Roborock S7 Max Ultra Review

In This Review
Cleaning Performance | Obstacle Avoidance | Navigation | Cleaning Speed | Noise Test | Usability | Maintenance | Size | Specs | Product Evolution | Comparison | FAQs

Video Review

Performance Summary

At Modern Castle we put vacuums to the test.

We test 11 different factors that impact the performance, build quality, and usability of the vacuum. Below is a complete list of our testing categories and their performance.

Test Type	Test Data
Overall Debris Tests	97.8%
Hardwood Floor Test	99.3%
Low Pile Carpet Test	96.7%
High Pile Carpet Test	95.9%
Long Hair Test	76.7%
Pet Hair Test	90.0%
Mopping Test	Excellent
Obstacle Avoidance Test	Partial
Navigation Test	Excellent
Cleaning Speed Test	51-57 mins.
Noise Test	53 dB

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Cleaning Performance Tests

The performance of the S7 Max Ultra did not disappoint. It was incredibly easy to use and delivered on many of the promises made from Roborock.

Debris Tests

To test the debris removal performance of the S7 Max Ultra, we put it through a series of 12 different cleaning tests consisting of 3 different floor types and 4 different debris types.

We measure 0.5 oz. of each debris type, laying it in rows on the floor for the vacuum to clean. Next, we run the S7 Max Ultra over the debris on the highest suction power with a single forward and backward pass. After, we measure how much of the debris remains by weight and compare it to the starting amounts to determine cleaning performance.

Here are the overall results for the Roborock S7 Max Ultra:

The S7 Max Ultra had an overall cleaning score of 97.8%. The average score of all robot vacuums we’ve tested to date is 92.2%. This Roborock model is a good deal higher than the average and only a few percentage points away from perfect.

Let’s take a look at the specific testing data. 

Hardwood Floor Test

For Hardwood floors, we saw a near-perfect 99.3% removal of debris from our testing course. We discovered that there was some cereal stuck to the mop pad after the test. However, it’s likely that this would have been dealt with on its own throughout a longer cleaning cycle or a natural return to the docking station.

Low Pile Carpet Test

On low pile carpets, we saw another amazing showing from the S7 Max. On this surface a bit more was left behind, and it was the smaller debris that stayed on the testing lane. Still, 96.70% is a great removal score.

High Pile Carpet Test

Last, we have high-pile carpets. While it was the surface with the lowest cleaning score, it was just barely behind the low-pile carpet. Again, what was left on the testing course was the smaller debris.

Overall, these are fantastic results for a robot vacuum. The 5500 Pa suction power seems to be more effective with this model than the Roborock Q Revo, which is supposed to have the same level of suction power.

Long Hair Test

To test how well the Roborock S7 Max Ultra manages long hair and avoids tangles, we pit it against 1.0 grams of long hair. We lay the strands on hair on hardwood flooring and run the vacuum over it on the maximum suction power with a single forward and backward pass. After cleaning, we check the floor for hair and the brushroll for tangles.

The S7 Max Ultra was able to remove 100% of the long hair from our testing lane. Not only that, but it had hardly any strands tangled within the brush roll. Out of the 0.3 grams, 0.07 grams was discovered within the brush roll directly after the test.

On average we have found approximately 0.17g tangled within the brushroll. So these are exceptional results for the S7 Max Ultra.

Pet Hair Test

For our pet hair test, we embed 1.0 grams of pet hair into high pile carpet. Next, we run the vacuum over the carpet with a single forward and backward pass on the highest suction power. Finally, we measure the amount of remaining pet hair in the carpet and compare it to the starting amount to determine performance.

The results of our pet hair test show the S7 Max Ultra is effective at removing pet hair from carpet. From two cycles on our high-pile carpet, it was able to remove 90% of pet hair.

Robot vacuums generally don’t have the suction power to do much better than this on this test. In fact, 90% is the second-highest score we’ve found so far. The best is 95%.

A large corded vacuum is typically going to be better suited for ground-in pet hair from high-pile carpets, but 90% is exceptional for robot vacuums.

Mopping Test

To test the mopping performance of the Roborock S7 Max Ultra, we let it perform multiple cleaning runs in our office and studio space. After, we check the mop pads to see how much dirt has built up over time.

From our week-long test in our office, the S7 Max did a great job mopping the floors. The vibrating mop pad is effective at clearing stains and other light, dried gunk on floors.

The S7 Max Ultra uses a vibration mopping style where the mopping pad oscillates roughly 3000 times per minute. This is in contrast to many other robot vacuum models that use the dual spinning pads to clean floors.

The mop pad also is washed and dried within the docking station so we don’t have to manually clean or replace it as often.

Obstacle Avoidance Test

To see how well the Roborock S7 Max Ultra can avoid obstacles in its path while cleaning, we placed 4 objects (a shoe, mug, cord, and fake pet waste) in a cleaning area. We then ran the robot vacuum in this area, watching to see how well it avoided the objects while cleaning.

To test this, we placed 4 objects on the floor and had the robot clean the area. We observed the cleaning cycle to see how well it avoided the obstacles placed in its path. 

Here are the results:

For the S7 Max, the obstacle avoidance was good, but not fantastic. From our test, it was clear that it recognized the shoe, mug, and pet waste, but it couldn’t stop from grazing all three of them. 

It’s fair to say that they were pretty light touches, but it’s undeniable that the device failed to fully avoid each of these obstacles. 

For the cord, even sticking up multiple inches in the air, the S7 Max Ultra showed no sign of detecting it, and it was along for the ride throughout the rest of the test. However, it did not get tangled or force the cleaning cycle to stop.

Navigation Test

In addition to obstacle avoidance, we tested how well the Roborock S7 Max Ultra navigates on a broader scale. We do this by having it run multiple cleaning cycles in our office and studio space and focus on 3 core requirements.  

1. Can it fully clean the space?
2. Can it not get stuck?
3. Can it return to the base?

Here is what we found:

Roborock heavily promotes their navigation features, especially those used via their app. The S7 Max Ultra has 6 distinct sensors that work towards navigation.

Generally, the S7 Max Ultra passed the navigation test without issue. Our office space is incredibly cluttered, and the post-cycle maps show a close, detailed cleaning of the rooms.

There was only one time when the robot became stuck. However, it was on a piece of fabric from an article of clothing that is not typically in the office/testing space.

There are plenty of cords and other more typical hazards that it avoided without issue.

Cleaning Speed Test

Our cleaning speed test showed the Roborock S7 Max Ultra was able to clean out 1,000 sq. ft. office space within 57 minutes. 

Over the week of testing in our office, the robot vacuum consistently finished its cleaning cycle within 51-57 minutes.

Given the complexity of the routes and how closely it will clean around obstacles, this is a fantastic time. On average we see robot vacuums complete their cycle in our office space in approximately 64 minutes.

Noise Test

Vacuums are loud while in operation. To measure how loud, we run them on high pile carpet on each power mode and measure the noise generated with a sound meter. Before the test, we take a measurement of the ambient noise in the room to use as a baseline comparison to the vacuum. 

Power Level	Noise Level
Ambient	40.1 dB
Balanced	68.9 dB
Turbo	69.5 dB
Max	69.7 dB
Max+	70.4 dB
Self-Emptying	78.4 dB

The noise level on the Roborock S7 Max Ultra did not appear to vary to any meaningful degree. As seen in the table above, it generally stayed within 68.9 dB to 70.4 dB.

This test was performed multiple times and the results came up the same every time. In our experience, there was no discernable difference between the “quiet mode” and the “Max+” mode.

Based on our noise guide below, you could have a conversation while in the same room without too much interference. However, this noise range shows the S7 Max Ultra is not suitable for operation during quiet hours.

Furthermore, the 78.4 dB generated by the self-emptying docking station is quite high.

Usability

Usability of the Roborock S7 Max Ultra is fantastic. This has been the typical experience from Roborock robot vacuums so far.

Setup

Setup on the S7 Max Ultra is quick no matter how you slice it. The physical act of going from unboxing to cleaning takes a single person 5-10 minutes.

While these devices usually come with some battery life, Roborock recommends fully charging upon first-time use. These steps include:

• Removing packaging and plastic covers
• Installing mop pad to underside of device
• Plugging in docking station and inserting robot into station
• Filling clean water tank

It’s also recommended to open every compartment on the robot and docking station to familiarize yourself with their function.

The optional, but advisable, step is to connect your device to your mobile device. The typical, tech-savvy person should be able to accomplish this within 5 minutes.
For context, this app and the process of syncing the robot to your phone is, in our subjective opinion, easier than most products with companion apps.

Controls

The controls on this device are simple, intuitive, and many layers deep. 

The physical buttons on the device itself include:

• Power/Clean (press to start, hold to toggle power)
• Spot Clean/Child Lock (press to start, hold to toggle child lock)
• Dock (Press to return to dock, hold to clean mop pad)

The power button uses colors to convey the device’s power level. Spot cleaning will have the device clean within a 4.9 sq. ft. area around itself.

The default cleaning mode by pressing the power button will simply use the mop and vacuum settings on low intensities. However, the app is where you can access much greater control and many of the worthwhile features of the Roborock S7 Max Ultra.

App

The app Roborock uses for the S7 Max Ultra is the same across all their products. If you have multiple, the home screen will allow you to cycle to the specific device you’d like to control

Once the S7 is chosen, you will have access to the following features:

• 3D, Multi-level mapping
• Customized cleaning zones and surfaces
• Suction power (5 options)
• Mopping scrub intensity (3 options)
• One-tap cleaning routines
• Scheduled cleaning
• Do Not Disturb hours
• Remote control
• Voice controls via Alexa, Google Home, or Siri
• Realtime cleaning data
• And much more

The interface is easy to understand and quick to set up. There are also reactive “pings” that let you know the device is responding to your changes.

There are a few gimmicky features like the option to control the device from inputs on your phone. It works well, but the spot cleaning feature is probably the better option the majority of the time.

All in all, the app is great

Maintenance

Maintenance on the S7 Max Ultra is greatly reduced thanks to the sophisticated docking station. It will:

• Empty and refill water tank
• Empty vacuum’s dustbin 
• Clean mop pad
• Dry mop pad
• Charge device

Of course, you will eventually need to refill the clean water, toss the dirty water, and replace the dust bag. For our daily cleaning cycle of office space of 1,000 feet, the water was changed out roughly every three days.

The dust bag is designed to last 7 weeks with typical use. Aside from those, there are plenty of things to watch for over the course of a year of cleaning.

Some of the bigger areas to look out for are:

• Brushroll and surrounding area can accumulate debris and grime (manual suggests replacing every year)
• Side brush can become loose (check and tighten as needed)
• Wash the filter in the vacuum’s dustbin every 6-12 months
• Clean/wipe all sensors, especially if obstacle avoidance performance drops

Size & Dimensions

Size	Measurement
Dust Bin Capacity	350mL
Water Tank Capacity	200ml
Dock Debris Capacity	3 L.
Height	3.8″
Diameter	13.8″
Weight	10 lbs.

Specifications

The following table details the product specifications according to the manufacturer.

Specifications
Type	Robot
Manufacturer	Roborock
Model	S7 Max Ultra
Height	3.8″
Diameter	13.8″
Weight	10 lbs.
Floor Type	All (indoor)
Sensors	LiDAR
Dust Bin Capacity	400 ml
Water Tank Capacity	200 ml
Dock Debris Capacity	2.4 L
Dock Clean Water Tank Capacity	4.0 L
Dock Dirty Water Tank Capacity	4.0 L
Run time	180 min (Quiet Mode)
Suction Power	5500Pa
Obstacle Avoidance	Yes
Zone Cleaning	Yes
Room Cleaning	Yes
Digital Mapping	Yes
Bagless	No
Warranty	2 years
Price	Check Price

Product Evolution

Roborock’s S7 Max Ultra is part of a larger line of models within the S7 series. This includes the S7 Series, S7+, S7 MaxV, S7 Max Ultra, S7 MaxV Ultra, and S7 MaxV Plus. The S series also has multiple S8 models with similar variants to the S7.

The biggest differences between each model are suction power and various features on the docking station. For example, the auto-cleaning and auto-drying features are only available on some of these models, and not others.

The S7 Max Ultra is the model with the second highest number of features in the S7 series.

Roborock S7 vs. S7+ vs. S7 MaxV vs. S7 MaxV Ultra

Specs	S7	S7+	S7 MaxV	S7 Max Ultra	S7 MaxV Ultra	S7 MaxV Plus
Height	3.8″	3.8″	3.8″	3.8″	3.8″	3.8″
Diameter	13.9″	13.9″	13.9″	13.9″	13.9″	13.9″
Weight	9.92 lbs.	9.92 lbs.	8.60 lbs.	10.00 lbs.	10.36 lbs.	10.36
Run time	180 minutes	180 minutes	180 minutes	180 minutes	180 minutes	180 minutes
Dust Bin Capacity	470ml	400ml	400ml	350ml	400ml	400ml
Water Tank Capacity	300ml	300ml	200ml	200ml	200ml	200ml
Suction Power	2500Pa	2500Pa	5100Pa	5500Pa	5100Pa	5100Pa
Number of sensors	4	4	5	8	5	5
Floor Type	All (indoor)	All (indoor)	All (indoor)	All (indoor)	All (indoor)	All (indoor)
Mopping	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Docking Station	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Washable Filter	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Dust Emptying	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Mop Washing	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Auto Mop Drying	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Obstacle Avoidance	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
App Control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Voice Control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Warranty	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

From a look at the comparison of S7 models, we can see that the S7 Max Ultra has the greatest number of features with its docking station. It does have lower dust and water bin capacity than some models, but we can assume that is due to its advanced docking station.

It has the highest suction power and the greatest number of sensors on its vacuum. All of these models have obstacle avoidance, but the S7 Max Ultra performs best because of this.

Finally, only this model has the complete array of docking station features to empty, refill, wash, and dry after every cleaning.

Other Vacuums to Consider

FAQs