Roborock Q5 Max+ Review
The Roborock Q5 Max+ is a mid-range robot vacuum. It’s essentially an improved version of the Roborock Q5+, featuring a new dual-roller cleaning head and a more powerful suction motor. It, like the older model, includes a self-emptying docking station, but unlike more expensive models in the manufacturer’s line, it lacks a mopping feature and a real-time hazard avoidance system.
PROS:
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Great app with a full range of features.
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Great performance on bare floors.
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Thorough and accurate mapping.
CONS:
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Struggles with fine debris on carpets.
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Can have a hard time climbing onto very thick carpeting.
- Poor crevice-cleaning performance.
What's in the box?
Inside the box, first of all, you’ll find all the contents. First up, you’ll see product literature, a massive quick start guide, a full user guide, a manual product diagram with breakouts, and labeling safety information. Next, you’ll find the included power cord; it does have a 90° end on it. In the station next, you’ll see the vacuum; we’ll talk about it later in more detail. Lastly, you’ll have the charging station. This will be in two pieces; you’ll have to do a little bit of assembly.
Design, Build & How it works
Let’s look at the vacuum and the station in more detail now. Starting with the vacuum at the top, you’ll notice three control buttons with Rubble Rock’s logo and branding in a really unique design and pattern. I like how this looks much better than just having that flat black finish. All throughout, we got a sticker here with the Roborock app and a QR code for setup.Â
Down at the bottom side of the top, that’s going to be your lever to remove the dustbin, and we have a filter that is replaceable and removable. If you ever need to manually empty this or you want to clean it out, you can do that, and then this just snaps right back into the top of the vacuum. Now looking at the side, what you’ll see is the very front of our navigational bumper with an array of sensors in there. From the side, we got some venting there.
At the back, you’ll have a removable dustbin. Now, on the underside, it has two spring-loaded drive wheels, charging contacts, cliff sensors, an omnidirectional wheel, a side cleaning brush, and a duo roller cleaning system. The rollers are very, very easy to replace or detangle as needed, and they’re color-coded too for setup with the instructions.
charging and self empty station
The dock is a heavy-duty unit that both charges and self-empties. It is a two-piece unit that needs to be assembled with six screws (assembly tools included). It has a clear self-emptying channel so you can easily see if there are any clogs, tool storage built in for the screwdriver and Allen wrench included, and a convenient cable management system around the back. The dock’s top accommodates a pre-installed dust bag, which is convenient to replace. A status LED and Roborock logo occupy the front tastefully. Though it is a dual-function station, it takes up a minimal amount of space, so it can fit into smaller spaces without being an eyesore.
Cleaning Performance
The Q5 Max+ is quite effective after a complete cycle. The dustbin holds lots of different material, such as pet hair, human hair, carpet fuzz, leaves, and crumbs. Light buildup was still seen on the filter, which remained functional. The side brush removed some stuck-in hair that vacuums working with long hairs tend to experience, yet the Duo Roller system was otherwise largely clean with minimal clogging. The backside revealed only minimal trace amounts of fine dust, verifying the capability of the vacuum to collect surface and deeper debris. It’s particularly well-adapted to homes with pets and a combination of carpets and hard floors.
Smart Features and App Experience
The Roborock app adds to the Q5 Max+ experience with a clean and responsive user interface. It provides a precise map of your home and displays battery life, cleaning history, etc. You can also personalize your clean by turning specific rooms on or off for vacuuming up to three times, setting suction power levels, deciding between alternate cleaning routes, and creating no-go zones. You can even define a custom cleaning priority between different rooms. The installation process is easy, thanks to the QR code on the vacuum, and the app’s interface is simple enough for anyone to begin scheduling or modifying cleaning cycles within minutes.
Navigation and coverage
The Roborock Q5 Max+ runs smoothly due to its LiDAR-powered system, mapping the floor plan of the home with remarkable precision. It tackles asymmetrical room shapes, changes in surfaces, and even corners with narrow spaces without issues. The vacuum glides in smooth, orderly patterns and does not wildly bounce back and forth like past models. It vacuums almost every accessible space and hardly ever leaves any spot untouched, even in between furniture or around obstructions such as chair legs. You can view the mapped path within the app, and it displays very well how well the Q5 Max+ cleans each segment of the floor plan. It’s intelligent enough to go around big obstacles yet close enough for edge cleaning. The overall navigation is polished and reliable.
App, Battery life & Other Specs
The Roborock app is also responsive and user-friendly. After pairing, it offers a detailed map and allows you to see cleaning history, battery level, and which rooms have been cleaned. You can schedule custom cleaning times, adjust suction power levels, and even specify room order. No-go zones and invisible walls can be mapped out in a few taps. The vacuum also has voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant. Regarding battery life, the Q5 Max+ has a 5200mAh battery that has a runtime of up to 180 minutes, sufficient for most medium to big homes. When the battery is low, it goes back to the dock, charges, and picks up where it left off.
Here’s a quick overview of key specs:
| Feature | Roborock Q5 Max+ |
|---|---|
| Navigation | LiDAR |
| Runtime | Up to 180 minutes |
| Dustbin | 770ml |
| Auto-Empty Bin | 2.5L dust bag |
| App Control | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Suction Power | 5,500Pa |
| Map Saving | Multi-level mapping |
What I Like About Q5Max+
The Q5 Max+ does a lot of things right. Its navigation is consistent, the cleaning coverage is great, and the self-emptying dock is a huge convenience, particularly for busy families. The dual brush system holds up to hair tangling better than I anticipated, and the dustbin capacity is large. I also like the nice touches, such as the integrated screwdriver and transparent self-emptying tunnel. The app control is a winner as well. It’s user-friendly and provides more customization than you’d find at this price point. Overall, it finds an excellent balance between performance, features, and convenience.
What I Dislike About Q5 Max+
There are a few minor drawbacks. First, although the side brush is effective, it does accumulate hair over time and must be cleaned manually. The vacuum also doesn’t have mopping functionality, which some other models in this category now possess. Finally, the self-empty dock, although small, still requires periodic dust bag replacement, which adds a small ongoing expense. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they’re worth mentioning based on your requirements.
Roborock Q5+ vs Roborock Q5 Max+
The biggest difference between the Roborock Q5+ and Q5 Max+ is suction and internal improvements. The Q5 Max+ provides 5,500Pa suction; on the other hand, the Q5+’s 2,700Pa makes it a lot more effective on carpets and deep cleaning. Both feature the same auto-empty dock, app support, and smart mapping. If you currently own the Q5+, the upgrade may not be necessary unless you’re seeking more powerful performance. But if you’re choosing between the two, the Q5 Max+ offers more cleaning power for a slightly smaller price difference, so it’s the better purchase overall.
Final Thoughts
The Roborock Q5 Max+ offers great suction, intelligent navigation, and a trustworthy self-emptying mechanism in an easy-to-use package. Although it omits mopping and some premium features, what it does provide is reliable and well-thought-out. For people that prefer low-fuss vacuuming with less effort and great app control, the Q5 Max+ is an excellent choice, particularly at the price. It’s a great robot vacuum if your main cleaning is for carpets, pet-friendly homes, or a general need for cleaner floors with less hassle.