I Put a Pop-Up Puck to the Test With This Robovac—Here’s Why It Could Revolutionize Sofa Cleaning

Roborock Saros 10: A Quick Two-Minute Review

Introduced in January 2025, the Roborock Saros 10 represents top-tier technology in robotic vacuums. Its standout feature is an innovative navigation puck which automatically tucks away as it approaches areas with limited headroom. This capability, along with a suspension mechanism capable of surmounting high ledges, enables this device to access spaces where conventional robot cleaners cannot venture.

On test, I found that both these features worked reliably well. And while the pop-down puck will only really come into play in homes with furniture that's a quite-specific distance off the floor, if you do fall into this category then this robotic will prove a game-changer. No more shifting the sofa once every six months to find a horrifying amount of dust sitting below it!

I was equally impressed with the Saros 10’s cleaning capabilities. The suction power is robust enough to efficiently remove substantial amounts of pet hair from carpets without any hassle, and the anti-tangle roller functions precisely as intended. Additionally, the mopping performance is commendable, offering gentle wiping options suitable for surfaces that require minimal dampness. Overall, although the rotating mop heads (like those included with the Sarus 10's sibling model, the Roborock Saros 10R It does a more thorough job at cleaning, but I appreciated the extra small side mop on the Saros 10 that could reach all the way to the room’s edges.

I would like to highlight the exceptional hands-free docking station, which does much more than just emptying dust and charging the robot vacuum swiftly; it also distributes detergent, cleans the mop pads using hot water, and then dries them with lukewarm air. Moreover, it boasts a sleeker design compared to most docks I have encountered during my extensive reviews of robotic vacuums.

At full price, the Saros 10 isn’t inexpensive; however, it aligns well with similar high-end offerings from competing brands that come equipped with comparable cutting-edge technology. Should your needs lean towards basic cleanliness and you’re willing to handle routine upkeep duties personally, more budget-friendly alternatives do exist. Yet, for those seeking a sophisticated device powered by state-of-the-art innovations which demands little user interaction, this could be the ideal choice. best robot vacuum For your reading pleasure. Continue below for my comprehensive Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra review.

Roborock Saros 10 review: cost and accessibility

• Suggested retail price: $1,599.99 / £1,499.99 / AU$2,999
• Launched: January 2025
• Available: Worldwide

One of the three new Roborock robotic vacuum cleaners unveiled at CES in January 2025 was the Roborock Saros 10, along with its sibling model, the Saros 10R, and another variant called the Saros Z70, distinguished by its inclusion of a mechanical arm.

At the official price directly from Roborock, the Saros 10 has a cost of $1,599.99 in the US, £1,499.99 in the UK, and AU$2,999 In Australia, as of the time of writing, it isn’t available through any third-party retailers yet, but it might be listed on Amazon eventually.

The cost places it squarely within the high-end category for robotic vacuums. Actually, it’s one of the priciest units we’ve evaluated yet; however, its pricing aligns closely with several leading brands’ flagship offerings. The build quality, operational effectiveness, and feature set lend some justification to its steep price tag. While I won’t penalize it heavily due to cost, since I appreciate such advancements in the realm of robotic vacuums—and considering how outstandingly effective it performs—I would still recommend waiting for a reduction either through discounts or as prices naturally decrease over time before making a purchase.

This is an extremely advanced robot vacuum, and you definitely do not. need to spend this much to get an appliance that will keep your floors clean. For most people's needs, there are models at even half the price that will do the job – especially if you're willing to sacrifice the mop washing / drying / self-cleaning dock functions, all of which will bump up the price significantly.

Keep in mind though that some continuous expenses must also be considered. One is purchasing new dust bags; however, thanks to their substantial 2.5-liter size, they ought to remain effective for quite a while. Another expense will be the floor cleaning solution—Roborock suggests using their specific brand of detergent, which unfortunately comes at a rather steep price.

• Value for money rating: 4 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10 specs

Roborock Saros 10 review: appearance

• Pop-up navigation disk with a flexible base for crossing obstacles
• Large yet intelligent reflective automatic emptying station paired with floor mopping
• Side sweep with a brush and separate the main roller to direct the hair.

This robot shares an appearance with typical disk-shaped vacuum cleaners, yet the key distinction lies in its adjustable navigation unit which rises and lowers. Usually kept upright for optimal guidance, this component descends whenever the device docks or detects a confined area beneath it.

At the forefront, there's additionally a camera along with extra navigational features. This camera can serve dual purposes as a surveillance camera, or allow you to keep an eye on your pets when you're away from home.

When flipped, you will see two large wheels and a smaller front wheel, each capable of adjusting independently to help the robot navigate over high barriers. This design allows it to overcome obstacles up to a combined height of 1.6 inches / 4 cm, such as dual steps, thanks to the inclusion of the same AdaptiLift technology featured elsewhere. Roborock Qrevo Curv The bot determines the optimal procedure for each threshold within the designated region.

This roller stands out due to its design which merges rubber fins with bristles. Its center is divided, enabling hair to flow into the container instead of getting entangled, thus eliminating the necessity for manual trimming later on.

The device features a spinning side brush that stows itself when not needed. The design is somewhat unconventional as it includes two arms positioned close together, extending at an angled slope to prevent hair from getting entangled.

When using the Saros 10 for mopping, it features a fixed, D-shaped mop pad with two vibration zones intended to loosen dirt and apply pressure onto the floor surface. However, personal preference leans towards systems with dual-spinning disks as they provide a more comprehensive cleaning performance, hence why this aspect loses some points.

Additionally, there’s a small auxiliary squeegee meant to reach the edges of rooms more effectively. Smartly, when you choose a mode where mopping isn’t necessary, it can detach the mop attachment and store it in the docking station, preventing wet carpet issues.

The upper part of the robovac features a magnetic panel that you can take off to uncover the built-in dustbin. This should not usually require frequent attention—only when the automatic emptying function malfunctions due to an obstruction blocking the system. It’s likely that a water reservoir is located within as well; however, I was unable to locate it.

Dock design

The Saros 10 docking station is among those all-in-one units that do much more than just charge the robot and empty its tiny dustbin. This versatile unit can replenish its internal water reservoir, distribute cleaning solution, wash the robot’s mopping cloths (up to a temperature of 176°F/80°C), and even dry these cloths at around 140°F over several hours. Additionally, it has self-cleaning capabilities with temperatures reaching up to 176°F.

It’s built to identify what's on the mop and modify the temperature accordingly; hence, it uses hotter water for greasy and coffee stains compared to something like mashed potatoes.

Therefore, the Saros 10 is quite large. Nonetheless, it ranks among the most attractive docking stations I have encountered, featuring an elegant, mirrored facade that merely mirrors the surrounding area back at you. Hence, should it appear disorganized, the blame lies with you.

The dust bag is concealed beneath a front flap that can be opened by pressing it. Above this, integrated into the upper section, are two sizable water reservoirs—one designed for clean water and another for soiled water resulting from mopping—located behind an access panel.

The dock features a detachable ramp leading upwards, and upon entering, you'll notice the brushes used for cleansing the mop pad.

• Design rating: 4.5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10 Review: How Does It Perform?

• Great suction performance at high settings; effectively manages pet hair.
• High settings work exceptionally well for mopping, particularly with the edge mop feature.
• The navigation system works well, but the obstacle avoidance feature is inconsistent.

The setup process was effortless. After unboxing the robot, I placed it on its charging station and followed the prompts for a brief mapping session. During this initial exploration, the device entered each room momentarily, took stock of its surroundings, and exited. Finally, it offered suggestions regarding the names of the spaces and identified the flooring materials present.

I tested this robot in a terraced house with several floors, so I had to carry it upstairs after completing each level since, despite its advanced features, it cannot navigate staircases.

The original designs were quite precise. Once completed, I revisited them to adjust the room categories, eliminate redundant spaces (the plan had stairs for upper levels but its cliff sensors consistently stopped it from attempting to descend them), and designate restricted zones.

Vacuuming

In terms of suction strength, there are five settings available: Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, Max, and Max+. The latter setting includes a low-battery alert. Additionally, you have the option to clean each area one or two times. While using only the vacuum function, I noticed that this robot was somewhat loud; however, it didn’t exceed the noise level of traditional vacuums.

To test the vacuuming capabilities, I started with the Saros 10 to clean every level of my home, alternating between various suction settings while operating solely in vacuum mode. Once finished, but prior to the robot returning to its charging station, I examined the collection bin to check what debris it had amassed.

I discovered that the Turbo setting was sufficient for removing a substantial amount of dog hair from carpeted areas, and using a stronger power level extracted even more. Additionally, I was pleased to find out that the device effortlessly emptied itself, regardless of how much pet hair it contained. The distinct “whoosh” indicated that the accumulation of dog fur smoothly transferred from the internal compartment to the docking station’s collection bag.

I was also generally impressed by the roller design – there was next-to-none of my long hair wrapped around it at the end of a vacuuming session. That isn't the case with some of the robovacs I test.

To test how the Roborock Saros 10 handles different kinds of debris, I ran I scattered a small bag of dry tea leaves and some oatmeal onto the carpet. Afterward, I passed the vacuum cleaner over them using Turbo mode. During the initial run, the outcomes were somewhat unsatisfactory—the device barely picked anything up and even deposited some debris elsewhere on the carpet.

I performed an additional detailed cleaning using the Max+ setting and found myself much more pleased. On this occasion, the robot managed to collect most of the dirt, including larger and smaller particles. It’s important to mention that this is quite a challenging task. Afterward, I revisited the region where the spilled tea had been to check further. Dyson Gen5detect vacuum And even then, it fought to extract every tiny bit of tea stain from the carpet.

It’s important to mention that typically, robot vacuums are intended for routine cleanups. For thorough cleaning sessions, you’ll likely prefer using traditional methods. best manual vacuums When it comes to robot vacuums, the suction power of the Saros 10 performed quite well overall among those I have tested.

I ran the same test with tea and oats on a hard, tiled floor. This time, the bot picked up almost everything first time in Turbo mode, albeit with a fair bit of flicking around of debris. The only remaining bits were in the grouting cracks, and I managed to get those by remote-controlling the bot over the relevant area afterwards.

To evaluate this robot’s ability to clean edges, I scattered tea leaves and oatmeal alongside the tile border in my kitchen. It performed quite well overall but managed to scatter some debris slightly. A few small leftovers remained, which were easier to address using a handheld vacuum rather than trying to make the robot manage them all.

Mopping

There are four mopping intensities to select from — Gentle, Regular, Strong, and Maximal. Each level doesn’t only escalate the quantity of water utilized but also amplifies the vigor behind the scrubbing action. The Regular setting proved quite mild; I noticed the surface was nearly dry once the machine completed its task.

This is excellent news for those who have floors that can be damaged by excessive dampness. wooden floors For instance. If that doesn’t meet your needs and you desire a more comprehensive cleaning, consider using one of the advanced mopping settings.

You have the option to let the bot just mop, vacuum first and then mop, or perform both tasks simultaneously. Personally, I prefer not to use the combined mopping and vacuuming feature because it frequently causes dirty rollers and side brushes when water mixes with loose dirt. When operating solely in moping mode, the Saros 10 remains notably silent.

During testing, I noticed that it took some time for the mop pads to become thoroughly saturated, particularly when using the Standard or Mild settings. At first, I observed slightly damp streaks on the floor indicating incomplete cleaning. Nonetheless, the small additional side mop effectively reaches the edges of rooms.

During my mopping test, I applied a small amount of ketchup onto a tiled surface and let it dry. Following one sweep in Standard mode, the Saros 10 barely removed any of it. Increasing the intensity to higher settings produced more satisfactory outcomes.

Overall, although this bot performs well in mopping, I still favor the spinning dual-disc mop design for superior scrubbing ability.

Navigation and obstacle avoidance

The pop-up puck is quite intriguing since it serves a rather particular scenario where it proves to be genuinely helpful—when you require furniture with a height between 3.3 inches (8.2 cm) and 4.5 inches (11.4 cm), as beyond this range, the puck doesn’t need to retract. However, when your needs fall within these parameters, it becomes extremely practical.

In my test home, just one item of furniture fits within the appropriate category, and the puck functioned precisely as described. Additionally, it did not interfere with movement at all; however, this particular piece of furniture is rather small, so it likely wasn’t the most difficult obstacle to navigate around.

I also ran I conducted typical obstacle avoidance trials, scattering items such as a sock, a charging cord, and a shoe across the floor. Additionally, I placed a box of tissues into the mix just to be thorough. The outcomes varied considerably with these setups.

The robot attempted to consume the sock. Initially, it correctly recognized and sidestepped the shoe, as well as the tissues initially, though later it did push the tissue box around somewhat.

The Saros 10 also chewed the cable. That isn't a massive surprise, because I've yet to come across a robot vacuum that can successfully spot cables. However, it's something Roborock specifically states the Saros 10 can do, so it's disappointing in this regard.

In general use, however, I found this robovac pretty good at obstacle avoidance. There are various bins, speaker bases and ornaments on the floor that it successfully avoided – but as mentioned, it isn't quite the "exceptional" obstacle recognition and avoidance promised by Roborock.

Advanced capabilities encompass using the robot to locate, take photos of, and even conduct videocalls with your pet. However, I didn’t test these functions since I believe my dog might perceive this kind of invasion as quite distressing instead of comforting.

All photography and video functions are disabled by default. You can activate them only by pressing certain buttons on the robotic vacuum yourself, and you must be designated as the main user account holder to do so.

Battery life

I have no complaints about the Saros 10's battery life. Although it tends to be less problematic for robotic vacuum cleaners compared to cordless stick vacuum — since the bot will autonomously go back to its charging station once it exhausts its battery and then continue with its cleaning duties — it remains beneficial for a robot to have substantial runtime capabilities. This is particularly important when using it in a multi-story home, where assistance might be needed to reach its docking station for recharging.

The Saros 10 demonstrated remarkable performance on a single charge. Initially, I worried that the Max+ mode — marked with a “battery-draining mode” alert — might rapidly deplete the battery. However, during testing, it completed three full-room cleanings using only the Max+ mode (despite starting from a less-than-fully-charged state) before the power ran out. Quite impressive.

Roborock guarantees rapid charging as well; they assert that their docking station can bring the robot vacuum cleaner back to full capacity from zero in just 150 minutes. During my testing, this claim proved true. Starting at 14%, with the device alerting me of an impending need to recharge, it reached 100% within less than two and a half hours. Additionally, should it run low on power during cleaning, the robot calculates precisely how much juice is required to finish up and charges accordingly for optimal performance.

Dock performance

After a few weeks of use, the dock appears to meet expectations. I haven’t encountered any problems where the bin didn’t emptied properly, and the cleaning efficacy seems accurate judging from the appearance of the fresh mop pads and the dirtiness level observed in the wastewater tank.

Once I've spent some more time using the bot and gained a fuller understanding of how the dock performs over extended periods, I will revisit and update this section accordingly.

• Performance rating: 4 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10 review: app

• Many options for detailed adjustment
• but will also automatically figure everything out, if you prefer
• Overall quite user-friendly, despite some minor interface issues.

The Roborock application is thoughtfully designed and user-friendly, though it may require some initial effort to understand all the features and navigate through various settings — largely due to their abundance. However, certain aspects seemed less practical to me. Specifically, switching between multiple floor plans in a multilevel house involves navigating through the “edit map” section, which seems counterintuitive.

Alternatively, setting up the map is simple, and you can define areas where the robot shouldn’t go along with unseen barriers, plus eliminate parts mistakenly included. Additionally, you have the ability to incorporate furnishings and establish distinct cleaning settings for various spaces and levels.

Strangely, you can't Manually choose the flooring material for every room. It’s possible to define “carpet zones,” though doing so can be intricate—no two zones should intersect, which complicates matters when your layout mixes carpets with hard-surface floors. While the application usually detects the floor types on its own, these self-designated carpeted regions aren’t always distinct enough. Ideally, you could make this manual selection serve as a fallback option—you wouldn’t want anyone slipping because their carpet was mistakenly treated like a hard surface.

A fairly recent update to the system is SmartPlan 2.0, which leverages artificial intelligence to tailor the cleaning path, suction strength, and mopping preferences according to the robot’s understanding of its surroundings and past usage patterns. According to Roborock, this feature also allows for reducing the suction level during specified “quiet times.”

To put it briefly, you have complete flexibility over how much involvement you want to have. Should you choose not to intervene, the bot can handle everything autonomously and excel at it. On the other hand, if you prefer more hands-on management, you can thoroughly explore all the options and customize every detail according to your preferences.

• App rating: 4.5 out of 5

Is purchasing the Roborock Saros 10 a good idea?

Buy it if...

You have low-sitting furniture

The extendable puck is revolutionary for those dealing with furniture situated anywhere from approximately 3.3 inches / 8.2 centimeters to 4.5 inches / 11.4 centimeters above the floor. This feature allows the robot cleaner to effectively tidy these areas without needing to move your pieces around.

Your room thresholds are high.

The Saros 10 can navigate obstacles up to 1.6 inches (or 4 centimeters) high, and it will also figure out the optimal method to overcome each barrier and repeat this process every time.

You're looking for a hands-off solution.

The docking station handles nearly all maintenance duties, including cleaning and drying the mop pads as well as dispensing detergent. It also has an attractive appearance.

Your hard floors require gentle care.

The milder settings of the mop are extremely delicate and require minimal water usage, which makes them ideal for flooring types that can be damaged by excessive dampness.

Don't buy it if...

You would rather have no pop-up pucks.

It performed exceptionally well during testing, but if you're not fond of the sound made by the retractable puck, Roborock offers several models that employ an updated navigation system and do away with the puck entirely: the Saros 10R and the Qrevo Slim .

You're on a budget

The Saros 10 isn’t inexpensive, and numerous more affordable alternatives are available that can meet most people’s requirements quite adequately—especially if sophisticated features like the extendable arm and automatic mopping pad cleansing aren’t important to you.

You're looking for the absolute top-notch mopping option.

The mopping experience was quite satisfactory here; however, it didn’t match up to the intensity provided by dual spinning disk mops. Additionally, we had high praise for the roller mop available at this location. Eureka J20 robot vacuum , which constantly removes contaminated water and replenishes it with fresh water.

Roborock Sarna 10: options worth looking into

Eufy X10 Pro Omni

When I last updated this information, this particular robotic vacuum cleaner was placed atop our list of recommended models due to being the one we suggest for most individuals. Although it costs considerably less than the Saros 10, it isn’t quite as advanced. Unlike some higher-end versions, it doesn’t feature a pop-up puck mechanism; instead, it has a more limited ability to handle thresholds. Additionally, it lacks the capability to release cleaning solution, and its charging station is far from fashionable. Nonetheless, it performs exceptionally well when it comes to suction power, and the mopping function excels with its use of two rotating pads.

Read our full Review of Eufy X10 Pro Omni View Deal

Roborock Saros 10R

The 10R serves as the sibling model to the 10 and shares many similarities with it. The primary difference lies in their navigation systems: whereas the original employs a retractable puck, the 10R utilizes an advanced LiDAR system that does not require such an accessory. During our testing, this setup proved highly effective. Additionally, instead of featuring a D-shaped mopping pad, the 10R incorporates two rotating disks for cleaning purposes.

Read our Roborock Saros 10R review View Deal

The way I put the Roborock Saros 10 through its paces

I frequently utilized the Roborock Saros 10 over a period of two weeks in a four-story terraced home featuring both carpeted and tile flooring, which also housed an extremely furry cocker spaniel. During this time, I employed it to create maps and perform cleaning tasks across all levels, testing out various settings and modes. To provide a more impartial assessment of its capabilities, I conducted The standard suction tests involved using dried tea and oats on both hard and carpeted surfaces, along with mopping trials utilizing ketchup and juice on a solid floor surface. Additionally, obstacle evasion assessments were conducted employing items such as socks, a cord, and a footwear item. In evaluating the Saros 10 model, I contrasted its user-friendliness and cleansing effectiveness relative to other robotic vacuum cleaners I have assessed previously.

Read more about How do we evaluate robot vacuums? .

• First reviewed March 2025

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