Roborock Q8 Max + Review: Compact, simple and effective
The Roborock brand has established itself as a leading player in the ever-growing market of robot vacuum cleaners, particularly those equipped with mopping capabilities. With the introduction of the Roborock Q8 Max+, the brand continues to push the boundaries of autonomy and convenience, boasting a compact docking station for efficient dust collection. But does this model live up to the performance standards set by its predecessors and stand strong in the face of fierce competition?
Stay tuned to discover whether the Q8 Max+ robot vacuum lives up to the expectations of modern consumers and holds its own against tough rivals in the market.
Roborock Q8 Max +: Video Review
| Specs | Roborock Q8 Max + |
| Navigation | LDS |
| Route Planning | LDS laser + Reactive Tech |
| Max. Suction | 5500Pa |
| Dustbin Capacity | 470ml |
| Water Tank Capacity | 350ml |
| Auto Empty Dock Capacity | 2.5L |
| Max Run Time | 240min (Quiet mode) |
| Battery | 5200mAh |
| Max Vacuuming Area | 300 sqm |
| Max Mopping Area | Actual mopping area: 175sqm; Estimated Built-up area: 275sqm |
| Charging Time | <6 h |
| Noise Level | 67dB (Balanced Mode) |
| Mop Vibration Frequency | No |
| Obstacle Avoidance System | YES |
| Simultaneous Vacuuming & Mopping | YES |
| Multi-level Mapping | 4 |
| Automatic Room Recognition | YES |
| Vacuum Weight | 3.6kg |
| Auto-empty Dock Weight | 4.5kg |
| Package Weight | 12.29kg |
| Dock Size | 305 x 440 x 448 mm |
| Package Size | 487 x 379 x 367 mm |
Unboxing
The Roborock Q8 Max+ is designed for a user-friendly experience right from the start.
When you receive this robot vacuum, you’ll be pleased to know that it arrives pre-assembled, ready to tackle your cleaning needs. The only task left for you is the initial setup, and the package includes everything you need to get started. This is the Roborock Q8 Max+ with Charging Station, two Dust Bags where one is already pre-installed, a Mop and paper documentation.
With all the essentials included in the package, setting up your Roborock Q8 Max+ becomes a breeze.
Roborock Q8 Max +: Design
In terms of aesthetics, the Q8 Max+ doesn’t introduce any groundbreaking changes to the Roborock lineup. For those familiar with their products, the design is instantly recognizable.
The most noticeable feature of the Q8 Max+ is its compact docking station. Measuring 305 x 440 x 448 mm, it is significantly smaller than what you might have encountered with other robot vacuums. This streamlined size allows for easy placement under furniture or in tight spaces. The robot vacuum itself maintains standard dimensions, measuring 350 x 353 x 96.5 mm and weighing 3.6 kg. This compact form factor is typical for devices in this category.
The Q8 Max+ follows the classic round design seen in many robot vacuums. On the top of the device, you’ll find three buttons that facilitate basic control. The square button is for spot cleaning, the On/Off icon starts or pauses cleaning, and the house button directs the robot back to its charging station. There’s a small tower on the top housing the LiDAR technology, which plays a crucial role in navigation.
At the front, additional sensors, along with the standard bumper, assist in object detection and collision avoidance. The back of the robot features a combination container that houses the 470 ml dust chamber and the 350 ml water tank. This combination design offers convenience in removing and reinstalling the container.
The underside of the Q8 Max+ is where it gets interesting. Roborock has outfitted this mid-range model with Duo rollers similar to those found in their flagship S8 Pro Ultra. These dual rubber rollers are highly effective, especially in dealing with pet hair. However, the wiping unit doesn’t match up to the flagship model’s capabilities. It lacks a vibration function and moves rigidly across the floor during the cleaning process.
The build quality of the Q8 Max+ is consistent with the high standards set by Roborock’s top models. There are no creaks or cracks to be found, ensuring durability and longevity.
Beginning of work
Setting up the Roborock Q8 Max+ is a straightforward and efficient process, making it easy for users to get started with their new cleaning companion. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the setup.
The assembly of the charging station is a breeze. Simply connect the two elements together and secure them at the back using the provided tool. This step is quick and hassle-free.
The vacuum cleaner comes ready to use right out of the box, except for the mop attachment. To complete the setup, you need to attach the mop underneath the device. This step ensures that the Roborock Q8 Max+ is all set to tackle both vacuuming and mopping tasks.
The entire setup process, from assembling the charging station to preparing the vacuum cleaner, typically takes less than 10 minutes. This speedy setup ensures you can put your Roborock Q8 Max+ to work without delay.
In some cases, the vacuum cleaner might not arrive fully charged. You may need to charge it for a short period before you can activate it and pair it with your smartphone. This involves installing the Roborock application and using the QR code on the vacuum cleaner to associate it with an account created for this purpose. This step also establishes a connection to your Wi-Fi network. The entire process is quick and seamless, taking just a few minutes to complete.
Once paired with the app, you have the option to configure various settings. These settings can be particularly useful if you have multiple floors or a complex layout with lots of furniture and obstacles. You can customize these options according to your needs. One essential step before using the vacuum cleaner is to allow it to quickly map the different rooms in your home. The Roborock Q8 Max+ accomplishes this task effortlessly.
Regarding the cleaning capabilities of the Roborock Q8 Max+, it offers satisfactory performance. While the docking station is smaller than those of other models, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t manage water. Instead, it features a robust suction system responsible for storing the dust collected during cleaning cycles in a 2.5-liter bag located at the top of the station. The bag’s capacity varies based on usage and the dustiness of your home, but Roborock claims it can store up to 7 weeks’ worth of dust, which is quite reasonable. An extra bag is thoughtfully included with the robot.
When it comes to mopping, you will need to fill the 350 ml water tank before use. This means you’ll need to add water nearly every time the device is employed. For example, in a 55 m² area, I had to refill the tank each time to ensure the Roborock Q8 Max+ had enough water to complete its cleaning tasks.
Usage
The Roborock Q8 Max+ docking station, although notably smaller than those found on some competing models, stands out for its unique approach. Unlike other models that offer water management for mopping, the Q8 Max+ takes a different route. The docking station is equipped with a potent suction system designed to store the dust and debris collected during the cleaning cycle in a generous 2.5-liter bag located at the top of the station. The bag’s capacity varies based on usage and the level of dustiness in your home, but Roborock claims it can provide up to 7 weeks of storage, which is quite reasonable. An extra bag is even included with the robot.
However, when it comes to the water tank, a more hands-on approach is required. The 350 ml tank must be filled before each use, which means frequent intervention, especially for larger cleaning areas. The upside is that you have the flexibility to adjust the water flow with 30 different levels. This feature can be particularly useful in larger homes, allowing you to optimize water usage and avoid the inconvenience of frequent refills.
While this approach provides the advantage of a compact docking station, it comes with some trade-offs. Notably, there is no collection of dirty water, which remains on the floor after the robot has used it to scrub stains. The mop is also not cleaned by the station, so you’ll need to perform manual maintenance to prevent any unpleasant odors. Additionally, despite continuous refinement in the vibration system for wet wiping, the Roborock Q8 Max+ may not completely eliminate all stains on the floor. It is less efficient in this regard compared to vacuum cleaner models equipped with rotating pads. However, it still excels at tackling lightly embedded dirt and damp dirt.
When it comes to suction power, the Roborock Q8 Max+ doesn’t disappoint. With a 5500 Pa motor, it effectively collects dust, crumbs, and various small debris found on the floor. The robot’s cleaning passes are thorough, ensuring that your floors are left in impeccable condition. Notably, it handles carpets effectively without getting stuck on them, a significant improvement in recent Roborock models.
For households with pets or family members who shed long hair, the Roborock Q8 Max+ introduces the innovative DuoRoller system. This double rubber roller system is designed to track and detangle hair more effectively, preventing common issues where bristles can become entangled with long hair, causing blockages and hindering the cleaning process.
Cartography
The Roborock Q8 Max+ is armed with LiDAR PreciSense technology, and this technological prowess plays a significant role in mapping the rooms within your home with impressive precision. As you use the robot over time, it continually refines its map, ensuring it adapts to changes in your environment, such as moving furniture or the occasional presence of boxes.
The device is also equipped with an obstacle recognition system. While this feature enhances its navigation abilities, it’s important to note that it isn’t as sophisticated as the camera-based systems found on some other devices that can precisely identify objects. In the case of the Roborock Q8 Max+, it recognizes that an obstacle is present but doesn’t provide detailed object identification. It does, however, allow you to instruct the robot to approach obstacles as closely as possible.
One challenge that many robot vacuum cleaners face, and the Roborock Q8 Max+ is no exception, is dealing with cables. Cables are notorious for causing problems, and this robot is prone to getting entangled with them. It might inadvertently wrap a cable around its integrated brush or get it trapped between its two rubber rollers. This is an area where Roborock can make improvements to better navigate this common obstacle that plagues homes.
Another point of concern lies in the robot’s path planning. While Roborock touts the consistency of the Q8 Max+’s movements, there are instances where it makes peculiar choices, causing it to retrace its path to clean a room. Although not a systematic issue, when it occurs, it can extend the cleaning time. Fortunately, this issue remains manageable, as the robot’s overall methodical approach to navigating different rooms still ensures effective cleaning. It typically begins by circumnavigating each room before proceeding to clean the interior in a back-and-forth pattern, a strategy that has proven effective and is commonly found in most modern robot vacuum cleaners.
APP
The Roborock Q8 Max+ comes with the highly versatile Roborock application, which is employed across the brand’s range of robot vacuum cleaners. While the core features are consistent, the available functions can vary depending on the model. With the Roborock Q8 Max+, users gain access to a rich array of options that enhance the cleaning experience.
One of the features of the application is the ability to perform comprehensive whole-home cleaning. You can instruct the Roborock Q8 Max+ to clean the entire home or select specific rooms and zones for cleaning. This level of control ensures that you can tailor the cleaning process to your exact needs.
The application also allows users to create custom cleaning routines, providing a high degree of flexibility. For example, you can set up the robot to clean the kitchen and dining room after every meal or to focus solely on the bedrooms. You have the option to adjust the water flow for mopping and even request two vacuuming passes when dealing with particularly dirty areas. Furthermore, you can schedule cleaning routines for specific days and times, ensuring that your home remains clean without having to think about it constantly. The only recurring task is to periodically refill the water tank, maintaining the robot’s readiness for mopping.
One particularly useful feature is the robot’s ability to clean hard floors while following their natural grain direction, significantly reducing the risk of causing scratches. To make the most of this function, you need to specify the type of flooring in each room of your home. This attention to detail showcases Roborock’s expertise in creating a user-friendly experience.
Roborock Q8 Max +: Conclusion
The Roborock Q8 Max+, while not without its flaws, still manages to offer a compelling package as a robot vacuum cleaner. It excels in some areas but does come up short in others, making it a model that requires some compromises.
One of the most noticeable drawbacks is its tendency to inadvertently suck up cables, a common issue that can be rather frustrating. It can also struggle to effectively remove all stains from the floor, mainly due to the limitations of its mop. While it may not be perfect, it remains suitable for regular use on most flooring types, including carpets and parquet.
Its docking station’s compact size is an advantage, but it comes at the cost of manually filling the water tank for mopping. Furthermore, the robot’s obstacle recognition capabilities, while useful, may not always be entirely accurate, particularly when compared to some competitors in the market.
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