Founded in 2014 with a mission to simplify household chores through sophisticated engineering, Roborock has ascended to become the global leader in intelligent home robotics.
Before trying it out firsthand, I would have told you it was all hype, but after testing one vacuum at a time, I’ve become a fan and recently got my hands on the Roborock Saros 20.
Unlike traditional vacuum brands that adapted to tech, Roborock began as a robotics company first, specializing in advanced algorithms and mapping systems.
The brand is widely considered the industry benchmark because it consistently leads advanced technology at CES with integrations like LiDAR for precise navigation.
Today, they hold the top global market share for robot vacuums, driven by a research-and-development-heavy culture that prioritizes solving real-world friction points, such as hair tangles and high floor transitions. This blows my mind every time the robot vacuum lifts itself over tile to wood to high-piled carpets. For a limited time, save up to $210 off the Roborock Saros 20 from March 23 through March 29 during the competing Amazon Big Spring Sale.
Pros:
- A massive jump from 22,000 to 36,000 Pascals, making sure even deep-set rug debris and microscopic dust are extracted
- The StarSight 2.0 with VertiBeam recognizes over 300 objects, meaning it understands exactly what it’s avoiding
- The upgrade to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (boiling point) water in the RockDock 4.0 dissolves grease that lower temperatures have no impact on
- The AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0 allows it to clear thresholds up to 1.77 and 1.57 inches, Double-Layer Threshold Crossing, but cannot do so in a single pass
Cons:
- While the trade-in program offers up to $1,050 off, the Saros 20 is a premium flagship model with a price tag to match its advanced tech
- It has a matte finish, so it doesn’t blend in as well as the glossy mirror vacuums like the Saros 10R
The Saros 20 represents a massive leap over the already impressive Saros 10R. While both robots maintain the industry-leading ultra-slim 3.13-inch profile to glide under low furniture, their internal capabilities have been overhauled to handle environments previously beyond the reach of other robots.
Navigation moves from reactive to proactive with the StarSight 2.0 suite. This system combines 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors with the new VertiBeam Lateral Obstacle Avoidance, enabling the robot to see and map over 300 types of objects with laser precision, even in pitch-black rooms.
It also has DirTect Technology, which identifies particularly stubborn dirt patches and automatically increases suction or mops twice until the area is pristine. Plus, with all this new AI tech, it’s certified for privacy and data protection to keep your secrets, secret.
Trade in your old Roborock vacuum and save up to $1,050!
Each vendor has a different deal, details listed below:
Best Buy & Target: $ 1,599.99, $1,399.99 (Saros 20X Deluxe Bundle includes an extra pair of mop cloths and 200 milliliters of cleaning solution.)
Amazon & Roborock Official: $1599.99 $1,389.99
Roborock Saros 20 Set Up
Living in a 600-square-foot apartment means being strategic with your layout. While some worry about the footprint of a stationary dock, the Saros 20 proves that if you value clean floors, it’s easy to find a home for it. Unlike the sleek mirror finish of other robot vacs from the brand, the Saros 20 features a matte finish. While it’s a bit more prominent than a reflective surface, it tucks in nicely next to furniture like a dining table.
Once the base is set up, place the vacuum on the charging dock.
After plugging in the dock and manually placing the robot on the charging contacts, download the Roborock App, create an account and tap the icon to add your device.
Once connected to your 2.4 GHz network, run a Quick Mapping session to let the robot’s StarSight 2.0 sensors learn your layout without cleaning, then use the app to set No-Go Zones around any tricky cable clusters, stairs or fragile decor.
After that, you’re ready to clean.
My Review of the Roborock Saros 20
After using the Roborock Saros 10R, I didn’t think I could be more impressed, but Roborock has outdone itself again.
Thanks to its new AI integration, the Saros 20 is faster, boasts better suction, and reaches closer to edges than the 10R, all while retaining the amazing features of its predecessor.
The identification system is significantly improved; it no longer just sees an object, but specifically distinguishes between a pedestal, a cord, a dog or a couch. While the previous model used the StarSight Autonomous System, the Saros 20 runs on version 2.0, which integrates a more advanced vision system for superior obstacle recognition across varying lighting conditions — it even knows whether a spot needs to be cleaned again or was scrubbed thoroughly enough the first time!
This vacuum doesn’t get stuck or require a rescue mission upon arrival home; it can fit into any space with its sleek profile and glide effortlessly over steep grades thanks to the AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0 (a three-arm design that allows the robot to physically lift its own body to clear double-step thresholds up to 1.77 and 1.57 inches Double-Layer Threshold Crossing).
To put the power jump into perspective, your Saros 10R delivers high-end suction of 22,000 Pascals. The Saros 20 ramps this up to a staggering 36,000 Pascals — that’s a lot of suction. My home is much cleaner as a result of this new tech, and it’s done much more quickly, so my downstairs neighbor doesn’t have to put up with the motorized noise for too long.
There is a DuoDivide Main Brush that makes even extracts microscopic dust trapped in floor crevices or a deep rug. The dual-brush system is specifically designed to split and funnel hair directly into the inlet, virtually eliminating the need to manually cut hair off the rollers. I own a dog with lots of flowing hair, and not once have I needed to detangle the brushes from clumps of dust bunnies, but I have had to cut it out of my cordless Miele, which I love, but has caused a few suction issues from time to time.
While the 10R used 176 Fahrenheit hot water, the new RockDock 4.0 uses 212 Fahrenheit boiling water to wash the dual spinning mop pads. This extreme temperature dissolves heavy grease and oils instantly. It’s cheaper than a maid and doesn’t require a tip. This is the one area I want AI to take over so I can focus on doing work I actually want to do.
Is it worth it?
Overall, I can’t stress enough how much you’ll love this robot vacuum. Yes, I think everyone needs it, but I also understand the price may be a bit steep, which is why I recommend the entry-level pricing or taking advantage of the sale now through March 29.
You’ll love how easy it is to keep your home clean without lifting a finger and simply using voice commands to activate mapping.
How I tested
I put it to work in a real-world 600-square-foot apartment to see if it actually made life easier or if it was just marketing. I based my thoughts on this by comparing it to the Saros 10R and testing all the same areas with the robot vacuum over the course of two weeks.
I tested it against deep-set dirt in rugs and stubborn pet hair that usually tangles up other vacuums. I specifically watched how it handled obstacle courses like loose power cords and dog toys to see if its AI-driven brain could tell the difference between a shoe and a couch in total darkness. Overall, I’m very impressed.
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