Roborock Saros Z70: A Futuristic Robot Vacuum with an Ambitious Robotic Arm
MSRP $2,600.00
“The Roborock Saros Z70 is a strong performer in the vacuum and mop category, but its robotic arm still needs refinement.”
Pros
- 22,000 Pa suction power
- Auto-detaching mopping pads
- Reliable navigation system
- Compact design
- Robotic arm is intriguing when it functions
Cons
- Robotic arm performance is lacking
- High price point
“Why you can trust Digital Trends – With over 20 years of experience in evaluating and rating products, we guide you in making informed purchasing decisions. Learn more about our testing methods.”
The Roborock Saros Z70 stands out as one of the most groundbreaking robot vacuums I’ve ever examined. In addition to vacuuming and mopping duties, this device boasts a robotic arm designed to help it pick up stray items from the floor, relocate them to a specified area, and then return to its cleaning schedule. In theory, it’s quite innovative— in practice, however, it’s a mixed experience.
To begin with, the Saros Z70 excels in cleaning various floor types. With substantial suction power and an advanced mopping system, it effectively handles spills and debris. However, the highly marketed robotic arm doesn’t do enough to justify its steep price of $2,600, a number that has risen due to tariffs from an initial $1,900.
Roborock offers more affordable models that perform just as efficiently as the Saros Z70. Since the robotic arm still needs to fully adapt to a modern household setting, I can only recommend this model to those keen on having the newest technology— a fairly niche audience.
Still, I look forward to the future of this technology. While the Saros Z70 may not be perfect, it paves the way for future iterations that will definitely improve upon its shortcomings.
The Focus on the Arm
The Roborock Saros Z70 does much more than vacuum; it can mop, automatically detach its pads, empty its dustbin, and even clean itself. Yet, the real attraction for most buyers lies in its unique robotic arm, a feature not found in any other robot vacuum.
One common shortcoming of today’s robot vacuums is their inability to clean up around objects left on the floor. If you overlook a sock or shoe, those areas remain unclean. The Saros Z70 aims to address this issue. If you leave your dirty laundry out, it will collect it and transport it back to a designated location in your home. This feature has the potential to enhance overall cleaning efficiency, eliminating the need to navigate around clutter.
This concept is impressive for a robot vacuum, and the Saros Z70 does a commendable job in its initial attempt to realize it. Like many new technologies, it still has its flaws, but the concept is sound. It successfully picked up items like socks and crumpled paper in my tests and returned them to the designated spot before resuming its cleaning cycle. When it functions correctly, it’s an incredible sight in the realm of robot vacuums.
However, the arm’s accomplishments are sometimes overshadowed by its limitations. Roborock is upfront about these challenges— for example, the arm has difficulty detecting items on carpet and can only manage objects weighing up to 300 grams. If there is furniture above it, the arm will not deploy fully, avoiding potential collisions with surrounding objects.
This means you’re generally only able to pick up lightweight items from hard surfaces.
Even when it identifies an object it should be able to handle, the gripping mechanism sometimes falters. Its design involves prongs that reach down to lift, but they often fail to grasp the item correctly or let go unexpectedly. Simply put, the time it takes to handle these tasks makes it less efficient for daily use.
When not in operation, the arm retracts into a compartment at the front of the robot vacuum, making it sleek enough to fit beneath most furniture for thorough cleaning. Although the overall design is visually appealing (true to Roborock’s reputation), the effectiveness of the robotic arm still needs improvement.
Mopping and Vacuuming Performance
While the robotic arm leaves much to be desired, the rest of the Saros Z70 performs exceptionally well. It acts as a supercharged version of the impressive Saros 10R, boasting 22,000 Pa of suction, the advanced StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 for precise navigation, and an anti-tangle feature to keep debris away from the brushes. Mopping pads that can detach automatically while vacuuming further enhance its capabilities.
A variety of additional features make using this robot convenient, such as remote video monitoring and a child lock to deter little hands from meddling with the costly device. The sidebrush can extend for better coverage, alongside a mop pad with a similar function, making it efficient for delivering one of the best cleaning experiences on the market— with some extra, fun perks.
Final Thoughts
Despite its innovative characteristics, the Roborock Saros Z70 may not appeal to the average customer. The combination of its high price and underwhelming robotic arm performance prevents it from meeting expectations. It would be wiser to consider options like the Roborock Saros 10 or Saros 10R, both of which provide reliable cleaning at a much lower cost.
That said, the Saros Z70 is still an intriguing product. When I first saw its robotic arm in action picking up a sock, I couldn’t contain my excitement. The technology is impressive and has the potential to radically change the landscape of robot vacuums. Hopefully, the Saros Z70 is just the beginning, and I eagerly await what Roborock will reveal next.
