Roborock Q7 Max+ vs. S8 Pro Ultra

After completing the Roborock Q5+ and S8 Pro Ultra, we’ll compare two more Roborock products, Q7 Max+, and S8 Pro Ultra.

The Q7 Max+ is one of the newer Q-Series options and a step up over the Q5+ since it has the mopping feature.

So it’s closer to the S8 Pro in that aspect, but it was worse than the Q5 with airflow and got lower overall averages.

We’ll look at these and more in this comparison.

An overview of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Q5+

* If you click on any of the links above and purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost.

Introduction to the Roborock Q7 Max+ and S8 Pro Ultra

Over the past few years, Roborock has ramped up its R&D and released several new models since the S7+.

And we’ll examine the two releases in this comparison, the Q7 Max+ and the S8 Pro Ultra.

Cheaper Option: Roborock Q7 Max+

Pros

• Versatile option with an additional mopping feature
• Above-average surface cleaning
• It uses a bristle-less brush roll that’s easier to clean
• Efficient navigation
• Wide auto-empty port
• Not noisy in the lower power settings

Cons

• Below-average deep cleaning performance
• Lower airflow than the cheaper Roborock Q5+
• Expensive

The Q7 Max+ is a more expensive version of the Q5+ because it has the mopping feature absent in the cheaper option.

These Q-Series robots use the same narrow base station with the same 2.5-liter bag volume and wide auto-empty port, but the cheaper Q5+ is cheaper since it doesn’t have a mopping feature.

While the Q7 Max+ has the mopping element, it uses the S5 Max-style electronic water tank and pad without any agitating element.

But unlike the S5 Max, where the water tank is separate from the container, the S7 Max’s water tank is integrated into its dustbin.

One plus for the S7 Max is its water tank has a larger volume at 350 milliliters, or 60 more than the S5 Max’s 290 ml volume.

A quick note on the Q7 and Q7 Max – one difference between these Q7 options is the water tank.

The Q7 Max has a hybrid water tank/dustbin, while the Q7 has a separate water tank and dustbin container.

But the Q7’s water tank is much smaller since it’s built into the mopping bracket.

Not having an agitating element negatively affects the Q7 Max’s mopping performance.

It won’t be as efficient as the S8 Pro Ultra since it has two agitating elements.

Surface debris pick-up is decent with the high-end agitation from the floating brush roll, but the low airflow hampers deep cleaning performance.

Do-It-All Robot Vacuum: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

Pros

• Do-it-all base station washes the pad and empties the dustbin
• Superior mopping performance thanks to the two agitating elements
• Twin brush roll system gives it premium level deep cleaning performance
• Above-average obstacle avoidance
• Nearly hands-free convenience with the self-emptying and auto-refilling features
• Efficient pad-washing mechanism

Cons

• Costly option
• It can’t pick up liquid
• Subpar airflow affects its hard floor performance negatively

The S8 Pro Ultra is (currently) Roborock’s flagship equipped with its latest technology, namely the twin roller system, tweaked front obstacle sensors, and VibraRise 2.0.

It’s an upgrade over the S7 MaxV Ultra, particularly the twin roller system that elevates its carpet cleaning performance to another level.

Unlike the Roomba extractors that use shallow grooves, the S8 Pro uses fins with deeper grooves, providing extra agitation on carpets.

Unfortunately, the S8 Pro has downgrades: lower airflow output and the old-style bristled side brush.

Fortunately, the S8 Pro Ultra is compatible with the newer five-pronged, all-rubber side brush, readily available on Amazon.

The VibraRise refers to the vibrating element and pad lift feature, hence the name “Vibra” and “Rise.”

Its 2.0 designation refers to the second vibrating element, making it one of the most efficient robot mops available.

Lastly is the do-it-all base station, which is unique since it’s the only one I’ve tested with a bristled pad washing element.

Since it has the water tanks and bag in one row, the S8 Pro base station is bulky.

Overall, the S8 Pro Ultra is one of Roborock’s most versatile and best-performing robot vacuum/mop hybrids, but the latest tech comes at an astronomical premium.

Similarities between the Roborock Q7 Max+ and S8 Pro Ultra

Next, we’ll check the similarities of these versatile robot vacuum/mop hybrids.

1. Hybrid Functionality

The Q7 Max+ and S8 Pro Ultra have hybrid robot vacuum and mop functionality.

One difference is the agitating element, only available in the S8 Pro Ultra.

And this is a significant deciding factor since the latter is more efficient, especially with difficult-to-mop stains.

Both pad sizes are similar, so this aspect has a slight variance.

2. Self-Emptying

These robot vacuums have an auto-empty feature, becoming a mainstream rather than a nice-to-have feature.

Both use a bagged system with a 2.5-liter bag volume.

3. Ramp-Style Dock

Another similarity is the ramp-style docks these models use where the robot sits during the recharging cycle.

I like this design over the vertical port since there are no alignment issues, and it’s usable even on carpets.

4. LIDAR

Like most Roborock intelligent robot vacuums, the S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+ use LIDAR and its benefits.

The most significant is the proficient navigation, thanks to the laser sensor’s precision and rapid firing properties.

Roborock adding the mapping run further improves its map-creating efficiency since it takes advantage of LIDAR’s 360-degree scanning ability, so this process takes a fraction of the time compared to a traditional run.

5. Top-Mounted Dustbin

The S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+ have a top-mounted dustbin, providing easy access if needed.

This design was necessary since most Roborock options with a mopping feature have the water tank and mopping module behind the robot.

So the most logical spot to put the dustbin is in its current location.

Differences between the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+

Next, we’ll look at the differences between these products, some of which will decide whether you choose the mid-range Q7 Max or the premium S8 Pro Ultra.

1. Base Station Functionality

The functionality of the S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+ base stations vary in several aspects, with the S8 Pro having a more versatile dock with pad-washing and self-emptying features.

Adding these functions makes it a more hands-free option since consumers don’t need to wash the pad frequently, whereas the Q7 Max+ only has the self-emptying feature.

One advantage of its simpler design is it’s more compact and lighter. So it’s easier to move around if that is a priority.

2. Obstacle Avoidance [S8 Pro Ultra only]

Only the S8 Pro Ultra has the obstacle avoidance feature between these robots.

It uses a front-mounted infrared sensor flanked by lasers on each side.

The IR sensor detects and identifies, and compares the obstacle to a database (around 43) of obstructions.

One downside is it doesn’t have the CCTV feature of the S7 MaxV Ultra, but a plus for consumers who are wary of their privacy.

3. Water Tank

While these robots have water tanks, their designs are different.

The S8 Pro Ultra uses a non-detachable water tank that’s built-in behind the robot.

In contrast, the Q7 Max+ uses a hybrid dustbin/water tank container accessible through the top.

The Q7 Max+ water tank is bigger, but that advantage is negated by the self-refilling feature of the S8 Pro.

4. Vibrating Element [S8 Pro Ultra only]

Roborock takes the S8 Pro a step further from the S7 MaxV by adding a second agitating element, making it one of the most efficient robot mop options.

It didn’t have any issues even with hard-to-clean juice stains and didn’t have the stalling issue most robot mops without an agitating element have.

5. Side Brush

One underrated variance is the side brush design. The S8 Pro Ultra reverted to the bristled side brush, whereas the Q7 Max+ uses the newer five-pronged side brush.

The all-rubber has no performance advantage but is more durable since the tentacles won’t bend as easily.

6. Base Station Size

The S8 Pro Ultra base station has a larger footprint with its do-it-all functionality.

Roborock had to allot slots for the water tanks, bag, and pad washing components. Thus, the immense size.

The Q7 Max+ doesn’t have this issue since it only has one function – emptying the robot’s dustbin.

App Features

The S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+ are compatible with the Roborock app, and both have similar features, aside from the feature-specific ones only available with the former.

We’ll enumerate these features, highlighting the most useful ones.

1. Live Map

One of the most helpful is the live map. This feature shows the robot’s location in real-time on the map and the areas it has cleaned through the grid lines.

Another similarity is the 3D Map feature, introduced recently, giving consumers a different map perspective viewable from different angles.

One advantage of the Roborock 3D map is it’s integrated into the primary interface, so the functionality isn’t hampered.

2. Map Saving

Map saving is available for the S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+, with the option to save up to four levels.

It’s been a staple of the Roborock app since its introduction and has other benefits we’ll look at below.

3. Containment

One of the most significant benefits of the map-saving feature is containment, where consumers have several options, namely no-go zones and invisible walls.

Older map versions (still) had the no-mop zones feature, but the latest firmware upgrade removed it since it has the same functionality as the no-go zones.

An invisible wall acts like a “virtual” wall, blocking the robot from going past it.

This feature enables consumers to draw diagonal lines, which is impossible with the no-go zones.

The no-go zone feature is another containment option, where consumers can draw boxes or rectangle “zones,” preventing the robot from entering them.

4. Mapping Run

The mapping run is the most helpful of the new features introduced in the latest Roborock app since it reduces map creation time ten-fold.

This feature takes advantage of a laser sensor’s 360-degree scanning to create maps in a fraction of the time it takes compared to a complete run.

5. Obstacle Areas [S8 Pro Ultra only]

This feature is only available with the S8 Pro Ultra since it only has the front obstacle-avoidance sensor.

It shows a graphic of the obstacle and is pretty accurate with specific items like footwear.

The screenshots above show the variance of this feature between the S7 MaxV (left) and the S8 Pro (right).

Navigation Comparison

There’s a slight variance between the Roborock S8 Pro and Q7 Max+ navigation since both rely on LIDAR.

These robots will start the run by cleaning the edges before vacuuming the middle areas in a back-and-forth pattern.

Coverage Test

A slight advantage to the Roborock Q7 Max+ since it has more airflow, so it picks up more debris after the first pass.

Here’s the after-shot.

It also completed the run in sixteen minutes, two minutes faster than the S8 Pro Ultra (eighteen minutes).

So it’s the more efficient option based on this experiment.

Obstacle Avoidance

Only the S8 Pro has the front-mounted sensor, so it’s the only one with obstacle avoidance capability.

And based on experiments, it’s above average in this aspect.

Not as good as the Roomba J7 at evading stretched wires, but it’s close.

It uses a combination of an IR sensor and lasers flanking it, similar to the S7 MaxV; only the latter uses a twin-lens camera.

There isn’t much variance between the S8 Pro Ultra and S7 MaxV Ultra with obstacle avoidance, but the latter has CCTV functionality since it uses a camera.

The Q7 Max+ doesn’t have this feature, so it can’t avoid obstacles like the S8 Pro.

Airflow Comparison

One critical aspect of robot vacuums is airflow. High airflow options do better at picking up surface debris, especially on hard floors, which is true for the Q7 Max+.

The Q7 Max+ has 32% more in the max setting, a huge variance considering the price difference.

This variance is most felt in the coverage test, where the Q7 Max+ made cleaner passes and left less debris after the first pass.

The advantage of the S8 Pro’s twin roller system is on carpets, where the extra agitation gives it better performance.

Cleaning Comparison

The results above paint the strengths and weaknesses of these robot vacuums.

The Roborock Q7 Max+ was better on hard floors, getting higher percentages in (nearly) all the experiments, even with hard-to-clean sand.

And a significant reason why is the higher airflow, making it the better option on this surface, while the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra twin rollers’ extra agitation gives it the advantage on carpets: surface and embedded debris, where it got higher averages.

Which option is better on hard floors?

Again, the Q7 Max+’s higher airflow gives it better performance on this surface, evidenced by the test results.

It got higher averages on the surface debris experiments (99.9% vs. 96.9%), including sand (99.8% vs. 98.6%), a significant barometer for hard floor performance.

Here’s a before and after shot for the Q7 Max+.

And the S8 Pro Ultra.

The latter left more remnants after this experiment, and the lower airflow hampers its performance, despite the extra agitation from the second roller.

Edge Cleaning

I’d give a (slight) edge to the Roborock Q7 Max+ since it left less debris after the test.

Thanks to the higher airflow, It picked up better along the edges, leaving a cleaner surface.

Unfortunately, the S8 Pro didn’t do as well, leaving more debris trails after the three-pass run.

The difference isn’t much, but it wasn’t as efficient cleaning this area.

Here’s a before and after shot for the Q7 Max+.

And the S8 Pro Ultra.

Hair Wrap Comparison

Another win for the Roborock Q7 Max+ in this category, which is another plus having more airflow.

It nearly doubled the pick up with five (90% vs. 48.5%)and seven-inch (47% vs. 24%) hair.

Even with longer seven-inch hair, only this much wrapped on the brush.

This model is better for cleaning hair because it resists tangles better. Plus, the bristle-less roller is easy to clean.

The S8 Pro struggled with this much hair wrapping on the rollers in both experiments.

Which option is better on carpets?

It’s a different story on this surface. The S8 Pro, with its twin roller design, is better, getting higher averages on surface (99.15% vs. 98.3%) and embedded dirt (85.15% vs. 69.63%).

The latter is a testament to the agitation advantage of the twin brush roll system of the S8 Pro and one of the best Roborock options for deep cleaning carpets.

Mopping Comparison

The Roborock S8 Pro is a much better option for mopping because it has two agitating elements on its mopping module.

Roborock calls this VibraRise 2.0.

It’s one of the most proficient at removing stains, needing only one pass to clean red wine and juice stains.

Here’s a before and after of the red wine test.

And juice stains.

Since the Q7 Max+ doesn’t have an agitating element but only drags a wet pad on the surface, it won’t be as proficient.

Here’s a before shot for the red wine test.

And here’s how it looks afterward.

It wasn’t as efficient as the S8 Pro since it needed two passes to remove these stains.

I didn’t test it on juice stains because it didn’t have an agitating element, which tends to stall these (types of) robot mops.

Run Time Comparison

There isn’t any variance in run time since these robots use the same 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery.

The S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+ have the same claimed run time of 180 minutes in the lowest power setting.

Even with the Q7 Max’s slight efficiency advantage, I don’t foresee any range issues since both are proficient with navigation and have the mapping run.

Noise Comparison

There’s not much difference between the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+ in the noise experiment (using a sound meter), but the latter is louder in the max setting (over 74 decibels).

Maintenance

With the complexity of these robot vacuums/mop hybrids, both will need maintenance to function efficiently for years.

I’ll enumerate the list of components consumers need to check and the recommended cleaning intervals.

1. Brush roll: Clean the roller (at least) weekly to remove any dust or hair accumulation, especially on the axles, to prevent unnecessary friction.
2. Side brush: Remove and clean it weekly and remove any hair buildup on the base.
3. Dustbin and filter: Even with the self-emptying feature, don’t neglect to check the dustbin and remove any dust buildup. Do this task monthly. Clean the filters by tapping them on a solid surface to dislodge debris on the folds.
4. Drop sensors: Wipe the drop sensors with a clean microfiber towel or cotton bud to remove any dust or fingerprint accumulation. This also prevents an error code from firing and disabling the robot.
5. Auto-empty port: Ensure that the auto-empty port is free from any blockages.
6. Bag: Dispose of the bag once you notice it’s full.
7. Pad washing port: Use a clean microfiber or paper towel and wipe this area (this applies only to the S8 Pro Ultra). Replace the bristled component once it’s worn.

Parts Availability

Roborock’s growth has improved its parts availability quotient compared to the previous years. But it still pales compared to the Roomba since more third-party manufacturers produce hard-to-find components like the side brush motor.

But for consumables like filters, rollers, and side brushes, consumers won’t have any issues since these are available in online stores like Amazon or the Roborock website.

The S8 Pro and Q7 Max+ have some cross-compatibility, so components like the side brush and bag are compatible.

Product Specifications

Model	Roborock Q7 Max+	Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Width	13.8"	13.89"
Height	3.8"	3.79"
Filter	Washable E11 Rated Air Filter	Washable E11 Rated Air Filter
Navigation	Smart Navigation	Smart Navigation
Run time	180 mins.	180 mins.
Recharge and Resume	Yes	Yes
Map Saving	Yes	Yes
Number of Maps	4	4
Dustbin capacity	400 ml	350 ml
Water tank	350ml	200 ml
Auto empty capacity	2.5 liters	2.5 liters
Airflow	15.68 CFM	11.33 CFM
Warranty	1-year limited	1-year limited
Price	Check Price	Check Price

Where Can I Buy These Robot Vacuums?

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Q7 Max+ are available in online stores like Amazon. Check the links below for the latest pricing information.

• Roborock S8 Pro Ultra on Amazon
• Roborock Q7+ on Amazon (w/ self-empty base station + gravity tank)
• Roborock Q7 Max+ on Amazon (w/ self-empty base station + hybrid dustbin/electronic water tank)

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase from the link above, but at n cost to you, so it’s a win-win for us!

Which is Better, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra or the Q7 Max+?

Choosing one will depend on several factors, but the most critical is your budget.

Are you willing to pay the premium for the latest technology the S8 Pro offers?

Let’s look at reasons why you should consider each option.

4 Reasons to Purchase the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

1. Better on carpets: The S8 Pro’s twin roller design provides better agitation, thus, will clean carpets better than the Q7 Max+.
2. Do-it-all base station: It has the latest base station technology with pad washing and self-emptying features, so it’s an autonomous option for vacuuming and mopping tasks.
3. Avoids obstacles: The Reactive 3D system is above-average at evading obstacles, even high-risk stuff like coiled wires or pet feces.
4. More proficient mopping: This model is better and more proficient at mopping stains, thanks to the twin agitating elements.

3 Reasons to Choose the Roborock Q7 Max+

1. Better on hard floors: The Q7 Max+’s higher airflow helps it pick up more debris on this surface.
2. More efficient: It completed the two-pass run in my tiny room in around 16 minutes – two minutes faster than the S8 Pro.
3. Cheaper: This option is significantly cheaper than the S8 Pro Ultra, and if you don’t want to spend (way) over $1000 for a robot vacuum, it could be the better option.

The Verdict: What Do You Prioritize and How Much Will You Spend?

With the price variance of these robot vacuums, you’ll have to do a checklist before making a decision.

Do you need the do-it-all functionality of the S8 Pro base station? Do you want the latest tech?

What surface do you need to clean? Do you want something exclusively for hard floors or carpets?

The Roborock Q7 Max+ is the cheaper option, but it lacks obstacle avoidance, pad washing, and obstacle avoidance features.

But it supersedes the S8 Pro with hard floor cleaning performance because it has more airflow.

It also has a slight advantage with efficiency and complete the two-pass run faster (by two minutes).

The S8 Pro Ultra has all the latest tech and is much better on carpets with the twin roller system.

Also, the twin agitating elements make it (much more) efficient at mopping stains.