I feel like I start most of my robot vacuum reviews the same way, so if you’ve read a few of mine before – apologies. However, it takes a lot for me to be impressed by them, and I could probably count on one hand the number of times it’s happened, with models like the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra being a strong example. That said, it’s been a while since anything has really wowed me… until the Roborock Saros 20 arrived.
First announced at CES and only recently available to buy, the Saros 20 has impressed me from the moment it landed on my doorstep – and now I finally get to share the full experience with all of you.
Price and availability
Right now, the Saros 20 is sold as a bundle, which includes the robot, a litre of cleaning solution, a one-year extended warranty, and even the chance to win Real Madrid match tickets.
It’s currently priced at £1,309, and you can buy it directly from Roborock or via Amazon.
Unboxing and set up
For such a premium robot vacuum, I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the setup process was. You get the RockDock, which is relatively lightweight, and a separate box with the robot and base plate that needs attaching so it has somewhere to sit.
From there, it’s just a case of filling the detergent tank, attaching the mop pads, filling the clean water tank, and placing the robot onto the dock. It’s a shame detergent (RRP £25.99) isn’t included if you’re not buying the full bundle, but you do get spare mop pads, side brushes and dust bags.
Once the physical setup is done, everything moves over to the Roborock app, which guides you through the rest step by step. It’s all very straightforward, and I also connected it to my Echo Show 8 so I can control it via voice command.
Design and features
There are a lot of things about the Saros 20 that make it special, but its suction poweer is one of the main things. At 36,000Pa, it's currenrly one of the most powerful robot vacuums currently available. With most recent models maxxing out at 20,000-30,000pa, you can see how impressive this is.
It also includes a dual anti-tangle brush system, designed to prevent long hair and pet fur from wrapping around the rollers, and FlexiArm technology which extends the side brush and mop to clean edges and corners more effectively.
Navigation is powered by StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, an advanced mapping and obstacle-recognition system. It combines sensors and AI to map the home quickly, avoid obstacles and recognise objects more accurately than previous models. the system also helps the robot identify tricky areas such as curtains, furniture bases and tight spaces, ensuring it cleans more thoroughly around the home.
Design wise, the Saros 20 is incredibly slim at just under 8cm tall, meaning it can operate successfully under furniture. It also features the AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0, which allows it to raise itself to get over thresholds and uneven flooring. Whilst it’s not quite as extreme as some newer concepts we’re starting to see, it’s still a really useful addition that improves real-world usability.
The accompanying RockDock is just as impressive. Despite its relatively compact size, it handles a range of maintenance tasks automatically, including emptying, cleaning and sanitising. It also supports automatic mop detachment, so the robot can leave its mop pads behind when vacuuming carpets to keep them dry.
The mopping system itself uses dual spinning pads that scrub floors effectively, and they automatically lift when carpets are detected. For tougher stains, the robot can even increase downward pressure to improve cleaning performance.
App
Everything is controlled via the Roborock app, which is one of the most user-friendly I’ve used. Mapping was incredibly fast, and a lot faster than any other robot I’ve tested. It even correctly identified my kitchen without any input, likely using AI to recognise certain appliances. You can also view detailed maps, customise cleaning zones and create routines with ease.
The routines in particular feel more tailored to real-life use. For example, I set mine to mop after every vacuum session and to run after meals, and you can also schedule deep cleans and target specific areas.
That said, you can also fully customise your own routines, allowing you to personalise the robot even more if you'd like to. I personally love having the choice between a simpler approach and deeper personalisation, as you can easily switch between both.
Performance
The Roborock Saros 20's performance is exceptional, especially when it comes to suction. It had no trouble lifting dust and pet hair in a single pass, and the dual anti-tangle brush system worked exactly as intended, with no annoying hair wrap to deal with afterwards.
The mopping is just as impressive, and arguably where the Saros 20 really starts to stand out. I always use my kitchen as my main testing space, as it sees everything from cooking spills to muddy paw prints, and the Saros 20 handled it all without any issues. The mop pads are really efficient, removing most stains with one pass, and you can tell when it used more pressure on the slightly harder spills.
Its slim design is another highlight, and it can get under furniture far more easily than most robot vacuums I’ve tested. It's also surprisingly capable when it comes to navigating your home, and can lift itself over thresholds and thicker rugs without getting stuck.
The dock is equally impressive and plays a big part in making the Saros 20 feel like a truly hands-off system. Despite being relatively compact, it handles a lot of the maintenance for you, and is also quieter than many other docks I’ve used. The two water tanks are easy to access on top, and the power cord was long enough for my own setup.
Verdict
The Roborock Saros 20 is one of the most impressive robot vacuum and mop systems I’ve tested in a while. It combines an incredibly powerful performance with well-executed features, and technologies like the dual anti-tangle brushes, AdaptiLift chassis and StarSight navigation all work together seamlessly. It’s undeniably expensive, but if you’re after a high-performance robot that requires minimal input, this is one of the best options on the market today.
Alternatives to consider
If you’re looking for a strong alternative, the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra is worth considering. It offers similarly powerful suction and one of the most hands-off docks we’ve tested. However, I did find it more complicated to set up, which is something to keep in mind.
