News
Big news from TechRadar's best robot vacuum ranking: there's a new top bot in town – the Roborock Qrevo Curv. We absolutely loved this model when we tested it for our Roborock Qrevo Curv review, but at that point it was just a little too pricey to go in the #1 spot.
Now, prices have tumbled, value for money has risen, and I've decided it's time to shift it into pole position. It's not even that old – it came out in October 2024. It's just that Roborock is releasing new bots at such a rate that anything that's not a 2025 launch is ripe for discount.
At list price, the Curv costs $1,599.99 / £1,299.99, but recently I've seen it drop as low as $899.99 / £850. It's still not cheap (and I'll include some great alternatives below for those on a tighter budget) but if you can afford it it's well worth the investment. This is a seriously good robot vacuum.
Roborock is probably my favorite robovac brand. Its bots consistently deliver high build quality, strong cleaning performance and reliable navigation. The experienced reviewer who tested the Curv (alongside many other robovacs) calls it his "go-to brand for reliable, fuss-free vacuuming with smarts galore".
(Image credit: Future)Roborock is also known for blazing a trail when it comes to innovation in this market, and the Curv is powered by very nearly the newest tech. It recognizes the tall thresholds in your home and figures out the best way to climb over each one, the onboard camera can be used to make two-way voice calls for security or pet-reassurance purposes, and there's automatic suction adjustment for different floor types.
(Image credit: Future)It nails the basics, too: mapping is speedy and accurate, navigation and obstacle avoidance reliable, there's a very powerful 18,500Pa of suction, dual spinning mop pads (one of which can kick out to the side to get up close to the edges of rooms), and an extending side brush for sweeping into corners.
On test it aced every cleaning task we put to it, and it proved itself to be not just a capable cleaner, but a low-effort, easy to use one too.
The curvy dock will take care of a whole list of maintenance tasks for you. It will charge the bot and empty its dustbin, but also refill its water tanks and wash and dry its mop pads so they don't get stinky. And it looks pretty cool too, in a kind of space-age way.
My favorite alternativesNot sure the Qrevo Curv is right for you? Let's take a look at the best alternatives, starting with more affordable options and then – just for fun – looking at what you can get if you blow the budget entirely.
If you have less to spend, the Dreame L40 Ultra and Eufy X10 Pro Omni are both excellent all-rounders, and depending on deals can be in the region of $200 / £200 less than the Curv. Or in the budget bracket, I loved both the Roborock Q7 M5 and Dreame D9 Gen 2, but be aware that you'll need to get a little more hands-on than you would with a pricier option.
If money is no object, there are even more functions available if you stump up for one of the very newest models. My new top premium robot vacuum is the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete, which has little feet that enable it to scale even taller thresholds than the Qrevo Curv can manage. The LiDAR tower can retract into the body of the robot too, enabling it to clean in particularly low-height spaces.
The crowning option in the Roborock lineup is the Roborock Saros Z70, which has a big robotic arm that'll clear away your socks for you. Slightly less flashy 2025 additions to the range are the Saros 10, which has a retractable LiDAR puck similar to the X50 Ultra's, and Saros 10R, which doesn't have a raised puck at all but instead uses a different approach to navigation.
However, if you're looking for powerful cleaning and reliable all-round performance with no unnecessary bells and whistles, the Robrock Qrevo Curv is first on my recommendations list.
You might also like...- Modos uses open hardware to fix everything wrong with sluggish commercial e-paper displays
- E-paper finally reaches 75Hz refresh rates, enough to handle modern productivity tasks
- USB Type-C and HDMI connectivity offer simple setup across Windows, macOS, and Linux
E-paper has is recent years often been relegated to niche applications, largely due to its sluggish refresh rates and limited interactivity.
However, Modos Tech is attempting to upend this perception with a new set of developer kits featuring e-paper displays capable of reaching 75Hz refresh rates, which are now crowdfunding.
Though this figure might not turn heads in the consumer monitor space, this productivity tool introduces a different kind of performance that caters to focused, distraction-free work.
A different approach to responsive e-paperModos attributes its performance improvements to an open-hardware design built around the Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA.
This controller, combined with a DDR3 framebuffer and STM32H750 microcontroller, eliminates the proprietary bottlenecks typical in commercial e-paper displays.
The company suggests traditional systems are constrained by outdated hardware decisions that limit response time and usability, as it claims its open design lifts those barriers and introduces real-time responsiveness to what has historically been a static technology.
“From writers and engineers to accessibility advocates and digital minimalists, people are tired of the distraction, eye strain, and fatigue of mainstream displays,” said Alexander Soto, CEO of Modos Tech.
“E-paper offers a better path, and we’ve built tools that make it fast, flexible, and accessible to all.”
With support for multiple grayscale levels and a hybrid rendering mode, the screens attempt to offer flexibility without relying on full color.
While the architecture supports color displays, none are being offered at this stage - instead, the current implementation is aimed at users who prioritize simplicity and legibility over visual richness.
The kits include USB Type-C and HDMI ports, making them compatible with major desktop platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Its USB Type-C can handle both data and power, but those opting to connect via HDMI will need an additional power source for operation.
This device is available in 6-inch and 13.3-inch which are selling for $199 and $599 respectively.
But make no mistake about this device, it will not replace business tablets or traditional business laptops.
Nevertheless, for users with specific visual or cognitive requirements, they offer an alternative that minimizes eye fatigue and digital noise.
As always with crowdfunded hardware, the pitch comes with caveats.
Modos is working through Crowd Supply, a platform with a decent track record for delivery; the usual warnings apply.
However, delays, supply issues, and unforeseen design revisions remain real possibilities.
Modos’ e-paper kits are still in pre-order status, with expected delivery in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Via Toms Hardware
You might also like- Popular hard drive vendor on Amazon caught selling 10-year-old used but repackaged hard drive — but would you buy one if it was keenly priced?
- Check out the best 3D modeling software for 3D printing and more
- We've rounded up the best portable monitors available now