7 Best Roomba Vacuums for Carpet & Hardwood in 2025

Unleashing surgical precision across carpets and hardwood, the iRobot Roomba Max 705 doesn’t just clean — it dominates. With extreme power-lifting suction and anti-tangle dual rubber brushes, this robot adapts seamlessly between plush rugs and polished oak, lifting embedded pet hair and fine dust without a hitch. The ClearView Pro LiDAR navigation delivers military-grade mapping accuracy, while PrecisionVision AI actively dodges socks, cords, and even pet accidents — a game-changer for cluttered homes. If you’ve ever returned to a robot tangled in a charging cable or stuck under a chair, this model erases those frustrations with intelligent object recognition and flawless pathfinding.

In real-world testing, the Roomba Max 705 cleans carpets with deep agitation and transitions smoothly to hardwood, where its edge-sweeping brush captures dust bunnies from baseboards with obsessive consistency. It uses Dirt Detect Technology to linger on high-traffic zones, making multiple passes to eliminate ground-in debris — a must for homes with shedding pets. The AutoEmpty Dock traps particles as small as 0.7 microns, maintaining a dust-free experience for up to 75 days without manual bag changes. While it excels in open layouts, tight furniture clusters can occasionally confuse its route optimization, requiring a slight nudge back on track — though it self-recovers quickly.

Pitted against the Roomba 105, the Max 705 offers smarter AI navigation and stronger suction, making it ideal for pet owners and allergy sufferers who demand pristine floors with zero effort. Compared to the budget 694, it’s a quantum leap in autonomy and cleaning intelligence. While pricier than entry models, its combination of deep carpet penetration, hardwood-safe navigation, and hands-off maintenance justifies the investment for those seeking a truly set-and-forget powerhouse.

The ultimate two-in-one warrior for homes with mixed flooring, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 doesn’t compromise — it conquers both dust and grime with 70x more suction and dual spinning mop pads that scrub floors like a human hand. Engineered for seamless carpet-to-hardwood transitions, it auto-lifts its mopping pads when it detects rugs, ensuring carpets stay dry while hardwood gets a deep, sanitized wipe-down. The SmartScrub technology applies downward pressure for 2x deeper cleaning on sticky spills, while the AutoWash Dock scrubs, rinses, and dries the pads after every use — eliminating the stinky, stagnant mop pad problem that plagues lesser combo bots.

During daily use, the Plus 405 shines in kitchens and dining areas, where crumbs and spills meet its multi-surface rubber brush and intense suction before the mop follows with precision. Its ClearView LiDAR navigation maps homes quickly, avoiding chair legs and cords with impressive consistency. The 4-week hands-free mopping cycle (with weekly runs) means you’ll only refill the water tank and cleaning solution once a month. However, the mopping function struggles on heavily soiled floors, requiring pre-wipe prep for best results — and the large AutoWash Dock demands significant floor space, making it less ideal for compact apartments.

When stacked against the Roomba 104, the Plus 405 delivers superior mopping performance and pad care, thanks to active washing and drying. It outperforms the Combo i5+ with smarter scheduling and better app controls, though it lacks the i5+’s voice command depth. For homeowners who refuse to choose between vacuuming and mopping, this model offers the most comprehensive, low-maintenance cleaning experience — even if it commands a premium for its all-in-one excellence.

Affordable autonomy meets reliable cleaning in the Roomba Vac 2 Essential — a no-frills robot that delivers hands-free convenience without the high-tech tax. It may lack LiDAR or AI smarts, but its 2x cleaning power over basic models and AutoEmpty Dock make it a standout in the budget segment. The 3-Stage Cleaning System with bristle and edge brushes effectively tackles debris on both carpet and hardwood, while the self-emptying bag traps 60 days of dust and allergens, keeping your home clean without daily maintenance. For renters or second-home owners, this robot is a plug-and-play solution that just works — no complex setup, no learning curve.

In testing, the Vac 2 Essential covers floors systematically, navigating in neat rows using basic sensor logic. It handles low-pile rugs and tile with ease, though it sometimes misses tight corners where advanced models with edge-sweeping AI excel. The lack of smart mapping means it can’t target specific rooms or create cleaning zones — you get full-home cleans only. Battery life reaches 120 minutes, enough for most 1,000 sq. ft. homes, and it recharges and resumes if the job isn’t finished. While not built for pet hair tangles or deep carpet cleaning, it’s perfect for light debris and daily upkeep in low-traffic homes.

Compared to the Roomba 694, the Vac 2 Essential adds self-emptying at a minimal price bump, making it a smarter long-term investment. It doesn’t match the Max 705’s suction or intelligence, but for those who want set-it-and-forget-it cleaning without overspending, it’s the most practical entry point into automated vacuuming. If you value simplicity and cost-efficiency over bells and whistles, this robot earns its place.

The gateway drug to smart cleaning, the Roomba 694 is the most accessible entry into iRobot’s ecosystem — a reliable, no-nonsense robot that gets the job done on carpets and hardwood alike. Its Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head automatically raises and lowers to maintain contact across floor types, ensuring consistent suction whether gliding over hardwood or digging into low-pile rugs. With adaptive navigation and cliff sensors, it confidently explores under furniture and along edges, avoiding falls and missed spots. While it lacks self-emptying, its 90-minute runtime and auto-recharge feature mean it cleans most homes in one go, then returns to dock — a small win that adds up over time.

Real-world performance shows the 694 excels at daily maintenance cleaning, pulling up dust, crumbs, and light pet hair without fuss. It’s quieter than high-suction models, making it ideal for daytime runs while working from home. However, it struggles with thick carpets and embedded debris, and without smart mapping, it cleans in a random bounce pattern rather than methodical rows — leading to occasional patchy coverage. The lack of app-based room selection means full-home cleans only, and it can’t resume after recharging, potentially leaving areas unfinished in larger homes.

When compared to the Vac 2 Essential, the 694 is cheaper but lacks self-emptying, making it better suited for users who don’t mind weekly bin emptying. Against the Max 705, it’s a stripped-down alternative — but for first-time robot owners or secondary units, it delivers solid performance at a shockingly low price. If your needs are simple and your floors are mostly hard or low-pile, the 694 proves that effective robot vacuuming doesn’t require a premium price tag.

Engineered for homes that demand both vacuuming and mopping, the Roomba 104 delivers dual-action cleaning with intelligent carpet detection — a rare feat in its price range. Its 70x more power-lifting suction digs deep into carpets, while the microfiber mop pad with SmartScrub scrubs hardwood with 2x deeper pressure, leaving behind streak-free shine. The AutoEmpty Dock traps allergens as small as 0.7 microns for 75 days, making it ideal for allergy-prone households. What sets it apart is its ability to detect and avoid carpets during mopping, ensuring rugs stay dry — a critical feature missing in many budget combo robots that leave soaked edges and mold risks.

In practice, the 104 handles daily spills and tracked-in dirt with confidence, especially in kitchens and entryways. The ClearView LiDAR navigation ensures precise, row-by-row cleaning, and the app allows room-specific scheduling and suction control. However, the mop pad doesn’t self-wash, requiring manual rinsing after each use — a chore that diminishes the hands-free appeal. The water tank is small, limiting mopping to ~1,200 sq. ft. per fill, and it can’t deep-scrub grout or heavy stains without pre-treatment. Still, for those who want automated wet cleaning without overspending, it strikes a smart balance.

Compared to the Plus 405, the 104 lacks auto-washing pads and drying, but it’s significantly cheaper and still offers self-emptying — a rare combo. Against the Combo i5+, it provides longer self-empty duration (75 vs 60 days) and better mopping control. For mixed-floor homes needing occasional mopping, the 104 is the most cost-effective way to get both vacuum and smart mopping in one robot.

The brainiest budget combo robot, the Roomba Combo i5+ packs smart mapping and self-emptying into a surprisingly affordable package. Its Imprint Smart Map learns your home layout, letting you clean specific rooms on demand — a feature usually reserved for premium models. With 4-Stage Cleaning and dual rubber brushes, it handles carpets and hardwood with equal finesse, lifting pet hair and dust without tangling. The Dirt Detect Technology zeroes in on high-traffic zones, making extra passes to ensure thoroughness — a must for homes with kids and pets. And with the AutoEmpty Dock, it stays hands-free for up to 60 days, trapping allergens in a sealed bag.

In real use, the i5+ navigates with surgical precision, avoiding obstacles and cleaning in organized rows. The mop function uses a microfiber pad with controlled water flow, preventing over-saturation on hardwood. However, like the 104, it requires manual mop pad removal and washing, which breaks the automation chain. The 60-day self-empty limit is shorter than the 75-day models, and the water tank is modest, limiting large-area mopping. Still, its voice command support is unmatched, understanding phrases like ‘clean the kitchen’ better than any rival.

Versus the Roomba 104, the i5+ offers smarter room targeting and better voice control, but loses out on longer self-empty duration. Compared to the Plus 405, it’s less advanced in mopping tech but far more affordable and compact. For tech-savvy users who want room-by-room control without overspending, the Combo i5+ is the smartest middle ground between intelligence and value.

A precision-cleaning beast for allergy sufferers, the Roomba 105 combines 70x more power-lifting suction with hospital-grade allergen capture, making it a top-tier choice for homes with carpets and hardwood. Its 3-Stage Cleaning System — featuring a multi-surface brush and edge-sweeping bristle — pulls up dust, pollen, and pet dander with relentless efficiency. The ClearView LiDAR navigation maps your home in minutes, enabling methodical, row-by-row cleaning that leaves no corner untouched. Paired with the AutoEmpty Dock, it traps 99% of particles as small as 0.7 microns for 75 days, ensuring a consistently hypoallergenic environment — a lifesaver for asthma and allergy sufferers.

In daily operation, the 105 excels on medium-pile carpets, where its suction agitates fibers to release trapped debris. On hardwood, it glides smoothly, capturing fine dust without scattering it. The spot cleaning mode runs up to 5 minutes, ideal for post-meal kitchen cleanup. However, it lacks mopping functionality, so homes needing wet cleaning must look elsewhere. The app allows suction adjustment and room targeting, but it doesn’t offer mopping controls like combo models. Still, for pure vacuum performance with long-term hands-free operation, few rivals match its allergen-sealing reliability.

Against the Max 705, the 105 delivers similar suction and self-emptying but lacks AI obstacle avoidance, making it more prone to getting stuck. Compared to the 104, it’s a stronger vacuum but misses mopping. For those prioritizing air quality and deep carpet cleaning over wet mopping, the 105 is the most effective, low-maintenance vacuum in its class — blending medical-grade filtration with robotic simplicity.