We are testing Roborock Saros 20: The smartest vacuum cleaner we've ever had in the newsroom

Robotic vacuum cleaners have long outgrown the status of a toy for tech enthusiasts. Today, they are full-fledged helpers that vacuum, mop, clean themselves, and ideally, you don’t have to worry about cleaning at all. This is precisely the goal of the new Roborock Saros 20, which has just arrived in our newsroom. And on paper, it looks really promising.

Why Saros 20 is worth your attention

Roborock first showcased the new product at CES 2026, and expectations have been building around it ever since. Compared to the previous Saros 10 series, it represents a generational leap in several areas – navigation, mobility, suction power, and maintenance. Let’s break down everything the new flagship offers before we put it into full operation.

3D Navigation that “Sees” More Than Ever Before

At the heart of the Saros 20 is the StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 navigation system, which combines 3D Time-of-Flight sensors with an RGB camera. In practice, this means the vacuum cleaner scans the space in three dimensions and at a 21× higher frequency than classic LDS-type laser navigation. Roborock states it can recognize over 300 types of objects, even as small as 2 × 2 cm – meaning it can detect forgotten LEGO bricks or a cable on the floor.

The navigation is complemented by VertiBeam technology, which measures the lateral distance from walls and furniture. Thanks to it, the vacuum cleaner cleans closely along chair legs or cabinets without bumping into them. We will verify how well this works in practice in the full review.

Chassis that Can Conquer Even Double-Layered Thresholds

One of the biggest problems for robotic vacuum cleaners has always been thresholds and transition strips. The previous generation Saros 10 could handle obstacles around 4 cm, which was decent for its time. However, the new AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0 pushes the limit to 4.5 + 4.3 cm, totaling up to 8.8 cm for double-layered thresholds. The chassis dynamically changes the height and position of the wheels according to the current situation, with Roborock emphasizing that, unlike competitors, the robot lands more gently – the arms and auxiliary wheels rotate in different directions during various phases of the crossing.

AdaptiLift also helps with carpet cleaning. When the vacuum cleaner drives onto a high-pile carpet (up to about 3 cm), it lifts the entire chassis, not just the mopping module. This improves airflow and vacuuming efficiency. The entire body measures only 7.98 cm, and it can crouch down to 7.95 cm, allowing it to fit under lower furniture.

36,000 Pa and Dual Anti-Tangle System

The suction power of 36,000 Pa, thanks to the HyperForce digital motor, ranks the Saros 20 among the most powerful robotic vacuum cleaners on the market. Such performance is particularly noticeable on carpets and in homes with pets.

The Dual Anti-Tangle System takes care of hair and pet fur – the main DuoDivide brush tears hair and directs it into the suction channel, while the FlexiArm Arc Side Brush extends towards walls and baseboards to capture dirt even in hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, the Saros 20 can recognize toe-kick spaces (kickboards under kitchen cabinets) from a height of just 2 cm and automatically extends its side brush into them.

Mopping and Docking Station

The Saros 20 is, of course, a hybrid device – it vacuums and mops. It features two rotating mops that automatically lift when driving onto a carpet to prevent transferring moisture to soft surfaces. The improved RockDock docking station then handles complete maintenance: it automatically empties dust into a bag (capacity for tens of days of operation), cleans the mops with water heated up to 100 °C, and dries them with warm air at 55 °C. Notably, drying now applies not only to the mops but to the entire internal air circuit, which is intended to prevent odors and mold formation.

A pleasant bonus is the support for the Matter standard, which allows the Saros 20 to be integrated into Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa ecosystems without relying on proprietary cloud connections. Basic controls (start, stop, docking) thus work across platforms, while advanced features like mapping and zone planning remain within the Roborock app.

What about Saros 20 Sonic?

Concurrently with the Saros 20 model, the Saros 20 Sonic is also being released, sharing most parameters – the same suction power, AdaptiLift chassis, and ultra-thin body. However, it differs in its approach to mopping. Instead of two rotating mops, it uses the VibraRise 5.0 sonic mopping system with a D-shaped mopping pad that extends right to the edge when cleaning along walls. The pad vibrates at 4,000 vibrations per minute and applies a force of 14 N, which is 1.75× more than previous Roborock models.

The Sonic variant is thus primarily intended for households with hard floors where thorough mopping is emphasized. Navigation here is handled by LiDAR instead of 3D ToF, which is the main technological difference compared to the standard Saros 20.

Price and Availability

Both models go on sale on March 25th, and as part of an introductory offer until April 8th, Roborock is offering a 10% discount. The Czech price has not yet been officially confirmed – in Europe, the recommended price for Saros 20 is around €1,499, while in the USA it starts at $1,599. As soon as we know the Czech prices, we will add them.

Starting Our Tests

We have the Roborock Saros 20 in our newsroom and are starting to live with it. First impression? It’s surprisingly thin for how much technology it packs, and the docking station feels robust and high-quality. However, it’s too early for specific conclusions – we are particularly interested in how the 3D navigation handles a real apartment full of obstacles, how effectively it manages transitions between rooms with thresholds, and whether the 36,000 Pa suction power truly makes a difference. Expect a full review in the coming days.

Do you have a robotic vacuum cleaner at home, or do you still prefer traditional vacuuming?