I wasn't sure this premium robot vacuum was worth the money – but after using it every other night for 10 months, I've changed my mind

Roborock Saros 10 navigating around tester's home
(Image credit: Future)

When I first moved in with my partner and his cocker spaniel, I couldn't believe how much hair he (the dog, not the human) was shedding on a daily basis. There was hair everywhere, all the time. Staying on top of it was impossible – even as someone who's actual job it is to test vacuum cleaners.

Then, last March, I took delivery of a Roborock Saros 10 for review. It's an expensive robot vacuum, and I wasn't quite sure it'd be able to justify that price tag. But when I started testing it, I was impressed – it immediately took all the pressure off cleaning.

At list price, this robovac comes in at $1,599.99 / £1,199.99 – but right now it's down to $1,099.99 at Amazon US and £799.97 at Amazon UK. That's still a big investment, although after using this bot multiple times a week for nearly a year, I think it's worth it.

Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum and mop
US deal
Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum and mop: was $1,599.99 now $1,099.99 at Amazon

With just over 30% off, the Saros 10 is back down at its lowest-ever price. This is an ultra-premium robot vacuum, and if you can afford it, it's worth the investment – its cleaning performance is excellent, it's very reliable, and the does-it-all dock means there's barely any maintenance required from you.

Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum
UK deal
Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum: was £1,199.99 now £799.97 at Amazon

With a third off list price, the Saros 10 is back down to the cheapest it has ever been. For me, it's well worth the investment – and especially for pet owners.

The Saros 10 is the best robot vacuum I tested last year. If you're looking for something for cleaning up after pets, it's worth spending a bit more on a premium model like this. Where it stands out from cheaper options is in its suction power (pet hair is notoriously 'sticky' and hard to pull from carpet), reliability, and self-sufficiency. I can count the number times it's got lost or stuck on one hand.

If you have hard flooring (as I do in my kitchen), the mop part also helps justify the expense, too. This model delivers not only effective mopping, it can sense carpets and rugs, and will drop off its pad in the dock to avoid getting them damp. Plus, the dock will keep the mop pad clean and dry, so you don't have to.

Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum in mopping mode

(Image credit: Future)

If you're willing to compromise on one of these points, there are other, cheaper options that will still make a big difference to your cleaning. Here are a couple of alternatives to consider:

Dreame  L40s Ultra CE
Dreame L40s Ultra CE: was $469.99 now $379.99 at Amazon

This is part of Dreame's mid-range lineup. The mopping is less advanced than on the Saros 10 – it can't drop off its mop pads, and the mop pad washing process uses cold water. The suction is also lower. However, generally we've been very impressed with the cleaning powers and reliability of Dreame's robovacs, and this model is very capable for the asking price.

Roborock  Qrevo S5V robot vacuum
Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum: was $899.99 now $549.99 at Amazon

This is a simpler model in the Roborock lineup, but again it delivers very strong value for money – and especially with the current 40% discount. Suction is lower than on the Saros and it doesn't have a retractible navigation puck, which might be an issue if you want it to clean under low furniture. However, you should still expect reliable navigation, strong cleaning and a useful dock that'll take care of most maintenance tasks.

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Ruth Hamilton
Homes Editor

Ruth is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in air (vacuum cleaners, fans, air purifiers), and hair (hair dryers, straighteners and stylers). She has been in consumer journalism since 2020, reviewing and writing about everything from outdoor kit to mattresses and wellness gadgets, with stints on Tom's Guide and T3.

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