The years go by and they all look the same. Now well established in the robot vacuum market, Roborock kicks off 2023 with a new family of household helpers.
The S8 Pro Ultra embodies the top of the top of the new generation of Roborock robot vacuum cleaners. The manufacturer takes the good ingredients of the S7 Pro Ultra and adorns it with new technologies straight out of its R&D division.
What is the S8 Pro Ultra worth on a daily basis? And above all, is it worth the 1,499 euros requested by Roborock to offer it to you? Answer in our comprehensive test.
What we like about the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Its washing station
The particularity of the S8 Pro Ultra (compared to the other models of the family) is its washing station. Roborock does not reinvent the wheel by integrating three bins: two for clean water and dirty water, one 400 mL to collect dust (up to 7 weeks of vacuuming without pets).
The base of the station accommodates the robot so that it empties and dries. At the bottom of the base, there is therefore a rotating brush that comes clean the mop by squirting water into it. Then a hot air system diffused via two grilles comes to dry it.
This station therefore provides a certain comfort on a daily basis since we have nothing to do other than empty the dirty water, fill the tank with clean water and empty the dust bag. No maintenance, or very little. Technology is beautiful, isn’t it?
Its suction and washing performance
Like the other models in the family, the S8 Pro Ultra inherits a new suction system with a power of 6,000 Pa. This Ultra version also has new brushes DuoRoller Riser. In rubber, they have the ability to rise depending on the ground. Perfect for carpets for example.
On the washing side, Roborock puts the small dishes in the big ones. On the program, the improved docking station accompanied mop system VibraRise 2.0.
According to the manufacturer, this technology is built on a double vibration module capable of performing 3 000 vibrations par minute. And to avoid wetting the carpets, the mop can be raised by 5 mm automatically.
Added to all this is a new obstacle detection system. Like the S8 and S8+, the S8 Pro Ultra has avoidance technology Reactive 3D with an intelligent suggestion system of areas to avoid.
All of these technologies work together to deliver top flight performance. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra cleans everything in its path with disconcerting ease. While we’re usually more into rotating mops, Roborock’s vibration model won us over. We appreciate it all the more as it shows itself much quieter than our usual Ecovacs model equipped with two rotating mops.
Note that the S8 Pro Ultra adopts efficient cleaning technique, starting with the outlines of rooms and furniture before cleaning the center of the room. Finicky, he strives to go well along the plains and edges, places often neglected by devices of the genre.
Please note, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is not intended to remove the most persistent dirt but to perform effective daily cleaning. For stubborn, dry stains, even the Dyad Pro vacuum cleaner is sometimes struggling.
Finally, note that the S8 Pro Ultra is very convincing when it comes to fixing your pet’s mistakes. Hair and kibble are sucked up without any problem. A real house fairy.
Its very complete application
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a companion app to access all of its settings. The installation of this app is essential since it allows you to start the robot for the first time in a few clicks.
Always so well designed, the Roborock app provides access to a host of features not knowing what to do with it. From programming to mapping to cleaning settings, it’s all there.
Roborock accompanies this new generation of robots with new features. Mapping is now done on several levels and is six times faster and is done without the need to launch a cleanup. Quick clean mode allows you to clean it up daily. Cleaning is less precise but 30% faster than normal mode.
Finally, it is possible to activate the robot’s recharge during off-peak hours. A little extra comfort at a time when energy prices are soaring.
Its good autonomy
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It is difficult to assess the autonomy of a robot vacuum cleaner as it depends on very personal parameters such as the washing surface, the modes used, the distance from the station, obstacles to avoid, etc.
In our case, for an apartment of 90 m2, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra proved to be rather enduring. On average, he had 50% battery left (from 5200 mAh) after a complete cleaning of the apartment. It can therefore theoretically clean an area of 180 m2 with a full charge.
Count approximately 1h30 to clean an area of 90 m2, down to the smallest corners. Finally, note that the robot automatically returns to the station when it has 20% left.
Recharging is 30% faster than on the previous generation promises Roborock. In fact, we obtained quite similar results. But to be completely honest, the charging time does not matter for surfaces not exceeding 180 m2.
What we like least about the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
The size of the docking station
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If you’re seriously considering getting the S8 Pro Ultra, make room in your house. The docking and washing station takes up a monster place in the furniture.
From a technical point of view, this has its advantages, but there are fewer layout possibilities. Fortunately, Roborock knows how to design products with attractive aesthetics. As imposing as it is, the station blends into the background. But for discretion, we’ll come back.
Its very high price
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1 499 euros. Yes, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra costs almost 400 euros more than its predecessor, an increase of almost 40%. Putting everything on the back of inflation would not be credible, the latter hovering around 10% at the most.
No, Roborock may have gotten a little fired up, he who made his reputation on the excellent value for money of his products. If the quality is still there, the price is skyrocketing. The S8 Pro Ultra therefore finds itself in direct competition with the models of iRobot or Ecovacs, brands that Roborock made people forget in the past thanks to attractive prices. This is no longer the case today.
And the Roborock S8?
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If the S8 Pro Ultra displays a prohibitive price, the S8 is much more accessible. Offered at 699 euros, it is also much less efficient than its brother.
First because it does not have a complete station. Then because the on-board technologies are less sophisticated than that of the Ultra.
However, when compared to the competition, the Roborock S8 stands out as one of the benchmarks on the market. It inherits the suction power of the S8 Pro Ultra (6,000 Pa), technology VibraRise for washing, mapping functionalities and the “intelligence” of the companion application.
Versatile, powerful, enduring and intelligent, it is very difficult for us to find a fault with this Roborock S8. Even its price is not a deterrent, quite the contrary.
Overall rating: 9.5/10
Our opinion on the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
After several weeks of use, it’s hard to fault the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. Through its performance, endurance and versatility, Roborock’s vacuum-mop robot is one of the benchmarks on the market.
The only downside is its prohibitive price of 1499 euros. An increase of 400 euros compared to the previous generation. Inflation is also Ultra.
