The Roborock Saros 10R has earned the Best Obstacle Avoidance award in the Vacuum Wars Best Robot Vacuum Awards for Mid-2025, thanks to an unmatched performance across all of our obstacle navigation tests.
The Roborock Saros 10R features a 3.14-inch profile and StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, eliminating the need for a raised LDS unit and allowing it to clean under low-lying furniture. It excelled in our obstacle avoidance tests, demonstrating reliable 3D sensing and a VertiBeam Lateral Obstacle Avoidance system that navigates cables and various types of furniture. The HyperForce suction, combined with a zero-tangle brush configuration, addresses different floor surfaces, while the AdaptiLift Chassis helps it cross thresholds up to 4cm and automatically lift its mops on carpets. A 10-in-one Multifunctional Dock handles tasks such as dust collection, mop washing, and drying, and the built-in “Hello Rocky” voice assistant supports offline voice commands for added convenience. See additional info
Price as of June 7, 2025
Auto Empty Station: Self Empties Debris | Washes Mop Pad | Washes Mop Pad with Hot Water | Dries Mop Pad | Dries Mop Pad with Heated Air| Self Cleaning
Mopping: Lifts Mop Pads on Carpets | Extending Mop Pad for Hard to Reach Areas | Can Leave Pads at Base while Vacuuming
Hardware: Auto Extending Side Brush for Hard to Reach Areas | 40mm Threshold Crossing | Removes Hair from Brush Roll
Performance: Carpet Boost Settings
Mapping / Navigation: Multi Level Maps | Virtual Barriers and No Go Zones
Obstacle Avoidance: 108 Objects Recognized
Pet Features: Live Video Monitoring | Pet Checkup or Similar
Controls: Virtual Assistant Options
| Scores | Roborock Saros 10R | Average Robot Vacuum Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Wars Overall | 4.33 | 2.80 |
| Features | 4.51 | 3.63 |
| Mopping Performance | 3.54 | 2.73 |
| Obstacle Avoidance | 5.00 | 3.44 |
| Pet | 4.78 | 2.87 |
| Navigation | 3.44 | 3.00 |
| Battery | 2.83 | 2.27 |
| Performance | 3.69 | 3.59 |
| Official Battery Life: 180 Minutes | Navigation Type: 3D ToF Lidar |
| Official Suction Power: Unknown | Dust Bin Size: 270ml |
| Obstacle Avoidance Type: VertiBeam Lateral | Objects Recognized: 108 |
| Multi Level Maps: Yes | Virtual Barriers: Yes |
| Detergent Capacity: 590 ml | Disposable Bag: 2.7L |
While obstacle avoidance in robot vacuums has been steadily improving over the last five years, few models have come close to perfection. The Saros 10R is the first and only robot vacuum we’ve tested to earn a perfect score in every one of our five obstacle avoidance tests.
How We Test Obstacle Avoidance
Our testing protocol includes five specialized obstacle scenarios, designed to simulate real-life floor hazards that often trip up robot vacuums. These include:
- Pet Test: Simulates solid pet waste
- Toy Test: Includes common children’s toys
- Cloth Test: Mimics clothing or towels on the floor
- Cord Test: Uses power cords and charging cables
- Torture Test: A chaotic combination of all the above
Each test is scored individually, and the results contribute to a product’s overall obstacle avoidance rating. Most vacuums fail at least one of these tests—but not the Saros 10R.
What Is Starsight Navigation?
Roborock’s Starsight Navigation system is what powers the Saros 10R’s category-topping performance. This system allows the vacuum to detect and respond to small, low-profile obstacles and clutter more precisely than any previous Roborock model—and more reliably than its competitors.
- Dual-transmitter solid-state LiDAR (eliminates bulky top-mounted towers)
- Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors
- Front-facing camera with AI-based object recognition (trained on 108 object types)
- Vertical light beam for precise distance mapping
- Rear sensor for enhanced spatial awareness
This setup enables both high-speed navigation and delicate object avoidance.
Adjustable Sensitivity, Maximum Accuracy
The Saros 10R offers three user-selectable obstacle avoidance sensitivity levels, and for our tests, we used the maximum setting. This gave us the most complete picture of its capabilities—and it did not disappoint.
Even small or irregularly shaped objects were consistently identified and avoided. And in the real world, while no system is flawless, this is the most advanced and reliable implementation we’ve seen to date.
Perfect in Testing—But Still Evolving
While the Saros 10R achieved a perfect score in our controlled lab environment, it’s important to note that no obstacle avoidance system is flawless in the real world. Cluttered or unpredictable floorplans can still present challenges. If you have an active household—with all the disarray that often comes with it—it’s still a good idea to tidy up beforehand.
Mid-2025 Best Robot Vacuum Obstacle Avoidance Winner
Still, the Roborock Saros 10R currently represents the most advanced obstacle avoidance we’ve seen to date, and it sets a new standard for the industry in 2025. That’s exactly why it earned our Best Obstacle Avoidance award for Mid-2025.
Want the full story about the Roborock Saros 10R’s performance, specs, and overall pros and cons? Read our full review of the Roborock Saros 10R.
