in Robotics

I compared two of the best Roborock models on the market – and it came down to the wire

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • The Roborock Saros 10 is available for $1,599.
  • This robot vacuum and mop does it all, with 22,000Pa of suction power, a retractable LiDAR sensor that easily fits under furniture, and a vibrating mopping plate that removes stubborn stains on hard floors.
  • Unfortunately, the docking station has required intervention twice due to clogging issues.

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2025 has been a big year for Roborock. The company launched two flagship robot vacuum and mop combinations, each a powerhouse robot. Yet, they were largely overshadowed by the announcement of the Roborock Saros Z70<!–>, a robot vacuum with a robotic arm to pick up obstacles and clean underneath them. 

However, testing both the Saros 10–> and Saros 10R<!–> has made it evident that these are, thus far, the best robot vacuum and mop models of the year.

Also: I knew this robot vacuum was a winner just hours after testing it – here’s why

This assessment may change when I test the Roborock Saros Z70, which has some big promises to fulfill. But having tested the Saros 10R, I was curious to see how the other flagship, the Saros 10, compared. The Saros 10 and 10R are priced at $1,599, as Roborock is driving home the ‘dual flagship’ angle, so deciding between the two can be a bit confusing.  

It’s not like one is better on paper or in performance; they are simply two different robots. However, each one is better suited for different situations. 

Also: The latest robot vacuum innovation will have carpet and upholstery lovers drooling

The Roborock Saros 10 I tested has a white and gray dock and body that looks quite different from most other robot vacuums. The frosted glass look and dual-color design make the robot stand out on the market, but it’s also not an eyesore like some others can be, so it looks good at home. While it’s also available in black, I’ve become partial to the white version.

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The robot itself is thin, Roborock’s thinnest robot yet, to be exact. It’s only 3.14 inches tall off the ground, with a retractable LiDAR sensor on top. Whenever the robot approaches low-clearance furniture, the LiDAR sensor retracts, staying tucked inside the robot while it cleans under the furniture. 

Also: This iOS 18.4 feature gives robot vacuum users a major connectivity upgrade

I have a few furniture pieces that most robot vacuums can’t fit underneath, and I was glad to see this robot fit smoothly under them. This means less manual cleaning and less pushing furniture around to mop hard-to-reach areas. 

<!–> Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum and mop
Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The Roborock Saros 10 also has strong suction power, with 22,000Pa. This is over twice as strong as the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra–>

, which took the market by storm just last year. 

That power translates into effective cleaning on carpets, even medium-pile rugs. The robot vacuum and mop automatically increase cleaning power over carpets, and the device has proven to be a menace against pet hair in my home. 

Also: The best robot vacuum deals of April 2025: Save on Roomba, Roborock, Eufy, and more

My dog is shedding his winter coat, and each year around this time, it feels like he leaves a trail of hair in his wake. The Saros 10 is strong enough to remove hair from hard floors and all the rugs at home. And it does so without getting stuck on random objects or cords on the floor, which is a huge plus.

<!–> Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum and mop
Maria Diaz/ZDNET

This robot is intelligent enough to handle obstacles in its path so it doesn’t get its roller brush stuck on random objects, which was interesting to test. The Roborock Saros 10 has the best object avoidance feature out of all the robot vacuums I’ve tested. 

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With three little ones and a rambunctious dog, my house is constantly like a minefield of tiny toys, crayons, pieces of paper, charging cords, kinetic sand, socks, and many more items that robot vacuums love to suck up. Traditionally, the robots that grab these things require intervention to remove items from the immobilized roller brush. 

<!–> Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum and mop
Maria Diaz/ZDNET

This requirement means you can leave your house and command the robot to clean in your absence, only to return hours later and find the robot stuck on a Lego brick three minutes into cleaning. With most robot vacuums, you must pick up every item off the floor to ensure your robot doesn’t get its brush caught. This approach isn’t feasible for many parents whose kids, like mine, drop toys like my dog drops strands of hair. 

Also: One of the most innovative robot vacuums I’ve tested takes big risks – that mostly pay off

But the Roborock Saros 10 is so great at obstacle avoidance that it’s only gotten caught once in the month I’ve been testing it. The offending party was a stack of sticky notes left on the floor by a creative child. For comparison, I tested the Dreame X50 Ultra during the same month, which also has excellent obstacle avoidance, and it’s gotten its roller brush stuck on different objects six times.

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The LiDAR sensor completely retracts into the robot.

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The only times I had to intervene with the Saros 10 were clogs on the docking station. The first time was due to the stack of sticky notes and the other time was because of some leaves my dog brought inside. Both times, the dock needed intervention to remove items clogging the mop-washing brush, which was easy. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Roborock Saros 10<!–> is the perfect robot vacuum and mop for those who prioritize high suction power and have low-clearance areas that require cleaning, like under furniture. This robot is advanced enough to reliably and precisely navigate your home without you having to pick up every charging cable or item from your floor. 

Also: This robot vacuum performs as well as some flagship models (and it’s cheaper than ever)

The mopping feature is another great selling point. The Saros 10 features a pad instead of dual rotating mop pads like the Saros 10R. However, the Saros 10 mop pad has the Roborock VibraRise 4.0 system, which vibrates the entire mopping plate to tackle stubborn stains on hard floors, including wood, tile, and vinyl. This robot has left my hardwood floors gleaming, giving my entire home that freshly mopped feeling with little intervention. 

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The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.

Also:Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what’s next. Here’s what we know

Consumers may also experience notable price increases on robot vacuums and smart home products. Manufacturers are exploring options such as relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such transitions are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for robot vacuums due to these trade policies.

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