Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
We've recently released our Test Bench 1.2 update for vacuum! Read the Airflow R&D Article to learn more.

Roborock S7 Vacuum Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Review updated Aug 16, 2023 at 09:24 am
Latest change: Writing modified Feb 19, 2024 at 03:07 pm
Roborock S7 Picture
7.4
Bare Floor
6.9
Low-Pile Carpet
6.7
High-Pile Carpet
4.8
Pets
5.8
Stairs
4.7
Cars
4.7
Workshop

The Roborock S7 is a premium robot vacuum, sitting above models like the Roborock Q5/Q5+ but below the flagship Roborock S7 MaxV and Roborock S8. It's a LIDAR-equipped robot vacuum with an ultrasonic mopping feature, which scrubs away dried-on stains with vibrating mop pads. Its surface detection system also lets it raise its mopping pad on carpeted surfaces.

Our Verdict

7.4 Bare Floor

The Roborock S7 is decent for bare floors. It clears small and bulky debris with little difficulty but struggles with lifting away debris in cracks and crevices. It's also amazingly well-built, maneuvers itself efficiently, and, depending on your usage patterns and choice of settings, lasts long enough on a single charge to clean large areas without difficulty. Its ultrasonic mopping module is impressively effective in dealing with dried-on dirt and debris. Unfortunately, it has high recurring costs and is rather demanding in regular maintenance.

Pros
  • Excellent battery performance.
  • Impressive maneuverability.
  • Wide range of automation features.
Cons
  • High recurring costs.
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
6.9 Low-Pile Carpet

The Roborock S7 is okay for low-pile carpet. It does a passable job of clearing both fine and large debris, like baking soda or sand, from this surface type, though it might take an extra pass to clear all of it. It also has a unique carpet detection sensor that can automatically increase suction power or raise its mopping pad on this surface type. Unfortunately, it struggles with pet hair. Quite a few parts also need regular maintenance, and it incurs high recurring costs.

Pros
  • Excellent battery performance.
  • Impressive maneuverability.
  • Equipped with a surface detection system.
Cons
  • Struggles with pet hair on carpet.
  • High recurring costs.
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
6.7 High-Pile Carpet

The Roborock S7 is an alright choice for high-pile carpet. It clears large material to an impressive degree and does a decent job sucking up fine debris from this surface type. It can also automatically raise itself to navigate a little more easily on this surface type and prevent its mopping attachment from touching the floor. Unfortunately, it performs poorly when cleaning pet hair and has a few parts that need regular cleaning or replacing.

Pros
  • Excellent battery performance.
  • Impressive maneuverability.
  • Equipped with a surface detection system.
Cons
  • Struggles with pet hair on carpet.
  • High recurring costs.
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
4.8 Pets

The Roborock S7 is poor for cleaning up pet hair. It does a satisfactory job cleaning pet hair on bare floors but struggles with this kind of debris on low and high-pile carpet. Thankfully, its ultrasonic mopping attachment is very effective when dealing with stains, like mud or dirt, that your pet might track in. It incurs high recurring costs and has many parts that need frequent cleaning, but you can remove its brushroll to clear hair wraps a little more easily. Fine allergens also bypass its E11-rated filter and are blown out of its exhaust.

Pros
  • Effective mopping function.
Cons
  • Struggles with pet hair on carpet.
  • High recurring costs.
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
5.8 Stairs

The Roborock S7 is a robot vacuum and isn't designed for cleaning stairs.

4.7 Cars

The Roborock S7 is a robot vacuum and isn't designed to clean the inside of your car.

4.7 Workshop

The Roborock S7 is a robot vacuum and isn't suitable for workshop cleaning.

  • 7.4 Bare Floor
  • 6.9 Low-Pile Carpet
  • 6.7 High-Pile Carpet
  • 4.8 Pets
  • 5.8 Stairs
  • 4.7 Cars
  • 4.7 Workshop
  1. Updated Feb 19, 2024: We've added a link to the Roborock Q Revo in the 'Suction' section of the review to provide a more powerful alternative.
  2. Updated Nov 07, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
  3. Updated Aug 16, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to further clarify product information.
  4. 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.
  5. Updated Sep 23, 2022: We've set the 'Scheduled Start Buttons' field in the 'Physical Automation' section to 'No', as you need to use the vacuum's companion app to schedule a cleaning session in advance. All relevant scores and text have been updated. Its suction force has also been retested with a more accurate manometer, though the test results remain unchanged.
  6. Updated Aug 18, 2022: Updated 'Air Quality' field to include a link to Roborock S5 Max as an alternative with better filtration performance.
  7. Updated Jul 29, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  8. Updated Jul 20, 2022: We've updated this review to Test Bench 1.0, which includes a broad range of new testing procedures to measure stain and water-clearing performance, suction power, crevice-cleaning performance, noise levels, and air filtration performance. We've also updated our debris and pet hair-pickup performance tests as well as our method of scoring user maintenance requirements and recurring costs.
  9. Updated Jul 11, 2022: We've corrected an input error in the 'Automatic Bag Emptying' field in the 'Physical Automation' section and changed the value from 'No' to 'Yes (Not Included)'. We've updated the score and the text to reflect this change.
  10. Updated Mar 24, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  11. Updated May 17, 2021: Review published.
  12. Updated May 12, 2021: Early access published.
  13. Updated May 07, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  14. Updated May 05, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  15. Updated Apr 14, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Roborock S7 comes in two color variants: 'White' and 'Black'. We tested the 'White' variant, and you can see its label here. We expect the other color variant to perform similarly overall. You can also buy it with Roborock's Auto-Empty Dock, which transfers debris from its dustbin into an external dirt compartment on its charging dock. This bundle is referred to as the Roborock S7+.

Let us know in the discussions if you come across another variant of this vacuum, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Vacuums

The Roborock S7 is a reasonably versatile robot vacuum. It performs best on bare floors, where it clears small and bulky debris without too much difficulty. It also has a unique carpet detection feature and a broad range of other automation functions. Unfortunately, it struggles with sucking up pet hair on carpeted floors, has high recurring costs, and is quite demanding in regular maintenance.

If you're looking for alternatives, check out our recommendations for the best robot vacuums, the best robotic vacuums for hardwood floors, and the best robot vacuums for carpet.

Roborock S8+/S8

The Roborock S8 is better than the Roborock S7. The S8 has a more powerful suction motor and a more effective cleaning head, resulting in better debris-pickup performance across different surfaces. The S8 also features a separate front-facing optical sensor that allows it to spot, identify, and react to obstacles placed in its way. That said, the S7 uses the same mopping feature and is still a good way of getting a well-rounded robot vacuum for a more affordable price.

Roborock Q5/Q5+

The Roborock S7 is better than the Roborock Q5. The S7 has an ultrasonic mopping feature that allows it to scrub away stains. It also feels substantially better built and delivers superior performance on low and high-pile carpet. Conversely, the Q5 has fewer parts needing periodic cleaning and can be bundled with a self-emptying station at a far more affordable price.

Roborock Q7 Max+/Max

The Roborock S7 is a little better than the Roborock Q7 Max for most uses, though the two are fairly evenly matched for the most part. Both vacuums are compatible with a self-emptying base station and have mopping systems. However, regarding the latter point, the S7's ultrasonic system actively scrubs away stains, making it more efficient than the Q7's entirely passive system. The S7 also feels better built and performs marginally better on carpets. However, the Q7 does a better job of handling pet hair.

Roborock S6

The Roborock S7 is better for most uses than the Roborock S6, though they each have their own advantages. The S6 has a bigger dirt compartment, is a little lighter and takes less time to charge while offering a similar overall runtime. Conversely, the S7 is more effective on carpets and has a more advanced mopping function, which does a better job of scrubbing away stains and can be raised when the vacuum is maneuvering on carpets. The S7 is also fully compatible with a self-emptying dock.

Roborock S5

The Roborock S7 is better than the Roborock S5. The S7 feels better built, performs better on carpeted floors, and has a more advanced mopping system. Meanwhile, the S5 struggles significantly less with pet hair on carpeted floors, has a larger dirt compartment, and takes noticeably less time to charge despite offering similar overall battery life.

Roborock S7 MaxV

The Roborock S7 MaxV is better than the Roborock S7. The MaxV's 'ReactiveAI 2.0' system allows it to identify obstacles in real-time, determine what kind of room it's in, and suggest different suction or mop settings. It also has a stronger suction motor, improving pet hair pickup, especially on bare floors. While the standard S7 is compatible with Roborock's Auto-Empty dock, you can currently only buy the Empty Wash Fill Dock with the MaxV, which not only empties its dustbin but washes its mopping pads and refills its water tank.

iRobot Roomba S9

The iRobot Roomba S9 and Roborock S7 each have their advantages, and one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The iRobot has a bigger dirt compartment, maneuvers itself more easily, and clears far more debris on low and high-pile carpet. It also takes much less time to recharge, though the Roborock has longer battery life. The iRobot's HEPA filter also does a much better job of sealing in allergens. The Roborock is also less demanding in regular maintenance, incurs lower recurring costs, and performs slightly better overall on bare floors. It also comes with a mopping attachment that's impressively well-suited to tackling dried-on stains. Its LIDAR mapping system also makes it a better option for cleaning dark rooms.

Roborock S6 MaxV

The Roborock S6 MaxV and Roborock S7 are fairly evenly-matched robot vacuums, so one may suit you better, depending on your needs. The S6 MaxV has a larger dirt compartment, struggles less with pet hair on bare floors and high-pile carpet, and uses its 'ReactiveAI' navigation system to identify and avoid obstacles. However, its overall maneuverability is similar to that of the S7. The S7, meanwhile, has a more advanced mopping system that actively scrubs away stains and lasts a little longer on a single charge when set to its most energy-efficient 'Quiet' mode. Unlike the S6 MaxV, it's also fully compatible with a self-emptying station.

Roborock S5 Max

The Roborock S7 is better than the Roborock S5 Max. The S7 feels better built and provides a more hands-off cleaning experience, as it's compatible with a self-emptying station out of the box. Its ultrasonic mopping feature also does a much better job of scrubbing away stains than the S5's entirely passive system. It clears more debris on carpets thanks to its more powerful suction motor. While it's harder to clean, the S5's bristled brushroll does a much better job handling pet hair than the S7's rubber roller. The S5 also has a bigger internal dustbin.

iRobot Roomba j7/j7+

The iRobot Roomba j7 and Roborock S7 each have advantages, and one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. While both vacuums are fully compatible with self-emptying stations, the iRobot charges much faster, maneuvers itself more effectively, and is better at dealing with pet hair. It also has a hazard-identification system that allows it to spot and react to hazards like pet waste. Meanwhile, the Roborock has a mopping attachment, incurs lower recurring costs, lasts longer on a single charge, and is more effective at clearing solid debris on all surface types.

eufy RoboVac X8

The eufy RoboVac X8 and Roborock S7 each have strengths, so one might suit you better, depending on your needs. The eufy incurs lower recurring costs, has a removable battery, and clears more debris on bare floors and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Roborock feels better built, maneuvers itself more effectively, and has a mopping attachment to clear messes on bare floors.

Narwal T10

The Narwal T10 and Roborock S7 each have their advantages, meaning one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Narwal has a more advanced mopping system, with a unique self-cleaning system built into its docking station. It also charges faster, though the Roborock does have a slightly longer battery life. In addition, the Roborock does a better job of vacuuming debris on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet and can maneuver itself more effectively.

Roborock E4

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.

Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum

The Roborock S7 is slightly better than the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum. The Roborock feels better built, maneuvers itself more effectively, has more automation features, and can clean high-pile carpet. It also has a longer maximum battery life, though the Xiaomi charges faster. The Xiaomi also performs notably better on low-pile carpet and has an easier time cleaning pet hair on bare floors.

Roborock Q Revo

The Roborock Q Revo is better than the Roborock S7. The Q Revo comes bundled with an advanced multifunction dock that empties its internal dustbin, refills its water tank, and washes and dries its mop pads. It's also equipped with a real-time hazard avoidance system that allows it to spot and react to smaller obstacles in its way. The Q Revo's mopping system also has a larger range of height adjustments, enabling it to clean carpets and mop hard floors within the same cleaning cycle.

iRobot Roomba i7

The Roborock S7 s better than the iRobot Roomba i7. The Roborock is better built, incurs lower recurring costs, has fewer parts to regularly maintain, and cleans more effectively on bare floors. It also has a significantly longer maximum runtime but takes much longer to recharge than the iRobot. The Roborock also has a LIDAR mapping system better suited to darker environments, not to mention a mopping module to clear away dried-on stains. The iRobot does a better job of dealing with pet hair and comes bundled with a self-emptying station at a more affordable price than the Roborock.

Roborock S4 Max

The Roborock S4 Max and Roborock S7 have different advantages, so one may suit you better, depending on your needs. The S4 Max has a larger dirt compartment and does a better job of clearing pet hair from all surface types. Conversely, the S7 delivers better debris-cleaning performance on bare floors and carpets. It also feels better built, takes less time to recharge, and comes with a mopping attachment.

eufy RoboVac 11S

The Roborock S7 is better than the eufy RoboVac 11S. The Roborock is better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, has a larger dustbin, lasts much longer on a single charge, and delivers superior performance on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. The Roborock also has a far more advanced mapping and navigation system that yields much better maneuverability and more advanced automation capabilities, like setting up virtual boundary lines or directing the vacuum to specific rooms within your home.

iRobot Roomba i3

The Roborock S7 is better than the iRobot Roomba i3. The Roborock feels better built, has fewer parts requiring regular cleaning, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with a mopping attachment for tackling messes on bare floors, has a longer battery life, and performs better on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. It also has a more advanced mapping system that lets you schedule cleaning jobs for specific areas or set up virtual boundary lines. Conversely, the i3 charges much faster. This variant of the i3 also has a self-emptying function that allows it to automatically dump debris from its internal dirt compartment to an external dustbin attached to its charging dock. However, a similar feature is available for the Roborock for an additional cost.

Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI

The Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI and Roborock S7 each have advantages, so one may suit you better, depending on your needs. The Ecovacs incurs fewer recurring costs, has a longer battery life, and delivers better performance on low-pile carpet. It also clears pet hair more effectively on all surface types and has a hazard-detection system that enables it to identify and react to obstacles like shoes on the floor or pet waste. Meanwhile, the Roborock has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, charges significantly faster, and cleans more debris on bare floors, especially bulky material.

eufy RoboVac G30

The Roborock S7 is better than the eufy RoboVac G30. The Roborock feels better built, lasts longer on a single charge, delivers better performance on all surface types, and can climb over obstacles like high-pile rugs and power cables with less difficulty. It also has more advanced automation capabilities, with support for virtual boundary lines and scheduling cleaning sessions for individual rooms.

Shark IQ Robot

The Roborock S7 is better than the Shark IQ Robot. The Roborock feels better built, has less demanding maintenance requirements, incurs fewer recurring costs, has a longer maximum battery life, and does a better job of maneuvering itself. It also performs better on bare floors and has a mopping attachment for dealing with sticky messes. Conversely, the Shark clears more debris on carpets and has a bigger dustbin.

Shark AI Robot

The Roborock S7 is better for more uses than the Shark AI Robot. The Roborock is better built, has fewer parts requiring regular maintenance, has a larger dustbin, and clears more debris across all surface types. Unlike this variant of the Shark, the Roborock also comes with a mopping attachment for bare floors.

Neato D8

The Neato D8 is better than the Roborock S7. The Neato has fewer parts that require regular maintenance, has a bigger dustbin, and cleans more effectively on all surface types. It also takes much less time to recharge, though the Roborock has a much longer runtime. The Roborock also maneuvers around obstacles more easily, feels more sturdily built, and incurs fewer recurring costs.

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]

The Roborock S7 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Roborock feels better built, has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, comes with a mopping attachment, offers a broader range of automation features, does a better job of maneuvering itself, and performs better on all surface types. Meanwhile, the iRobot charges faster and has a larger dustbin.

iRobot Roomba 981

The iRobot Roomba 981 and Roborock S7 have different advantages; one may suit you better, depending on your needs. The iRobot has a dustbin with a much larger capacity, maneuvers over obstructions like electrical cords with less difficulty, and delivers superior performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet. It also charges much faster than the Roborock, though its maximum runtime is much shorter. The Roborock also delivers better performance on high-pile carpet, feels better built, and allows you to set up virtual boundary lines through its companion app. The Roborock also comes with a mopping attachment.

eufy RoboVac 25C

The Roborock S7 is better than the eufy RoboVac 25C, though this is to be expected given that the Roborock is a high-end robot vacuum while the eufy is an entry-level model. The Roborock features an advanced LIDAR mapping system that stores a permanent map of its coverage area, allowing you to set up virtual boundary lines or schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms. It also delivers superior performance on carpeted surfaces, feels better built, has an ultrasonic mopping feature for dealing with stains, and has longer battery life. Meanwhile, the eufy clears slightly more debris on bare floors, charges faster, and makes less noise.

Neato Botvac D7

The Neato Botvac D7 is a better robot vacuum than the Roborock S7. The Neato is less demanding in terms of maintenance, has a larger dirt compartment, takes less time to recharge, and performs slightly better on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Roborock is better at maneuvering itself, feels better built, incurs fewer recurring costs, and has longer maximum battery life. It also comes with a mopping attachment, though we don't currently test that feature.

+ Show more

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
8.5
Design
Build Quality
Vacuum Type
Robot

Build quality is excellent. The robovac's body is made of solid-feeling plastic but features a couple of metallic accents for added flair. You can lift the glossy top cover to access the dirt compartment, the Wi-Fi indicator light, and a system reset button. The raised laser navigator module in the center of the vacuum has a matte finish, as does the front bumper. The rubber wheels are also dense and can raise the vacuum when cleaning raised surfaces. In contrast to other Roborock vacuums, like the Roborock S5, its brushroll is made of rubber and has no bristles. The water container for the mop attachments is at the back of the vacuum. On the downside, the dustbin is a little fragile. The side brushes can wear out over time, but you can replace them.

Assembly out-of-the-box isn't too difficult. You have to download the Roborock companion app to complete the setup process and pair the vacuum with its docking station.

6.0
Design
User Maintenance

This vacuum has several parts you need to clean periodically, though they're easy to access.

  • Brushroll: The brushroll can be pulled out by first removing the brushroll guard under the vacuum. Clean it every two weeks, and you can remove the brushroll bearings to clear any stuck-on debris or hair wraps.
  • Dirt compartment: The dirt compartment can be removed by lifting the back cover and pressing the release tabs. The vacuum provides an audio notification to tell you when the dirt compartment has been removed or re-seated in its housing. Empty it once a week or whenever you notice that it's full. You can also wash it with water to remove any stuck-on debris.
  • E11 Filter: The filter is located under the top cover of the dirt compartment. You should wash it under water periodically.
  • Side brush: You can remove the side brush from under the vacuum with a screwdriver. Clean any hair wraps or stuck on debris once a month.
  • Omni-directional wheel: The directional wheel can be pulled out of the socket, though the manufacturer recommends using a screwdriver to remove the wheel axle. Clean it whenever you notice a buildup of debris.
  • Mop cloth: The mopping cloth can be removed from its mounting plate and slid out. Clean it after each use.
  • Water tank: You can pull the water tank out from the back of the vacuum. You can clean it as required by filling it with clean water, shaking it gently, then pouring out the dirty water.

You should allow any part washed with water to dry thoroughly before being put back in the vacuum.

5.5
Design
Recurring Cost
Bag Part Number No bag
Filter Part Number E11
HEPA Filter Part Number No HEPA Filter

This vacuum incurs few recurring costs.

  • Brushroll: The brushroll needs replacing after 300 hours of use or every six to 12 months.
  • Side brush: The side brush has a service life of 200 hours, or three to six months of use.
  • E11 filter: The filter needs replacing following 150 hours according to the maintenance tab of the companion app, while the user manual recommends replacing it after six to 12 months of use.
  • Mop cloth: You should replace the mop cloth every three to six months.

Roborock sells most parts through their Amazon store, and you can use the 'Maintenance' tab in the vacuum's companion app to check each part's estimated remaining service life.

8.9
Design
Storing
Height
3.94" (10.0 cm)
Width
13.98" (35.5 cm)
Depth
16.14" (41.0 cm)
Cord Storing
Not Needed
On-Board Tool Storage
Not needed
Vacuum Rack/Station
Yes

This vacuum is very easy to store. It isn't too big overall and mounts onto its low-profile docking station by itself. The power cable for the docking station has a Velcro strap to help with cord management.

6.4
Design
Dirt Compartment
Bagless
Yes
Volume
0.07 gal (0.25 L)
Full Indicator
Yes
Bag Included
No Bag Needed

The dirt compartment is passable. It's shaped slightly differently from other Roborock models like the Roborock S6 MaxV and consequently has a smaller actual capacity. It doesn't have a physical max fill line, but its companion app can notify you to empty the dustbin after several cleaning sessions.

Design
In The Box

  • Roborock S7 vacuum
  • Dirt compartment
  • Water container
  • Recharge station
  • Charging cable with Velcro strap
  • 1x E11 filter
  • Rubber brushroll
  • Brushroll guard
  • 1x mopping cloth with mop mount
  • User guide

10
Design
Range
Cordless
Yes
Cord Length
N/A
Hose Length
N/A
Minimum Wand Length
N/A
Maximum Wand Length
N/A
Total Range
N/A

The range is limited only by the room left in the vacuum's dirt compartment and the charge status of its battery. Like any robovac, it can't climb or descend staircases.

7.6
Design
Portability
Total Weight
9.83 lbs (4.46 kg)
Weight In Hand
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
Carrying handle
No

This is a fairly portable vacuum. It's heavier than the Roborock S6, even without the mopping attachment fitted in place. It also lacks a carrying handle to make it easier to pick up and carry to another room.

8.8
Design
Battery
Minimum Battery Life
88 min
Maximum Battery Life
204 min
Recharge Time
246 min
Recharge Dock
Yes
Battery Life Indicator
Yes
Removable Batteries
No

Battery performance is excellent. In its 'Max' power mode, the Roborock can run for just under 90 minutes. Setting it to its most energy-efficient 'Quiet' mode, it runs for over 200 minutes, longer than its advertised claim of 180 minutes. In any case, the vacuum stops its cleaning task once its charge level drops below 20%, at which point its battery life indicator light turns red, and the vacuum returns to its charging station.

Design
Quality Of Life Features
Rotating Head
No
Power Adjustment
Yes
Self-Propelled
Yes
Headlights
No
Easy On/Off
Yes
Head Surface Type Adjustment
Only Automatic

The Roborock S7 has a couple of quality-of-life features. It features an ultrasonic sensor to detect carpets automatically. It differs from the system used in the Roborock S6 MaxV, which detects carpets by measuring resistance against its brushroll. When the mopping attachment is in place, you can enable the 'Rise' feature through its companion app, which lifts the mop whenever the vacuum moves over carpet. Its unique 'Carpet Mode', which you can enable through its companion app, boosts its suction power on carpeted floors, increases the rotational speed of the side brush when cleaning along walls, and slows it down when the vacuum is in the middle of a room. The vacuum has four different suction power modes: the energy-efficient 'Quiet' mode, the default 'Balanced' mode, 'Turbo', and 'Max' to deal with stubborn messes. There are also four levels of mop scrubbing intensity: 'No Water', 'Little Water', 'Med Water', and 'High Water'. That said, unlike the newer, pricier Roborock S8, it lacks a forward-facing camera that would allow real-time obstacle identification and avoidance for objects that fall beneath the view of its LIDAR sensor.

Design
Tools And Brushes
Brushroll
Yes
Brushroll On/Off
No
Removable Brushroll
Yes
Turbo Brush
No
Crevice Tool
No
Upholstery Tool
No
Soft Bristle Brush
No
Hard Bristle Brush
No
Extension Wand
No
Ceiling Fan Tool
No
Pet Grooming Tool
No

This vacuum has a side brush to direct debris into the path of the main brushroll. It also comes with a washable mop cloth and a mop mat to prevent the vacuum from dripping water around your house when the mop attachment isn't in use. If you're looking for a robot vacuum with more advanced mopping capabilities, consider the Narwal T10, which uses spinning mop pads to clean floors and has a docking station that cleans and dries its mop cloths.

Design
Alternative Configuration
Blower Mode
No
Performance
9.1
Performance
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
Setting Used "Balanced"
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L) 94%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L) N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L) N/A
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L) 100%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L) N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L) N/A

Performance on bare floors is superb. It clears small debris like rice and bulky material like cereal without much of an issue. The Roborock S7 MaxV is an even better option for handling debris on bare floors thanks to its more powerful suction motor.

Note: Due to the shape and size of the vacuum's dirt compartment, it can't fill to 0.35L without material spilling out unless its intake is covered. We only tested the vacuum's suction performance with an empty dustbin.

6.8
Performance
Low-Pile Carpet Performance
Setting Used "MAX"
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L) 66%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L) N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L) N/A
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L) 56%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L) N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L) N/A

Performance on low-pile carpet is alright. It clears a passable amount of fine debris like baking soda and larger material like sand.

Note: Due to the shape and size of the vacuum's dirt compartment, it can't fill to 0.35L without material spilling out unless its intake is covered. We only tested the vacuum's suction performance with an empty dustbin.

7.5
Performance
High-Pile Carpet Performance
Setting Used "MAX"
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L) 68%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L) N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L) N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L) N/A
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L) 51%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L) N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L) N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L) N/A

Performance on high-pile carpet is good. The Roborock does an impressive job of clearing larger material like sand and clears a decent amount of fine material like baking soda. However, it may need to do another pass to clear everything.

Note: Due to the shape and size of the vacuum's dirt compartment, it can't fill to 0.35L without material spilling out unless its intake is covered. We only tested the vacuum's suction performance with an empty dustbin.

6.1
Performance
Pet Hair Floor Performance
Bare Floor
87%
Low-Pile Carpet
50%
High-Pile Carpet
40%

This vacuum does a mediocre job of handling pet hair. While it clears away most of it on bare floors, it has a very hard time sucking it up on low and high-pile carpeting. The Roborock S8, with its upgraded twin roller cleaning head, does a much better job of dealing with pet hair.

0
Performance
Suction
Maximum Hose Suction
N/A
Maximum Head Suction
0.1 inH₂O (0.03 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal "Balanced" (App)
Hose Diameter
N/A

The Roborock S7's suction force isn't very strong, though this isn't unusual for a robot vacuum; its suction inlet is positioned too high above the contact surface to generate a tight seal on bare surfaces, resulting in low suction power measurements. Check out the Roborock Q Revo if you want an alternative that's a little more powerful.

2.6
Performance
Airflow
Maximum Hose Airflow
12.4 CFM (0.4 m³/min)
8.8
Performance
Noise
Bare Floor
67.4 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
69.3 dBA

This vacuum is pretty quiet. It won't be too disruptive if you have it running in an adjacent room with the door closed, but you'll have to raise your voice somewhat when speaking to somebody in the same room as the vacuum running. Noise levels can vary somewhat when this vacuum is run in its default 'Balanced' mode, as it will automatically increase its suction power to 'Max' when cleaning carpeting. Still, even at higher power levels, it's more discrete than the Roborock S7 MaxV, which has a more powerful motor.

8.0
Performance
Maneuverability

This vacuum has excellent maneuverability. Its laser navigation system develops increasingly efficient cleaning routes as it gets to know its coverage area, though you shouldn't fit the mopping attachment during the initial setup. It's low enough to clean under tables and couches easily. Unfortunately, it can sometimes get stuck on carpets, and rug tassels can catch in its brushroll. While it can push low-lying obstructions, like electrical cords, around, it isn't likely to get stuck on them.

0
Performance
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
Sofa Pickup Post Test
Performance
Air Quality
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
No

This vacuum does a poor job of sealing in fine particles. Despite having an E11-rated filter, rated to trap 95% of allergens as small as 0.005 μm, fine particles can still bypass this filter and spew from its exhaust port. Consider the Roborock S5 Max if you're looking for a robot vacuum that better filters away fine allergens.

5.0
Performance
Cracks
Wood Cracks Post Test

Compared to most manually-operated vacuums, this vacuum struggles to suck up debris from cracks and crevices. However, it does perform better than alternatives like the Shark IQ Robot. Running it in its 'MAX' power mode does help it clear a little more debris in longer cracks, but not by much.

8.0
Performance
Stains
Stain Pickup Post Test

The Roborock S7 does a great job dealing with dried-on stains when used in its 'MAX' scrubbing mode and the pathing set to 'Deep Clean'. The manufacturer recommends pre-soaking the mopping pad before letting it run to distribute water evenly across the pad. Still, if you want a more thorough clean, it's recommended that you do a second mopping run. You can see a video of the vacuum clearing a stain with two passes here, and the outcome of that second run here.

0
Performance
Water
Wet Compatible
Mopping Only
Water Pickup Post Test

This vacuum isn't designed for dealing with liquid spills. It can clear away small spills by soaking them away with its mopping pads, but having the vacuum suck up liquid will likely damage it.

Automation
8.1
Automation
Physical Automation
Automatic Recharging
Yes
Automatic Bag Emptying
Yes (Not Included)
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
No
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
Cycle Control Buttons
Onboard Only
Navigation Control Buttons
Return to Base Only

This vacuum has a great range of automation features. You can use it without its companion app, as the physical buttons on the vacuum allow you to spot-clean an area, clean its coverage area, or return to its dock. It's also fully compatible with the Auto-Empty Dock, which empties its dustbin automatically. You can purchase that separately or bundle it with the pricier Roborock S7+ model.

9.0
Automation
Companion App Automation
App Name
Roborock
iOS Availability
Yes
Android Availability
Yes
Software Boundary Markers (No Go Zones)
Yes
App Scheduled Start
Yes
App Cycle Control
Yes
Navigation Control within App
Yes

The Roborock companion app is fantastic, with an easy-to-use interface and plenty of functionality. The vacuum draws a map of its coverage area, which you can then use to set up virtual boundary lines that the vacuum won't cross, establish 'no-go' zones, pinpoint a specific spot you want the vacuum to clean, or direct the vacuum to clean one specific room. You can also check the cleaning history, the maintenance status of certain parts, adjust the volume of its audio cues through the integrated speakers, remote-control the vacuum to re-orient it if it becomes stuck, or adjust its carpet or power settings.