F25 Ultra: Unboxing and First Impressions
Getting started with the Roborock F25 Ultra is pleasantly straightforward. Before you can begin, you only need to insert the handle and roller, then briefly remove the protective films from the tanks, and the vacuum mop is basically ready to use.
A striking feature is the 1-liter fresh water tank, which, unlike many other models, isn't located on the handle but rather at the bottom, directly above the roller. The tank has two inlets, one for water and one for cleaning solution. A 200-milliliter bottle of cleaning solution is included; larger 1-liter refill bottles cost around €25,99 in stores. Despite the slightly tinted plastic, the water level is easily visible from above, allowing you to judge how much longer you can use the machine before refilling is necessary.
The base station, which handles charging and self-cleaning, is slightly larger than the actual vacuum head. At 31,6 centimeters wide and 35,3 centimeters deep, the station requires a bit more space than the vacuum head, which measures 26,5 x 24,6 centimeters. This keeps the space requirement manageable, even though the station is visually more prominent in the room. The light-colored power cord seems rather out of place, as its color doesn't quite match the dark design of the station.
Visually, the F25 Ultra makes a modern, uncluttered impression, allowing it to blend seamlessly into contemporary living spaces. The materials appear robust, the tank releases open and close smoothly, and overall the device conveys a high-quality feel. It's clear that Roborock prioritized everyday functionality over flashy design elements in many of its design choices. For example, the F25 Ultra can stand independently, eliminating the need to lean it against a wall or hook it onto anything when briefly opening the tanks or moving around the room. Furthermore, it can rotate freely through 180°, enabling even cleaning under furniture.
Before you begin, it's recommended to set up the F25 Ultra in the Roborock app. It's optional, but definitely helpful. The connection is established via 2,4 GHz Wi-Fi. The app allows you to adjust settings such as the level of wheel assistance, the amount of water dispensed, and how the self-cleaning function works. Firmware updates are also handled through the app. All in all, it's a welcome addition that makes the device more flexible and convenient without complicating its operation.
F25 Ultra: First steps & operation
Operation is entirely via three buttons on the handle, and the moment you pick it up, you notice that Roborock has deliberately kept the weight distribution low. The large water tank directly above the roller ensures that the device doesn't feel top-heavy and is easier to maneuver than many models where the tank is positioned higher. Furthermore, the additional weight near the floor presses the suction head more firmly against the floor, resulting in more stable contact during mopping.
The mode button lets you switch between the four cleaning modes: Auto, Hot Water, Steam, and Sponge. A short press changes the mode, an audible signal confirms the selection, and the corresponding indicator appears on the display showing which mode is currently active. The voice prompts (also available in German) initially seem almost overly friendly, but they are quite useful, as you can immediately see what the device is doing even without looking at the display. If you don't need the voice prompts, you can deactivate them in the Roborock app.
Maneuvering the approximately 6-kilogram device is aided by the so-called SlideTech system, i.e., the motorized wheels. Depending on how you tilt the handle of the F25 Ultra, it gently pulls forward or backward, noticeably reducing the effort required. The effect is not intrusive, but rather as if the device is subtly "carrying" the movement. When you turn the handle, the wheels follow smoothly, which is particularly noticeable when maneuvering around furniture legs, chair frames, or in tight spaces. Once you've gotten used to it, you won't want to go back to a device that moves completely passively.
Lowering the F25 Ultra completely into a horizontal position is seamless. In this flat position, it maintains its full suction and mopping power and glides under sofas or low cabinets, provided there is approximately 12 centimeters of clearance. The small guide roller on the handle helps to maneuver the device stably close to the floor. Combined with the LED lighting on the front, this makes it easier to find dirt in dark corners than expected.
In this context, the app's "Remote Control" function also proves to be a helpful addition from time to time. Laying the F25 Ultra flat on the floor allows it to be controlled via a virtual joystick, even in areas inaccessible from above, such as deep under sideboards or large beds. It's not something you'd use every day, but it's one of the few features that actually offers a real advantage in practice and doesn't feel like a typical "app gimmick."
F25 Ultra: Cleaning & Practical Test
Cleaning modes at a glance
- The car detects dirt via sensor and automatically adjusts the amount of water and suction power.
- Hot Water works with water heated to around 86 degrees Celsius, which is particularly helpful for sticky kitchen residue.
- Steam heats the water to 180 degrees after a one-minute warm-up time, producing real steam that dissolves dried-on stains much faster.
- Sponge mode serves as a pure suction mode, in which the roller absorbs water and liquids without actively wiping.
The test scenario: Ketchup, mayo, coffee grounds & cola
For the practical test, a typical "worst-case scenario" mixture was placed on the floor: ketchup, mayo, coffee grounds, and a good splash of cola, all spread across coarsely textured kitchen tiles.
Result of the first round:
The F25 Ultra picked up everything except the grout lines on the first pass. Liquids disappeared instantly, ketchup and cola residue were completely absorbed, and the roller left neither streaks nor sticky marks.
Problem area joint:
As with many wet vacuums, some coffee grounds remained stuck in the deeper grout lines. This wasn't so much a performance issue as a typical challenge with roughly grouted tiles. However, after two targeted back-and-forth movements, these residues were largely gone.
Grease stains from mayo:
Mayonnaise often leaves greasy residue, especially when grease gets trapped in the pores. In hot water mode, the light stains disappeared completely after two to three passes, noticeably faster than with a conventional mop.
All in all, the cleaning performance is very direct, without having to apply pressure or "scrub the vacuum cleaner back and forth".
Everyday appearance on tiles, vinyl and wood surfaces
In normal household use, the F25 Ultra's precise water dispensing is noticeable. Floors don't become drenched, but only appear slightly damp. As a result, they usually dry quickly within minutes, even without ventilation. This is particularly convenient in larger apartments or open-plan kitchens, as you don't necessarily have to block off room after room.
On hard surfaces like tiles or vinyl, the F25 Ultra glides smoothly and predictably. The motorized wheels provide noticeable assistance, especially when cleaning longer areas. The roller barely pushes loose crumbs to the side, instead reliably picking them up. Even hair, both short and long, doesn't wrap around the roller, but ends up in the dirty water tank as intended.
Steam mode put to the test
The steam mode is one of the most useful features of the F25 Ultra, especially since true steam functions are rare in this class of device. It is particularly suitable for dried-on stains, sticky residues, kitchen areas with grease or sauce residues, and bathroom tiles with soap scum or limescale.
The steam function softens many encrusted dirt deposits in a short time, which the roller then simply removes. Even slightly dull spots on tiles appear visibly fresher after one pass. The amount of steam is clearly visible, but never so strong that you need to worry about damaging wooden floors. Roborock itself even explicitly approves this mode for sealed wood floors.
Edge and border cleaning
The F25 Ultra gets along baseboards well, but as with almost all vacuum mops, a narrow strip of about half a centimeter remains at the very edge because the brush doesn't extend completely to the outer edge of the device. This is hardly noticeable in open areas, but in tight corners you sometimes have to change direction to get everything.
volume during operation
The noise level varies depending on the mode, ranging from a low, constant hum to a slightly louder noise in the steam or hot water modes. The cleaning process in the station is somewhat louder. While the process doesn't take long, it is audibly present, especially when selecting the quick drying option (approx. 5 minutes), which, unlike the "Quiet Dry" mode (approx. 30 minutes), generates noticeably more air pressure.
Battery life & consumption
Roborock states a runtime of up to 60 minutes for Auto mode, which aligns with our testing. The battery lasts longest in Auto mode, where we measured approximately 50 minutes. Hot Water reduces the runtime to about 20-25 minutes, and Steam to 15-20 minutes.
For a 70–90 m² apartment, this is easily enough for a complete cleaning in auto mode. The heating phases barely affect the battery level, as they are very short.
Hair collection & dirty water tank
What ends up in the dirty water tank after a cycle is, as expected, rather unappetizing. Inside the tank itself is a removable, sieve-like coarse filter that catches hair, crumbs, and other debris, while the liquid collects at the bottom. This makes cleaning significantly easier, as there's no need to awkwardly pick anything out of the tank.
The tank itself has no tight corners or hard-to-reach edges. This makes it easy to rinse quickly under the tap without leaving any residue. It's important to empty the dirty water promptly. If left standing for too long, it will develop an unpleasant odor, as is the case with all wet vacuums.
