Roborock really entered the public consciousness through the awesome Roborock S5. At the time, it offered features that rivaled the robot vacuum giants like Neato and Roomba, just at a lower price.
A year later came their new robotic vacuum cleaner, the Roborock S6, a statement from the company to prove that the success of its predecessor was not a fluke.
There’s no doubt that Roborock creates some of the best vacuum and mopping robots out there, but with more than one to choose from, it’s important that buyers take the time to find out which one is ideal for their needs.
Does the Roborock S6 offer anything new? Is it worth the cost, or is its predecessor better for value? Or should you hold on and wait for the new Roborck S7?
In this post we’ll compare the Roborock S5 vs S6 to see if it is worth the upgrade.
- You may also enjoy Roborock S6 vs S6 PURE VS S6 MAXV
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Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Roborock S5 vs S6: the quick answer
If you are wondering what robot vacuum you should get, both of these robot vacuums would be a fantastic choice. Both pack powerful 2000Pa suction and a large 600ml dust bin. Both are great on all floor types, they will recognize the difference between hard floors and low to medium pile carpet and adapt as necessary. So what are the big changes between the two vacuum models?
The main improvement in the Roborock S6 compared to the Roborock S5 is the upgraded quad-core processor. It boosts the IQ of the machine resulting in smarter cleaning routes and more speed. This results in better battery performance and a 20% faster cleaning cycle.
There are also the improvements you would expect in an upgraded model. These include quieter performance, better brushes, smaller charging dock, and easier emptying.
Finally one of the biggest improvements is the introduction of multiple floor support. While not quite as exciting as it sounds (no stairs, sorry) it does mean that you can save 3 rather than one floor map. This is a great addition for multi-level homes, but I go into a bit more about what this means later.
When it comes to controlling, both can be used with Xiaomi’s Mi Home app but the S6 can also use the new Roborock app. However, it’s not very good, you’ll probably find yourself using the Mi Home app anyway.
With regard to your smart home integrations, both the Roborock S6 and the S5 work with Google Home Assistant and Alexa. But just don’t expect miracles, especially with Alexa where the integration is basically on and off.
So on the surface the Roborock S6 wins the Roborock S6 vs S5 debate with its upgrades. But, do these differences warrant the average price difference of $200?
In my honest opinion, not for most people. The only time I would go for the Roborock S6 vs the S5 would be if I were living in a multi-floor home with various no-go zones. The multimap support will be a convenience.
However, if you already own an S5, you shouldn’t upgrade yet. Also, if I live in a flat or a smaller home, I would consider the S5 to be the better value model.
That’s just a quick opinion on the Roborock S5 vs S6, so let’s take a closer look at what each has to offer, compare the two and dive deeper into which option could be best for your needs.
- Be sure to take a look at our full Roborock S6 review if you would like more in-depth information on this model
Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Roborock S6 vs S5: The detail
Both the S5 and S6 function pretty much the same. The biggest difference is that the Roborock S6 boasts it is 50% quieter. Other than that they operate as you would expect.
Once you have installed them you can leave them to roam around as the impressive suction power of both Roborock robots snuffles up all dirt, including pet hair and other debris. Over time the internal processor will remember a floor plan of your home and work out the most efficient way to clean.
Once the machine is running low on battery, it will automatically head back to its dock, recharge and set out again to continue its war on grime.
The one thing that could be improved across both models is the size of the dustbin. this is the part that will need to most human cooperation. While there are some self-emptying robot vacuums available, this is not one of them and it could be argued that the internal dustbin is a bit smaller than it should be.
While both the Roborock S6 and the S5 are great alternatives to a Roomba, both do a great job at vacuuming, the mopping is a different case entirely, and you might find yourself a little underwhelmed, depending on your expectations.
When comparing the mopping feature of the Roborock S5 vs S6, both products struggle when they are faced with hard-dried stains since they put out too little water from their 140ml tanks to get the ground soaked enough for a deep clean.
However, they weren’t really designed for this kind of task, more of a buff than a mop, so it certainly won’t remove the need for a regular human mop. So if you approach the mopping feature with an open mind and limited expectations, you will be pleased that it has the feature.
Overall, there’s a lot to love about both the Roborock S6 and the S5. To help you make the right decision though, let’s take a closer look at their features and how they compare each other.
You may also like to read: Roborock S7 vs S6 MaxV
Key features of these two robot vacuum cleaners
Much has been said about how the Roborock S5 and S6 do some things as well or often better than the top-end robot vacuums in the market. So, what are those things that these two spectacular robots stand out for?
Speed
Blessed with a quad-core processor that accounts for the increased cleaning speed of the Roborock S6 compared to the S5 – a boost in navigational coverage that means the speed of the S6 is 120% of the Speed of the Roborock S5.
For better perspective, the S6 faster cleaning took about 15 minutes cleaning a small room that takes the Roomba i7 some 31 minutes to complete – that is, the S6 operated at 200% of the speed, or twice the speed, of the Roomba i7.
Excellent battery power
The Roborock S5 vs S6 argument shares many impressive common grounds, one of such is the fact that the S5 and S6 both pack 5,200 mAh of battery storage to support 150 minutes of robot vacuum operation.
This battery capacity can sustain the Roborock S5 for at least two hours and a half, which is enough to get it to the top of the pile when it comes to runtime of all robot vacuums powered by batteries.
One part that will never cease to impress buyers of the Roborock S5 and S6 is the sheer intelligence of both products when it comes to autonomous navigation, which is down to its detailed and functional mapping system that would have rivaled other known brands if not for the clunky way the app is arranged. With their own floor maps, getting around with any human help is a breeze.
Another similar feature that underlines the superior value of the Roborock S6 is the ability of the S6 to detect the boundaries of rooms that can be later edited by the user to specify no go zones, but make no mistake, the Roborock S5 is no pushover.
Also, the smart mapping of both means it is much more efficient at finding the charging station so it can recharge and resume, a feature both models have.
Fantastic suction power
Only top-end vacuum robots can lay claim to suction powers exceeding 1.5KPa, except it’s a Roborock S5 or S6. Those two equally pack 2000Pa of suction pressure to guarantee thorough dirt absorption, thus, cleaner surfaces. Essentially, if you’re looking for suction power, Roborock has you covered.
What about the S5 Max?
Another consideration for you may be the upgraded version of the S5. This particular model has a much heavier focus on mopping duties, offering a larger water tank capacity, mop zones, etc. If mopping is a key feature for you, be sure to read our Roborock S5 Max vs S6 comparison post.
Roborck S5 vs S6 differences
Smart home compatibility
One would expect every aspect of the Roborock S6 to be superior to the S5, after all, it has a greater number, but the S5 does a few things differently, starting with how well S5 can connect with both Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa. With them, the Roborock S5 is the versatile champion in smart home connectivity where the S6 lamely can only connect to Google Assistant.
Winner – Roborock S5
Map storage
We touched on this earlier. So the Roborock S6 can store up to three dissimilar maps, which is why it is also able to handle multi-level homes. In comparison, the S5 robot vacuum can only store one map at a time.
So what this means in the real world is that if you have spent time with the Roborock S5 virtual mapping, setting individual room cleaning and marking out no go areas, as soon as you move it to another floor in your house, all that work is undone as the robot realizes it is somewhere new and starts from fresh.
However, this is not an issue for the S6 vacuum. The map saving and room recognition features means it can remember 3 different floor layouts, you can use it on every floor of your house and it will save the custom maps.
So while it may seem a little meh on the surface, in the real world of upstairs-downstairs living, that’s a really useful feature to have.
Winner – Roborock S6
Cleaning control
The Roborock S6 comes with an upgraded mapping feature that allows the user to code different rooms according to colors. Yes, that’s fancy, but it serves practical purpose that the S5 vacuum is not equipped to emulate, the S6 is capable of cleaning target rooms. By instructing the robot to focus on a color-coded room, the selective cleaning ability of the S6, that is absent in the S5, is engaged.
Winner – Roborock S6
Mop controls
Both of these models are a vacuum first with a mop. So while they both feature a mopping pad and water reservoir, neither are the best mops around. But trust me, there are plenty worse!
The S6 edges the S5 in terms of efficacy, through the option that allows the user to control how deep the mopping should be. By choosing between the ‘high’ or ‘low’ mop setting, the user can dictate how much water is allowed to pass from the water tank of the robot to its mopping cloths, a feature that is unfortunately non-existent in the S5.
Winner – Roborock S6
Best performance
The difference between the design of the S5 and the S6 are too little to justify any difference in price, so what if we look a bit deeper at the details?
Design and functionality
Even though they look so alike, there are some notable differences in the two products. the most functional difference in the hardware is the design of the bristles of the Roborock S6.
The dynamic changes made to the brush of the Roborock S6 allows the robot vacuum to drag more debris and dirt out of carpets towards the nozzle for suction, to an estimated improved efficiency of 250%.
In addition, the side-brushes were also upgraded for a similar reason. With a five-pronged bristle preferred to the three-pronged bristle of the Roborock S5 side brush. You could also buy an additional cleaning brush set, too.
Winner – Roborock S6
Battery life
It has already been said how both the S5 and S6 have 5,200mAh of battery capacity, a figure that places both of these robots in a class of their own among all battery-powered robot vacuum cleaners.
Interestingly, there is still room for the S6 to show its superiority since the S6 can go on for 30 minutes longer in action than the S5. This is due to the lighter software in the S6 that is responsible for more efficiency in power usage.
Winner – Roborock S6
Speed
For every five minutes the S5 uses to clean an area, the S6 will use four, which simply explains how much faster the S6 is compared to the S5, and that’s down to many reasons.
First, the S6 is armed with a 32-bit quad-core processor that allows it to process information faster. Add that to the upgraded algorithm embedded in the S6 to guide the robot through the cleaning process, helping it to discover the smartest and most efficient routes to get the area of the room thoroughly dealt with, in lesser time.
It’s worth noting that both the Roborock S6 and S5 boast quicker cleaning times than costlier and more popular options like the Roomba I7+ and the Neato Botvac range.
Winner – Roborock S6
Noise
When operating at the maximum output level, the S5 gives out sound easily exceeding the 60 Db threshold, averaging around 65 for its stability. Meanwhile, in that same condition, the S6 is a quiet customer, operating at less than 57 Db.
Winner – Roborock S6
Ease of set up and use
Set-up for both S5 and S6 is easy as can be, with the water tank of the S6 proving to be one point of difference between the two, however slight. It was noticeably a lot easier to attach the water tank of the S6 than that of the S5.
Regardless, both products have one part of setting up at first that might prove a tad troublesome, connecting to the Wi-Fi of the house, since these products demand that you connect them to a uniquely-generated hotspot.
To connect, you simply exit the app and connect to the product’s hotspot before opening the app again. after all that, it does the first clean, during which it surveys the apartment to create a map.
When it comes to using, the S5 will require the user to also use unorthodox ways to make cleaning for specific areas autonomous with external hubs for automation. A problem solved in the S6 with the color-coded rooms and selective room cleaning option. Thanks to the selective room cleaning feature, you can select no go zones to keep your robot from travelling and cleaning in areas that it shouldn’t. Stairs and gardens are just two examples of no go zones that you’ll probably be glad your robot will avoid.
There are also different cleaning modes, such as Balanced or Quite mode, which can help you to choose the ideal method for your needs.
Winner – Draw
Reliability
The S6 easily scales over bumps and high folds that even the Roomba i7 would have problem with, and with the collision avoidance sensors in the S6, there’s very little chance that it will hit walls or anything else while cleaning. But, in case it does, the S6 is a toughie.
That does not mean that users are given the license to hit them with sledgehammers, not even humans can survive that, but they are durable.
The same can be said about the S5, although to a slightly lesser degree. After all, they are both basically the same in almost everything when it comes to their external appearance. Except in the new plastic cover placed on the charging dock of the S6, to provide even more security for the S6 against wetness after cleaning, a nice touch that the S5 does not have, which might affect its reliability.
Winner – Roborock S6
Overall value
So there’s no getting away from it, looking at all of that information, the S6 is clearly the better machine. However, we have to talk about the price difference. There’s a $200 gulf in price between the S5 and the S6, making it around 30% more expensive.
When comparing the two I would have to side with the S5 offering the better value, but it’s a really close call. Basically, I think it comes to circumstance. If you can comfortably spend the extra $200 to get the S6, go for it. However, if you are already stretching your budget to get the S5, it is still a top of the line machine and you won’t be disappointed.
Winner – Roborock S5
Ongoing maintenance
Robot vacuums are still very far from being the perfect automated cleaning assistant and these guys try hard, but will still require some maintenance.
Obviously, you will have to empty the dustbin when full and keep the filters clean. It’s also a very good idea to do a visual check of the brushes at once a day to check for and tangles and properly clean them regularly.
While I mentioned the filters, they will need to be replaced 3 to 4 times a year.
You should also clean the robot vacuum cleaner every once in a while, to prevent the dust from interfering with the sensor of the robot.
With regard to the app, while this isn’t ongoing maintenance, it is worth knowing. Users of the S5 usually must resort to integrating FloreVac to the robot’s mapping system, so that they can also automate cleaning for specific rooms. To do that though, the user might need to hack into the app of the robot to get a user token that will help to enable the assistant that will smoothen the operation.
Extra purchases and ongoing costs
The filtration efficiencies of the Roborock S5 and S6 are both high, but some people would prefer to still buy some HEPA filters to help with providing more efficiency to filtration while cleaning, as well as when the filters are no longer usable.
Apart from that, users of both the S5 and S6 might need to get additional packs of disposable mopping cloths for the two robots. They can be easily found for sale in packs in good tech stores.
Roborock S5 vs S6: Room cleaning ability
Overall, the key factors of these two devices come down to one main purpose; how well they can clean rooms. If you’re searching for the best robot vacuum cleaner, then this is arguably the most important things to keep in mind. The good news is that, with so much to offer, both the Roborock S5 and S6 are undoubtedly excellent at room cleaning. For the most part, it’s just a matter of figuring out which one is best for your needs.
If you, for example, value smart home compatibility, it might be a better idea to look into getting a Roborock S5. On the other hand, those who care more about general room cleaning ability, design and reliability may instead want to consider purchasing the Roborock S6.
There are also a few notable variations that you may be interested in taking a closer look at, like the Roborock S5 Max, or the S6 MaxV if you want to make sure that you get the best possible robot vacuum cleaner
Frequently Asked Qusetions
What is the difference between Roborock S5 and S6?
Fundamentally price, intelligence and speed. The upgraded thinking of the machine means that it cleans smarter, which results in faster cleaning. It can also store multiple floor plans, so great for multi-level homes. The mopping is also slightly better, although still not a stand out feature. However, this comes at an average price difference of $200.
Is Roborock same as Xiaomi?
No, but you can be forgiven for making that conclusion. Roborock was heavily involved in building the first Xiaomi Mi robot vacuums but have since decided to introduce their own line. So while there are many similarities when comparing Xiaomi vs Roborock, they are both independent companies. Although Xiaomi does have a stake in Roborock. Confusing, right?
Which Roborock is best?
At the time of writing, the S6, but the newer versions of this model, such as the S6 Pure and the S6 MaxV are also excellent choices. The S5 Max is also a good choice too, particularly for mopping needs.
Is the Roborock S5 same as S50?
This may be confusing when researching, but don’t worry, it’s simple. The final number represented color. So, in this case, it is the same robotic vacuum but the S5 is black and the S50 is white.
Is Roborock a good brand?
Yes. As mentioned above, they have been in the industry for a long time and consistantly produce quality appliances. Their flagship models are fantastic, but even the cheaper alternatives such as the E35 are fantastic robot vacuum cleaners. Plus, they come with a mop attachment – which means that not only do they vacuum up floors, but they can also wet them too.
Since the product is from China, I’m afraid of a lack of support after the warranty expires. Would I have to send it to China?
No, you won’t have to send it to China. The Roborock customer support might not be the best, but they are reachable through their websites in case you have problems
Does Roborock work without WiFi?
Yes they will. They have manual control buttons so you can activate them. However, you will miss a lot of the smart features that make these the stand out vacuums they are. So while it will work, you may be better saving some money and buying a cheaper vacuum. It is worth keeping in mind that both the Roborock vacuum robots are compatible with the Mi Home app, which is certainly a bonus when it comes to usability.
Is it easy to get spare parts for the Roborock vacuum cleaners?
You can find parts online, such as the Accessories Kit for Roborock, so if you ever need any additional items or spare parts for your vacuum, you’re likely to find what you need regardless of which model you decide to purchase, whether it’s the Roborock S6 or the S50. Items like a cleaning brush, side brush, replacement charging dock and more are available to you if you ever need to purchase them.
Final thoughts on Roborock S5 vs S6 – which is best?
As a member of the same Roborock family, there are just a few things that separate these two vacuum cleaners.
If the multilevel cleaning ability, larger storage, longer battery life, quieter performance, greater speed and dual mop setting of the Roborock S6 is incapable of luring someone away from the now basic functions of its predecessor, maybe due to the about $200 difference in price, or the more effective Amazon Alexa Integration of the S5, then that is a personal choice that can never be considered as a loss.
After all, both of these robot vacuums offer top-end service at closer to half the price of the so-called big guns in the robot vacuum industry. Thus, even though the Roborock S6 is certainly better in a variety of ways, with the price difference arguably worth the premium feel, there can be no loss in the opposite choice, just the consequence of preference.
The bottom line; The S6 offers quite a lot, but there are many shared features, like a large dust bin, different cleaning modes, selective room cleaning, compatibility with the Mi Home app, etc. that make both the S5 and the S6 worth buying. The choice largely depends on the S6’s additional features and higher price, so it’s up to you and your personal preferences.
Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Matt is the founder of the Little Robot Shop, who has spent much of the last decade hacking home cleaning with various robots and devices to make keeping his home clean as easy as possible. Not an easy task with two young children.
When not working on the Little Robot Shop website or YouTube channel, he works as technical support and product specialist for a fast-growing digital company. He does his best to get his younglings to code, which will be an essential skill in the future.
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