Roborock Q8 vs S8: Which One Will Dominate Your Cleaning Needs
By Elisabeth Christ
Updated August 2024
In the ever-evolving world of smart home technology, robotic vacuums have become indispensable for maintaining a pristine living space with minimal effort. The Roborock Q8 Max and S8 are two standout contenders, each offering a unique blend of advanced features and design. While the Q8 Max brings a balance of power and customization to the table, the S8 focuses on precision and sheer suction strength. These devices are more than just vacuums—they're intelligent cleaning systems designed to navigate your home with precision, adapt to different surfaces, and leave every corner spotless. Whether you're seeking a budget-friendly powerhouse or a premium performer, the Q8 Max and S8 each have something compelling to offer.
Key Takeaways
The Roborock Q8 Max, priced at $599, delivers 5500Pa of suction power and features a DuoRoller™ brush system, paired with PreciSense LiDAR navigation and a 5200mAh battery offering up to four hours of operation. The Roborock S8, at $750, boasts a stronger 6000Pa suction power, twin rubber rollers, VibraRise mopping technology, and the ability to map up to four floors, with support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. The choice between them hinges on whether you prioritize cost-effectiveness and longer operation or enhanced suction power and advanced mopping capabilities.
Roborock Q8 Max
Premium Smart Robot Vacuum with Enhanced Navigation
✓ 5500Pa High Power Suction
✓ PreciSense LiDAR Navigation
✓ Up to 240-minute operation on a single charge
✓ 30 customization levels of mop
Roborock S8 Robot Vacuum
Advanced Smart Robot Vacuum for Efficient Cleaning
✓ 6000Pa suction power
✓ VibraRise mop
✓ Up to 180-minute operation on a single charge
✓ Support recharge-and-resume operation
#1 Price & Design
Roborock Q8 Max
The Roborock Q8 Max, priced at $599, offers a solid blend of advanced features and value for money. Its design is both functional and refined, with dimensions of 13.9 x 13.8 x 3.8 inches and a weight of just 6.6 lbs, making it a lightweight contender in the world of robotic vacuums. The Q8 Max comes with a DuoRoller™ brush system, which enhances its cleaning efficiency across different floor types. The top cover of the base station is elegantly topped with a lid that has a handle, allowing for easy access. Inside, the dust bag is neatly housed, and there’s no need to fuss with flaps when it’s time for maintenance. The water tank and dust bin are cleverly combined into a single module, streamlining the design while ensuring that the vacuum remains compact and easy to handle. Its minimalist yet practical aesthetic makes it a stylish addition to any modern home.
Roborock S8
On the other hand, the Roborock S8, retailing at $750, takes design sophistication to another level with its sleek, circular form factor and premium build quality. Available in both white and black, the S8’s matte finish is resistant to fingerprints, maintaining its pristine look with minimal effort. Measuring 353 mm deep and 96.5 mm tall, the S8 is compact yet robust, embodying a sturdy construction that assures durability. The twin rubber rollers of the S8 are a standout feature, offering an effective cleaning head that adapts well to various surfaces. While the S8 lacks the RockDock Plus that the Q8 Max+ variant boasts, its design is a testament to Roborock’s commitment to blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. The LiDAR navigation system is subtly integrated into the top of the device, contributing to its seamless, unobtrusive look while ensuring precise mapping of your home.
#2 Vacuuming Performance
Roborock Q8 Max
When it comes to raw suction power, the Roborock S8 edges out with its impressive 6000Pa suction capability. This power allows the S8 to tackle dirt, dust, and debris with ease, ensuring that even the tiniest particles are thoroughly removed from your floors. The twin rubber rollers work in tandem to lift dirt from various surfaces, making the S8 particularly effective on both hard floors and carpets. The S8 also features an automatic carpet mode, which adjusts the suction power and brush roll based on the surface type, ensuring an optimal clean. Its 400 ml dustbin, though not the largest, is sufficient for everyday cleaning tasks, and the S8’s ability to clean every nook and cranny is enhanced by its precise obstacle avoidance sensors.
In contrast, the Roborock Q8 Max, with its 5500Pa suction power, delivers a formidable vacuuming performance that rivals many high-end models. The DuoRoller™ brush system ensures that dirt is effectively lifted and removed, while the Reactive Tech Obstacle Avoidance system uses IR technology to navigate around toys, shoes, and other obstacles with precision. The Q8 Max’s vacuum and mop capabilities are complemented by its 770ml large dustbin, which allows it to handle larger cleaning tasks without frequent emptying. The Q8 Max performs exceptionally well on hard surfaces, and its ability to adjust the water flow for mopping adds an extra layer of versatility. While it may not match the S8’s raw suction power, the Q8 Max holds its own with a well-rounded performance that combines power with precision.
#3 Smart Mapping & LiDAR Navigation
Roborock S8
Both the Roborock Q8 Max and S8 are equipped with advanced mapping technologies, but they approach the task with slightly different strategies. The Q8 Max features PreciSense LiDAR Navigation, which excels in smart mapping by creating highly detailed maps of your home. This system enables the robot to navigate efficiently, avoiding obstacles and optimizing its cleaning path. The Q8 Max offers 30 customization levels for mopping, allowing users to fine-tune their cleaning sessions to suit specific needs. The Reactive Tech Obstacle Avoidance system further enhances the robot’s navigation capabilities by using infrared technology to detect and avoid objects on the floor, making it less likely to get stuck or miss a spot.
The Roborock S8 also boasts a robust LiDAR navigation system that uses lasers to map out your home with precision. This system allows the S8 to create multi-level maps for up to four floors, making it ideal for larger homes or those with complex layouts. The S8’s smart mapping capabilities are complemented by various customization options available through the companion app. Users can set no-go zones, adjust cleaning schedules, and fine-tune the robot’s performance based on specific needs. The S8’s ability to clean every corner while avoiding obstacles is enhanced by its obstacle avoidance sensors, which work in tandem with the LiDAR system to ensure a thorough and efficient cleaning experience. Both models excel in navigation, but the S8’s laser-based system offers a slight edge in terms of mapping accuracy and multi-level support.
#4 Mopping Capability
Roborock Q8 Max
Mopping is where the Roborock Q8 Max truly shines. Equipped with a versatile mopping system, the Q8 Max offers 30 levels of customization, allowing users to adjust the water flow based on the type of surface being cleaned. This level of control ensures that delicate floors are treated gently, while tougher stains receive the necessary attention. The Q8 Max’s mop capabilities are complemented by its dual-function module that combines the water tank and dustbin, streamlining the cleaning process. The mop can handle various tasks, from light dusting to more intensive cleaning, and the device performs exceptionally well on hard surfaces. The Q8 Max also features invisible walls and no-mop zones, allowing users to restrict the robot’s movement in specific areas, ensuring that it only mops where needed.
Roborock S8
The Roborock S8, while also capable in the mopping department, approaches the task with a different set of tools. The S8 is equipped with VibraRise technology, which provides an effective cleaning solution for both hard floors and carpets. The VibraRise system vibrates the mop pad at high frequencies, helping to scrub away stubborn stains and dirt. The S8’s 300 ml water tank may be smaller than the Q8 Max’s, but it is sufficient for regular mopping tasks. The S8 also allows users to adjust the water flow through the companion app, offering some level of customization similar to the Q8 Max. However, the S8 lacks the extensive mop customization and combined module design of the Q8 Max, which may make the latter a better choice for those who prioritize mopping as a key feature.
#5 Battery Life & Connectivity
Roborock Q8 Max
Battery life is a critical factor in the performance of any robot vacuum, and both the Roborock Q8 Max and S8 come equipped with a 5200mAh battery that provides ample runtime for most cleaning tasks. The Q8 Max offers up to four hours of operation on a single charge, making it one of the most enduring robot vacuums on the market. This extended battery life is particularly beneficial for larger homes or those with multiple rooms to clean. The Q8 Max also supports 30% faster charging, ensuring that it spends less time docked and more time cleaning. In terms of connectivity, the Q8 Max supports Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for voice control, although it is limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, which may restrict its connectivity options in some homes.
Roborock S8
The Roborock S8, with its 5200mAh battery, provides up to 180 minutes of cleaning on a single charge. While this is slightly less than the Q8 Max, it is still sufficient for most homes. The S8 also supports recharge-and-resume functionality, meaning that if the battery runs low during a cleaning session, the robot will return to its dock, recharge, and then resume cleaning from where it left off. This feature ensures that the S8 can cover large areas without interruption. In terms of connectivity, the S8 shines with support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, providing greater flexibility and compatibility with various home networks. The companion app is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing users to control and customize the robot’s performance with ease. Both models offer strong connectivity and battery life, but the S8’s dual-band Wi-Fi support and recharge-and-resume capability give it a slight edge in this category.
Roborock Q8 vs S8
Final Thoughts
Roborock Q8 vs S8
Both the Roborock Q8 Max and S8 are impressive in their own right, each catering to different user needs. The Q8 Max is ideal for those who want a versatile and budget-friendly robot vacuum that can handle large spaces without frequent recharging. It excels in customization and overall efficiency, making it perfect for families or larger homes. The S8, with its superior suction power and advanced mopping features, is best suited for those who prioritize deep cleaning and precision. It's a great choice for tech enthusiasts and homeowners who want a robot vacuum that adapts seamlessly to various surfaces while maintaining optimal performance. Ultimately, your decision will depend on whether you value cost-efficiency and extended battery life over raw power and cutting-edge technology.
If you like to read more about Robot Vacuum Cleaners, check out our other relevant guides here:
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Roomba I5 vs J5
Roomba J6+ vs J7+
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The Best Robot Vacuums in 2024
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