Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra: Ultimate cleaning with AI and precision
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra. Picture: Noel Campion.
Roborock has consistently been a front-runner, known for its innovative designs and exceptional performance. The latest entrant, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, is no exception.
On the robot's top, you'll find three multifunctional buttons that serve as home, power, and mop buttons. The lidar dome on top, protected by a bump sensor, houses three microphones for the "Hello Rocky" voice assistant, enhancing the robot's interactive capabilities. At the back are charging contacts and an internal 1-litre water tank placed to optimise the robot’s performance.
Under the robot's top is a removable lid, where you’ll find a redesigned 270ml dustbin with a washable paper filter and an improved airflow system. The only downside is that the dustbin is smaller than previous models, but you can set how frequently it empties into the dock dustbin bag during a cleaning session.
The dock includes a washboard for the new circular side mop, charging contacts, and a fill port for refilling the robot’s water tank. It also houses the dust extraction port, a 2.77-litre dust bag, and a 580ml auto detergent tank. I bought a Roborock branded detergent from Amazon for this, which worked out great.
The clean water tank holds 4 litres, while the dirty water tank has a capacity of 3.5 litres. This is larger than the previous model (S8 Pro Ultra) and helps reduce the frequency of refills and ensure that the robot can handle extensive cleaning tasks without frequent interruptions. How often you need to replenish the fresh water and dispose of the waste will vary greatly depending on the frequency of cleaning and floor area. For me, it was a weekly chore that only took a few minutes. The dock's dustbin bag took a couple of months to fill. The only unpleasant chore is cleaning the trays, but it only takes a few minutes every few weeks.
The S8 MaxV Ultra boasts the new Reactive AI 2.0 system, which includes an RGB camera, 3D structured light sensors, and an LED light for navigation in the dark. This advanced setup is designed to improve obstacle detection and avoidance, allowing the robot to navigate seamlessly through various lighting conditions.
The AI system enables the robot to recognise and avoid common household obstacles such as furniture, cables, and pet waste, making it an intelligent assistant in maintaining a clean home. However, ensuring the floors are relatively clear before a cleaning session is good practice. In my two months of use, there were only a couple of times when the robot got a large object stuck in the rollers, pausing the routine. I could remotely start a cleaning routine with confidence, knowing it would finish and do a great job.
The Reactive AI 2.0 system is excellent. In two months, it avoided getting caught up in a cable. It can avoid many other objects, too, including pet waste, but thankfully, I never had to put it to that test.
The RGB camera allows for photo captures of avoided objects, which are viewable in the app, providing insights into the robot's navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities. This feature comes with an extra layer of security to ensure privacy, and you can turn it off if you’re uncomfortable with it. You can remotely control the robot with a first-person view from the app, which I found was a great way of checking in on home-alone pets. There’s even a cruise mode that you can set to go to specific waypoints on the map. While the camera is active, the robot has an audible alert saying the camera is active.
The S8 MaxV Ultra features a new side mop that spins at 185 RPM, designed to clean closer to skirting boards and furniture. Although this is a small mop, I found it very effective at cleaning along the edges of my floors.
The front spinning brush, or flexi arm, is designed to reach into hard-to-reach areas like corners. This innovative cleaning mechanism ensures no spot is left untouched, providing a comprehensive cleaning solution. After a few firmware updates, the flexi arm has improved in performance. It can detect corners and automatically extends to ensure no corner is untouched.
The robot includes a removable side and main mopping pad with VibraRise 3.0 technology, which vibrates at up to 4,000 RPM. The main mop can lift to 20 mm to clear most carpets. The brush can lift for mopping only, the mop can lift during carpet and vacuum-only cleaning, and both can lift when returning to the dock.
The vibrating mopping system, combined with the liftable mop, makes the S8 MaxV Ultra a versatile cleaning tool capable of handling various floor types and cleaning challenges. I found it incredibly effective at cleaning light stains on my hard floors and yet capable of removing pet hairs from my low-pile rug.
The dock features hot water mop washing, which claims to reach temperatures up to 60 degrees Celcius and is designed to enhance the mop-cleaning process for a cleaner mop.
The dock’s design includes a two-piece drain filter that opens up for easy cleaning. The mop is cleaned by a spinning brush roller that slides back and forth on a track across the mop. When it has finished cleaning the mop, it will use hot air to dry the mop to ensure there’s no smell or chance of mould. This system ensures that the mop is thoroughly cleaned and ready for the next use, minimising manual intervention.
The S8 MaxV Ultra performed admirably in my carpet pickup test, thanks to its 10,000 Pascal-rated vacuum motor. This powerful suction capability and duel rollers ensure that even the smallest particles are picked up, leaving carpets thoroughly cleaned.
The robot vacuum also performed well on tile floors, and the side mop and Flexi arm were crucial in reaching and cleaning the edges and corners, areas typically challenging for robotic vacuums.
The robot's excellent navigation system methodically covers the entire floor area, leaving no spot untouched.
As robot vacuum cleaners go, the S8 MaxV Ultra's low noise levels make it suitable for use in various settings without causing significant disturbances. Its slightly quieter operation is a notable improvement over the S8 Pro Ultra.
Roborock's app remains one of the best in the industry, offering numerous settings and customisation options. The app’s intuitive design and robust functionality make controlling and monitoring the robot’s performance easy.
The built-in "Hello Rocky" voice assistant allows for hands-free operation and doesn’t need a network connection to work, which is great for those concerned about privacy. Of course, there’s still support for Alexa, Google Home, and Siri. The only downside is that you need to learn the exact voice commands, or Rocky won’t know what you’re asking it to do.
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is an impressive technology offering several innovative features. For those willing to invest in a top-of-the-line robotic vacuum, it offers excellent cleaning capabilities, advanced navigation, and many convenient features. Overall, it is a formidable addition to any smart home, particularly for users prioritising cutting-edge technology and comprehensive cleaning solutions.
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra €1,513 www.robocleaners.com
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