Conducting and writing this review of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has been particularly insightful. We discovered a depth of functionality that wasn’t immediately apparent. While the robot can be quickly set up and running in approximately ten minutes, exploring its menus and options reveals a high degree of customization and automation. Throughout the testing process, we frequently found ourselves revising our initial assessments as we uncovered previously unknown capabilities. These discoveries consistently unveiled new and interesting features.
Integrated Docking Station Design
The Roborock S8 boasts a discreet design, allowing for easy integration into various home environments. However, the S8 Pro Ultra features a comprehensive docking station that requires dedicated space. The dock presents a cleaner aesthetic than its predecessor, the Roborock S7 Pro Ultra, with a covered design that facilitates blending into modern kitchens, particularly those with white or greyish-black cabinetry. Similar to its predecessor, the dock includes a replaceable dust bag for collected debris, a clean water reservoir for mopping, and a wastewater tank for post-cleaning disposal.
Key improvements over the previous generation include quieter operation, a roughly 15% increase in suction power, enhanced obstacle avoidance, and automatic brush lifting. The dimensions of the dock have marginally increased, but the overall footprint remains largely consistent.
Mopping System Performance
The S8 Pro Ultra shares the core strengths and weaknesses of the S8 model. The primary differentiator lies in its advanced mopping system, which incorporates several integrated features.
Mopping Process
The mopping process begins with the robot briefly detaching from the dock to clean the mop. Subsequently, it initiates cleaning according to the user’s defined preferences. Upon completion, the S8 Pro Ultra lifts both the mop and rotating vacuum brushes before returning to the dock. This procedure is also initiated for mopping-only tasks. The mop is then cleaned before the robot empties collected debris and begins recharging. Finally, the mop is dried using low-intensity ventilation.
Mopping Effectiveness
The integrated mop cleaning system contributes significantly to mopping effectiveness by ensuring the entire mop is thoroughly saturated and cleaned. The mop’s vibration enhances its ability to remove stains and debris. While the precise impact is difficult to quantify, the saturation process ensures consistent cleaning across the robot’s entire width. The rapid drying of the mop prevents unpleasant odors, a notable improvement. Regular mop cleaning is crucial to prevent odors, which can potentially spread throughout the home. The S8 Pro Ultra addresses this issue with its automated cleaning process.
Feature Set
The S8 Pro Ultra offers extensive customization options, allowing users to configure the robot to return to the dock mid-program for mop cleaning. It also supports spot-cleaning (an area of 1.5 x 1.5 meters), initiated via a built-in joystick or by placing a digital pin on the map. Users can create cleaning schedules specifying cleaning frequency and intensity, whether the mop should be cleaned between rooms, carpet vacuuming priority, and more.
These features, combined with the robot’s ability to adapt cleaning patterns during subsequent runs, make the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra a highly capable cleaning solution. The automation provided reduces the need for manual cleaning, offering a systematic cleaning pattern that effectively addresses dust and debris in hard-to-reach areas.
Mopping Performance Evaluation
To evaluate mopping performance, we created a challenging test scenario using a mixture of fatty garlic sauce, coffee powder, dust, and crumbs. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra required three passes to completely remove the mess, demonstrating acceptable performance under demanding conditions. We observed that disabling the vacuum brushes for the initial passes is beneficial in preventing the brushes from becoming excessively soiled. This mirrors the practice of pre-cleaning heavily soiled areas before vacuuming.
Comparison of the mop’s condition before and after cleaning revealed near-complete restoration. A third cleaning cycle ensured optimal cleanliness and odor elimination. The mop was effectively restored to a like-new condition.
Areas for Potential Improvement
While the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra offers a comprehensive feature set, there are areas where further enhancements could be made. Expanding voice control capabilities beyond basic Google Assistant or Alexa integration would be beneficial, allowing users to initiate specific cleaning routines, such as cleaning the kitchen only. The carpet detection feature, while present, occasionally exhibits inconsistencies near edges.
Threshold navigation remains a limitation. While the robot can effectively navigate thresholds up to 2 centimeters, it struggles with higher obstacles. This limitation may pose a challenge in homes with varying floor heights. The Neato D8, a previous benchmark, demonstrated superior threshold navigation capabilities (although it presents other disadvantages compared to the S8).
Conclusion
Investing time in understanding the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra’s settings and functions reveals its sophisticated design and intelligent features. All functions perform reliably and deliver excellent results. The accompanying application is user-friendly and offers numerous smart solutions.
The price point of approximately 16,000 Swedish kronor represents a significant investment. The value proposition depends heavily on individual requirements and living conditions. The S8 Pro Ultra undoubtedly delivers on its promises. For multi-story homes, the S8+ may represent a more suitable option, offering a lower price point and automated dustbin emptying, albeit requiring manual mop maintenance. The S8 offers a more discreet design but necessitates manual cleaning.
For larger single-story homes, particularly those with pets requiring frequent cleaning, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra provides a comprehensive and largely autonomous cleaning solution.
Selecting which aspects to highlight in this review proved challenging due to the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra’s extensive capabilities. We reiterate our key takeaway from this and the previous S8 review: Cleaning performance is exceptional!
Following this extended evaluation, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra solidifies its position as a leading robotic vacuum cleaner.
Roborock provided review units for this evaluation. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial independence.
