Roborock S5 Max Review

A few years after Roborock launched their first product, the S5, they now finally have an upgrade – the S5 Max.

This is a different model from their other two products – the S4 and S6, with most improvements focused on its mopping capabilities.

Other enhancements that we’ll look at include the new side brush that does away with the bristles. It has a bigger water tank and no-mop zones that keep it away from areas you designate where it can’t mop.

The app also allows users to lower the vacuum motor’s power output and prioritize mopping – a feature not available with the Roborock S5.

Is This The Best Robot Vacuum and Mop?

The No-Mop Zones Feature is Handy

Roborock’s enhancements with the S5 Max primarily focus on how it mops. It has a bigger water tank than the S5 and S6 and an option in the app to adjust water flow (4 different modes). I tested the mopping feature extensively with wet and dry messes, and it was quite useful. It won’t replace a traditional mop, but the performance is above average versus other robot vacuum and mop hybrids. This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a vacuum and mop combo that can mop surfaces like tile or hardwood.

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Pros

• The new electronic water tank is superb at controlling water flow and effective at removing stains.
• Upgrades to the navigation software make it more efficient than the Roborock S5.
• It will run for up to 150 minutes at the lowest setting.
• No-go and no-mop zones bring a lot of convenience to the user.

Cons

• The small dust cup can store 490ml of dirt.
• It doesn’t come with an extra pad or side brush.
• Quite expensive.

Introduction to the Roborock S5 Max

The S5 Max is Roborock’s latest product with similar specs to the previous S5 model. Both variants have the same power rating at 2,000 Pascals, but the S5 Max has better mopping abilities with its new electronic water tank and upgraded software with the Roborock app.

It allows you to adjust how much water flows through and power down the vacuum motor for tasks that only require mopping.

Top View

There are some differences between the S5 and S5 Max’s button layouts, but everything else remains the same. Below the two buttons are the LIDAR Laser Distance Sensor (or LDS) that is precise in mapping out its environment.

Under the LDS sensor is a door that provides access to the dust cup, WiFi status, and reset button.

There’s also a brush and blade combo tool stored inside that’s useful for removing hair that may wrap around the main brush.

Bottom View

The S5 Max retains the same design as the Roborock S5 with the single side brush and combo brush. What’s different between the two is the side brush design.

With the newer Max, the side brush has an all-rubber construction without any bristles.

Behind the main brush is a rubber seal that helps funnel dirt toward the suction chamber and into the dust bin.

New Water Tank

The most significant improvement with the S5 Max over the S5 is the new water tank. In the S5, the water tank and mop bracket are a single piece, so it has a smaller liquid capacity.

It only relied on gravity for the water to seep through the two openings going to the pad.

This design didn’t have a feature that would stop water from dripping when the robot was not in use. So if you forget to remove the water tank, it will leave a puddle of mess underneath.

That isn’t the case with the S5 Max’s water tank which is electronically controlled that won’t drip unless it’s running.

I tested this by placing my hand under the water tank, and it won’t leak unless you tilt it sideways.

Having the water tank as a separate piece makes it possible to increase up to 290 ml.

The electrically controlled mop does an excellent job of keeping the pad damp without getting it soaking wet, which is an issue with gravity tanks.

It’s also got a spring-loaded system that maintains a constant pressure of 300 grams throughout the mopping cycle.

This feature helps increase the coverage area without having to replace the pad.

Four Mop Settings

Another improvement is the ability to adjust the amount of water flow using the app.

There are four different “water level” options:

1. Off/Only Once: Lowest amount of flow if the mop is attached.
2. Low: Next lowest setting and the mode I’d recommend for picking up liquid messes.
3. Medium: Middle setting that works great for cleaning dried stains.
4. High: Has the highest water flow and is great for mopping off hard-to-remove stains like juice residue.

For cleaning wet messes, I would suggest using the “only once” or “low” mode, while the “medium” and “high” settings are best for dried stains that require a damper pad.

The app also has five “cleaning mode” options:

1. Gentle/only once: Lowest setting and the choice I’d use if you only want to mop.
2. Silent: Excellent setting to use for vacuuming at night.
3. Balanced: This setting balances power and run time – great option on hard surfaces such as hardwood.
4. Turbo: More airflow than the balanced setting for cleaning carpet.
5. Max: The highest power setting, just in case there is a need to deep clean carpet.

Take note that both the mop and power modes complement one another.

For example, if the only need is mopping, set the power mode at the lowest setting with the mop setting at Medium or High.

Combining mopping and vacuuming is also possible by adjusting both settings accordingly.

You won’t get this type of option with the S5 or the S6. While the Roborock S4 does not have a mop, so it is the best option if you only want the vacuum feature.

Dust Cup Design and Capacity

The design of the Roborock dust cup remains the same as the older S5. It can only hold up to 480 ml of dry dirt, decent but nothing to get excited about.

Behind the dustbin is a HEPA filter that helps keep allergens inside the bin. The opening is quite narrow, so disposing of dirt can be a little tricky. I would suggest tapping the HEPA filter on a solid object like the trash bin to dislodge any dirt that may wedge between the bends.

Multi-Level Maps

This feature is just a new rollout from Roborock after the launch of the S6 MaxV.

The Multi-Level Map feature allows users to save up to four individual map levels for the home. Most homes will only have two levels, so it’s more than enough.

These maps can be modified individually, meaning you can set invisible walls, no-mop zones, no-go zones, divide rooms, and so forth, which provides a lot of flexibility.

You’ll have to turn the multi-floor maps on to gain access to this feature under the “Edit Map” setting option.

To add a new map, click on the “create map” and just follow the steps.

The robot will go on an “exploratory run” to create and save the map in the cloud. Once the map is saved, you can rename it.

Roborock is generous with the app features across its product range, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

How does the Roborock S5 Max navigate?

One of the biggest strengths of Roborock products is the smart navigating system that relies on a Laser sensor.

All Roborock robot vacuums use LIDAR, which is a similar technology used by Neato BotVac products.

The S5 Max has Roborock’s latest navigation technology they call the “Adaptive, Dynamic Route Planning,” where the robot selects an optimal cleaning route depending on the shape of the room.

So this means it doesn’t just on in one fixed direction. As the laser is scanning the room, it will go in the most efficient direction based on the room’s outline, as you’ll see in the graphics by Roborock above.

But wait, there’s more.

Invisible Wall and No-mop Zones

If you think that the “Adaptive, Dynamic Route Planning” feature is cool, here’s something better.

The “no-go” and “no-mop” zone have the same function – it blocks the robot from a specific area (or zones).

Roborock has two features that are essential in every robot vacuum, in my opinion.

The first is the Invisible wall that allows users to draw multiple lines on the map that block the robot from going into areas it isn’t supposed to.

This feature essentially replaces the virtual walls or magnetic strips of tape that has the same function.

I like the Invisible wall better because it saves money and time. There’s no need to waste time rolling out a magnetic tape or buy extra strips of it if you have to block off numerous areas.

Another cool feature is the No-mop zones that have the same function as the No-go lines.

But instead of just drawing lines, the No-mop zone feature lets you draw a box (or more) that block off a specific area that the robot shouldn’t mop, such as rugs or a carpeted area inside the home.

There’s no need to remove rugs or physically block the path of a robot.

Take note that the No-go zone has the same function as the No-mop zone.

Selective Room Cleaning

The app also allows users to select a specific area to clean at a slated time. Not only that, you can select a pre-determined the mop and power setting for each zone.

Take note that this feature is only accessible once the robot draws the whole house map, and you need to create “zones” for each area on the map.

Unfortunately, the S5 Max does not have Roomba’s exploratory feature that tells the robot to navigate the vacuum motor off to maximize the run time.

Update: Roborock has a roll-out that is grandfathered to the older variants like the S5 Max, and this includes the mapping run where the robot goes in exploratory mode to fast-track the map creation process.

How much power does the Roborock S5 Max have?

Roborock says that the S5 Max has 2,000, which is 500 less than the Roborock S6 MaxV (on paper). One of my favorite tests to do with vacuums is an airflow test using an anemometer. This device measures airflow directly at the suction chamber where the brush is located.

Learn more about the Roborock S5 Max vs. S6 MaxV in this in-depth comparison.

Please check the table below – warming, the results may surprise you.

Yes, the S5 Max has more power than the S6 MaxV, and this confirmed my hunch when I tested these two robots back to back because the S5 Max sounded louder. It’s also a reason why the S6 MaxV will run longer.

How does the Roborock S5 Max Clean?

At first glance, the Roborock S5 Max only looks like a refresh based, but it’s more than just that.

While it has the same battery, power output, and design, all other features differ.

Most of the improvements with the S5 Max are focused on how it mops, starting with the water tank that electronically controls water flow through the app.

Unlike the older S5, which uses gravity, the electronic water tank is more precise with water disbursement.

In the tests I did, it was able to clean dry and pick up wet spills with almost zero streaks as the floor dries up a few minutes after the robot docks.

This feature, combined with the custom controls that the Roborock app provides, allows users to adjust the mop and power settings and make the S5 Max the best robot vacuum/mop hybrid I’ve tested.

You can use the mop and vacuum simultaneously or adjust the settings as such so the robot only mops – something that isn’t possible with the Roborock S5 or S6.

The side brush also is upgraded and has an all-rubber construction that I think will hold up better over time.

During the cleaning tests, I noticed that the side brush spins at an accelerated pace when cleaning the edges and slows down a bit when it moves to its zigzag motion in the middle of the room.

However, it still scatters debris around, but it isn’t as bad as the Roomba 690.

The main brush remains the same as the S5 with the blade and bristle combo.

In the initial tests I did on the carpet, long strands of hair (over 5”) will wrap on it, but removing it won’t be an issue with the brush cleaning tool.

Cleaning Performance

To test how the Roborock S5 Max cleans different surfaces, I use four different types of debris – coffee grounds, Quaker oats, pet litter, and Quinoa.

I weigh the bin empty and full, with the difference being the amount picked up. Realize that there is a margin for error in these tests, but it will be a good gauge of how well a robot performs.

These four represent four types of dirt that the S5 Max cleans daily. I also do a large debris test to test how a robot vacuum does at cleaning stuff like Fruit loops or Cheerios.

• Overall: 94.68%
• Hard Floor: 100%
• Carpet (Surface Pick Up): 99.31%
• Carpet (Deep Cleaning): 84.75%

Next is the mixed test, where I scatter stuff from the other vacuums I use to clean my home and see how the robot does on carpets and hard floors.

Hard Floor Results

• Quaker oats: 100%
• Coffee: 100%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 100%

First, let’s look at the results of the cleaning tests on hard floors. You’ll see a series of before and after photos (coffee grounds, Quaker oats, pet litter, and Quinoa) to give you an idea of how the S5 Max did.

The results were superb which is reflected by the scores as the S5 Max was able to pick up everything in its path. It doesn’t matter if it’s as fine as coffee grounds or hard such as Quinoa, the main brush didn’t have any issues with debris pick up.

One issue is the side brush that scattered debris in its way.

It’s nothing major, as the robot eventually picks up the scattered stuff in the second go around.

This robot could pick up most of the debris on the first pass, which shows me that the seal works very well.

Large Debris Test on Hard Floor

To see how well the Roborock S5 does on large debris, I scattered a handful of Fruit loops on a test area and let the robot run one cleaning cycle to see how much it picked up.

I didn’t weigh the Fruit loops because it’s so light, and 50 grams worth will not fit the small dust cup.

Here’s a before and after shot.

You’ll notice in the photo that the Roborock S5 could pick up most of the Fruit loops scattered. I said most, not all, because two pieces didn’t go inside the dust cup.

As you’ve seen in the photo above, most of the Fruit loops went inside the bin (left side of the photo), and two pieces were left that didn’t go through the brush roll. Considering the amount it had to clean, this was impressive.

Sand on Hard Floor

One of the toughest things to clean on hard floors is sand, and the S5 Max did very well in this test. I scattered 50 grams of sand on a test area and it was able to pick up an average of 99.8% after two tests.

Take note that the power level should be set at Turbo or Max to clean sand well enough.

Edge Cleaning

One potential issue with robots with a round shape and narrow brush is its effectiveness at cleaning edges.

This is reflected with the S5 Max; please check the photo below for a before and after shot at cleaning the edge.

I noticed with the S5 Max that the brush spins faster when cleaning edges, so it tends to scatter debris more as it goes around.

Carpet Cleaning

All the carpet cleaning tests in Cordless Vacuum Guide, it’s separated into three categories – low pile, medium pile, and deep cleaning tests done on a mid pile carpet.

Again, I used coffee grounds, Quaker oats, pet litter, and Quinoa for the tests.

Low Pile Results

• Quaker Oats: 99.1%
• Coffee: 98.65%
• Quinoa: 99.8%
• Pet Litter: 99.7%

The S5 Max scored lowest when cleaning fine stuff such as coffee grounds, but it still scored in the high 90s. Again, the results are indicative of how well this robot vacuum does on low pile carpets.

One advantage of a smart robot vacuum over a traditional vacuum is its ability to do the task autonomously.

The results you see here are almost similar to that of a high-end cordless stick vacuum like a Dyson V10 or Tineco Pure One S12.

Again, the side brush had a scattering issue, but the S5 Max could pick up those in subsequent passes.

Mid Pile Results

• Quaker Oats: 99.5%
• Coffee: 97.9%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet Litter: 99.9%

The scores on this test were almost similar to that of the low pile carpet cleaning test. It struggles most with fine bits of dirt like coffee, but the score was still in the high 90s, so these are excellent results.

Take note that the stain you see in the photos comes from the coffee grounds that I rubbed on during the deep cleaning tests, which we’ll look at next.

Large Debris Test on Carpet

I did the same test on the carpet as I did on hard floors. I scattered a handful of Fruit loops to see how much of the mess the S5 Max would be able to pick up.

It did better on low pile carpet as all fruit loops pieces went inside the dust cup. There was none left beneath the main brush.

This test shows that the S5 Max can handle even large bits of dirt. The only limiting factor would be the size of the bin.

Hair Wrap Test

Next, we’ll look at how well the S5 Max resists tangles from five-inch human hair. I rubbed a gram’s worth of it on low-pile carpet to see how much of it would wrap around the brush, and it did really well.

This much hair went inside the dust cup.

To be honest, I did not expect the S5 Max to do this well and what’s more impressive is barely any hair wrapped around the brush.

Deep Cleaning on Mid Pile

The last test I’ll share is the deep cleaning test. For this experiment, I rubbed 100 grams of sand on medium pile carpet on the max setting, and the results were impressive.

In two runs, the S5 Max was able to pick up an average of 84.75% which is almost as good as some of the cordless stick vacuums I’ve tested!

Remember that if the carpet boost is on, the motor automatically switches to the max setting, regardless of what setting it was at prior. I will keep the carpet boost if your home has a mix of hard floors and carpet.

Bottom Line

The test results above reveal how well the S5 Max can clean hard floors and carpets well, regardless of debris size. It was able to pick up fine to large stuff without any issues, and it was also excellent at cleaning embedded dirt, at least on a mid-pile carpet. The only limiting factor would be the average-size dust cup you’ll need to empty after every run. It lacks the auto-empty system of the Shark IQ IR1001AE and the Roomba I7.

Mopping Performance

The mopping performance is perhaps the most significant improvement that the S5 Max has over the S5.

This model has a new electronic water tank that is precise at how much water flows through the pad.

It won’t leak when the robot isn’t in use, which is a big plus for me.

Unlike the S5, where the water tank needs to be emptied after every use, that won’t be the S5 Max case.

However, if you’re not using the mop for an extended period, I would suggest emptying it, especially if you’re using tap water, as it can crystallize and damage the electronic components.

Roborock does not recommend using cleaners inside the water tank as it can damage the internal components that adjust the water flow.

I’ve gotten questions about it, and this closeup photo of the note on the water tank makes it clear.

A minor issue

One complaint I have is the plastic mop rack that relies on double-sided tape to secure it in place.

If you don’t use the tape, the mop rack will move out of place when the robot passes over it.

I prefer the S5 rack, which slides on the charging dock base and won’t move as easily.

Next, we’ll look at how the S5 Max mops.

I did two tests with the S5 Max – a wet mess and a dry stain test. For both experiments, I used coffee and red wine.

How does it on wet messes

A before and after photo of how the Roborock S5 Max did with red wine stains.

The first test I did was on wet messes on linoleum.

For this experiment, I scattered coffee and red wine and let the S5 Max mop the mess with the vacuum mode at “gentle/only once” and the water flow set at “low.”

The results were surprising because it could pick up all the liquid without visible streaks.

I test the S5 Max on coffee spills – before and after photos.

Sure, some stains were left for both tests, but it was almost invisible.

The floor was dry a few minutes after the robot went back to recharge, and I didn’t see any visible tire marks.

One concern for using a robot mop is the potential risk of water trickling through the exhaust and damaging the vacuum.

Some liquid seeped through the dirt canister, main brush, and brush guard, but the area under the dust cup had no accumulation except for the seals, which was impressive.

The test revealed that you could use the S5 Max for small spills, but I wouldn’t advise using it on large ones because of the risk I mentioned above.

Dry stain mopping performance

The next test I did with the S5 Max was on dried stains.

This perhaps is the litmus for any robot mop as all of the hybrid mop/vacuum options I’ve tried failed mainly because all relied on gravity mops that do not regulate water flow and the electronic tank in the S5 Max.

For the test, I used a combination of coffee and red wine, let it dry overnight to see how well this robot can clean stains.

Here’s a before photo of the dried stains plus the Quaker oats that the S5 Max has to clean.

To make it even tougher, I scattered Quaker oats on top of the stains to see how well this robot can vacuum and mop simultaneously.

It took two runs, but the S5 Max could clean most of the stains. The results weren’t perfect, but considering the sheer volume of stains, it was still remarkable, in my opinion.

The results after two runs. Dried stains are hard to remove. It isn’t perfect, but even after two runs, the floor quickly dries up.

It also picked up all of the Quaker oats I scattered, which shows how well this robot can mop and vacuum simultaneously.

Take note that this robot mops in straight lines, so it won’t have the same result as a robot that goes in a back-and-forth motion. Normally, I’d recommend an iRobot Braava, but it doesn’t have a vacuum motor, so it’s limited to only mopping.

If you want a robot vacuum/mop hybrid with the same back-and-forth movement as the Braava – the Viomi V3 is one such option, along with the Xiaomi Mop P, which I believe are similar products.

How long does the Roborock S5 Max run?

According to Roborock, the S5 Max will run for up to 150 minutes in the eco setting. So this robot is ideal for cleaning large homes thanks to the combination of efficiency, smart navigation, and range.

Features of the Roborock App

You have two options with regard to the app. There’s the Xiaomi home app and the Roborock app.

After fiddling with both, the features of the two are the same.

I prefer to use the Roborock app because it focuses primarily on its robot vacuum line.

The app is lightweight and quite responsive, based on my tests.

The interface is easy to use. All the vital information, such as battery status, is on top, while the shortcuts to the most frequently used functions are at the bottom of the map.

You can access the no-go and no-mop zones by tapping on the bottom left icon. Or select the cleaning and water level settings by tapping the bottom right icon.

The three icons below provide access to the different room functions, such as dividing different map areas.

However, it lacks the option of naming each section. It only permits users to tap the map area, schedule when to clean and set the vacuum and mop settings for each zone.

The app also provides the status of the vacuum’s critical components, such as the filter, side brush, main brush, and sensors.

To be more specific, it tells you when to replace the consumable parts or clean the sensors beneath.

It also logs how many times you’ve used the robot, tracking how long it has been used and the total area it has cleaned.

The app also saves the map and allows users to toggle between different plans. But this option isn’t turned on by default, which is a minor gripe. You’ll have to go to the settings menu and turn on the “Map saved mode (Beta)” option.

How much noise does the S5 Max produce?

To measure noise levels for the S5 Max, I used a sound meter a few feet away to test the loudness level at each power setting.

• Gentle/Only Once: 54.4 dB
• Silent: 58.2 dB
• Balance: 59.3 dB
• Turbo: 61.2 dB
• Max: 62.4 Db

Even at the max power setting, the S5 Max only produced 62.4 decibels, equivalent to listening to a normal conversation. I’m impressed by how well Roborock was able to muffle the exhaust noise. At its lowest setting, you can barely hear the motor running.

What comes in the box?

Roborock didn’t include a lot of extras with the S5 Max. Aside from the robot and charging dock, the other items that you’ll get will be the mop rack, mopping pad, bracket, and cleaning brush, which is already inside the robot. You won’t get any extra HEPA filter or side brush, so it is pretty bare.

1. S5 Max vacuum
2. Mopping pad + bracket
3. One HEPA filter
4. One side brush
5. Charging dock
6. Mop rack

Maintenance

Like any other electronic product, robot vacuums need proper upkeep to maintain their performance over the long haul.

The critical components you should regularly check include the filter, side brush, main brush, and sensors around the robot.

One feature that makes this task easier is the Roborock app that tells you when to replace these parts. It also shows you the life span (in hours) when it needs to be replaced or cleaned (in the case of the drop sensors).

You can do things to extend the service life of the filter, main brush, and side brush.

For the filter, I would suggest using a good handheld vacuum or a stick vacuum that turns into a handheld, such as a Dyson V7, V8, or the Tineco Pure One S12 with enough suction clean particles that stick on the HEPA filter.

Also, check the side brush for any hair that may wrap at its base. For the sensors, if the app indicates that it needs cleaning, use a clean cotton bud to wipe gently.

Product Specifications

Where can I buy the Roborock S5 Max?

The S5 Max is available in online merchants like Amazon and Walmart. Please check the links to see the latest prices.

• Roborock S5 Max on Amazon

Please note that if you purchase through the link above, I will earn a commission, but at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win-win for us!

Does the Roborock S5 Max offer excellent value?

Being a new product, the price of the S5 Max is a bit steep, but it is cheaper than the Roborock S6 that has an inferior mopping system with less power.

This is the first hybrid mop and vacuum I’ve tested that works as advertised. The electronic water tank is exponentially better than the Roborock S5, and S6 gravity tanks utilized and doesn’t leave streaks.

The tests I did show how well this vacuum mops and picks up dirt. It scored highly in surface pick-up tests and, surprisingly, great with cleaning embedded coffee grounds on the medium-pile carpet.

The upgrades with the navigation make it more efficient and give consumers more options to block areas that the robot should not mop or it shouldn’t go.

One gripe I have is the lack of an extra pad or side brush. It should at least come with an extra of any of these two items for the premium price.

The Verdict: This Robot is the Best Robot Vacuum/Mop Hybrid I’ve Tested

At first, I was skeptical about whether the upgrades in the S5 Max will make a difference in how it mops, but the new electronic water tank proved that it could handle wet spills and dry stains.

It’s not perfect, but the upgrades make it more practical to use dried stains without leaving puddles of streaks.

The cleaning performance is also excellent with surface and embedded dirt. So it brings a lot of versatility for homes needing a robot that can vacuum and mop efficiently.

5 Reasons you should consider the Roborock S5 Max

The Roborock S5 Max is available on several online stores like Amazon and GearBest. Take note that when you click on the links and you purchase something from either of those stores, I will earn a commission, but at no additional cost to you.