Roborock announced a few new robot vacuums at CES 2026, including one that has long stilts that mean it can just lift itself up and walk over any kind of rough terrain. But the one I suspect will win out in the general market is the Saros 20 – the successor to the excellent 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 change in naming is the result of some copyright complications, I’m told). The main distinguishing feature is the mop type – the 10R and 20 both have dual rotating mop pads, while the 10 and 20 Sonic have a D-shaped pad. A Roborock representative shared with me that it has found the dual rotating mop pad style to be the most popular by some margin, so it tracks that the Saros 20 will be the one to see the new additions.
1. It can hover over your carpet
The big news is that the Saros 20 has a new version of Roborock’s AdaptiLift feature. This is essentially all the technology around the little feet that boosts the robot vacuum over high thresholds. On the upgraded version, the robot can not only conquer even higher steps (it can handle single steps up to 4.5 cm in height or a double step totaling 8.5 cm), it also uses its feet to improve its cleaning performance on thick carpet.
Once switched on in the app, the Saros 20 has a feature that enables it to hover at just the right height to effectively clean a deeply piled 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 is dealing with. Roborock says it can handle a pile up to 1.18 in/3 cm.
2. It will be able to change its mop pads
This one is not quite here yet, but is on its way: 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, rotating mop pads that attach magnetically.
But Roborock is now introducing more pad types for different scenarios and a dock that can automatically dispense the right 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 needed, for efficient cleaning without cross-contamination between areas.
This isn’t a new idea – Dreame launched a mop replacement docking station in September 2025 (read our full Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review for more info), and the Roborock version looks pretty much the same. At CES, Roborock showed a version of the mechanism with a transparent front, but not the actual final dock. A representative assured me that the Saros 20 mop swap docking station is finished and ready to go, and I got the impression that it was the corresponding dock for the Saros 20 Sonic that could hold things up.
3. The dock won’t show your messy fingerprints
The Saros 10R came with a glossy mirrored dock, which I love the look of. I’ll admit though that it’s not the most practical choice for busy households – the glossy finish shows smudges and fingerprints particularly badly. So it makes sense that Roborock has chosen 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. In particular, the suction has been given another boost – the Saros 20 can deliver a ridiculous 35,000 Pa of power compared to 20,000 Pa on the Saros 10R. And on top of the upgrades, you still get all the best parts of the excellent 10R, from automatic brush and mop lift (depending on floor type) to hot water mop pad washing and hot air drying.
Roborock Saros 20 will begin its international rollout this year. Exact dates and prices are TBC and I will have a full review with you as soon as possible.
The best robot vacuum cleaners
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, video unboxings, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
