Roborock S7 vs S5 Max: Our Detailed Comparison UK (2024)

What’s the most important thing about a robot vacuum?

Correct, the device should reliably clean the flat!

Therefore, we check out the cleaning performance in our in-depth Roborock S7 vs. S5 Max comparison first.

We gave them quite a dirty challenge during our tests:

• Extreme test on different floor types (laminate, low-pile carpet, high-pile carpet).

• Cleaning test in our everyday life (over a longer period).

Roborock S7 vs. S5 Max: Cleaning Test Review

Cleaning Test on Laminate

The Roborock S5 Max and the S7 didn’t have any problems cleaning the laminate.

Both devices easily remove all dirt types (lentils, oatmeal, sand) from the hard floor.

You’ll be equally satisfied with both models when it comes to cleaning hard floors. The two robot vacuum cleaners are on par here.

Cleaning on Carpets

Carpets are usually much more challenging for all kinds of robot vacuums.

Roborock S5 Max vs. S7: Low-Pile Carpet

Roborock S7 and Roborock S5 Max comparison on a High-Pile Carpet

The Roborock S7 copes better with this challenge than the S5 Max.

Grainy lentils...

Light oat flakes...

Sand...

... The Roborock S7 came out with flying colours on both low pile and high pile carpets.

That’s thanks to the following features:

• Higher suction power.

• Better characteristics of the brush holder.

• The improved carpet detection function.

Let’s take a closer look at the Roborock S7’s unique features.

The Roborock S7’s Powerful Suction (2500 Pa. vs. S5 Max: 2000 Pa.)

The increased suction power comes in very handy on the carpet.

With this, the Roborock S7 can easily remove dirt from the carpet fibre... and suck it up.

"Floating" Brush Holder with Knobs

The main brush of the Roborock S7 is "floating".

Now the brush adapts optimally to the floor’s surface.

This makes it easier to clean uneven parts on the carpet and remove dirt more effectively.

The Roborock S7’s brush holder also has "knobs" (the S5 Max doesn’t have that).

The knobs "dig" into the carpet, just like a plough in farming. That loosens the dirt from the carpet fibres so that the rubber brush can get a hold of it and remove it.

Carpet Detection Function

Both the Roborock S5 Max and the S7 have a reliable carpet detection function. The robot vacuum automatically switches to the highest cleaning mode as soon as it drives onto a carpet.

But the Roborock S7 has more to offer.

It also marks carpets on the map, thanks to the new ultrasonic sensor.

That mark can serve as a landmark. You can define no-go zones or no-mop zones or let the robot clean the carpet separately (several times if necessary).

Furthermore, the Roborock S7 has a special driving behaviour on the fluffy surface. It also cleans the carpets separately along the edges.

A great feature, because this is exactly where dirt usually accumulates!

Conclusion on the Cleaning Performance on Carpets

The Roborock S7 cuts a much better figure on the carpet.

The powerful suction and innovative features lead to a better result in our cleaning tests on carpets.

Long story short: The Roborock S7 is the way to go if you have a lot of carpets at home!

Roborock S5 Max vs. S7: Long hairs

Both the Roborock vacuums have no problems removing hair.

The only difference is that there are a lot more hairs wrapped around the Roborock S5 Max’s brush.

It’s a different story with the Roborock S7. Hardly any hairs wrap themselves around the rubber brush.

Cleaning the brush is also much easier with the Roborock S7 compared to the S5 Max.

You can easily “pull out” the hairs with the Roborock S7. With the S5 Max, you have to use the included cleaning tool.

So if you share your home with long-haired pets (or people), the Roborock S7 (including the maintenance-free rubber brush) is the better choice.

Roborock S5 Max vs. Roborock S7: Everyday cleaning

Both Roborock robot vacuums cleaned our flat (no pets, mostly hard floors, no children) without any problems.

The cleaning result is outstanding, even in the medium cleaning mode (Balanced).

You just have to start the robotic vacuum...

...wait for about 40 minutes.

...and your flat is spotlessly clean.

Long story short: Everyday dirt doesn’t pose a threat to either the Roborock S7 or S5 Max. You’ll be 100% satisfied with their performance.

Both the Roborock S7 and the Roborock S5 Max are "Robot Vacuum and Mop Combos:".

Your advantage: They can vacuum and mop the floors at the same time.

The principle is simple.

A water tank delivers water to the mopping pad. Then the robot vacuum drags the wet mop behind itself during each cleaning trip and, thus, mops the floors.

Roborock S5 Max vs. S7 Comparison of the Mopping Function

"Standard" Mopping Function on Roborock S5 Max

The Roborock S5 Max relies on a ("standard") mopping function.

The water tank continuously supplies the mop with water.

It (merely) drags the wet mopping pad behind itself.

Any kind of scrubbing movements? Nope.

One thing’s for sure: You can’t expect "cleaning miracles" here.

But still, the result was quite good:

It removes the last dirt traces, dust and "easy-to-remove stains".

Unfortunately, the little housekeeper has to pass on more stubborn stains (such as coffee or ketchup stains).

Roborock S5 Max*

Roborock S7’s "Vibrating" Mopping Plate Takes it to a New Level

You’ll discover most of the Roborock S7’s innovations in the "mopping" function. These include:

• Higher weight as well as a special device that generates additional pressure on the mop

• A fluffy mop

• Sonic Mopping Technology (vibrating mopping plate)

• VibraRise technology (lifts the mopping plate when driving onto a carpet)

• Special mopping mode (The robot mops the flat more thoroughly)

• It lifts the mopping plate during the charging process

These features lead to a significantly improved mopping function.

We’ll take a closer look at each innovation now.

Roborock S7*

Higher Weight + Additional Pressure on the Mop

We have to apply pressure to the mop to remove more stubborn stains when mopping by hand.

It’s the same with robot vacuums. The rule by thumb is:

The Roborock S7 has two improvements here:

• Higher weight (S7: 5 kg vs. S5 Max: 3.9 kg)

• Higher pressure on the mop (S7: 580 grams vs. S5 Max: 300 grams)

So it’s pretty clear: these measures ensure that the robot can put more pressure on the mop. This in turn leads to a better mopping result.

High-Quality Mopping pad

Roborock also significantly improved the quality of the mopping pad compared to that of the S5 Max.

The mop is much fluffier, absorbs more water, and removes dirt better from the floor.

A super handy improvement!

The Roborock S7’s mop also covers the full width of the mopping plate. The S5 Max, on the other hand, misses a few inches of fabric on the right and left, making the mopping trace a little narrower.

Sonic Mopping (Vibrating Mopping Technology)

Sonic Mopping (vibrating wiping technology) is certainly one of the Roborock S7’s highlights.

A special motor causes the mopping plate to vibrate.

You can change the vibration movements’ speed by selecting one of three "mopping levels":

• “Low": 1650 vibrations/minute

• “Medium": 2300 vibrations/minute

• "High": 3000 vibrations/minute

This simulates "scrubbing" movements.

With this, the Roborock S7 can remove even more stubborn stains more easily.

VibraRise - The Liftable Mopping Plate

The VibraRise technology is a world debut in the robot vacuum market in 2021.

With this, the Roborock S7 can lift the mopping plate independently by about 4-5 mm when driving over a carpet.

It worked perfectly during our test... but only on low-pile/flat carpets.

Unfortunately, the Roborock S7's lifting height isn’t sufficient on very high carpets.

Nevertheless: Especially if you have mostly flat carpets at home, it’s an excellent feature!

Special Mopping Mode ("Deep Cleaning")

You can activate the "Deep Cleaning" mode in the Roborock S7 mobile app.

Then the robot vacuum will do the following things:

• It only mops your floors because it turns off the suction motor. That makes the robot also particularly quiet, and its battery lasts much longer.

• The robot mops each track twice.

• The paths are much narrower, which means that the robot mops every spot in your room even more often.

You know this too well from cleaning with a mop and bucket. The more often you mop one spot, the better the result.

That’s exactly what the "Deep Cleaning Mode" achieves - An outstanding feature!

The S7 Lifts the Mopping Plate When Charging the Battery

This is a plain but very effective feature.

With this, you won’t have to remove the wet mop immediately after cleaning because it won’t even touch the floor.

The Roborock S5 Max can’t do that.

The damp mop will touch the floor during the charging process. That could even cause damage to sensitive floors.

So you have no other choice but to use the rather low-quality plastic mat (included in the delivery scope) or remove the mop directly after each mopping trip.

We wouldn’t call either of the two a perfect solution.

Roborock S7 vs. S5 Max: Conclusion on the Mopping Function

We don't have to beat around the bush.

The mopping function of the Roborock S7 is much better than that of the Roborock S5 Max.

The numerous improvements mean that the S7 can remove even more stubborn stains.

If you’re big on the mopping feature, you should go for the Roborock S7.

Both the Roborock S7 and Roborock S5 Max can create a map of your home.

The map is (almost) equally well in both models. It marks larger objects (coffee table (3), bookcase (2), door (1), sofa etc.) on the map.

The Roborock S7 can also draw carpets (as a shaded area) on the map.

Both robot vacuums can save a total of 4 maps (from different floors).

That makes both devices suitable for multi-storey flats / houses.

Button control

You will find buttons on top of both vacuum robots. You can use these to control the robots.

• (1) Start/stop cleaning entire flat

• (2) Back to the charging station

• (3) Area Cleaning / Spot Cleaning

Remote control via App

The mobile phone app offers a lot more functions and setting options.

You can choose between two apps:

• Roborock App (Android / iOS)

• Xiaomi Home (Android / iOS)

The two apps offer the same range of functions.

You’ve got several smart home devices from Xiaomi at home? Then we recommend using the Xiaomi Home App. You can control all applications via one app.

You only have the Roborock robot vacuum? Then the Roborock App is the way to go. Your advantage: Updates are available much earlier.

Roborock S5 Max vs. S7: Range of Functions

There are hardly any differences in the range of functions of the two robot vacuum cleaners.

The Roborock S7 only offers a couple more "unique settings" for the improved mopping function.

"Deep Cleaning Mopping"

You can let the robot mop your rooms "thoroughly" in the Roborock S7 App.

Now the Roborock S7 will:

• Mop your room twice.

• Reduce the distances between the mopping tracks significantly.

• Turn off the suction motor.

As you can see, the name says it all. It’ll mop your flat very "thoroughly". Now it can remove even stubborn dirt more easily.

Another advantage: Since the robot vacuum also switches off the suction motor, it works very quietly.

Sonic Mopping

We already mentioned in the chapter "Mopping review" that the Roborock S7 has an oscillating mopping plate.

The vibration speed depends on the water intensity level:

• “Low": 1650 vibrations / minute

• “Medium": 2300 vibrations / minute

• "High": 3000 vibrations / minute

P.S.: Another new feature compared to the Roborock S5 Max: As soon as the robot mops your floors, it also shows the routes in the mobile phone app (right image). You’ll always know where it vacuumed or mopped the floor already.

Carpet Settings

You can select how the Roborock S7 should handle the carpets during the mopping.

You can choose between the following settings:

• Lift mopping plate (yes / no)

• Drive onto the carpet (yes / no)

• Avoid carpet (yes / no)

Voice Assistant

In addition to the mobile phone app, you can also use the most common voice assistants.

It supports Siri (Apple), Google Assistant and Alexa (Amazon).

We tested the voice control with Alexa (Roborock Plus Skill).

You can use the following commands:

The control options aren’t that extensive, but everything worked wonderfully in our test.

The sound level of the robotic vacuum cleaner depends mainly on the cleaning mode.

The S5 Max is a bit quieter than the Roborock S7.

We noticed the Roborock S7’s increased volume especially in the higher power settings ("Turbo" and "Max").

Also worth mentioning:

• It’s probably self-understanding that the self-emptying process of the auto-empty dust bin (available in the UK in Autumn 2021) will be somewhat louder (approx. 70 - 80 dB).

• If you let the Roborock S7 mop your home only ("Deep Cleaning Mode"), it works very quietly. Remember, it turns off the suction motor here.

Since a robot vacuum cleaner usually cleans your home in your absence, the volume didn’t play such a big role in our rating.

The delivery scope...

Which delivery scope?

Both models’ delivery scopes include only the absolute essentials:

Robot vacuum cleaner, charging station and a manual.

That's it...

However, you can buy spare parts (HEPA filter, mop, brush, etc.) online* (on Amazon UK).

You can see a clear overview of our ratings for the Roborock S7 and S5 Max in the table below.

You can read more about each model in our detailed reviews.