Roborock Q10 S5

The Roborock Q10 S5 ranks fourth in suction power among the 150+ robot vacuums tested by Vacuum Wars. That’s remarkable for a machine you can grab between $329 and $399, well below its $549 MSRP. But there’s a catch you need to know about.

The Good: Cleaning Power That Punches Above Its Weight

Let’s talk numbers. Roborock claims 10,000 Pa of suction. Independent testing at the cleaning head measures 3,900 Pa with 16 CFM airflow. That’s still exceptional for this price range and translates to real-world results: 96% carpet deep cleaning (tied for the highest score in testing) and 96% pet hair pickup.

Hair tangling? Not here. The Q10 S5 scored 100% on the hair removal test while the average robot manages just 38%. If you’ve got long-haired family members or shedding pets, this matters.

The mopping performs above average too. It scored 103 out of 100 on dried stain tests (yes, above the theoretical max, compared to a 93 average). One quirk though: you’ll need to pre-wet the mop pad manually before each run. The VibraRise 2.0’s water pump alone doesn’t cut it for effective mopping.

The Bad: Your Floors Need to Be Clear

Here’s where things get honest. The Q10 S5’s obstacle avoidance is weak, scoring just 6 out of 24 versus the 16.6 average. Those structured light sensors are basic. Expect this robot to roll right over charging cables, stray socks, and small toys.

You’ll need to “robot-proof” your home before each cleaning session. If you’ve got a cluttered house or don’t want that hassle, look elsewhere.

Dog owners, heads up: there’s no pet waste detection. The Q10 S5 can’t tell the difference between a toy and an accident.

Early Production Problems (Now Largely Fixed)

Units manufactured between April and June 2025 showed higher failure rates, particularly with cliff sensors, mapping errors, and LiDAR issues. If you’re buying now, units produced after June 2025 have improved quality control. Worth checking the manufacture date if you can.

Who This Robot Is For

The Q10 S5 makes sense if you’ve got a home between 800 and 1,500 square feet, a mix of hard floors and medium-pile carpet, and you’re willing to pick up cords and clutter before runs. It’s the best suction you’ll find at this price point with LiDAR navigation.

Skip it if your home is heavily cluttered, you have dogs (no poop detection), you want completely hands-off mopping, or your space exceeds 2,000 square feet.

Running Costs

Budget around $121 to $158 per year for replacement parts if you stick with Roborock’s official accessories: dust bags, filters, brushes, and mop pads.