SCIENCE & TECH: The outstanding Roborock Saros 10R just got even better — here are 3 ways the Saros 20 improves on its predecessor

Roborock announced a few new robot vacuums at CES 2026, including one that has leggy stilts that mean it can just lift itself up and walk over any kind of uneven terrain. But the one that I suspect is going to win out on the general market is the Saros 20 – the successor to the outstanding Roborock Saros 10R. The 10R was one of the best robot vacuums we tested in 2025, but the 20 looks even better.

At the risk of confusing everyone, both versions also have sister models: the Saros 10, and the new Saros 20 Sonic (the slight shift in naming is the result of some copyright complications, I am told). The key distinguishing feature is the mop pad type – the 10R and 20 both have dual, spinning mop pads, whereas the 10 and 20 Sonic have a D-shaped pad. A Roborock rep shared with me that it has found the dual spinning mop pad style the most popular by some margin, so it tracks that the Saros 20 will be the one to watch of the new additions.

All clear? Great! Let’s take a look at the Saros 20’s 3 coolest upgrades…

1. It can hover above your carpet

The big news is that the Saros 20 has a new version of Roborock’s AdaptiLift feature. This is essentially all the tech surrounding the little feet that boost the robot vacuum over tall thresholds. On the upgraded version, not only can the robot conquer even taller steps (it can manage single steps up to 1.77in / 4.5cm in height, or a double step totaling 3.34in / 8.5cm), it also uses the feet to improve its cleaning performance on thick carpet.

Once turned on in the app, the Saros 20 has a feature that enables it to hover at exactly the right height to effectively clean a deep-pile carpet without getting stuck. It has eight different height options, and the robot will intelligently choose the right one for the thickness of the carpet it’s dealing with. Roborock says it can cope with a pile of up to 1.18 in / 3cm.

2. It will be able to swap its mop pads

This one isn’t quite here yet, but is on its way: the Saros 20 will be able to switch between different mop pads for different areas of the home. Like its predecessor, the 20 has two circular, spinning mop pads that attach magnetically.

However, Roborock is now introducing multiple pad types for different scenarios, and a dock that can automatically dispense the correct pair of pads for the situation. The bot will be able to automatically drop off its old pads and pick up a new pair as required, for an effective clean with no cross-contamination between areas.

This isn’t a new idea – Dreame launched a mop-swapping dock in September 2025 (read our full Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review for more info), and the Roborock version looks essentially the same. At CES Roborock was showing a version of the mechanism with a transparent front, but not the actual final dock. A rep assured me that the Saros 20 mop-swap-dock is finished and ready to launch, and I got the impression it was the equivalent dock for the Saros 20 Sonic that might be holding things up.

3. The dock won’t show your grubby fingerprints

The Saros 10R came with a glossy mirrored dock that I love the look of. However, I will concede that it’s not the most practical choice for busy households – the shiny finish shows up smears and fingerprints particularly badly. It makes sense, then, that Roborock has opted for a less glam but more functional finish on the dock for the Saros 20. It’s just matte black plastic, but promises to be far more fingerprint-friendly than its predecessor.

There are further tweaks and upgrades under the hood. Notably, the suction has had another boost – the Saros 20 can deliver a ridiculous 35,000Pa of power, compared to 20,000Pa on the Saros 10R. And on top of the upgrades, you’re still getting all the best bits of the excellent 10R, from automatic brush and mop lifting (depending on floor type) to hot water mop pad washing and warm air drying.

The Roborock Saros 20 will begin its international rollout this year. Exact dates and pricing are TBC, and I’ll have a full review with you as soon as possible.

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