Over the years, Roborock has garnered a loyal following for its lower-priced robot vacuums. Its product lineup, however, has expanded to include 2-in-1 units that vacuum and mop and which have also proven popular among customers. For instance, the Roborock S7, released in 2021, is one of the best robot vacuum and mop combos. It boasts a 3-hour battery life, a mop-lifting feature, and a premium variant that comes with an auto-emptying base.
With the launch of the Roborock S7 MaxV, the S7 faces competition from within. The latest robot vacuum builds on the S7’s success but with more suction power and upgraded navigation. Priced $200 higher than the S7, is it worth upgrading to the S7 MaxV? Or does the S7 maintain its place in your home? Below, we compare the two robot vacuums to find out.
Navigation
Roborock S7 vs S7 MaxV Comparison Chart
Design and Accessories
The Roborock S7 has a more in-your-face design compared to the minimalist S7 MaxV.
Like most robot vacuums, the Roborock S7 and S7 MaxV sport round forms. They have similar 13.8 x 13.9-inch dimensions and are 3.8 inches in height. Both are clad in plastic and feature three buttons at the top. There’s also a vertical bumper below the buttons carrying the Roborock logo and concealing the LiDAR sensors.
The S7 has a more in-your-face design, with concentric ripples surrounding the vertical bumper. It’s a detail that nods to the sonic technology it uses when mopping. In contrast, the S7 MaxV has a flat surface and a slightly thinner trim around the top. You can get the S7 in black or white variants, the latter featuring orange accents best seen in its water tank latch. On the other hand, the S7 MaxV only comes in black, with side bumpers that have minimal orange detailing.
Underneath, these robovacs have the same layout. There are two main wheels, an omnidirectional front wheel, and a side brush. Between the main wheels is the main brush with a cover latch. Meanwhile, the omnidirectional wheel is sandwiched between charging contacts. Six cliff sensors also dot the underside of the S7 and S7 MaxV.
In front is where the two vacuums distinguish themselves. The S7 MaxV features two sensors — one for the AI obstacle avoidance camera, the other being the LED fill light. On the S7, you only get a docking sensor. Lastly, for mopping, these Roborock units come with separate mop modules that include a mop pad and a mount you attach to the back of the vacuums.
Accessories
Roborock’s S7 and S7 MaxV are available in a couple of models. The only difference between these variants is the addition of an auto-empty dock that doubles as a charging base. The S7+, for instance, comes with an auto-empty dock with a 3-liter dust bag capacity. Roborock shares that it’s equivalent to eight weeks of dust.
Meanwhile, the S7 MaxV has two additional versions: the Roborock S7 MaxV Plus and the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra. The S7 MaxV Plus includes a similar dock to the S7+, offering automatic dust emptying.
On the other hand, the S7 MaxV Ultra comes with Roborock’s most advanced dock yet. The new base is larger than standard and offers dustbin emptying. In addition, it can clean the vacuum, wash its mop module, and refill the water tank reservoir automatically.
Roborock’s S7 MaxV boasts more intelligent navigation than the Roborock S7 by combining LiDAR with artificial intelligence.
When it comes to moving around your home, the Roborock S7 and S7 MaxV rely on LiDAR technology. This allows the robots to map your home up to 2 cm in accuracy. The produced maps consider the shape of your home and any obstacles within. It can also map and identify rooms across up to four levels.
The Roborock S7 and S7 MaxV are equipped with an adaptive route algorithm as well. This means the robovacs can calculate the most efficient cleaning route based on a room’s shape and in-room obstacles. Selective room cleaning and zone cleanup are also supported.
On the S7 MaxV, navigation is further enhanced with artificial intelligence. Dubbed the ReactiveAI Obstacle Avoidance, the feature uses an RGB camera for improved hazard recognition. Combined with the LiDAR navigation, the S7 MaxV can recognize and react to obstacles differently based on what it sees.
For instance, the S7 MaxV can get close to dropped objects but will stay away from pet waste. It can also recognize hazards like power strips and wiring. ReactiveAI does so because it’s powered by machine learning and comes with a dedicated neural processing unit.
Vacuum and Mop Features
The Roborock S7 MaxV has double the suction power of the Roborock S7. However, mopping performance is the same for both models.
One of the advantages of the Roborock S7 MaxV over the S7 is vacuuming. The S7 MaxV boasts 5100Pa suction power, over twice what the S7 offers. That means more dust, debris, and allergens are captured. Despite the extra force, the MaxV maintains the same noise level as the S7 at 67db.
Meanwhile, the dust bin capacity of the two vacuums is 400ml. Both the S7 and S7 MaxV also use the same washable Teflon-coated filter. The filter only requires maintenance once every two weeks and can be replaced anytime between 6 to 12 months.
Roborock’s S7 and S7 MaxV are equipped with the same main brush. The component features an all-rubber construction that can direct hair to the sides for minimal entanglement. For more efficient cleaning, the brush is mounted on a floating mechanism, keeping floor contact close even on uneven surfaces.
As for mopping, the vacuums both use the VibraRise module. The Vibra refers to the sonic vibration used by the S7 and S7 MaxV to scrub your floor 3,000 times per minute. On the other hand, Rise refers to the innovative mop-lifting feature of the module.
Using ultrasonic sound to recognize carpets, the S7 and S7 MaxV’s mop automatically lifts when it detects carpets. This allows the vacuum to mop hard floors and vacuum carpets in a single pass.
Smart Features and Runtime
The Roborock S7 MaxV’s edge over the S7 is its support for real-time video calls.
As expected, these WiFi-connected robot vacuums have smart features. Both the Roborock S7 and S7 MaxV are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. You can also add Siri shortcuts but through the Roborock app and not via Apple HomeKit.
Speaking of apps, Roborock’s has improved over the years. The platform allows users a range of settings, from viewing layouts to real-time mapping. You can also set cleaning schedules or adjust the suction strength of the vacuum depending on the room you’re cleaning. Of course, the app allows homeowners to check the real-time location of the S7 and S7 MaxV, too.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the S7 MaxV is that its front cameras also double as a home monitoring system. The vacuum can be used for video calls since it also comes with an onboard mic. Through the Roborock app, you can even direct the S7 MaxV to where you need a monitor.
As for runtime, there are no big changes here. The Roborock S7 and S7 MaxV have the same 5200mAH battery that delivers up to 180 minutes of use in Quiet Mode.
Verdict
Get the Roborock S7 MaxV if you want more suction power and upgraded navigation. Otherwise, the Roborock S7 is still a solid robot vacuum and mop.
Roborock continues to impress with its lineup of robot vacuums and mops. With the Roborock S7 MaxV, its top-of-the-line series gets serious upgrades in suction power and navigation. If you get the MaxV Ultra variant, you’ll also enjoy a fully automated cleaning and emptying dock. Of course, other features like the ability to take video calls are also welcome. However, the practicality of the function remains to be seen, especially if you already have a home security system at home. Price is also a major consideration. The S7 MaxV is $200 more than the Roborock S7. If you don’t mind the lower suction power, however, the S7 is still a solid robot vacuum and mop.
FAQs
Roborock shares that the suitable home size for a single S7 or S7 MaxV is 300 sq. m.
Yes, the Roborock S7’s dust bin is washable.
Yes, the Roborock S7 MaxV will return to its charging dock after each cleaning session.
The Roborock S7 MaxV takes less than six hours to be fully charged.