The Roborock QV 35S is a hybrid robot vacuum and mop system made by Roborock, combining suction and wet cleaning in a single device. It represents an ambitious approach to autonomous floor care, but real-world testing reveals a machine that excels at specific tasks while stumbling on others.
Key Takeaways
- Combines vacuuming and mopping in one device with separate water tanks for clean and dirty water
- Features intelligent navigation and app control via Roborock’s mobile application
- Requires significant setup time and user configuration before delivering reliable performance
- Performs well on hard floors but less effective on thick carpets and rugs
- Competes with traditional robot vacuums that focus on suction alone, offering more versatility at the cost of complexity
What the Roborock QV 35S Does Well
The Roborock QV 35S handles hard floors with genuine competence. The dual-tank system—one for clean water, one for dirty water—prevents the common problem of spreading contaminated water across your home. This is a real advantage over cheaper hybrid models that cycle water through a single tank. The mopping function activates selectively, so you can run the device in vacuum-only mode on carpeted rooms and switch to wet cleaning for tile and hardwood.
Navigation and mapping work smoothly once configured. The device creates a floor plan through its initial runs, allowing you to set no-go zones and schedule specific rooms for cleaning at particular times. For users willing to invest time in the app setup, this automation delivers genuine convenience. The separate water tanks and the ability to customize cleaning intensity per room elevate it above entry-level hybrids.
Where the Roborock QV 35S Frustrates
Setup is the first obstacle. Unlike plug-and-play robot vacuums, the Roborock QV 35S demands careful water tank installation, dock configuration, and app calibration before it functions reliably. First-time users report spending 45 minutes to an hour on initial setup, and many struggle with the water tank seating and dock alignment. This is not a device you unbox and run immediately.
Carpet performance disappoints. The vacuum struggles on thick carpets and high-pile rugs, where traditional single-purpose robot vacuums with stronger suction excel. The trade-off for mopping capability is reduced suction power, which becomes obvious when you run it alongside a dedicated robot vacuum. Thick rugs often require manual intervention or pre-vacuuming, defeating the hands-off appeal.
The mopping mode requires frequent water refilling on larger homes. The clean water tank capacity limits how far the device can travel before needing a return to the dock, making it less suitable for sprawling floor plans without multiple docking stations. For apartments or smaller homes, this is manageable; for larger houses, it becomes a limiting factor.
Roborock QV 35S vs. Traditional Robot Vacuums
The Roborock QV 35S trades pure suction power for cleaning versatility. A dedicated robot vacuum like the Roborock S8 or S8 Pro focuses engineering entirely on vacuuming, resulting in stronger suction and better carpet performance. The QV 35S, by contrast, splits its mechanical design between two functions, compromising on each. You gain mopping convenience; you lose peak carpet cleaning power. The choice depends on your floor composition—hard floors with light dust favor the QV 35S, while homes with significant carpet coverage favor a dedicated vacuum.
The QV 35S also costs more than entry-level vacuums but less than premium single-function models. This positions it as a middle-ground choice for users who value versatility and are willing to accept reduced performance in either category to avoid owning two devices.
Should You Buy the Roborock QV 35S?
The Roborock QV 35S rewards patient, tech-comfortable owners with hard floors and modest carpet areas. If your home is mostly tile, hardwood, or vinyl, and you want to eliminate mopping as a separate chore, it delivers real value. The app integration and room-specific scheduling work well once configured, and the dual-tank system is genuinely superior to cheaper alternatives.
If you have extensive carpeting, want zero setup friction, or expect a robot to work flawlessly from day one, this is not your device. The learning curve is real, and carpet performance will frustrate owners accustomed to dedicated vacuums. The Roborock QV 35S is a specialist tool for a specific use case, not a universal replacement for traditional cleaning.
How much water does the Roborock QV 35S tank hold?
The Roborock QV 35S features separate clean and dirty water tanks, though exact capacity specifications vary by market region. The clean water tank capacity limits mopping range before the device must return to the dock for refilling, making it less ideal for large open floor plans.
Can the Roborock QV 35S work on carpets?
Yes, but with limitations. The device can vacuum carpets, but its performance is noticeably weaker than dedicated robot vacuums due to the engineering trade-off required to accommodate mopping functionality. Thick carpets and high-pile rugs often require pre-cleaning or manual intervention.
What app does the Roborock QV 35S use?
The Roborock QV 35S connects via Roborock’s mobile app, which allows you to schedule cleaning, set no-go zones, create floor maps, and customize cleaning intensity by room. The app requires initial setup but provides solid automation once configured.
The Roborock QV 35S is best understood not as a universal cleaning solution, but as a specialized hybrid that excels on hard floors while demanding patience through setup and accepting compromises on carpet cleaning. For the right home and user, that trade-off is worthwhile.
Where to Buy
Check Amazon | $649 | £499 | £499 at Amazon
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
