Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Review: Let me be honest with you: I was skeptical. After testing over a dozen robot vacuums that promised “hands-free cleaning” but still needed constant babysitting, I didn’t expect the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra to be different. But three weeks into living with this machine in my 2,300-square-foot home with two shedding dogs, I’m eating my words—and not a single crumb I’ve eaten has stayed on my floors.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra isn’t just another robot vacuum. It’s the most complete floor-cleaning system I’ve ever tested, representing the current pinnacle of what’s possible when you combine smart navigation with truly automated maintenance. But with a staggering $1,599 price tag, the critical question isn’t whether it works well, but whether it works well enough to justify what could otherwise be a nice vacation budget.
Unboxing and First Impressions: The Dock Is Massive
When the delivery arrived, the box’s size genuinely surprised me. The RockDock Ultra station is substantial—16.7 by 20.2 by 17.7 inches—requiring real estate comparable to a small end table. Setting it up against my kitchen wall, I appreciated its streamlined look compared to the industrial appearance of earlier Roborock docks. The clean water tank (3.5L) and dirty water tank (2.9L) hide neatly behind a cover, and the whole unit feels premium.
The robot itself maintains Roborock’s familiar circular design but introduces the DuoRoller Riser Brush system—two rubber brushrolls that spin in opposite directions, similar to Roomba’s design but with Roborock’s twist. What you’re really buying here is the complete ecosystem: the robot plus the dock that empties, washes, dries, and refills everything automatically.
The Real-World Testing: Where It Shines and Stumbles
Vacuuming Performance: Pet Hair Destroyer
I conducted what I call the “Golden Retriever Test”—two weeks without vacuuming my medium-pile living room carpet where my dogs play. The S8 Pro Ultra’s dual rubber brushrolls performed what I can only describe as witchcraft. They extracted hair that my upright vacuum often misses without tangling. On hard floors, it picked up everything from cereal crumbs to tracked-in debris in a single pass.
However, I noticed its limitation with fine sand embedded deep in carpets. While it handles surface debris excellently, it doesn’t dig as deep as high-end upright vacuums. For 95% of daily messes, it’s phenomenal, but if you regularly track in beach-level sand, you’ll need occasional deep cleaning.
Mopping That Actually Works (With One Quirk)
The VibraRise 2.0 mopping system represents a genuine advancement. The dual vibration points at 3,000 times per minute removed dried coffee and pasta sauce stains that would require scrubbing by hand. The automatic mop lifting when it detects carpets works flawlessly—I watched it transition from hardwood to area rug without leaving a damp edge.
The one design choice that puzzles me: the mop cloth mount isn’t detachable. If you want to vacuum without mopping (on carpets only, for instance), you must physically remove the entire mopping module. Compared to competing models with quick-release mops, this feels like a step backward.
The Dock: Truly Hands-Free Maintenance
Here’s where the S8 Pro Ultra earns its “Ultra” badge. After each cleaning, it returns to the dock, where three things happen automatically:
- The dustbin empties into a 2.5L bag (lasts about 7 weeks for me)
- The mop pads get washed with clean water
- Hot air drying kicks in for 2 hours, preventing mildew smells
I cannot overstate how transformative this is. Waking up to clean, dry mop pads every morning eliminates the single most unpleasant aspect of robot mopping.
Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance: Smart But Not Clairvoyant
Using LiDAR navigation, the S8 Pro Ultra mapped my entire home in 77 minutes with impressive accuracy. The Roborock app remains the gold standard—intuitive, feature-rich, and packed with customization like room-specific cleaning schedules and suction/mop intensity settings.
The obstacle avoidance uses structured light and infrared instead of a camera (a privacy plus), recognizing 42 object types. In my tests, it reliably avoided shoes, cords, and furniture but occasionally bumped into darker objects. It won’t reliably avoid pet accidents, so if that’s a concern, you’ll want to pre-clean or consider a model with a camera like the S7 MaxV Ultra.
Living With the S8 Pro Ultra: The 3-Week Experience
Week 1: The novelty phase. I scheduled it twice daily, marveling at returning to spotless floors without intervention. The dock’s self-maintenance worked perfectly.
Week 2: The “does it really save time?” phase. I calculated that between not emptying the dustbin daily, not washing mop pads, and not refilling water constantly, I saved approximately 15 minutes daily—over 1.5 hours weekly.
Week 3: The dependency phase. I stopped using my regular vacuum entirely. The system became part of my home’s rhythm. The only maintenance was refilling the clean water tank weekly and adding a capful of Roborock’s cleaning solution (third-party solutions may void warranty).
Direct Comparisons: Where It Stands Against Competition
| Feature | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Roborock Q Revo | Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,599 | ~$1,099 | $1,549 |
| Suction | 6,000 Pa | 5,500 Pa | 5,000 Pa |
| Mopping | VibraRise 2.0 (vibrating) | Dual Spinning | Dual Spinning |
| Mop Drying | Hot Air (built-in) | Hot Air (built-in) | Hot Air (built-in) |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Structured Light + IR | Basic | RGB Camera |
| Self-Emptying | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Ultimate hands-free experience | Value-focused buyers | Those wanting camera security |
The Verdict: The S8 Pro Ultra outperforms the Q Revo in pet hair pickup and has better suction but costs $500 more. Against the Ecovacs X1 Omni, it trades the security camera feature for potentially better mopping and navigation.
Cost Breakdown: The Real Investment
- Initial Cost: $1,599 MSRP (often on sale for $1,299-$1,399)
- Annual Maintenance: ~$100 for dustbags (6-pack $31.99) and mop pads
- Savings: If you currently pay $100/month for cleaning help, this pays for itself in under a year
Who Should Buy the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra?
Buy it if:
- You have hard floors with area rugs and want both vacuuming and mopping
- You have pets and need exceptional hair pickup
- Your time is valuable and you want true “set it and forget it” cleaning
- You appreciate tech that works reliably with minimal intervention
Skip it if:
- Your home is mostly high-pile carpet (stick with a dedicated vacuum)
- You’re on a tight budget (the Q Revo offers 85% of the performance for 65% of the price)
- You need perfect obstacle avoidance for pet accidents
- You have very small spaces where the large dock would be intrusive
Where to Buy and Current Pricing
I recommend purchasing the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra directly from Amazon for several reasons: reliable shipping, easy returns within 30 days, and frequent price drops. As of my last check, it’s often discounted from its $1,599 MSRP.
[Check current price and availability on Amazon here]
You can also purchase directly from Roborock’s website, but I’ve found Amazon’s customer service and return policy to be superior for high-ticket items like this.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does it really clean effectively in corners and along edges?
The S8 Pro Ultra cleans close to walls but not perfectly flush. The side brush helps direct debris toward the main brushes. For corners, it uses a diagonal approach that gets reasonably close. It’s about 90% as effective as manual corner cleaning.
2. How loud is it during operation?
At maximum suction, it measures about 68 dB—comparable to a conversation. On balanced mode (sufficient for daily cleaning), it’s quieter at 62 dB. The dock is louder when emptying or drying (72 dB) but these cycles last only minutes.
3. Can it transition between different floor types smoothly?
Yes, it handles transitions from hardwood to thick area rugs up to 0.8 inches without issue. The mop lifting mechanism activates instantly when it detects carpet, preventing wet carpets.
4. What’s the actual maintenance required from me?
Weekly: Refill the 3.5L clean water tank and empty the 2.9L dirty water tank. Monthly: Clean the sensors and brushrolls. Every 2-3 months: Replace the dustbag and mop pads.
5. How does it compare to the cheaper Q Revo?
The Q Revo offers similar dock functionality with spinning mops instead of vibrating ones. The S8 Pro Ultra has stronger suction (6,000 vs 5,500 Pa), better pet hair pickup with dual brushrolls, and slightly better navigation. For most homes, the Q Revo provides better value, but the S8 Pro Ultra is the performance king.
Final Verdict: My Personal Recommendation
After three weeks of testing, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has fundamentally changed how I maintain my home. The complete automation—from emptying to washing to drying—transforms robot cleaning from a gadget you manage to a service you receive.
Is it worth $1,599? If you value your time highly and want the most complete floor-cleaning system available today, absolutely. The hands-free experience is real and transformative.
Would I buy it with my own money? As someone who tests cleaning tech regularly, I’m keeping the review unit in my home. The convenience has spoiled me, and despite the price, I consider it a worthwhile investment for the time it reclaims.
For most buyers, I suggest monitoring for sales (it frequently drops to $1,299) or considering the Q Revo if your budget is under $1,000. But if you want the absolute best and money isn’t the primary constraint, the S8 Pro Ultra delivers on its promises in a way few premium appliances do.
Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal testing experience over three weeks. I strive to provide honest, unbiased assessments to help you make informed decisions. As an affiliate, I may earn a commission if you purchase through links in this article at no additional cost to you. This supports my testing and helps me continue providing detailed reviews. I only recommend products I’ve tested thoroughly and believe deliver genuine value. Prices mentioned are subject to change based on retailer promotions.
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Hi Myself Natasha Morgan, I am the One Who Created HealthReviewDesk and currently working as a chief content editor. At this website I focus on Informative and useful content and product reviews related to your health and wellness such as weight loss, neuropathic pain, joint pain and much more.