The Roborock E4 is a robot vacuum with decent performance overall. It's similar in many ways to the Roborock S4 but lacks the former's LIDAR navigation system, which means you can't have it clean specific rooms or areas at scheduled times. That said, it has outstanding performance on bare floors, a very good build quality, and is relatively simple to take apart and reassemble. Its compact form allows it to maneuver effectively in tight areas, while its light weight makes it easy to carry up and down flights of stairs. That said, it struggles with both small and large debris on carpeted floors. There are a few parts that need to be replaced on a regular basis, which can quickly add up in terms of cost. However, the vacuum's companion app makes it quite easy to track the current status of any part that requires scheduled replacement.
Our Verdict
The Roborock E4 is great for bare floors. It has no trouble picking up pet hair as well as small and large debris. That said, you may experience a slight drop in performance when clearing large amounts of material like cereal, which can slightly block the entrance to the dirt compartment. It's very well-built and easy to maintain, but there are quite a few parts that need to be taken care of.
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Outstanding performance on bare floors.
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Very good build quality.
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Great maneuverability.
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Remarkable battery life.
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Many maintenance needs.
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High recurring costs.
The Roborock E4 is okay for low-pile carpet. It's sturdily-built and fairly easy to maintain, but there are quite a few components that need regular cleaning or replacement. While it does a good job of clearing pet hair on this kind of surface, it may take a few passes to completely clear small and large debris.
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Excellent pet hair cleaning capability.
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Very good build quality.
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Remarkable battery life.
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Struggles with small and large debris.
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Many maintenance needs.
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High recurring costs.
The Roborock E4 is adequate for high-pile carpet. Unlike many other robot vacuums, it can maneuver effectively on this kind of surface, though it doesn't do an especially impressive job of picking up small and large debris. However, it has no trouble clearing pet hair, is very well-built, and has a decently large dirt compartment for a robot vacuum.
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Excellent pet hair cleaning capability.
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Very good build quality.
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Remarkable battery life.
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Struggles with small and large debris.
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Many maintenance needs.
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High recurring costs.
The Roborock E4 is an excellent fit for pet owners. It has no trouble clearing pet hair on a variety of surfaces while its self-adjusting power level should allow it to adapt to different surface types. Although quite a few parts need regular maintenance, the vacuum is quite easy to take apart and is very well-built.
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Outstanding performance on bare floors.
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Excellent pet hair cleaning capability.
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Very good build quality.
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Remarkable battery life.
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Many maintenance needs.
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High recurring costs.
The Roborock E4 is a robot vacuum that isn't suitable for cleaning stairs.
The Roborock E4 is a robot vacuum that isn't meant to clean the inside of cars.
- 7.9 Bare Floor
- 7.2 Low-Pile Carpet
- 6.5 High-Pile Carpet
- 5.4 Pets
- 5.9 Stairs
- 4.8 Cars
- 4.6 Workshop
- Updated Dec 14, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.7.
- Updated Oct 17, 2022: We've corrected an error in this review stating that this vacuum has a HEPA-efficiency exhaust filter. This isn't the case, and all mentions of this vacuum having a HEPA filter have been removed.
- Updated Aug 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.6.
- Updated Jun 09, 2022: Updated 'Companion App Automation' box to include screenshots of the vacuum's companion app.
- Updated May 05, 2022: Provided additional information regarding the vacuum's companion app.
- Updated May 02, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.5.
- Updated Sep 14, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Sep 09, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Sep 01, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 28, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Aug 23, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
You can purchase the Roborock E4 with a mop attachment and water tank kit to help clear wet messes, similar to the Roborock S5. However, we don't currently test the effectiveness of this feature.
Compared To Other Robot Vacuums
The Roborock E4 is a robot vacuum with decent performance. It's similar in many ways to the Roborock S4 and Roborock S5, but it lacks their LIDAR navigation system, which uses a laser to draw a more accurate, precise image of the area they're cleaning. You also can't set up virtual room boundaries in the E4's companion app. It has a decently-sized dirt compartment and outstanding battery life, but it also has quite a few parts that require regular maintenance or even replacement. It also struggles with clearing small and large debris on carpeted floors.
If you're looking for more options, take a look at our list of recommendations for the best robot vacuums, the best robot vacuums for pet hair, and the best vacuums for hardwood.
The Roborock E4 is a better overall robot vacuum than the Roborock S4. The E4 delivers stronger performance on all surface types, especially high-pile carpet, and has a slightly larger dirt compartment. However, the S4 has a shorter recharge time as well as a LIDAR navigation system that creates a more efficient cleaning path. You can also set up virtual boundary markers in its companion app.
The Roborock S7 is better than the Roborock E4, though the E4 is still a great option if you're on a budget. The E4 has a bigger dustbin that doesn't need to be emptied as often and cleans more effectively on bare floors and low-pile carpet. However, the S7 has a unique carpet detection feature, a more advanced mopping system, better build quality, and a broader suite of automation features, including virtual boundary markers to prevent it from entering certain areas.
The Roborock E4 and Roborock S5 are fairly evenly-matched robot vacuums, though the E4 holds a slight advantage. The E4 has a larger dirt compartment, a lighter construction, and superior performance on all surface types. That said, the S5 has a LIDAR navigation system that allows for more efficient cleaning patterns. The S5 comes with a mop attachment for cleaning wet messes while such a feature is an optional add-on for the E4, though we don't currently have a test to measure the effectiveness of either.
The Roborock S6 and Roborock E4 perform very similarly overall. The E4 is slightly more compact, easier to carry, and does a little bit better on high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the S6 features a sturdier design, a more advanced LIDAR navigation system, and superior maneuverability. The S6 features a mop attachment to clean up wet messes, while a mopping kit is available for the E4, though we don't currently test the effectiveness of either feature.
The Roborock E4 is a superior choice to the eufy RoboVac G30 in most ways. The Roborock is better-built, has a larger dirt compartment, lasts much longer off of a single charge, and maneuvers far more efficiently. It also cleans more debris on all surface types. That said, the eufy is a little smaller and lighter and comes with boundary strips to prevent the vacuum from cleaning certain areas.
The Roborock E4 is a better vacuum than the Roborock S4 Max. They have very similar battery performance, maintenance needs, and build quality, but the E4 delivers better performance on every surface type. It's also a bit lighter and its dirt compartment is slightly bigger. However, the Max has more advanced automation features. It maps your home and allows you to create virtual boundaries and individual cleaning schedules for different rooms.
The Roborock E4 is better than the iRobot Roomba i3. The Roborock has fewer parts requiring regular cleaning, incurs lower recurring costs, and delivers notably better performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet, especially with pet hair. It also has a longer battery life than the iRobot, though the Roborock takes much longer to recharge. The iRobot, meanwhile, has a self-emptying function that allows it to dump debris from its internal dustbin into an external dirt compartment on its charging dock.
The Roborock E4 is better than the eufy RoboVac 11S. The Roborock feels better-built, incurs fewer recurring costs, is easier to maintain, has a bigger dirt compartment, and can maneuver itself far more effectively. It also clears more debris on everything from bare floors to low and high-pile carpet and has a longer battery life, though this can vary in the real world. Conversely, the eufy is a little more compact.
The Roborock E4 is more well-rounded than the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum. The Roborock feels sturdier, has a larger dustbin, weighs less, is more maneuverable, and performs better on bare floors and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi does a better job of dealing with fine debris like baking soda on low-pile carpets and charges much faster.
The Wyze Robot Vacuum and the Roborock E4 have a very similar look and performance, but the Roborock is better for most uses. The Roborock has a larger dirt compartment, has a longer maximum battery life, and clears more pet hair from carpets. On the other hand, the Wyze has a more advanced navigation system, and its app allows you to set virtual boundaries for the vacuum and create cleaning schedules for individual rooms, which isn't possible with the Roborock.
The Roborock E4 is better than the eufy RoboVac G20. The Roborock feels better-built, does a better job of filtering out allergens, has a larger dirt compartment that won't need emptying as often, and has a longer maximum battery life while taking less time to recharge. The Roborock also does a better job of maneuvering itself and clears slightly more debris on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpets. However, the eufy is a little more compact.
The Roborock E4 is a better all-around robot vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 960. The Roborock is more effective on all surface types, slightly easier to maintain, and comes with a bigger dirt compartment. It also lasts much longer off of a single charge. The iRobot charges much faster and does a better job of dealing with obstructions like power cords and rug tassels, however.
The Roborock E4 is considerably better as a budget-friendly robot vacuum than the eufy RoboVac 25. The Roborock is capable of tracking its own position in real time, resulting in superior maneuverability and more efficient pathing. It also feels better built, is easier to maintain, has a considerably longer battery life, and has a more feature-packed companion app. On the other hand, the eufy comes with a remote control that enabled you to use it without the need for an internet connection.
The Roborock E4 and the Roborock S6 MaxV have different strengths, and which you may prefer depends on your needs. The E4's performance stays more consistent as its dirt compartment fills up, and it's much more effective at picking up pet hair from carpets. On the other hand, the S6 MaxV has significantly better automation features, including virtual boundary setting and schedule programming for individual rooms. It also has a unique 'Reactive AI' feature that helps it identify and avoid obstacles.
The Roborock E4 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Roborock has a much better cleaning performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet, and it follows a more efficient cleaning path. Its dirt compartment is also larger, and its battery can last longer when used on the lowest power setting. However, the iRobot does a better job of picking up large debris like sand on high-pile carpet, and it has dirt sensors that detect which areas need a more thorough cleaning.
The Roborock E4 is a better robot vacuum than the Coredy R550 (R500+). The Roborock is better-built, easier to maintain, and has fewer recurring costs. It also performs better on all surface types, is more maneuverable, and has a companion app. That said, the Coredy comes with a remote control that doesn't need an internet connection to work.
The Roborock E4 is a better vacuum than the yeedi K650. The Roborock delivers better performance on all surface types and is better at maneuvering itself, thanks to its smart pathing feature. Nevertheless, the yeedi has a slightly bigger dirt compartment, a longer maximum battery life, and recharges more quickly.
The Roborock E4 is a far more versatile robot vacuum than the Shark ION Robot AV753 Series. The Roborock feels better-built, is easier to maintain, maneuvers around obstructions more easily, and has lower recurring costs, not to mention a broader suite of automation features and a larger dust bin. It also offers superior cleaning performance on all surface types. Conversely, the Shark is a little lighter and more compact.
The Roborock E4 is a better overall robot vacuum than the bObsweep Bob Pro. The Roborock is better-built, easier to maintain, and has a larger dirt compartment. It also clears debris more effectively on all surfaces and doesn't struggle at all with pet hair. Conversely, the bObsweep is a little smaller and comes with a remote controller.
The Roborock E4 is a significantly better performing robot vacuum than the ONSON GOOVI F007 Robot Vacuum. The Roborock is better-built, easier to maintain, and has fewer recurring costs. It also has a better performance on all surface types and it's more maneuverable.
The Roborock E4 is a much better overall robot vacuum than the Eureka Groove. The Roborock is better-built, cleans much more thoroughly across all surface types, and maneuvers more efficiently. It also has a longer battery life while taking less time to charge. Meanwhile, the Eureka is a little bit lighter and takes up fractionally less space.
The Roborock E4 is better than the iRobot Roomba E5. The Roborock incurs lower recurring costs, has a larger dustbin, maneuvers itself more effectively thanks to its smart-pathing navigation system, and delivers better performance on all surface types. However, while the Roborock also has a longer battery life, the iRobot takes considerably less time to recharge.
The Roborock E4 is a better overall vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 675. The Roborock performs significantly better on all surface types, has a larger dirt compartment, and has longer maximum battery life. It also has a broader range of automation options, like the remote piloting feature in its companion app and efficient smart pathing. Meanwhile, the Roomba is lighter and charges faster.
The Roborock E4 is better than the eufy RoboVac 30C. The Roborock feels sturdier, incurs fewer recurring costs, has a larger dustbin, maneuvers itself more efficiently thanks to its smart-pathing navigational system, and delivers superior performance on all surface types. It also has a longer maximum runtime, though this can vary in the real world. Conversely, the eufy is a little smaller and a little lighter.
Test Results
The Roborock E4 is an impressively well-built vacuum. It's made of dense, high-grade plastic that looks and feels quite premium. The top cover, used to access the brushroll, features a matte finish and stays open during maintenance. The durable rubber-coated wheels slightly lift the unit and allow it to roll smoothly on carpeted surfaces. However, the dirt compartment feels a little flimsy and could crack if dropped. There are two sets of speakers in the body that provide audible updates concerning the vacuum's current status. The body also has a prominent power button and a button to send it back to its charging dock.
The setup process is user-friendly, requiring you to sync the machine to either the Mi Home or Roborock apps and allow it to connect to its charging dock.
The Roborock E4 is fairly easy to maintain, with a design that makes it easy to access its various parts. That said, there are a lot of parts that require regular maintenance, which can be a nuisance. However, it's easier to maintain than the ONSON GOOVI F007 Robot Vacuum.
- Brushroll: The main brushroll can be accessed by removing the plastic brush guard under the vacuum. It should be cleaned once or twice a week depending on use.
- Side brush: The side brush can be removed with a screwdriver and should be cleared of debris every month.
- Dirt compartment: The dirt compartment is located underneath the top cover and should be emptied fairly frequently depending on use. It can be cleaned with water, but make sure that the component is dry before putting it back in the unit.
- Filter: To access the exhaust filter, you need to remove the dirt compartment and then un-clip the filter from its socket. It should be washed every two weeks and left to dry for at least 24 hours before putting it back in place.
- Wheel: The omnidirectional wheel, located at the rear end of the vacuum, should be cleared of debris once a month by removing it from its socket. Be aware that it can take quite a bit of force to separate it from the main body.
- Sensors: The sensors and charging ports on the vacuum body need to be cleaned with dry cloths after 30 hours of use.
The Mi Home app gives you an estimated service life of every part depending on use and will notify you when it's time to replace a component.
The Roborock E4 has a couple of recurring costs. The washable exhaust filter should be replaced after 150 hours of use. Similarly, the side brush should be cleaned once a month, but the manufacturer recommends replacing this part after 200 hours of use. The main brushroll is also disposable, but it has a much longer service life of 6 to 12 months, depending on your own usage.
You can check the estimated status of each component by looking at the 'Maintenance' tab on the vacuum's companion app. All of these parts are available on the Roborock store page on Amazon.
Similar to many other robot vacuums, the Roborock E4 is amazingly easy to store due to its compact footprint. It even returns to its charging base automatically.
This vacuum's dirt compartment is a decent size. It's larger than the dirt compartments found in the Roborock S5 and Roborock S4, but it still needs fairly frequent emptying. Its companion app will remind you to empty it regularly.
- Roborock E4 vacuum
- Charging dock
- Charging cable
- 1x Exhaust filter
- Main brushroll
- Dirt compartment
- Brushroll guard
- User guide
This vacuum's range is only really limited by its battery life and dirt compartment fill status. That said, it can't climb or descend staircases.
The Roborock E4 has very good portability. Despite lacking a carrying handle, it's relatively easy to carry it around due to its light weight.
The Roborock E4's battery performance is outstanding. Even when running continuously on its most powerful 'Max' mode, it lasts just under two hours. Using it in its least powerful 'Silent' mode, runtime extends to over three hours. However, it does take longer to recharge than some alternatives, such as the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum. It's also worth noting that the vacuum refuses all cleaning tasks once it drops below 20% charge and instead looks for its charging dock. Thankfully, it's easy to know when you're running out of battery as the power button goes from solid white to red when the charge level drops under 20%.
The Roborock E4 has a couple of quality of life features. Four different surface modes adjust the vacuum's suction power to different surfaces, which can be selected automatically or manually. In increasing order of power, these modes are Silent, Balanced, Turbo, and Max. 'Balanced' is the default operating mode.
The Roborock E4 doesn't have much in the way of extra cleaning tools. It's equipped with a side brush to direct debris toward the main brushroll.
This vacuum doesn't have any alternative configurations.
The Roborock E4 delivers remarkable performance on bare floors. It has no trouble clearing pet hair, large debris like cereal, and smaller debris like rice. However, it should be noted that some larger debris can get stuck at the entry to the dirt compartment as it fills up, causing them to become trapped in the main brushroll.
The Roborock E4 is alright on low-pile carpet. It doesn't have any trouble clearing pet hair, but struggles a little more with large debris and even more so with smaller, finer material, like baking soda.
Unlike the Roborock S4, the Roborock E4 can maneuver on high-pile carpet. It doesn't have any trouble picking up pet hair, but it may take a lot of passes to completely clear both small and large debris.
Despite lacking the more advanced LIDAR navigation system found in the Roborock S5 and S4, the Roborock E4 still does a very good job of maneuvering around a room. Its OpticEye navigation system creates a fairly efficient S-shaped cleaning route and identifies areas it may have missed on the first go-around. It even produces a map of the area it cleaned after completing a task, which you can view in its companion app. Its compact size allows it to go under couches and tables without a problem while its self-adjusting power level does a good job of quickly adapting to charging surface types. Unfortunately, it can get stuck on rug tassels and electrical cords.
The Roborock E4 has a good selection of automation features. It can be used without initializing its companion app, as its physical buttons can be used to command it to start cleaning an entire area, spot clean, and return to its charging dock. With the companion app, you get access to many more options. It lets you schedule cleaning times, update the firmware, check maintenance status and cleaning history, and even remote control the vacuum to reorient it. Its OpticEye navigation system relies on internal gyroscopes and motion tracking to build a temporary map of the room it's cleaning, but doesn't allow you to schedule individual room cleanings. You also can't set up virtual room boundaries in their companion app, unlike the Roborock S5.
The Roborock E4 has an impressively comprehensive companion app. While it doesn't create a permanent map of its coverage area due to its lack of a LIDAR mapping system, it can show a small area map of the area it cleaned after the end of a cleaning session. Using its app, you can schedule cleaning times for its entire coverage area or make directional inputs with a remote control if it gets stuck.