The 4 Best iRobot Vacuums And Roombas of 2023: Reviews

1. Table of Contents
2. Intro
3. Review Updates
4. Best Vacuum
5. Best Upper Mid-Range
6. Best Mid-Range
7. Best Budget
8. Comparison
9. Lineup
10. Page Updates
11. Conclusion
12. Discussions

Updated Jul 14, 2023 at 02:23 pm

By Evan Jakab

iRobot is an American manufacturer specializing in consumer robotics, best known for being a pioneer in the design of robot vacuums. Their lineup of vacuums is popular with buyers due to their easy-to-use design, with the best Roombas also offering a dense feature set. The company also offers a range of dedicated robot mops under the ‘Braava’ name.

Updates

• 01/05/2023

  iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] updated

• 12/09/2022

  iRobot Roomba i1 reviewed

• 12/01/2022

  iRobot Roomba 675 updated

• 11/02/2022

  iRobot Roomba i8+ reviewed

• 01/24/2022

  iRobot Roomba i3 updated

Best iRobot Vacuums

1. Best iRobot Vacuum

   iRobot Roomba S9+

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   Bare Floor

   7. 7

   Low-Pile Carpet

   7.3

   High-Pile Carpet

   7.2

   Pets

   5.7

   Stairs

   5.6

   Cars

   4.4

   Workshop

   4.6

   Vacuum Type

   Robot

   Bagless

   Yes

   Cordless

   Yes

   Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)

   Yes

   Wet Compatible

   No

   See all our test results

   The best iRobot Roomba we’ve tested is the iRobot Roomba S9. This high-end robot vacuum has the most powerful suction motor in iRobot’s lineup, with a correspondingly strong performance on various surface types. Its twin rubber brushrolls are great for dealing with pet hair, and since they don’t have any bristles that can trap debris, they’re easy to clean. The S9+ variant comes bundled with a self-emptying base station, which transfers debris from its dustbin into an external dirtbag, reducing hands-on maintenance requirements. However, this is a pretty expensive upgrade. While its vSLAM system doesn’t map out a room as fast as a LIDAR sensor and struggles more with navigating low-light environments, it still does a good job of plotting out efficient cleaning routes after it’s mapped out your home. You can use its companion app to send it to specific rooms or create no-go zones the vacuum won’t enter.

   Unfortunately, battery performance isn’t especially noteworthy, especially not for a robot vacuum of this caliber. In its most powerful suction mode, it can run out of charge in about 50 minutes, which might not be enough to clean large carpeted areas in a single go. Thankfully, its recharge-and-resume functionality lets it pick up a cleaning session from where it left off after recharging.

   See our review

2. Best Upper Mid-Range iRobot Vacuum

   iRobot Roomba j7+

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   Bare Floor

   7.4

   Low-Pile Carpet

   6.7

   High-Pile Carpet

   6.6

   Pets

   5.3

   Stairs

   5.8

   Cars

   4.7

   Workshop

   4.4

   Vacuum Type

   Robot

   Bagless

   No

   Cordless

   Yes

   Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)

   Yes

   Wet Compatible

   No

   See all our test results

   If you’re shopping for a slightly less expensive model, the iRobot Roomba j7 is among the best Roomba vacuums we’ve tested. Compared to the iRobot Roomba S9, it has a less powerful suction motor, so it has a harder time lifting away heavy debris and material embedded deeply within carpet fibers. However, it does have one major advantage over the S9 in its hazard-recognition system, which uses a front-facing camera to spot, identify, and, if necessary, avoid obstacles that would fall beneath the view of its top-mounted camera. It also has a range of in-app automation features similar to the S9, like support for virtually-drawn no-go zones and the ability to direct it to a specific room in your home.

   The j7+ variant of this vacuum comes bundled with a self-emptying base station, so every time the vacuum docks, debris is transferred into an external dirtbag. If you have an iRobot Braava Jet M-Series robot mop, the Imprint Link feature allows it to start mopping automatically after the j7 has vacuumed.

   See our review

3. Best Mid-Range iRobot Vacuum

   iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

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   Bare Floor

   7. 0

   Low-Pile Carpet

   6.6

   High-Pile Carpet

   6.5

   Pets

   5.1

   Stairs

   5.7

   Cars

   4.7

   Workshop

   4.2

   Vacuum Type

   Robot

   Bagless

   No

   Cordless

   Yes

   Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)

   Yes

   Wet Compatible

   No

   See all our test results

   The iRobot Roomba i3 is worth a look if you’re shopping at a mid-range price point. It doesn’t have the iRobot Roomba j7’s real-time hazard recognition system and has a less powerful suction motor than the iRobot Roomba S9. That said, if you go for the i3+ variant of this vacuum, which comes bundled with iRobot’s Clean Base self-emptying docking station, you’ll have your hands on a self-emptying robot vacuum at a substantially more affordable price than the other two models. It also has a pretty advanced suite of automation features. You can use the iRobot HOME companion app to label different areas of your home after mapping or set up boundary lines to prevent the vacuum from getting stuck in a difficult-to-clean area. It also has a recharge and resume feature, enabling it to pick up a cleaning session from where it left off if it needs to stop a previous job to return to its dock. It’s fully compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices, enabling you to use voice commands to issue some commands.

   Similar to the j7 and iRobot Roomba S9, this vacuum has a HEPA filter that does a great job of sealing in allergens. Build quality is also impressive, with durable rubber wheels and a plastic top cover with a textured finish resembling woven fabric. Unfortunately, debris pickup performance isn’t particularly impressive, especially on carpets, where it’ll need to make several passes to collect everything.

   See our review

4. Best Budget iRobot Vacuum

   iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]

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   Bare Floor

   6.9

   Low-Pile Carpet

   5.9

   High-Pile Carpet

   5.7

   Pets

   4.0

   Stairs

   5. 6

   Cars

   4.6

   Workshop

   4.2

   Vacuum Type

   Robot

   Bagless

   Yes

   Cordless

   Yes

   Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)

   No

   Wet Compatible

   No

   See all our test results

   The iRobot Roomba 694 is the best option if you’re shopping for a budget-friendly Roomba. It’s an incredibly bare-bones robot vacuum with fewer automation features than mid-range models like the iRobot Roomba i3. There’s no room mapping capability, with the 694 instead relying on random pathing to move around its cleaning area. As such, it isn’t capable of recharging and resuming a cleaning session and doesn’t support user-generated no-go zones or individual area cleaning. That said, it’s very budget-friendly and a worthy option if your Wi-Fi coverage at home is spotty since you can control all of the vacuum’s major functions using the included remote control. The vacuum can even automatically ramp up its suction power on carpeted floors thanks to its surface sensors. It’s also worth noting that this vacuum is sold as the iRobot Roomba 692 in some markets, with the sole difference between the two being that the 694 comes with an extra post-motor filter, while the 692 bundle does not.

   While the 694 does a great job of handling debris on bare floors, it struggles on carpets. In addition, its brushroll is of an older design than the pricier iRobot’s models on this list and has an array of closely-packed bristles that struggle with collecting pet hair. Unlike the pricier models in iRobot’s lineup, it isn’t compatible with a self-emptying base station, which would reduce hands-on maintenance requirements. Air filtration performance is also terrible, with fine particles spewing out the exhaust. Thankfully, it feels rather well-built, especially given its affordable price point.

   See our review

Compared to other brands

• Superb pet hair pickup.
  Newer iRobot models come equipped with twin rubber brushrolls that are very effective when collecting pet hair and are much easier to clean than comparable rollers that use fabric bristles.
• Great build quality.
  Even budget-friendly iRobot vacuums have a premium look and feel. Panel gaps are tight enough to help prevent fine dust from escaping, with some models having an onboard HEPA filter, resulting in great filtration performance.
• Easy to use companion app.
  While features might vary depending on your model, iRobot’s HOME app is fairly snappy and intuitive. Even budget-friendly models offer support for voice commands, so you can control them using your Amazon Alexa or Google Home device.

• No models currently offer LIDAR mapping.
  iRobot vacuums don’t incorporate LIDAR mapping, and their optical sensors tend to map out rooms slower than alternatives with LIDAR sensors. They also don’t work as well in the dark.
• Few models offer both vacuuming and mopping capability.
  Currently, only the iRobot Roomba j7 Robot Vacuum and Mop features both vacuuming and mopping capability in the same machine. The brand tends to rely on its Imprint Link feature for this kind of use, which pairs their Roomba robot vacuums with their Braava robot mops to have the latter run immediately after the former has finished cleaning.
• Weak debris pickup performance on lower-end models.
  Most of iRobot’s mid-range and budget models have trouble dealing with debris embedded deep within carpet fibers and in cracks and crevices.

iRobot vs Roborock

Unlike iRobot vacuums, Roborock equips most of their product lineup with LIDAR sensors, resulting in quicker, more precise room mapping, even in the dark. Many of their models also feature onboard mopping modules, though most are passive systems that provide little surface agitation. That said, iRobots tend to feel sturdier, while their twin rubber brushroll system usually results in better pet hair pickup.

iRobot vs eufy

iRobot vacuums tend to target a higher price niche than eufy models, reflected in their superior cleaning performance, wider array of features, and sturdier build quality.

iRobot currently has a relatively small range of robot vacuums. Unlike alternatives from Roborock, iRobot robot vacuums don’t use LIDAR sensors, resulting in slower room mapping, though some newer models offer real-time hazard recognition. Another point in Roborock’s favor is that many of their models have mopping attachments, which is rare for iRobot. The best Roomba vacuums are better built than similarly-priced Roborock models and offerings from Shark or eufy.

Lineup

• Roomba S-series: Robot vacuum series with VSLAM navigation and the most potent suction motor in the company’s lineup. Models with the ‘+’ suffix come bundled with a base station.
• Roomba j-series: Robot vacuum series with VSLAM navigation and real-time hazard identification to spot and avoid obstacles in real-time. The j7+ Combo variant is the first iRobot with a swing-out mopping attachment for cleaning stains.
• Roomba i-series Robot vacuums with VSLAM navigation. Higher-numbered model designations indicate a greater array of automation features and overall cleaning performance, with some exceptions; the i4 and i8 are merely Costco-exclusive variants of the i3 and i7 models, respectively, with no major mechanical differences.
• Roomba 600-series: Entry-level random-pathing robot vacuums. Newer 690 models offer Wi-Fi connectivity.

Recent Updates

1. Jul 14, 2023:
   Minor in-text adjustments to improve clarity of information.

2. Jun 15, 2023:
   Ensured all main picks remain the best option for user needs.

3. Apr 21, 2023:
   Minor in-text adjustments to improve clarity of information for users.

4. Mar 24, 2023:
   Verified that all main picks are still available and represent the best fit for user requirements.

5. Feb 24, 2023:
   Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best option for user needs.

Conclusion

iRobot is a manufacturer specializing almost exclusively in robot vacuums and mops. The best Roombas tend to be well-built and easy to use. However, their reliance on optical sensors means they’re generally slower to map out their coverage area compared to alternatives with LIDAR.

Test results

The best Roombas in 2023

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(Image credit: Future)

iRobot produces an impressive range of robot vacuums, so much so that it’s difficult to tell which are the best Roombas. Some of the latest technology can be found in its premium offerings, including object detection, self-emptying bases and self-learning. But, you don’t have to break the bank to get the best performers. At its core, a good robot vacuum should clean effectively, independently and quickly, without making too much noise in the process. It should navigate seamlessly, and ultimately help you keep on top of your floor care. But, how can you tell which Roomba will deliver in every respect?

That’s where we can help. We tested a wide range of Roombas, from entry-level models all the way to the premium designs, to see which can tick every box. We had each Roomba collect measured amounts of Cheerios, kitty litter and pet hair from hard floors and carpet alike — in doing this, we could see how the robot coped with varying sized of debris across different surfaces. Every model was then let loose around our tester’s home, so the navigation, coverage and reach could be seen in action. We factored in the noise, value for money, and ease of use on top of this. Finally, we compiled everything to find those models that stand out from the crowd. These are the best Roombas.   

Before we get into the winners, we’ve rounded up some of the best Prime Day robot vacuum deals this year — so you can get the machine you’ve always wanted at a great price.

The best Roombas you can buy today

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Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what’s best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

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1. iRobot Roomba j7+

The best Roomba overall

Specifications

Size: 13.3 x 3.4 inches

Dust bin capacity: Up to 60 days

Weight: 7.5 pounds

Mapping: Yes

Smart home compatibility: Alexa & Google Assistant

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent obstacle avoidance 

+

Learns from cleaning data 

+

Redesigned Clean Base is less obtrusive 

Reasons to avoid

–

Clean Base is very loud 

–

Middling pet hair pickup on carpet 

iRobot’s newest offering, the Roomba j7+, is one of the best robot vacuums you can buy. It stands out for promising to avoid pet poop — a major fear for robot vacuum owners. This is thanks to its obstacle avoidance technology, which will detect an object and choose to veer around it. It essentially learns from every run, so it recognises items such as cables and socks — in time, it should grow its database to factor in larger objects too.

The J7+ comes with a handy clean base as well, which will store up to 60 days of debris. It’s a compact and attractive design for a base too — not too obtrusive. In terms of cleaning performance, the j7+ held its own on larger debris, such as cereal and kitty litter, but there were better scorers for pet hair. Having said that, with an overall cleaning score of 91.81, this is by no means a poor performer and its object detection technology is next to none. This model won’t come cheap, but it often features in the best robot vacuum deals list.    

Read our full iRobot Roomba j7+ review. 

(Image credit: Future)

2. iRobot Roomba 675

Best Roomba for those on a budget

Specifications

Size: 13 x 13 x 3. 7 inches

Dust bin capacity: 350 ml

Weight: 7.8 pounds

Mapping: No

Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Affordable at below $250

+

Easy-to-use app

+

Wi-Fi connected

Reasons to avoid

–

Charging indicator could be brighter

–

Uses older navigation technology

Just because it’s a Roomba doesn’t mean you have to take out a second mortgage on your house just to get one in your home. Behold the iRobot Roomba 675, one of the best cheap robot vacuums. Like its more premium siblings, the Roomba 675 is Wi-Fi connected and controlled via the iRobot app, meaning you’re not hunting around for a remote when it’s time to clean. You can also schedule cleanings directly from the app. While it’s not capable of mapping your pad, you can set up virtual walls to keep the bot from venturing into areas it shouldn’t.

Dressed in a mix of shiny black and matte grey, the Roomba 675 looks refined and understated. We love the sturdy carrying handle that’s built into the bot. Since the 675 doesn’t offer any mapping, you’re likely to find yourself picking it up and moving it from room to room to target specific areas.

iRobot uses two different-sized brush rolls — one with rubber flaps and one with bristles– to enhance the cleaning prowess of the Roomba 675.  However, in our Roomba 675 review, we found that while it was good for Cheerios and kitty litter, the robovac wasn’t as capable as other models at cleaning up pet hair, collecting just 74% in our tests. The company says its Auto-Adjust cleaning head will adapt to surfaces of different heights. Should one of those brush rolls go bad, iRobot sells numerous replacement parts for the Roomba 675, ensuring that you’ll be able to repair it instead of tossing it in a landfill.

Read our full Roomba 675 review. 

(Image credit: Future)

3. iRobot Roomba i7+

Best Roomba for large homes with multiple rooms

Specifications

Size: 13. 3 x 13.3 x 3.7 inches

Dust bin capacity: 500 ml

Weight: 7.4 pounds

Mapping: Yes

Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent navigation — carefully navigates around items

+

Able to clean just one room

+

Fast cleaner, needing 18 minutes on average to clean a 15’x15′ area

Reasons to avoid

–

Clean Base is very loud

–

Cheerio pickup could be stronger

The Roomba i7+ was the first robot vacuum to come with iRobot’s Clean Base, a self-emptying dustbin that’s built into the charging base. It uses small disposable vacuum bags to capture dust. After approximately 30 runs, the bag will need to be replaced. It’s a godsend for those who have allergies and aversions to handling dust.

But that’s far from the only standout feature on the Roomba i7+. This Wi-Fi-connected mapping robot is capable of cleaning specific rooms on demand while avoiding fixed obstacles like pet food bowls. In our Roomba i7+ review, this was among the first mapping robots we encountered that we could almost see thinking. It would enter a room going one direction and then clean, pause and head toward another area at a slightly different angle.

From the Roomba app, you’re able to schedule cleanings and tweak the map for your floor plan. The i7+ remembers up to 10 different floor plans, which can be edited at any time. Like the Roomba s9, the Roomba i7 plays well with the Braava jet m6 robot mop. When the vacuum is finished cleaning, the Braava jet m6 will start mopping. We are truly living in the future.

Though the Roomba i7+ isn’t the cheapest Roomba around, it has dropped in price significantly since the s9 was introduced. It scored fairly well across the board in our tests, although Cheerio pick wasn’t as strong as we would have liked at 93%. 

Read our full iRobot Roomba i7+ review. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

4. iRobot Roomba s9+

Best premium Roomba

Specifications

Size: 12. 3 x 12.3 x 3.5 inches

Dust bin capacity: 388 ml

Weight: 8.2 pounds

Mapping: Yes

Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Attractive, premium design

+

Mapping was quick and easy

+

Easy-to-use mapping controls in app

Reasons to avoid

–

Loud as it vacuums and self-empties

–

Very expensive at just shy of $1,000

Go big or go home, right? iRobot’s first D-shaped Roomba is one of the best robot vacuums we’ve tested, making it one of the best vacuum cleaners overall. The Roomba s9 aims to elevate the task of vacuuming to a human level — by vacuuming more where it’s needed and avoiding places where it’s not. The s9+ version pairs this intelligent vac with a self-emptying base designed to limit exposure to dust. Once it’s set up, the only help the Roomba s9+ needs is replacing the vacuum bag when it’s full.

Controlling this robot vacuum is done via the iRobot app, which is where you can view mapping results, demarcate specific rooms, and create no-go zones. The s9+ supports scheduled cleanings of specific rooms or whole floors. Have multiple levels? iRobot says its Imprint Smart Mapping will support up to 10 maps.

In our tests, the Roomba s9 earned a perfect score when picking up kitty litter on both hardwood and carpet. It also excelled at picking up dog hair as well as Cheerios. For this reason, it also makes the list as one of the best robot vacuums for pet hair. We found that the the D-shape of the s9 helps it clean more thoroughly along baseboards and corners.

The only downfall of the Roomba s9+ (aside from its price) is that it’s loud. In our Roomba S9+ review, we noted the vacuum itself was noisy on hardwood floors, but the self-emptying Clean Base sounded like a jet engine readying for take off.

Read our full iRobot Roomba S9+ review. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

5. iRobot Roomba i3+

Roomba’s least expensive self-emptying robot vacuum

Specifications

Cleaning Performance: 90. 1

Pet Hair Score: 75.5

Bin Size: 500 ml

Smart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Size: 13.26 x 13.26 x 3.6 inches

Weight: 7.4 pounds

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent hardwood performance, picking up over 96% debris

+

Auto-detects dirtier areas

Reasons to avoid

–

Poor pet hair pickup on carpet, at just 58%

–

Lacks smart mapping, so you can’t save and edit maps or tell it where to go

–

Very loud Clean Base

The iRobot Roomba i3+ is the company’s least-expensive robot vacuum with a self-cleaning feature. Thanks to the self-emptying base, you don’t have to dump out its contents after every run—very convenient. The Roomba i3+ excelled at most of our tests, except for picking up pet hair on carpet, which scored just 58%. Compared to the Roomba 675 which scored 99%, there’s no competition here. 

The Roomba i3+ can be controlled via an app as well as with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can create a schedule and connect it to smart home devices. Unlike the more expensive Roomba i7+ and s9+, though, the i3+ can’t be directed to map individual rooms. Overall though, we really liked its performance, and it’s nice not to have to clean it after every use.

Read our full iRobot Roomba i3+ review.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

6. iRobot Roomba 694

The best robot vacuum to cover the basics

Specifications

Size: 13.4 inches x 3.5 inches

Dust bin capacity: 350 ml

Weight: 6.8 pounds

Mapping: No

Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Solid cleaning performance

+

Timed cleaning options in app, so it returns once time is up

+

Location-based cleaning options

+

Automatic dirt detection means it increases power when necessary

Reasons to avoid

–

No mapping available — works in a linear fashion

–

Similar model still available for less

The iRobot Roomba 694 is essentially the Roomba 675 but with a few additional tricks. Unlike smarter Roombas, the 694 is a bump-style robot vacuum, in that it roams around your room randomly and turns when it hits an object. However, the Roomba 694 can be connected to an app, which lets you use features such as geofencing so that the robot will only start cleaning once you’ve left the house. It also means you can use Alexa and Google Assistant to tell the robot to start cleaning.

In our tests, we found the Roomba 694 to be a good cleaner, with a slightly better overall score than the Roomba 675. On hardwood floors, it picked up nearly 95 percent of dog hair — but only 68 percent on carpet. 

Read our full Roomba 694 review. 

iRobot Braava jet m6 (Image credit: Future)

7. iRobot Braava jet m6

Best for multi-room mopping

Specifications

Size: 10.6 x 10.6 x 3.5 inches

Weight: 4.85 pounds

Mapping: Yes

Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Able to clean specific rooms on demand

+

Wi-Fi connected and easy to control via the app

+

Works in tandem with some Roombas so you get a full vacuum and mop performance

Reasons to avoid

–

Can only be used with proprietary cleaning solution — alternative solutions should not be used

The iRobot Braava jet m6 is, in essence the Roomba s9, but for mopping. This impressive bot uses the same advanced navigation found in the Roomba s9 and Roomba i7 to clean and map your home. It’ll save a map of your home’s layout that can be customized, giving you the power to command the Braava jet m6 to clean specific rooms while avoiding no-go areas such as pet food bowls. While this is a handy feature in a vacuum, it’s nearly essential in a mop. No one wants to deal with a wet rug. 

The square shape of the Braava jet m6 means it cleans well along baseboards. We like the easy-to-fill removable water tank, too. Like some Roombas, when the mop’s battery gets low, it’ll head back to its base, recharge, and then get back to work. Perhaps the neatest feature of the Braava jet m6 is how it works in tandem with the Roomba s9 and Roomba i7. When the vacuum has finished cleaning and returned to its base, the mop goes to work. 

Like the Braava jet 240, the Braava jet m6 uses proprietary wet and dry cleaning pads that are available in reusable or disposable versions.  

The m6 is at the top of our list of the best robot mops; as we found in our Braava jet m6 review, it was the best at both mopping and sweeping, and all of its smarts made it the easiest to use, too. 

Read our full iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop review.

How we tested the best Roombas 

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

Our list of the best Roombas has been compiled through a combination of hands-on testing alongside extensive online research. Those which are tested in-house must demonstrate high levels of pick-up on everyday debris, including Cheerios, kitty litter and dog hair across both carpet and hardwood floors. We also take into account the effectiveness of the navigation as well as how much noise it makes on route. Speed is also considered as part of this test. 

On top of that, we give the overall design a once-over, checking how easy the dustbin and filter are to remove and refit, as well as factoring in the settings and features on offer. We also test the app to see how easy it is to navigate and how intuitive the Roomba is to use on the whole.

Those models which are assessed based solely on online research need to have a proven track record in performance. We check this by referring to online reviews which must be commendable as well as consistent. Specifications are also compared to find the models which have the most to offer. Battery life and dustbin capacity are considered along with special features such as obstacle recognition and self-emptying bases. 

Roomba vacuum test results

Swipe to scroll horizontally

	Overall	Pet hair	Hardwood	Carpet	Pet hair hardwood	Pet hair carpet
iRobot Roomba j7+	91. 8	82.5	94.8	88.9	92.5	72.5
iRobot Roomba 675	89.7	74.3	90.2	89.2	77	71.5
iRobot Roomba i7+	90.4	90.5	89.8	91	88	93
iRobot Roomba s9+	96.8	98	96.3	97.3	99	97
iRobot Roomba i3+	90.1	75.5	96.2	84	93	58
iRobot Roomba 694	90.1	81	95. 2	86.5	94.5	67.5

How to choose the best Roomba for you

Choosing the best Roomba for your home and lifestyle is as easy as considering what features are important to you. 

Want to be able to tell your bot exactly which rooms to clean? Consider the Roomba j7+, s9+, the Roomba i7+, or the Braava jet m6. All of them use advanced camera navigation, allowing them to create and save accurate maps of your home. From there, you can customize a map by naming specific rooms and creating no-go zones to keep the robot from pushing Fido’s food bowl across the floor.

If the last thing you want to deal with is a dustbin full of everything that was just cleaned up, the automatic, self-emptying Clean Base that’s available with the Roomba j7+, s9+ and the Roomba i7+ will be right up your alley. The base uses bags that seal shut when removed, keeping the dust and allergens at bay.

Struggle with pet poop collisions? Then the answer is easily the new iRobot Roomba j7+. With obstacle avoidance technology, this problem is a thing of the past. In fact, iRobot is so confident in the Roomba j7+’s intelligence that it’s introduced the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P), whereby iRobot will replace any j7+ that fails to avoid solid pet waste.  

Want to control your Roomba or Braava from your phone? You’re in luck. All of these models, from the Roomba 675 up to the Roomba s9+ can be controlled via the iRobot app. Every model (except the Braava jet 240) is Wi-Fi connected, meaning you’ll be able to start or schedule a cleaning when you’re not home. Afterall, there’s nothing better than coming home to a clean house. The one exception is the Braava jet 240. This mopping bot connects to the iRobot app via Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi. The removable battery and nature of this mop make it an unlikely candidate for a completely unsupervised cleaning session.

Features to look out for

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

• Self-emptying
  This is available on some of the more premium models, such as the iRobot Roomba s9+ mentioned above. When the dustbin is full, the Roomba will return to its charging base to empty itself into a larger bin. This means you don’t have to empty it so often, and it’s ideal if you suffer from allergies as dust isn’t released into the air as frequently. 
• Wi-Fi connectivity
  Most Roomba vacuums come with Wi-Fi connectivity. With this, you can connect your vacuum to your smartphone, which allows you to better monitor and control it. 
• Hybrid models
  Hybrid models are available which can mop as well as vacuum. In our experience, these generally aren’t as good as dedicated models though.   
• Mapping
  As the name suggests, with mapping your Roomba can map-out your home. It does this using sensors prior to calculating the best cleaning route. It can record obstacles, such as the stairs, and this opens up the no-go zones and targeted room features for some models.
• No-go zones
  With no-go zones, you can mark rooms or areas where you don’t want your Roomba to go. It’s great if you want to avoid pet bowls or an expensive rug, for instance.   
• Targeted rooms
  Using this, you can set where you want the Roomba to focus on cleaning — ideal if there’s an unexpected mess. 
• Multiple floors
  If you have lots of floors, look for a Roomba which can support multiple maps. That way, you’re not restricted to just one floor.
• Scheduling
  You will find this feature on pretty much every robot vacuum with Wi-Fi connectivity. Once it’s connected to your phone, you can set up cleaning schedules to best suit your routine. 
• Dust capacity
  Smaller dustbins naturally need emptying more often — unless you’re lucky enough to own a self-emptying model. 400ml is a good size of capacity for guidance.   

How to clean your Roomba

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

To make your Roomba last longer, you need to clean it regularly. Yes, you read that right — you need to clean your vacuum cleaner! The dust bins are smaller than you would expect, with capacities as small as 400ml, so you need to check this between runs and empty it when necessary (unless you own a self-emptying model). It’s essential that you do this if you want your Roomba to continue effectively vacuuming. 

Another important component to check is the brush bar; have any hairs become entangled around it? If so, cut these free with a knife, or scissors, but don’t pull on them to break them free as this can damage the robot vacuum. You also need to clean and occasionally replace the filters. Refer to your manual for guidance on when to replace and where to buy.

If you don’t keep on top of your Roomba’s maintenance, it will take its toll on the performance. For instance, if you leave the bin full, your Roomba won’t pick up any more debris, it will simply drag it around the floors. 

If you own a Braava mop model, remember that the floor pads will need cleaning between runs as well. Wash according to the care label using the highest temperature it allows and biological detergent for a thorough clean.   

How much should you spend on a Roomba?  

Roombas start from as little as $200 and range up to over $1,000, so there’s quite a difference depending on the features you get. As you can see from our list, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank to get a top performer, however some of the more premium additions can come in use. For instance, you need to spend upwards of $470 to get a model with a self-emptying base. These are ideal if you want a lower-maintenance Roomba, or if you suffer from allergies. 

You can also pay more for mopping capabilities, either built into the robot vacuum or as a set with two devices. In our experience, the performance is stronger from independent models, but there are exceptions. If you’re willing to spend top dollar, you can get the latest technology, such as object recognition (the j7+ offers this). With this, your Roomba will actually learn from its encounters and can report obstacles. 

With all of the above on the table, you can see why it’s so easy to end up overspending. That’s why you should always have a predetermined budget before you start browsing as well as an idea of what features you need, rather than want. After all, it’s pointless spending hundreds of dollars on technology you’re never going to use. Once you have that, you can start looking at your options without fear for overspending.  

More from Tom’s Guide

• Best robot vacuums
• Best robot vacuums for pet hair
• Best cheap robot vacuums

Round up of today’s best deals

iRobot Roomba 675

$309.99

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iRobot Roomba i7 Plus

$1,099.99

$698.99

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iRobot Roomba S9+

$1,299.99

$889.97

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iRobot Roomba 694

$274.99

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iRobot Braava Jet M6

$499.99

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Katie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She also covers smart home products too, so is the best point of contact for any household advice! She has tested and reviewed appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to test has to be air purifiers, as the information provided and the difference between performances is extensive. 

20% of Russians give the robot vacuum cleaner a meme name

July 19, 2023

Interesting facts about floor cleaning assistants revealed. However, as a new survey shows, robot vacuums perform many other implicit tasks in the home.

HONOR Choice R2+

Analysts from M.Video-Eldorado conducted a survey* among owners of robot vacuum cleaners and found out what role household appliances play in families and what functions Russians dream of in new generations of devices.

It turned out that for 70% of Russians, a robot vacuum cleaner is the main device for cleaning the floor. A conventional vacuum cleaner with a dust collector or container is used by only 20% of respondents, a cordless upright vacuum cleaner by half. Brooms, brushes and other similar equipment, according to the respondents, are a thing of the past.

Robotic vacuum cleaners are one of the fastest growing and developing segments in home appliances. Such compact “assistants” save time and effort, automate the process of maintaining the frequency in a house or apartment, effectively cope with both dry and already wet cleaning, maneuverable and easy to operate. Mikhail Prosvirnin

Head of the Home and Self Care Department at M.Video-Eldorado Group

Photo: M.Video-Eldorado press service

Robot vacuum cleaner as a trend: what people pay attention to Russians

Robot vacuum cleaners are becoming more and more popular every year: 57% of respondents purchased their device in the last year and a half, another quarter in 2021. 75% of Russians themselves took care of buying a gadget, and 23% received a device as a gift either from friends or from their partner.

“This year, robot vacuum cleaners account for one in five vacuum cleaners sold in our chains. Most often, such devices are purchased by residents of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg and Kazan. The most active age group were consumers aged 35-44. Online “robots” are most often purchased by customers aged 25 to 34 years. According to our estimates, in general, in the Russian market in January-June 2023, the piece sales of robotic vacuum cleaners in Russia amounted to more than 800 thousand pieces, which, for example, exceeds the figures for the same period in 2019more than 7 times a year,” Mikhail Prosvirnin also noted.

“The growing availability of the category and the active development of the assortment also contribute to the positive trend. This year, sales of a number of new products from Chinese manufacturers have successfully started, including “ecosystem” ones that are well known to the Russian audience in other product groups. For example, the new HONOR Choice R2+ with a wet cleaning function and a self-cleaning station are positively received by customers and already occupy a significant share in our networks,” the expert added.

HONOR Choice R2+

Respondents cited suction power (51%) and wet cleaning (43%) as determining factors when choosing a robot vacuum cleaner. Quite significant characteristics are also the noise level (28%), the dimensions of the device (26%) and the battery capacity (25%). But the ability to set a schedule for cleaning and view various information about the sessions held seem to be the least priority functions for respondents when using the device.

Which area receives the least attention

For the vast majority of Russians (90%), a robot vacuum cleaner solves the problem of daily maintenance cleaning of floors. The leader in terms of the frequency of order is the kitchen – it was noted by 68% of respondents. The floors in the kitchen are cleaned twice as often as in the nursery (29%), including those who have two or more children.

Secondly, family respondents are in a hurry to clean the living room, while childless – the bedroom. The least attention is paid to storage spaces. If we talk about full-fledged cleaning of an apartment or house, then more than a third of families with children have cleaning as a daily ritual, the remaining 70% are cleaned 2-3 times a week or less often. Respondents without a couple, on average, twice as often as families, can afford to clean only once every two weeks.

The map of the room built by HONOR Choice R2+ is displayed in the application, where the user can edit it, as well as adjust the path of the vacuum cleaner along it

Cleaning is time, and it’s an hour for fun: what Russians spend their free time on

59% of respondents – for the ability to easily and quickly get rid of animal hair. Most pets also appreciate the gadget: every tenth respondent has a pet using the device as an attraction.

Approximately 40% of owners of robot vacuum cleaners admitted that they spend their free time either on other household chores – cooking, tidying up other surfaces and washing, or on leisure with the family. More than a third of respondents (35%) note the opportunity to finally relax and watch a series, surf the Internet (23%) or do their favorite hobby (21%).

By the way, according to 6% of the respondents, the robot vacuum cleaner allows not only to significantly save time, but also to find missing things – for example, socks long forgotten under the bed.

Russians, in turn, take good care of their electronic assistants: 42% clean the filters after each session and just over a third of the respondents (34%) once a week.

Cleaning: a source of conflicts or free psychotherapy

According to the survey data, in almost every second family in Russia household chores are distributed in one way or another between spouses. But in more than a third of marriages (37%), women do the cleaning. Men are responsible for order in the house in less than 5% of cases. Some single respondents (10%) noted that their parents still clean their apartment.

HONOR Choice R2+

More than half of study participants (52%) view cleaning as therapy, with 8% admitting that clearing a space is better for their mental health than a session with a psychologist.

However, despite this beneficial effect, one in seven families or couples periodically quarrel over cleaning. Most scandals occur among buzzers – in this age group, conflicts on the basis of maintaining cleanliness in the house occur in every fifth respondent. But the situation is not hopeless, because 72% of respondents are sure that the presence of a robot vacuum cleaner helps smooth out conflict situations. And 5% of Russians admitted that the device saves them from feelings of loneliness.

Half of the respondents perceive a robot as a companion. Most often, owners under 25 give nicknames to their electronic home assistants. One in three chose a funny or meme-like name for the device, and a quarter of respondents named it after the hero of a movie or book.

There is no limit to perfection: what Russians dream of

The study showed that representatives of all generations want to see built-in humidification and disinfection functions most of all in future vacuum cleaners. Moreover, as the age of the respondents increases, this desire only intensifies and reaches a peak among respondents aged 45–55 (48%).

Survey for HiTech Mail.ru users “Do you use a dark theme?”

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Russians with three or more children are most looking forward to a gadget that will collect scattered things in parallel with cleaning. And young people aged 18–25 are worried about their loved ones and would like to see a “panic button” in the new generations of robotic vacuum cleaners to send a notification to a smartphone if an elderly person has fallen in the apartment.

*As part of the M.Video-Eldorado study, 1937 respondents, owners of robotic vacuum cleaners, aged 18 to 55 years old from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar were interviewed online.

HONOR Choice Robot Cleaner R2 Plus ROB-01

Rating 9 out of 10

18 reviews

cleaning type: dry, wet, dust container volume: 0.35L, battery life: 120 min, Smart home ecosystem: U many home of Yandex, control from a smartphone, type of sensors: infrared, installation on the charger: automatic, width: 31.50 cm, height: 9.40 cm, depth: 31.50 cm

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The survey showed that almost half of the owners of robotic vacuum cleaners use them every day

M. Video-Eldorado conducted a survey among Russian owners of robotic vacuum cleaners to find out how they use such devices and what they lack. Among other things, it turned out that 48% of owners of robotic vacuum cleaners use them every day.

70% of the respondents answered that the robot vacuum cleaner is the main device for cleaning the floor. A regular vacuum cleaner with a dust collector or a container is used as the main cleaning device by only one in five respondents, while a cordless upright vacuum cleaner is used by half as much. Brooms, brushes and other similar equipment were called by the survey participants a relic of the past.

Mikhail Prosvirnin, Head of the Home and Self-Care Department in the M.Video-Eldorado Group, said: “Robot vacuum cleaners are one of the most actively growing and developing segments in household appliances. Such compact “assistants” save time and effort, automate the process of maintaining the frequency in a house or apartment, effectively cope with both dry and wet cleaning, are maneuverable and easy to use. The range of robot vacuum cleaners is regularly expanded to suit different tasks and budgets, technical capabilities and cleaning quality are improving, which contributes to the mass distribution of the category.”

57% of respondents purchased their device in the last year and a half, another quarter in 2021. 75% of respondents took care of buying a gadget themselves, and 23% received a device as a gift either from friends or from their partner.

“The growing availability of the category and the active development of the assortment also contribute to the positive trend. This year, sales of a number of novelties from Chinese manufacturers have successfully started, including “ecosystem” ones that are well known to the Russian audience in other product groups. For example, they are positively received by customers and already occupy a significant share in our networks of the new Honor Choice R2 + with a wet cleaning function and a self-cleaning station,” Mikhail Prosvirnin also noted.

Respondents cited suction power (51% of participants) and wet cleaning function (43%) as determining factors when choosing a robot vacuum cleaner. Noise level (28%), dimensions of the device (26%) and battery capacity (25%) also turned out to be quite significant characteristics. But the ability to set a schedule for cleaning and view various information about the sessions held seem to be the least priority functions when using the device.

At the same time, for the absolute majority (90%) robot vacuum solves the problem of maintenance cleaning of floors. The kitchen turned out to be the leader in terms of the frequency of order — it was noted by 68% of respondents. The floors in the kitchen are cleaned twice as often as in the nursery (29%), including those who have two or more children. In the second turn, the respondents-parents are in a hurry to clean the living room, while the childless – the bedroom. The least attention is paid to storage spaces. If we talk about full-fledged cleaning of an apartment or house, then more than a third of families with children have cleaning as a daily ritual, the remaining 70% are cleaned 2-3 times a week or less often.