Welcome to Testsetavis.com, your go-to source for product testing and reviews. Today, we're taking a closer look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra , the robot vacuum that's generating a lot of buzz in 2024. Hold on tight, because this powerhouse of technology may just redefine your standards for smart cleaning.
Unboxing and First Impression: A More Compact Base, Ambitions Just as Big
The first piece of good news that jumps out at you about the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is the increased compactness of its docking station . Forget the behemoths of previous generations! With dimensions of 47 cm high, 42 cm deep and 41 cm wide, the base of the S8 MaxV Ultra is surprisingly reasonable and aesthetically pleasing . A significant space saving without sacrificing functionality.
The vacuum cleaner itself gains slightly in height, which translates into more generous fresh water (4L) and used water (3.5L) tanks (compared to 3L and 2.5L previously). While this remains below the 5L offered by the Q Revo MaxV, it will be necessary to evaluate the actual water consumption with the new vibrating mop washing technology (3000 to 4000 vibrations per minute), a notable evolution compared to the rotating mops of the Q Revo.
【FlexiArm Side Brush Design】Robot vacuum sweeps dirt from hard-to-reach corners with its extendable side brush, Robot vacuum cleaner can cover 100% of interior corners.
Innovation in the Service of Cleaning: The FlexiArm of the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra
Two major innovations immediately capture attention:
- The FlexiArm™: This rotating side extension is designed to track dust right down to baseboards. A brilliant idea for truly edge-to-edge cleaning!
- The Retractable Side Brush: Another first, the brush responsible for sweeping dirt toward the suction inlet can now move out of the way automatically to optimize cleaning of wall edges. While the effectiveness of this point remained to be proven on previous models, this new feature could well be a game changer.
The principle remains the same: the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra draws in clean water, moistens its vibrating mop, and cleans your floors. Once its task is complete, it returns to its base to clean and dry the mop with water and hot air (60°C) , an essential HGAM feature to limit the proliferation of bacteria and unpleasant odors. The only small regret regarding the base: the absence of a detachable base to facilitate cleaning of this area.
Design-wise, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra retains Roborock's clean lines and build quality, available in black and white, with the essential laser rangefinder on top for mapping.
Obstacle Detection: AI 2.0 Responsiveness Dazzles
With over 100 robot vacuum tests under our belt, our expertise drives us to place the utmost importance on obstacle detection. The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra features Reactive AI 2.0 technology , and the initial tests are nothing short of impressive.
- Lego (10 cm): Detected and avoided without problem.
- Tong: Contoured with surgical precision, even in sensitive mode.
- Cable: After some hesitation to find the optimal angle of attack, the robot managed to dodge it. Its ability to take pictures of obstacles clearly helps it in its decision-making.
- Lego Brick (Flat): Unfortunately, like most of its competitors, it failed to detect it.
On carpets, the automatic increase in suction power is still present. But it's when it comes to chair legs, curtains, and thin table legs that the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra impresses the most. Its space management and ability to navigate them with unprecedented fluidity demonstrate a significant advancement in intelligent navigation. It truly feels more confident in its movements.
Five vacuum sensors make it safe to move around stairs. Arm Rise , a feature that allows you to clean close to baseboards by pushing dirt towards the double rotating brush (a Roborock exclusive), is also present. There is also a motorization system to press the rollers to the floor and spring-mounted wheels to overcome thresholds of about 2 cm. The mop can be raised or lowered by about 2 cm.
A sixth, discreetly placed vacuum sensor completes the arsenal. The dust container, although relatively small, is compensated for by the automatic emptying system into a disposable bag located in the base. There's even a hatch for adding detergent.
The Roborock App: A Powerful and Intuitive Control Center
The Roborock app is a true dashboard to personalize your cleaning experience.
- Precise Mapping: Visualization of your home, identification of photographed obstacles.
- Zone Management: Creation of prohibited zones (ideal for flush shower trays), modification and merging of rooms.
- Customize Cleaning by Room: Suction intensity, water flow, number of passes.
- Advanced Programming: Define cleaning days and times, manage carpets (avoidance, ignore, raise the mop).
- Smart Cleaning: Detection of dirty areas for a second pass, optimization for areas with animals.
- Station Settings: Mop wash interval, self-cleaning mode, hot water activation, dust bin emptying frequency, drying time.
- Advanced Features: Obstacle avoidance (with different sensitivity levels), animal detection, fill light, multi-floor management.
- Built-in Voice Assistant.
- Remote Display and Manual Control.
- Features in Test: Deep cleaning for heavy dirt, use of FlexiArm™ for cracks.
The app is feature-rich, stable, and regularly updated , making it one of the best on the market.
Ultimate Vacuum Test: 100g of Dirt on Carpet and Hard Floor
The ultimate test to evaluate the suction power0 of the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra : 100g of various dirt (dust, rice, plastic, salt, sugar, crushed glass, pine needles) spread over 4m², with timing and maximum power.
Impressive result: 3 minutes 30 seconds and 93.8g of dirt collected!
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra rises to the top of our ranking , even surpassing its predecessor. Its effectiveness on carpets is remarkable, with clear cleaning marks and deep suction. On hard floors, the result is just as convincing, leaving only a few anecdotal residues. Only the transition zone between the carpet and the tiles (1 cm gap) remains a challenge, common to most robot vacuum cleaners.
With a claimed suction power of 10000 Pa , the S8 MaxV Ultra doesn't just deliver on numbers, but also proves its effectiveness in the field.
Washing Test: Vibrating Mop and FlexiArm Put to the Test
For the wash test, the clean water tank is filled with water and detergent (Vigor, although Roborock recommends its own product). The robot is started in simultaneous vacuuming and mopping mode.
After 4 minutes of filling the internal tank and wetting the mop, the S8 MaxV Ultra gets to work. The water flow is set to maximum for optimal humidification. The vibrating mop leaves a uniform wet trail .
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra precisely contours the area to be cleaned. The small rotating brush is particularly effective for navigating along carpets (with the mop raised). Even on carpets with embedded dirt, the result is satisfactory, although it doesn't achieve perfection (these technologies are designed for maintenance, not for removing very stubborn dirt).
The robot couldn't completely remove a chocolate stain embedded in the tiles. After 10 minutes of cleaning, the mop remained damp enough to properly sanitize the floors.
The FlexiArm™ comes into action when moving along the baseboards , picking up dirt in the corners. On an area covered with (wet) earth, the S8 MaxV Ultra showed surprising efficiency for a vibrating mop , rivaling the performance of rotating mops. The mop, after a 5-minute cleaning cycle with water and hot air, regains its original cleanliness.
Conclusion: Roborock Takes Back First Place
With the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock makes a strong comeback and regains leadership in its preferred market. The integration of the FlexiArm™ fills a gap in baseboard cleaning, and the vibrating mop proves its effectiveness , rivaling rotating systems.
The design is sleek and more compact, despite slightly smaller tanks that shouldn't impact performance on large areas (up to 200 m²). The multifunctional base with washing and hot air drying is a definite plus. The app is comprehensive and intuitive, and the "Hello Rocky" voice command is a nice little extra.
While the front camera could be more responsive, and the dream of washing with hot water remains a pipe dream for now, it's the detection speed, responsiveness, and fluid navigation that set it apart from the competition. It's surprisingly confident in its movements, optimizing its route and decisions in real time.
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is undoubtedly one of the best robot vacuums of 2024, if not the best for those looking for formidable efficiency, advanced artificial intelligence and innovative cleaning features.
To further your quest for automated cleaning and discover other models, read this Comparison of robot vacuum cleaners and mops !
Feel free to share your own experiences and questions in the comments below!
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