Roborock S7 vs. S6 MaxV vs. S5 Max: Which One is The Best?

We will compare three Roborock products in this article – S7, S6 MaxV, S5 Max. These variants are the only options in Roborock’s product line with electronic water tank.

Since the S7 was revealed, I thought it appropriate to post something to compare it to the other two.

Let’s start first with a quick look at the specs.

Introduction to Roborock S7, S6 MaxV and S7

Roborock is very active with its product launches. In the year 2020 alone, they released quite a few versions, which are S5 MaxAnd S6 Max VAnd e 4And S4 Max. This Four in one yearWhich is relatively high, considering that other brands like iRobot release an update once a year or so.

The Roborock S7I think it’s more of an upgrade, with a redesigned wiping unit, a new brush roller design, plus a lift feature that automatically raises the pad when it detects carpet.

Regardless, most S7 upgrades are geared toward Improved scanning functions. Are you willing to pay a premium for it?

Roborock S7: The best choice for mopping floors

New vibration feature introduced in S7 Adds a face of excitement Absent in previous Roborock bots. Instead of simply dragging a wet pad across the surface, the second motor vibrates up to 3000 times per minute.

I’ve tested this feature extensively, and it really works and cuts scanning time by more than half. It works best on dry, non-sugar stains like red wine.

The next new feature is the height feature, which raises the pad 4mm if it detects a rug. It solves the problem of removing the pad on mixed surfaces or not. However, carpeting will not automatically be avoided.

I like the new bristle-free design because it’s easier to clean, especially the hair. With the detachable end caps, you don’t need scissors or a blade to get them out.

Roborock S6 MaxV: The Best at Avoiding Obstacles

If the S7 is the best at scanning, the S6 MaxV can avoid obstacles, thanks to its AI technology and front camera. unlike Ecofax T8 AIVI With just one lens, the S6 MaxV’s camera has two lenses, giving it a 3D perspective.

Roborock has constantly updated the S6 MaxV firmware to fine tune its ability to avoid obstacles.

One feature on the S5 Max and S7 is Avoid the little things Below the laser’s line of sight as long as it is within the radius of the camera. Unfortunately, the front camera has blind spots, and if obstacles fall in those areas, you will not avoid them.

Roborock S5 Max: A value-for-money alternative

Last but not least from the trio is the popular S5 Max.

This variant was the first Roborock with an electronic water tank. It remains one of the best performing robot vacuums for both sweeping and mopping – which is a big reason for its popularity.

she has Highest airflow of the three (more than 17 feet per minute)despite having the lowest suction power at 2000Pa.

It’s a big reason why it did so well in percentage cleaning tests. The S5 Max was better at cleaning the built-in dirt than the S6 MaxV and S7.

The S5 Max was surprisingly close to cleaning performance Opposite Roomba S9+which was an even bigger surprise to me.

For me, the The best all-round choice It would be the S5 Max, if you don’t mind the lack of S7 wipe upgrades.

Similarities Between Roborock S7, S6 MaxV and S5 Max

We’ll look at how these three variants are similar in this section.

1. Navigation

All three robots use LIDAR AND SLAM NAVIGATION, which means that it relies heavily on the laser sensor to track its location. One advantage of the laser over the camera-based sensor is that it is not dependent on the light source.

You can use these bots even in dark conditions, unlike other brands that rely on a camera sensor like the Roomba I6.

These robots are very effective in this area and some of them are even better at navigating tight spaces.

The only difference is that the S7 applies the cross pattern, which I think was mainly for scanning. Roborock confirmed that this feature It will be rolled out to older models Same as the S5 Max and S6 MaxV – except for the discontinued variants (S4 and S5).

2. Electronic water tank

These variants use electronic water tanks, providing better control of water flow through the pad. I’ve tested these extensively and found that they work as advertised. The larger capacity enables it to cover more ground, and the water use is very efficient.

One difference is the capacity. The S7 is slightly higher at 300ml or 3ml more than the other two.

3. Two-in-one function

Users will benefit from the versatility they each bring to the table as a robotic broom and mop, and they do both tasks well.

4. Basic app features

When I say basic app feature, I’m talking about basic functionality. These include live maps, save maps, containment (invisible wall, no-go areas, no-go areas), selective room cleaning, unlimited scheduling, etc.

I’ll cover the specialty features in the Variations section. So scroll down to see that information.

5. Battery and runtime

All options have a 5200 mAh Li-ion battery and work for 180 minutes at its lowest level.

The combination of long operating time and intelligent mobility makes these robots usable even in large homes. It is able to navigate through multiple rooms without getting lost.

6. Brush layout

All Roborock products have the same brush design – one side brush and the main brush is enclosed in two wheels.

7. Dimensions

The S7, S5 Max and S6 MaxV have the same dimensions with a width of 13.8 and a length of 3.8.

Differences between S7, S6 MaxV and S5 Max

Next, we will look at the difference between the three. Some of the features I’m going to talk about here are unique to a particular model.

1. Automatically empty base station (S7)

The S7 is the first Roborock with an automatically blank base station, adding itself to a growing list of brands with this feature.

But consumers can only purchase this as an add-on to the robot vacuum. Roborock don’t sell it as a bundle like a Roomba I6 or S9.

Android combo and little base station Cheaper than Roomba S9 + But it’s more expensive than all the other variants I’ve seen so far.

Uses bag system With 3 liter bag Roborock says it can hold up to 8 weeks of debris, more than RoombaThe Ecovacs and my hand.

One unique feature that is not present in other brands, so it has an additional filtration, two to be exact – a primary filter.

It features a ramp-style design where the robot sits, with a wide port below the connection to the primary brush roller. Roborock says they used this design to accommodate larger debris particles.

The base station comes disassembled into two separate parts that need to be assembled.

However, the process is easy, and it even comes with an Allen tool/screwdriver that you can use to tighten the screws.

Roborock did an excellent job of making the process easier by adding engraved marks on the screws to eliminate guesswork. So it is a straightforward process.

Once the screws are installed, they are ready to use.

2. Enhanced Scan (S7)

Roborock introduces VibraRise with the S7. Vibra refers to a vibrating wiping pad that adds an aspect of agitation previously missing.

Improves the efficiency of the S7 in removing stains. Not only will you pull out a damp cloth, but the vibration feature also helps dissolve stains faster.

3. Smart Wiper Lift (S7)

The height refers to the Smart Mop Lift feature that automatically raises the pad by five millimeters when it detects the rug.

4. Carpet detection

The Carpet Sensor also plots these shaded parts on the map, which indicate areas with rugs or carpets.

Unfortunately, the S7 will not automatically avoid these areas. But you can use these shaded areas as a reference to draw blocked or wiped areas.

5. Front camera (S6 MaxV)

The S6 MaxV is the only option with a front camera, which helps it track and avoid obstacles.

Although this technology isn’t perfect, it allows it to evade smaller objects below the laser sensor’s line of sight.

However, the technology is not perfect as there are blind spots, and when things are in these areas, the robot will not avoid them.

The camera doubles as a closed circuit television so users can monitor their homes from the robot’s perspective. Roborock has added authentication procedures, so there’s an extra layer of security.

6. Fully Rubber Brush Roller (S7)

While the S5 Max and S6 MaxV use the same brush roll, Roborock introduces a new design with the S7.

It features an all-rubber design with fins that rotate around the barrel. Not having any bristles means better longer life, and it’s also easier to clean.

I mentioned in the video that the S7 brush fits the S5 Max and S6 MaxV, but the two metal hinges on the brush cap will rub the flaps and create friction. So it is not usable without any modifications.

7. Serialization (S5 Max & S6 MaxV)

Curiously, only the S5 Max & S6 MaxV has a sequencing feature where users can adjust the order in which rooms are cleaned. However, since this is an app feature, I think Roborock can fix that quickly.

App Features in Roborock S7, S6 MaxV and S5 Max

We will review the different application features of these models.

1. Live Maps

This feature shows the real-time location of the robot on the map. So users can see exactly where the bot is and what progress it is making.

2. Savings Map

Users can save Up to four map levelswith the option of zoning and naming rooms and adding as many containment areas as needed.

All Roborock products in its S-Series line have automatic room recognition, detecting the correct map based on an initial scan. There is no need to manually select the correct floor plan if you move it to a different level.

3. Containment

All homes have areas that are not ideal for robots. I call these restricted areas, and all of these bots have features to block such places through the app. There are three options – invisible wall, restricted areas, and forbidden areas.

Invisible walls are lines drawn on the map, which prevent the robot from reaching the areas behind it.

Blocked and unerased areas have similar functions, which block square and rectangular areas.

The S7’s smart mop lift feature reduces the need to automatically lift the pad when it senses carpet.

4. Label the room

Users can split and use custom names for each region. This feature is useful as it helps you locate different areas on the map in a jiffy.

5. Selective room cleaning

Certain rooms can be cleaned through selective room cleaning by clicking on a specific area in the room tab.

Moreover, users can select an appropriate energy level for each room. For example, in areas with hard floors, you can use a low setting to maximize battery life and turn on the carpet boost feature.

6. Four water levels and power settings

With recent app updates, Roborock now has four power and water level settings. In older versions, there were five power settings.

However, only the S7 has Standard and Deep mode. The standard enables the robot to clean and mop simultaneously while the deep setting turns off the vacuum motor and makes cornering tighter. So the last option is a mop-only option.

7. Unlimited scheduling

One of my favorite features of the Roborock app is the option to schedule an unlimited number of cycles without any small gap in between, which was the case with the iRobot app. Users can choose power and water level settings, even the map.

Air Flow Comparison

Reading the S7’s media teaser, Roborock says it has 2,500 Pascals of suction — the same as the S6 MaxV and 500 more than the S5 Max.

However, airflow tests reveal otherwise.

The S5 Max has the most airflow, with up to 17.74 CFM at its highest setting. Next is the S6 MaxV at 15.68 CFM, and the S7 finally at 13.91 CFM.

One possible reason for the S7’s lower score is the larger brush surface area. Unlike the previous design that wasn’t as dense, the S7’s cylinder covering most of the opening may obstruct airflow.

cleaning comparison

Next, we’ll look at how these bots clean different types of debris. I tested it on different types like Quaker Oats, Quinoa, Pet droppings, Hair, Sand, Cheerios, etc.

First, here are the scores.

Overall, the S5 Max scores better than the S7 (slightly), followed by the S6 MaxV. But the difference is not much. One limiting factor is higher deep cleaning results, thanks to the increased airflow.

It was better across the board, and if you don’t mind the lack of advanced scanning features or blockage avoidance, this is my recommendation of the three.

Which is better on hard surfaces?

Judging by the results, the S5 Max is the best. You can’t go wrong with any of the three. I love the new S7 roller because it picks up cleanly with minimal residue on brushes or assembly.

The criss-cross pattern also gives it a slight edge in subtlety.

S7 and S5 Max have identical results in the sand test on hard floors (99.8%), while the S6 MaxV is not far behind (99.7%).

Edge cleaning comparison

All three options are good at cleaning this area.

Check out the before and after pictures of the S5 Max.

S6 MaxV edge cleaning results.

and s7 results.

The S7 and S6 MaxV fared better than the S5 Max, leaving less debris based on our eye test. However, the difference isn’t much, and don’t expect to clean as evenly as D-shaped robots like the Neato D6 or dual-sided brushed options like the Ecovacs T8 and N8 Pro.

Hair wrap comparison

Another comparison we’ll look at is how resistant these robots are to tangling hair from strands of five and seven inches.

The S5 Max was the best of the three, picking up the most strands of hair, at least in the 5-inch test.

• 5 inch test: 0.95 g (or 95%) inside the trash and 0.05 grams (or 5%) About the brush
• 7 inch test: 0.48 g (or 48%) inside the trash and 0.52 grams (or 52%) About the brush

Next in line is an S7 with these results.

• 5 inch test: 0.75 g (or 75%) inside the trash and 0.25g (or 5%) About the brush
• 7 inch test: 0.44 g (or 44%) inside the trash and 0.52 grams (or 56%) About the brush

Here are the results of the S6 MaxV

• 5 inch test: 0.71 g (or 71%) inside the trash and 0.29 grams (or 29%) About the brush
• 7 inch test: 0.54 g (or 54%) inside the trash and 0.46 g (or 46%) About the brush

Of the three, the S7 is the easiest to clean because there are no bristles that get in the way. Just pull the hair sideways, and it will separate. No scissors or blade needed to remove.

These results indicate the need for maintenance, especially if you are your wife or roommate with long hair.

Which is better on the carpet?

The S5 Max, with its higher airflow, fared better than the S7 or S6 MaxV. I picked up nearly 85%While that Two more were selected with less than 80% score..

With surface debris, the results were much closer. My choice for built-in dirt cleaning would be the S5 Max. The other two options are still decent if you appreciate the features they bring to the table.

Cleansing comparison

We will look at how these bots scan for different types of stains in this section. I did a lot of retesting to get an accurate sense of how these variables compare.

I tested each on stains like red wine, grape juice, and tomato juice – not small drops, but over a large area to stress-test and see potential downsides.

First, let’s take a look at the before and after photos.

These photos show how effective these products are at removing stains, even large ones.

Roborock S5 Max results

S6 MaxV نتائج results

Roborock S7 results

What doesn’t appear is the time it took to clean up. The vibration feature of the S7 greatly reduces scanning time. while it took S5 Max and S6 MaxV Twice separate to clear stains, my S7 removed everything with the second pass (wine red).

Please watch the video in the introduction for a more descriptive explanation of the results.

However, I wouldn’t recommend using any of them to clean sugary stains, like grape juice. The sticky surface may cause an error code (8). I noticed the S5 Max and S7 stuck during several tests on grape juice and tomato juice stains. True, this is a big absurdity and may not be the case for the youngest.

Another thing to consider is the time it takes to clean the components underneath of the stain residue.

If you use any of these to clean stains with sugar, the cleaning should be done immediately afterward or expect the ants to come in crawling.

Runtime comparison

All bots will run for up to 180 minutes Or 3 hours thanks to the 5200 mAh Li-ion battery on the lowest setting. The good news is that all the options score well even in this mode, making this a realistic number.

Even with higher modes, these vacuums will last longer than other brands like Roomba due to the higher capacity battery.

Recharge and resume to extend the range because it keeps cleaning if it doesn’t finish the job.

noise comparison

The S7 is the noisiest option as it peaks close to the decibels at the maximum setting.

Check out the table below for the full results.

One of the reasons for the increased noise is the high suction power. All three are relatively quiet at the lowest level, at just under 60 decibels.

maintenance

All robotic vacuum cleaners will require a level of maintenance to operate at their peak. With the scanning feature, additional layers of maintenance are required, which I will summarize below.

1. brush roll: Check this ingredient out at least once a week and clean out any hair or buildup, especially from axons. If you are using any of these brooms for mopping, increase the frequency (once per day). Wipe off any remaining stains on the brush. You can also wash this off using water to remove any sticky buildup.
2. Side brush: Remove any hair stuck to the arms or base. Wipe clean with a damp towel if there is any residue.
3. Wheels: Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe the wheels and side wheels. If there is a sticky residue, move to a slightly dampened towel to remove the sticky.
4. Dustbin and filter: Empty the trash after each run to reduce the risk of dust mite infestation. Both the HEPA filter and the container are washable, so cleaning them thoroughly is easier.
5. Wipe cloth: Wash the wiping pad after each cycle. I would suggest getting more if you use this to wipe daily.
6. Water tank: Use distilled water if possible to prevent mineral buildup from tap water. Vacuum it if you are only going to use it for vacuuming.
7. the body: Wipe it down once every two weeks to remove any fingerprint marks and residue.

Availability of spare parts

The S5 Max and S6 MaxV both have an advantage over the S7 since they are older models.

Availability for parts such as filter or wiping pads is better, plus there is an option to purchase from third-party manufacturers, which lowers cost.

Since the S7 is a new model, it will initially have product availability issues. But eventually, manufacturers will pick up and make parts like the filter, brushes, and pads.

Product Spec.

Where can I buy these bots?

You can buy any of these robots from online stores like Amazon. Check the links below for the latest prices.

• Roborock S5 Max

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON

• Roborock S6 MaxV

BUY NOW FROM Dyson

• Roborock S7

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON

Disclaimer: I’ll earn a commission if you buy from any of the links above, but at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win for us!

Which is the best choice, Roborock S7, S6 MaxV or S5 Max

So the million dollar question here is which one is better? Are S7 Upgrades Enough to Get Premium?

There is not much difference between these three options in terms of cleaning performance.

While the S5 Max is better overall, the gap with the other two isn’t that great.

Consider this model if you need intensive carpet cleaning and don’t want to spend a lot.

The S6 MaxV is excellent if you value obstacle avoidance.

4 reasons to choose Roborock S7

1. Better scanning performance: The shake feature works and reduces scanning time drastically with the red wine stain I tested it on (at least).
2. mop lift: The carpet sensor underneath tells the robot to raise the cushion as it passes over the carpet.
3. cross pattern: This feature adds a level of precision not found in other robotic wipers. Helps the S7 take full advantage of the vibration feature to dissolve stains.
4. New brush design: The bristle-free design is easier to clean.

4 Reasons to Buy S5 Max

1. Best in Embedded Dirt: The S5 Max picked up the most intrusive sand in the deep cleaning test, at close to 85%.
2. money value: This alternative is the least expensive of the three options.
3. high air flow: The high airflow enables it to be one of the best robot vacuums for cleaning surface dirt.
4. above average scan: Even though the S7 doesn’t have a vibration feature, the S5 Max is still decent at spot-cleaning.

4 reasons to choose S6 MaxV

1. obstacle avoidance: The S6 MaxV is the best of the three at avoiding obstacles, thanks to the front camera and artificial intelligence.
2. CCTV capabilities: Users can use the S6 MaxV as a hidden CCTV device with the front camera to see what is happening inside their homes.
3. Decent in cleaning debris: This variant is above average in cleaning surfaces and built-in dirt – almost on par with the other two options.
4. Wipe well: There is not much difference between the S5 Max and the S6 MaxV in clearing spots.

Verdict: What feature do you value most?

Choosing between these three hybrid vacuum cleaner/mop robots will come down to the feature you value most.

People who want value for money should highly consider the S5 Max. If obstacle avoidance is a top priority, the S6 MaxV is a good choice because it also doubles as a CCTV camera.

The S7 is an excellent choice for those who want the best scanning efficiency. With VibraRise, the S7 delivers here where the vibrating pad cleans stains faster than older models.