Roborock S6 MaxV

The S6 MaxV marked Roborock’s first serious attempt at solving a problem every robot vacuum owner knows too well: running over things it shouldn’t. Released in May 2020, this vacuum paired traditional LiDAR navigation with something new—dual cameras and AI processing that could actually recognize obstacles like shoes, cables, and yes, pet waste.

That last feature alone sold a lot of these units. Nobody wants to deal with the aftermath of a robot vacuum meeting an unexpected pet accident.

What Made It Stand Out

The ReactiveAI system is the headline feature here. Two cameras work alongside a Qualcomm APQ8053 processor to identify seven different object types before the vacuum reaches them. The system includes infrared capability for low-light situations, though very dark rooms can still cause problems.

Beyond obstacle detection, those cameras enable live video monitoring through the app. You can check in on your home remotely, which some people love and others find unsettling—cameras rolling around your house aren’t for everyone.

Suction power hits 2,500 Pa, a 25% bump over the standard S6. That’s respectable for its era, though nothing special by current standards. Battery life stretches to 180 minutes, covering roughly 2,150 square feet before needing a recharge. The robot will return to its dock automatically and resume cleaning where it left off.

Navigation and Mapping

LiDAR handles the primary navigation duties, building accurate maps of your home. The S6 MaxV stores up to four floor plans, making it practical for multi-story houses. Through the Roborock app, you can set up no-go zones, no-mop zones, and schedule room-by-room cleaning.

Room selection works well—you can tell it to clean just the kitchen after dinner or tackle the whole house while you’re at work. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support means voice commands work too.

Mopping: The Weak Link

The mopping function exists, but calling it a strength would be generous. A microfiber cloth attaches to the bottom with a 297ml water tank feeding it through electronic flow control. You get four water level settings.

Here’s the catch: the mop doesn’t lift on carpet. At all. You’ll need to physically remove the mopping attachment before cleaning carpeted rooms, or watch your robot drag a wet cloth across your rugs. Later Roborock models solved this with automatic mop lifting, but the S6 MaxV never got that upgrade.

Physical Specs

Standing 3.8 inches tall (9.65 cm), it fits under most furniture without trouble. The 460ml dustbin is on the smaller side—frequent emptying becomes routine in homes with pets or high foot traffic. A HEPA filter handles allergens, and the combination rubber-and-bristle brush roll works across floor types.

The threshold crossing limit tops out at 20mm, adequate for most door frames and room transitions. At 7.7 pounds, it’s light enough to carry between floors if you don’t want to wait for it to navigate stairs (which, of course, it can’t do).

The Standard Dock Problem

This vacuum came with a basic charging dock. No self-emptying, no mop washing, no frills. Just charging. For 2020, that was normal. By current standards, it feels limiting. You’re emptying that 460ml bin yourself, every time.

Roborock never released a self-emptying dock option for the S6 MaxV, unlike some competitors who offered upgrades.

Replacement Parts and Upkeep

Maintenance costs stay reasonable:

• HEPA filter replacement runs $15-20, needed every 6-12 months
• Main brush replacement costs $15-25 annually
• Side brushes wear out every 3-6 months at about $10-15
• Mop cloths are washable; replacements run around $10-15 for a two-pack

Who Should Consider This (Used)

The S6 MaxV is discontinued, replaced by the S7 series and later models. Finding one new is unlikely. On the used market, it makes sense for:

• Pet owners who want waste detection without paying flagship prices
• Anyone running a multi-story home who needs reliable floor mapping
• People comfortable with cameras in exchange for remote monitoring

Skip it if you want self-emptying convenience, strong mopping performance, or need cleaning in consistently dark rooms.

Technical Notes

The vacuum connects only on 2.4GHz WiFi—no 5GHz support. The single side brush design is standard for Roborock but less aggressive than dual-brush competitors. Noise ranges from 58-69 dB depending on suction mode.

When it launched at $749.99, the S6 MaxV sat at the top of Roborock’s lineup. That price bought you obstacle avoidance technology that genuinely worked, even if later generations would improve on it significantly. For anyone finding a good deal on a used unit, the bones are still solid—just know you’re getting 2020 technology with 2020 limitations.