Robot vacuums have evolved far beyond the simple “bump-and-go” machines of the past. The latest Roborock Saros Z70 exemplifies this leap, combining artificial intelligence, advanced mechanics, and smart home connectivity to do much more than just vacuum floors.
A New Era in Home Cleaning
The Saros Z70 isn’t just another robot vacuum—it’s a showcase of engineering ingenuity. Its standout feature is the OmniGrip mechanical arm, a five-axis, foldable appendage capable of lifting and moving objects up to 300 grams. That means the Z70 can clear socks, slippers, small toys, and tissues out of its way, then return to clean the previously blocked area. The arm uses a combination of sensors, a camera, and an LED light to accurately detect the position and weight of each object, ensuring it handles items safely and efficiently.
But the Z70’s intelligence goes beyond its arm. Its StarSight navigation system leverages AI to map and adapt to your home while detecting obstacles as small as 2 centimeters. Users can program the robot to recognize up to 50 different objects, making it extremely adaptable. Meanwhile, the AdaptiLift chassis allows the vacuum to cross thresholds up to 4 centimeters high, ensuring smooth transitions between rooms and floor types.
Cleaning power is equally impressive. The Z70 delivers 22,000 Pa of suction, enough to handle fine dust and larger debris alike. Dual spinning mops add extra cleaning efficiency, and the fully automated docking station empties dust and refills water, minimizing maintenance. At just 79 millimeters tall, the robot can also reach under low furniture with ease.
On the smart home side, the Z70 supports Matter (via software update), enabling seamless integration with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. Through the Roborock app, users can schedule cleanings, set virtual boundaries, customize object-handling routines, or even remotely monitor pets and security.
Real-World Performance: Highlights and Limitations
In testing, the Saros Z70 shines but has a few quirks. Its object-handling arm is undeniably impressive, though its practical usefulness can vary. Picking up small items like socks or towels works inconsistently, and the robot sometimes spends more time analyzing or circling objects than moving them. While fascinating from a tech perspective, manual pickup may still be faster for some users.
The Z70 excels at managing hair and pet messes thanks to recessed razor blades on its brush roller, reducing tangles significantly compared to many competitors. On high-pile carpets with large amounts of pet hair, it occasionally misses some debris.
Threshold handling is a strong suit thanks to the AdaptiLift chassis, allowing the Z70 to tackle transitions that would stall many other models. Its slim build also makes under-furniture cleaning easier than with taller robots.
Mopping performance is solid, with dual spinning pads and automatic washing/drying at the dock. However, as with most hybrid vacuums, it can struggle to keep carpets dry if vacuuming and mopping simultaneously unless the pads are lifted or removed.
How the Z70 Measures Up
When it debuted, the Z70 set a high bar, but competition is fierce. The Dreame Cyber 10 Ultra offers a mechanical arm that reportedly lifts to 500 grams and can switch cleaning tools for tough spots, though real-world performance is still being tested.
Other models, such as Dreame’s X60 Max Ultra, boast suction up to 30,000 Pa—well above the Z70’s 22,000 Pa. Still, the Z70 remains competitive thanks to its navigation, object-handling, and smart home integration.
Brands like Narwal, Mova, Ecovacs, and 3i continue to innovate in specialized areas—Narwal excels at mopping, Mova at threshold navigation, and Ecovacs experiments with advanced mapping systems—but none combine the Z70’s full suite of capabilities in one machine.
The Future of Robot Vacuums
The next wave of robot vacuums is already on the horizon. Both Dreame and Roborock are exploring machines that can climb actual stairs, not just thresholds, with early prototypes like the Dreame Cyber X and Roborock Saros Rover offering glimpses of what’s to come.
As AI, robotics, and smart home technology advance, robot vacuums are evolving into true home assistants rather than just cleaning devices. For now, the Roborock Saros Z70 stands as a milestone in home robotics—a versatile, intelligent cleaner that hints at the highly capable machines the near future will bring.
