Roborock S7 Review: Finishing Up the Cleaning at Sonic Speed
Roborock S7 robot vacuum test: wipe up at the speed of sound
"The ability to vibrate at up to 3,000 times per minute means superficial stains disappear faster."
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Smart navigation makes it efficient
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Quiet operation
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Sonic mopping requires fewer passes to mop
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Goes over partitions / humps with ease
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On the expensive side
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The rubber brush can still get tangled
Roborock has had an incredible ride over the past few years. The company, which was once an unknown player in the field of robot vacuum, competes against some of the heavyweights like iRobot, Shark and Ecovacs, thanks in part to its diverse and powerful models.
The latest model, the Roborock S7, has the same basic ingredients that made its previous bots such a success, such as a combination of vacuum and mop, but its differentiator over the competition is its sonic vibration technology with wiping. Bad spots could soon be a thing of the past if this new implementation actually works.
A well-known bot that cleans efficiently
The Roborock S7 is not that different from its siblings. There are a few subtle changes such as: B. fading in and out "breathing" LED lights, a more compact water container and above all a new solid rubber brush. Aesthetically, it doesn't differ from previous designs we've seen from Roborocks Bots. The same characteristic features are present here, such as the protruding lidar sensor array, the rubberized side sweeping brush and the all-plastic construction.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
In terms of cleaning, the Roborock S7 cleans efficiently thanks to its lidar-based navigation. It accurately maps rooms and does a good job of avoiding most obstacles. The occasional cord on the floor can trip it, but it can navigate challenging spaces by trying to clean in straight lines. The sweeping brush on the side guides dirt well to the solid rubber brush on the underside. However, after a few cleaning sessions, I found that the hair was curled up and tangled in the center of the brush.
Still, he manages to vacuum up some of the annoying pieces of trash in my apartment. Carpets are treated decently as with their 2500 Pa suction they pick up most of the superficial things but not nearly pick up the hard, embedded parts my cordless vacuum cleaner can collect.
Is Sonic Mopping Technology Legitimate?
The marquee of the Roborock S7 is its new sonic mopping technology. All of Roborock's previous vacuum cleaners use the pulling method. Honestly, I'm happy with it, but it doesn't necessarily disinfect surfaces – something very few bots can do.
Fewer passes are required to remove stains from solid surfaces.
The S7's sonic mopping technology has a new brush attachment and microfiber mopping pad with a better feel. What happens here is that the mopping pad vibrates at a speed of up to 3,000 times per minute. It's different, yet effective, in that it requires fewer passes to remove stains from solid surfaces – like tiny drops of dried coffee on tiles. Now the hard, deep stains aren't removed, like the streaks that sneakers can leave on tile and that a good old mop with enough pressure and scrubbing can achieve. But hey, at least it wipes floors as efficiently as vacuum cleaners. Time is money so I'm impressed with how quickly the job gets done, although I would still love to find a way to sanitize surfaces.
Even better, the S7 pulls back the mopping pad as it passes over bumps, partitions, and carpet, and then brings it back down to apply the pressure it needs to sonic wipe. Other 2-in-1 combinations require you to remove the mopping pad so that they can vacuum carpets.
You can hardly hear it being cleaned
With two people working from home and having conference calls all day long, I'm very impressed with how quietly the Roborock S7 cleans. It's loudest when it comes to carpets, but it's almost unnoticeable as it cleans wood floors and tiles. There is a slight hum when it is swept, but it's quiet enough to be drowned out with some background music.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
In addition, the Roborock S7 is a competent robotic vacuum cleaner as it is equipped with all the modern conveniences that I long for. This includes the support of voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, the ability to set up virtual boundaries / restricted areas and to clean certain rooms. All of this makes the Roborock S7 a well-rounded bot that can clean quietly and effectively while you are at home.
Our opinion
There is nothing that the Roborock S7 cannot handle. It cleans well, doesn't waste time, and its new wiping system is a small but effective step forward. It's not a game changer in the world of wiping, but changing it just makes it more efficient.
The only disadvantage of this otherwise pinpoint robot vacuum is its price. At $ 649, it is almost at the top of the Roborock product range – only surpassed by the camera-dead Roborock S6 MaxV. It's a tough sale as I prefer the added functionality of the S6 MaxV's built-in camera for intelligent obstacle avoidance and live streaming.
How long it will take?
Even with the all-plastic construction, the S7 has some serious problems. The only problem I have is the plastic part on the mop pad attachment that allows it to vibrate back and forth. It seems to be on the fragile side, especially when the pad is removed from the Velcro straps. However, there is a 1 year limited warranty.
Is there a better alternative?
Yes, the Roborock S6 MaxV mentioned above isn't too far off in terms of price – a compelling option due to the advantages of its integrated camera. It cleans just as effectively whether vacuuming or mopping.
Should you buy it?
Yes, just because some people are not yet familiar with the idea of a vacuum with a camera. The Roborock S7 is essentially the S6 MaxV without a camera, but with an improved wiping system.
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