The 2026 iteration of my preferred robot vacuum from the previous year is here: As of March 23, the $1,599.99 Roborock Saros 20 is now up for purchase in the U.S.

The question isn’t if the Saros 20 surpasses the Saros 10R — from a technical perspective, it absolutely does. As the immediate successor to the Saros 10R, the Saros 20 is clearly loaded with multiple specifications enhancements compared to its predecessor. Therefore, in my home evaluations, I am reflecting on whether my enthusiasm for the Saros 20 in 2026 matches that of the Saros 10R in 2025.

What makes the Roborock Saros 20 unique (or not)?

The high-end robot vacuum sector is significantly more competitive than it was last year, meaning the Saros 20 must compete harder to differentiate itself. The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete offers nearly identical cleaning abilities, a slim design, and comparable pricing. The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow features less powerful suction and a different mopping approach, but it’s still an excellent vacuum from the same brand with a much more moderate price. Both have been available for over a month, slightly diminishing the impact of the Saros 20’s launch.

Additionally, the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic is anticipated to come out later this spring. “Sonic” denotes a vibrating D-shaped mopping pad similar to what the Saros 10 had, but this iteration isn’t confined to the vacuum’s circular design. It shares most capabilities with the Saros 20. Nevertheless, I cannot evaluate the Saros 20 in isolation knowing another version is forthcoming.

Regardless, the Saros 20 presents key enhancements over the 10R. Its 36,000 Pa suction capability exceeds the Saros 10R’s 22,000 Pa, making it the highest suction power available on the market, beating out the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete by a small margin (which has 35,000 Pa). The Saros 20 is also equipped with the AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0: a legged tri-wheel system that allows the vacuum body to traverse thick thresholds up to 3.46 inches, accommodating transitions between floor types, U-shaped chair legs, or deep rugs. (This is a notable trend this year.) The small obstacle avoidance system of the Saros 20 feels exponentially more advanced than that of the Saros 10R.

It was quite a pleasant surprise to discover that the Saros 20 is priced at $1,599.99 — the same introductory price as last year’s Saros 10 and Saros 10R models. You are receiving an additional 14,000 Pa of suction and improved navigation for the same cost that someone paid in the previous year. If you already possess a Roborock, you can save up to $1,050 on the Saros 20 by trading in your previous model.

The small obstacle avoidance of the Saros 20 is outstanding.

The Saros 20 employs the same StarSight 2.0 navigation system as the Saros 10. This alternative to conventional LiDAR garnered significant marketing attention last year, but based on my tests, it was not superior in avoiding minor obstacles compared to other robot vacuums in evaluation. I anticipated that the Saros 20 would perform similarly; however, I have been thoroughly impressed by its precision — there is no doubt that the Saros 20 possesses a much greater awareness of the various objects that could be present on the floor.

I believe this is the first occasion a robot vacuum in my apartment has maintained a 100 percent obstacle avoidance rate for multiple consecutive days. The Saros 20 accurately recognizes that a shoe is a shoe, a reusable grocery bag is a bag, and an extension cord or charger is a cord. It will clean or mop right next to shoes or bags without picking them up, but it maintains distance from cords to remain cautious. Its acute peripheral awareness even identifies that a rolling desk chair is a type that could easily cause entrapment, deftly navigating back to the dock as necessary.

Is the Roborock Saros 20 efficient on carpet?

The Saros 20 has generally provided reliable performance on rugs thus far, yet it hasn’t proven to be as flawless as expected for 36,000 Pa.

Its two primary tests featured dried quinoa scattered from the bag onto the kitchen Ruggable (the flatweave printed texture) and a large accumulation of dryer lint dragged across the tufted living room rug. I found myself getting down on the floor to collect remnants from either situation. The lint roller test in the living room only uncovered a few stray cat hairs and the fuzz that fell off the