Roborock vacuums are solid mid-range robots that handle flat floors and pet hair, but they're not the best choice if you have stairs or thick carpets

Roborock makes robot vacuums that sit in the middle of the market—better than budget brands, less expensive than premium models like iRobot Roomba j7+. They map your home, return to their dock to empty themselves (on higher-end models), and work with smartphone apps. The real question isn't whether they're "good" in general, but whether they fit your home's layout and your cleaning needs.

The company sells models ranging from around $200 to $1,000. The cheaper ones (S4 Max, S5) are basic navigators that bump around and learn your floor plan slowly. The pricier ones (S7 MaxV Ultra, S8 Pro Ultra) have lidar mapping, mopping attachments, and auto-empty docks. All of them share the same core limitation: they cannot climb stairs, so if your home has multiple levels, you'll need a separate vacuum for the upper floors.

Key Takeaways

  • Roborock robots work well on hard floors and low-pile carpet but struggle on thick carpet and cannot handle stairs at all.
  • Models with lidar (laser mapping) navigate faster and more accurately than budget models that use bump-and-learn navigation.
  • Auto-empty docks are convenient but add $300 to $500 to the price and require floor space near an outlet.
  • Roborock vacuums are quieter than upright vacuums but louder than some competitors, and they can get tangled by long pet hair or cords.
  • Customer service and software updates are inconsistent—some owners report good experiences, others report app crashes and unresponsive support.

Roborock's strengths: navigation and pet hair on hard floors

Roborock's main advantage is its mapping system. Models with lidar (the S5, S6, S7 series and up) create a floor plan on the first run and remember it. You can tell the vacuum to clean only the kitchen, or avoid the bedroom, through the app. This matters if you have a large home or want to run the vacuum while you're sleeping in another room.

On hard floors and low-pile carpet, Roborock vacuums pick up pet hair and dust reasonably well. The brush design is decent, and the suction is adequate for everyday dirt. If you have a small apartment with mostly tile or laminate, a mid-range Roborock will handle it without complaint. The S7 and newer models also include a mopping attachment that dampens a cloth pad and scrubs as it goes—not a replacement for a real mop, but useful for quick touch-ups.

Where Roborock vacuums struggle

Thick carpet is the first problem. Roborock robots have a low profile, which helps them fit under furniture, but it also means the brush doesn't dig deep into plush carpet. If your home is mostly carpeted, especially with pile thicker than half an inch, you'll see dirt the robot missed. The suction is not strong enough to compensate for the shallow brush contact.

Stairs are the second and more serious problem. No robot vacuum can climb stairs. If you have a two-story home, you'll need to carry the Roborock upstairs manually, run it, and carry it back down—which defeats the purpose of owning a robot. Some owners buy two units, one for each floor, but that's expensive and requires two docks.

Long pet hair and cords cause tangles. The brush can wrap with hair from long-haired dogs or cats, and the vacuum will stop and alert you through the app. You'll need to clean the brush every week or two if you have shedding pets. Cords, phone chargers, and loose fabric also snag the brush, so you have to clear the floor before each run.

Auto-empty docks: convenience at a cost

Higher-end Roborock models (S7 MaxV Ultra, S8 Pro Ultra) come with or support an auto-empty dock. The vacuum returns to the dock and a suction tube pulls the dirt into a sealed bag inside the dock. You empty the bag once a month instead of after every run. This is genuinely convenient if you have allergies or just don't want to touch dirt.

The trade-off is space and money. The dock is large—roughly the size of a small filing cabinet—and needs to sit on a floor near an outlet. If you live in a small apartment, it may not fit in a closet. The dock also adds $300 to $500 to the price. For a budget-conscious buyer, the basic S5 or S6 without a dock is a better value, even if you have to empty the bin more often.

Noise level and runtime

Roborock vacuums run at around 60 to 67 decibels, depending on the model and suction setting. That's quieter than a traditional upright vacuum (around 75 decibels) but louder than some competitors like the Ecovacs Deebot series. If you plan to run the vacuum while you're home, you'll notice the sound, especially in a small space.

Battery life is typically 2 to 3 hours per charge on standard mode, which covers most homes up to 2,500 square feet. If your home is larger, the vacuum will return to the dock to recharge and resume cleaning—a useful feature, but it means the job takes longer. On maximum suction, runtime drops to 1 to 1.5 hours.

Software, app reliability, and customer support

Roborock's app lets you schedule runs, set no-go zones, and monitor the vacuum's location in real time. The mapping feature works well, and the interface is straightforward. However, some owners report app crashes, especially after software updates, and the company's response to bugs is slow. Updates roll out unevenly across regions and models.

Customer support varies. Roborock has a US-based support team, but response times can be weeks, and some owners report that support doesn't resolve hardware issues—they just offer a replacement or refund. If you buy from Amazon, Amazon's return window is often faster than dealing with Roborock directly. Warranty coverage is one year on most models.

How Roborock compares to other robot vacuums

The main competitor in Roborock's price range is the iRobot Roomba j7+. The j7+ costs more but has better obstacle avoidance (it can see and avoid cords and pet waste) and more reliable app performance. If you have a lot of clutter on the floor, the j7+ is worth the extra cost. The Ecovacs Deebot series is cheaper but has weaker mapping and slower navigation. Budget brands like Wyze are even cheaper but lack lidar and get stuck more often.

If you want the absolute best robot vacuum, the iRobot Roomba j9+ has superior suction and the most advanced navigation, but it costs $1,200 and up. For most people, Roborock offers a reasonable middle ground—good enough for daily maintenance on hard floors, but not a complete replacement for a traditional vacuum if you have stairs or thick carpet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to clean the brush often?

Yes, especially if you have pets. Check the brush weekly and pull out tangled hair. Most owners clean it every 7 to 10 days. The brush itself lasts 6 to 12 months depending on use and hair type, then you'll need to replace it (around $20 to $40).

Can Roborock vacuums work on multiple floors?

No, they cannot climb stairs. You can carry the vacuum upstairs and run it manually, or buy a separate unit for each floor. Some owners use a Roborock on the main floor and a cheaper handheld vacuum for upstairs.

What's the difference between lidar and bump-and-learn navigation?

Lidar uses a laser to map your home in one pass and remembers the layout. Bump-and-learn (used on cheaper models) navigates by bumping into walls and furniture, which is slower and less accurate. Lidar models are worth the extra cost if you have a large or complex home.

Do auto-empty docks really save time?

Yes, if you're willing to pay for it. You empty the dock bag once a month instead of the vacuum bin after each run. The dock costs $300 to $500 extra and takes up floor space, so it's only worth it if convenience matters more than budget.

Is Roborock better than Roomba?

Roborock is cheaper; Roomba (especially the j7+ and j9+) has better obstacle avoidance and more reliable software. Choose Roborock if budget is your priority and your floors are mostly hard or low-pile carpet. Choose Roomba if you have clutter on the floor or want stronger app performance.