roborock S8 MaxV Ultra with Refill & Drainage System Robot Vacuum and Mop, FlexiArm Design, Auto Mop Washing&Drying, 10000Pa Suction, Obstacle Avoidance, 20mm Auto Mop Lifting, Smart Dirt Detection

When it comes to robotic vacuums, Roborock has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology and convenience. The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is no exception—it’s marketed as a top-of-the-line vacuum and mop combo, complete with an advanced docking station and AI-powered features. But does it live up to the hype? I spent a few weeks putting the S8 MaxV Ultra through its paces to see if it’s truly worth the investment.Unboxing and SetupStraight out of the box, the S8 MaxV Ultra exudes premium quality. The vacuum itself feels solid and well-built, with a sleek matte black finish. But the star of the show is the RockDock Ultra—a beast of a docking station that handles everything from charging to self-emptying and even washing and drying the mop pads. While it’s larger than most docks, the added functionality justifies the space it occupies.Setting up the S8 MaxV Ultra was a breeze. The Roborock app guided me through every step, from connecting to Wi-Fi to mapping out my home. Within 20 minutes, the robot was ready to clean.Key Features and PerformanceVacuuming PowerThe S8 MaxV Ultra boasts a 6,000Pa suction power, making it one of the most powerful robotic vacuums on the market. In my tests, it picked up everything from fine dust to larger debris like cereal and pet hair. It performed exceptionally well on both carpets and hard floors, thanks to its dual rubber brush system, which reduces hair tangles and improves pickup.MoppingThe mopping system is equally impressive. The robot uses vibrating mop pads that scrub floors at 3,000 vibrations per minute, mimicking the action of a handheld mop. In my experience, it handled sticky messes like dried coffee stains surprisingly well. What really sets it apart is the mop-lifting feature, which automatically raises the pads when the robot detects carpet, so you can vacuum and mop in the same run without soaking your rugs.AI Obstacle AvoidanceThe Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance system uses a combination of cameras and LiDAR to navigate around objects. I tested this by scattering various obstacles—shoes, toys, and even pet bowls. The S8 MaxV Ultra navigated around everything with ease, rarely getting stuck. The front camera also lets you view your home in real-time through the app, which doubles as a handy security feature.Docking StationThe RockDock Ultra is the crown jewel of this system. It automatically empties the vacuum’s dustbin, washes and dries the mop pads, and refills the water tank. This means you can go weeks without having to interact with the robot. The self-cleaning function is particularly helpful, as it ensures the mop pads stay fresh between cleaning cycles.Mapping and App ControlThe mapping capabilities are top-notch. The robot created an accurate 3D map of my home within minutes, allowing me to set no-go zones, cleaning schedules, and even custom cleaning modes for specific rooms. The app also supports voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, adding to its convenience.Real-Life PerformanceDaily CleaningI used the S8 MaxV Ultra in a household with pets and a toddler—arguably one of the toughest environments for any cleaning device. It handled daily messes effortlessly, from pet hair to snack crumbs. The ability to clean while I’m out of the house is a huge time-saver, and I love coming home to spotless floors.Edge CleaningRobotic vacuums often struggle with edges and corners, but the S8 MaxV Ultra does a commendable job. While it doesn’t match the precision of manual vacuuming, its edge-cleaning mode ensures minimal dirt is left behind.Battery LifeWith a 5,200mAh battery, the robot can clean for up to 180 minutes on a single charge. In my 2,000-square-foot home, it never ran out of battery mid-clean. If it ever does, it automatically returns to the dock to recharge and resumes where it left off.Noise LevelsDespite its powerful suction, the S8 MaxV Ultra is relatively quiet, especially in standard mode. Even in max suction mode, the noise is manageable—comparable to a low hum.Pros and ConsPros1. Powerful Cleaning: The 6,000Pa suction and vibrating mop pads deliver excellent results.2. Hands-Free Maintenance: The RockDock Ultra handles emptying, washing, and drying, reducing manual upkeep.3. Advanced Navigation: Reactive AI ensures efficient and obstacle-free cleaning.4. Customizable Cleaning: The app offers extensive options for mapping, scheduling, and room-specific cleaning.5. Great for Pets: The dual rubber brushes are perfect for homes with pets, minimizing hair tangles.Cons1. Price: At over $1,500, it’s a significant investment.2. Dock Size: The RockDock Ultra takes up a lot of space, which might be an issue in smaller homes.3. Initial Setup Cost: You’ll need to replace disposable parts like filters and mop pads over time, adding to the long-term cost.Who Is It For?The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is ideal for:• Busy Professionals: Hands-free features like self-emptying and mop cleaning mean less time spent on chores.• Pet Owners: Its powerful suction and tangle-free brushes are excellent for managing pet hair.• Families with Kids: Handles daily messes and sticky spills with ease.• Tech Enthusiasts: The AI-powered features and app integration make it a joy to use.Final VerdictThe Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra isn’t just a robotic vacuum—it’s a complete home cleaning system. While it comes with a hefty price tag, the combination of powerful cleaning, advanced features, and hands-free maintenance justifies the cost for those who want the best. It’s not perfect, but it’s as close as it gets in the world of robotic cleaners.If you’re willing to invest in cutting-edge technology and crave a truly hands-off cleaning experience, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is worth every penny. For me, it’s transformed cleaning from a chore into an afterthought, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

The media could not be loaded. I am extremely impressed with this automatic vacuum.For the last few years, I've been using a Roomba j6+, and it wasn't working well for me. It felt like it struggled on the carpet, it could never clean corners so dirt/hair would build up, and worst of all it would get stuck on just about anything.After doing some research and arriving at this being one of the best robot vacuums out there, I pulled the trigger despite the hefty price- and I have NOT regretted it at all.This vacuum does an amazing job cleaning. After my roomba j6+, I went out and got an even deeper carpet, and this Roborock has had no issues cleaning it. And I wasn't even aware of what I was missing out on without having a mopping robot cleaner before now. It really makes my floors feel and look clean. It's a noticeable difference from the last few years. Whenever I go to remove the dirty water, I'm surprised by just how much and how dirty it is.But by far the greatest thing about this vacuum over my last is its obstacle avoidance and mapping. My old roomba would get stuck on the carpet, stuck on chords or cat toys, and if it avoided those it would NEVER get past my barstools. Id wake up to have to find where the vacuum ended up, it be out of battery, and I need to carry it to the docking station. The camera and LiDAR system for this Roborock vacuum completely alleviates this pain point. I never find it having trouble getting back, and the map will even show me the obstacles it had avoided.A few other neat things I appreciate:- the app is very clean, and well organized-- but voice commands and schedules make it so that you dont even need to worry about that either- You can remote control it! Not sure how useful this is, but if you ever are on vacation or away from home and want to find your pet, you can do so. There's even a button to "Find Your Pet", and it will find your animal and let you know it found it.- the cleaning sound (removing dirty and cleaning mop) when it goes back to dock isnt quiet by any means, but is noticeably quieter than my previous vacuum.- it's not much larger than my previous vacuum- Replacing water/soap/cleaning out dirty water is simple. I keep it near the kitchen so I can easily do these things- connecting to wifi was a breeze and i haven't had any issues from a smart-home perspective at allOverall I can easily recommend this vacuum. If you're willing to pay the expensive price, I can vouch that I haven't been disappointed by it's performance. Not sure what else you could ask for from a Robot vacuum.