In this comparison and guide, we will take a look at two of the most advanced robot vacuums around, the Roborock S7 vs S6 MaxV to help you figure out which one suits your needs.
By the end of it, you should have a clear idea of why both of these robotic vacuums have earned a place on our best robot vacuum reviews and a better picture of which is the right Robock vacuum for your home.
Spoiler alert, the answer is probably both!
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At a glance
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The quick answer
The Roborock S7 and S6 MaxV robot vacuums only have few differences between each other. This can be attributed to the fact that they come from the same company. Simply put, the S7 was created for people who desire unbeatable vacuuming and mopping capabilities as it has extra perks such as the VibraRise and Sonic Mopping features.
On the other hand, the S6 MaxV shines more in terms of security and object recognition thanks to the dual cameras mounted on its front side. The ReactiveAI is very smart in this device, giving it unparalleled mobility against many obstacles. The processing power is also good, helping it to be better at each subsequent task.
If you want great mopping and smart vacuuming in one device, then the Roborock S7 is the perfect robot for you since it has the most advanced features in the industry.
On the other hand, if you prefer an extra boost in security and obstacle avoidance, and are willing to sacrifice modern mopping benefits, then you should go with the Roborock S6 MaxV robot vacuum.
Product Overviews
Roborock S7
The Roborock S7 can also be called the smarter and more advanced version of the Roborock S6 MaxV. Released in March of 2021, this is packed with the best mopping features that the robotic mopping industry has seen. It is a 2-in-1 robot that can vacuum and mop at the same time while using navigation through LiDAR systems.
The device can be controlled through an application. This is where the virtual maps, as well as the robot routes, are shown and monitored. You can even choose restriction zones on the device to give it better controllability.
Here are the advantages and disadvantage of the robot vacuum:
- Innovative LiDAR Technology
- Versatile on any surface
- Detects carpet and automatically lifts the brush
- Amazing area coverage
- No obstacle detection features
- Difficulties in dealing with stuck debris
- Quickly filled dustbin
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Roborock S6 MaxV
The Roborock S6 MaxV came out in mid-2020, and it has some powerful hardware and software to aid in the vacuuming and mopping process.
While it may not have Sonic Mopping and VibraRise, it makes up for the performance using the dual cameras embedded in the robot that act as obstacle detectors object recognition modules.
This feature comes with the benefit of the Qualcomm processors that handle the robot vacuum’s decision-making process. Any user can be confident of this unit’s Artificial Intelligence to create efficient routes for the home unit. Here are the pros and cons of the robot vacuum and mop.
- Great obstacle detection and recognition
- State-of-the-art Vacuum
- Good mopping
- No automatic carpet detection
- Gets stuck on low clearances
- A bit loud when operating
Last update on 2022-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Side by side comparison
Both products come from the same company that is Roborock. Thus, they are bound to have some similarities in design and feature. Let us look at some of the shared features of the Roborock S7 vs S6 MaxV.
Dimension and Design
Both robots have a dimension of 35 by 35 by 9.6 cm. This means that they can go under various furniture for a thorough cleaning.
The size also allows for better mobility around the house even if it’s a bit on the larger size. As for the design, the robots have a circular shape that can be a bit of a disadvantage in terms of edge cleaning.
If you look from afar, it is a bit hard to recognize both robots from each other, but a closer inspection will help in determining which one of them is the S7 and S6 MaxV.
As the main navigation system, the units make use of Light Detection and Ranging thanks to the modules attached at their top side. This circular section scans for measurements around the house and gauges distance to help it move around.
LiDAR is one of the most advanced navigation technologies in the modern world, and it is even used for self-driving cars.
When paired with the Roborock S7 and Roborock S6 MaxV’s reliable AI, the result is a very efficient system that locates the fastest route to take for your cleaning process.
Excellent Mopping Capability
Most robot vacuums available in the market only offer suction power for cleaning and picking up debris and dirt. However, this is not the case for the Roborock S7 and Roborock S6 MaxV as they can be used to mop the floor as well simultaneously with the vacuuming process.
This results in a better and more thorough clean throughout the house without the need for follow-up wiping. Thus, you get more value out of your investment.
However, please don’t expect miracles. You’ll always get a better mopping performance from a specially designed robot mop rather than relying on a combo robot.
Water Tank
The mopping system comes alongside the smart water tanks embedded inside the robot. These units have up to 300 ml of water capacity meaning that they can take on any size of surface in each run.
A user can even choose to change the modes for various applications. The closed mode does not make use of water during the cycle.
Mild and Moderate mode utilizes a fair amount of liquid to help with removing debris or gunk. Finally, the Intense mode is used for a more focused removal of stains as it allows maximum mopping performance and water usage.
Application Monitoring and Configuration
Another thing that I like about both devices is that they can be used alongside the native application.
Using a smartphone, anyone can download the application that can be used to monitor the movement of the robot as well as the total run time of each cleaning procedure. Not only that, but you can also adjust the different vacuuming and mopping modes in the app. The virtual map can also be seen in this feature, allowing for more control.
Battery Life
Unlike other robot vacuums in the market that only have a runtime of fewer than two hours, the Roborock S7 and Roborock S6 MaxV have a total runtime of 3 hours, thanks also to the batteries with 5200 mAh of battery capacity. This means that it will not need to recharge just to take on the challenge of sweeping your surfaces. Do take note that the total charge time of the devices can take up to 5 hours.
Restrictive Zoning
Thanks to the Roborock S7 and Roborock S6 MaxV LiDAR navigation, virtual mapping is possible. This creates a blueprint of your house unit that can be seen on the app.
Using the map, you can drag and click restrictive zones. After clicking on the restriction, you have two options. The first is to create a no-go zone out of the area selected, meaning that your robot will not go out of this area. The second is to make use of the specified cleaning options for spot vacuuming and mopping.
Take note that the Roborock vacuums have the option to save the layout of the room for future use. You can even have multiple floors and rooms at any given time! This means less time for scanning the area and more time for cleaning.
Voice Control
Another feature that smart home device users will love about the robots is that they are ready to be controlled with Alexa and Google Assistant. This will enable voice command protocols on the device, meaning that it will only need your voice to start or stop any cleaning process. This results in better control of the robots in coordination with already existing Alexa features.
Cleaning Schedules
What I like about the Roborock S7 and Roborock S6 MaxV models is that you do not need to be present to make them start cleaning. In fact, you can schedule cleaning processes based on your needs and preferences, and the robots will do the job for you. There are unlimited schedules available through the app, so let your imagination run wild!
Self-docking
This is one of the most underrated features of the device. The Roborock S7 and Roborock S6 MaxV are capable of self-charging once the battery reaches a certain level. It will return to its base or docking station attached to a wall outlet to replenish energy.
Furthermore, it will go back to where it left off during cleaning, so there is no need to worry about postponed processes. You can rest easy knowing that you do not need to pick the robot up by yourself.
Key Differences
Lets us take a look at some differences when comparing the Roborock S7 vs S6 MaxV.
Weight
One of the key differences between both devices is that the Roborock S7 weighs heavier compared to the Roborock S6 MaxV. The S7 stands at 4.7 kg or 10.4 pounds while the S6 is at 3.7 kg or 8.15 pounds. This can be attributed to the added VibraRise technology on the S7, as well as the existence of a new rubber design and better hardware inside the device.
Front Obstacle Detection and Object Recognition
A feature that the Roborock S6 MaxV has that is not present in the Roborock S7 is the dual cameras that act as the robot’s eyes.
It can recognize obstacles at its path while accurately and precisely measuring the distance between them. This will allow the S6 MaxV to reroute its course to a new, more efficient path without colliding with the object.
This Obstacle Detection is blended with powerful AI that results in Object Recognition. The robot can know the different objects present in the house such as shoes, scales, power cords, and stands.
Using this recognition software, it will either decide to go around or go under the object in the case of chairs and furniture. Not only that but the real-time location of the detected object is even displayed in the application’s virtual map for better information.
This function cannot be observed in the Roborock S7 as it strictly uses LiDAR technology for mobility. Thus, the S6 MaxV has an advantage in the obstacle identification category.
VibraRise
VibraRise is the Roborock S7’s advanced way of dealing with carpets. Once it has detected the presence of a carpet thanks to the sensors located underneath the device, the rubber brushes are automatically retracted and lifted to avoid damping the surface.
This is a very useful feature since it means that you do not get annoyed with unnecessary splashes of water in your carpet or rug.
This feature is not available on the Roborock S6 MaxV, and it can be a real dealbreaker. The robot has no way of automatically detecting carpets so you might need to make use of manually selecting the restriction zone for your carpet.
Fret not, as it is still a reliable way of making sure that the robot does not wet your beloved surfaces.
Sonic Mopping
Sonic Mopping is another one of the Roborock S7’s added mopping features. It allows the rubber brush to use vibration to scrub any given area for up to 3000 cycles every minute.
When combined with the efficient electronic water tank, this feature gets rid of any dirt and gunk that are stuck on your floors. It can even deal with dry stains and remove them fully!
Sadly, this feature does not exist in the Roborock S6 MaxV, so you are only left with regular mopping modes such as the Quiet, Mild, Moderate, and Intense. This does not mean that the robot does a bad job in mopping, it just entails that the Roborock S7 is ahead of the game.
Vacuum as Camera
A very nifty feature that users can utilize on the Roborock S6 MaxV is using the device as a roaming CCTV camera around the house.
If you want to discreetly look at the events transpiring in the room such as pet movement or kids moving around, then the device can do it for you. You can treat the S6 MaxV as your own pair of eyes in the house, and you can even relay a voice message to the robot vacuum. The setting can be accessed through the application.
Since the Roborock S7 has no front cameras installed, it is not capable of doing this feature. However, you can still do voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant.
Rubber Brush
The Roborock S7 features an upgraded floating brush that always stays in contact on the floor and never loses track of the surface.
This helps in providing a more reliable wipe. Furthermore, the device has strayed away from conventional bristle-based brushes as it makes use of all-rubber rollers. This makes it better in removing gunk, avoiding hair entanglement, as well as increasing brush life.
The Roborock S6 MaxV, on the other hand, has an old brush design and limited floating brush capabilities. This means that it performs less compared to the performance of S7 when it comes to mopping.
FAQs
Here are some burning questions commonly asked by prospective Roborock S7 and S6 MaxV buyers.
Do the robot vacuums work without Wi-Fi?
Yes, the robot vacuums can work without Wi-Fi thanks to the start option located on the central button of the units. However, you will need a Wi-Fi connection to benefit from great features such as virtual mapping, restriction zones, scheduling, and model selection.
What are the areas that it can cover?
Both robot vacuums can handle up to 3000 square feet of vacuuming and 2000 square feet of mopping. Do not worry if your area is larger than this, as the robot will always initiate a self-charging sequence in the charging station once the battery is depleted.
Do the devices have an auto empty dock?
Yes, but they are not yet released. The company says that it will be available sometime in 2021.
Do the robot vacuums generate much noise?
Yes, the robots do generate some noise but not to the point where they become too annoying. You can still do your daily routine without getting disturbed by the robots.
Conclusion
Both the Roborock S6 MaxV and Roborock S7 are strong robots capable of delivering great cleaning and navigation technology to any home surface. They have their own strengths and weaknesses, but they still stay at the top of the robot industry thanks to the advanced features that they have.
For users who want to get the most out of the vacuuming and mopping capabilities, the Roborock S7 will be the perfect unit as it has some of the best wiping features in the robot market.
On the other hand, if you want to prioritize object recognition in your home for better control, and have the ability to use your vacuum as a home security device, then the Roborock S6 MaxV is the perfect product for you.
Now that you know about the differences between the two, you should be able to pick the one that is best suited for your home.
Which one do you prefer? Let us know.
Emma Marie is a valued writer at the Little Robot Shop. She studied robotics and deeply understands technology, which shows in her writing. She consistently produces high-quality content, making her a perfect fit for the Little Robot Shop team.
While not writing, Emma works in a popular electronics retail chain. Emma also enjoys running and has two dogs with whom she loves spending time.
