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Roborock S6 Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop

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Roborock S6

The Roborock S6 is a recently launched high-end robot vacuum, developed and manufactured in the East. While Chinese-based robot vacuums may raise a flag of caution for some, the Roborock name continues to stand out from the field as a high-quality option with features comparable to Roomba models in the US.Check Price

Pros

  • Smarter navigation allows the S6 to learn floor plans, remember room locations and names, and offer custom cleaning cycles
  • 50% quieter operation over the Roborock S5
  • Operates as a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop

Cons

  • Not a significant jump in quality or features over the preceding Roborock S5
  • Struggles with fine debris, like sugar, when cleaning carpet

Note On Models & Names

Learning the trick for exactly how Roborock names their different models can be a little foggy at time. For clarification, we created a guide to Roborock naming. You can check out the full explanation of Roborock reviews and comparisons here for additional information.

Roborock S6 Design

The design of the Roborock S6 looks similar to the Roborock S5 in terms of overall aesthetics. It has a white body with a navigational sensor in the middle and control buttons located at the top of the vacuum.

Roborock S6 vacuum side view
Roborock S6 vacuum side view

There is a bright orange accent along the raised portion of the navigational sensors which helps to provide some visual interest and

The S6 is available in three colors:

  1. White
  2. Black gloss
  3. Rose gold

What controls are on the top?

The top of this robot vacuum is similar to the preceding Roborock S5, but with a little more simplicity. Like the S5, there is still the centrally-located navigational sensor right in the middle of the vacuum.

Roborock S6 robot vacuum
Roborock S6 robot vacuum from top view

There are three small buttons above the camera, which allow you to:

  • Power on / off (middle button, long press)
  • Start / pause a cleaning cycle (middle button, short press)
  • Spot clean (far left button)
  • Send to charger (far right bottom)
Roborock S6 button controls on top
Roborock S6 button controls on top

What’s on the bottom of the vacuum?

The underside of this vacuum has also gone through a bit of an overhaul compared to older Roborock robot vacuums.

The underside of the Roborock S6 robot vacuum
The underside of the Roborock S6 robot vacuum

Many features are still the same, like the:

  • Edge sensors: to prevent the vacuum from “driving” off edges like stairs (The S6 comes with 6 edge detecting sensors).
  • Contact sensors: helps to tell the vacuum when it has made contact with the charging station and is properly charging
  • Spiral brushroll: centrally located in the middle of the vacuum with bristles for agitating and collecting debris directly in the cleaning path
  • Wheels: 2 large wheels for navigating over obstacles (up to 2cm) and one smaller steering wheel in the front for balance

One part that has been redesigned includes the side spinning brush on the underside of the S6. With most other robot vacuums we’ve tested to date, this brush is usually design as a 2 or 3-legged brush with spinning soft bristles.

Roborock S6 navigation sensors

However, on the Roborock S6, instead of traditional style bristles, this model uses a 5-legged rubberized sweeper. Rubberized sweepers may do a better job of sweeping debris out of the path and gripping onto it a little better.

Roborock S6 robot vacuum - side spinning brush
Roborock S6 robot vacuum – side spinning brush

When we ran our cleaning performance tests of this vacuum it did not seem to clean significantly better or worse compared to the Roborock S5.

That said, I would expect the rubber brush to be more durable compared to the soft bristle brushes.

Cleaning Modes

The Roborock S6 comes with five main cleaning modes, including:

  1. Carpet mode: As the name might suggest, Carpet Mode is best for cleaning carpeted floors. This mode runs at a higher suction power and the brushrolls agitate dust and debris from even high-pile carpet fibers.
  2. Quite mode: Cleans the floors at a quieter decibel level, which may also indicate a lower suction as well. Quiet mode is a nice option for low-traffic levels or cleaning hardwood floors.
  3. Mopping mode: Mopping mode uses the on-board water reservoir and mopping mops to gently mop hard surface flooring like hardwoods, tile, vinyl, or linoleum. Note, you are able to vacuum and mop at the same time (when cleaning hard surfaces).
  4. Turbo mode: In Turbo mode, the main aim of the S6 is high speed cleaning. If you want to cover a larger area in a shorter span of time, Turbo mode is a great mode to have on-hand.
  5. Max mode: Max mode is intended for area where you need a higher level of suction, like high traffic areas or high pile carpet or dense rugs.

Size & Dimensions

The Roborock S6 is pretty average in size, weight and height compared to other robot vacuums on the market.

  • Diameter: 13.8″
  • Height: 3.5″
  • Weight: 8 pounds
Roborock S Size

Accessories & Parts

To get started all you really need is the robot vacuum (with brushes and filters installed) and the charging station. While additional accessories aren’t absolutely necessary, they are nice to include depending on exactly how you plan on using the vacuum.

Roborock S6 cleaning accessories
Roborock S6 cleaning accessories

What’s in the box?

Here is a complete list of parts and accessories induced with the Roborock S6 robot vacuum:

  • Charging station: provides a centrally located place for the vacuum to recharge between cleaning cycles
  • Moisture-proof mat: this mat goes under the charging station when mopping
  • Cleaning tool: allows you to clean in the crevices of the vacuum to maintain optimal performance
  • Spiral brushroll: this tool is mainly used for cleaning carpeted floors and spins as it cleans, to agitate and collect debris from deep within the fibers of various flooring types
  • Dust bin: a decent-sized dust bin for capturing dry debris during cleaning cycles
  • HEPA filter: a filter located in the dust bin that helps to capture fine particulates while cleaning
  • Mopping reservoir: a thin tank for water to use when mopping
  • Mopping pad: these pads velco onto the bottom of the vacuum and helps to scrub the floor while its mopping. Roborock includes 2 reusable mopping clothes and 10 disposable mopping clothes.
  • Water tank filter: helps to capture any dirt or debris that the mopping pad may miss during a mopping cycle
  • User manual: provides information about the use and care of the Roborock S6
  • Spare parts: As backup replacements, the S6 includes 2 reusable mopping pads, 2 filters, and spare mopping pad connectors.

RELATEDMore robot vacuum reviews from Modern Castle

Roborock S6 Features

The Roborock S6 robot vacuums comes with a number of nice features that really help to put this vacuum on par with other high-end models.

Roborock S6 on the charging base
Roborock S6 on the charging base (with the included moisture-proof pad)

The list below outlines some of the most impressive features:

2-in-1: Vacuum & Mop

The Roborock S6 has the ability to wet mop and vacuum simultaneously, making it a versatile cleaning tool for a variety of jobs.

When it’s vacuuming…

The Roborock S6 uses the central brushroll to agitate debris and and suction it into the dust bin. For debris along edges or corners, the spinning brush helps to capture debris and sweep it into the cleaning path.

Close up of the dustbin on the Roborock S6
Close up of the dustbin on the Roborock S6

This cleaning technique applies for all floor types, including hardwood, tile, carpet, etc.

When it’s mopping…

The Roborock S6 uses the on-board mopping reservoir and a Velco-attached mopping map to gently scrub away debris and stuck-on residue from hard surface flooring.

The S6 offers adjustable water flow to make sure that the machine is using the right amount for the type of job and floor type that it’s working on.

Mopping pad installed on the bottom of the Roborock S6
Mopping pad installed on the bottom of the Roborock S6

App Control

The Roborock S6 is wifi-compatible and can be controlled using the Roborock Mi Home app on your smartphone.

From the app, you can:

  • Start / stop a cleaning
  • Change cleaning mode
  • Send the robot back to the charging base
  • View digital map
  • Draw “No Go Lines” for custom boundary cleaning
  • Establish zones or send the robot to a particular spot
Roborock S5 app control
Controlling cleaning mode on the app

Smart Navigation & Mapping

The Roborock S6 is equipped with advanced navigation technology as well. Some of the features that the S6 offers in terms of navigation include:

  • Zoned cleaning: Name each space to help the S6 better know the areas where it is cleaning. “Kitchen”, “Bedroom”, and “Living Room” are just a few examples of names that the S6 could recognize.
  • Calculated cleaning: As the S6 cleans, it is simultaneously developing algorithms to calculate a “smarter” and more efficient cleaning path.
  • Digital map reports: When using the Mi Home Roborock app, the S6 will generate cleaning maps so you can see exactly how

Recharge & Resume

The Roborock S6 also has a feature that is equivalent to “Recharge and Resume” on the Roomba robot vacuums.

Basically the Roborock S6 will navigate around the space cleaning and then when it’s time to charge, it can drive itself to the charger, juice up, and then return to the spot where it last cleaned.

Roborock S6 vacuuming carpet
Roborock S6 vacuuming carpet

This lengthens the overall cleaning time and allows you to tackle larger spaces in one cleaning cycle.

No-Go Zones

The Roborock S6 can use the app to create zones for cleaning and zones to be skipped. We call these sensitive areas “No Go Zones”. Much like the Neato Botvac D7 Connected, the Roborock S6 can easily skip over certain rooms or broader areas.

Cleaning Performance

The following tests are performed in the Modern Castle lab as well as some tests on the high-traffic floors of my personal home.

Roborock S6 cleaning hardwoods
Roborock S6

We test on three different floor types, including:

  • Hardwood floors
  • Low pile carpet
  • High pile carpet

We also did mopping tests on hardwoods in the lab as well as throughout hardwoods and tile in my home.

Overall

89%

Hardwood

100%

Low Carpet

85%

High Carpet

82%

For each floor type we test the vacuum cleaner against:

  • Rice – 0.5 ounces
  • Dry Cereal – 0.5 ounce
  • Kitty Litter – 0.5 ounces
  • Sugar – 0.5 ounces

Each of the aforementioned debris types was spread across our testing lane. The base surface of our testing lane is an engineered hardwood floor. For our carpet tests, we slide in a low pile and high pile carpet insert on top of the hardwood floor.

Cleaning test debris types
Testing Debris – From left to right: Rice (3 oz.), Kitty Litter (3 oz), Cereal (1 oz), Sugar (3 oz)

Our vacuum cleaning process strives to be as consistent, fair, and true to real world use as possible. Our tests utilize the following procedure:

  1. Measure the weight of the testing debris
  2. Spread the respective debris type evenly across the central portion of the testing lane.
  3. Run the vacuum cleaner over the testing lane.
  4. Measure the weight of the debris that the vacuum removed from the lane.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

When cleaning hardwoods, the Roborock S6 was basically perfect. It was able to capture 100% of the debris and leave the floor virtually spotless.

Roborock S6 robot vacuum - hardwood cleaning performance test
Roborock S6 robot vacuum – hardwood cleaning performance test

Low Pile Carpet Cleaning

Cleaning low pile carpet, the Roborock S6 did have a noticeable drop in performance, but it was mostly due to struggling with fine debris, like sugar and kitty litter

Roborock S6 robot vacuum - low carpet cleaning performance test
Roborock S6 robot vacuum – low carpet cleaning performance test

The S6 cleaned 85% of debris overall from the low pile carpet.

High Pile Carpet Cleaning

When cleaning high pile carpet, we saw similar results to when it was cleaning the low pile carpet. From a glace, it looks mostly clean, but up close you can see that it also struggled with fire debris, mainly sugar.

Roborock S6 robot vacuum - high carpet cleaning performance test
Roborock S6 robot vacuum – high carpet cleaning performance test

The S6 only cleaned 82% of debris overall from the high pile carpet.

Mopping Cleaning Performance

To analyze the mopping performance, we set the S6 loose in my home to see how it would perform. I would not call my home excessively dirty as I do clean the floors regularly.

However, I do live in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the dustiest places in the US.

Roborock S6 robot vacuum mopping pad - after use
Roborock S6 robot vacuum mopping pad – after use

The mopping pad was still able to collect an impressive amount of dirt and dust.

Usability & Maneuverability

Usability and maneuverability on the Roborock S6 was easy to use. The controls on the top of the robot are intuitive and simple.

The Roborock app also provided some additional features that provide more feedback from cleaning cycles and cleaning reports. For better usability, the app is certainly something you’d want to set up.

Roborock S6 driving onto charging base with moisture-proof mat
Roborock S6 driving onto charging base with moisture-proof mat

Concerning maneuverability, the S6 is about as maneuverable as any other round robot vacuum on the market. It’s relatively lightweight, short enough to squeeze under most furniture and not excessively wide.

  • Weight: 8 pounds
  • Width: 13.8″
  • Height: 3.5″
  • Turning: 360°
Roborock S6 robot vacuum review
Roborock S6 robot vacuum review

Roborock S6 Maintenance

Maintenance on the Roborock S6 is straightforward and really only requires a few simple tasks, listed below:

  1. Regularly empty the dust bin: Empty dry debris into the trash after every use.
  2. Wash out and refill the water tank reservoir: Pour out any leftover water from the reservoir and refill it with fresh mopping water.
  3. Wash dust bin and HEPA filter: Allow to dry for 24 hours before using again.
  4. Replace HEPA filters (as needed)
  5. Change water tank filter (as needed): The manufacturer recommends to replace it every 1-3 months.
  6. Replace battery (as needed): The manufacturer doesn’t provide an estimate for battery lifespan. Most robot vacuum batteries last 2-3 years.
Proper maintenance of all parts and accessories helps to keep the S6 running smoothly
Proper maintenance of all parts and accessories helps to keep the S6 running smoothly.

Is the Roborock S6 a good value?

So all things considered, is the Roborock S6 worth the cost to make it a good value?

The answer on this one would probably typically be yes, but that’s without the context of other vacuums on the market.

The Roborock S6 certainly has a wide range of features and capabilities. It is easy to use, has a long run time, and doubles as a mop and a vacuum. These are all really great things.

The part that irks me just a little is the close resemblance between the S6 and the S5 (the previous model).

Roborock S6 dust bin container
Roborock S6 dust bin container

These models have the same battery capacity, run time, and general style. They both connect to wifi for remote control and had extremely similar cleaning performances.

For the extra cost of the S6, I would have liked to see some additional unique features that were only available on the S6. I think this would have helped make it feel like a better value.

Roborock S6 Specifications

Specifications
TypeRobot
ManufacturerRoborock
ModelS6
Diameter13.8"
Height3.5"
Weight8.0 lbs.
Floor TypeAll (indoor)
Battery5,200 mAh
Run Time150 mins
Dust Bin Capacity480 mL
Water Tank Capacity (for mopping)140 mL
Cleaning Area~2700 sf.
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Should you buy the Roborock S6?

So we’ve looking at design, size, usability, cleaning performance, maintenance, and overall value.

Still asking yourself if buying the Roborock S6 is right for you?

Roborock S6 is best for:

  • If you want a long run time: The large 5,200 mAh capacity battery allows for up to a 150 minute run time before needing to recharge. In addition to that, the Recharge & Resume feature allows the S6 to clean for even longer.
  • If you want great navigation: The Roborock S6 model includes so many difference features that are designed to improve the overall navigation of this vacuum. On-board sensors, digital mapping, “Z-style” cleaning path lines, and app-based cleaning zones are just a few ways that the S6 excels in navigation.
  • If you want a vacuum and a mop: While we can’t really say that the S6 replaces a full-size mop, it is definitely able to provide a good level of clean in between more extensive moppings. The fact that the S6 can vacuum and mop at the same time makes it easy to perform both tasks within a single cleaning cycle.

For more information on the Roborock S6 robot vacuum, visit Roborock.com.

Robo Vac With Tons of Features
  • Design - 97%
    97%
  • Performance - 89%
    89%
  • Quality - 94%
    94%
  • Usability - 94%
    94%
  • Value - 92%
    92%
93%

Summary

The Roborock S6 is the newest robot vacuum to join the Roborock family. Its navigation is truly exceptional with features including room mapping, zone cleaning, recharge and resume, digital map reports, and more. It’s able to clean for up to 150 minutes and clean homes up to 2,700 sq. ft. It can also double as a mop using the water tank reservoir. Not a cheap robot by any stretch, but it does pack a ton of features and provide a good value overall.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.