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The Lenovo Go USB-C laptop power bank helps tame bag clutter thanks to a built-in cable

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 22:17
Lenovo Go USB-C laptop power bank review

I rely on a power bank daily, and only the most powerful options can keep up with the demands of laptop charging or topping up portable gaming devices.

While there are plenty of great options in our guide to the best power banks, most don’t have built-in cables, so you need to carry some extras when on the go.

And that’s where the Lenovo Go slots in, with up to 65W output and a built-in cable that hides away in the power bank itself, so it's ready to go whenever needed.

Aside from the cable, it also has both a USB-C and a USB-A port and can charge three devices at once.

The Lenovo Go features a typical 20,000mAh, 74Wh (though the unit itself says 77Wh) capacity, which makes it ready to take on flights without permission, and capable of topping up a laptop at least once or keeping your phone charged for days. It’s also enough to give the 50Wh battery in the Steam Deck a full charge.

The Lenovo Go power bank includes a built-in 44 cm USB-C cable. (Image credit: Future)

At 170 × 72 × 23 mm (6.69 × 2.83 × 0.91 inches), it’s reasonably compact, and the 390 grams (0.86 lb) weight is fairly typical considering the capacity. The design is slim enough to slip into a bag (including briefcase-style laptop bags) without adding bulk.

The built-in USB-C cable is 44 cm (17.3 in) long and wraps around a recess in the power bank for storage. While secure and easy to deploy, it’s very slightly fiddly to put back into place neatly once you are finished charging.

The USB-C end is slightly bulky, so it may not fit in some USB-C ports with tight access, such as phones with thicker cases.

Image 1 of 7

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 7

The power bank shows the remaining capacity with LEDs – each representing a 25% increment. (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 7

The power bank includes USB-A and USB-C ports on the end. (Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 7

The built-in USB-C cable has a handy pull tab to help release it. (Image credit: Future)Image 5 of 7

(Image credit: Future)Image 6 of 7

The USB-C connector on the end of the cable has a slightly bulky protective cover, so may not fit in tight ports. (Image credit: Future)Image 7 of 7

The built-in USB-C cable is tough, but does not sit neatly unless firmly pushed back in. (Image credit: Future)

The power bank uses a simple four-LED system to display remaining capacity in 25% steps, which works fine but isn’t quite as nice as a digital readout. The plastic shell feels solid in hand and is quite tough, and despite rattling around in my bag for a few weeks, it shows no signs of undue wear.

The Lenovo power bank does face stiff competition from similar-spec power banks, such as the often slightly cheaper Anker 20,000mAh 87W power bank. The Lenovo is slightly slimmer (but longer) and lighter, but to give comparative value for money, it needs to be picked up when on sale.

Image 1 of 4

The power bank is about the same horizontal dimensions as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but of course much thicker. (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 4

The power bank looks chunky compared to the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i laptop, but it's slim enough to slip into a bag without adding bulk. (Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Future)

The Lenovo Go USB-C laptop power bank outputs USB PD3.0 spec voltages on the USB-C cable and USB-C port – 5V 3A, 9V 3A, 15V 3A and 20V 3.25A. This means it will happily fast charge most phones, laptops and other devices like handheld gaming machines at up to 65W. The USB-A port supports the QC3.0 protocol, with 5V, 9V, 12V or variable from 3.6V to 12V, at up to 18W.

Notably, it doesn’t support PPS (Programmable Power Supply), so it won’t do 45W Samsung Super Fast charging like the Iniu P50 can.

The Lenovo power bank also doesn’t output 12V on the USB-C ports, which isn’t a problem for most users, but it’s still worth mentioning. There aren’t many devices that exclusively need 12V USB-C charging, but, for example, a 12V option is needed to get the fastest charging on DJI Mini drone batteries.

So while the Lenovo doesn’t have the latest protocol support, for normal use it’s still more than capable of fast charging any of your devices.

Lenovo Go USB-C laptop power bank: Price & specs

You can buy the Lenovo power bank directly from Lenovo or various other marketplaces and retailers.

List price is $140.99 / £84 / AU$138, but it's often sold for much less during sale events, so it's well worth waiting for a discount if you don't need it right away.

The power bank has a standard 1-year warranty, and we are a little disappointed that Lenovo didn’t offer at least 2 years.

 

Price

$140.99 / £84 / AU$138

Capacity

20,000mAh / 74Wh

Single Port Output

65W

Number of Ports

3

USB-C

2x in/out

USB-A

1x

Dimensions

170 × 72 × 23 mm (6.69 × 2.83 × 0.91 inches)

Weight (measured)

391 g (0.86 lb)

Phone charges

3 to 4 times

Laptop charges

0.5 to 1 times

Lenovo Go USB-C laptop power bank: Test results

Many power banks make bold claims, but in real-world testing they don't live up to the hype. So to weed out the duds, I do comprehensive testing to verify charge voltages, confirm protocol support and log capacity tests.

Overall, the Lenovo power bank gives solid results considering it is slimmer and lighter than many similar-spec options and has a built-in cable.

Test

Usable Capacity

Efficiency

Score

65W laptop charging

61.5 Wh

83.1%

3.5 / 5

30W laptop charging

62.5 Wh

84.4%

3.5 / 5

20W phone charging

65.3 Wh

88.2%

4 / 5

10W charging

68.1 Wh

92%

4.5 / 5

For 65W laptop charging, the Lenovo Go outputs 61.5Wh of the rated 74Wh available, giving a typical 83.1% efficiency rating. Lenovo also rates the power bank at just 48Wh when outputting 65W (20V 3.25A), so the real-world test results of 61.5Wh are much better.

I will note, though, that after it hits about 45% capacity remaining, it does renegotiate to a slower charge rate to protect the battery cells. This is fairly typical, and when testing it on a laptop that is being used the lower average power draw does not trigger this mode.

At an average 30W output when running a laptop, efficiency is slightly better, at 84.4%.

For phone charging at 20W, the Lenovo power bank hit an excellent 88.2% efficiency, and if charging slowly at 10W, it can output 92% of the rated capacity.

The power bank is rated for 74Wh by Lenovo online, but the actual power bank notes 77Wh. This is a slight over-provisioning of capacity by Lenovo, which is a good thing, and for the efficiency calculations above I used the 74Wh rating.

The Lenovo power bank includes detailed specs on the sticker underneath. (Image credit: Future)

When pushed hard with a sustained maximum output until empty (such as when charging a laptop), the Lenovo power bank reached a warm but not problematic 42°C (108°F), while phone charging only saw it reach 28°C (82°F). While it’s generally best to charge a laptop on a desk, the Lenovo power bank stays cool enough that I would have no problem using it in a bag.

The power bank can charge at up to 100W via the built-in cable or USB-C port and takes about 1.5 hours to top back up.

Rated Output Capacity

2400 mAh / 48Wh at 20V 3.25A

PPS support

No

Included cable

Built-in, 5A

IN1 (USB-C port)

5V⎓3A; 9V⎓3A; 15V⎓3A; 20V⎓5A

IN2 (USB-C cable)

5V⎓3A; 9V⎓3A; 15V⎓3A; 20V⎓5A

OUT1 (USB-C port)

5V⎓3A; 9V⎓3A; 15V⎓3A; 20V⎓3.25A

OUT2 (USB-C cable)

5V⎓3A; 9V⎓3A; 15V⎓3A; 20V⎓3.25A

OUT3 (USB-A port)

5V⎓3A; 9V⎓2A; 12V⎓1.5A

Should I buy the Lenovo Go power bank?Buy it if…

You need laptop charging
The 65W output is ideal for quick top-ups.

You want a power bank with a built-in cable
The 44 cm cable helps cut down clutter in your bag.

Don't buy it if…

You need PPS charging
The Lenovo power bank does not support PPS so it can’t hit the full Samsung Super Fast charge speeds.

You are after a more affordable option
While not too bad when on sale, the Lenovo power bank is expensive at list price.

Also consider

The Lenovo Go laptop power bank is a great option for everyday laptop and phone charging, but below are a few other options if you are looking for something different. For even more recommendations, check out our guide to the best power banks. Or, if you are planning a holiday soon, get a full rundown on the airline rules when traveling with power banks.

Iniu P50 power bank
Need something smaller for charging a phone? With 45W fast-charge capability and a 10,000mAh (37Wh) capacity, the Iniu P50 is a great power bank to slip into your bag when on the go.

Read our full Iniu P50 power bank review

ZMI No.20
This power bank uses premium components, has a large 25,000mAh (90Wh) capacity and is able to fast-charge anything from a phone to a laptop at up to 100W.

Read our full ZMI No.20 review

What's your favorite power bank for everyday carry? Or is there a specific model you think I should test?

Let me know in the comments below.

How I test power banks

I get hands-on with every power bank I test and conduct extensive evaluations in both lab and real-world scenarios. Using tools like the ChargerLab POWER-Z KM003C, I measure charge voltage, check protocol support, and log capacity tests.

Each power bank is also tested with everyday devices, including phones, tablets and laptops, and is connected to a programmable load tester for multiple charge cycles. I carry a selection daily in both pockets and bags to assess their durability and ability to withstand everyday use.

All measurements and weights are personally verified, ensuring accuracy beyond the manufacturer’s listings. It’s worth noting that many power bank reviews don’t do this sort of testing, so they should be taken with a grain of salt.

Want to know more? Read about how we test.

Categories: Reviews

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 12, #415

CNET News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 21:17
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 12, No. 415.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Nov. 12

CNET News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 21:12
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Nov. 12.
Categories: Technology

The Breville Oracle Touch is down 37% for Click Frenzy, but you’ll need to act fast to snap up these savings

TechRadar News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:53
The Breville Oracle Touch is one seriously talented bean-to-cup espresso machine, and it's now had over AU$1,300 slashed from its price in this early Black Friday deal.
Categories: Technology

Football Manager 26 is incredibly rough around the edges, but it still retains that moreish core gameplay loop

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:00

It's been a long time coming, but Football Manager 26 is finally here. With 2025 being the first year we haven't seen a new Football Manager game — or Championship Manager before it — since 1992, it was clear that when Sports Interactive decided to cancel last year's planned entry to the highly regarded football management simulation game, it must've been in a bad way.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S
Release date: November 4, 2025

It was always an ambitious sequel, with the developers being transparent about the switch to the Unity engine, with plans to use it for a huge graphical leap. For a modern-day football game, the matchday experience should be the flagship feature, but until now, it wouldn't have looked out of place on an original PlayStation. On Unity, it now looks at least like a PlayStation 2 game.

What's funny is that I'm not exaggerating in the slightest, but it isn't a criticism by any means. It isn't quite the dramatic jump forward we long-term virtual managers were hoping for, but it's still an improvement. Match intros have league-specific cutscenes, player animations are much more fluid, and the way the ball travels looks way more realistic. Football Manager is more than just the match engine, but this is hopefully a solid start to consistent graphical improvements over the course of the next few entries.

(Image credit: SI/Sega)A couple of highlights

That will, unfortunately, be a running theme because Football Manager 26 is, for all intents and purposes, still very much a beta. There are improvements, and the important thing to keep in mind amongst all of the drawbacks is that this is still Football Manager at its core.

You're still going to be hooked, playing for hours on end, sacrificing sleep to try and take your beloved local club to glory… It's just that, despite all the hype and excitement around 26 being a full revamp for the series, it has significantly missed the mark.

Alongside the visually improved match engine, though, there is one other area where Football Manager 26 has genuinely improved on: tactics. For the first time in series history, you can now use two tactics simultaneously: one when you're in possession of the ball, and another when you're out of possession. The available player roles for any given position change, you can use an entirely different formation, the whole works. It adds an extra dynamic to tactics that we didn't have prior, and is one of the only genuine selling points for the new game.

I'd also be remiss not to mention the inclusion of women's football for the first time ever, and done to an impressive degree, too. There are 14 women's leagues across 11 countries, from the world-famous Women's Super League in England to the not-so-well-known Adran Premier next door in Wales.

Sports Interactive has 40 researchers dedicated to just the women's game, and even though there's no denying the mode won't be as popular as managing in the men's leagues, it's a great step for representation and is crucial in helping the sport become as recognised as it deserves to be.

(Image credit: SI/Sega)Delivered a year late yet still undercooked

Unfortunately, even with the post-launch 26.0.4 update, Football Manager 26 is still a buggy, feature-barren, poor excuse for a full-priced video game launch, especially one that has 20+ years of history and consistency to fall back on.

There are so many missing features in this year's instalment that were available in previous iterations of the game, including but not limited to: International management, touchline shouts, squad depth tab, live cup draws, the data hub, create-a-club mode, versus mode, challenge mode, transfer deadline day, end of season summaries/fanfare, advanced match stats, the ability to save preset line-ups, and so many more slightly less significant removals that I could be here all day.

Best bit

(Image credit: SI/Sega)

Even though it still pales in comparison to other modern football games, the match engine is a huge visual upgrade, and one that's long overdue.

Not to mention the heaps upon heaps of not-quite game-breaking, but still infuriating bugs. Being able to select bench players to take penalties in a shootout, in-match text commentary that doesn't make sense, long text wrapping and obscuring other text… again, these are just a few examples of a considerably long list.

Even though Sports Interactive revealed touchline shouts were effectively useless, providing only the most minimal of morale boosts when performed correctly, I still find my muscle memory looking for them in almost every match.

That placebo effect was very real in Football Manager 2024, and while I understand the need to revamp them before bringing it back as a feature, it's perhaps the one I miss the most. That and transfer deadline day, specifically, thanks to missing out on a signing because the paperwork wasn't filed until 15 minutes after the deadline, which was something the dedicated deadline day mode in FM24 would've prevented. Damn fax machine.

(Image credit: SI/Sega)Teaching an old dog new tricks

Finally, there are the many, many UI changes. As more and more players pick up Football Manager on console — despite for the longest time, it being a PC exclusive — development caters more towards them, leading to a complete UI overhaul.

As a diehard, decade-plus player, it was hard to get used to. Even though I know how the game works at its core, I had to learn where everything was again, and it was beyond frustrating when I'd go somewhere I expected something to be, and it inexplicably wasn't, so I had to resort to the search function.

I hesitate to call it bad UI design, though, because there's every chance I only dislike it because it's such a drastic change from what I'm familiar with. If you present a brand new player with both Football Manager 24 and 26 side by side, task them with learning each one, then ask which they prefer? I suspect their answer may be 26, even if we veterans are finding it tough.

As mentioned before, though, this is still Football Manager. It may be one of the worst launches the series has had, receptively from both critics and fans alike, but if you love the series despite all of its flaws, you're going to enjoy Football Manager 26.

Especially the improved tactics and match engine, because playing tiki taka with Manchester United, in a way I know for a fact we could never do in real life, is so worth it when compared to the match engine we put up with in the series prior to now. This game is essentially a beta for Football Manager 27, and it should be treated as such.

(Image credit: SI/Sega)Should you play Football Manager 26?Play it if...

You're a Football Manager diehard
Those committed to the series will truly appreciate the in-possession/out-of-possession tactical changes, and if you've exhausted your time with FM24 then this is the logical next game for you to pick up and get stuck into.

Don't ply it if...

You were looking to continue enjoying some staple features of the series
If you take great delight in some of the features that have been removed for this latest iteration, such as international management, create-a-club mode, saving lineups, and more, then you'll likely be disappointed here.

You're not happy essentially being a beta tester for Football Manager 27
Football Manager 26 is a half-baked product, and you’ll have a more complete experience playing FM24. It may not look quite as pretty during matches, and you’re forgoing slightly more in-depth tactical options, but 24 has far more features, and you’d be hard-pressed to find many bugs, if any, while FM26 has the distinct air of being a step onto something bigger in the future.

Accessibility features

As Football Manager has always been mostly spreadsheets, accessibility options come in the form of larger text, a color blind mode, the option to toggle flashing commentary when a goal is scored, and plain colours for commentary text to help distinguish them from a background.

The game also supports 19 different languages, has a number of camera settings when mid-match, but there are no difficulty modes or anything of that ilk, as they aren't required.

How I reviewed Football Manager 26

As with every Football Manager game, I began a one-season save with my beloved Manchester United, with an aim to place as high as possible in the league, but also not worry about long-term finances or transfers. At the time of writing, I have played around 17 hours of playtime according to Steam.

I've toyed around with the new tactics considerably, spent lots of time scouting and signing players that can make an immediate impact, and also sold a few (it really helps when Saudi Arabian clubs come in with ridiculous offers for your squad players).

I tested managing in the women's game for a short while, too, and experienced plenty of bugs. All of this was played on a Windows 11 PC via Steam. Football Manager 26 isn't particularly intensive, as the series has famously been able to run on basically any hardware, but my gaming PC sports an RTX 3080 and 32GB of memory.

First reviewed November 2025

Categories: Reviews

What is the release date for Maxton Hall season 2 episode 4 on Prime Video?

TechRadar News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:00
James and Ruby are left in limbo ahead of Maxton Hall season 2 episode 4, but when is it coming to Prime Video?
Categories: Technology

Football Manager 26 is incredibly rough around the edges, but it still retains that moreish core gameplay loop

TechRadar News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:00
Football Manager 26 is the biggest revamp in series' history, but it's essentially an alpha for next year's game. Unless you're a die-hard fan, you're likely better off sticking with FM 24.
Categories: Technology

Why flight disruptions could linger even after the government shutdown ends

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 19:28

Airlines and aviation regulators warned that flight disruptions are likely to continue even after the government reopens. Thousands of flights have been cancelled as air traffic restrictions ramp up.

(Image credit: Chris O'Meara)

Categories: News

Why wait for Black Friday? I’ve found 3 phone deals from Apple, Samsung and Google with up to 30% off

TechRadar News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 19:10
We’re still a couple of weeks away from Black Friday, but you can already score the Samsung Galaxy S25, the iPhone 16e and the Google Pixel 9a all for under AU$1,000 each.
Categories: Technology

Octopath Traveler 0 First Impressions: New Tricks, With a Little Less Soul

CNET News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 19:00
The new game expands the series but character-driven storytelling takes a backseat.
Categories: Technology

Elden Ring Nightreign DLC: The Forsaken Hollows Adds More Classes and Bosses

CNET News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 18:36
There's also a cameo from the Dark Souls fan favorite, Artorias.
Categories: Technology

An AI executive's dire warnings about the future are chilling – but his solution is worse than the problem

TechRadar News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 18:00
AI has enormous disruptive potential, but trusting tech companies to guide society through the danger is foolish.
Categories: Technology

Sony Unveils 27-Inch, 240Hz PlayStation Monitor That Charges Your PS5 Controller

CNET News - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 17:56
The new PlayStation-branded monitor is built for PS5 and PC, featuring high refresh rates, HDR support, and a clever way to charge a controller.
Categories: Technology

Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with shutdown potentially near an end

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 17:46

The high court's decision keeps in place a chaotic situation. People who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in some states have received their full monthly allocations, while others have received nothing.

(Image credit: Stephanie Scarbrough)

Categories: News

This multi-faceted wet-and-dry vac is the best I've ever used

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 17:30
Roborock F25 Ultra: two-minute review

The Roborock F25 Ultra is a premium cordless upright wet-and-dry cleaner that seeks to outshine the competition with its three USPs: a sanitizing steam function, grease-busting hot water mopping and adjustable power-assisted wheels.

And outshine the competition it does: this is the best wet-and-dry vacuum I've tested. On test, I found the steam function excelled at lifting dried grime and killing bacteria, while the hot-water mopping dissolved sticky kitchen spills with ease. Powerful suction makes it an exceedingly dab hand at sucking up liquid and debris spills like cereal, porridge, soup and wine. There's a built-in floor cleaning fluid tank for even dispensing, too.

Although rather heavy, the power-assisted wheels make the F25 Ultra super-easy to drive, and you can even hook up the companion app, lie it down and remote-control it under low-slung furniture if you desire. Once you're finished cleaning, a thorough self-cleaning mode takes care of the majority of maintenance. All the user has to do is periodically empty the contents of its dirty water tank into the toilet bowl.

While I would have preferred a full-width roller for true edge cleaning, the F25 Ultra is an excellent performer in all disciplines. Whether all this state-of-the-art tech is worth the asking price is open to debate but I'm personally very much smitten.

(Image credit: Future)Roborock F25 Ultra review: price & availability
  • List price: $599.99 / AU$1,499
  • Launched: Fall 2025
  • Availability: US and Australia

The Roborock F25 Ultra was unveiled at IFA in September 2025, and is available to buy in the US and Australia. At time of writing, the Roborock F25 Ultra isn't available in the UK or Europe but I suspect it'll be launched this side of the Atlantic in due course.

At full price, it costs $799.99 / AU$1,499 – although I'm not sure it'll be sold at that price very often, because while I've been writing this review I've seen it for $599.99 and $549.99 in the US, and AU$899 in Australia. It's available to purchase direct from Roborock as well as via a range of third-party retailers, including Amazon.

That's quite a slice of cash for a hard floor cleaner given that you can find something similar without the bells and whistles for substantially less, including Roborock's base-level F25 LT which comes with the bare essentials like standard mopping and a slightly lower suction power of 20,000Pa.

Nevertheless, if you want a true state-of-the-art hard floor cleaner that covers all bases from sucking up spills to hot water mopping and hygienic steaming, the F25 Ultra is most definitely worth splashing out on.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Roborock F25 Ultra specs

Type:

Cordless wet-and-dry vacuum

Water tank volume:

Clean 1L, dirty 0.72L

Weight:

11.5 lbs / 5.2kg

Dimensions (H x W x D):

43.1 x 10.4 x 9.7 in / 109.6 x 26.5 x 24.6cm

Max runtime:

60 mins

Max suction:

22,000 Pa

Modes:

Sponge, Auto, Steam, Hot Water

Detergent dispenser:

Yes

Lie flat:

Yes (4.9in / 12.5cm tall)

Hot water cleaning temp:

187F / 86C

Steam temp:

356F / 180C

Self-clean cycle:

Yes (steam at 356F / 180C; water at 194F / 90C)

Self-dry:

Yes (5 min fast dry; 30 min quiet dry)

Roborock F25 Ultra review: design
  • Hot water mopping and new steam function
  • Power-assisted wheels and the ability to remote control via an app
  • LED headlamps, and can lie flat to the ground

I always get a bit excited whenever Roborock announces a new product (this brand makes some of the very best robot vacuums I've tested) and, believe me, this new addition to its F25 range of hard floor cleaners is definitely cause for a spot of childlike jumping up and down.

But it wasn't always like this. I remember Roborock's first attempt at making a hard floor cleaner. It was called the Dyad and it wasn't great, it must be said, mostly because it was cumbersome, difficult to maneuver, and it couldn't stand up on its own. I'm sure the latest range of Dyads have improved but I still can't see them holding a candle to the newer F25 range.

I've already tried out the Roborock F25 ACE, but this newer model excites me even more because it comes with a 356F / 180C steam function and hot-mopping feature. These are a godsend for blitzing ingrained stains that most hard floor cleaners' standard mopping functions may have trouble removing.

(Image credit: Future)

While it's difficult to muster up much enthusiasm about the styling of most wet-and-dry cleaners, for my money the models in the F25 range are the best lookers I've laid eyes on in a long time. Nevertheless, it's what goes on beneath the skin that matters most and in this regard the F25 Ultra trounces much of the opposition by dint of its three main USPs: the aforementioned steam function, the newly added hot mopping option and its adjustable power-assisted wheels.

But before I discuss these in detail, let's take a closer look at the design, starting with the floorhead. While the F25 Ultra's 720ml dirty water tank is housed on the main body like most wet-and-dry models, its fresh water reservoir is positioned lower down on top of the brushhead housing, and this not only lowers the weight on the handle while providing instant line-of-sight to its water level, it also reduces the body's overall profile which means it can be lowered parallel with the floor for reaching deep under low-slung furnishings like sofas and beds. In fact, there's a tiny wheel behind the handle section for this purpose, but more on that in a moment.

(Image credit: Future)

The 870ml clean water reservoir features two sealed fillers, one for fresh water and a much smaller one for adding the contents of Roborock's supplied 200ml bottle of floor cleaning solution. Both liquids are mixed automatically during cleaning and you'll be pleased to learn that the floor solution lasts for many cleaning sessions. To fill the fresh water tank, simply grab its rose-gold handle while pressing on a latch behind to lift it off its plinth.

The F25 Ultra's floorhead measures 10.5in / 26.6cm in width. However, the cloth roller itself measures 9.8in / 25cm with 0.4in / 1cm of space at one outer edge and 0.2in / 0.6cm at the other. That's par for the course for most models of this nature, but I recently reviewed a Eureka RapidWash 730 that uses a split roller that runs the full width of the housing, even protruding a couple of millimeters beyond the housing on one side. I'd like to see other manufacturers adopt this innovative approach because it allows for cleaning right to the very edge.

According to the product blurb, the F25 Ultra's brush housing is equipped with 32 outlets for heating the water to 187F / 86C as it hits the roller, and six steam outlets delivering a volume of 2,000mg/min at a whopping 356F / 180C. The roller itself exerts a force of 33 Newtons – equivalent to 7.4 lbs / 3.36kg of deep scrub-ability – while a pair of ‘jaw scrapers' behind the roller help keep the floor streak-free and the roller tangle-free. The floorhead also has a set of bright LEDs that emit a purple hue for cleaning the darker recesses of a home.

(Image credit: Future)

The F25 Ultra comes with four main cleaning modes – Sponge, Auto, Steam and Hot Water. All modes are accessed via the mode button positioned on the main handle, along with the on/off button and another button for selecting the self cleaning function when the unit is placed in the charging dock.

Although confusingly named, Sponge mode is for sucking up large liquid and debris-based spills so you don't have to get down on hands and knees with a handful of paper towels. This single suction task is one of the main reasons why these wet-and-dry machines are so popular. Spilt bowl of cereal or bowl of soup? Check. Small water leak around the sink? Check. Dog sick in the kitchen? Check. You get the gist.

(Image credit: Future)

In Auto mode, the F25 Ultra uses a sensor to detect dirt and automatically adjust cleaning intensity to clear it. This mode leaves only a thin veneer of dampness in its wake and is the best option for light day-to-day mopping duties. But when the going gets tough, you also have the option of either hot water mopping or, for deep down germ-killing cleanliness, the power of steam.

In fact, you can tell that the machine is steaming because there's a plume of the stuff wafting up from the front like some special dry ice effect at a rock concert. According to Roborock, this steam function is also suitable for use on wooden flooring and I second that because I detected no tell-tale signs of damage on my floors.

(Image credit: Future)

If you find pushing and pulling vacuum cleaners around a bit of a workout, you'll love this model's adjustable power-assisted wheels. With a brushless motor in each wheel and some AI-enhanced tech to govern it all, Roborock's SlideTech 2.0 system functions like a power-assisted electric bicycle. As soon as you push or pull the cleaner, the wheels instantly provide a level of self-propulsion that feels extremely natural while making the unit feel really light in the hand.

The adjustable power assistance also applies to the turns, giving the F25 Ultra the ability to effortlessly glide around furniture and walls with 70-degree steering. And unlike its predecessor, the F25 ACE, the motorized wheels are disengaged the moment you stand it up.

Couple this dextrous motorized ability with the wherewithal to remotely control the F25 Ultra via the excellent Roborock app and you have a hard floor cleaner that you can quite literally drive under the entire length of a super king bed by lowering the handle to the floor and steering it using the app's virtual joysticks.

Whenever you have finished a task, simply place the unit into its square tub-shaped dock and tap the self-clean button on the vac's handlebar to automatically engage the cleaning process which washes the roller and areas around it with hot water at temperatures between 194F and 356F (90C to 180C) before drying the roller with hot air at a substantial 203F / 95C. When it's finished cleaning, chuck the contents of the F25 Ultra's dirty water tank into the toilet bowl.

The Roborock F25 Ultra weighs 11.46 lbs / 5.2kg which is about average for a hard floor cleaner. While it's light enough for most able bods to haul up a flight of stairs, a carrying handle on the rear wouldn't have gone amiss.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Roborock F25 Ultra review: performance
  • Stupendous suction power sucks up solids and liquids easily
  • Groundbreaking steam function clears even dried stains
  • Very easy to push, pull and maneuver

I tested this model in a number of disciplines. Firstly, I used it as a bog-standard mop on my engineered wooden flooring and was pleasantly surprised by how little water it left behind – just a thin perfectly uniform film with no streaking or signs of missed areas.

Some models I've tested have had a habit of leaving a small pool of water around the roller when turning the unit off. But, like the Eureka SpeedWash 730, this model gave a quick blast of suction just before it switched itself and I have no pools of water to report. I'm happy with that.

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(Image credit: Future)

My second test was using the Sponge mode to collect a nasty spill using a variety of wet and dry ingredients, including oats, ketchup, milk, a crushed biscuit and an egg for extra grunginess. Cleaning up something as disgusting as this the conventional way involves a pile of paper towels and a pair of Marigolds. But not with this gunk swallower, which I would say performed better than any model of this nature that I've so far reviewed. It quite literally sucked up every last vestige of the mess without leaving any sign that anything was there.

(Image credit: Future)

All I had to do was unclip the dirty water tank and empty its revolting contents into the toilet. Hint: there's a recessed yellow handle on top of the firm-fitting dirty water tank that's designed to release the lid. If you try to force the lid off, there's a very good chance of spilling everything all over your legs.

For my third test I switched it to hot water mopping and it took about a minute for the roller to feel warm. While I was a bit nervous of using this mode for too long on my wooden floor (hot water seeps more easily), I was mightily impressed by the results when I tested it on some ingrained stains left behind by the dogs.

My final test used the new steam mopping feature on two patches of dried soy sauce stains on my bathroom's tiled floor, but they may as well have been wet because the combination of steam and the fast-spinning roller obliterated both stains in a single pass.

(Image credit: Future)

It's good to know that, according to Roborock, the F25 Ultra's steam function is wooden floor-friendly. My floors are made from engineered wood and I've seen no evidence of any harm after using this model's steam function. (As an aside: the act of mopping wooden floors can leave them looking tired and a bit dull, but I've started using Bona Wood Floor Gloss Finish, which works a treat to counter any dryness and leaves a beautiful sheen. Here's more on how to clean a hardwood floor, if you're looking for some general guidance).

The Roborock F25 Ultra's self-cleaning system automatically washes the roller mop in hot water followed by an efficient drying sequence using wafts of hot air to keep odors and mildew at bay.

In terms of battery usage, Roborock states a running time in Auto mode of 'up to 60 minutes'. I sadly don't have the floor space to have kept it running in Auto mode till the battery ran out or my wooden floors would have been soaked and possibly damaged. However, I did test both the hot water and steam modes which use a lot more battery power and the hot water function gave me 20 minutes of mopping while the steam function continued to operate for another five minutes. I call that a very decent set of stats and more than enough time to cover three or four average-sized rooms using a mix of all three cleaning functions.

  • Performance score: 5 out of 5
Should you buy the Roborock F25 Ultra?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Expensive at full price, but discounts are very common. You're getting an awful lot of practical and efficient tech for your money.

4 / 5

Design

Fully featured and looks great too. A smidge away from 5 stars due to its fractionally short roller.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Exceptional in all disciplines, whether it's mopping the kitchen, cleaning up big spills or steam-cleaning the bathroom.

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want something for tough stains

With its mix of powerful suction, hot water mopping and steam cleaning, the F25 Ultra can handle the toughest of stains and spills.

You aren't as nimble as you used to be

The F25 Ultra's power-assisted wheels make it feel light and easy to maneuver, and you can even remote-control it into awkward spaces.

You need something to sanitize floors

The steam function here is ideal for sanitizing flooring, as well as for lifting dried dirt.

Don't buy it if...

You just need something for light cleaning

There are cheaper, less powerful wet-dry vacuums that can handle day-to-day cleaning of hard floors.

You have lots of stairs

The F25 Ultra is quite heavy to carry, and if you're going to be mopping on different levels, you might want to opt for something lighter.

Roborock F25 Ultra: alternatives to consider

Roborock F25 Ultra (reviewed)

Roborock F25 ACE

Dyson WashG1

Type:

Cordless wet-and-dry vacuum

Cordless wet-and-dry vacuum

Cordless wet cleaner

Water tank volume:

Clean 1L, dirty 0.72L

Clean 0.74L, dirty 0.72L

Clean 1L, dirty 0.8L

Weight:

11.5 lbs / 5.2kg

10.4 lbs / 4.7kg

10.8 lbs / 4.9kg

Dimensions (H x W x D):

43.1 x 10.4 x 9.7 in / 109.6 x 26.5 x 24.6cm

45.6 x 13.9 x 21.4in / 115.7 x 35.2 x 31.6cm

44.9 x 8.9 x 11.8in / 114 x 22.5 x 30cm

Max runtime:

60 mins

60 mins

35 mins

Max suction:

22,000 Pa

22,000 Pa

None

Hot water mopping:

Yes (at 187F / 86C)

No

No

Steam cleaning:

Yes (at 356F / 180C)

No

No

Self-clean cycle:

Yes (hot water, steam, hot air)

Yes (hot water, hot air)

Yes (cold water)

Detergent dispenser:

Yes

Yes

No

Roborock F25 ACE

The ACE sits lower down the F25 range. It's still an exceptional cleaner has most things the Ultra does, but lacks steam cleaning and hot water mopping.

Read TechRadar's full Roborock F25 ACE review.

Dyson WashG1

Dyson's wet cleaning effort relies on agitation and hydration to clear spillages and lift stains – there's no suction here. The WashG1 isn't as fully featured as the F25 vacuums, but it does have a clever separation system for solid and liquid waste.

Read TechRadar's full Dyson WashG1 review.

How I tested the Roborock F25 Ultra

I knew what to expect with the F25 Ultra since I reviewed its stablemate, the F25 ACE, earlier this year. Hence putting it all together and setting it up was a breeze.

The first thing I did was let it charge, before taking it for a spin in the kitchen to see how well it performed at general light-duty mopping. I then tried out the hot water mopping function on some dog stains followed by my main suction test using both liquids and solids. Finally, I tried out the steam function to see how well it removed a couple of dried soy sauce stains.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed November 2025
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