The Roborock Saros 10 and Roborock Saros 10R are two of the hottest robot vacuums of 2025. Offering heaps of suction, robust obstacle navigation, premium designs, and highly automated docking stations, they’re both easy recommendations for shoppers seeking the best robot vacuum money can buy. But aside from sharing very similar names, the Saros 10 and Saros 10R share many of the same specifications — and it might be tricky to determine which is better for your home.
However, you’re not alone. Much of the online community is still debating the merits of these two robots, and after extensive hands-on testing of both products, I still can’t say with certainty that one is vastly superior to the other.
The Saros 10 features more suction and a tried-and-true navigation system, but the Saros 10R uses dual-spinning mopping pads and the revolutionary navigation system found on the Saros Z70. Both feature a docking station capable of emptying its dustbin, washing and drying mops, then cleaning itself to remove any gunk that fell off the mops. And when used for regular, real-world cleaning operations, both perform incredibly well — making it nearly impossible to declare a clear-cut winner.
Thankfully, that means you can’t go wrong with either model. But if you’re interested in a more detailed comparison, here’s a closer look at the Roborock Saros 10 and Saros 10R.
Pricing and design
The Roborock Saros 10 costs $1,600, as does the Roborock Saros 10R. They look quite similar too, with a standard rectangular dock and circular robot body that’s sleek and slim. The Saros 10 uses a retractable LDS on the top of the unit (which looks a bit like a circular dial), while the Saros 10R doesn’t have this protrusion at all. There are also some big differences when it comes to the underside of the devices, as the 10R uses rotating mops, whereas the Saros 10 uses a vibrating mopping plate.
As for the docking stations, the Saros 10 is more streamlined. This is due to a lid covering the water tanks, providing a more cohesive appearance. But while this makes the unit look cleaner, it also means you need to take one extra step to access the tanks — unlike the Saros 10R, where they’re readily accessible without having to move a lid.
No matter how you cut it, both are great-looking devices.
Winner: Tie
Vacuuming
The Saros 10 offers a bit more suction at 22,000 Pa, though the Saros 10R is no slouch with its 20,000 Pa. Both robots are equipped with a DuoDivide Brush that’s excellent at eliminating tangles, a total height of just 7.98 centimeters so they can slip under furniture for enhanced coverage, and a FlexiArm side brush that swings outward to grab debris near baseboards and furniture legs. The Saros 10R does have a bit of an advantage, as it can lift its mops to a total height of 0.87 inches compared to just 0.71 inches for the Saros 10. So if you’re concerned about wet mops on your floor, the Saros 10R might be a better choice.
Do note, however, that both robots can be programmed to leave their mops in the docking station when vacuuming. That means dragging dirty mops onto the carpet isn’t too big of a concern, and it’s a huge design win for both the Saros 10 and Saros 10R.
During testing, the Saros 10R was marginally better at navigating into tight spaces and corners. The increased suction of the Saros 10 also didn’t make a huge difference in most daily situations, though for tough jobs, it’s certainly nice to have an extra 2,000 Pa.
Winner: Tie
Mopping
Though they use different techniques for mopping, both should do an excellent job of removing stains and spills from your hard floors. The Saros 10 uses the VibraRise 4.0 Mopping System, which features a vibrating mopping plate and a small mopping pad on the side to get closer to edges. The Saros 10R, meanwhile, uses two spinning mopping pads — one of which can swing outward to better clean near baseboards.
Most shoppers will likely find the spinning mopping pads on the Saros 10R to work well for daily cleaning and maintenance, but the Saros 10 and its scrubbing motion are excellent at removing tough stains.
Both robots come with a dock that can clean their mops and remove dust from their dustbins. This includes washing the mops with hot water, drying the mops with warm air, and performing a self-cleaning of the docking station to remove all the gunk that falls off the mops. You also have the option to use an auto detergent dispenser for enhanced floor cleanings.
Winner: Tie
Additional Features
Most features are shared across the Saros 10 and Saros 10R, but the main difference is the navigation system. The Saros 10R employs the new Starlight Autonomous System 2.0, which is the same system used in the Saros Z70, the futuristic robot vacuum with an arm.
The Saros 10 works fine with its RetractSense Navigation System, but there’s no denying that having the same navigation skills as the yet-to-be-released Saros Z70 is a huge appeal of the 10R.
Testing showed that both devices still have trouble identifying various charging cables of certain colors, but overall, obstacle avoidance is top-of-the-class for both the Saros 10 and Saros 10R. However, the Saros 10R managed to pick up debris placed in tight spaces missed by the Saros 10 — though the differences are so minimal that it’s hard to say with confidence that there’s a significant difference in performance.
In short, both navigation systems are stellar. If you love to have the latest and greatest tech, the Saros 10R is more compelling. You also won’t have to worry about the retractable sensor getting stuck, as it’s one less moving part to worry about on the Saros 10R. But if you like the reliability of a tried-and-true system, the Saros 10 could be a better option.
Winner: Tie
Verdict
At the end of the day, you truly cannot go wrong with either the Saros 10 or Saros 10R. With a fancier navigation system and a dual spinning mopping setup, the Saros 10R is the more “revolutionary” robot vacuum. But with the Saros 10, you’re getting an evolution of Roborock’s best technology. It also comes with more suction and a mop that’s great for tackling tough stains.
For more great options, check out our list of the best robot vacuum and mop combos, which includes several models beyond the Roborock lineup.
