Roborock E5 vs. S5 Max Comparison Review
This Roborock E5 vs. S5 Max comparison review explains how the two Roborock vacuums compare in terms of design, cleaning performance, battery, navigation/mapping, and smart features.
Roborock is one of the best robot vacuums today. The Chinese brand is slowly taking over the market that was once dominated by the likes of Roomba, Neato, and ECOVACS. From all indications, buyers are caught between buying the Roborock E5 and S5. If you are among this lot, this article explains the differences.
In a battle between Roborock S5 vs. E5, it’s the S5 that wins the battle as it comes with a much better mopping performance, smarter navigation and mapping, and an enhanced app control experience.
To learn much about these two robot vacuums, this article is a must-read.
Roborock E5 Series
The Roborock E5 Series is one of the newest additions to the Roborock lineup. Released in 2021, the E5 Series has two models: Roborock E5 and Roborock E5 Mop. The former doesn’t come with the SnapMop system for mopping, but if bought separately, it can mop. On the other hand, the E5 Mop comes with the SnapMop system.
The Roborock E5 is the best bang for the buck if you want a cheap 2-in-1 robot vacuum. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as an entry-level robot vacuum, but it’s still worth the money.
The E5 is ideal for homes with bare floors such as tile, linoleum, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood, just to mention a few. It’s also a great vacuum for carpets and pet hair. What’s more? The E5 can mop floors quite satisfactorily.
Roborock S5 Series
The S5 Series has been here for a while. There are two variants of the S5; the base model Roborock S5 and the ceiling model Roborock S5 Max. The latter is the best deal as it comes with enhanced features. It will be our reference in this Roborock comparison review.
The Roborock S5 Max is a top-of-the-range model that boasts plenty of state-of-the-art features. As much as it’s more expensive, the excellent cleaning performance and innovative features justify the higher price tag.
The Roborock S5 Max is an all-rounder. It does a great job on all surfaces, be it bare floors or carpets. It’s also a great vacuum for pet hair, and unlike the E5, this one guarantees excellent mopping performance.
Comparison Table
Which one to choose Roborock E5 or Roborock S5 Max?
5 reasons to choose Roborock S5 Max
- LIDAR navigation: Precision LIDAR and SLAM navigation ensures the S5 Max robot moving in Z-shape paths for an entire clean floor.
- Adjustable water flows: Roborock S5 Max has four water flows for different hard floors for several cleaning intensities.
- Maps for 4 floors: The robot creates and stores precise maps for up to 4-levels of your home where you can set no-go and no-mop zones and invisible walls.
- Large electric water tank: S5 Max is equipped with a 290 ml electrical water tank with a pump for precise water flow control.
- Anti-tangle brushes: Long hair and pet hair can’t prevent effective cleaning and stop brushes from moving.
Now, onto the main business of the day, how does the Roborock E5 compare to the S5 Max?
Roborock E5 vs. S5 Max Design Comparison
The Roborock E5 and S5 Max have some similarities in design, but there are a few differences.
Roborock E5 Design
The E5 is a round-shaped robot vacuum with a low profile design to creep under low profile households, talk of sofas, beds, and kickstands.
It measures 13.78-inches in diameter and is 3.56-inches thin. The E5 is available in two colors; black and white.
Roborock S5 Max Design
Like the E5, the Roborock S5 Max is also a round-shaped robot vacuum and maintains the low profile design.
It has a 13.78-inch diameter and stands at 3.78-inches. The S5 Max gives buyers the option of going for a white model or black.
Vacuuming Performance Comparison + Cleaning Test Results
One of the main differences between the Roborock E5 and the S5 Max is the vacuuming performance. Below is an explanation of how they vary.
How Powerful is Roborock S5 Max?
The S5 Max comes with a powerful motor that spins at 15,000RPM, producing a whopping 2,000pa when at peak performance. With four suction levels (Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, and Max), the S5 Max offers intense and continuous suction.
For the record, there is a carpet boost feature that automatically adjusts suction when carpets are detected.
How Powerful is Roborock E5?
Despite being an entry-level robot vacuum, the Roborock E5 is more powerful than the more expensive Roborock S5 Max. This one uses Roborock’s HyperForce™ suction system, the same one used in the new Roborock S7.
Under the hood, there’s an advanced motor that puts up a whopping 2,500pa. Like the S5 Max, the E5 comes with four suction levels (Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, and Max).
Vacuuming Tests
As usual, we test all the robot vacuums in our reviews; the Roborock E5 and S5 Max are no exceptions. Below are the results of our exclusive tests.
Mopping Performance Comparison + Mopping Test Results
Another area where these two robot vacuums are different is in the mopping performance. The Roborock S5 Max is better from all angles.
Does the Roborock E5 Mop?
Yes. The E5 is a robot vacuum with mop. The vacuum comes with the basic mopping features. It relies on the SnapMop system that includes a gravity water tank with 180Ml capacity and a microfiber cloth for scrubbing dirt and stains. The water is enough to mop an area of 1600 sq ft on a single fill.
To say the least, the E5 offers average mopping. It lacks several critical features, including an electric tank, high-speed sonic mopping, automatic mop lifting, and ultrasonic carpet sensing, features that greatly improve the overall mopping experience.
More than often, it will wet carpets and leave tough stains behind. But for light mopping tasks, for example, wiping urine stains and paw marks, the performance is satisfactory.
Does the Roborock S5 Max Mop?
Yes. As a high-end model, the Roborock S5 Max does have a mop and an innovative one, for that matter. It comes with a 290ml electric water tank that uses a precise peristaltic pump for precise water flow. With the electric water tank, you remain in control of every drop right from the app. To scrub stains and grime, the robot uses a microfiber attached to a spring-loaded mopping pad that ensures sufficient contact with the surface.
In terms of mopping performance, the S5 Max is far much better than that of the E5. It mops the tough stains such as oil patches and grease that the E5 failed to clear.
In terms of convenience, the S5 Max has No Mop zones, a feature that allows you to set boundaries on carpeted areas, thus preventing the robot from wetting or mopping the carpets.
For the record, the S5 Max doesn’t come with automatic mop lifting, high sonic mopping, and ultrasonic carpet sensing, the new standards of Roborock mopping.
Mopping Tests
We also did rigorous mopping tests to show you which vacuum is the best. Below are the results.
Filtration and Dust Bin
The two robot vacuums, E5 and S5 Max are similar in terms of filtration, but the bin differs slightly.
Roborock E5 Filtration and Dust Bin
The E5 has been designed with washable E11 air filters that capture 99% of allergens and other elements in the atmosphere that trigger allergies or cause a foul odor.
Their washable nature cuts down on maintenance costs. When it comes to the bin, it is also washable and has a 640Ml capacity.
Roborock S5 Max Filtration and Dust Bin
As mentioned earlier, the S5 Max and E5 share the same filtration system. These are washable E11 air filters that capture 99% of dust, pollen, and other microscopic elements in the atmosphere.
The difference comes in the bin capacity. The S5 Max has a much smaller bin with a 460Ml capacity.
Note 1: The filters of the Roborock E5 and S5 Max require cleaning at least once a month, while the bin has to be emptied preferably after each cleaning session.
Note 2: The E5 and S5 Max don’t have automatic self-emptying as they are not compatible with the newly released Roborock Auto Empty Station.
Battery and Runtime Comparison
When looking for the best robot vacuum, consider the battery and runtime. It’s also important to get a vacuum that has convenient power management options. So, how does the Roborock E5 compare to the S5 Max?
Roborock E5 Battery and Runtime
The Roborock E5 is an entry-level robot vacuum, but it packs a punch when it comes to autonomy. It comes with the same 5,200mAh battery that comes with the high-end models, including the latest Roborock S7. It offers an impressive 200 minutes runtime in quiet mode and about 90-100 minutes in Max mode.
Regarding power management, the E5 will dock for recharge automatically, but it doesn’t have the resume function as we know it. Instead, there’s Top Up charge, a better feature that recharges the robot quickly to 80% and sends it back to finish the cleaning session. It comes in handy when handling homes with large floor areas.
Roborock S5 Max Battery and Runtime
The Roborock S5 Max is not in any way different from the E5 in terms of battery specifications. Here again, we have a large 5,200mAh battery, but there’s a slight difference in runtime. While the E5 puts up a whopping 200 minutes, the S5 Max can do 180 minutes when in Quiet mode. The slight difference here can be attributed to the fact that the S5 Max has more components that use power.
As for power management, the S5 Max is an intelligent robot vacuum that automatically docks to recharge. There’s also the Top Up feature that works in the same way as auto-resume. It marks where it has cleaned, dashes for a recharge to 80%, and comes back to finish the job.
Navigation and Mapping
Perhaps the biggest difference between the E5 and the S5 Max is the navigation and mapping features. If you have a large apartment with high traffic, settle for nothing less than the S5 Max. Below is how the two compare.
Roborock E5 Navigation and Mapping
The E5 doesn’t have an intelligent navigation system. Instead, it relies on Inertial Navigation, a system that uses dual gyroscopes, OpticEye, motion-tracking sensors, and retractable bumpers to find its way around your home. This is not a reliable system in high-traffic rooms and large apartments.
As for floor mapping, the E5 cleans in a logical, systematic pattern to ensure entire level coverage. In addition, the system has a precision internal mapping system that creates the map of your house, enabling it to know where it has cleaned and where it has not. Last on floor mapping, the E5 uses boundary markers for containment, but the boundary strips have to be purchased separately.
Roborock S5 Max Navigation and Mapping
The Roborock S5 Max is an advanced model with a powerful 32-bit quad-core processor for extraordinary navigation intelligence. The LDS Laser Navigation uses environmental sensors, including an odometer, accelerometer, infra-red, compass, and retractable bumpers to prevent accidents. If you have a high-traffic room, consider getting the S5 Max over the E5.
In terms of navigation, the S5 Max is the ultimate deal if you have multiple levels. The robot vacuum boasts a laser rangefinder spinning at 300rpm, sending 360° area scans to create hyper-accurate maps of your home, and includes a LiDAR system that recognizes the different levels in your home. In addition, when it comes to cleaning patterns, the S5 Max can calculate the most efficient cleaning path depending on the size and shape of the room.
Last, on boundary marking and containment, the S5 Max comes with digital barriers dubbed No Go Zones. You can create barriers by drawing boundaries on the app, and the robot won’t trespass. Another feature worth mentioning is the No Mop Zones that allows you to create boundaries around carpets. There’s also Selective Room Cleaning that allows you to clean specific rooms and Zone Cleanup that enables users to send the robot to clean specific spots.
Smart Features and Convenience
The Roborock E5 also differs from the S5 Max when it comes to smart features and convenience. The S5 Max offers a few advantages, but also, the E5 has unique features.
Roborock E5 Smart Features and Convenience
The Roborock E5 is compatible with 2.4GHz WiFi for mobile app operation via the Mi Home app. Users can start cleaning sessions on the app, set cleaning schedules, adjust suction levels, monitor real-time cleaning progress, and review where the robot vacuum cleaned.
Another worthy talking point is voice operation tools. First, the E5 supports language pack, so you can use German, English, French, Spanish, or Chinese. The E5, just like other smart robot vacuums, is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. What’s more? The E5 has an inbuilt voice operation feature.
Besides smartphone app operation and voice operation, the E5 comes with a cool MagBase™ remote that puts total control in the hands of users. This is an excellent feature for senior citizens who are not into app operation or Alexa.
Roborock S5 Max Smart Features and Convenience
The Roborock S5 Max is also a smart robot vacuum compatible with 2.4GHz WiFi. The robot can sync with the Roborock Home app for remote mobile app operation. On the app, you can also start or stop a cleaning session, set cleaning schedules, adjust suction levels, adjust water flow, monitor cleaning progress, and review maps of the cleaned areas.
In addition, the S5 Max app allows users to set No Mop Zones, Virtual Walls, and No Go Zones.
When it comes to voice controls, there is no much difference between the S5 Max and E5. The S5 Max also supports smart voice assistants, talk of Alexa, and Google Assistant. It also has a five-language voice pack and an inbuilt voice operation assistant.
Unfortunately, voice operation and app operation are the only remote operation methods that the S5 Max supports. It doesn’t come with a physical remote that the E5 tags along with.
verdictThere are similarities between the Roborock E5 and S5 Max, but then, the differences are profound. The S5 Max has lower suction and a smaller bin, but then it offers better mopping performance, better navigation and mapping, and smarter convenience.
Wrapping Up
That’s it for this Roborock E5 vs. S5 Max comparison review. It’s clear that the S5 Max is superior, so it’s the best choice if you are looking for a reliable robot vacuum with modern features, so it should be on top of your wish list.
It comes with a better mopping system, smarter navigation and mapping, and a few smart extras. However, if you are on a budget, the E5 is still worth the money. It has a larger bin, higher suction, and a remote controller.
Kristy K.
Hello! According to the suction power, E5 works better than S5. So why is S5 considered to be a top-range model?
Richard Harrison
Thank you for your interest in Roborock cleaners. S5 model has a lot of advanced state-of-the-art features that make its work more comfortable: 4 cleaning modes plus boost mode for carpets, better mopping performance, LIDAR precise navigation, multi-floor mapping with the creation of no-go, no-mop zones. But for sure, E5 is a good model as well; it has powerful 2500 Pa suction, a bigger dustbin, and a longer runtime because of fewer smart functions.
Margie Ruiz
What is the maintenance of E 11 air filters for Roborock S5 max?
Swartzcop Kennedy
Thank you for the question. E 11 air filters should be cleaned at least once per month; they are washable. The filter should be changed after 125-150 cleanings or 150 hours of use.
Marcy
Which robot cleaner Roborock E5 or S5 have a resume function?
Swartzcop Kennedy
Thank you for your interest in Roborock cleaners. Both cleaners E5 and S5 have a resume function. When the battery is low, the cleaner automatically goes to the battery station until 80% load and returns to finish the cleaning from the same spot.
Hebert
Thank you for your detailed comparison. As I understand, the Roborock E5 is a budget 2-in-1 mop and vacuum cleaner. What is the most significant disadvantage of this model compared to S5? I am thinking about a model that is worth its money.
Richard Harrison
Thank you for your question. Even though E5 has higher suction power, it performs average mopping and is designed for light mopping tasks or regular maintenance, but dry vacuum cleaning showed perfect results. So, the lack of mopping qualities is its most significant disadvantage. The S5 is much better in this regard.
Pam
I’m pretty sure they both have WiFi, but your Comparison table at the top says they don’t
Richard Harrison
Thank you for your attention. You are right; both models have a Wi-Fi connection for smartphone application control and connection to Alexa or Google Assistant. However, both models support only a 2.4GHz wireless network and do not support a 5GHz one.
Jean B
I have a large flat that is not enough to clean with one battery charge. Which robot cleaner Roborock E5 or S5 have a resume function?
Richard Harrison
Thank you for your interest in Roborock cleaners. Both cleaners E5 and S5 have a resume function. When the battery is low, the cleaner automatically goes to the battery station until 80% load and returns to finish the cleaning from the same spot.
Marlene
How do you set virtual boundaries or No-go areas for Roborock E5?
Richard Harrison
Thank you for the question. E5 does not have a function of virtual boundaries or no-go zones; it is not equipped with smart control features as S5.
Robinson
Can I use voice control for Roborock S5? I have an Alexa station that I want to use. It didn’t work with my Shark cleaner.
Swartzcop Kennedy
Thank you for your interest in Roborock cleaners. Yes, Roborock S5 supports most voice assistants, like Alexa or Google, and could be integrated into your smart home system. Moreover, it has its assistant from smartphone application in five languages – English, German, French, Chinese, and Spanish.