24% OFF
£129.99
£169.99
Updated November 2026
Data from the official Roborock and TP-Link sites.
2026 verdict
For buyers watching the price, the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max takes this budget robot vacuum comparison against the Roborock Q7 M5.
It is the more affordable of the two, adds obstacle detection the Roborock Q7 M5 does not list, carries a slightly bigger water tank and runs noticeably quieter. The Roborock Q7 M5 answers with more than double the suction, at 10,000 Pa against 5,300, and a larger onboard dustbin. Both are vacuum-and-mop robots with manual water tanks, no self-emptying dock and LiDAR mapping with no-go zones. Choose the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max for value, obstacle detection and quiet running, and the Roborock Q7 M5 if raw suction on pet hair matters more than price.
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The biggest differences
Where these two are furthest apart, and by how much.
- Suction Power+89%Roborock Q7 M510000Pa vs 5300Pa
- Onboard Dustbin Capacity+33%Roborock Q7 M5400ml vs 300ml
- Water Tank Capacity+11%TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max0.3L vs 0.27L
| Feature | Roborock Q7 M5 | TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5 | 4.0 | TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max |
| Obstacle Detection | NO | YES | TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max |
| Suction Power | 10000Pa | 5300Pa | Roborock Q7 M5 |
| Water Tank Capacity | 0.27L | 0.3L | TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max |
| Onboard Dustbin Capacity | 400ml | 300ml | Roborock Q7 M5 |
| Local Control | NO | YES | TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Battery Life | 150 minutes | 150 minutes | Tie |
| Auto Recharge | YES | YES | Tie |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth | Tie |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant | Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant | Tie |
| Navigation Type | Laser (LiDAR) | Laser (LiDAR) | Tie |
What the differences mean
Suction
The Roborock Q7 M5 pulls at 10,000 Pa against the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max's 5,300, though the Tapo claims a dust pickup rate above 97 percent through an optimised air path. On deep pet hair the Roborock has the clear edge.
Obstacle detection
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max lists obstacle detection to steer around clutter, which the Roborock Q7 M5 does not. On the Roborock you tidy cords and small objects first or risk a tangle.
Noise
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max is rated at 52 dB and the Roborock Q7 M5 at 65, a gap you notice when either runs while you are in the room. The Tapo is the quieter of the two.
Water and dustbin
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max holds a slightly larger water tank at 0.3 L against 0.27 L, while the Roborock Q7 M5 carries a bigger onboard dustbin at 400 ml against 300 ml. The two trade small margins.
Price
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max is the more affordable of the pair, which is its main argument, since neither empties its own bin and both need the mop pad rinsed by hand.
Which one to buy if
- you want the most suction for pet hair at this price
The Roborock Q7 M5 pulls at 10,000 Pa, roughly double the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max's 5,300.
- you want to spend as little as possible on mapped cleaning
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max is the more affordable of the two and still maps rooms with LiDAR and no-go zones.
- you want the robot to dodge clutter instead of relying on you to tidy
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max lists obstacle detection, which the Roborock Q7 M5 does not.
- you want the quieter of the two robots
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max is rated at 52 dB against the Roborock Q7 M5's 65.
24% OFF
£129.99
£169.99
- + Suction Power: 10000Pa
- + Onboard Dustbin Capacity: 400ml
- - Rating: 3.5 vs 4.0
- - Obstacle Detection: NO vs YES
Winner
- + Rating: 4.0
- + Obstacle Detection: YES
- + Water Tank Capacity: 0.3L
- - Suction Power: 5300Pa vs 10000Pa
- - Onboard Dustbin Capacity: 300ml vs 400ml
What owners say
Owners of the Roborock Q7 M5 praise the suction first, describing it pulling pet hair and everyday debris up with more force than the price suggests, and they like the accurate LiDAR mapping with multi-room support and no-go zones. Scheduling and voice control through Alexa are the other repeated positives. Their warnings are honest about the trade-offs: the dustbin has to be emptied by hand, the mop is manual with no washing or drying, some report clogging on cords and rugs or the robot getting stuck under low furniture, and a few see occasional mapping resets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: the Roborock Q7 M5 or the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max?
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max, for its lower price, obstacle detection, bigger water tank and quieter running. The Roborock Q7 M5 wins on suction and a larger onboard dustbin.
What is the biggest difference between the Roborock Q7 M5 and the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max?
Suction against convenience features. The Roborock Q7 M5 pulls roughly double the suction, while the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max costs less and adds obstacle detection and quieter running.
Which has more suction, the Roborock Q7 M5 or the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max?
The Roborock Q7 M5, rated at 10,000 Pa against the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max's 5,300. The Tapo leans on an optimised air path and claims a dust pickup rate above 97 percent.
Do the Roborock Q7 M5 or the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max empty their own bin?
No. Neither the Roborock Q7 M5 nor the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max has a self-emptying dock, so both dustbins are emptied by hand and both mops are rinsed manually.
Who should buy the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max?
Budget buyers who want LiDAR mapping, obstacle detection and quiet running, and do not mind emptying the bin and rinsing the mop by hand.
Who should buy the Roborock Q7 M5?
Pet owners and anyone who wants the strongest suction at this price, and who can accept the manual bin and mop and the louder motor.
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