Back in the early days of robot vacuum cleaners, they didn’t have the best sense of direction. They used to bump into furniture and walls, almost like they were playing a game of pinball to figure out where to go. But things have changed quite a bit since then. Nowadays, most of the modern models come equipped with LiDAR technology, which helps them map their surroundings with precision and move around your home more efficiently.
More recently, manufacturers have added obstacle detection features to these little cleaning robots. Now, they can smoothly transition from room to room and, if they spot a shoe or a toy on the floor, they’ll steer clear of it. This means no more unintentional object relocation while they’re doing their cleaning duty.
Enter the Q8 Max Series from Roborock, a new player in the mid-range vacuuming game. These machines really stand out in terms of their vacuuming, navigation, and obstacle avoidance capabilities. Plus, they come in two flavors: the standard Q8 Max and the Q8 Max+, which takes it up a notch with the RockDock Plus auto-emptying dock. It’s a great addition to make your cleaning chores even more hassle-free.
Today we’ll take a look at the Q8 Max (without the dock) to see what this mid-ranger offers.
Design and look
The Roborock Q8 Max embodies the essence of a robotic vacuum cleaner, available in sleek black or pristine white. It strikes a balance between portability and performance, weighing in at less than 3kg. Its physical dimensions of 13.9 x 13.8 x 3.8 inches make it particularly adept at slipping under beds and shelves, ensuring no dusty nook remains untouched.
The top of the Roborock Q8 Max keeps things rather minimalistic, with only a few key elements in sight. You’ll notice the standard LiDAR dome, encircled by a silver ring on both the black and white models. Alongside this, there are three convenient quick-access buttons at your disposal. Interestingly, there’s no need for a flap to access the interior components.
Venturing beneath the robot, the innovation takes center stage. Roborock has introduced a DuoRoller module, a novel addition that features not one but two bristleless brush rollers. To facilitate mopping, a dedicated module is equipped, which can be easily secured by sliding it underneath the robot. Removing it is a breeze as well, thanks to quick-release tabs on either side.
At the front of the robot, a substantial Reactive Tech sensor takes the lead in obstacle detection, harnessing the power of infrared (IR) technology. This remarkable feature allows the robot to discern objects such as toys, shoes, and other items scattered on the floor, enabling it to navigate with utmost precision.
When evaluating the build quality, Roborock has certainly invested in robust materials for the base station, imparting a sense of durability and dependability to the product.
Software and setting up
We’ve tested various Roborock vacuum cleaners before. And setting up has always been a breeze. The Q8 Max is no exception.
When initially setting up the Q8 Max, it creates a detailed map of your home using its LiDAR sensor, accurately identifying room boundaries. You can customize the map, naming rooms, specifying floor types, and creating no-go and no-mop zones. The robot can handle up to four maps for multi-floor or multi-home cleaning. You can start cleaning using voice commands or apps, with room-specific settings for cleaning intensity. After each cycle, you can view the cleaning path and obstacles encountered on the map. While it can’t identify objects, it effectively avoids them and provides a cleaning history for maintenance tracking.
The app is easy to use, and just does what it’s supposed to do. No complaints.
High-power suction
With a robust 5,500Pa high-power suction, the Q8 Max boasts impressive cleaning capabilities, backed by its DuoRoller Brush, designed to leave no speck of dust unattended. The inclusion of ScratchSafe wheels and brushes guarantees a floor-friendly operation, eliminating the risk of unsightly scratches.
In comparison to its predecessor, the Roborock Q7 Max, this new iteration flaunts a significant boost in suction power, escalating from 4,200Pa to 5,500Pa. Notably, the Q8 Max offers an impressive 30 levels of mop customization, a feature extolled by the company for its deep-cleaning prowess.
In terms of cleaning performance, the Q8 Max shines on hard surfaces, and it doesn’t require the highest vacuuming settings to deliver impressive results.
Multiple cleaning settings
The Roborock Q8 Max offers five distinct cleaning settings: Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, Max, and Max+. The first two, Quiet and Balanced, operate at low noise levels suitable for use while you’re at home, even when working or watching TV. The other three settings, Turbo, Max, and Max+, produce slightly more noise but are not overly disruptive.
Superior navigation system
Navigating its surroundings with precision, the PreciSense LiDAR Navigation system ensures that the Q8 Max gracefully sidesteps obstacles.
In my testing experience, the Q8 Max has consistently demonstrated an impressive ability to avoid getting stuck, effortlessly maneuvering around a wide array of obstacles. These include shoes, plants, pet toys, and even water bowls, among other impediments. Additionally, the Q8 Max exhibits a keen sense for recognizing carpets, prompting it to elevate its vacuuming power for a deeper clean. Its DuoRoller brushes are adept at capturing embedded dirt and debris, ensuring a thorough cleaning process.
Decent mopping capabilities
In the realm of mopping, the Q8 Max offers fine-tuned settings, allowing you to control the water flow with precision. You have four preset options to choose from, starting with a setting that uses no water (assuming you’ve pre-dampened the mop). The other three presets enable you to select a small, medium, or large water flow. For those seeking even more customization, you can pinpoint your preferred water flow on a scale ranging from 1 to 30.
It’s worth noting that the mopping performance falls within the average range. This is because the Q8 Max Series lacks rotating or sonic brushes and doesn’t apply pressure during the mopping process. However, the advantage lies in the adjustable water flow, which eliminates the need for manual dampening during the cleaning cycle. This feature is particularly handy for addressing minor stains, especially when they haven’t had a chance to set in completely.
Easy to clean
Because the standard Q8 Max model does not offer the convenience of automatic emptying via the RockDock Plus, it necessitates manual emptying of the dustbin when it reaches capacity.
While this equates to a more hands-on approach for dustbin emptying, it does offer the eco-friendly advantage of reducing the need for spare bags. With a substantial 470 mL capacity, it may not necessitate daily emptying, depending on the cleaning surface and the dust accumulation.
In addition to dealing with dust, there’s the task of caring for the mop. The Q8 Max Series doesn’t manage this aspect for you, so it’s your responsibility to wash it after each cleaning cycle, especially if your floors are heavily soiled. Fortunately, you don’t need to remove the mop immediately after the robot completes its task. Both models feature protective boards that prevent the mop from staining your floors, allowing you to attend to this task at your convenience when you return home.
Overall, maintenance of the robot is remarkably straightforward, thanks to the bristleless brushes that prevent hair from becoming entangled. You’ll only need to remove these brushes approximately once a month to rid them of any debris and dirt, a task that consumes just a few minutes of your time.
Powerful battery
In terms of battery life, Roborock pledges that the 5200mAh battery can deliver up to an impressive 240 minutes of runtime, which should be more than sufficient to tackle a complete cleaning session throughout your home.
Should it happen to run low on battery, the robot autonomously returns to its base for recharging and then resumes its cleaning task once fully charged. Notably, it comes with a unique feature, exclusive to Roborock thus far, that allows it to charge during off-peak hours, offering added flexibility and convenience for users.
Might we also add that the dock is adorable? It’s small and sleek, a perfect addition to any household – without looking like an eyesore.
Pricing and availability
The Roborock Q8 Max is available on Shopee and Lazada at $569.90 SGD.
Verdict
The Q8 Max Series robot vacuums excel at efficiently removing dust and debris from your floors, showcasing remarkable navigation skills and adept obstacle avoidance. They particularly shine in homes with carpets, thanks to their DuoRoller brushes. When it comes to mopping, they perform well for routine maintenance, although tackling heavily soiled floors might require some manual intervention.
If you prioritize a robot vacuum that navigates seamlessly without getting stuck, the Q8 Max Series is an ideal choice. For those placing high importance on mopping capabilities, a more costly option like the Roborock Q Revo, which offers increased autonomy in wet cleaning, is worth considering, albeit with slightly less powerful vacuuming.
