Roborock Q8 vs S8 Comparison
Roborock Q8
Roborock S8
Roborock Q8
- Available colors 2, black and white
- Dimensions 13.9x13.8 x 3.8 inches
- Weight 10.44 lbs
- Suction Levels 4
- Carpet Boost Yes
- Sonic Mopping Technology N/A
- Bin Capacity 350Ml
- Water Tank Capacity 350Ml, Electric
- Auto Recharge+Resume Yes
Roborock S8
- Available colors 2, black and white
- Dimensions 3.9x13.8 x 3.8 inches
- Weight 10.8 lbs
- Suction Levels 4
- Carpet Boost Yes
- Sonic Mopping Technology Yes
- Bin Capacity 350Ml
- Water Tank Capacity 300Ml, Electric
- Auto Recharge+Resume Yes
In this Roborock Q8 vs S8 review, I have explored all the essential details you need to know before making that final decision, from the similarities and differences to cleaning test results.
The Q8 and S8 are among the models on the market. They’re both 2-in-1 cleaners and have intelligent navigation and mapping systems for seamless navigation from one room to another, avoiding common obstacles. However, there are differences you should be aware of before paying for any of them.
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So, what makes them different?
The difference between Roborock Q8 and S8 is the overall cleaning performance. The S8+ packs higher suction and offers better vacuuming and mopping performance. But it’s worth noting that many other features are the same. Keep it right here for more on how they square it out.
Roborock Q8 vs. S8: How They Stack Up Against Each Other
The Roborock Q8 is circular and has a low-profile design allowing it to pass between tight spaces and slide unrestricted under low-profile furniture.
I like the sleek, stylish design and premium build quality which promises durability despite common falls and pet scratches.
It’s truly a masterpiece that will blend well with your furniture, decor, and other appliances regardless of where you place the charging dock.
There’s not much difference with the S8 as it’s round-shaped with almost similar dimensions and weight.
Here again, we have a small raised turret at the top, 3 control buttons, and the iconic Roborock logo on the top.
Craftsmanship is also excellent, so you can be sure it will withstand scratches and falls and offer you years of service.
The Q8 and S8 are both compact, so they won't have a problem going under low-profile furniture or passing between tight spaces. Construction is solid and guarantees durability amidst daily falls, accidents, and scratches from angry pets that take the robot for a foe.
Roborock Q8 is a 2-in-1 cleaner that will vacuum and mop all hard floors and does exceptionally well on hardwood as it uses minimal water and as you may be aware, water is an enemy to your previous hard floors.
It’s also ideal for all carpet types, including thick carpets, which take in a lot of fine dust and can be hard to vacuum. If you have pets, no worries, as it can also pick up pet hair and handle other messes, including urine stains.
The S8 is also a versatile cleaner that will save you the costs of buying a robot mop again.
This multisurface cleaner will handle any floor, from hardwood to tile and ceramic, among others, and the performance is excellent on carpets, too.
There’s no winner as far as cleaning orientation is concerned; as you can see, the two are robot vac mops. The performance is also fantastic, as we’ll see in our test results.
Boasting a maximum suction of 5500pa, the Q8 Max+ is one of the most powerful models I have tested, and as you may be aware, suction power is fundamental in the performance of the robot.
The Q8 is not just strong but also has adjustable suction levels, allowing you to set suction depending on the task.
The high suction makes it a great deal for anyone with carpets and homes with pets.
The S8 is also excellent here, as it comes with a revamped motor that puts up even higher suction than the Q8.
While it’s still a HyperForce motor, it delivers a whopping 6,000pa, and suction can be adjusted to any of the 4 suction levels.
With high suction, you can be sure of thorough and deeper vacuuming. I was amazed at how it sucked up even large debris, including popcorn and sand pebbles.
Suction power is vital in the performance of robot vacuums, and I'm glad the two models pack excellent suction, better than most of the competition out there. But on closer inspection, I settled on the S8+ as the winner, as it's more powerful when firing on all cylinders.
Roborock Q8 is a great deal, as you don’t need to get a separate robot mop because of its built-in mopping function. The mopping system consists of a 350ml electric water tank that allows you to adjust the water flow depending on the mess.
Of course, for those sticky messes and dried-on stains, you need more water, but for those light touch-ups, there’s no need for it to dispense much water.
The mopping efficiency is commendable, though it’s worth noting that it doesn’t use high-speed sonic mopping technology, which proves to be far better than the older system. Yet again, it can sometimes wet carpets, so you will have to set boundaries.
As far as mopping is concerned, the S series of cleaners has many advanced features. To start, the S8 uses high-speed sonic mopping, so you can bet that it’s unforgiving on all kinds of messes, including the biggest messes you can think of, from honey spills to porridge.
It comes with a smaller 300ml electric water tank, but you still get to tailor your mopping as per your needs.
On the brighter side, the S8 doesn’t wet carpets courtesy of the VibraRise Mopping System, which detects carpets and raises the mopping head, so there will be no chance of the robot dampening your carpet.
Incorporating a mopping function is a clever idea that Roborock excels in. Through the years, the company continues to innovate and engineer sophisticated mopping features that make life easier. So far, so good, the S8 and its successors are the best, as they guarantee detailed cleaning and have systems to prevent water from coming into contact with carpets.
We like the fact that the Q8 Max + relies on a stable navigation system dubbed PreciSense Precision LiDAR Navigation, which has been engineered to give the robot human-like ability to find its way around your home without the risks of hitting obstacles or getting stuck.
There’s no camera, but with Reactive AI Obstacle Avoidance, it will stay clear of a range of obstacles, including socks, headphones, shoes, and other household fittings.
Nothing is different with the S8+, which is still a premium cleaner with a LiDAR navigation system for accuracy and efficiency, especially in high-traffic rooms.
It can also precisely avoid obstacles, just like the Q8 Max.
Even though Roborock has not included a camera with these two models, they’re still intelligent enough to plan for efficient cleaning routes even in high-traffic rooms, and you will hardly find your cleaner stuck.
Roborock Q8 has one of the best mapping systems around. The robot creates maps with high precision, ensuring entire-level cleaning. If you have a multistorey house, worry not, as the multilevel mapping feature allows you to save multiple maps.
Interestingly, this is a 3D Mapping robot vacuum, so you can rest assured that it has a clear picture of your house with all the furniture and other fittings.
The Q8 boasts other cool features, including Zone Clean Up, so you can clean a specific spot, and Real-Time Robot Location, which lets you see where it’s cleaning.
You get the same features with the S8 as it’s also a smart mapping robot vacuum that creates accurate 3D maps of your house, guaranteeing efficient cleaning and, importantly, ensuring that no spot is left untouched during cleaning.
There’s a lot you can do on the app, including sending the cleaner to a particular room or spot, checking real-time location, and so on.
Mapping is an important consideration when buying a robot cleaner as it determines how fast and comprehensive the cleaning will be. The two cleaners in this review have excellent mapping systems ensuring they reach every spot in fast and precise cleaning paths.
You may be already aware that robot vacuums do more than just clean floors and carpets. They’re also designed to ensure your ambiance is fresh and always free from foul odors and other unwanted elements.
I’m glad the Q8 has a robust filtration system consisting of an E11-rated filter that captures over 95% of allergens. Furthermore, it’s washable, something that increases the filter’s lifespan and cuts down maintenance costs.
The S8 will also be a great choice if you want a fresh ambiance, as it also consists of a washable filter that ensures all allergens, such as pollen, dust, and dust mites, don’t linger around.
This is something that goes a long way, especially for allergy sufferers. That said, a Roborock can be an invaluable addition to your cleaning armory.
We all know how dust mites and pollen can bring discomfort. That is why Roborock decided to include a filtration system in its cleaners, just like all others. The choice of filter, a washable E11-rated filter, is also something worth mentioning, considering how efficient they are.
Roborock Q8 comes with an onboard bin with a 350Ml capacity, which is enough to hold dirt for a few cleaning sessions before you will be required to empty it.
But hey…you don’t have to stress about frequent bin emptying as it has an auto-empty dock that does all the heavy work of transferring dirt from the onboard bin to a disposable dustbag housed in the docking station.
We find this a really fantastic feature if you want the convenience of hands-free cleaning.
You also get the same convenience with the Roborock S8, as it comes with an automatic emptying dock.
The bin is large, and the dock has a dustbag where dirt from the robot accumulates.
This bag is large enough to hold dirt for up to 7 weeks.
As mentioned earlier, this is one of the most innovative brands and has been at the forefront of refining automatic bin emptying. We like the fact that the Q8 Max+ and S8+ are both self-emptying vacuums, so you get to enjoy the convenience of hands-free house cleaning.
Under the hood, there’s a DuoRoller Brush, which is much more effective at agitation and dirt pickup than many cleaners out there.
This is the same brush design that the latest Roombas have and is optimized to loosen and lift dirt alongside pet hairs, especially those long dog hairs, while reducing the chances of tangling.
Dirt pickup on carpets is also very effective.
S8, being among the latest models, also uses the new dual brush system, with each brush specialized for a specific function – one brush for loosening and agitating dirt and the other for lifting the dirt ready for suctioning.
If you have pets and carpet, this is again a cleaner to rely on.
Both vacuums have ditched the old brush system for a much finer and refined brushroll that is unforgiving on dirt, be it on hard floors or carpets. The brush system also has reduced tangling, so you shouldn't be wary of a tangled brush now and then when dealing with long dog hairs.
Roborock Q8, like all other vacuums, relies on an inbuilt rechargeable battery. This is a 5,200mAh lithium-ion battery that offers up to 180 minutes runtime in (Quiet Mode).
Just to mention, you will realize that the runtime is shorter when you are in high-power modes. Besides having a large-capacity battery, the Q8 is intelligent enough to know when the battery is low for immediate recharge.
It will go to the dock, recharge, and, after that, resume cleaning. The average recharge time is 4 hours.
Battery and runtime are among the specifications the two vacuums share. The S8 has exactly the same battery, meaning the runtime is also similar.
You can rely on this cleaner to cover up to 300㎡ on a single charge, which is just impressive considering this is about the average size of a US apartment.
You also don’t have to worry about coming to a half-cleaned house as the S8 has auto-recharge and resume functions.
The Q8 and S8 come with the same battery packs. These are high-capacity batteries that offer extended runtime. I'm also glad that in case the battery dies before a cleaning session is complete, the robot will dock and recharge automatically. After recharge, they will go back and complete cleaning. Just to mention, for both robots, you don't have to wait for the entire 4 hours as Auto-Top Up Charging comes into play, offering fast charging to 80% so that it can finish the cleanup on time.
Of course, we are in the smart home era, so you definitely want a smart vacuum. That is what the Q8 Max+ is.
It’s compatible with WiFi, so you can operate the robot remotely via the Roborock app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Better still, it’s possible to use voice control, so if you have Alexa or Google Assistant, this robot vacuum will be a good deal.
The S8 has quite some cool features, including 2.4GHz WiFi compatibility, facilitating remote operation either on the mobile app or by voice.
You can clean the house while at the office or tell the robot to clean the kitchen, and it will do so.
In case of any updates, you won’t miss out as there are over-the-air upgrades.
Having a smart robot vacuum is fantastic as you don't have to stress with controls. All the controls can be accessed from the app. Besides, with voice assistant compatibility, it's possible to clean by just telling the robot what to do.
Roborock is a trusted brand that gives consumers the confidence they need to buy its products. The Q8 comes with a 1-year warranty, which is quite generous.
If the robot fails within the first year of purchase, you can get a repair or replacement as long as your warranty is not voided. I like Roborock as it’s also an accessible brand that listens to its customers.
Some of the channels you can use to reach the team at Roborock include live chat, email, and telephone. There are also plenty of resources in the form of guides and tutorials. Last, parts and supplies are in plenty on Amazon.
The S8, being from the same brand as the Q8, doesn’t differ here.
The S8 is also covered by a generous grace period, but abide by the terms and conditions to be eligible.
Contacting the company is not a problem as there’s multichannel support, and in case you want a new disposable bag, a new brush, or a filter replacement, they’re available, both authentic and generic ones from 3rd parties.
On matters such as warranty and aftersales, it will be hard to call a winner as they’re from the same brand, Roborock, a trusted brand that will always honor its warranty and attend to customer inquiries.
The Q8 Max + comes with the following items:
- Roborock Q8 Max
- Auto-empty dock
- water tank
- Mop cloth mount
- Mop cloth
- Power cable
- Manual
In the S8+ package, you will find:
- Roborock S8
- Auto-empty dock
- Water tank
- Mop cloth
- Mop cloth mount
- Power cord
- User guide
The Q8 and S8 each come with all the accessories required to perform their duties well. Notably, these are the Plus models, and as you may be aware, it’s only the Plus models that come with the multifunction station that is used for recharging and emptying bins.
Cleaning Tests:
Vacuuming Test on Hardwood Floor
Vacuuming Test on Hardwood Floor
- Sand Pebbles
- 98%
- 98%
- Flour
- 97%
- 99%
- Sugar
- 98%
- 99%
- Coffee
- 98%
- 98%
- Rice
- 98%
- 99%
- Kitty litter
- 97%
- 98%
- Dried Mud
- 96%
- 97%
- Pet Hair
- 97%
- 98%
Vacuuming Test on High Pile Carpet
Vacuuming Test on High Pile Carpet
- Sand pebbles
- 97%
- 97%
- Flour
- 94%
- 96%
- Sugar
- 94%
- 96%
- Coffee
- 94%
- 96%
- Rice
- 96%
- 97%
- Kitty litter
- 95%
- 96%
- Dried Mud
- 93%
- 95%
- Pet hair
- 95%
- 96%
Mopping Performance on Hardwood
Mopping Performance on Hardwood
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you add a floor-cleaning formula to Roborock S8?
2. What’s different between Roborock S8 and S7?
3. Is the Roborock S8 equipped with a camera?
Wrapping Up
We’ve come to the end of today’s Roborock comparison, and as you have seen, the two have many things in common. For example, they are both vac mops with similar navigation and mapping, convenience features, and even runtime. But at the end of the day, my advice is to go with the S8+ as it offers better cleaning performance.
It has higher suction, and the mopping system has been revamped so that it can never wet carpets like the Q8. Feel like you want the best discount on the Q8 and S8? Check out all the best deals and discounts and grab your perfect cleaning companion.