2023-05-06 05:00:00
The S8 Pro Ultra is the most sophisticated of the robot vacuum cleaners appearing in the Roborock catalog in 2023. It is logically the most expensive, since it was launched at a price of 1499 €. However, it shares many points in common with the other models in the range.
It thus takes over the excellent laser navigation system of the S8 and S8 +, supplemented by the Reactive 3D system for the detection – and for some, recognition – of obstacles. The device benefits from the same new features for vacuuming floors, such as the DuoRoller brush, which is however a little disappointing on our long-haired carpet.
Suction performance remains very good overall, with the S8 Pro Ultra also being able to wash the floor. It has for this a new mop support stamped VibraRise 2.0, while the other S8 are content to resume the first version of the system. The difference here lies in the number of vibration modules, two in number once morest just one previously. In contrast, Roborock persists at 3000 moves per minute and we didn’t notice a big difference in efficiency.
On our test protocol initially dedicated to floor scrubbers, the S8 Pro Ultra did not particularly shine. It didn’t remove any of our stains in its path, even with the highest water flow. Since it is possible to program up to three passages for a zone or a room of the house, we let it recur. After a second pass, the oil is practically gone, while the coke disappeared on the third pass. The carbon black and lipstick are faded, but still clearly visible with long streaks for the former.
The S8 Pro Ultra is indeed capable of better washing performance, but to take advantage of it you have to give up suction. We will come back to this wash only function in more detail in a dedicated article.
The latest Roborock can obviously also vacuum the floor without washing it, but the mop holder cannot be removed, like the S8 and S8+. You must go through the app to select this mode and the robot will simply raise its mop, as it can also do to avoid soaking the carpets in vacuum & wash mode.
Having finished cleaning, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra returns to its station, which is the second big difference with the other models in the range. Thanks to clean and dirty water tanks, as well as a motorized brush, the RockDock Ultra takes care of cleaning the mop first. Although less effective than manual or machine washing, the operation is quite successful. It lasts regarding 5 minutes, but is not too noisy, unlike draining the collector which raises the decibels to 77 for regarding twenty seconds.
Imitating the station of the S8 +, that of the S8 Pro Ultra is indeed also able to suck up the dirt collected by the robot. It didn’t leave any in the manifold during our testing and it all ended up in the 2.5L bag provided next to the reservoirs. Of course, a charging system is also integrated. It is according to Roborock 30% faster than on the S8 and S8+ stations. We timed 2h 50min of charging to bring the battery level up from 18 to 100%, compared to 4h 30min with the S8. So it’s a bit better than Roborock’s promise. The autonomy of the robots is however identical: you can expect a little more than 3 hours with normal suction power, but only 1 hour 30 minutes in Max+ mode, which is honorable.
While charging, the RockDock Ultra blows a gentle breeze of warm air to dry the mop. The user can choose a duration between 2 and 4 hours. 3 were enough during our test, but it should be noted that a small hum is heard throughout the duration of operation. Note that this drying system is the main evolution compared to the station of the S7 MaxV Ultra, which otherwise provides the same functions, with also the filling of the water tank of the robot. General ergonomics have also been improved with easier to handle reservoirs and lid for water and dust bag. That being said, the washing system is still just as… messy.
If it frees the user from a large part of the maintenance tasks on the robot itself, the S8 Pro Ultra station adds others, admittedly less frequent. For the dust bag, Roborock mentions a replacement every seven weeks or so, but it will also be necessary to think regarding emptying the dirty water tank every week in order to avoid bad odors.
Advertisement
Points forts
-
Methodical navigation.
-
Interesting obstacle avoidance system.
-
Effective suction on hard floors and fine carpets.
-
Vibrating and lifting mop.
-
Very effective washing function (without suction).
-
Many programming options.
-
Automated bin emptying, water tank filling and mop washing.
Weak points
-
Medium suction on high pile carpet.
-
Dust bin impractical and to be emptied regularly.
-
Water tank a bit small.
-
Imposing and messy station.
Conclusion
How does grading work?
Very close to the S8 and S8+, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra stands out above all for its station. The RockDock Ultra relieves the user of the main maintenance tasks that a robot vacuum cleaner may require. The more advanced S8 also benefits from an interesting new vibrating mop system, especially when used without suction. We are also a little disappointed by the DuoRoller brush, whose performance is mixed on high-pile carpets. The S8 Pro Ultra is nonetheless one of the most efficient robots in our comparison, but it owes it just as much (if not more) to its exemplary navigation system and its good autonomy, not to mention its station.
1683357535
#Roborock #Pro #Ultra #test #autonomous #equipped #wash #floors
