Roborock S6 vs S6 MaxV Comparison - UK (2024)

Roborock S6 vs S6 MaxV - we let the two models compete against each other in our suction test.

Both models have to remove various kinds of dirt (lentils, oat flakes and sand) on different floor types (hard floor/carpet).

We also check how the Roborock S6 and the S6 MaxV cope with every-day cleaning in our flat for a longer time.

Here you can see an overview of our experiences:

Cleaning on hard floors

Both robot vacuums did a great job on laminate.

Roborock S6 on the laminate

The Roborock S6 quickly picked up oat flakes (98%) and lentils (97%). It had more difficulties with sand but still managed to remove 80% of the sand.

Roborock S6 MaxV on the laminate

The Roborock S6 MaxV hardly reached its limits with oatmeal and lentils, either, just like its little brother.

But when it came to vacuuming sand, the S6 MaxV sucked up a whopping 98% (vs S6: 80%) of the dirt.

The Roborock S6 MaxV is better suited for homes with hard floors due to the significantly better suction result with sand.

Cleaning on carpets

Carpets are more challenging for robotic vacuum cleaners.

Both Roborock robot vacuums have a well-functioning carpet detection function.

This means that as soon as the robotic vacuum cleaners drive onto a carpet, they automatically switch to the highest suction level (MAX). The increased suction power is necessary to remove deep-seated dirt.

These were the results in our suction tests on carpets:

Roborock S6 on short pile carpet

Roborock S6 MaxV on short pile carpet

Roborock S6 on a high pile carpet

Roborock S6 MaxV on a high pile carpet

The Roborock S6 MaxV performed better on carpets, too (especially in the sand test).

The increased suction power (S6: 2000 Pa. vs S6 MaxV: 2500 Pa. ) pays off here.

Roborock S6 vs. S6 MaxV for everyday cleaning

Both the Roborock S6 and the S6 MaxV convinced us in everyday use.

You can choose between 4 cleaning levels (Quiet, Balanced, Turbo and Max) in both devices. You can conveniently set them via the mobile app.

This way, you always have the right one at hand - depending on the degree of soiling.

P.S.: The mobile dustbin of the Roborock S6 (480 ml) is slightly larger than that of the S6 MaxV (vs 460 ml). But we hardly noticed that in everyday use.

Conclusion on the cleaning test

The more powerful suction of the Roborock S6 MaxV gave it an advantage during the "extreme test" (especially with sand).

So if your home is dirtier (e.g. if you live with pets, children, etc.), or if you have more carpets in your home, we recommend the Roborock S6 MaxV.

The powerful suction ensures more cleanliness here.

However, if you live in a relatively tidy/clean flat with mainly hard floors, you will also get excellent cleaning results with the Roborock S6.

Buttons on the robot vacuum itself

You can control both robot vacuums via buttons on the device itself. You have the following options:

• (1) Start/stop cleaning

• (2) Return to the charging station

• (3) Area cleaning (spot cleaning)

Mobile app

The mobile app offers significantly more functions and setting options.

You can control both the Roborock S6 and S6 MaxV with the Xiaomi Home App (iOS/Android) and Roborock App (iOS/Android).

The "Roborock App" solves problems and offers updates (with new functions, bug fixes,...) faster. That's why we prefer using this app.

If you have several Xiaomi devices in your home, we recommend using the Xiaomi Home App. Then you can control all devices via one app.

Roborock S6 MaxV vs: App functions

The range of functions of both apps is almost identical.

However, the Roborock S6 MaxV offers more options in two areas compared to the S6.

Mopping function: Regulate the S6 MaxV’s water intensity via the app

With the Roborock S6 MaxV, you can regulate the water intensity level via the mobile app. You can choose from 4 different levels.

Another advantage: You can even define a different water output per room.

You can’t do that with the Roborock S6’s water pump. You can only set the water intensity manually via a switch on the water tank (min/max).

Obstacle Avoidance and Monitoring Function on the S6 MaxV

Obstacle avoidance function (Reactive AI) of the Roborock S6 MaxV:

The Roborock S6 MaxV has a front camera for obstacle detection.

It marks the objects that it recognised on the map. You can click on the obstacles in the mobile app and see information about it

Monitoring function (Remote Viewing) of the Roborock S6 MaxV:

You can also use the Roborock S6 MaxV as a kind of "surveillance camera".

It can send live pictures to your smartphone whenever it’s on a cleaning trip.

You want to check on your flat while you're on the road? No problem!

Another feature: You can even record messages via your smartphone, and the robot vacuum will play them in your home.

What a nice gimmick ?.

Voice Assistant

You can easily communicate with both Roborock robot vacuums via voice control (Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri).

We tested the voice control with Amazon's Alexa (Roborock Plus Skill) and it worked great.

We also checked out the navigation in our Roborock S6 MaxV vs S6 comparison.

Precise, fast and seamless navigation are vital factors for a great cleaning result.

Comparing the navigation features of Roborock S6 Maxv vs S6

The Roborock S6’s laser navigation

The Roborock S6 uses laser navigation technology (lidar navigation).

A laser distance sensor (lds) scans the surroundings in real-time.

This way, the robot vacuum always knows where it is and where it has to go next.

Laser navigation is currently the best and most precise navigation technology for robot vacuums.

The Roborock S6 MaxV’s Laser navigation and automatic obstacle detection (Reactive AI technology)

The big brother (S6 MaxV) has an ace up its sleeve in terms of "navigation and driving".

The laser navigation forms just the basis.

The S6 MaxV tops that off with two front cameras.

It “sees” obstacles (the "V" in the name stands for "vision"), thanks to these cameras. A data-based algorithm called Reactive AI (Artificial Intelligence) then compares the photos with its database (With the help of a qualcomm processor). That way, the Roborock S6 MaxV always knows which object is in its path and can avoid it.

The obstacle recognition scored around 70% in our tests.

Conclusion

The navigation of the Roborock S6 is good - that of the S6 MaxV even better.

Automatic obstacle avoidance is the next stage for robot vacuums’ navigation.

The significant advantage of the Roborock S6 MaxV: You can also let it clean a flat that’s not 100% tidy.

The S6 MaxV will recognise the obstacles and avoid them. You won't have to worry about the robot vacuum getting stuck on the next best charging cable.

You can choose between 4 different power settings in both the Roborock S6 MaxV and S6.

The volume depends mainly on the selected power mode.

The robot vacuums are extremely quiet in the "Quiet" and "Balanced" modes.

You can easily have a conversation in the same room.

The Roborock S6 comes with a few more spare parts than the S6 MaxV (10 disposable cloths, 1 reusable mop extra).

You can always purchase spare parts and wear parts online* (on Amazon UK).

Our test team put both models through the wringer.

You can see a summary of our results below.

If you want to read more about both Roborock models, you should read our detailed reviews. We linked both reviews below