Within the framework of CES 2021 held in January, Roborock took the opportunity to present one of the most important novelties for its range of cleaning robots this year, the Roborock S7. The main novelties of the new model were the improvement of the scrubbing system with a mobile mop and new sensors capable of detecting whether it is being cleaned on a carpet or a carpet by means of an ultrasonic sensor. The dirt drag brush has also been redesigned, replacing the fiber brush with a plastic one.
To check these improvements we have tested this new model and put these renewed functions into action and check all the details of the operation of this device. Actually, and on paper, it is about using the technical solutions that are already giving very good results in previous models and providing new functionalities within which the sonic scrubbing is undoubtedly the most outstanding. You can also read best cordless vacuum cleaner.
Roborock S7 Specifications
| Dimensions | 35.3 x 35 x 9.65 cm |
| Weight | 4.7 Kilos |
| Navigation | Dual LiDAR camera |
| Suction power | 2,500 pascals |
| Solid tank capacity | 470 ml |
| Water tank capacity | 300 ml |
| Connectivity | Wifi |
| App | Yes (Xiaomi and Roborock) |
| Programmable | Yes |
| Drums | 5,200 mAh; 66W |
| Autonomy | Up to 180 minutes |
| Price | $647 |
Taking a look at the technical characteristics they are very similar to those of the S6 Max V except for a significantly higher weight and a small increase in the capacity of the waste and water tanks. When we open the box, we find all the usual parts: the robot, the charging base, the connection cable and the mop, which in this case has a special design due to the Vibra Rise system of the mop / scrubbing cloth. These pieces are only placed if we want the robot to be able to scrub and the piece of cloth is separated by means of a velcro and a guide so that we can wash it periodically.
No water loss
On second thought, there is an element that we miss and that is the transparent plastic piece (somewhat unsightly) that had to be placed under the robot to avoid water loss. As now the mop is raised when the robot is at rest, it is no longer necessary to place that piece since the floor will not get wet. It may seem silly but it is an advance because it is one less “junk” that we will have on the floor of the house. The instructions will guide us step by step in the download and installation of the App necessary to control the robot, although we can also use Xiaomi Home.
Installation couldn’t be easier. First, we place the charger in the most convenient place and we will fix it with some adhesives to the ground. If we do not want to do it to prevent it from deteriorating or leaving a stain, the ideal would be for it to be leaning against a wall, although it must be said that the robot when it returns to the base to charge it does so smoothly, so under normal circumstances if the floor does not It is very slippery, even this precaution would not be necessary.
WiFi connection
Next we will have to connect the Roborock S7 to the WiFi network, which will be the one that allows the S7 to communicate with the application to exchange mapping or operation data. First the robot will have to be charged. It is better to do it although normally this type of device has a minimum charge right out of the box. To charge it, we will simply place the robot on the terminals of the charger so that the connectors at the bottom of it coincide with them. At that moment the robot will indicate with its predetermined voice that it is in the charging phase.
Once loaded we can make the connection. To do this, we will lift the lid of it and press the two buttons that are located on the sides of the power button at the same time. A voice will tell us that the WiFi is starting at the same time that the connection light will blink. At that moment in the mobile application we will click on the option to add a new device. In a few moments we will see how the S7 is recognized and we will configure which WiFi network we want the robot to connect to. Thanks to previous experiences we chose a 2.4 Gigahertz network and in a short time the device will appear in the application.
As with the other Roborock models, in the application we will see the state of charge of the robot, the area covered by the cleaning process and the time it has spent in it. In our case and as we have just installed it, the area is totally to be discovered. As the manual recommends not using the scrubbing option until the floor is vacuumed, we do not install the mop or fill the water tank because they will not be necessary. Next we select the type of cleaning by clicking on the icon that is just below the one that allows the map to be edited.
Setting up the robot
In this way we can select the suction power and the type of scrubbing. In this case, the robot detects that the cloth is not installed and does not give the option to choose this last function. Then we will simply click on «Clean» and the robot, after announcing that it is going to start cleaning, will leave the station. At the same time that it collects dirt, the robot will proceed to define the spaces it is traveling through and will avoid obstacles thanks to its sensors. On the application screen we will see how the map is gradually taking shape.
We have not noticed major differences in this aspiration process compared to previous Roborock. Perhaps it is a little quieter and of course you can see the effectiveness of the new brush with flexible plastic material. It is capable of collecting more waste and has less difficulty since it becomes entangled less easily with objects such as threads or hair. In addition, it also has less difficulty when passing through areas with cables and similar obstacles. The elapsed time to make the map for a 90 square meter apartment (at the same time it is vacuumed) is approximately 45 minutes but it can vary a lot.
The Roborock S7 knows how to scrub
Next we test the scrubbing function. To do this we will have to install the corresponding accessory at the front and remove the water tank to fill it. Roborock S7 advises that cleaning products cannot be added, as with the rest of its robots with scrubbing function. These products can deteriorate the material of the robot. It is missing that the manufacturer provides an additional liquid that does not cause these problems and that allows a slightly improved cleaning. Perhaps a double tank for water and cleaning fluid… but these are only suggestions.
In the application we can choose different scrubbing intensities (light, moderate or intense) and two types of route, the standard route or the deep route. In the latter case, recommended only for recently swept floors, the robot will make very narrow zigzag paths to ensure that the floor is clean. We have not noticed any difference in noise, that is, that of the vacuuming covers the one that produces the vibration of the mop. The speed is somewhat lower than if we only breathe in and much higher if we choose the intense path.
Detecting rugs
This model has a carpet and rugs detection system that are marked on the map. We can define in the application what behavior we want the robot to have when passing over them: raise, avoid or simply ignore. In that same configuration section we can mark the carpets that may have been wrongly identified. For example, a low-rise bathroom scale can be identified as a carpet because the robot has had to climb on it.
The application has many useful functions such as the definition of areas of the house or rooms to which we can put a name. We can define a type of cleaning for each part of the house (for example, only scrub in the bathrooms and kitchen and deep scrubbing in the latter) and mark cleaning routes. We can also clean by areas, something very useful if, for example, we have just eaten and we want the robot to collect the crumbs from the floor as well as the stains that may have been produced while we go to relax with a placid nap (unfortunately it does not collect the dishes ).
In this new version the map can be stored and we can modify it at will. We can always go back to a previously saved version of it. From the application we can activate or deactivate the button lights, put it in child lock mode by deactivating the physical buttons and define a “do not disturb” period in which the robot will not clean and voice messages will be emitted at a higher volume under. In the app we can also check the status of the filters, sensors and brushes in case cleaning is necessary. Checking the trash can, however, is up to us.
Conclusions
The truth is that Roborock S7 seems that we are getting used to how cleaning robots work and those of Roborock, the truth is that they do it impeccably with a fairly contained price for the benefits it offers. It may seem that the S7 is not too big an advance over previous models, but those small details are actually significant. It continues to vacuum well, it has an easy-to-use and increasingly powerful control system and application, but now it also scrubs better and tangles much less than before.
This for a price range that remains within reason, especially if we find good deals. It is a pity that the accessory that the manufacturer has already announced, consisting of a tank in which the robot automatically empties the dirt tank into a larger one, is not available. For the rest, the S7 is an evolved cleaning robot that cleans better and better. And that’s what it’s all about … And that’s why, once again, we recommend it.
Overall Rating
