Roborock Saros 10R in the test: The flattest Roborock ever!

Test: Roborock Saros 10R

With the Saros 10R, Roborock is taking a radical step. For the first time, the manufacturer is doing without the classic LiDAR tower and instead relies on the new StarSight 2.0 navigation. This is made possible by a combination of RGB camera, infrared and 3D ToF sensors, which are designed to guide the robot through the apartment, detect obstacles and create a precise map.

The advantage is obvious, because without the attached "cylinder" the Saros 10R has a height of just 7,98 cm, making it one of the flattest Roborock models ever. This makes it particularly interesting for households with low furniture, under which conventional vacuum robots with LiDAR technology often cannot clean.

But how does the new navigation perform in everyday life? Can the Saros 10R keep up with Roborock's tried and tested LiDAR models? I put it to the test, but first let's take a look at the data sheet.

Roborock Saros 10R: Design and workmanship

The missing laser tower is the most striking design feature of the Saros 10R and is guaranteed to be an unusual sight for Roborock connoisseurs. Despite the new concept, the build quality remains at the usual high level. The round housing (35 x 35,3 x 7,98 cm) is made of robust plastic with a mostly matte surface that is less susceptible to fingerprints and dust. The Multidock is different, as it has a highly reflective glass front.

Currently, there is only black available, while the bigger brother, the Saros 10, is also available in white. It remains uncertain whether Roborock will later deliver a white version of the 10R. At least the black model blends discreetly into various living styles.

But the flat design does not mean that the robot lacks functionality - on the contrary. One of the most exciting innovations is the AdaptiLift chassis, which can lift up to 10 mm. This means that the Saros 10R can overcome thresholds of up to 4 cm and move effortlessly on carpets with medium to high pile. Other models usually stop at a 2 cm incline.

The concept is supported by the FlexiArm side brush, which flexibly adapts to uneven surfaces and directs dirt to the main brush.

Physical controls are reduced to the bare essentials. A multifunction button on the top controls the basic functions (start/stop, docking, spot cleaning), while the extensive settings are made via the Roborock app or voice control ("Hello, Rocky!"). Thanks to Matter 1.4 support, the Saros 10R can be seamlessly integrated into smart homes and works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri.

The scope of delivery is minimalistic as usual. In addition to a There are no additional wiping pads or brushes for replacement dust bags. If you need spare parts in the long term, you should stock up early.

Roborock Saros 10R: Navigation and obstacle detection

The mapping is done in real time with the new StarSight Autonomous System 2.0. In practice, this works surprisingly well. The robot uses its front camera to feel its way through the room and detects obstacles from a distance.

First impression: mapping and map creation

After the first start, the Saros 10R immediately begins mapping the apartment. In the test, it took less than 75 minutes for the map to be completely created for a 10 m² apartment. The automatic room division proves to be useful, including marked furniture, thresholds and carpet areas.

Subsequent adjustments such as no-go zones can be defined as usual via the app, for example for sensitive carpets or the area around my cat's food bowl.

Obstacle detection: A real step forward?

In most cases, the robot reliably detects and avoids cables and small objects. Only very thin, flat charging cables occasionally put the Saros 10R to the test. During the test, a cable once rolled up completely, which ultimately stopped the cleaning process.

It identifies shoes, toys and larger objects without any problems and elegantly avoids them. Detected obstacles are marked with symbols on the map so that I can see exactly what the robot has driven past. If activated in the settings, a picture of the object can even be displayed. The AI-supported object recognition works well overall, but does not always assign objects correctly. Here and there, misjudgments occur, for example when a charger is categorized as a "shoe". It recognizes table and chair legs precisely and thanks to the VertiBeam sensor on the side, it navigates very close to them without bumping into anything.

An interesting innovation is the ability to choose between three obstacle detection modes:

•  None: The robot keeps a generous distance from all objects to avoid collisions.
•  Normal: The standard mode with a good balance between precision and caution.
•  Sensitive: Here the Saros 10R moves particularly close to furniture, which ensures more thorough cleaning but increases the risk of minor collisions.

One area where many camera-based vacuum robots show weaknesses is navigation in low light. The Saros 10R scores points here with its infrared detection. In the test, it also continued to drive in dark hallways and under furniture without becoming disorientated.

For a realistic test, I sent the 10R through my typical living room chaos:

•  A charging cable lying around: detected twice, sucked up once.
•  A Lego brick: successfully avoided.
•  An overturned water bowl: recognized and avoided.
•  A pair of slippers in the middle of the path: completely recognized and avoided.

All in all, I am impressed with the navigation of the Saros 10R. The StarSight technology works surprisingly well and largely makes the LiDAR tower superfluous - with a few exceptions, such as very thin cables or transparent obstacles.

Roborock Saros 10R: suction and wiping performance

The robot vacuum cleaner can navigate as smartly as it likes, but if the cleaning performance is not convincing, it's all for nothing. This is where the Saros 10R shows its strengths. A decent 19.000 Pascal suction power, a new duo-divide brush that doesn't get clogged with hair and a wiping system with rotating mops are a real challenge. But what does it look like in practice?

Suction test: dust, hair & larger particles

I put the Saros 10R through a variety of scenarios: hard floors with fine dust, crumbs and pet hair, carpets with deep-seated dirt and a classic, chip crumbs under the coffee table.

• On hard floors, the 10R picks up even the finest dust particles. The FlexiArm side brush also reaches the corners and, unlike many other models, does not throw the dirt around wildly.
• On carpets, the robot lifts its chassis and uses powerful suction to ensure thorough deep cleaning. In tests, it removed almost 95% of the scattered crumbs from a deep-pile carpet - not many can do that.
•  (Pet) hair? No problem. The Duo-Divide brush automatically guides hair into the suction channel instead of rolling it up. Even after several cleaning cycles, the brush remains completely hair-free.

Wipe test: coffee, ketchup & dried dirt

When mopping, Roborock no longer relies solely on vibrating cloths, but on two rotating mops that glide over the floor with even pressure. This ensures better dirt absorption, especially for stubborn stains.

I didn't make it easy for the 10R and spread dried coffee stains, ketchup and even traces of grease.

•  It effortlessly removes fresh dirt such as dust or splashes in one go.
•  Dried stains often require a second or third round, but here too the intelligent AI wiping system ensures that the robot cleans particularly dirty areas more intensively.
• The robot detects when there are liquids on the floor and automatically raises its main brush so that nothing gets stuck in the brush.

Roborock Saros 10R: App & voice control “Hello, Rocky!”

The Roborock app has been one of the best on the market for years and the Saros 10R is no exception. Here are some of the key features:

•  Cleaning zones can be defined individually. This means I can have specific areas cleaned – for example, only the kitchen after breakfast.
•  No-go zones and invisible walls prevent the robot from entering certain areas, such as my pet's food bowl.
•  Multiple maps can be saved if you want to use the robot on multiple floors.
• With the live video function, you get remote access to the vacuum robot's camera and can monitor your apartment in real time.

Voice control: “Hello, Rocky!”

In addition to Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit, the Saros 10R offers direct voice control. With "Hello, Rocky!" you can give commands without having to go through an external assistant. A simple "Start cleaning in the kitchen" or "Return to the station" is enough and the robot starts moving. In the test, it reliably recognizes voice commands and implements them with almost no delay, as long as the environment is not too loud.

Smart automation

To ensure that the robot integrates seamlessly into everyday life, the app offers various automation functions. For example, it starts automatically as soon as I leave the house or cleans at regular intervals according to a fixed schedule. After cleaning, the app reminds me to change the mop or filter and informs me about the fill level of the dust container.

Roborock Saros 10R: Multifunctional Docking Station 4.0

The docking station of the Saros 10R performs several tasks at once. When docked, the dust container empties automatically as a cyclone-based suction mechanism transports the dirt into a 3-liter dust bag. Depending on usage, this lasts six to eight weeks before it needs to be replaced.

The emptying works reliably and leaves hardly any residue in the robot, but it is not exactly quiet. It is noticeably loud for a few seconds. A point to keep in mind when cleaning at night!

mop wash

The mop wash is also fully automatic and takes place in three steps. First, the mops are rinsed with clean water, then with 80 °C hot water intensively cleaned and finally with Dried with warm air at 55 °C. However, there is no UV disinfection, as some competitors offer.

In the test, the mop wash impressed with its thorough cleaning. Even after several uses, no unpleasant smells occur. However, dirty water collects in the drip tray, which should be cleaned manually from time to time.

carpet mode

On carpets, there are two cleaning options to choose from. The Saros 10R can automatically raise its mops by 8 mm to avoid wetting carpets, or place them in the docking station before starting to clean carpets. The latter is particularly useful for deep-pile carpets, but takes a few seconds longer.

Both work reliably, but lifting is not always enough for very thick carpets.

detergent dosage

If desired, the docking station automatically mixes the right amount of cleaning agent into the cleaning water. In the app, you can choose whether to clean with or without additives.

self-cleaning of the station

A new rubber squeegee in the wash tub automatically removes dirt residues, so less manual cleaning is required. However, the drip tray should be rinsed out regularly to prevent deposits.

Roborock Saros 10R: Runtime and Charging

With its 6.400 mAh battery, the Saros 10R achieves a maximum running time of up to 180 minutes in standard mode. According to the manufacturer, this is enough for an area of ​​up to 200 m², which was largely confirmed in the test.

To test how efficiently it uses its battery charge, I used different settings:

•  Hard floor, standard mode: ~175 minutes (~195 m² cleaned)
•  Hard floor, Max mode: ~85 minutes (~95 m² cleaned)
•  Carpet, standard mode: ~150 minutes (~170 m² cleaned
•  Carpet, Max mode: ~70 minutes (~80 m² cleaned)

StarSight navigation even helps save battery life. Thanks to intelligent route guidance, the robot drives more efficiently than older models with LiDAR because it does not move over the same spots unnecessarily often.

If the battery runs low during cleaning, the Saros 10R automatically goes to the docking station, charges itself to the required remaining charge and then continues cleaning from the last location. This ensures that even large apartments are cleaned without interruption. A complete charging process takes just 2,5 hours. That is significantly less than older models, which are stuck on the station for a good 5 hours.