Let’s be real for a second. When you’re looking at a robot vacuum that costs as much as a used Honda Civic, you expect it to basically do your taxes. The Roborock S8 Max Ultra is one of those machines. It’s part of that 2024/2025 wave of "ultra-flagships" that promise you’ll never have to touch a mop again. But after the marketing buzz dies down and you’ve lived with the thing for a few months, you start to see where the polish meets the pavement.
Most people get confused between this model and its "V" sibling—the MaxV. Honestly, the naming convention is a mess. Basically, the Roborock S8 Max Ultra is the version for people who want the power but don't want a literal camera eye staring at them.
The Privacy Trade-Off Nobody Mentions
If you buy the S8 MaxV Ultra, you get an RGB camera. You can use it to video chat with your cat or check if you left the oven on. The S8 Max Ultra—the one we're talking about here—strips that out.
It uses 3D Structured Light and infrared instead.
Think of it like a bat using sonar instead of a person using a flashlight. It "sees" the shape of your shoes or that forgotten power cable, but it isn't taking photos of your living room to upload to the cloud. For a lot of folks, that's a huge relief. You still get the object avoidance, but without the "Big Brother" vibes.
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However, there is a catch. Without the RGB camera, the S8 Max Ultra loses out on the "DirTect" feature and some of the more advanced AI stain recognition. It can’t "see" that a spill is specifically grape juice; it just knows the floor is dirty because of its sensors.
That Weird Little Arm Actually Works
You’ve probably seen the FlexiArm Design in the ads. It’s a side brush that literally reaches out like a little finger to sweep corners.
Is it a gimmick? Sorta. But also, no.
In older models, robot vacuums were notoriously bad at corners. They’re round; corners are square. Basic math says they’re going to miss a spot. The FlexiArm solves this by extending the brush when it detects a 90-degree angle. It’s not perfect—sometimes it gets a bit "confused" if you have weirdly shaped furniture legs—but it’s a massive step up from the S7 series.
Then there’s the Extra Edge Mopping System.
This is a tiny, dedicated rotating mop on the side. While the main mop pad is vibrating at 4,000 times per minute (VibraRise 3.0), this little side-mop is spinning to get right against the baseboards. It leaves a gap of about 1.68mm. That is basically the thickness of a credit card.
Suction Power: Is 8,000 Pa Overkill?
The S8 Max Ultra clocks in at 8,000 Pa of suction.
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To put that in perspective, three years ago, 2,500 Pa was considered "high-end." Now, we’re seeing numbers like 10,000 on the MaxV version. But here’s a secret: after a certain point, the number doesn't matter as much as the brush design.
The S8 Max Ultra uses the DuoRoller Riser Brush. It’s two rubber rollers spinning in opposite directions.
- It’s great for hair.
- It doesn't tangle nearly as much as the old bristle brushes.
- It "digs" into carpets better.
If you have high-pile carpets, you’ll notice the difference. If you only have hardwood? You could probably get away with 4,000 Pa and never know the difference. But for pet owners? That 8,000 Pa plus the dual rollers is why you’re paying the premium. It sucks up the dander that’s buried deep in the rug fibers.
The RockDock Ultra: A Love-Hate Relationship
The dock is where the magic happens, but it’s also the part that takes up the most room in your house. It's a beast.
It does everything:
- Emptying: Sucks the dust out of the robot into a 2.5L bag.
- Washing: Uses 60°C (140°F) hot water to scrub the mop.
- Drying: Blows hot air so the mop doesn't smell like a swamp.
- Refilling: Keeps the robot’s internal tank topped off.
The hot water washing is the real MVP here. If you’ve ever used a robot that washes its mop with cold water, you know it eventually starts to smell. The heat actually breaks down oils and grease.
But—and there's always a but—you have to maintain the dock. The "self-cleaning" tray isn't perfectly self-cleaning. Over time, hair and gunk build up in the filtration area. If you ignore it for a month, it gets gross. You’ll still be cleaning your "self-cleaning" vacuum at least once a month.
What It's Like to Actually Live With It
Imagine waking up and the floors are just... done. That’s the dream, right?
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With the Roborock S8 Max Ultra, that’s mostly the reality. The VibraRise 3.0 system lifts the mop 20mm when it hits a carpet. That is a significant jump. Older models only lifted 5mm, which meant if you had a plush rug, it still got a little damp. 20mm is enough clearance for almost anything short of a shag rug from 1974.
The app is still the best in the business. You can set "No-Go Zones," tell it to clean "along the floor grain" (to prevent scratches on wood), and even schedule it to clean the kitchen twice after dinner.
Actionable Maintenance Steps
If you’ve already pulled the trigger or you’re about to, here’s how you keep this $1,000+ investment from dying in six months:
- Check the "Maintenance Brush" in the dock: There’s a small brush that cleans the mop. Hair gets wrapped around its axles. Check it every two weeks.
- Wipe the sensors: Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the cliff sensors and the front 3D light "window." If it gets dusty, the robot starts acting like it's drunk, bumping into walls it should see.
- Deep clean the dirty water tank: Don't just dump it. Rinse it with a little soap. If you leave it, a biofilm grows inside that smells worse than a locker room.
- The 6-Month Rule: Every six months, pull the main rollers out and check the ends. Hair hides inside the little plastic caps at the ends of the rollers. If it builds up, it can melt the plastic from the friction.
The Roborock S8 Max Ultra isn't a "set it and forget it forever" device. No robot is. But it is the closest we’ve ever been to a truly autonomous floor cleaner. You're trading a high price tag for about 95% of your floor-cleaning chores. Just don't forget that 5% of maintenance, or you'll be calling support within a year.