Roborock Q5 Pro review

Roborock Q5 Pro review: Introduction

• Type: Robot vacuum cleaner with mopping features
• Docking: Just for charging
• Navigation system: LiDAR

The Roborock Q5 Pro is one of Roborock’s budget-friendly options, but don’t let the price tag fool you – it still manages to pack a heck of punch.

Coming in at $249 / £299, this entry-level vacuum is a small fraction of the price of Roborock’s top dogs like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra or the new Qrevo Curv and Qrevo Edge models, which were just announced at IFA 2024.

It’s back to basic with the Q5 Pro; there’s no auto-emptying dock (although you can upgrade to the Q5 Pro+ package if you do want that option) but, during my testing, it more than proved itself a worthy option in what’s now an incredibly busy market.

Featuring the brand’s DuoRoller Brush system, high suction power, and impressive smart navigation capabilities, the Q5 Pro doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the higher-end models, like obstacle avoidance or automatic mop filling, but it delivers robust cleaning performance for the price, which makes it a strong contender in its category.

Read on for my full Roborock Q5 Pro review…

Design and components

In terms of design, the Q5 Pro is a sleek departure from higher-end Roborock models, featuring a stylish corrugated finish on top and those familiar Roborock physical buttons – start/stop, home and spot clean.

Unlike the typical pop-up bin design, this model’s 770ml dustbin slides out from the front, making it more convenient to access – especially handy when dealing with pet hair. 

Measuring in at 350 x 353 x 97mm, it’s compact yet effective. It comes with a standard Roborock charging dock, similar to those seen with other models (powered by a kettle cable) but, as mentioned, it lacks auto-empty smarts. 

This basic dock only handles charging, which is understandable given the price… and not everyone wants a bulky dock occupying space in their home.

Features and In Use

The Q5 Pro comes loaded with smart features but that standout is undoubtedly that DuoRoller Brush system, which reduces hair tangles and boosts cleaning efficiency, that is the main event. 

Roborock claims an improved 20% hair pickup rate compared to similarly priced models from previous generations (including the Q7 Max), and based on my tests, it more than lived up to that promise.

I live with a cat who is constantly shedding hair, plus two young girls with long hair, and it’s great at collecting all the hair the trio all leave all of the house.

The DuoRoller Brush is brilliant at preventing tangles and ensuring all the hair is picked up efficiently – so no more cutting huge clumps of hair out of a brush roller as has been the case with robs cleaners for years.

Paired with the 5,500Pa suction – which is actually stronger than Roborock’s flagship models from just a couple of years ago like the S7 MaxV Ultra – it effortlessly tackles dirt, dust, and hair on carpets and hard floors alike.

There are five levels of suction available to select in the app (the higher you go, the noisier it is and the battery life obviously takes a hit too.

The robot uses LiDAR navigation for accurate mapping, creating a detailed map of your home, and the app gives you control over cleaning routines, no-go zones, and even lets you customize the room order for more efficient cleaning. 

However, the LiDAR navigation system, while competent, is not as advanced as those found in higher-end models. The Q5 Pro lacks advanced features like obstacle detection and carpet sensing, which means it doesn’t navigate as smoothly or adapt to different surfaces as effectively as top-tier models do.

Still, it’s a far cry from the clumsy cheap robots you’d normally expect at this price-point that crash their way round a room like a bumper car at a fair.

Overall, the Q5 Pro delivers a great performance for its price but lacks features such as edge-to-edge cleaning and extra power on carpets.

But it is still a fantastic option for budget-conscious buyers who want reliable cleaning without the bells and whistles of more expensive models.

Mopping Up

While the mopping feature on the Q5 Pro is a nice bonus, it’s not going to replace a dedicated mopping robot. 

The adjustable water flow works well for different floor types, and the detachable mop makes cleaning it easy, but its mopping performance, much like other dual-purpose robots, is serviceable at best. 

It’s fine for light maintenance but it struggles with tougher stains and you will still have to manually mop those tough stains.

App and Digital Assistants

Whether you buy a $1,700 Roborock with all the latest bleeding edge tech on board, or a lower end model like the Q5 Pro, you still use the same, excellent, Roborock app to control your cleaner. 

The inclusion of 3D mapping and multi-level support is a standout at this lower price-tag. You can even set different cleaning intensities for specific rooms, making it highly customizable and easy to fit around your specific requirements. 

In the Roborock app you can control the Q5 Pro remotely, schedule cleanings, and monitor its status in real time. 

It also syncs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, albeit with some pretty limited commands on offer. 

Battery Life and Maintenance

The Q5 Pro’s 240-minute runtime is more than enough to cover up to 3,750 square feet on a single charge, which is quite impressive. 

When the battery runs low, it automatically returns to its dock to recharge before resuming cleaning. 

While there’s no auto-empty function on the Q5 Pro, the large 770ml dust bin means less frequent emptying than many of its rivals.

Final thoughts

The Roborock Q5 Pro offers a fantastic balance of power, efficiency, and value.

It’s ideal for anyone looking to get the most bang for their buck in the robot vacuum market. Its powerful suction, smart navigation, and impressive feature set make it a strong contender in its class, and it performs so well for its price that it’s easy to recommend.

The mopping function could be better, but for $249 / £299, it’s hard to fault the Q5 Pro for anything else.

How we test

When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long term tests.

Robot cleaners usually live within an ecosystem, or a range of products that – supposedly – all work in harmony. And they are designed to offer a range of different cleaning options. Therefore, it’s impossible to use a robo cleaner for a week and deliver a verdict.

Because we’re testing smart home kit all day, everyday, we know what matters and how a particular smart cleaning machine compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.

Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.

Read our guide on how we test robot vacuum cleaners to learn more.

FAQs

Roborock Q5 Pro review: Specifications