Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Review

Less than a year after unveiling the S7 MaxV Ultra, Roborock introduces its latest product, the S8 Pro Ultra, with several upgrades to enhance its autonomy and cleaning performance.

Its latest product uses a similar do-it-all base station with pad-washing and self-emptying features but with some tweaks to its functionality.

One feature that stands out (for me) is the dual roller design, something I have yet to see outside of Roomba.

The other upgrades are subtle, like the camera-less obstacle-avoiding sensor with a better algorithm helping it better evade high-risk obstacles like pet feces.

I’ve spent the past week testing this product to see if these improvements are worth the premium cost and how it applies in the real world.

Introduction to the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

Roborock pushes the envelope further with the S8 Pro Ultra. This variant (further) enhances the S7 MaxV’s autonomy by adding self-cleaning, self-drying, and self-refilling features.

The S7 MaxV Ultra has the latter, but the newer S8 Pro takes it a step further by making the water tank non-detachable, so this task is done automatically through the clean water tank inside the base station.

I’ll enumerate the features and enhancements below.

Do-It-All Base Station

The S8 Pro Ultra retains the same design principle as the older previous S7 MaxV Ultra base station with the water tanks and bag lined up in one row.

But there are subtle improvements Roborock added to the latest variant.

Some added features include self-refilling, self-drying, and self-cleaning, adding more autonomy.

Unfortunately, the S8 Pro can’t pick up liquid and will have the same limitations as other robot vacuum/mop hybrids with what it can mop.

There are subtle changes with the water tanks, like the smaller opening.

Compared to the S7 MaxV Ultra, its opening is cramped.

I’m unsure why Roborock shrunk this, but it could be for usability since the handle is relocated to the back.

Water Tanks

Sitting above the base station are two water tanks for the clean and dirty liquid with markings for them.

The capacity for each container is roughly the same as the previous S7 MaxV Ultra model.

• Clean tank: 3 liters
• Dirty tank: 2.5 liters

Also, a non-detachable in-robot water tank helps keep the pad damp during the mopping cycle.

Unlike the older S7 MaxV and S7 models, the S8 Pro water tank isn’t detachable since the clean tank fills it automatically (further enhancing autonomy).

Bag Location

The bag is located beside the two water tanks with a capacity of around 2.5 liters.

Roborock has upgraded its bag design and now has a plastic insert where consumers slide in to secure it.

It’s an improvement over the older cardboard insert in the Roborock S7 that tends to bend if you detach and reattach repeatedly.

Ramp-Style Dock

The S8 Pro Ultra retains the same ramp-style dock as the S7 MaxV Ultra with a wide port connecting to the robot’s brush roll.

It’s the only self-emptying robot vacuum brand I’ve reviewed with this design element, as other brands like Roomba and Dreame utilize dedicated ports for the auto-empty cycle.

How does the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra base station work?

Underneath what seems to be a complex structure, the S8 Pro Ultra base station function is straightforward.

For instance, you opt for a mopping-only task, the robot engages, then makes a u-turn for the pre-wash and water-tank-refilling cycle.

The pre-wash ensures that the pad is saturated enough to mop efficiently. And the water tank-filling cycle is automated by Roborock’s software and base station.

Another automated task is the self-emptying cycle, where the base station empties the robot’s dustbin after it docks.

Consumers have various options with frequency or even turn off this feature (if needed).

Like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, the S8 Pro Ultra utilizes a bristled brush to clean the pad.

It’s a more effective tool for cleaning the pad (in my opinion) because there’s more agitation.

The bristled module is (relatively) effective at removing grime and dirt from the pad – here’s a photo of the pad after a few mopping cycles.

One downside of using a brush is the eventual wear and tear, so you’ll need to replace it once the bristles wear out.

3D Laser Sensor

Roborock replaced the twin-lens camera with an all-laser setup it calls “Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance” or ReactiveAI 2.0.

Using lasers provides better precision in identifying objects, but there’s no more CCTV feature because there’s no camera.

The S7 MaxV shows the obstacle photo, while the S8 Pro only shows a graphic since the camera doesn’t exist.

In my opinion, it’s not a deciding factor, but that’ll depend on your preference.

I’ve read several comments in my previous reviews about the Roborock S6 MaxV and S7 MaxV about security concerns with the camera, which is a non-factor in the S8 Pro since it uses a laser.

Experiments show it’s very good at evading most obstacles, namely (medium to large) pet feces, coiled wires, shoes, slippers, a weighing scale, and even a Rubik’s cube.

However, there are inconsistencies with its capability of avoiding stretched wires because it gets too close, increasing the risk of a cord tangling on the side brush.

It sometimes avoids stretched wires but is less consistent than the Roomba J7 and Combo J7.

Top View

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra retains the same round frame as older Roborock options with the same minimalist layout since most of the functionality is accessible through the app.

It has a top-mounted dustbin easily accessible upon opening the top door behind the LIDAR cover.

Roborock says the S8 Pro Ultra has a 350 ml dirt volume, 50 ml smaller than the S7 MaxV Ultra.

But with the self-emptying feature, the smaller dirt volume shouldn’t be a concern since the base station empties it automatically.

View Underneath

Flip the S8 Pro over, and you’ll see another upgrade it has implemented – the dual rollers.

It’s another Roborock innovation designed to improve carpet cleaning performance, and it didn’t disappoint during the experiments.

Aside from Roomba, this is the only other brand with this feature. One variance is that the Roborock version uses straight fins with deeper grooves compared to iRobot’s shallower pattern.

However, Roborock reverted to the bristled side brush, which is a downgrade (in my opinion) because it’s not as sturdy as an all-rubber one.

The good news is the newer five-pronged all-rubber brush is compatible with the S8 Pro, so it’s an easy upgrade.

VibraRise 2.0

Another upgrade Roborock introduced is the VibraRise 2.0, which combines the pad lift feature and a vibrating element.

It’s a similar technology found in the S7 and S7 MaxV Ultra, but the S8 Pro has two vibrating elements and a non-detachable water tank.

Also, the bracket isn’t detachable, so you’ll have to flip the robot to attach the pad.

Attaching the pad is straightforward since it slides in place and is held with velcro.

App Features

The S8 Pro Ultra is compatible with the Roborock app, and I’ll share the most helpful features.

Roborock provides a QR code beside the dustbin for quick access to the app.

After downloading the app, follow the steps on the screen to pair the robot’s WIFI to the app. The process will be a quick few minutes after selecting the WIFI network.

Live Map

Roborock pioneered the live map when it unveiled the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum and has improved its functionality.

One significant upgrade is the 3D map introduced in the Q and S7 MaxV series.

This feature shows the robot’s location in real-time and areas it has vacuumed (or mopped).

The 3D map offers similar functionality but in a three-dimensional perspective.

One advantage for Roborock is the 3D map integrates seamlessly into the primary interface, retailing most of the core features.

Another plus with the Roborock app is it automatically detects partitions after the mapping run.

The app also allows manually creating partitions and other editing options to customize each level further.

Mapping Run

A mapping run fast tracks map creation since it takes advantage of LIDAR’s 360-scanning ability, so map creation only takes a fraction of the time compared to a traditional run.

Large homeowners will benefit most from these features because it’ll only take a fraction of the time to create the map.

Map Saving

The Roborock app can save up to 4 map levels with provisions to create partitions and add containment.

It’s smart enough to detect the correct map level during the initial scan.

One downside is the bulkiness and weight of the base station. Roborock recommends purchasing additional base stations inside multi-level homes, but that’s expensive.

Fortunately, Roborock robot vacuums are intelligent enough to function without the clean base station nearby.

Containment

The Roborock app offers two containment options – an invisible wall and a no-go zone.

It was formerly three, with the third being the no-mop zone, but (really) it was redundant because the no-go zone has the same function.

An invisible wall enables folks to draw diagonal lines acting as a “virtual wall,” blocking the robot from going past it.

This feature is helpful since it extends the containment areas, even in awkward floor layouts.

The next containment feature is the no-go zone, where consumers can draw boxes or rectangles preventing the robot from entering.

Selective Room Cleaning

Another benefit of the map-saving feature is it enables folks to choose which rooms to clean.

This feature unlocks another feature – choosing the number of passes (between one and three).

Zoned Cleaning

Roborock also has another option for cleaning select spots it calls the zoned cleaning feature.

Instead of selecting an entire room, this feature allows folks to draw boxes (one or more) representing areas to clean.

It’s a helpful feature, especially for spot-cleaning tasks. Unfortunately, the app can’t save these zones.

Hopefully, Roborock will consider adding this feature which enhances usability.

Vacuum and Mop Settings

With the addition of the VibraRise 2.0, Roborock tweaked how consumers can deploy these features.

There’s no mop-only option in older app versions, but that’s no longer the case, as the Roborock app enables the mopping-only function with several route options.

Three of the four options have descriptions. However, there’s not much variance with these options since all will move in a similar back-and-forth pattern.

For light-duty mopping, stick to the fast-cleaning or standard mode.

If you’re dealing with heavier residue buildup, use the third or fourth option (both are named high-intensity mopping).

Obstacle Detection

Thanks to the front 3D sensors, the S8 Pro Ultra shows the objects detected on the live map.

But unlike the S7 MaxV, which shows photos, the S8 Pro (only) displays a graphic, and the lasers are pretty accurate at knowing the obstacle type.

Floor Cleaning Settings

Another feature Roborock introduces in the S8 Pro is the floor cleaning settings.

Four options are available, and (basically) let consumers select a floor pattern to minimize scratches.

I’m assuming this is geared toward hardwood floors since these are the most prone to scuffing.

Dock Settings

With the added features, there are more options in this tab. Consumers can turn several features on (or off), including auto-emptying and auto-drying.

The mop wash frequency and washing mode is adjustable depending on your preference.

I’d keep it at the default settings but adjust accordingly if you want to experiment with what works best.

ReactiveAI Settings

Folks can adjust the ReactiveAI settings with several options, from completely turning off the feature to activating the less collision mode or pet details.

There will be compromises to thoroughness if all these are turned on, but if obstacle avoidance is a high priority, it’s worth keeping on.

How much power does the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra have?

Roborock says the S8 Pro has 6000 Pascals, one of the highest figures I’ve seen, at least from brands that use this metric.

But take this figure with a grain of salt because it’s the end-all with determining cleaning performance.

Another (and more reliable) metric I use is airflow and high airflow options like the Roomba 980 and S9.

Here are the results for the Roborock S8 Pro.

• Quiet: 6.49 CFM
• Balanced: 7.27 CFM
• Turbo: 9.33 CFM
• Max: 11.33 CFM
• Max+: 11.33 CFM

The S8 Pro’s airflow results paint a different picture. It’s not as strong as the older S7 MaxV Ultra and even lower than the S7.

And the cleaning test scores confirm this drop because it got lower averages on hard floors.

One redeeming aspect is the dual roller, providing better agitation thus, improving cleaning performance on carpets.

How does the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra navigate?

Like all current Roborock options, the S8 Pro Ultra will navigate in straight lines, starting its run by cleaning the edges before the middle portions.

Since this product relies on LIDAR, it’s not dependent on a light source to function, and the rapidness at which the laser signals fire aids with its efficiency.

It’s one of the more proficient robot vacuums I’ve reviewed during the efficiency experiment, where I time how long it’d take to finish a two-pass run.

The S8 Pro completed the second pass in 17:43 mins – one of the best scores among Roborock options during this test.

It’s (pretty) efficient at clearing debris I scattered, picking up most of it after the first pass.

There are missed spots, but the results are excellent, considering its low airflow nature.

Cleaning Performance

I wondered how the twin roller system would handle different types of dirt and if the hype about its cleaning performance was real.

So I ran it through my usual cleaning experiments on debris like sand, pet litter, quinoa, hair, quaker oats, and coffee grounds.

• Overall: 94.95%
• Hard Floors: 96.9%
• Sand on Hard Floors: 98.6%
• Carpets: 99.15%
• Deep Cleaning: 85.15%

These results (pretty much) confirm the lower airflow results of the S8 Pro with most of the negative impact on hard floors.

One plus with the twin roller design is it improves agitation, so the scores on surface and deep cleaning experiments are up compared to the S7 MaxV Ultra.

Hard Floor Results

• Quaker Oats: 98%
• Coffee Grounds: 98.6%
• Quinoa: 96.6%
• Pet Litter: 94.4%

The scores above represent a downgrade compared to the S7 MaxV Ultra and S7 models, and I used the highest setting for these experiments.

Nonetheless, these are above-average results considering the low airflow output (except for the pet litter score).

But with its premium price point, I’d expect Roborock to use a high airflow motor, so it’s (somewhat) disappointing.

Sand on Hard Floor

The S8 Pro got an average of 98.6% on this surface, which isn’t high-airflow-level, but above average for a low-airflow robot.

Aside from this limitation, the side brush scattered chunks of it, which is another reason for the lower percentage.

Edge Cleaning

Considering the amount of debris scattered in this area, the Roborock S8 Pro was excellent at cleaning most of it after one three-pass run.

Unfortunately, it won’t be as efficient as a D-shaped robot like the Roomba S9 or a twin-side-brush-robot (Ecovacs T8 AIVI).

Hair Wrap

Next, we’ll examine how well the Roborock S8 Pro handles hair – specifically, five and seven-inch strands.

One selling point of a bristle-less brush is its supposed maintenance-free nature, but that’s not the case with previous models I’ve reviewed, namely the S7+ and S7 MaxV Ultra.

The S8 Pro didn’t do well in either experiment, picking up in the sub-50 percent range.

• 5-inch: 48.5%
• 7-inch: 24%

Again, this is another confirmation of the S8 Pro’s low airflow, and I wouldn’t recommend this for cleaning large hair quantities (pet or human).

Here’s a photo of the rollers after the five-inch experiment.

And the seven-inch test.

Most strands are wrapped on the second (gray) roller in both instances. Other chunks are clustered on the axles.

Fortunately, these are detachable, so cleaning any hair buildup won’t be difficult.

Carpet Results

The downgraded results on hard floors disappointed me, but one silver lining is the improved performance on carpets, thanks to the two rollers.

Low Pile

• Quaker Oats: 98.8%
• Coffee Grounds: 98.6%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet Litter: 99.4%

These are above-average results (excellent for a low airflow robot), notably the pet litter experiment, where it got a nearly perfect score.

The twin rollers provided excellent agitation in all the experiments, and the eye test confirmed the high scores.

Mid Pile

• Quaker Oats: 99.4%
• Coffee Grounds: 98.2%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet Litter: 100%

The S8 Pro Ultra picked up a higher percentage on this surface than on low pile carpet. 

One impressive aspect of the result is how much coffee grounds it picked up (most robots struggle with this).

Deep Cleaning

Another confirmation of the S8 Pro’s improved agitation is the deep cleaning scores, which got an average of 85.15% – an above-average score for robot vacuums.

It’s one of the best Roborock robot vacuums I’ve reviewed.

Mopping Result

Roborock enhanced the S8 Pro’s mopping proficiency by adding a second agitating element on the bracket. They call this VibraRise 2.0.

Aside from the extra vibrating component, there are several changes, notably the non-detachable bracket and water tank.

Roborock wants consumers to use the mopping feature full-time, not remove the pad.

One downside to the bracket’s non-detachability is you’ll need to flip the robot to remove it, unlike in the older model, where it slides out.

As with the mopping performance, it was highly efficient, even with hard-to-mop, sticky juice stains.

It got (nearly) everything out after the first pass.

Robot vacuums without an agitating element will stall during this experiment – the latest being the Roomba Combo J7.

Likewise, with the red wine test, the S8 Pro mopped all the stains out after the first pass.

Noise

I used a sound meter to check the noise levels, and here are the results.

• Quiet: 58.1 dB
• Balanced: 62.1 dB
• Turbo: 64.8 dB
• Max: 70.1 dB
• Max+: 70.8 dB

Despite the low airflow output, the Roborock S8 Pro still exceeded the 70-decibel mark.

Fortunately, it’s not noisy in the lower settings, ranging between 58 and 64.8 decibels.

There’s little variance between the max and max+ settings – the difference is less than one decibel.

Maintenance

With the added functionality, there are more items to maintain in the S8 Pro. I’ll enumerate everything below and the suggested intervals.

1. Rollers: Clean the two rollers (at least) weekly to remove any hair and dust accumulation on the axle or rubber blades.
2. Side brush: The S8 Pro uses a bristled side brush, requiring more upkeep. Detach and clean weekly to remove any hair stuck on the arms or base.
3. Dustbin: Even with the self-emptying feature, debris will accumulate inside the dirt container. Clean it monthly using a microfiber cloth.
4. Dustbin filter: Roborock filters are washable, but I don’t recommend soaking them in water because it uses a paper element that degrades with liquid exposure. A better way to clean it is by tapping it on a solid surface to dislodge dirt on the folds.
5. Wheels: Use a clean towel to wipe the wheels (side and caster) to remove any stain residue or dust buildup.
6. Bag: Replace the bag once it reaches (full) capacity.
7. Dirty water tank: Empty it (at least) once weekly to prevent foul odor.
8. Pad-cleaning brush: Replace this once the bristles are worn. The interval for this component will vary depending on usage, so do a visual check.
9. Auto-empty port: Ensure that the self-emptying port is free from any blockages.

Product Specifications

Where can I purchase the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra?

The Roborock S8 Pro will soon be available in online stores like Amazon. I’ll update this page once I have an update.

• Roborock S8 Pro Ultra on Amazon

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase from the link above, but at no extra cost, so it’s a win-win for us!

Is the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Worth the Premium Cost?

Once available to consumers, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra will be on the premium end of the price spectrum, so is this product worth it?

The upgrades Roborock added (certainly) make it an enticing option, specifically the VibraRise 2.0 with two agitating components, further enhancing its mopping proficiency.

One disappointing element is the airflow reduction, negatively affecting its hard floor cleaning and hair pick up.

But the twin bristle-less rollers make up for it, making it one of the best Roborock robot vacuum options for cleaning carpets.

Reasons to Choose the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

1. Better autonomy: With the added self-refilling and self-drying features, the S8 Pro Ultra base station is as hands-free as any do-it-all system.
2. Improved carpet cleaning: The dual roller system improves the S8 Pro Ultra’s carpet cleaning performance over the S7 and S7 MaxV Ultra.
3. Avoids most obstacles: I’ve tested this robot on different obstacles, and it evaded most of them except for small pet feces and stretched wires.
4. Efficient navigation: It completed a two-pass run in (just) under 19 minutes.
5. Hands-free convenience: Combined with the feature-rich app, this product is one of the most hands-free options available.

The Verdict: Better Carpet Cleaning, Obstacle Avoidance, and Autonomy

Reviewing the Roboorck S8 Pro Ultra has been a treat because of its user-friendliness, performance, and efficiency.

I wouldn’t say this product is perfect, but the upgrades Roborock represent a huge step in the right direction for robot vacuum technology.

A few notable flaws would be the low airflow and the side brush scattering debris (but it isn’t as bad as Roomba), but the rest of the features are well-designed.

The flaws I mentioned affect its cleaning performance on hard floors, but only slightly, and the improvements will outweigh these issues.

Nonetheless, the biggest roadblock to purchasing this is the astronomical cost.