Imagine coming home after a long day, and your floors are already sparkling clean—no effort required! That’s the promise of the iRobot Roomba, a little robot that zips around your house, eating up dust and pet hair. But when you look online, you see models like the j7+, the s9+, and the i3. Which one actually fits your messy house and your budget?
Choosing the perfect iRobot can feel like a puzzle. Do you need advanced mapping, or will basic bumping do the trick? Should you pay extra for self-emptying, or is that just a fancy gimmick? These decisions can be confusing, and you want to spend your hard-earned money wisely on a vacuum that actually works.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the key differences between the most popular iRobot models. You will learn exactly which features matter most for pet owners, apartment dwellers, and those with big homes. By the end, you will know the best Roomba for you.
Let’s dive in and find the robotic helper that will truly transform your cleaning routine!
Top I Robot Vacuum Recommendations
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION*. 3-Stage Cleaning includes 70X more power-lifting suction*, a Multi-Surface brush, and Edge-Sweeping brush to devour dirt and dust bunnies and leave floors barefoot clean. *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and provide a precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- FULLY CUSTOM AND TARGETED CLEANING. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes and levels of suction power.
- EASY-TO-USE ROOMBA HOME APP. Simply tap to set a custom clean, get time estimates, check on the filter life, or create keep-out zones to avoid specific areas.
- EXTRA DIRT- SPOT CLEANING IS ON IT. Easily target the places where your floors need extra attention, with spot cleaning, your robot repeatedly cleans in one area for up to 5 minutes.
- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. Dirt and dust stay gone because it empties into the AutoEmpty dock with a bag that traps 99% of allergens as small as 0.7 microns- That means no mess or cloud of dust when you empty it- Just drop the used bag into the trash and put a new one in the base.
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION. 3-Stage Cleaning includes 70X more power-lifting suction*, a Multi-Surface brush, and Edge-Sweeping brush to devour dirt and dust bunnies and leave floors barefoot clean *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and provide a precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- FULLY CUSTOM & TARGETED CLEANING. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes and levels of suction power.
- EASY-TO-USE ROOMBA HOME APP. Simply tap to set a custom clean, get time estimates, check on the filter life, or create keep-out zones to avoid specific areas.
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION. Find, reach and eliminate messes with the combined power of 70X more suction*, multi-surface brush, 20% better edge and corner cleaning with an edge-sweeping brush, to devour dirt and dust bunnies, plus a microfiber mop pad to leave floors shiny.
- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. Dirt and dust stay gone because it empties into the AutoEmpty dock with a bag that traps 99% of allergens as small as 0.7 microns. That means no mess or cloud of dust when you empty it. Just drop the used bag into the trash and put a new one in the base.
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and provide a precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- RUGS STAY DRY WHILE MOPPING. Unlike other cleaning robots, the Roomba 104 Combo Robot automatically detects and avoids carpets while mopping so your rugs stay dry – no complex programming required.
- FULLY CUSTOM CLEANING. Choose from settings including vac only, mop only, or combo vac-mop. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes, levels of suction power, and amount of mopping solution pumped onto the microfiber mopping pad.
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION. 3-Stage Cleaning includes 70X more power-lifting suction*, a Multi-Surface brush, and Edge-Sweeping brush to devour dirt and dust bunnies and leave floors barefoot clean. *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots.
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and providea precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- FULLY CUSTOM & TARGETED CLEANING. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes and levels of suction power.
- EASY-TO-USE ROOMBA HOME APP. Simply tap to set a custom clean, get time estimates, check on the filter life, or create keep-out zones to avoid specific areas
- EXTRA DIRT - SPOT CLEANING IS ON IT. Easily target the places where your floors need extra attention, with spot cleaning, your robot repeatedly cleans in one area for up to 5 minutes.
- DUAL BRUSHES, DOUBLE DIRT DESTRUCTION. Patented rubber brushes flex and adjust, staying in constant contact with all floor types. Paired with extreme power-lifting suction to loosen and lift any kind of mess.
- ELIMINATES DIRT & DUST. Powers through pet hair and more with anti-tangle Dual Rubber Brushes, an Edge-Sweeping Brush, Carpet Boost, and 180x more* extreme power-lifting suction. *In Spot Clean mode with a full battery, compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- CLEARVIEW PRO LIDAR. Expertly maps your home for maximum coverage and thorough cleaning, day or night- Plus, specialized sensors prevent your Roomba robot from tumbling down stairs.
- PRECISIONVISION AI TECHNOLOGY. Immediately recognizes and swiftly navigates around objects of all shapes and sizes, including cords, socks, and pet waste.
- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. AutoEmpty Dock traps and contains debris as small as 0.7 microns in an enclosed bag, keeping you dust cloud-free for 75 days.
- 1. Compact and Quiet Operation: With a slim 2.85" profile, the eufy robot vacuum operates quietly, offering a comprehensive clean without causing a disturbance, making it perfect for use at any hour.
- 2. Extended Cleaning Performance: Capable of running up to 100 minutes on hardwood floors, the eufy vacuum robot provides powerful, consistent suction for a thorough clean at a noise level similar to a microwave.
- 3. Adaptive Suction Power for Different Surfaces: BoostIQ Technology adjusts suction within 1.5s for optimal cleaning on any surface.
- 4. Superior Protection and Efficiency: The eufy robot vacuum comes with an anti-scratch tempered glass-top cover, infrared-sensor for evading obstacles, and drop-sensing tech, ensuring a safe, efficient clean while self-recharging to stay ready.
- 5. Note: The 11s Max does not support WiFi or app connectivity; all operations are performed using the remote control and the buttons on the device.
- PRECISIONVISION AI TECHNOLOGY. Immediately recognizes and swiftly navigates around objects of all shapes and sizes, including cords, socks, and pet waste*. *See iRobot.com for full details.
- ELIMINATES DIRT & DUST. Powers through pet hair and more with anti-tangle Dual Rubber Brushes, an Edge-Sweeping Brush, Carpet Boost and 150x more* extreme power-lifting suction.
- DUAL BRUSHES, DOUBLE DIRT DESTRUCTION. Patented rubber brushes flex and adjust, staying in constant contact with all floor types. Paired with extreme power-lifting suction to loosen and lift any kind of mess.
- CLEARVIEW PRO LIDAR. Expertly maps your home to maximize coverage and clean thoroughly, day or night. Plus, specialized sensors ensure Roomba robot won't take a tumble down stairs.
- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. AutoEmpty Dock traps and contains debris as small as 0.7 microns in an enclosed bag, keeping you dust cloud-free for 75 days
- DEEP DOWN AND WALL-TO-WALL. Advanced DualClean Mop Pads with PerfectEdge extend floor-mopping coverage by 18%* and SmartScrub adds 2x deeper scrubbing** to wipe out tough messes. *Compared to unextended DualClean Mop Pad**Compared to standard vacuum & mop mode on coffee & grime
- STRONG SUCTION SERIOUS MOPPING. Devours messes from crumbs to pawprints with 70x more suction*, DualClean Mop Pads with PerfectEdge, SmartScrub, a multi-surface rubber brush, and edge-sweeping brush. *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- CLEARVIEW PRO LIDAR. Expertly maps your home to maximize coverage and clean thoroughly, day or night- Plus, specialized sensors ensure Roomba robot won't take a tumble down stairs.
- PRECISIONVISION AI TECHNOLOGY. Immediately recognizes cords, socks, even pet waste, and swiftly navigates around them. Identifies wet & dry messes ahead and repeats cleaning passes for a more thorough clean.
- AUTOWASH DOCK DOES IT ALL. 75 days of auto-emptying, 4 weeks of mopping and pad washing*, continuous pad refreshing, and heated pad drying ensure an ultra-effective clean day after day. *Based on 1 mopping run per week
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your iRobot Vacuum
Choosing the right iRobot vacuum can make your life much easier. These smart cleaners take the hard work out of keeping your floors spotless. This guide will help you pick the best model for your home.
Key Features to Look For
Modern iRobot vacuums, like those in the Roomba line, offer many cool features. Think about what you need most.
Smart Navigation and Mapping
- vSLAM Technology: This helps the robot see and map your home. Good mapping means the robot cleans efficiently and does not miss spots.
- Keep-Out Zones: Some models let you tell the robot where *not* to go, like near pet water bowls.
Suction Power and Cleaning System
Look at the suction rating. Higher numbers mean the vacuum pulls up more dirt and pet hair. iRobot uses different brush systems. Some use rubber extractors, which are great for carpets and stop hair tangles. Others use traditional bristles.
Battery Life and Runtime
A bigger battery means the robot can clean more floor space before needing a charge. If you have a large house, look for models that run for 90 minutes or more. Some smart models will recharge and then resume cleaning exactly where they left off.
Smart Home Integration
Can you control it with your voice? Most new models work with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can just say, “Start cleaning,” and the robot obeys.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your iRobot lasts and how well it performs.
Durability of the Chassis
Most robot bodies use strong, durable plastic. Check reviews to see if the plastic scratches easily or cracks after minor bumps. A sturdy build quality is important because the robot bumps into furniture.
Brush Quality
The main cleaning brushes matter a lot. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes are often preferred. They handle different floor types well and resist hair wrapping. If you have lots of long hair in your house, these are a big plus.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Certain design choices greatly affect your cleaning results.
Self-Emptying Bins (Clean Base)
This feature is a huge quality-of-life improvement. The robot docks, and a larger station sucks the dirt out of the small robot bin. You only empty the big station every few weeks. This reduces daily maintenance.
Dirt Detect Technology
Better models use sensors to find areas with more debris. The robot spends extra time on these dirty spots. This focused cleaning significantly improves the overall floor quality.
Obstacle Avoidance
Lower-end robots might get stuck easily on stray socks or charging cords. High-end models use advanced sensors (sometimes cameras) to identify and avoid these common household obstacles. This prevents frustrating interruptions.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about *when* and *where* you will use your iRobot.
Pet Owners
If you have shedding pets, prioritize strong suction and tangle-free rubber brushes. Self-emptying bases are highly recommended because pet hair fills the small bins fast.
Busy Professionals
Scheduling features are your best friend. You can set the robot to clean while you are at work. Voice control lets you start a quick clean before guests arrive.
Multi-Floor Homes
If your home has multiple levels, ensure the robot can handle stairs (it won’t climb them, but it needs good sensors so it doesn’t fall). If you move the robot between floors, look for models that save multiple maps.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About iRobot Vacuums
Q: How often should I clean the robot’s brushes?
A: If you have pets or long hair, you should check the brushes weekly. If you have the rubber extractors, you just need to pull off any wrapped hair.
Q: Does the iRobot work on thick shag carpets?
A: Most standard iRobot models work well on low- to medium-pile carpets. Very high, thick shag carpets might slow the robot down or cause it to get stuck.
Q: Can I use the iRobot when I am not home?
A: Yes! This is one of the best parts. You use the iRobot HOME App to set schedules or start a clean remotely using your phone.
Q: What is the difference between a Roomba and a Braava?
A: Roomba vacuums clean dry debris (dust, dirt, hair). Braava robots are mopping robots that clean hard floors with water and cleaning pads.
Q: How long does the battery usually last?
A: Battery life varies by model. Expect between 60 to 180 minutes of runtime on a single charge, depending on the model and the floor type it is cleaning.
Q: Will the robot fall down the stairs?
A: No. iRobot vacuums use cliff sensors. These sensors detect drops and prevent the robot from rolling off edges like stairs.
Q: Do I need Wi-Fi for the robot to work?
A: You need Wi-Fi to set up the initial mapping, schedules, and use the app features. However, most robots will still run a basic clean cycle if you press the big “CLEAN” button on top, even without Wi-Fi.
Q: Are the replacement parts expensive?
A: Replacement parts like filters and side brushes are reasonably priced. Filters usually need replacing every two to three months. High-end robots with self-empty bases might have a higher upfront cost, but you save time.
Q: How does the robot handle transitions between wood floors and area rugs?
A: Most models automatically adjust. They increase suction power when they drive onto a carpet or rug for a deeper clean.
Q: Can I block off just one small room?
A: Yes, if you have a model with advanced mapping, you can draw virtual barriers or “Keep-Out Zones” right in the app to protect specific areas.