The best Roomba robovacs of 2019

There is a good reason that the word Roomba has become synonymous with robot vacuum models. While other competitors continue to appear, iRobot’s Roomba line continues to have some of the best robovacs around, hands down. However, Roombas are also some of the most expensive models on the market, which means you want to make the right choice the first time you buy!

We’ve reviewed dozens of Roomba models to find out which ones perform the best: Our favorite model is the Roomba 960, a great combination of affordability and Roomba features. However, we have models at all different price ranges and types for you to check out.

Note: Most Roomba models come with a couple of different kits options to choose from if you want to add additional filters or brushes to your package.

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 floor 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 percent 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 690

You can find the Roomba 690 for under $300, which is great news for those who want a Roomba bot, but not at their highest prices. To cut the cost down, this bot makes a few compromises while still being an extremely solid model with many great Roomba features. Direct detection and multi-surface brushes still make an appearance, although suction power is significantly reduced, so this bot may not be the best choice for thicker rugs or carpets. However, the smart features and app features are fully enabled, including voice control tech via Alexa and Google Assitant, so you aren’t missing anything on the technology front.

iRobot Roomba e5

The Roomba e5 is particularly good at picking up pet hair, with a combination of powerful suction and rubber brushes that can handle carpet or hardwood easily. It also comes with some of the latest Roomba technology, including automatic recharging, a full set of sensors, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assitant. 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 Roomba 761

Maybe you aren’t looking forward to programming complex schedules for your Roomba or reading map reports of its job — instead, you just want a simple robovac to roam around and help keep the floor clean. The 761 is a model for you: It contains many of the features that make Roombas great, at an affordable price, and with a handy little “Clean” button on the top that you can press to make the Roomba go, no app adjustments required. The Roomba itself still has its cleaning system, navigation sensors, dirt detection, and other intelligent cleaning features, but you don’t have to mess around with any complicated programming if you don’t want to.

iRobot Braava 380t

If you have a lot of tile and hardwood floors, a vacuum bot may not interest you as much. That’s why Roomba also offers the excellent Braava robot mop. It can do dry sweeping whenever needed, but you can also switch it over to mop mode and fill the model’s reservoir with water (or a mild cleaning solution). The Braava can then mop up to 380 square feet in a single charge cycle, ideal for the kitchen, dining room, or similar spaces. However, this model does require setting up a NorthStart navigation cube for the Braava to get a sense of the room, which can take a little more work than a Roomba.

For a close alternative, check out the Braava Jet 240.