I've long been a skeptic of the effectiveness of robot vacuums. As impressive as the devices seem, something about the idea of having a self-sufficient robot familiarizing itself with the layout of my apartment and cleaning it at its own will just never sat right with me. But when I moved into my new home — which, for context, is filled with hardwood floors — I found myself vacuuming so often that I finally began to understand the appeal of these smart gadgets.

Desperate to find a solution to my weekly cleaning woes, I turned (as I usually do) to Google and was immediately introduced to the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop ($1,600) — which, according to reviewers, is truly one of the best smart vacuums that money can buy. Unlike other models, the tool has the capabilities of a vacuum and mop rolled into one, along with a self-emptying charging station that further helps to streamline the process of keeping your floors clean. The smart vacuum has quickly become a staple within my home, and because I'm not in the business of gatekeeping, I decided to break down everything to know about the product ahead — from its typical charge time to how it manages to navigate through even the trickiest corners of your space (without your constant oversight) and more.

What I Like About the Roborock S8 Pro Robot Vacuum

The better question is, what's not to like? When it's not in use, the robot vacuum can be stored (and charged!) in its base portal, which comes with the purchase of the vacuum. I appreciate that the charging portal is compact and sleek-looking, so it doesn't feel like an eye sore in my home space and it saves me from having to figure out where to store the vacuum itself.

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The smart device has three easy-to-click buttons on the top of it, including a power button that can kickstart the cleaning process and a home button that will prompt the vacuum to return to its base when the session is over. With a simple click, the vacuum heads out, moving around my apartment space with ease, navigating under tables, and squeezing into even the tightest corners to suck up (or mop up) as much dirt as possible. The device is equipped with a reactive 3D obstacle avoidance technology that can scan the layout of a space, quickly detect objects, and adjust its cleaning path accordingly to ensure it doesn't run into walls, furniture, or even knock over items like chairs or lamps. It's so convenient being able to turn it on while I'm eating dinner or taking a shower, and I know I can leave it to do all of the hard work without having to monitor it or worry that it might damage something in my home space.

I also appreciate that unlike other smart vacuums, this model boasts up to 180 minutes of runtime — meaning that as long as it's fully charged, I never have to worry about it running out of battery while it's moving throughout my home, and I can ensure my floors get completely cleaned in a single session. Plus, the device only takes four hours to charge fully, so I can easily charge it throughout the night or while I'm working and it will be ready to go again at a moment's notice.

What's Worth Noting About the Roborock S8 Pro Robot Vacuum Best For?

As advanced as it may be, this Roborock model definitely doesn't come cheap. With a whopping price tag of $1,600, this certainly isn't the kind of product you can buy on a whim or spontaneously add to your digital shopping cart — it requires a serious investment. Given all of its highly impressive smart capabilities and the fact that it combines the traits of a vacuum and mop into one model, it's well worth the splurge in my opinion — especially if you're someone who's in the market for a smart vacuum and want something that will completely transform the way you clean your home. That being said, as much as I love the tool, I often still find myself reaching for my 3-in-1 Bissell vacuum to tackle quick cleanups around my apartment space, as it gets the job done with the same efficiency and quickness — and that model only cost me a total of $30.

Additionally, if you prefer quiet vacuums to loud ones, this model might not be the right buy for you. With so many unique capabilities packed into one compact frame, it makes sense why this vacuum is on the louder side. Personally, I haven't found it to be too disruptive or distracting while going about my day-to-day chores and activities. However, it's definitely not the kind of vacuum that can quietly work in the background while you're on a Zoom call, which is something to keep in mind if you're looking for a product that's truly unnoticeable.

Who Is the Roborock S8 Pro Robot Vacuum Best For?

If you're someone who values having a clean home space but often find yourself short on the necessary time to give it a thorough cleaning (because life), this robot vacuum is genuinely a life-changing investment. Again, the device comes equipped with a reactive 3D obstacle avoidance and infrared technology that can recognize objects in its pathway (like walls, furniture, etc.) and move around it on its own, so you can turn the vacuum on and let it freely clean your space. It also features smart capabilities that enable users to connect it to smart home systems like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, as well as app-enabled features that allow you to control and monitor the device completely from the Roborock app. It's truly the perfect solution from streamlining your life and making the upkeep of your home feel much more manageable. While I still find myself pulling out my vacuum or Swiffer mop on occasion to deal with quick clean-ups and messes, this vacuum has cut down on the total time I spend deep-cleaning my apartment each month, which is a win for anyone that finds themselves struggling to keep up with a busy schedule.

Additional Details

The all-in-one home-cleaning device has the capabilities of both a vacuum and a mop. The smart gadget has a dual rubber brush system that enables it to suck up debris, hair, dust, and more from hardwood floors and carpets more quickly than other models. It's also equipped with a VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System, which provides a wider mopping zone and can clean up more concentrated messes like soda or food stains. The tool also has several different modes that you can set it to, including: auto emptying mode, mop washing and drying mode, suction and water flow adjustment, and more. Unlike other smart vacuums, this device can be fully charged within only four hours. Plus, users can get up to 180 minutes of runtime in one clean, providing ample time to tackle apartments, small home spaces, and more.