other areas. It also generates quick and accurate maps (supports up to four). Efficiency and convenience that turns out to be, since the s7 also takes a systematic, criss-cross path to cleaning. Consequently, it avoids getting caught on obstacles or scuffing furniture legs and baseboards. A climbing height of up to 0.79” provides the s7 with smooth passage through thresholds and tall rugs. Not to mention, it’s only 3.8″ tall, translating to improved reach and coverage.

Keep the following in mind when considering the s7:

• Mats with black patterns will trigger the cliff sensor. You can use white tape to cover the sensors but this is at risk of a fall if you live in a multistory house.
• The VibraRise function only works with thin carpets that are below 5mm.
• Parts aren’t interchangeable with previous Roborock models. Spare mopping pads are also not included in the box and are currently unavailable for purchase. 
• There’s no room sequencing feature. 
• It doesn’t support the use of sanitizer or disinfectant solution in the water tank.

On the high side of price (typically selling around $1000), the Roborock s7 is feature-rich, smart, and very efficient. It leaves floors looking fresh, eliminates one more task you don’t like, and frees up time to spend with family or to do other things of interest. Consider the Roborock s7 cleaning robot if you:

• Live in a multi-level home.
• Live in a home up to ~3200ft².
• Have mostly hard floors (tile, hardwood, laminate, etc.) with fewer low-, medium-pile carpets.
• Have shedding pet breeds.
• Want a robot that cleans in neat rows and is less hands-on.

Roborock S6 MaxV vacuuming and mopping robot review

Featuring #2 on this list of the best Roborock floor robots is the S6 MaxV model. 

Like most high-end models, the Roborock s6 MaxV is feature-rich with a straight-line cleaning path. It recognizes and avoids obstacles, self-recharges, self-resumes, self-evacuates, and maps floors (supports up to four-floor levels). You can select rooms, cleaning orders, or mark zones for exclusion. There are the sweep and mop modes. In sweeping mode, the s6 MaxV will ramp up suction (advertised at 2500 Pa) when a carpet is detected to allow for deeper brush penetration. It’ll return to normal levels on hard floors to help save power.

In mopping mode, the pad of the s6 MaxV expertly glides across the surfaces of tiles, hardwood, and other hard flooring surfaces to remove dust, dirt, muddy print, or other pesky messes. 300ml is the reservoir’s size. You can adapt different water settings for different rooms/zones and at different times.

Through its App, you can see the robot’s activities including the areas it had already completed. It also has a remote control function that lets you manually drive to specific areas. The extractor of the s6 MaxV is of the bristle and rubber design. Soft, it protects floors from scratches and ensures effective pick-up performance. Its side brushes are speed-sensitive: They extend to reach corners and wall edges while doing enough to avoid scattering debris in open areas. Other key highlights of the Roborock s6 MaxV floor vac include

• 67 decibels (max) noise level;
• 460ml dustbin capacity;
• 297ml electronic reservoir;
• 180 minutes run time; and 
• A cleaning area of ~3200 ft²

Talking about cleaning performance, the s6 MaxV in vacuuming mode does such a nice job removing dust, dirt, fur, allergens, crumbs, etc. on hard floors (stone, marble, laminate, linoleum, hardwood, etc.).

As for the mopping function, it works awesome on dust, footprints, and spills. The s6 MaxV doesn’t put down too much water that would otherwise cause floors to become slippery. No residues or tire marks, that’s because even on the highest settings, wet areas dry within a couple of minutes. The wheels also do a great job of keeping traction while mopping on surfaces such as gloss tiles.

Concerning navigation and mapping–the S6 MaxV, Laser-guided, knows where it’s been and where it still needs to go; that way it doesn’t clean the same area over and over while missing other areas. It also generates quick and accurate maps (supports up to four). Efficiency and convenience that turns out to be, since the s6 MaxV follows a systematic path to cleaning. Consequently, it avoids getting caught on obstacles or scuffing furniture legs and baseboards. A climbing height of up to 0.79” provides the s6 MaxV with smooth passage through thresholds and tall rugs. Not to mention, it’s only 3.8″ tall, translating to improved reach and coverage.

Keep the following in mind when considering the s6 MaxV.

• Mats with black patterns will trigger the cliff sensor. You can use white tape to cover the sensors but this is at risk of a fall if you live in a multistory house.
• It doesn’t seem as effective on carpet. Some users (like this one in the Forum and this other one on Reddit) have pointed out the failure of the main brush to spin on rugs. Follow this link to learn more about this issue.
• The front cameras of the s6 MaxV should work well to avoid power strips, lamp pedestals, and certain shoes. Turd–well, not exactly as it failed in several tests, including this one from Wirecutter. 
• Is not ideal for dried-on stains. 
• No VibraRise function so you’ll need to create no mop zones while physically moving to rooms or zones that are on the opposite side of a rug.
• The combo extractor design may require more attention to maintain peak performance if you have pets that shed a lot. 
• It’s a small dirt bin that lacks the full bin indicator and auto-emptying station.
• It doesn’t support the use of sanitizer or disinfectant solution in the water tank.

Pricey–a combination of lidar, mapping, and AI obstacle avoidance however makes the Roborock s6 MaxV worth it in my opinion since floors look nice and clean, time is saved, plus the actual cleaning is faster, efficient, and convenient.

Get the Roborock s6 MaxV if you

• Have a cluttered setup or busy house;
• Live in a big (up to ~3200ft²) and/or multi-level house;
• Can’t be bothered with pre-cleaning/constant floor tidying/accidental mess;
• Have all/majority hard floors (tile, hardwood, laminate, etc.) with fewer carpets/rugs;
• Have low shedding pet breeds.

Roborock S4 Max robot vacuum review

Featuring #3 on this list of the best Roborock automatic cleaners is the s4 Max. 

Like most high-end models, the Roborock s4 Max is feature-rich with a straight-line cleaning path. It self-recharges, self-resumes, and maps floors (supports up to four levels). You can select rooms for cleaning or mark zones for exclusion.

When vacuuming, the s4 Max will ramp up suction (advertised at 2000 Pa) when a carpet is detected to allow for agitation. It’ll return to normal levels on hard floors to help save power while increasing run time. You can apply different power settings for different rooms/zones and at different times. Through the App, you can see its activities including the areas it had already completed. The App also has a remote control function that lets you manually drive to specific areas.

The extractor of the s4 Max is of the bristle and rubber design. Soft, it protects floors from scratches while ensuring effective pick-up performance. Its side brushes are speed-sensitive: They extend to reach corners and wall edges while doing enough to avoid scattering debris in open areas.

Other key highlights of the Roborock s4 Max floor vac include

• 69 decibels (max) noise level;
• 460 ml dustbin capacity; 
• 180 minutes run time;
• Support for a cleaning area up to 3200 ft².

Talking about cleaning performance, the s4 Max does such a nice job removing dust, dirt, fur, allergens, crumbs, etc. on hard floors (stone, marble, laminate, linoleum, hardwood, etc.) and low-, medium-pile carpets. 

As for navigation and mapping–the s4 Max, Laser-guided, generates quick and accurate maps (supports up to four). It, therefore, knows where it’s been and where it still needs to go, ensuring it doesn’t clean the same area multiple times while missing out on the other areas. Not only that, it avoids getting caught on obstacles or scuffing furniture and baseboards. A climbing height of up to 0.79” provides the s4 Max with smooth passage through thresholds and tall rugs. Plus, it’s only 3.8″ tall, translating to improved reach and coverage.

Keep the following in mind about the s4 Max room vacuuming robot:

• Mats with black patterns will trigger the cliff sensor. You could use white tape to cover the sensors but this is at risk of a fall if you live in a multistory house.
• This is a vacuum-only model.
• The combo extractor design may require more attention when used in a home with lots of cats and dogs or women with long hair. 
• The s4 Max has a small dirt bin and lacks the full bin indicator and auto-emptying base station.

Typically selling under $500 and in light of its potential as briefly highlighted above, the Roborock s4 Max is worth it in my opinion especially since floors stay clean, time is saved, plus the actual cleaning is faster, efficient, and convenient.

Consider the Roborock s4 Max robotic cleaner if you

• Don’t have a cluttered setup, heavy shedding pet breeds, or long hair;
• Don’t want the mopping function;
• Live in a big (up to 3200ft²), multi-level house;
• Have mostly hard floors (tile, hardwood, laminate, etc.) with fewer low- and medium-pile carpets;
• Are looking for a smart, powerful floor robot that works reliably and efficiently;
• Are looking for a reasonably priced smart robovac.

Roborock E4 robot vacuum review

At number #4 and to conclude this list is the Roborock e4. 

Being of the intermediate category usually means a balance in price and performance. Typically selling between $200 – $300, the e4 is quite affordable unlike the other option in the list such as the s7 and s6 MaxV.

Feature-wise, the Roborock e4 cleans in straight, efficient lines. It self-recharges, self-resumes, and maps floors. When vacuuming, the e4 will ramp up suction up to 2000 Pa when a carpet is detected to allow for agitation and effective dirt removal. It’ll return to normal levels on hard floors to help save power.

You can apply different power settings including quiet, normal, turbo, or max.

Through the App, you can see its activities including the areas it had already completed.

The extractor of the e4 is of the bristle and rubber design. Soft, it protects floors from scratches and ensures effective pick-up performance. Its side brush is speed-sensitive: It extends to reach corners and wall edges while doing enough to avoid scattering debris in open areas.

Other key highlights of the Roborock e4 floor vac include

• 69 decibels;
• 640 ml dustbin capacity; 
• 180 water tank capacity (water tank available as an add-on);
• 200 minutes of run time;
• Supports cleaning in an area up to 2000ft²

Talking about cleaning performance, the e4 is capable of removing dust, dirt, fur, allergens, crumbs on stone, marble, laminate, linoleum, hardwood, and deep in low and medium-pile carpets.

Related: Robot vacuums for carpets

Moving on, and to navigation and mapping–the e4, Gyroscope guided, knows where it’s been and where it still needs to go; this ensures it doesn’t clean the same area over and over while missing other areas. Also, the e4 avoids getting caught on obstacles or scuffing furniture legs and baseboards. A climbing height of up to 0.79” provides the e4 with smooth passage through thresholds and tall rugs. Not to mention, it’s only 3.8″ tall, translating to improved reach and coverage.

Keep the following in mind about the e4:

• Mats with black patterns will trigger the cliff sensor. Although you could use white tape to cover the sensors, this is at risk of a fall if you live in a multistory house.
• The combo extractor design of the Roborock e4 may require more attention when used in a home with lots of cats, dogs, or women with long hair. See this list of the best robot vacuums for pets. Follow this link for the best robot vacuums for long hair.
• It has limited App features. It doesn’t support map editing or saving and there’s no room cleaning or scheduling, keep-out zones, area cleaning, or room sequencing.
• It has a small dirt bin and lacks the full bin indicator and auto-emptying station. If you’re keen, check this list of the best self-cleaning floor robot.

In light of its price and potentials as briefly highlighted above, the Roborock e4 is worth it in my opinion especially since floors stay clean, time is saved, plus the actual cleaning is faster, efficient, and convenient.

Consider the Roborock e4 if you

• Don’t have cluttered a setup, heavy shedding pet breeds, or long hair;
• Live in a medium-sized house (up to 2000 ft²);
• Don’t live in a multi-level house;
• Don’t want custom settings such as room divider, room scheduling, or zone cleaning;
• Have mostly hard floors (tile, hardwood, laminate, etc.) with fewer low- and medium-pile carpets.

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Comparisons

Clear your doubts, make better decisions, while maximizing value on your purchase. This section will do a straight-to-the-point comparison between popular Roborock models.

Top Roborock robotic cleaners compared

Roborock E4 vs S4 vs S4 Max

Without the bells and whistles but nonetheless a solid performer on hardwood, tile, laminate, and rugs. Do understand that cleaning may prolong and navigation may not be as perfect due to its floor tracking system being gyro + motion sensors, as against camera or laser. Regardless, the e4 uses the Z-shaped parallel line cleaning pattern which helps improves cleaning output and usability. The Roborock e4 is, therefore, the ideal choice if you’re looking for an affordable, simple, yet effective cleaning assistant; or if you live in an apartment (~2000ft²) with a simple layout and one or two pets/kids.

The s4 series on the other hand (s4 Max being an s4 with higher clearance) while pricier, nonetheless has a top-notch cleaning mechanism that facilitates the removal of debris on tile, hardwood, laminate, etc. and deep within low- and medium-pile carpets. Also worth mentioning are its additional features and App settings for people who want more control or are in unique situations. 

For a bit of context, the s4/Max maps floors using more accurate laser technology. You can then edit created maps, name rooms, target rooms for cleaning, or mark exclusion zones. The s4/Max can also save up to four-floor levels. 

Either suffice if you’re living in a (multi-story) house up to 3200ft² with hard floors and/or a complicated floor plan. Consider the Roborock s4 if you have an extended hard floor area. 

If it’s a mix you got in a house where thresholds and rugs are as high as 0.79″, the Roborock s4 Max is the right choice.

Roborock S4 vs S4 Max vs S6 vs S6 Pure

 

Looking for intelligence, efficiency, convenience, cleaning power, and functionality? 

With either of the Roborock s4- or s6-series, you’ll get an intelligent, efficient, and autonomous cleaning tool that

• Knows where it is, where it’s cleaned, and what is left; 
• Automatically recharges and resumes cleaning jobs; 
• Paths logically with the ability to clean in dark environments while negotiating around obstacles.

Talking about functionality/cleaning power, the Roborock s6 unlike the s4 isn’t shy of carpets, with an equally impressive performance on tiles, hardwoods, laminates, linoleum, etc.

It’s simple: Get the Roborock s4 if you want a vacuum-only bot or live in a house with mostly hard flooring and a couple of short hair, low shedding pets.

 

The Roborock s4 Max seems appropriate for homes with thresholds between rooms or rugs up to 0.79″ tall.

The s6 makes sense per a 2-in-1 cleaning bot. More so if you’re a homeowner with a mix of carpet and hard flooring. Or, a pet owner with short, low-shedding breeds.

Get the s6 Pure instead if you want to save a few bucks seeing as it’s less expensive, and is essentially the s6 with minor tweaks.

Roborock S4 Max vs S5 Max

In terms of their similarities, both are advanced, smart, and powerful. They clean solid surfaces just as well as low and medium pile rugs. Max in their name is a way of saying they’re an upgrade on previous versions. The s4 Max being an upgrade to the s4 that’s shy of thresholds and medium pile rugs, with the s5 Max being an s5 with an advanced mopping system. 

As for their differences, the s4 Max is a vacuum-only bot unlike the s5 Max that vacuums and mops. If you don’t need the mopping function seeing it’s at best a wiping cloth being dragged across–plus the s5 Max is historically more expensive–get the Roborock s4 Max. 

If living in a part of the country where dust traffic is in higher volumes or in a busy house with kids and pets who love to track in mud, however, the Roborock s5 Max is the more logical choice.

Watch the video below for further insight into the similarities and differences between the Roborock s4 Max and s5 Max.

Roborock S5 vs S6 vs S6 Pure

Seeing as the s5 is the Roborock s5 Max minus the mopping function; the s6, a quieter Roborock s5 with minimal upgrades; and the s6 Pure, a budget version of the s6. Faster mapping, slightly improved mobility, decreased noise levels plus a reservoir with a switch for water adjustment make the difference between the s6 series and the s5. 

Upgrades to the s6, maybe or maybe not worth the extra $$$ considering it’s an older model plus there’s a certain s5 Max priced similarly and in fact a newer model, with advanced mopping and better carpet cleaning ability. Pricey, yes, one thing you can’t however take away from the s6 in its quietness. Being an older model, its high price seems temporary. It’s also one of the most readily available in the line. If you’re sensitive to noise, want to run your bot at night, and have mostly hard flooring, the s6 fits perfectly. 

If the s6 is out of your budget or temporarily unavailable and your loyalty lies with the s6 series, there’s the less expensive s6 Pure with very similar offerings to the s6.

Lastly, there’s the s5 that’s the exact definition of value for money since it’s reasonably priced (cheapest of the three and typically selling for under $300) and just as feature-rich and functional. It can be difficult to find though given it’s an even older model than the s6 series.

Roborock S5 vs S5 Max vs S6 MaxV

The Roborock s5 for short is a Roborock s5 Max with basic mopping functionalities and reduced App features, similar to how the s5 Max is a Roborock S6 MaxV without obstacle avoidance and live streaming ability. 

With any of the three models, you’ll get value for your money in terms of saved time and perpetually clean floors. ONLY, the s5 Max throws efficiency and convenience into the mix, with the s6 MaxV topping it with peace of mind.

The s5 Max for example has a bigger, electronically controlled water tank (29oml vs. S5’s 140ml) suitable for light jobs or heavier messes in larger homes, although stubborn stains could be challenging. It’s possible to set water levels for each room depending on high-traffic areas and rooms that might not be as dirty. In small areas, the s5 Max turns off the water when it goes over the places it’s already been. When it’s done mopping, it shuts off the water leaking to let the mop dry as it returns to the dock. 

Without mincing words, the s5 Max is the ideal choice if your requirements entail pet wet prints, stains, or dust in a large busy house. A few tests (there’s one linked below) have also commented on the carpet cleaning ability of the s5 Max.

Talking about the s6 MaxV, while not perfect yet, this is the one to get if you own pets and want to run on a schedule or unsupervised. The s6 MaxV has twin front cameras that help with obstacle recognition and avoidance (including, yes, poo!) while doubling as a home monitoring system.

Watch the video below for further insight into the similarities and differences between the Roborock S5, S5 Max, and S6 MaxV.

Roborock S5 vs S6 vs S5 Max

Similar in their offerings (all three, for example, vacuums and mops while parading superior cleaning power), key highlights in mopping, carpet performance, and noise levels, however, make the difference and allows one to be more suited to certain users and cleaning situations than the other.

The s5 checks all the right boxes in terms of intelligence, cleaning power, and App features. Being an older model it can be difficult to find but if or when you do, is a worthwhile purchase seeing it’s also cheaper, and in fact, the cheapest of the three.

The s5 Max, essentially the s6 with a redesigned mop system (an electronically controlled bigger water tank of 290ml vs. 140ml of the s6) and additional App settings, is the one to get if you have a mix of hard floor and carpeted areas.

Unlike the s7, understand the s5 Max will not automatically avoid soaking your carpets unless you create no-mop zones. And while it’s cheaper than its predecessors the s6 and s6 Pure–one downside is its noise levels in turbo or max mode (up to 67 decibels) that can potentially affect sleep or conversations. 

Enter: the s6 which, on its low settings, is about 55 decibels and on the highest isn’t more than 60 decibels. The Roborock s6 is therefore the one to choose if you want to wake up to vacuum lines in your carpets or if you work from home and take calls regularly/partake in virtual meetings.

Roborock S7 vs S5 vs S5 Max

Roborock s5 is where the S series journey started back in 2017. This particular model has everything going for it in terms of cleaning ability, built quality, and functionality. The icing on the cake has to be its price which was like a steal back then compared to products from competing brands like iRobot. A hybrid model, the Roborock s5’s mopping is essentially a wet Swiffer–no agitation. 140ml reservoir needs constant refilling, no water efficiency or carpet detection, plus water flow isn’t adjustable. In turn, the Roborock s5 can’t handle dried-on stains or a house with a huge mopping area, nor is it ideal in a space with rugs. Being an older model they aren’t readily available. They’re affordable however if or when you find one on sale. Plus in a small area (~500 sq ft), and especially if the need is wet dog print or dusting–the mopping plate of the Roborock s5 is more than enough.

Talking about the Roborock s5 Max, well, there’s no agitation to its mopping still. The s5 Max however has the ability for bigger spaces (290ml reservoir) with increased App features (carpet avoidance, room-level water settings, the ability to do multiple passes, etc.), in addition to a built-in water efficiency system. The s5 Max is also one of the few Roborock models that handle carpets (low and medium pile) without issues.

As for the Roborock s7, this is the one to consider if you care so much about the mopping feature of a floor vac. There’s agitation to its mopping for one thanks to its Sonic Technology that allows the mopping pad to vibrate up to 3000 times per minute. Then, there’s the VibraRise feature that lifts the pad up to 5mm to avoid soaking the carpets while being able to reach other hard surfaces without having to create no mop zone or physically moving the bot as it were the case of the s5 Max. The s7 is the only Roborock model where you can choose to either vacuum only or mop only, or do both. Also worth mentioning are its auto-dirt emptying dock, anti-hair tangle ability, and multiple plane brush. All these while still retaining the majority of the features you love in the s5 Max, including but not limited to a larger, electronic water reservoir (300 ml), water efficiency, and custom power and water settings. Again, the Roborock s7 is the ideal choice if you: 

• Have pets that shed;
• Have uneven floors; 
• Have a huge space (up to 3,200 sqft. vacuuming or 2,100 sqft. mopping);
• Are interested in organized and intensive vacuuming and mopping; 
• Want something that’s less hands-on;
• Don’t mind splurging.

Alternatives

Whether you dislike particular aspects of specific models or maybe the features that are important to you aren’t available in your preferred choice. Regardless of your situation or needs, the good news is there are options from competing brands such as iRobot and Ecovacs.

Below are three feature-rich, capable, affordable, and reliable substitutes to specific Roborock automatic cleaners.

3 of the best Roborock floor robot alternatives

The best Roborock S7 alternative: Ecovacs Deebot T8 Plus (the non-AIVI version)

Recall while I was reviewing the Roborock s7 in the early part of this guide where I mentioned the non-availability of its auto-emptying dock, on top of no official release date. Parts such as the pad and roller are also not available for purchase, or compatible with previous models. Another thing I forgot to mention is that the s7 upon release only sold for a few days before running out of stock.

If any of the above scenarios unsettles you, the Deebot T8 Plus is definitely one to take a chance with. It does all the cool stuff you like in the s7 (except of course the automatic pad lifting and floating brush), on top of: 

• Being similarly priced;
• Being constantly on sale;
• Shipping with the auto-emptying base;
• Having readily available parts.

Continue reading: Ecovacs t8 plus vs Roborock s7 plus

The best Roborock s6 MaxV alternative: Roomba j7 Plus

Do you like the Roborock s6 MaxV’s precision navigation and obstacle avoidance feature but hate its subpar carpet cleaning performance?

Not only is the j7 Plus able to recognize and avoid obstacles, but it can also self-dump, plus the auto-empty station is effective and space-efficient.

The iRobot Roomba j7 7550 automatic bot is the one to get if you live in a busy apartment or multi-level home with kids, pets, and a mix of carpets and hard floors.

Continue reading: Roomba j7 plus vs Roborock s6 MaxV

The best Roborock S4 & S6 MaxV alternative: Roomba 960

It turns out the Roborock s4 will not go over medium-pile carpets. The s6 MaxV does in fact climb carpet, only its center brush stops spinning after a while. 

Not a like-for-like alternative, seeing as it doesn’t have the advanced settings/App features of the Roborocks. Nevertheless, the Roomba 960 traverses thresholds like a champ while deep cleaning carpets, thick ones even. Its brush also doesn’t stall. And unlike other carpet cleaning bots with complex tech that require regular updates and as such higher risks of failure–the Roomba 960 is made to just work, making it a practical and more reliable option.

Continue reading: iRobot Roomba 960 vs Roborock s4 

The best Roborock E4 alternative: Roomba i3 Plus 

Do you love the Roborock e4 but hate that it doesn’t empty itself?

There’s a certain iRobot i3 Plus that performs just as well with the added benefit of being able to empty its own bin.

Pricier than the Roborock, no doubt–but the dustbin of the Roomba i3 has a full bin sensor that prolongs cleaning while preventing overfill. Also, the auto-dirt stand of the Roomba i3 Plus is bagged unlike the canister/dispenser-like design in the Shark. While there are ongoing expenses on dirtbags, it’s actually your best bet, particularly if you have skin flakes, allergens, cats, or fur situations.

Continue reading: iRobot Roomba i3 Plus vs Roborock e4 

Frequently asked questions

Is Roborock better than Roomba?

In terms of navigation and value for money (typically cheaper plus they can vacuum and mop), a Roborock is better than a Roomba. For a house with shedding pets and mostly carpets–Roomba is the better one given its powerful suction and dual brushless silicone extractors.

Full comparison: Roomba vs Roborock 

Is Roborock a good brand?

While there could be factory defects or shipping damages to some units, Roborock bots are made with solid parts. Roborock provides excellent product support (regular firmware updates for bug fixes and usability improvements added to cheap and readily available parts) and customer support (through email and phone). They also offer a one-year warranty on their products and are quite good with returns.

Are Xiaomi and Roborock the same?

Xiaomi and Roborock used to be the same. The Mi robotic home vacuum cleaner was released in 2016 under the Xiaomi brand. Roborock has since moved on having established trust and gained customer loyalty. Products released under the Roborock brand include the e2, e3, e4, s5, s6, s6 pure, s5 Max, s6 MaxV, and s7. 

How long does Roborock last?

The 2017 Roborock s5 that I own is still going strong. From this experience with the s5 and other brands like the iRobot, you can expect 2 to 5 years of useful life assuming you do appropriate maintenance.

Where are Roborock bots made?

Roborock robot vacuums are China-made. They do however support and have their products for sale in the US and across Europe.

Are Roborock bots worth it?

Roborock robot vacuums are gentle, careful, and precise. They don’t bump into or destroy objects on the floor making them more hands-off and reliable. Being smart with programmable features, you’d be saving time and keeping your sanity. Their sophisticated cleaning mechanics also means freshly-looking and clean floors, which equals improved air quality especially for people with allergies.

Another reason you might want to get a Roborock is their robots receive regular updates for bug fixes, feature additions, and usability improvements. Compared to high-end iRobot models, Roborock floor robots are budget-friendly. The hardware is pretty solid. Even so, parts and accessories are interchangeable (in the s4 and s6, for example), readily available, and quite affordable. You may consider buying a Roborock robot vacuum cleaner if you care about customer support. Roborock during their open hours responds to queries ASAP (US: support@roborock.com; EUROPE: support@roborock-eu.com) plus their support persons are quite technically sound. There’s Roborock forum and these communities on Facebook and Reddit are made up of Roborock users/staff members where you can drop your questions for answers in real-time.

Who should buy a Roborock?

Buy a Roborock if you:

• Don’t want to or don’t have a lot to spend on a floor robot
• Have mostly hard floors
• Hate noise
• Want a hybrid robot
• Want a bot that’s functional, with superior navigation, and one that is less hands-on
• Want a bot that can clean in the dark

Who shouldn’t buy a Roborock?

Avoid a Roborock if you:

• Have mostly (thick) carpets. Check out a Roomba instead–maybe a 960, 980, or s9.
• Have a thing against non-American brands. See iRobot, Neato, or Shark instead .

Conclusion

Roborock bots are a complete set of features. Selling at very attractive prices, they’re functional and reliable. Add that to their nice quality look and feel. And precise and gentle mobility. Roborock floor robots support most floor types, larger houses, and everyday cleaning. Keep in mind their carpet vacuuming limitations. 

As to which Roborock is better or worth it, I’d think this will depend on what’s IMPORTANT to you. Under the Review section, each product’s strong points were clearly highlighted while being associated with suitable use cases/user types. The Roborock s7 if it helps to mention is my favorite considering the level of automation it avails and its superior navigation, vacuuming, and mopping capabilities. 

Regardless of which model you choose, though, there are upkeep/ongoing expenses on parts. 

You’d have to clean the main brush, wash filters, switch mop pads, refill water tanks and empty the bin of your Roborock (maybe more frequently if you have messy pets or long hair. In which case you should schedule multiple daily or weekly runs.).

Parts are available on Roborock’s Amazon store. I’d advise getting your robots from there too. This is because Roborock warranties ONLY apply to products purchased from authorized sellers. 

Adequate for light spills, dust, and dirt, their mopping function–or any 2-in-1 robot at all, at least for now–don’t compare with a human with a mop so you want to keep that in mind. The S7 gets close enough though. And since they don’t support the use of cleaning liquids in their reservoir, heavier, sticky materials can be pre-treated with Bona, maybe?

Talking about limitations, for homes with mostly carpets, Roborock’s brush style and design impede agitation and airflow, so maybe not be as ideal. Some models are better, though, but at least not the S4 or S6 MaxV. There’s also the S7 that only sold for about a week with early buyers still waiting on the docking station (no official release date or price estimate) and other parts like the extractor and washcloth. For these reasons, alternatives from competitors featured, including from iRobot and Ecovacs that make up for these deficiencies in terms of parts availability and carpet deep cleaning.

And if it so happened you’re stuck between any of the Roborock vacs, there’s the Comparison section that helps to eliminate confusion while offering insights into who should be getting what and why. Lastly, there’s the FAQs section with answers to some questions you may have about the Roborock brand or its products.