I’ve dedicated years to transforming my home into a modern smart house, and while many futuristic predictions have come true, one crucial element has remained elusive: a true household assistant robot. That’s why I was thrilled to test the Roborock Saros Z70, a groundbreaking robot vacuum with a mechanical arm that’s currently available at a significant discount.
Innovative Technology Meets Practical Cleaning
The Roborock Saros Z70, normally priced at $2,599, is currently on sale for $1,999 – a substantial $500 savings. This isn’t just another robot vacuum; it’s the first of its kind to feature a mechanical arm capable of lifting lightweight objects and cleaning previously missed areas.
While the Saros Z70 performs impressively well overall, users should expect some occasional bugs with the OmniGrip mechanical arm function – a reasonable trade-off for pioneering technology.
The OmniGrip Mechanical Arm: A Game-Changer
The standout feature of the Saros Z70 is undoubtedly its robotic grip system. During cleaning sessions, the robot detects small obstacles it can handle and picks them up. It then navigates to a predetermined drop-off area, releases the item, and returns to clean the previously occupied spot.
The system comes with a Roborock bin that you can place strategically in your home. After the robot creates a virtual map of your space, you simply add the bin’s location to the Roborock mobile app. You can also designate larger areas for dropping off items like slippers and lightweight shoes.
Real-World Performance Testing
The critical question is: Does the mechanical arm actually work? After extensive testing at home, I’m pleased to report that it does – at least most of the time. I conducted multiple tests, setting out ten obstacles around the house several times and running full cleaning cycles, as well as smaller area cleanings with fewer objects.
In my tests, the Roborock mechanical arm successfully picked up intended objects 83% of the time. This is an impressive number for a robot introducing this type of technology to the market, especially considering the limited number of items it can currently recognize.
What Can It Pick Up?
Currently, the Saros Z70 recognizes socks, sandals, crumpled tissues, and towels weighing under 300g (approximately eight ounces). Roborock states that new sortable objects will be added continuously via firmware updates. When I used only recognizable objects, the robot successfully gripped and relocated 90% of the items.
When I added other small obstacles like shoes, small cups, and plastic film, the success rate dropped to 75% – still respectable for first-generation technology.
Outstanding Vacuum and Mop Performance
Beyond the mechanical arm, the Roborock Saros Z70’s performance as a robot vacuum and mop is outstanding. It ranks among the best robot vacuum and mop combos I’ve ever tested, featuring:
- Superior obstacle avoidance – ensuring it doesn’t get stuck on random objects
- Extendable mop pad for cleaning near edges
- Thorough cleaning coverage – reaching nearly every inch of your home
The robot cleans thoroughly, much like the Saros 10 and Saros 10R models, so you can count on comprehensive coverage throughout your home.
Minor Bugs and Limitations
I did encounter some bugs with the robot’s OmniGrip performance, though these are understandable given the relatively new nature of this technology. Some issues included:
- The robot occasionally only vacuuming and “forgetting” to resume mopping after dropping off an object
- Dropping objects that were difficult to grip, such as kids’ water shoes
Who Should Buy the Roborock Saros Z70?
The Roborock Saros Z70 isn’t the right robot vacuum for most shoppers. Instead, this innovative device is perfect for early adopters who enjoy testing the newest cutting-edge technologies. As the first robot vacuum with a mechanical arm to be widely available on the market, you can expect to encounter occasional bugs – it’s only natural.
Even so, I was thoroughly impressed with the robot’s cleaning performance and the OmniGrip technology. I was also impressed with Roborock’s fast and widespread launch of this robot after announcing it late last year.
The Investment Consideration
However, it is quite expensive. The Saros Z70 will vacuum and mop like the best robot vacuums on the market, but you should be aware that you’re not just paying for a robot vacuum – you’re also paying for the innovation of having a future-forward robot in your home.
Final Verdict
The Roborock Saros Z70 represents the next level in robot vacuum technology, pioneering the idea of a functional, multipurpose household robot that you can truly rely on. While it comes with a premium price tag and occasional bugs, it’s a significant step toward the future of smart home automation.
For those willing to invest in cutting-edge technology and embrace the role of early adopter, the Saros Z70 offers a glimpse into the future of household robotics – and at $500 off, it’s more accessible than ever.
