Is a $1,600 Robot Vacuum Actually Worth It? I Put One to the Test to Find Out

Tested by Theresa Holland

Earlier this year, I attended CES (the Consumer Electronics Show), the world's largest tech trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the event, I saw a gamut of innovative, state-of-the-art next-gen appliances, including the newest robot vacuums. I've also tested dozens of robot vacuums at home over the years. The point is, I'm up to speed on the latest offerings in the automated floor-cleaning market.

While I've previewed and used many AI-enabled vacuums with smart navigation, the staggering price tag on some of these units isn't lost on me. Recently, I tested the Roborock Saros 20, a $1,600 vacuum-mop combo that boasts advanced features, like autonomous emptying, adaptive lifting and 3D-sensing obstacle avoidance.

But how does the Roborock Saros 20 actually perform in a real-life setting, and is it worth its steep price tag? Here's my honest review.

What Is the Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum?

The Roborock Saros 20 is a high-end robotic vacuum-mop hybrid that works on hard floors, thick carpets and area rugs. The all-in-one, autonomous floor cleaner has powerful suction and rotating mop pads with adaptive pressure to target stuck-on grime.

It boasts a "FlexiArm" that extends a little side brush to get into corners and hard-to-reach areas. One of this robot vacuum's main claims is its smart lifting system that raises over thresholds (up to 3.5 inches high) and up onto thicker carpet (up to 1.2 inches), keeping the mop off the carpet to prevent it from getting wet.

What's more, it automatically empties its dustbin and dirty water chamber into the dock. The Saros 20 is self-cleaning, too, using hot water to wash the mop pads after each cleaning session.

How I Tested

After unboxing the Saros 20, peeling off the protective film, reading through the manual, plugging in the docking station and attaching the mop pads, I performed a series of tests to see how it functioned in a real household.

Cheerios Test: I put dry Cheerios on my kitchen floor to test the vacuum's suction power. It picked up the Cheerios and other dry debris in a single pass, including little pieces of plastic wrappers.

Sand Test: Next, I placed kinetic sand on the floor. When the robot was in the area, it detected the pile and picked up all particles in a single pass. Similarly, it sucks up dirt, dust and crumbs from the floor without any issues.

Navigation Test: I observed the Saros 20 as it quickly mapped my home during its first cleaning session. It effortlessly navigated the space, starting on the perimeter and sensing where furniture is placed.

Obstacle Test: The robot had no problem making its way around obstacles, including non-furniture items like a shoe in the middle of the room.

Debris Disposal Test: I watched as the robot automatically emptied its dust bin and dirty mop water into the dock. Emptying the dirty water reservoir is super easy — it just lifts out. Changing out the dust bag is also a breeze, and you only need to do this every couple of months.

Ease of Use Test: Setting up the Saros 20 is a quick process, and since it's so automated, there's hardly any learning curve. You can control it with voice commands (saying, "Hello Rocky," followed by a command), on the mobile app or with the on-unit buttons. The voice-announcing function tells you what it's doing (like cleaning, attaching the scrub pads, etc.)

What I Loved About the Roborock Saros 20

It excels at navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The Roborock Saros 20 starts navigating quickly and finds its way around the home, focusing on edges and dirtier areas first. It does really well underneath tables and around chairs, swiftly maneuvering around the legs.

The lifting mechanism is impressive.

The Saros 20's most innovative feature might be its "AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0." This lifting mechanism automatically adjusts its wheel position and body height to make its way over small thresholds, like doorframes, without getting stuck. It also fits under low-clearance spaces and keeps its wet mop pads off the carpet.

It's mostly autonomous.

The robot self-empties into the base after each vacuuming and mopping session, then washes the mop pads right on the dock. You only need to empty the dirty water reservoir about once a week and switch out the dust bag every 60 days or so.

It runs for quite a while on a single charge, cleaning the entire first floor of my home in one session. When the battery is low, it automatically heads back to the dock to charge.

You can use it without downloading the app.

A majority of the other robot vacuums I've tested require downloading a mobile app and creating an account to even begin using them. I appreciate that you can have the Saros 20 map and clean your home by using voice commands or the on-unit buttons. The Roborock app does offer more control over things like timing, mapping and suction power, but the robot is still usable without it.

What I Didn't Love About the Roborock Saros 20

It has a substantial footprint.

The brand bills the Saros 20 as having a "slim profile." While the robot itself does have a low profile that helps with low-clearance access, the docking station has a fairly large footprint (roughly 19.2 x 18.7 x 15 inches). To be fair, the dock is doing and holding a lot, so the size makes sense.

I don't love the idea of having it in my kitchen or living room but wouldn't mind it somewhere like a laundry room or utility room. This is ultimately a matter of personal preference, of course.

The price is hard to justify.

$1,600 is, undoubtedly, a lot to pay for a vacuum — even a smart vacuum-mop combo. Though the Saros 20 has many advanced features that set it apart from the competition, other robot vacuums are available for a fraction of the price.

Bottom Line: Is the Roborock Saros 20 Worth the Splurge?

The Roborock Saros 20 is an impressive product with many features that address common qualms about owning a robot vacuum (usability without the app, emptying and cleaning requirements, getting stuck, etc.). The price is steep, but if you're in the market for an all-in-one autonomous system with very little hands-on upkeep required, it might be worth investing in the Roborock Saros 20 or buying it on sale.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Theresa Holland is a freelance shopping writer and product tester specializing in consumer tech, small appliances, home decor, household linens and lifestyle. She has substantial experience with hands-on testing and a keen understanding of what to look for when buying towel warmers and other plug-in devices. For HGTV.com, Theresa has covered the best cooling fans, essential oil diffusers, canister vacuums and automatic drip coffeemakers.

Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts

HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors, including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our readers.