roborockQ5 Max+ Robot Vacuum with Self-Empty Dock, Upgraded from Q5+, 5500 Pa Suction, DuoRoller Brush, Hands-Free Cleaning for up to 7 Weeks, PreciSense LiDAR Navigation, App & Voice Control

I’ve had a robot vacuum in the past. It was a decent introduction to using one, but it wasn’t too great at its job. So I set my expectations of this robot vacuum based on that experience. Well, this one blows it away. While my old vacuum was able to do some intelligent navigation, because it was all gyro based, it was a bit dumb. The lidar based system gives me more control over where to vacuum. It also uses far more intelligent patterns that seem to be more efficient, moves faster, vacuums better, and has far better battery life. My old vacuum couldn’t finish my whole home on a single charge, while this one has more than 70% battery remaining after doing the whole home. And because it vacuums better, I don’t have to follow up behind it with manual cleaning. The dust bin on the robot seems to be better designed as well, making it so emptying reverses the flow through the filter, effectively self-cleaning it. I didn’t expect to be this impressed with a robot vacuum, especially one at this end of the value model (this is a lower end model).

This review is based on the $280 typical price, not the $599 "retail price". For $280, it is a 5-Star robot vac. For $599, I would want more. Pluses: easy to use and understand. App does not require intimate knowledge of computers. You don't even need to use the app unless you want to schedule cleanings - just press the button on top. Self emptying charging dock with BAG so you don't have to deal with emptying dust bins and washing filters. Cleaning is much better than expected. We did NOT want one with a mop since I didn't want to deal with a container of dirty water sitting around for a month. Relatively quiet and relatively intelligent - works around obstacles and avoids cliffs - even updates maps when it finds a clif you didn't mark out. Upside: long battery life, good cleaning, self emptying and charging auto-dock. Bagged dirt collection. Lots of after-market consumable supplies available at very reasonable prices. We have had this for a little over 3 months and have just replaced the dust bag. We don't have children or animals so no comment about issues often reported in those environments for most robot vacs, i.e. "smear" incidents.Down sides: sometimes gets itself trapped in a forest of chair legs like in a dining room, and will snooze until freed. Most of the time it can work itself out, but not always. Doesn't always notice soft obstacles like socks and the like, so you have to tidy up after yourself or else it may vacuum up the sock and stop, complaining of indigestion.

having lived with Rocky the Robovac for a couple of months now, I am very happy with its performance. Wirecutter rated it the best this year, and I agree, based on past robovac experiences.What I like:√Zone and room map programming for scheduled cleanups automatically—great for the sawdust in my little sunroom workshop! Start the day fresh!√Intelligent navigation and realtime updated mapping. The LIDAR and sensors intelligently go around moved furniture instead of bump-bump-bumping until confused or trapped. It stores a detailed map of each room and shows where it has cleaned.√Climbs lowish thresholds between rooms with different tile or wood floors in an old home many times remodeled.√Rarely chokes on non-tasseled rug edges or bath mats.√Rubber “brushes” don’t collect as much fluff or wound up fine hairs, but are soft enough to effectively remove the fine dusts.√Effective self-emptying most of the time. Less attention needed to emptying the tiny onboard bin, a messy business with other vacs that spills the dust just cleaned up.√When it gets stuck or lost under furniture or behind clutter, the app map shows where to find it!√Decent battery life and fast charging to clean more than once daily in a 2500’^2 home.What I don’t like:—Single edge brush, screwed in to rotor—only cleans one side at a time, and can’t be snapped out and swapped to the other side when bent and worn. Likely to be a costly replacement part over time.—Still struggles with fancy rugs that have tasseled ends.—Noisy, especially when using the higher vac modes—a minor quibble, as the suction is effective, but don’t program it to run while you sleep! It will chirp happily about its progress and wake you up!—Rather small non-standard self-emptying vac bag likely to be an ongoing expense. I just cut it open to empty it into the garbage bin and then duct-taped it back together. Working just fine!—Doesn’t yet make the coffee in the morning. Didn’t Rosie on the Jetsons do this?Overall, almost perfect little cleaning machine. The technology is getting better every year.