There is a good reason the word Roomba has become synonymous with robot vacuums. Although we continue to see capable competitors arrive in the market at ever-decreasing prices, iRobot’s Roomba line remains the brand to beat.
We’ve reviewed dozens of Roomba models to find out which ones perform the best: Our current favorite is the Roomba S9+, which is almost perfect, but it’s also pricey. If you’re looking for something more affordable, we’ve included our favorite iRobot models at every price range. We’ve even included our favorite non-vacuum robots from iRobot!
iRobot Roomba S9+
The latest addition to the iRobot’s lineup, the Roomba S9+, builds on the innovations introduced in last year’s Roomba i7+. The S9+ received an Editor’s Choice Award from Digital Trends. Like the i7+, the S9 series is available with or without iRobot’s cool Clean Base charging station and self-emptying dust bin. There’s also a new, D-shaped body and an enhanced brush design that promises improved edge and corner cleaning, while suction is boosted forty times compared to the Roomba 600 series. You’ll also benefit from smart mapping, which allows you to select individual rooms for cleaning (as well as entire floors) and a unique anti-allergen system — a first for robot vacuums, according to iRobot — designed to trap dust and pollen.
iRobot Roomba 960
The Roomba 960 model hits the sweet spot between Roomba features and Roomba prices, allowing you to nab an intelligent cleaning bot at mid-tier prices (well, mid-tier for Roombas). The model includes iRobot’s three-stage suction and brush system, equipped with rubber brushes designed to clean both hard floors and low carpets. The brushes flex to make sure they are always at ground level, and the suction system is five times more powerful than older Roomba models. The filter, meanwhile, is rated to trap 99% of dust and allergens (although it’s smart to always have some replacement filters on hand if you run your Roomba frequently).
While the Roomba includes plenty of smart features to navigate, including auto-recharging for its 75-minute battery, it also comes with a virtual wall barrier that you can set up to partition specific spaces if there’s somewhere you don’t want the bot to go. Scheduling via the advanced Roomba app is excellent, but you can also choose to voice command your Roomba if you have an Echo device around the house.
iRobot Roomba i7+
2018’s Roomba i7+ won an Editor’s Choice award from Digital Trends, and remains an indulgent choice, despite the introduction of this year’s Roomba S9+. It was the first robot vacuum to introduce a self-emptying dust bin in addition to smart room mapping, a cutting-edge motor with enhanced suction, durable brushes, and an upgraded processor. Opt for the Clean Base charging station, and you’ll need to add iRobot’s replaceable dust bags to your shopping list every few months. But, the i7+ is a worthwhile investment for those who want to completely automate vacuuming.
iRobot Roomba 614
If you like the idea of Roomba scurrying around your home but don’t love the price of iRobot’s leading models, fear not — there’s a robot vacuum for you! The Roomba 614 is priced well under $300 and offers a solid suite of features. Keep an eye on the deals, and you may be able to pick it up for under $200. Of course, there are some compromises. Twin multi-surface brushes and sensor navigation help this good-value model to autonomously clean your home, but suction power is significantly reduced, meaning this bot may not be the best choice for thicker rugs or carpets. The entry-level vacuum also lacks app control and Alexa/Google Assistant integration.
iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 has been discontinued but, you may still be able to find in stock at select retailers. It’s a more advanced version of the 960, offering enhanced features. At launch, the price was significantly higher, but has dropped since our review. The extra-large battery in this model lasts for up to 120 minutes, making it well-suited for larger spaces, and the cleaning system has twice as much power compared to the 960 — ideal for cleaning up larger spills or messy pets. Otherwise, the model includes the top-line smart features you can expect from a Roomba bot, including voice detection, detailed app control, and dirt-detection technology that helps the Roomba spend more time in high-traffic areas.
iRobot Roomba e5
The Roomba e5 is a solid mid-range pick. It’s particularly good at picking up pet hair, with a combination of powerful suction and dual rubber brushes that can work equally well on carpet or hardwood floors. It’s equipped with a selection of innovative Roomba features, including automatic recharging, a full set of sensors, and compatibility with both Alexa and Google Assistant. This is all the more impressive when you consider that it’s very reasonably priced for a Roomba model. The battery lasts around 90 minutes on a hard surface. If you have pets and plenty of hardwood that you want to keep clean — and free of pet hair dust bunnies — this is a great and affordable model to use.
iRobot Braava Jet m6
The Braava 380t and entry-level Braava Jet 240 were iRobot’s first foray into autonomous floor-mopping and were positive additions, despite the need for regular fill-ups with cleaning solution and a little extra work to set up the accompanying NorthStar navigation cubes.
The Braava Jet m6 resolves some of the issues and inconveniences that held back those first-generation lines. There’s a fresh design, upgraded mapping, and navigation technology featuring individual room selection, plus improved edge and corner cleaning. The Braava Jet m6 also detects when its battery is depleted, heads back to its charger and then resumes mopping from the same point. App control and support for both Alexa and Google Assistant are also included in the update, and if you also own a Roomba i7 or S9, you can set your robot army to clean in sequence — vacuuming then mopping. While the new model supports both wet mopping and dry sweeping, you’ll still need to invest regularly in iRobot’s disposable cleaning pads for the best performance.
iRobot Terra Robot Mower
Although this guide primarily focuses on floor cleaning robots, we thought this robot mower by iRobot was worth a mention. The Terra Mower is easy to install and operate, using wireless beacons and Imprint Smart Mapping to learn your yard, and then cut your grass in an efficient back and forth pattern.
It can avoid obstacles, and you can create a boundary system without wires. This means you can tell the mower where to cut and where not to without digging up your yard to install wire or boundary line systems. The Terra Robot Mower will be for sale as a beta program in 2019 in the U.S. and Germany, but you should (hopefully) be able to purchase the robot mower in 2020.
Editors' Recommendations
- iRobot Roomba s9 Plus Review: A nearly perfect robot
- The best robot vacuums for pet hair
- Roomba update brings greater peace of mind with Keep Out Zones
- The best vacuums of 2019
- The best robot vacuums for 2019
