Roborock S7

The Mopping Pioneer That’s Now a Budget Buy

Back in 2021, the Roborock S7 changed what people expected from a robot vacuum. Its VibraRise technology—a mop that scrubs floors 3,000 times per minute and lifts itself when it hits carpet—was genuinely revolutionary. Four years later, the S7 has become a legacy product, but that’s actually good news if you’re hunting for a deal on the used market.

Here’s the honest assessment: don’t pay new-model prices for this robot. The 2,500 Pa suction was impressive in 2021 but falls short compared to modern mid-range units pushing 5,500-7,000 Pa. If you can snag a refurbished S7 for under $250, though, and your home is mostly hard floors? That’s a smart buy.

Who Should Actually Consider This Robot

The S7 makes sense for a specific buyer: someone shopping the used market who cares more about mopping than deep carpet cleaning. If you’ve got hardwood or tile throughout most of your home, the VibraRise system still holds up against competitors years newer. For dried coffee spills and muddy footprints, this thing scrubs circles around basic drag mops.

Skip it entirely if your home has lots of carpeting. A Roborock Q5 Pro at $350 new will outperform this aging model on rugs, and the newer Qrevo adds self-washing mops for around $650.

The Mopping System That Still Competes

The S7’s headline feature remains genuinely impressive. The sonic mopping system applies 600 grams of downward pressure while vibrating the pad at high frequency, mimicking a scrubbing motion rather than just dragging wet cloth around.

When the ultrasonic sensor detects carpet, the mop lifts 5mm off the floor. This works well on low-pile rugs but won’t fully clear medium or high-pile carpet—the wet pad may still graze the fibers. The 300ml water tank uses electronic pump control for consistent flow.

One catch that newer robots have solved: you’re washing that mop cloth by hand after every run. Modern “Ultra” docks handle this automatically, but the S7 predates that convenience.

Vacuuming Performance: Where Age Shows

The single all-rubber brush resists hair tangles better than bristle alternatives, which pet owners appreciate. Hair migrates to the roller ends rather than wrapping around the center, making maintenance easier.

On hard floors, expect 95%+ pickup of sand, rice, and cereal. The story changes on carpet. Low-pile performs adequately, but the modest suction struggles to extract fine dust from deeper fibers. High-pile carpet? The robot may barely move through it effectively.

The 470ml dustbin fills at a reasonable pace. Roborock offered an Auto-Empty Dock (sold separately as the S7+ package) that could handle dust collection automatically, though finding one in 2025 requires some hunting.

Navigation Without Obstacle Smarts

LiDAR navigation builds accurate maps in total darkness and enables features like room-specific scheduling, no-go zones, and multi-floor mapping (up to 4 levels). The Roborock app enjoys a well-deserved reputation as the most reliable and intuitive in the industry.

What the S7 lacks: any obstacle avoidance beyond basic bumpers and six cliff sensors. Cables, pet toys, socks on the floor—it will run over all of them. You’ll need to tidy up before each cleaning session, a chore that newer AI-equipped models like the S7 MaxV or S8 series handle automatically.

Those cliff sensors can also trigger false positives on dark or black-patterned rugs, treating the color as a drop-off and refusing to cross. Covering the sensors fixes this but creates real danger near stairs.

Battery and Runtime

The 5,200 mAh battery delivers up to 180 minutes in Quiet mode, roughly 90 minutes on Max. Roborock claims coverage around 2,150 square feet per charge. The robot will return to dock mid-clean and resume automatically if needed.

Recharging takes 4-6 hours—significantly longer than newer models with fast charging. Plan for overnight recovery after a full-house clean on Max mode.

Noise and Filtration

Running at 59 dB in Quiet mode, the S7 stays unobtrusive enough for background operation. Max mode jumps to 70-72 dB, louder than average due to airflow design.

The washable E11 filter captures fine dust but isn’t medical-grade HEPA. For allergy sufferers, this matters. Since the S7 lacks a camera (unlike the MaxV variant), it does offer one advantage: no video recording of your home, which appeals to privacy-conscious buyers.

Long-Term Reliability Concerns

User reports over three years of operation highlight a few recurring problems:

Error 1 (Lidar Turret): The belt driving the spinning lidar sensor can wear out or jam. DIY-fixable but annoying.

Error 12/105 (Wheel Failures): “Wheel suspended” or “open circuit” errors represent the most common fatal flaw in units aged 2-3 years. Often requires motherboard or wheel module replacement—expensive repairs.

Water Tank Cracking: The plastic tank develops stress cracks when exposed to essential oils or harsh chemicals. Stick to water only or approved cleaning solutions.

Maintenance Routine

• After each mopping session: Wash the mop cloth manually
• Weekly: Clear hair from rubber brush ends (it migrates to the axles)
• Monthly: Wash the filter and let it dry completely for 24 hours

Replacement parts remain affordable and widely available. Third-party filters run $12-15 for a two-pack, rubber brushes cost $15-20, and mop pads go for about $10-15. Budget roughly $40-60 annually if using aftermarket consumables.

The Numbers That Matter

Spec	Value
Suction	2,500 Pa
Battery	5,200 mAh (up to 180 min)
Dustbin	470 ml
Water Tank	300 ml
Mop Vibration	3,000/minute
Mop Lift Height	5mm
Robot Height	3.8 inches
Weight	10.3 lbs
Threshold Climbing	2cm (0.79 in)
Noise (Max)	70-72 dB
Floor Plans	4

How It Compares Today

Feature	Roborock S7	Q5 Pro ($350 new)	Q Revo ($650 new)
Suction	2,500 Pa	5,500 Pa	5,500 Pa
Brush Type	Single Rubber	Dual Rubber	Single Rubber
Mopping	Vibrating	Static Drag	Dual Spinning
Mop Lift	Yes	No	Yes
Obstacle Avoidance	No	No	Yes (AI)
Self-Washing Dock	No	No	Yes

The Bottom Line

The Roborock S7 pioneered features that became industry standards. Its mopping technology still performs remarkably well, and the rubber brush handles pet hair without tangling.

But time has caught up with the suction power and obstacle handling. At original retail prices, this robot no longer makes sense. Find a clean refurbished unit under $250 for a hard-floor-focused home, and you’ve got a capable machine. Otherwise, the extra $100-150 for a new Q5 Pro buys meaningfully better carpet performance and a longer expected lifespan.

What’s in the Box

• Roborock S7 robot
• Standard charging dock with power cable
• VibraRise mop cloth mount
• VibraRise mop cloth
• User manual
• Note: Extra filters and side brushes typically not included

Technical Notes

The S7 connects via 2.4GHz WiFi only, standard for IoT devices. Voice control works through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts. Matter compatibility? That’s reserved for S8 MaxV and newer 2024-2025 models.