Roborock S7 Review

The Roborock S7 is the first sonic scrubbing robot that can vacuum and mop in a single pass. With intelligent mopping technology that scrubs set-in stains and lifts up when not in use, the is certainly one of the most advanced dual-cleaning vacuum mop combos we’ve seen.

But can it stand up to our tests? Let’s find out!

Pros

• Advanced scrubbing mopping pad with variable water flow
• Compatible with standard charging base or the self-emptying charging base (launching in 2021)
• Up to a 3 hour run time with 5200mAh battery
• Huge area coverage; up to 3,200 sf. vacuuming or 2,100 sf. mopping
• Excellent vacuum performance, removed 96.7% of debris

Cons

• Pretty high price point
• Lacks the front facing cameras and obstacle detection AI that we saw on the Roborock S6 MaxV

Scoring

Prefer to watch rather than read? You can find our Roborock S7 video review below:

Cleaning Performance

To fully evaluate cleaning performance we usually put all robot vacuums to the test.

We test on three different floor types, including:

• Hardwood floors
• Low-pile carpet
• High-pile carpet

And on those floors, we spread a mix of debris, including:

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

To run the tests, we spread a small amount of debris over different flooring materials (within a confined testing area) and then let the vacuum loose.

We give the robot an opportunity to fully remove the debris and then measure any remaining debris left in the carpet / on the hardwood.

Testing Data

Below are our full testing results for the Roborock S7.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

The performance cleaning hardwoods was fantastic and it was able to clean up to 99% of the debris tested on hardwood floors.

Low-Pile Carpet Cleaning

Low pile carpet was the worst performer among the 3 floor types we tested on, removing 94% of total debris. However, 94% removal is still a solid cleaning score and one of the best showings we’ve seen from Roborock.

The only notable debris that got left behind was sugar (see image below)

High-Pile Carpet Cleaning

On high pile carpets the debris removal rate was better at a 97%.

We expect the S7 did better on high pile carpet due to the higher carpet fibers creating a tighter seal with the brushroll (thereby increasing suction).

Mopping Tests

For our mopping tests we let the Roborock S7 clean a 2,600 square foot single story home. The home is a mix of hardwoods, tile, and rugs.

The S7 pulled a solid amount of dirt and small debris onto the cleaning pad. The before and after shot speaks for itself. The S7 is easily the best mopping robot we’ve seen from Roborock to date.

We tested the mop using the “mild” setting, which we thought would better protect the hardwood floors. Other more intense cleaning modes will yield better performance.

S7 Design

The design of the Roborock S7 closely mimics many of Roborock’s other models from the top, but the underside is where it really differs.

It comes in two colorways—white body or black body.

The top of the vacuum has a central 360° LIDAR sensor in the middle of the vacuum with simple controls above.

There is a bumper along the front perimeter and a dust bin release at the bottom perimeter.

The rear release latch opens up the mopping tank and internal case holds the dustbin and filter.

The Controls

Controls on the S7 include:

• Spot Clean: uses a radial pattern to clean a small area; when the area is clean it will return to the charging station
• Power: starts or stops a cleaning cycle
• Home: sends the S7 back to the charging station

Above the control buttons, there is also an arc LED light that can illuminate to let you know the status of the S7 or alert you if there is a problem.

What’s on the bottom of the vacuum?

As mentioned above, the underside of the S7 has a pretty unique mopping attachment as well as a spiral brushroll for dry vacuum cleaning.

So what’s different?

#1. The mopping pad can lift up when not needed.

Traditional 2-in-1s typically need barriers to know where they can and can’t go. Damp mopping is only intended for hard surface flooring so the S7’s ability to automatically lift up when it encounters carpets or area rugs is a big plus for this Roborock.

#2. The scrubbing bar moves the mopping pad.

There is a small bar on the bottom of the vacuum, just along the edge that actually shifts the mopping pad to provide a slight scrubbing motion while it cleans.

This bar can move the pad up to 3,000 times per minute.

As the bar moves, so does the microfiber mopping pad, which can help the mop to gently remove dried-on debris or sticky liquids that may need a little scrubbing power.

#3. The floating spiral brushroll can adjust for varying floor heights.

The central brushroll has a floating design that can automatically raise or lower to accommodate different floor heights. A floating design helps to ensure that the brushroll always has the best contact with a changing floor height.

How Does It Clean?

The Roborock S7 cleans any space by creating a digital map and automatically adjusting cleaning modes until the area is clean.

The map can be viewed in the Roborock app where you can see not only a colored view of the clean areas, but also a summarized version of the path the vacuum took to get the job done.

What’s the cleaning pattern?

The cleaning pattern of the S7 cleans around the edges first and then cleans the rest of the room in a straight pattern. Here’s a sample of a cleaning map that was generated by the Roborock app.

Vacuum Cycles

Available vacuum modes on the S7 include:

1. Quiet: Operates with less suction power so it makes less noise. Also the least section power of the 4 cleaning modes.
2. Balanced: Standard suction power. A good balance between power, performance, and run time.
3. Turbo: Vacuums at a higher speed, allowing the cleaning job to finish more quickly.
4. Max: Creates the maximum level of suction and seal possible. Ideal for carpets and high traffic areas.

Below is an in-app view of how to change cleaning modes.

Mopping Cycles

With mopping cycles you choose between 4 different modes:

• Close (no water used)
• Mild
• Moderate
• Intense

You can also turn on ‘Deep Cleaning’ mode which uses the maximum speed scrub setting.

The high-intensity scrub settings range from 1,650 times/min to 3,000 times/min, depending on what type of spill you’re cleaning.

Area Coverage

Area coverage is a big win in my book with the S7. It can run for up to 3 hours and the coverage area is much more than other models we’re tested thus far—especially when it comes to mopping.

COMPARISON: The Braava 380t has a max mopping coverage of 300 sf and the Braava Jet 240 has even less, at only 150 sf. See our Brrava 240 vs 380t comparison here.

App Control

The Roborock S7 can be controlled with your smartphone when paired with the Roborock app, which is a familiar technology to older Roborock models as well.

Using the app, you can:

• Start / stop a cleaning
• 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
• Manage cleaning schedules

Using the in-app map, you can name certain zones or block off select areas as well as view the current cleaning report or identify any trouble spots.

Smart Navigation & Mapping

The navigation and mapping technology on the Roborock S7 is pretty impressive and shares many similarities to the broader Roborock S-series lineup.

The on-board laser scans the room at 300 revolutions / minute and then uses that information to map out each room’s dimensions to +/- 2 cm.

In addition to detailed maps, the S7 can also scan different levels within a home and remember the floor plans for each level automatically.

At any point during or after a cleaning cycle, you can view the app to see the progress and if the robot missed any spots. Trouble areas can easily be identified and addressed with keep out zones / lines.

Boundaries

There are a number of boundary styles offered by the Roborock S7. You can opt for:

1. Invisible Walls: a straight line that marks off a wall you don’t want the S7 to go beyond
2. No Go Zone: marks off a rectangle space that you don’t want the S7 to go into
3. No Mop Zone: sections off an area where you don’t want the S7 to mop
4. Zoned Cleaning: name specific rooms on the map and then program the S7 to not enter those spaces

I will add here that the Roborock S7 can automatically know when to mop and when to vacuum, so you don’t need to worry about marking off carpeted areas as “no mop zones”.

Sensors

Six cliff sensors rounding the edge of the vacuum help to prevent the S7 from dropping off edges or stairs. Sensors also help this robot to navigate around large furniture, walls, and other obstacles in straighter, more logical paths.

Voice Commands

In addition to zoned cleaning and smarter digital maps, voice commands are also a big part of the user-friendly experience of the S7.

This robot is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Siri and you can program a variety of voice commands from each of these platforms.

Recharge & Resume

The Roborock S7 does include the Recharge & Resume function. If the S7 drains its battery before the clean is complete, it can charge up in the middle of a cleaning cycle.

How does it work?

1. The S7 performs the initial clean.
2. Drives back to the dock when battery is low.
3. Charge up.
4. When battery is full, the S7 will return to the last spot it cleaned to continue to the cycle.

This can be a handy feature for large floor plans or homes with a large amount of furniture or obstacles which may complete the cycles and take longer to clean.

Size & Dimensions

The Roborock S7 is a little larger than the previous Roborocks we’re tested.

In addition to being larger, it’s also slightly heavier than many other Roborock models.

• Diameter: 13.8″
• Height: 3.8″
• Weight: 10.3 pounds

The S7 does feel notably improved when it comes to build quality and individual parts. This isn’t’ to say other Roborock models were bad, they have consistently been well above average.

But the S7 takes it a step further. In my view, it’s the best built robot Roborock has delivered.

Accessories & Parts

Here is a list of everything included in the box with the Roborock S7:

• Charging station: provides a centrally located place for the vacuum to recharge between cleaning cycles
• Spiral brushroll: the main cleaning component used to agitate and collect debris on all floor types, even high-pile carpets, spinning constantly as it moves along the floor surface. Only includes 1 spinning brush (no replacement).
• Dust bin: houses dry dirt and debris captured as it moves along floor surfaces during cleaning cycles
• HEPA filter: washable and reusable filter located in the dust bin that traps pet dander, dust, mold and other particulates while cleaning. One HEPA filter is installed and one replacement is included.
• Mopping Pad: washable pad that damp mops the floor without releasing too much water at once, gently scrubs dried debris or sticky stains
• User manual: information on use, care, and troubleshooting of the Roborock S7 is included in the user manual

Usability & Maneuverability

Overall usability of the S7 is quite good, in my opinion. The user interface is simple and it has a lot of options when it comes to control:

• Physical buttons on the vacuum
• In-app controls using your smartphone
• Voice control using Amazon Alexa (or similar)

It also has a hands-off approach when it comes to the cleaning cycle as well. The navigation is advanced enough to avoid getting stuck in simple places and it can remember up to 4 different floor plans in a home.

The S7 has a 3-hour run time and a large dust bin capacity (up to 470 mL).

In 2021, Roborock will also be launching the Auto-Empty dust bin, which allows the vacuum to deposit contents of the onboard dust bin into a larger bin on the docking station.

This will likely be a costly dock (price not yet announced), but the convenience certainly enhances the overall usability of the S7 if you decide to go that route.

Roborock S7 Maintenance

The maintenance tasks for the Roborock S7 are pretty similar to the tasks you’d have with any 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop.

Here are the tasks involved:

1. Regularly empty the dust bin: This is the most common maintenance task. The dust bin should be emptied after each cleaning cycle.
2. Wash dust bin and HEPA filter: Allow proper drying time, a minimum of 24 hours before placing back in the vacuum.
3. Replace HEPA filters (as needed)
4. Replace battery (as needed): Most robot vacuum batteries last 2-4 years. That said, this is just an estimate as Roborock does not give a lifespan on the included battery.
5. Remove obstructions from brushroll: You’ll want to periodically remove the brushroll to remove hair and any other obstructions.
6. Remove and wash mopping pads: The mopping pads velcro on to the bottom of the mop so you’ll need to periodically remove them and wash to keep the mop in peak performance.

Auto-Empty Dock

As mentioned above, Roborock announced the launch of their Auto-Empty dock, which would automatically empty the contents of the onboard dust bin and deposit them into a larger dust bin located within the docking station.

This is not unlike Roomba’s ‘Clean Base’, which essentially does the same thing.

RELATED: Click here to read our review of the Roomba S9+ and the CleanBase docking station.

Is the Roborock S7 a good value?

So let’s talk through the value of the S7. It’s the new guy on the block, which certainly has its appeal, but is this 2-in-1 worth the high price tag?

The cool features it brings to the table include:

• Digital mapping
• Zoned cleaning
• Sonic scrubbing mop (variable speeds)
• Auto-lift mopping pad
• Compatible with Auto-Empty charging station

I would say the only real stinger to this model is the price tag. But considering the price of some of the highest-end Roomba or other top brands, the Roborock S7 is still within that price range.

All-in-all, I do think the S7 is a good value. It has a number of impressive features, many of which aren’t available on many other brands.

If you’re looking for bleeding-edge and are willing to foot the bill, the S7 be a solid choice.

Roborock S7 Max Specifications

Should you buy the Roborock S7?

I would recommend the Roborock S7 if you’re looking for the following in a robot vacuum:

• Better mopping performance: Many robot vacuums claim to offer mopping capability, but rarely is it more than dragging around a damp microfiber cloth. While this can certainly clean light to moderate surface debris, it doesn’t really replace traditional mopping. Adding the scrubbing motion really enhances the S7 and makes it a much better mop. For most consumer it probably isn’t a complete mopping replacement, but it’s a big step up over many other 2-in-1s.
• Long battery life:  The Roborock S7 can run for up to 3 hours (up to 180 minutes) which should be more than sufficient for most cleaning jobs. The vacuum contains a 5200mAh battery for stronger, longer cleans.
• Auto-detect flooring: Dual robot mops and vacuums tend to perform best when they can auto-detect the change in flooring. Not only can the S7 avoid mopping inappropriate areas, but even more than that, it can temporarily lift the mopping pad until it is past the carpet and then continue mopping when it is back on hard surface flooring.
• Excellent Cleaning Performance: The S7 removed 96.7% of total debris in our vacuuming tests and the mopping tests were pretty solid also. The pad soaked up a huge volume of dirt, dust, and light debris.

Click here for more information or to check the price for the Roborock S7.

More Roborock Reviews

You can find our complete list of Roborock reviews here:

• Roborock S4 Max Review
• Roborock S5 Max Review
• Roborock S6 Review
• Roborock S6 MaxV Review
• Roborock S6 vs. S5 vs. S5 Max vs. S4 vs. E35 vs. E25

Changelog

• February 23, 2021 – Updated the page based on our in-house tests, including new testing data, photos, screenshots, scoring, and other updates in-line with our standard review process.
• January 11, 2021 – Initial version of the page was published. Initial version was a pre-test version, meaning we have not yet personally tested the product. Our S7 unit is supposed to arrive in February, 2021, at which time we will test and update this review.