Robot vacuum-mops are now available in nearly every price range. However, on most models, the mopping unit remains dirty during the mopping process. The result is smudges instead of clean floors. With the Lefant M5 Pro and the Lefant M5 Max, Lefant aims to solve exactly this problem. Both models clean using an effective mopping roller that cleans itself in real time while the robot is still cleaning. The system is complemented by a fully automatic docking station with a hot-water wash feature. We’ll introduce you to both models and highlight their differences.
Key Features of the Lefant M5 Pro and M5 Max
Real-time self-cleaning of the mopping roller
At the heart of both models is the mopping roller with 16 water jets and a scraper that applies constant pressure to the mopping roller. While mopping, the roller is continuously rinsed with clean water and scraped clean. The resulting dirty water is then immediately vacuumed up.
This is designed to prevent the dirty water inside the mopping roller from being spread back onto the floor. As a result, the Lefant M5 Pro and M5 Max models have a major advantage over competitors that use a mopping plate or rotating mopping pads. When these models clean their mopping units, they do so only at regular intervals.
The roller rotates at up to 280 rpm and applies 18 times the contact pressure to the floor. This is designed to be significantly more effective—especially against dried-on dirt such as food residue—than traditional mops with lower contact pressure.
Thanks to modern sensor technology, the Lefant M5 Pro and M5 Max reliably distinguish between hard floors and carpet. When the robot detects carpet, it raises the mopping roller by 8 mm to prevent the carpet from getting wet. At the same time, it switches the suction power to the highest setting. This ensures that carpets stay dry while the suction power is increased for deep cleaning.
Fully Automatic Docking Station
Once docked, the station takes over the entire process. This includes more than just emptying the dust bin. Afterward, the mopping roller is washed in the base station with water heated to up to 80°C (M5 Pro: 75°C) and then dried using an air-drying system.
This is designed to prevent odors and bacterial growth without causing the roller to age prematurely due to excessively hot air. Furthermore, the station drains the collected dirty water and refills the fresh water tank. Apart from filling the fresh water tank and emptying the dirty water tank, no manual intervention is necessary in everyday use.
Freemove Full-Body Sensing
Instead of a movable mechanical bumper, Lefant relies on a patented, seamless housing with all-around collision detection via sensor fusion. This is designed not only to better prevent the robot from getting stuck on small obstacles but also to provide fewer areas where dirt can accumulate and wear can occur compared to traditional bumper designs with moving parts.
Thanks to dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), the connection is said to be more stable than with devices that operate solely on 2.4 GHz. Additionally, the robot can also be controlled via the Apple Watch.
M5 Pro vs. M5 Max: The Difference
Technically, both models are nearly identical in design. The difference lies in two points:
| Comparison | M5 Pro | M5 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Suction Power | 23,000 Pa | 25,000 Pa |
| Hot-water cleaning of the mop roller | 75°C | 80°C |
| All other functions | identical | |
If you want the highest possible suction power and a slightly hotter wipe roll wash, go for the M5 Max. For everyone else, the M5 Pro, with 23,000 Pa, is already well-equipped.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Robot Dimensions | 320 x 320 x 99 mm |
| Base Station Dimensions | 395 x 386 x 380 mm |
| Cleaning System | Central roller brush + side brush |
| Mopping system | Live-water mopping roller |
| Navigation | dToF laser navigation |
| Obstacle detection | PSD Triangulation + Freemove Technology |
| Battery Life | 320 min. (vacuuming only), 180 min. (vacuuming & mopping) |
| Suction Levels | 4 levels |
| Water Flow Levels | 3 levels |
| Fresh water tank (robot) | 150 ml |
| Dirty water tank (robot) | 100 ml |
| Dust bag | 3.2 L |
| Fresh water tank (base station) | 2.5 L |
| Waste water tank (base station) | 2.5 L |
| Voice assistants | Google Assistant, Alexa |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Quick Connect, dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi |
Compared to the Competition
Lefant compares these two models to the Dreame L50s Pro Ultra and the Roborock QV 35A, among others. The most notable differences, according to the manufacturer:
| Category | Lefant M5 Pro / M5 Max | Dreame L50s Pro Ultra | Roborock QV 35A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-cleaning mop | Real-time rinsing during mopping | Rinsing only after the cleaning cycle | Cleaning only after the cleaning cycle |
| Mopping speed / Contact pressure | 280 rpm, 18-fold contact pressure | Lower contact pressure | 200 rpm, normal contact pressure |
| Washing the mop roller | 75–80°C hot water + air-drying system | 100°C; according to Lefant, this causes increased wear on the roller | Washing with water at room temperature |
| Floor plans | up to 3 | only 1 | up to 4 |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz, Apple Watch control | 2.4 GHz only | 2.4 GHz only |
| Bumper / Collision protection | Freemove full-body sensor system with no moving parts | Movable bumper, front-only sensors | Movable bumper, front sensors only |
This information is taken from Lefant’s manufacturer comparison and should be considered a guide, not an independent test comparison.
Price and Discount Code
There are currently limited-time discount promotions for both models on Amazon.de:
Lefant M5 Pro (23,000 Pa) – Discount code D7Y8D72W, valid from August 10 through August 23
Lefant M5 Max (25,000 Pa) – Discount code 44LF4D86, valid from August 6 through August 19.
Note: Discount codes and promotional periods are subject to change without notice. You can view the current prices directly on the respective Amazon product page.
Conclusion
With the M5 Pro and M5 Max, Lefant clearly prioritizes hygiene when mopping. The real-time self-cleaning of the mopping roller, combined with the hot-water wash in the charging station, is designed to prevent dirty water from being spread back across the floor. This is a common criticism that many lower-priced mopping robots have not yet addressed. If you want maximum suction power, go for the M5 Max with 25,000 Pa; everyone else is also well-served by the M5 Pro with 23,000 Pa. With the current discount codes, you can get an even better deal on your first purchase.
Images: Lefant
