Review of Chinese consumables for Roborock and comparison with originals

Greetings to all readers of the site! I finally received the Chinese consumables for Roborock robotic vacuum cleaners And now I can compare them with the originals in terms of build quality. This video will also discuss the pitfalls of using consumables ordered from AliExpress. It's important to be aware of these, too. So, let's get started!

Comparison of performance quality

Well, first, let me show you what we're comparing. On the left is a set of original consumables, on the right is the Chinese ones. The original accessories are packaged in branded Roborock boxes. The Chinese consumables all came in a bunch in a regular transparent bag.

Let's compare the central brushes first. The original one comes with a hair and pet hair removal blade. In my case, the turbo brush is non-detachable; only the cap on one side comes off. The Chinese copy is identical in color.

The bristles are identical, but the silicone paddles aren't as flexible. The original ones are softer and will probably last a little longer. The original brush also differs from the Chinese one by the markings on the caps. The Chinese one also has a removable cap for cleaning.

Visually, it's clear that the silicone blades on the Chinese-made wiper blade have uneven factory seams. This isn't the case with the original blade. As a result, the original turbo blade is slightly, but better, made. However, the difference is minimal.

Now let's look at reusable wipes. Both have wipes without a microfiber layer around the edges. Visually, the wipes are also very similar.

The first thing that distinguishes them is the insert that secures the attachment to the nozzle. The Chinese version's insert is very soft and folds in half, while the original is more resilient. The original version feels firmer to the touch. This can affect the quality of wet cleaning and the longevity of the wipe. Otherwise, they are stitched identically, and I wouldn't say the AliExpress version is significantly inferior in terms of material quality. But there is still a difference. The original wipe beats the Chinese version by a small margin.

Let's move on to comparing HEPA filters. And here's where it gets really interesting. They're the same size. On the side of the original filter, we see a warning from the manufacturer that it's essential to dry the filter after washing:

But in principle, I don't recommend washing them; it's better to simply blow them out. The original filter is again marked. The plastic itself is of better quality; it's clear, not cloudy. The gasket on the Chinese filter is also inferior; it's rough and not as soft. I think the filter will be less airtight. And now we come to the main point: the Chinese HEPA filter has an additional fine mesh, which will better trap particles and prevent clogging of the filter layers.

It was the presence of this mesh that convinced me when choosing between a Chinese filter and the original one. So, for now, I'll go with the Chinese one. But after comparing, be sure to research the pitfalls of consumables from AliExpress, including filters.

Moving on, let's compare the five-point side brushes. They're found in the new Roborock robot vacuums. Visually, they look identical, but it's immediately noticeable that the brush center and the screw itself are slightly offset on the Chinese version. This could affect the motor's performance in the future.

The silicone on the original side brush is better quality; again, it's more flexible and thicker. The Chinese side brush is more elastic, and the brush arms themselves are stuck together and need to be torn apart before use. Both the original and Chinese brushes have a small brush on the side, which makes it easier to remove tangled hair and pet hair. The original brush also has markings on the back.

Now let's compare the three-beam side brushes. In my case, the original one is black. There are no crooked joints, the soldering is neat, and the quality is very high.

There's a brush on the side and markings inside. Another point: the bristles are elastic and additionally stitched where they connect to the main body of the brush:

The Chinese brush is also well made. The bristles are more resilient, and there are slightly more bristles in the tufts. The center with the mounting screw is not offset on this brush. There are no complaints. The soldering is neat. Due to the more flexible materials and the fact that the original brush is additionally stitched, it is the preferred choice in this comparison.

Lastly, I'll compare the dosing valves that are installed in the wet cleaning attachment. Visually, they are distinguished only by the markings on the original. The filter itself may be slightly better in the original, due to its structure.

I also ordered a unique six-beam side brush. The original accessories don't have this feature.

The bristle brushes are very elastic and, when deformed, they certainly lost some of their appearance. Unfortunately, I don't have a Roborock robot available right now to test how well this brush picks up debris. But I'll definitely save it and test it against a regular brush as soon as possible. If anyone has experience using this brush, please share your experience in the comments. It's likely to last longer than the three-beam brush.

We've compared the consumables based on build quality. Now let's compare their prices.

In our video, you can clearly see the difference between consumables:

Comparison of accessory prices

So, here are the prices for the original Roborock accessories that Lamobile provided me with:

• Central brush: $9.90.
• Side Brush (3-Beam, 2-Pack): $9.90.
• Side Brush (5-Beam, 2-Pack): $9.90.
• HEPA filter (2 pcs. per box): $19.00 .
• Microfiber cloth (2 pcs): $9.90.
• Dispensing valve (12 pcs. per box): $9.90.

Total: $68.50.

As for Chinese accessories, I initially ordered a similar set on AliExpress, but it went to a completely different person in a different region of Russia. Even that offer is no longer valid, but I wouldn't recommend this seller. So, to save time, I had to order the set locally, buying it secondhand. In my case, the entire set cost me $15. There's currently an interesting offer on AliExpress for a set of 18 accessories, which includes:

• 2 central brushes.
• 3 side brushes, three-beam.
• 2 microfiber cloths.
• 3 HEPA filters.
• 6 metering valves.
• Brush for cleaning the dust collector.
• Knife for cleaning turbo brush.

And for all this, $10.60 on sale or $19.00 without discounts.

Converted to original accessories, this would cost around 7,800 rubles, at least four times more. So, Chinese consumables for Roborock are obviously much more attractive in terms of price.

The pitfalls of using consumables from AliExpress

Now, regarding the pitfalls of using Chinese consumables. Based on personal experience, as well as the opinions of some owners on forums and in reviews, here are some of the most important ones I'd like to highlight.

Well, first and foremost, it's not a guarantee that you'll receive the same quality Chinese consumables as I did. I'm happy with my kit, but I did buy it second-hand, because my order from Ali never arrived. You never know what you'll get. It's like ordering a pig in a poke, so keep that in mind. So be sure to read reviews before ordering.

Of the other pitfalls, I would like to highlight:

1. Chinese HEPA filters need to be sealed. The problem is that they don't fit tightly, which means they let small particles through. This is exactly what I mentioned in the review.
2. The stiff bristles in the side and center brushes are a drawback. They bend more and quickly lose their shape. For greater elasticity, you can soak them in boiling water to bring the quality closer to the original accessories. But is it worth it?
3. Central brushes are often manufactured with a defect. As a result, they don't fit snugly into their sockets and wobble. Such a brush won't "read" the surface, and the vacuum cleaner might not even recognize it. It's as if it's not even seated.
4. Because Chinese consumables are shipped in standard packaging, they are often damaged or deformed during transportation, which is especially problematic for side brushes. Accessories may be unusable right out of the package.
5. And what I personally encountered: your order might not be delivered to you. As a result, you'll have to wait three weeks, then open a dispute with the seller, and then wait another three weeks for a refund. And that's if you're lucky. But at least I was lucky in that regard. So ordering accessories from China carries a certain risk, which isn't the case with genuine consumables.

That's all I wanted to tell you about this. Which accessory option you choose is entirely up to you. I've simply highlighted the real differences and discussed how Chinese consumables for Roborock differ from the originals in practice.

Finally, I'd like to recommend Lamobile for ordering genuine consumables within Russia. Why choose them? Firstly, they're a trusted store; they regularly submit all Roborock robot vacuum cleaners and consumables for an honest review, so their reputation is trustworthy. Secondly, they regularly run promotions. For example, right now, when you order a set of consumables worth over $30, you'll receive a branded Roborock toothbrush sanitizer as a gift. In the near future, they plan to offer Roborock umbrellas and thermoses to customers. Gifts like these are always nice and useful, in my opinion.

On this note, I'd like to end this review. Thank you all for your attention! Happy shopping. Bye!