Brand recognition goes a long way in building consumer trust. Regarding robot vacuums, the iRobot brand and its Roomba line of robot vacuums are the most recognized in this category. They have been around for years and have set the pace and bar for innovations such as obstacle avoidance technology, room mapping and efficient cleaning.
Over the years, the company has released several different models, making it difficult to know where they all fit in the release timeline. We keep up with all the iRobot happenings, and we've tested several of them over the past few years to tell you exactly which are the best Roombas to buy. Whether you're considering one for a small apartment or larger spaces, there's a Roomba for you in different price ranges.
1. Roomba j7+ from iRobot
The most expensive model is not necessarily the best. Our testing determined that the best Roomba was the iRobot Roomba j7+. This is because it has next-generation technology that helps it better avoid obstacles while proving to us that it is an excellent cleaner.
With the help of a camera, the Roomba j7+ is the first robot vacuum in the company's portfolio to feature PrecisionVision navigation. We were impressed with its ability to recognize and avoid objects in real-time, including the fake poop we placed on the floor to see what it would do.
This excellent all-around vacuum picks up crumbs on hardwood floors and sucks up surface debris on carpets. Plus, it comes with the sleekest self-bailing charging base we've encountered, making it much easier to store.
Pros:
Above-average performance
Does a decent job avoiding obstacles
Cleans efficiently
Low profile self-bailing base
Cons"
It is a bit aggressive in its movements
2. iRobot Roomba s9+
Still ranked as the company's flagship model, iRobot's Roomba S9+ is the best at getting a deep-cleaning feel to carpets. It has the highest suction power in the iRobot lineup, 40 times that of the Roomba 600. This claim is even more credible when we walked barefoot on the carpet it had vacuumed. Frankly, the difference was perceptible!
Small debris embedded in the carpet doesn't stand a chance, but neither does hair or pet hair, thanks to its two rubber brushes. Unlike the traditional bristle-based brushes that other robot vacuums use, tangles caused by hair and pet hair are less likely to occur here because of how the meeting is designed. Nevertheless, it's still good to know how to clean a Roomba to get the most out of it.
Even though it doesn't have the vision of the Roomba j7+ thanks to a camera, the s9+ is still an impeccable robot vacuum cleaner that cleans thanks to vLSAM navigation efficiently.
Pros:
Excellent deep cleaning performance
Ideal for carpets and rugs
Handles corners and edges very well
Cons:
The self-draining base is noisy
Buy: iRobot Roomba s9+
3. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO is a notable recommendation as it is the most affordable in the lineup to include a self-draining bin. It's cheaper than the Roomba j7+ and s9+ but doesn't compromise on cleaning performance and also features innovative mapping.
Depending on how much trash the Roomba i3+ EVO vacuums up each time, you can go months without replacing the bag inside the bin. No one ever thinks about the nasties hidden in all the debris it swallows, but the high-efficiency filter captures and traps 99% of cat and dog allergens.
Compared to iRobot's j and s series robot vacuums, the i3+ falls more into the mid-range category. We were impressed with how effectively it cleaned and reasonably avoided some obstacles as it moved around during our test.
Pros:
Incredible value for the money
It comes with a self-bailing base
Navigates through rooms with ease
Cons:
The side brush can get tangled
4. iRobot Roomba 694
There's no denying that robot vacuums don't come cheap, especially those from the industry's leading manufacturer. Of all these vacuums, iRobot's Roomba 694 is the one you should try if you're on a tighter budget. We didn't put it through our usual testing procedures, but we include it anyway and base it on user reviews.
I don't think this is an inferior model with fewer features and lower overall performance. The Roomba 694 is designed to clean homes smarter. You'll find basic features like a three-stage cleaning system, a bottom brush for carpets and a side-sweeping brush for hard floors, but it also has the intelligence to detect stairs to prevent them from falling.
Pros:
Ultra-affordable cost
Cliff sensors keep it from falling
Great for hardwood floors
Disadvantages:
Suction on carpets is not as strong
Buy: iRobot Roomba 694
5. iRobot Roomba i7+
Having pets in the home presents another set of challenges regarding cleaning. However, we were delighted with how the iRobot Roomba i7+ performed in our tests, especially when picking up pet hair. We didn't see a single tangle after the first cleaning.
This certainly helps with maintenance, as traditional bristle brushes tend to get overwhelmed with hair, often requiring the meeting to be removed and meticulously cleaned after each use. No one has time for all that, which is why we like the Roomba i7+. On top of that, it intelligently navigates rooms with ease - and dumps the contents of its trash can into the self-bailing base when it's done.
Pros:
Fewer tangles
Low maintenance
Excellent on carpets
Cons:
High price
Buy: iRobot Roomba i7+
6. iRobot Braava Jet m6
Unlike their competitors, iRobot prefers to separate their robot vacuums and mops. This allows them to specialize in what they do best. The iRobot Braava Jet m6 makes sure your hard floors are clean as a whistle.
Just be aware that it's best paired with a Roomba, as you'll want the floor to be clean and free of debris before you send the Braava Jet M6 out to do its job. Unlike other cleaning robots that use water to wet a mop, the Braava Jet m6 has a preview jet on its front to dispense the right amount of cleaning solution to get floors spotless, streak-free and dry quickly.
Pros:
Uses cleaning solution to clean floors
Navigates in a straight line for efficient cleaning
Innovative mapping for multiple floors
Cons:
Uses proprietary pads
Buy: iRobot Braava Jet m6
How we chose the best Roombas: Our testing process
For this roundup, we only tested the newest models in the iRobot line, which is why there are only six selections. Many older Roombas are still available for sale at some retailers, but they often feature older technology.
Nevertheless, we tested each Roomba for a week, scoring them several points. We note that we spent the most time with the Roomba i3+ and Roomba j7+, with over six months of use for each, due to their excellent performance and features. To determine the best Roombas, we looked at the following areas in our testing process.
Cleaning Performance: This is arguably the most critical category we tested because, ultimately, you want a robot vacuum that does what it's supposed to do. We inspected the performance of each on hard floors and carpets to determine their cleaning efficiency.
Sound: We all know vacuums are supposed to be loud, but some were designed to minimize the noise they make - so we gave higher marks to quieter models.
Navigation: To clean effectively, you need a robot vacuum cleaner that can easily navigate homes. That way, they spend more time cleaning and less time wandering.
Obstacle avoidance: A robot vacuum cleaner's ability to avoid obstacles while cleaning is complementary to navigation. We tested each model's performance when we placed large and small debris, including the dreaded charging cable, in its cleaning path. The best Roombas managed to stop and then get around these obstacles.
Software Experience: While they all use the same iRobot app, we found that each Roomba had minor differences in the software experience. Of course, we looked at the ease and intuitiveness of basic tasks and advanced features such as setting up virtual boundaries.
Garbage can Size: The best Roombas managed to clean longer because of their giant garbage cans. We rated each one based on how often their garbage cans needed to be emptied.
Battery Life: We had each Roomba clean continuously to determine how long the battery would last before returning to the charging base.
iRobot Roomba Frequently Asked Questions
What type of navigation technology does Roombas use?
Most Roombas use iRobot's patented slam technology, short for visual simultaneous localization and mapping. Sonar and laser technologies provide Roombas with a "vision" to see their surroundings and know their nearby position. With this technology, Roombas can map your home, which can then be modified to include virtual barriers and no-go areas to prevent them from entering.
Is it worth it to buy a Roomba?
Yes, there's a reason why iRobot's Roomba lineup is continually praised by reviewers and users alike. The company continues to lead the market in this area, releasing models capable of smart vacuuming without much supervision.
Do Roombas work on carpet?
Roombas can vacuum carpets, but some are better equipped to provide a deeper clean. Most of their robot vacuums use a dual brush system that resists tangles caused by long hair and pet hair. In addition, the sensors on some of them can distinguish between hard floors and carpets and often increase suction power when they detect a rug.
How much does a Roomba cost?
There is a Roomba for every budget. Those looking for an affordable model should look at the 600 series. Conversely, the J and S series Roombas are high-end offerings with the latest and greatest robot vacuum technology.
Can Roombas mop the floor?
Actually, no. Roombas can't mop the floor. Instead, iRobot has a separate line of robots strictly for washing dishes - the Brava. The line consists of the m, 200, and 300 series. These robots only mop floors, with some specializing in hardwood floors as iRobot sells a specific cleaning solution for this purpose.
What is the best alternative to Roomba?
Other brands worth looking at include Roborock, Ecovacs, Shark, Neato, Eufy, LG and Samsung. While most of these are not brands you may never have heard of, like Roborock, they all offer different models that run the gamut. It's also worth mentioning that many of the competing robot vacuums offer two-in-one functionality, as they can vacuum and mop simultaneously.
