The Roborock Saros Z70, featuring a cutting-edge robotic arm, is making waves in the world of smart home appliances. Having been named the Best of CES by CNETs team of home editors, it promises to be more than just a typical robot vacuum. The device is designed to not only navigate through your living space, avoiding obstacles, but also to actively engage by moving items like socks and shoes to predefined locations. This unique capability is set to offer a new level of convenience for households, especially for those with children or pets.

However, with a price tag of $1,899, the Saros Z70 is currently the most expensive robot vacuum on the market at its launch. This significant investment raises questions about whether the features justify the cost. For pet owners and parents who frequently deal with clutter, the thought of having a robot handle cleaning tasks is tantalizing. As someone who understands the struggle of decluttering before using a cordless vacuum, I cant help but think about how this could transform routine cleaning.

In my recent experience spending three hours with the Saros Z70 on a Wednesday afternoon, I can confirm that the robotic arm operates as expected. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind. Although the arm is an impressive and flashy feature, its effectiveness in vacuuming and mopping remains to be seen when compared to industry leaders such as Dreame, Ecovacs, iRobot, Eufy, and even Roborock itself.

To assess its capabilities further, we will receive a pair of review units, and I will personally conduct tests to determine if the Saros Z70s robotic arm can justify its high price.

Activating the Omnigrip Robotic Arm

The first step in using the Saros Z70's arm involves activation. According to Roborock, the arm is disabled by default as a safety feature. To enable it, users must access the app and physically press a button on the device. Ruben Rodriguez, the senior manager of global PR and communications at Roborock, explains, You need to follow a series of steps, like pressing different physical buttons on the device to activate it. Once there is confirmation in the app and on the physical device that you actually want to activate it, it's activated. This multi-step activation process prevents unauthorized remote access to the robot, ensuring user safety.

The Omnigrip arm is neatly tucked within a compartment atop the robot vacuum. During its standard vacuuming or mopping mode, the arm remains hidden, only deploying when its time to pick up clutter. Roborock claims the arm can handle objects weighing up to 300 grams. I observed the arm successfully pick up various items such as papers, socks, slippers, and a shoe weighing 298 grams, just shy of its upper limit.

Additionally, if the arm encounters an object it cannot pick up on the first attempt, it will make several further attempts before switching to its cleaning mode to conserve battery. When it fails to grasp an item, the Saros Z70 captures a picture of the object and notifies the user via the app.

Limitations in Object Recognition

Despite its innovative design, the Saros Z70 has some limitations regarding what it can pick up and where it can place objects during its automatic sorting mode. Currently, it supports only two types of objects: a miscellaneous category for smaller items such as socks and papers, and footwear, which is restricted to sandals for the time being.

According to Rodriguez, Right now, we support two types of objects. One of them is a miscellaneous category, which includes socks and papers. The other is footwear, currently limited to sandals. This means that, at launch, the robot can only recognize five specified items. Notably absent from its capabilities are toys or anything else that is not already familiar to the robot. While the device uses AI for object recognition, it does not actively learn new items in real-time. The ability to recognize additional objects will be delivered via software updates in the future.

This presents a significant limitation, especially for households with children or petswhere toys and clutter are a common sight. Until the Saros Z70 can recognize and assist with these items, it lacks utility for many potential users.

Storage and Sorting Functionality

Another limitation pertains to the devices storage or drop-off area for collected items. The Saros Z70 has two designated storage types: the Roborock Storage Box for miscellaneous items and a Shoe Storage Area for footwear. Roborock recommends using the custom basket that comes with the Z70, as it has been specifically designed for this purpose. While the storage box is functional, it may not blend seamlessly with every homes decor.

During the demo, the Saros Z70 adeptly recognized where to drop off collected socks and papers. However, I did notice that it often approached the box from the side rather than directly, which could stem from the peculiarities of mapping on stage.

Cleaning and Tidying Features

The Omnigrip arm can operate in both automatic and manual sorting modes. In automatic mode, after completing a cleaning cycle, the robot identifies potential pick-up items, marks them on the map, and later returns to collect recognized items for storage. In contrast, if automatic sorting is not activated, the device will still create a map but require user input via the app to sort and collect items.

Moreover, the Saros Z70 features a follow-up cleaning function, allowing it to clean under five recognized objects before returning them to their original places.

Improvements Since Initial Unveiling

The Omnigrip has shown significant improvements since its first appearance at CES 2025, where it struggled with navigation and object pickup. In the latest demo, the Saros Z70 confidently navigated a stage filled with crumpled papers, socks, and sandals. Impressively, it managed to avoid falling off the stage despite near misses.

While the device may not be as fast as a human picking up items, it provides a hands-off solution that allows users to engage in other activities while it works. My initial observations indicated that the robot efficiently sorted and stored the items, completing the task in a matter of minutes.

Remote Control Capabilities

The Saros Z70 can be controlled remotely through an app, similar to operating a drone. When you enable remote control, you can view video feed through the robots cameras and manipulate it via joystick-like touchscreen controls. However, safety codes are required to access the remote features, with the robot announcing remote viewing active to ensure the user is aware of the surveillance capabilities.

This feature allows the Saros Z70 to double as a patrol droid for those who want to check in on their home while away. Its important to note that Roborock advises against relying on the Z70 as a security device, as it is not designed for that purpose.

Upon testing the remote control, I found it easy to maneuver the robot for simple tasks, such as picking up papers. However, more complicated items like slippers proved challenging, requiring multiple adjustments before successfully positioning the arm. Although the remote control is a fun addition, it is somewhat time-consuming, and I doubt I would spend my time managing a robot vacuum remotely.

Evaluating the Price

At $1,899, the Saros Z70 is approximately $300 more than other available robot vacuums, including its predecessors, the Saros 10 and Saros 10R. Essentially, you're paying a premium for the robotic arm feature. This cost is also higher than competitors like the Dreame X50 Ultra, which offers advanced functionality at a lower price.

If your primary needs are mopping and vacuuming, numerous alternatives exist that can perform these tasks at a fraction of the cost. While the Saros Z70 is impressive, I will reserve my final verdict until I can thoroughly test it in diverse environments.

As with any robot vacuum, the Saros Z70 is designed to save time and effort, handling clutter, vacuuming, and mopping while allowing you to focus on other activities. While some of its current functions are limited, Roborock has indicated that enhancements are forthcoming, making this a compelling option for those willing to wait.

For a comprehensive assessment of the Saros Z70, we will be conducting tests in the CNET vacuum lab in Louisville, alongside personal trials in our NYC office and my home, where my three cats will undoubtedly provide additional challenges for this robotic marvel.