Product review: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

Humans have been relying on robots for decades, often without realising it. While science fiction has shaped the popular image of robots as humanoid companions, the reality has been more practical. Machines like washing machines and dishwashers, thou

By: helsinkitimes.fi

Jan 04 2025
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Product review: Roborock S8 Ma

Humans have been relying on robots for decades, often without realising it. While science fiction has shaped the popular image of robots as humanoid companions, the reality has been more practical. Machines like washing machines and dishwashers, though not always recognised as robots, have revolutionised everyday tasks. One exception, called "robots" from the start, is robot vacuum cleaners. These devices have come a long way since their debut. The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra stands as a striking example of how far they’ve advanced.

This vacuum is equipped with advanced mapping and navigation capabilities. Its PreciSense® LiDAR system creates detailed and accurate maps of your home, supporting multi-level mapping for up to four floors. It determines efficient cleaning routes and avoids obstacles with precision. The mapping interface in the app allows users to view their home in 3D, edit no-go zones, and customise cleaning settings. The Remote View feature adds an extra layer of functionality, enabling users to view their home in real-time through the robot’s camera. This feature can also locate pets or check specific areas during cleaning .

The S8 MaxV Ultra’s standout features begin with its DuoRoller Riser Brush system and amazingly quite, yet powerful 10,000Pa suction. This technology effectively picks up hair, dust, and dirt across surfaces, using dual rubber brushes designed to resist tangles. Integrated scrapers further reduce maintenance by cutting hair from the brushes during operation. Those who have had the older models of the same machine, easily recall the pain of declogging and cutting out hair and threads from the brushes and their conjunction points.

Users have the option of instructing the robot to only vacuum, vacuum and mop, or deep clean carpets later. For mopping, the VibraRise 3.0 system delivers 4,000 vibrations per minute to tackle dried stains efficiently. The robot lifts its mop up to 20mm when detecting carpets, avoiding damp spots. This simultaneous vacuum-and-mop capability makes cleaning quicker and easier.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is equipped with an innovative Auto Detergent Dispenser that simplifies the cleaning process. Users can easily pour undiluted cleaning solution into the dedicated detergent container, and the device takes care of the dilution automatically. Typically, the recommended dilution ratio is around 1:300, but the dock manages this mixing internally, ensuring optimal cleaning performance. Many users find that a single bottle of detergent lasts for several months, thanks to the efficient consumption during cleaning cycles. This convenient detergent system eliminates the hassle of manually mixing solutions before each mopping session, making it a user-friendly feature of the device.

Its Reactive AI 2.0 combines a 3D structured light and RGB camera to identify and avoid obstacles, recognising 73 object types, including pet beds and toys and shoes. It even takes snapshots of pets during cleaning. With features like automatic obstacle avoidance and pet-friendly safety measures, this vacuum adapts to busy households .

The RockDock Ultra base station eliminates most manual maintenance. It cleans and dries the mop with hot water, dispenses detergent, and even empties the dustbin. The intelligent dirt detection system re-washes the mop as needed, while the dock refills water and drains waste automatically, providing a hands-free experience .

The vacuum’s corner and edge-cleaning features stand out. The FlexiArm side brush and edge mopping system clean tricky areas and along baseboards efficiently. Compared to competitors, the S8 MaxV Ultra offers superior coverage in corners and edges .

Control is user-friendly via the app or the built-in “Hello Rocky” voice assistant. Users can set schedules, customise cleaning modes, and issue commands like "clean here" with ease. Temporary cleaning tasks and no-go zones can be added or removed on the fly .

Pros:

Powerful suction: The 10,000Pa suction power outperforms many competitors, ensuring a deep clean on all surfaces.

Effective vacuuming and mopping: It excels on hard floors and carpets, offering strong performance across cleaning modes.

Advanced navigation: PreciSense LiDAR and AI-powered obstacle avoidance ensure efficient and precise cleaning.

Self-maintenance: Features such as auto-emptying, self-washing, water refilling, and auto-drying minimise manual intervention.

FlexiArm side brush: Its unique design improves corner and edge cleaning performance.

Intelligent features: Voice control, remote viewing, and adaptive cleaning adjust to various cleaning needs.

Long battery life: Up to 180 minutes of runtime supports cleaning large spaces without interruption.

Cons:

High price: The higher than average price tag makes it a significant investment compared to other robot vacuums. This machine is certainly meant for high end users ready to pay for quality and functionalities.

Mopping limitations: While effective, it may leave streaks and needs frequent dock returns for mop washing. This of course means you don’t need to wash the mop yourself, only to discharge the dirty water and fill the clean water tank.

Ongoing costs: The dock uses bags, requiring regular purchases of replacements.

Privacy concerns: The built-in camera and microphones might deter privacy-conscious users, even though non of the data leaves your room.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra combines power, intelligence, and convenience, making it a robust choice for those seeking high-performance cleaning with minimal effort. It is definitely one of the top options in the market with so many functionalities, only the best tech savvy users can exhaust. It’s certainly worth the price tag. more dinformation and details can be found here.