The Ecovacs T30S Combo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra are two premium-level do-it-all robot vacuums with pad-washing and self-emptying features.
We’ll compare these in detail to see which option is better.
A Quick Overview of the Ecovacs T30S and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Airflow: 22.29 CFM 📝 Sand on Hard Floor: 96.21% 📝 Deep Cleaning: 67.53%
Side brush: One 📝 Brush roll: Combo brush
Navigation: LIDAR + Front Laser Sensors 📝 Map saving: Yes 📝 Number of maps: 3 📝 Containment: Yes 📝 Selective Room cleaning: Yes 📝 Recharge & Resume: Yes
Self-Empty: Yes 📝 Bag capacity: 3 liters 📝 Dustbin capacity: 300ml
Mopping: Yes 📝 Pad washing: Yes 📝 Clean water tank capacity: 3 liters 📝 Dirty water tank capacity: 3.5 liters 📝 Water tank (inside robot): 55ml
Battery: 5200 mAh Li-ion 📝 Run time: 290 minutes 📝 Noise: 67.1 dB
Airflow: 11.33 CFM 📝 Sand on Hard Floor: 98.6% 📝 Deep Cleaning: 85.15%
Side brush: One 📝 Brush roll: Twin rubber extractors
Navigation: LIDAR + Front IR Sensor 📝 Map saving: Yes 📝 Number of maps: 4 📝 Containment: Yes 📝 Selective Room cleaning: Yes 📝 Recharge & Resume: Yes
Self-Empty: Yes 📝 Bag capacity: 2.5liters 📝 Dustbin capacity: 350ml
Mopping: Yes 📝 Pad washing: Yes 📝 Clean water tank capacity: 3 liters 📝 Dirty water tank capacity: 2.5 liters 📝 Water tank (inside robot): 200ml
Battery: 5200 mAh Li-ion 📝 Run time: 180 minutes 📝 Noise: 70.8 dB
Jump to: Intro, Similarities, Differences, App Features, Navigation, Airflow, Cleaning, Mopping, Run Time, Noise, Specs, Where to Buy, Which is Better, Verdict
Introduction to the Ecovacs T30S and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
First, let’s go through the basics of these robots, then go to the nitty-gritty details.
The Ecovacs T30S Combo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra are versatile robot vacuums with do-it-all base stations that do everything – wash the pad, dry it, and empty the dustbin.
However, the T30S Combo has one extra function: it holds the handheld vacuum and its tools.
Gigantic Base Station: Ecovacs T30S Combo
Pros
- Large water tanks than the Roborock
- Generous-sized 3-liter bag
- Simpler pad cleaning system
- Storage for handheld unit and its tools
- Hot water pad washing cycle disinfects the pads
- A cheaper option than the S8 Pro Ultra
Cons
- It is not as good as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra in the cleaning tests
- Not as efficient navigation
- High quantities of long hair will wrap on the brush
- Obstacle avoidance could be improved
- Massive and heavy base station
The Ecovacs T30S Combo offers versatility I haven’t seen in other robot vacuums.
Not only will it vacuum and mop floors, but Ecovacs will also include a full-sized handheld vacuum plus attachments to help users clean areas the robot vacuum won’t reach.
However, this addition has one (literal) massive downsize – the humongous base station.
Ecovacs had to widen the dock to accommodate the handheld unit and its tools.
It’s a carefully thought-out add-on since the base station can empty the robot and handheld vacuum – saving you time from doing this manually.
Besides the wider frame, the T30S Combo base station has functionality similar to the X2 Omni dock.
Two Brushes, Better Pick Up: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Pros
- Dual brush rolls offer better pickup than the Ecovacs T30S
- Better and more consistent obstacle avoidance
- The option for a three-pass run provides better thoroughness
- Lower profile base station
- More efficient navigation
- Newer releases will have hot water pad washing
- Above-average deep cleaning on carpets
Cons
- Hair will tangle on the rubber brushes
- Crazy expensive
- Noisy (above 70 dB)
- Bulky base station
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra offers a more refined product than the Ecovacs with its more polished navigation and superior cleaning performance thanks to the two rubber brushes.
It’s the only brand I’ve tested with this feature besides iRobot.
These two brushes help the S8 Pro Ultra pick up debris efficiently despite having one of the lower airflow outputs of the robot vacuums I’ve reviewed (11 CFM), especially on carpet.
The S8 Pro’s base station is as versatile as Ecovacs but with a different design.
It has a horizontal layout, with the water tanks and bag lined up in one row, which lowers the height but still makes it massive.
Similarities Between the Ecovacs T30S Combo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
1. Do-It-All Base Station
The first similarity is the do-it-all base station. I mentioned earlier that the Ecovacs T30S has a storage slot for the handheld unit.
But aside from extra storage, the functions of these docks are the same.
Both can empty the robot’s dustbin and wash and dry the pads.
The Ecovacs base station has a hot water pad washing cycle, while the S8 Pro doesn’t.
However, newer S8 models like the S8 MaxV Ultra have this feature, but at a higher cost.
2. LIDAR
The next similarity is the LIDAR sensor both robots use to track location.
I like this over a camera-based robot since it offers better precision and will work even without any light.
3. Pad Lift
These robots have a pad lift feature that enables them to avoid carpets, at least on paper.
I say “on paper” because the pads still touch the surface, even on low-pile rugs. So, I wouldn’t rely on this alone; I would draw a no-go zone to block the robot from entering these surfaces.
4. Hybrid Function
Another similarity is the hybrid functionality of these products, meaning both can vacuum and mop simultaneously.
However, the similarity ends here, as the pad design differs, which we’ll examine later.
5. Obstacle Avoidance
Both have obstacle avoidance sensors, enabling these robots to evade objects.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra uses an IR sensor flanked by two laser sensors, offering greater consistency in obstacle avoidance.
It was much better at avoiding coiled wires and smaller toys. However, like most robot vacuums, it struggled with evading stretched wires, but it managed to avoid the weighing scale.
The Ecovacs T30S can avoid obstacles, but it wasn’t as consistent and struggled to evade coiled wires in some instances.
Since it doesn’t have an IR sensor, it cannot process what objects it evades, at least within the app.
Its side brush got tangled several times with the wire, and it climbed over the weighing scale.
Differences Between the Ecovacs T30S Combo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
1. Pad Washing Systems
The pad washing design is a critical deciding factor between the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and the Ecovacs T30S.
Ecovacs uses a more standard design, which I see in other brands. It has a tray with a textured surface against which the pads scrub to clean.
I like this design better because it’s simpler. There’s nothing to replace since the tray is made from good-quality plastic and should last the robot’s lifetime.
The Roborock S8 Pro’s pad washing is more complex, with more moving parts. A cylindrical brush attached to a track moves from side to side to scrub the pad.
One downside of using a brush is the bristles will wear out, eventually, and you’ll need to replace them, which adds to the cost.
Another difference is that the Ecovacs T30S has a hot water pad washing cycle, something absent in the S8 Pro Ultra, but available in newer, more expensive S8 releases.
2. Mopping Pad
The next difference is the pad design, which is another deciding factor.
The Ecovacs T30S uses two spinning discs that spin to help agitation and clean stains.
How many RPMS? Ecovacs didn’t disclose this information on their website, but I’m guessing it’s close to 200 rpm.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra uses a single pad with two vibrating elements built into the bracket.
I want to point out that the S8 Pro bracket is fixed and not detachable.
3. Tank and Bag Placement
The water tank and bag placement vary. The Roborock S8 Pro containers are beside the bag on the dock.
The Ecovacs T30S tanks are also on top, but the bag is underneath these containers to hold more volume.
App Features
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Ecovacs T30S Combo have apps you can download to maximize the robot’s function.
It enables users to add and save maps, draw containment zones, and more. We’ll examine the most helpful features in this section.
1. Live Map
The live map is one of the most helpful features of any robot vacuum. It shows the robot’s location in real-time and the areas it has cleaned through the lines.
The Ecovacs app also has a live map feature and a 3D map, but Roborock’s 3D map is better since it has a more realistic view and shows the grid lines that represent the areas it has cleaned.
2. Mapping Run
Another helpful feature in both apps is the mapping run, in which the robot goes into exploratory mode to create maps.
This mode takes advantage of LIDAR’s 360-degree scanning, so the robot doesn’t have to go through every nook and cranny.
This feature is most helpful inside large homes because of the time savings.
3. Map Saving
After the mapping run, users can save maps in the app – 3 for Ecovacs and 4 for Roborock.
But with these massive base stations, the numbers above are more than enough.
You could grab the robot and ask it to vacuum another floor level, perhaps the second floor of your two-story home, and carry it back to its base station to empty the dustbin and wash the pads.
It’s not as reliant on the base station to function.
4. Containment
Users can add containment zones at each map level to block the robot from entering off-limits areas.
There are two options: no-go zones and invisible walls. Ecovacs uses different terminology for these, but the function is the same.
Invisible walls act like walls, blocking the robot from going past them, while no-go zones block the robot from going into a square or rectangular zone.
Ecovacs calls this a “no entry area” and “no mopping area.”
These have the same function, but the latter only blocks the robot from mopping the area.
Navigation Comparison
Since these robots use LIDAR, both will navigate similarly: clean the edges first before moving toward the middle areas in a back-and-forth pattern.
One difference is that the Roborock S8 Pro can do a third pass, which the Ecovacs T30S can’t, giving it better thoroughness.
Coverage Test
The Roborock S8 Pro wins this category since it finished the run faster in under 18 minutes.
The Ecovacs T30S wasn’t as needed and needed three minutes more to finish a two-pass run.
However, both missed spots and didn’t pick up every crumb of Quaker oats I scattered.
Airflow Comparison
I used an anemometer to check airflow levels, and here are the results.
| Power setting | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Power setting | Ecovacs T30S Combo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet | 6.49 CFM | Quiet | 7.27 CFM |
| Balanced | 7.27 CFM | Standard | 17.74 CFM |
| Turbo | 9.33 CFM | Strong | 17.91 CFM |
| Max | 11.33 CFM | Max+ | 22.29 CFM |
| Max+ | 11.33 CFM |
The Ecovacs T30S nearly doubles the Roborock S8 Pro output with a max output of over 22 CFM in the max setting, compared to the Ecovacs T30S output of 11 CFM, which is low even for a robot vacuum.
However, Roborock makes up for this deficiency with high-end agitation from the two all-rubber brushes.
Cleaning Comparison
| Model | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Ecovacs T30S Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94.95% | 88.65% |
| Hard Floor | 96.9% | 95.75% |
| Sand on hard floor | 98.6% | 96.21% |
| Carpet (Surface Pickup) | 99.15% | 95.11% |
| Carpet (Deep Cleaning) | 85.15% | 67.53% |
Despite the higher airflow, the Ecovacs T30S Combo wasn’t as good as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra in the cleaning experiments, getting lower scores in nearly all the tests.
This is where the S8 Pro Ultra’s two-brush roll design excels – at picking up debris.
Another reason it got better scores is the more refined navigation since it made tighter turns.
The Ecovacs combo brush wasn’t (as) good at debris pick-up since the bristles were softer than Roborock’s stiffer rubber fins.
Which Option is Better on Hard Floors?
The winner goes to the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra since it picked up a higher percentage in the various experiments on this surface.
It was more than two percentage points better in the sand on hard floor test, my primary barometer for performance on this surface (98.6% vs. 96.21%).
The S8 Pro made cleaner passes than the T30S Combo, and less sand was left after the test runs.
Edge Cleaning
The Ecovacs T30S was surprisingly good in this experiment, vacuuming most of the coffee grounds scattered on this area.
However, the Roborock S8 Pro wasn’t as good, leaving more coffee grounds, even after a three-pass run.
Both robots didn’t pick up debris on the quarter-inch crevice, which is an issue with most robot vacuums since these machines lack airflow.
Hair Wrap Comparison
I tested these robots on five and seven-inch hair, and here are the results.
| Model | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Ecovacs T30S Combo |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch strands | 48.5% | 100% |
| 7-inch strands | 24% | 0% |
One feature Ecovacs introduced in the T30S is the comb above the brush, which supposedly helps untangle hair.
It worked to an extent and picked up 100% of five-inch hair.
But struggled with longer seven-inch hair.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra also struggled to clean both hair lengths, not even getting over 50% in the five-inch experiment and below 30% in the seven-inch test.
Which Option is Better on Carpets?
Again, the Roborock S8 Pro, with its two brushes, excelled at cleaning this surface, picking up 99.5% of surface dirt and 85.15% in the deep cleaning test, which are excellent scores for a low airflow robot.
The Ecovacs T30S wasn’t as good, picking up 95.11% and 67.53% in these tests, respectively.
Mopping Comparison
As with the cleaning experiment, the Roborock S8 Pro was excellent in the mopping tests, needing only one pass to remove the red wine and grape juice stains.
Here’s a before and after for the red wine test.
Most robot mops without an agitating element struggle to remove grape juice stains (photo below).
The S8 Pro needed only one pass to remove these notoriously tricky blemishes.
Likewise, the Ecovacs T30S needed only one pass with red wine stains.
But struggled with grape juice stains, where I had to run it twice to get most of it out.
However, one advantage of the Ecovacs T30S is its hot water pad washing cycle, which helps to remove buildup on the two pads.
The Roborock S8 Pro kept the pads clean, but you could see visible stains on the edges.
Run Time Comparison
Ecovacs wins this category with its claimed run time of 290 minutes, or 110 minutes more than Roborock’s claimed run time of 180 minutes.
However, with the efficient navigation and mapping run, this shouldn’t be a significant deciding factor since these robots will be proficient at creating maps and traversing different areas around your home.
Please note that if you use the carpet boost or the highest power setting, expect the run time to be cut in half (at least), which shouldn’t be an issue with the recharge and resume feature.
Noise Comparison
I used a sound meter beside the robot to check noise levels, and here are the results.
| Power setting | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Ecovacs T30S Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet | 58.1 dB | 59.9 dB |
| Balanced | 62.1 dB | 60.2 dB |
| Turbo | 64.8 dB | 62.0 dB |
| Max | 70.1 dB | 67.1 dB |
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the noisier option in all the power settings, breaching the 70-decibel mark in the highest power setting, or around three decibels louder than the T30S Combo.
Product Specifications
| Model | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Ecovacs X2 Omni |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 13.89" | 12.6" |
| Height | 3.79" | 3.74" |
| Filter | Washable E11 Rated Air Filter | HEPA Filter |
| Navigation | LIDAR + Front IR | LIDAR + Front laser sensor |
| Run time | 180 mins. | 290 mins. |
| Recharge and Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Map Saving | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Maps | 4 | 3 |
| Dustbin capacity | 350 ml | 300 ml |
| Water tank (robot) | 200 ml | 55 ml |
| Clean water tank | 3 liters | 4 liters |
| Dirty water tank | 2.5 liters | 3 liters |
| Auto empty capacity | 2.5 liters | 3 liters |
| Airflow | 11.33 CFM | 22.29 CFM |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 1-year limited |
| Price |
Where Can I Purchase These Robot Vacuums?
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Ecovacs T30S Combo are available in online stores like Amazon. Check the links below for the latest pricing information.
Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you click on any of the links above, but at no extra cost, so it’s a win-win for us!
Which Option is Better?
Looking at the results, the Roborock S8 Pro is the refined and efficient option if you’re looking for the better option between these robots regardless of price.
It navigates more efficiently, picks up more debris, and is better at mopping stains.
However, Ecovacs has its benefits, starting with the cheaper price point.
4 Reasons to Choose the Ecovacs T30S Combo
- Cheaper: The Ecovacs T30S Combo, including the handheld unit, is the less expensive option.
- Better pad cleaning: I like the T30S pad cleaning since the hot water pad washing cycle helps keep the pads clean and sanitized.
- No need to purchase another vacuum: If you get the Combo option, there’s no need to purchase another vacuum since this robot comes with a handheld vacuum.
- Larger water tanks: The bigger water tanks will require less frequent refills.
Reasons to Choose the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
- Better refinement: The S8 Pro Ultra does nearly everything better with its more refined algorithm and better-designed brush roll.
- More efficient: It completed the two-pass run three minutes faster than the T30S.
- Excellent at mopping stains: This robot only needed one pass to remove tough-to-clean juice stains.
- Above-average on carpet: Even with the subpar airflow, the S8 Pro picked up more dirt on carpets with above-average scores in the deep cleaning experiment.
- Better obstacle avoidance: This robot is the better option if obstacle evasion is a deciding factor.
The Verdict: Roborock Offers Better Performance
Even with the price variance, I’d still recommend the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra if you’re willing to spend a few hundred dollars more, especially with the newer releases.
It was better at nearly every aspect, from navigation and cleaning to mopping stains.
Roborock has a more refined algorithm that had no issues with map creation (at least during my experiments), whereas the T30S got some complaints about issues with the mapping run.
However, the Ecovacs is cheaper and has a simpler pad washing system that cleans the pad better than the more complex Roborock design.
