I'd like to tell you that the more you spend on a robot vacuum, the more likely you are to get a product you love. That is not always true, though, in my experience, with plenty of top-tier vacuums getting beat by thresholds, hair on the floor, or tight corners (or just requiring too much hand-holding). One brand has consistently performed for me (and other reviewers), though, without fail, and that's Roborock. While most of their models are going to do a good job, the flagship S8 line does a spectacular job. While it is still a splurge, the S8 Max Ultra will be 38% off its usual price of $1,599.99, for $999, and it's worth it.
There are four aspects of this robot worth knowing. Obviously, it's a vacuum. But where most vacuums struggle, getting tangled in hair or getting debris stuck in the rollers, the S8 is unbothered. You might hear a screw rattling around in the chamber but it won't stop the vacuum from chugging along. This version of the S8 has an extending arm, so instead of just having a rotating brush sweeping in debris, the arm extends out from the robot, getting into corners and right up against the wall. It's impressive.
The Max Ultra is also a mop—and not just a mop, but a legitimately good mop. It's going to actually clean your floor. Most robot mops can maintain a clean floor but can't really get a stain or mud off—but the S8 can in my house. The mop pad does a great job of getting my white tile clean of muddy paw prints.
The dock, usually an afterthought when discussing a robot vacuum, is going to win your heart over. I so rarely have to empty the vacuum bag that I can forget it for months, despite my dog tracking in dirt all the time. The water chambers for the mop only get refilled occasionally, and there's even a spot to load in detergent so it will automatically add it to the water. And you can get a version that has a drain and refill option, so if you pipe it into the water line, you never have to touch it.
Lastly, there's the app, which has features I freaking love. There's the remote option, which will let you control your robot like an RC car, which means you will never have to dig for your robot under the couch again—just use the remote. Pin-and-go also lets you set a pin on the floor, and the robot just goes to that spot to clean.
