Roborock S6 MaxV Review

When the S5 Max was unveiled a few months back, it introduced the first of its kind electronic water tank, which is one of the best at mopping stains based on my tests.

Less than a year after that launch, Roborock has a new and smarter product – the S6 MaxV.

This model is part of the next-generation robot vacuums that combine a laser sensor and a front-mounted camera for obstacle avoidance.

How good is this robot vacuum? Is it worth the high price tag? I’ve put it through a series of tests to determine how it performs in the real world.

Is This The Smartest Robot Vacuum Available?

ReactiveAI System Helps It Avoid Obstacles

One feature common with all Roborock products is its smart navigation. It can traverse through a maze with minimal risk of getting lost. The S6 MaxV has several upgrades to improve it further. As you’ve seen in the image above, it’s got two camera lenses upfront that helps it see and avoid obstacles. Another update is saving up to 4 map levels (for multi-story homes), which is more than in most homes.

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Pros

Cons

Introduction to the Roborock S6 MaxV

The Roborock S6 MaxV represents the next big step in robotic vacuum technology, combining a laser sensor’s accuracy with the obstacle avoidance benefits of a front-mounted camera.

This model isn’t the first to do so, but it’s the first to use two lenses allowing it to capture images up to 30 frames per second.

Related: Roborock S7 vs. S6 MaxV vs. S5 Max – Is it Time to Upgrade?

Another brand that uses the same camera and laser combo is the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI. I have not tested this model, so I cannot comment on the performance.

Let’s look at these features in detail.

Advanced Obstacle Recognition and Avoidance

The most significant upgrade with the S6 MaxV is the “Advanced Obstacle Recognition and Avoidance” system with two technology layers.

First is the twin-lens stereo camera capable of taking photos up to 30fps.

Having two lenses allows this robot to see objects with a 3D perspective compared to the 2D view from a single-lens camera in the Ecovacs OZMO T8.

Second is ReactiveAI, which is an artificial intelligence software, processing the images captured by the camera.

For those concerned about security, Roborock says that these images are not stored but immediately erased.

Powering this technology is a fast Qualcomm^® APQ8053 processor.

The camera is smart enough to avoid weighing scales, shoes, and most obstacles that meet the 3cm x 5cm (height x width) size threshold.

Please watch this video to see the results of the tests on these types of obstacles.

I’m impressed by how the camera accurately detects the different types of obstacles. It was able to identify the weighing scale and shoes correctly.

Even the play dough was identified as pet waste by the software because of its shape.

You can see the difference versus a robot vacuum that doesn’t have the camera like the S5 Max, where it climbed over the weighing scale.

This feature is most useful if you have devices as such in the home, and there’s no need to relocate it every time the robot runs.

Many people have asked if the S6 MaxV will avoid dark or black obstacles, and the answer is yes.

In the test I did, it avoided the black shoes, a tape dispenser, and a go pro case.

Since cameras rely on a light source, it may not do as well in dark areas.

The good news is that Roborock will continue to upgrade the firmware and expect the obstacle avoidance system to improve further.

Multi-level Maps

Another feature rolled out is the multi-level map system that gives the users an option to save up maps of up to four levels.

The benefit of this feature is it automatically detects what level it’s at and loads the appropriate map as it scans the area. Take note that these maps have to be saved first for this feature to work.

The multi-level map feature’s beauty is you can program no-go zones, no-mop zones, or invisible walls for each level independently.

It also gives you the option to split the areas manually at each level, though the software automatically does it for you. But the choice to manually separate areas gives an extra layer of flexibility.

Technically, there’s no need to move the dock between floor levels, but after the cleaning cycle, the robot will hunt for the dock, a time-waster for me, and push an error code.

One workaround for this issue is to press the pause button and bring the robot back to its home base. But you’ll need to switch to the correct map afterward.

I believe that four is more than enough as most homes will only have one or two floors.

The only other Roborock product with the multi-level map feature is the S6 Pure, but they will slowly roll out updates so that lower-end variants (in the S-series product line) will have these features well.

Difference between the Roborock S6 vs. S6 Pure vs. S6 MaxV

To avoid any confusion, I’ll point out the similarities and differences between the S6, S6 Pure, and S6 Max V in this section.

The S6 and S6 Pure have the same motor, battery, and dirt capacity.

Aside from some minor cosmetic differences, these two robots mostly share the same components.

However, the S6 Pure has access to the multi-level map feature and has a larger water tank that will cover a more significant area.

The Roborock S6 and S6 Pure will run for up to 150 minutes. While the S6 MaxV goes further and will run for up to 180 minutes.

Of the three options, the S6 MaxV has the largest water tank with a 297ml capacity, followed by the S6 Pure with 180ml, while the S6 has the smallest volume at only 140ml.

Please check this table below for more details on the differences and similarities.

If the Roborock S6 MaxV is too expensive and you don’t mind not having any of the obstacle avoidance features or access to the multi-level map feature, then the Roborock S6 is a good alternative.

Strangely though, the S6 Pure is the cheaper option right now in Amazon, and it comes with more features than the S6 with the larger water tank and multi-level map.

No-Go Zones, No-Mop Zones, and Invisible Wall

From left to right – invisible wall, no-go zone, and no-mop zones

My absolute favorite feature of the app are these three – no-go zones, no-mop zones, and an invisible wall.

These features will save you a lot of time and headache owning a robot vacuum, and I’ll explain why.

The no-go zone lets you define a square or rectangular area on the map preventing the robot from traversing into it.

So instead of using a physical object for the task, you do it virtually through the app. And the beauty of this feature is the option to set multiple zones.

The video above shows the no-mop zone in action – the robot completely avoids the white rug on the right.

The no-mop zone has the same function as the no-go zone, but the only difference is that it stops the robot from mopping the defined rectangular or square region.

Finally, the invisible wall lets users define “walls” on the map to stop the robot from going into areas past it.

In my home office, I would set the invisible wall right here.

The area on the left of the red line is where I sit.

So I could still work and not worry about the robot trying to invade my space and possibly getting tangled up with the wires underneath the table.

How’s that for practicality?

Zoned Cleaning

Another app feature I like is zone cleaning. It functions the reverse of the no-go zones where the robot will vacuum or mop the area within the rectangular or square region.

Take note that you can assign several zones or set one larger zone to cover more than one room.

The zone feature also lets users choose how many times the robot will go over the area (from one to three times) and also enables you to set the power and mop settings.

Selective Room Cleaning

An alternative to zoned cleaning is “selective room cleaning,” where the user can choose an area to clean.

After the software draws the map, it will automatically divide rooms based on a preprogrammed algorithm. But consumers have the option to override this and set divisions themselves.

Unfortunately, the Roborock app does not have the option to name the rooms (yet).

Mode Settings

The user also has the option to set the power and mop settings individually.

It provides more control over the mop and vacuum functionality. You can use both simultaneously or just use the mop feature by setting the cleaning mode at gentle.

The ability to adjust how much water flows through the pad is a game-changer, in my opinion. This feature was first seen in the Roborock S5 Max, and the S6 MaxV has followed suit.

Robot vacuums that rely on a gravity pad tend to leave streaks on the floor because water will just flow through the pad.

The worst part is if, for some reason, you forget to drain the water tank, it will leave a puddle underneath, which is risky because it can damage the electronic components.

Edit Room

The app will give users four different options in managing maps – merge, divide, customize, and sequence.

Top View

The Roborock S6 MaxV retains the same button layout as the S5 Max, but instead of two, it’s got three buttons – spot, power, and dock (from left to right).

In the middle is a “Z” logo covering the LIDAR sensor. This design element is a staple for all Roborock S-series vacuums starting with the Roborock S5.

Right below the LIDAR is a door that houses the dust container and brush tool.

The brush tool also has a blade portion useful for removing hair from the primary brush roll. It’s also handy at dislodging dust that may stick to the filter.

Bottom View

Flipping the robot over reveals the same layout as the S5 Max with a single side brush and the main brush flanked by two rubber wheels. Behind the wheels is the mop that can wipe dried and wet messes (more on that below).

The side brush is an all-rubber design with five arms, which I prefer over the bristled version found in the older S5. I like the new side brush because it seems to be more durable than the older version.

S5 owners can upgrade to the newer brush since it is backward compatible.

Mopping Feature

The S6 MaxV has the same electronic water tank as the S5 Max with the spring-loaded system keeping a constant downward pressure of 300 grams.

Even as the water level goes down, the pad stays in contact with the surface resulting in fewer streaks.

There’s no need to worry about water seeping through the pad even if the robot is not in use.

It also minimizes the risk of water puddles underneath the robot if you forget to empty the vessel.

Close up view of the mop bracket where the mopping pad is attached.

However, Roborock prohibits cleaners in the water tank as it can damage the electronic components.

The only liquid usable with the tank is water and nothing else. If you need to use cleaners, the best alternative would be spraying it on the pad.

I’ve tested the Roborock S5 Max mop extensively, and I must say that it is one of the best performing hybrid robots out there.

When I say hybrid, I mean products that combine a robot vacuum and mop.

The S6 MaxV is no different in this area as it will pick up wet spills and dried up stains.

Realize that this robot won’t be able to mop up massive liquid spills because the pad is small, and there’s a risk of water trickling through electronic components.

Can I use the mop exclusively?

The Roborock app does not have the option for the robot to just mop, but you can achieve similar results by moving the power setting into silent mode.

Can I mop wet stains?

Yes, it was able to mop up the red wine, but I would not recommend using it.

Yes, it is possible, but only small spills.

I would advise not using this robot on large liquid spills because cleaning the different parts afterward is time-consuming. So you’re better off using a mop.

One advantage of having an all-rubber side brush is it’s easier to dry afterward.

Excellent for mopping dry stains

The S6 MaxV will excel at tackling dry stains. This is where the precise control of the electronic water tank will shine.

I’ve tested it on red wine, coffee, and juice. Check the before and after photo below.

I noticed with the electronic water tank that no matter how long it runs, the floors won’t get soaking wet.

It does an excellent job keep the pad moist but not soaked.

How does the Roborock S6 MaxV clean?

One of the strongest suits of the Roborock S6 MaxV is its navigation and cleaning performance. Roborock is known to manufacture some of the best navigating robotic vacuums, and the S6 MaxV is no exception.

The camera and the ReactiveAI system give it another layer of technology, helping it avoid obstacles without colliding.

It also has the same all-rubber side brush that is more durable and easier to clean.

The primary brush roll is in the middle, flanked by the two rubber wheels.

While there is nothing wrong with this design, it’s quite narrow, and there are instances where it misses some debris.

In the default cleaning mode, the robot will go around the edges first before filling the gaps and cleaning the middle portions of the room in a straight back and forth pattern.

As it scans the room, it divides the area into smaller “sections” to make cleaning more efficient. There’s an option to go over the area up to three times if you want a more thorough clean.

The obstacle avoidance system gives this robot the ability to avoid obstacles within a size threshold.

I’ve tested it extensively and does an excellent job of avoiding stuff like shoes, slippers, and weighing scales.

Cleaning Performance

I ran the S6 MaxV through a gamut of tests on hard floors and carpets to see how well it picks up different debris types.

Here are the overall scores.

• Overall: 93.9%
• Hard Floor: 99.75%
• Carpet (Surface Pick Up): 98.5%
• Carpet (Deep Cleaning): 77.65%

It scored in the high 90s in most of the surface pick up tests and was decent at the deep cleaning tests.

Hard Floor Cleaning

The S6 MaxV did an outstanding job at surface debris pick up on hard floors as it was able to score 100% on two of the four tests and was above 99% in the other two.

I like how it could pick up most of the debris on the forward pass, even in the “balanced” setting.

Now the scores here do not include the sand on hard floor test, which I’ll discuss below.

Hard Floor Results

• Quaker Oats:99.2%
• Coffee: 100%
• Quinoa: 99.8%
• Pet Litter: 100%

Cleaning Sand on Hard Floors

To test how the Roborock S6 MaxV cleans sand on hard floors, I scattered 50 grams of sand and see how much it will pick up.

It did exceptionally well, picking up an average of 99.7% on two tests. Take note that it needs to be on the Turbo or Max setting to clean sand thoroughly.

When I used the balanced setting, it left a trail behind on the forward pass.

If you live near a beach or a sandy area, it is an excellent option to keep it from piling up.

Edge Cleaning

One of the biggest issues with robot vacuums that have a narrow brush roll and round frame is its limitations in edge cleaning.

In this test, though, the S6 Max did a decent job. If you look at the before and after photo above, the results were above average, considering it scattered coffee grounds with its fast-spinning side brush.

Carpet Cleaning Test

Based on these test results, the S6 MaxV did almost as well on carpet as it did on hard floors.

I did two separate tests – one on low pile carpet and another on mid pile carpet.

Low Pile Results

• Quaker Oats: 96.6%
• Coffee: 96.8%
• Quinoa: 99%
• Pet Litter: 100%

The S6 MaxV struggled the most with quaker oats and coffee grounds, scoring “only” a 96.6% and 96.8%, respectively.

Cleaning quinoa and pet litter aren’t an issue as it could pick up 99% and 100%, respectively. I was surprised that it did very well cleaning pet litter because some of the stick vacuums I tested didn’t score high.

Mid Pile Results

• Quaker Oats: 100%
• Coffee: 95.6%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet Litter: 100%

The test results on mid pile carpet are one of the biggest surprises so far because the S6 MaxV was able to score better on this surface than on low pile carpet.

In three of the tests, the S6 MaxV picked up 100% – quaker oats, quinoa, and pet litter. This was better than the results of the S5 Max.

Deep Cleaning Test

One of the toughest things to clean on carpets is sand, and to test how well the S6 MaxV will clean embedded dirt, I rubbed 100 grams of sand on a medium-pile carpet.

I used the highest power setting and maxed out the “total clean-ups” feature to three, so it goes over the area three times.

It was able to pick up an average of 77.65% on two tests, which is very decent for a robot vacuum. However, it wasn’t as good as the S5 Max that picked up 84.75%.

Remember that turning on the “carpet boost” option increases the power to the highest setting when the robot goes over carpets. So I would suggest turning this feature on if your home has this type of surface.

Yes, it shortens the run time, but it isn’t a factor as this robot has the recharge and resume feature, so it will resume cleaning after charging.

Hair Wrap Test

To see how well the Roborock S6 MaxV does at cleaning hair, I scattered one gram of five-inch human hair on low pile carpet.

Most of the hair went inside the dust cup.

But some of it wrapped around the brush roll. Take note that hair will also wrap around the side brush, so it’s something to regularly check for people who live with someone with long hair.

It comes with a brush cleaning tool with a blade attachment, so cleaning stuff like this won’t be a problem.

How much power does the Roborock S6 MaxV have?

Roborock claims that the S6 MaxV has 25% more suction than the Roborock S6. To see if this claim is accurate, I used an anemometer to test how much airflow it produces.

I don’t have the Roborock S6, but Vacuum Wars tested it, and they reported it to have 15 CFM of airflow.

The S6 MaxV registered 15.68 CFM of airflow in my test. So the 25% increase, if you base it on this experiment, is not accurate.

I did the test three times, and the result was consistent at each session. However, there will be some margin for error for these tests, but it’s an excellent gauge to compare power.

Here are the complete results of the S6 MaxV in comparison with the S5 Max.

Between the two, the S5 Max has more airflow. This is the big reason why the S6 MaxV can run for up to 180 minutes while the S5 Max only runs 150 minutes with the same capacity battery.

How long will the Roborock S6 MaxV Run?

Roborock could extend the run time 30 minutes more than the S5 Max because it doesn’t have as much airflow (check the section above).

Take note that this figure is only possible using the lowest power setting. So expect that number to go down with the higher modes.

Also, while 180 minutes is lengthy, it doesn’t matter much for a smart robot vacuum. It has the “recharge and resume” feature where the robot will automatically resume cleaning after recharging.

It will only matter if you live in a big 4,000 square foot mansion.

Roborock adds a wrinkle to this feature, where it only charges just enough to finish the task, so you don’t have to wait very long. They call it the “Smart Top Up” feature.

How much noise does the Roborock S6 MaxV produce?

To measure noise, I used a sound meter a few feet away. In each of the power settings (there are five), I recorded the loudest at each, and here are the results.

Even with the amount of power it has, the Roborock S6 MaxV isn’t very noisy. This robot is usable inside the home office and will not cause any distractions.

What comes in the box?

Here’s what you’ll get with the Roborock S6 MaxV.

Maintenance

All robot vacuums will require some upkeep for it to maintain its optimal level of performance.

For the Roborock S6 MaxV, that would include checking the filter, brushes, and sensors regularly and cleaning these when there’s a need to do so.

Fortunately, the Roborock app makes this task easy as it has a “maintenance” option giving users a heads up when it’s time to clean or replace these parts.

Since this robot is reliant on various sensors, please clean it after every 30 hours of usage. But there’s no need to keep track as the app does it for you.

Clean the drop sensors with a clean cotton swab and use a microfiber towel for the camera sensor.

The filter is washable, but make sure that it is thoroughly dry before reattaching. Another way to extend the HEPA filter’s life is to vacuum it with a good handheld with a brush attachment like the Dyson V7 Trigger.

Another part that needs regular upkeep is the main brush. Periodically check for any hair that may wrap around it, particularly on the axles.

The side brush is also prone to hair wrapping around the base, so check this part also.

Replacement Parts

One thing I like about Roborock products is the availability of replacement parts.

Critical parts such as the filter, pads, water tank filters, and brushes are available on Amazon and GearBest.

The new brush in the S5 MaxV and S6 MaxV is backward compatible with the older models like the S5 and S4, so you have an option to upgrade this part at a minimal cost.

Product Specifications

Where can I buy the Roborock S6 MaxV?

You can buy this smart robot vacuum from online stores like Amazon. Please check the link below to see the latest price.

• Roborock S6 MaxV on Amazon

Get the S6 MaxV at a discount on Amazon for a limited time (Sept 4 to 7). Use coupon code “ROBOS6MAXV”.

The deal runs between September 4 (12:01 AM PDT) and September 7 (11:59 PM PDT).

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 S6 MaxV offer excellent value?

The S6 MaxV is another huge step forward by Roborock as the stereo camera gives it another technological layer to avoids objects better.

While it is not perfect, it did an excellent job eluding stuff like shoes, weighing scale, and bags.

Plus, it has the capability of avoiding black obstacles, which I previously thought was not possible.

However, it lags behind the S5 Max when it comes to airflow; thus, it will not clean carpets thoroughly.

Both will do well when it comes to cleaning surface dirt. Any difference between the two is minimal.

The mopping function is also a strong point of the S6 MaxV as it will clean stains like red wine and coffee. It didn’t leave any streaks during the tests, so that is a very positive sign.

The Verdict: A Step Up From The Roborock S5 Max In Terms of Navigation

After days of testing the S6 MaxV, I’m most impressed by how well it navigates around obstacles.

The ReactiveAI software and the front-mounted stereo camera were able to identify multiple obstacles accurately and avoided them.

While the technology is not perfect, I believe that it’s a step in the right direction. Further updates with the firmware will improve how the S6 MaxV will maneuver around these objects.

It lags behind the S5 Max in deep cleaning tests but cleans surface dirt almost as well.

So choosing between the S5 Max and S6 MaxV will boil down on whether or not you prioritize the obstacle avoidance upgrade that the S6 MaxV brings to the table.

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider the Roborock S6 MaxV