5 Best Cheap Roomba Vacuums to Buy in 2025

Effortless cleaning just got smarter—the iRobot Roomba Vac 2 Essential Robot with AutoEmpty Dock steps up as a true game-changer for hands-off home maintenance. What sets it apart isn’t just its 3-stage cleaning system with four suction levels, but the self-emptying dock that holds up to 60 days of debris—perfect for busy households or anyone who hates touching dustbins. Its compact design glides under furniture with ease, while advanced floor-tracking sensors ensure no corner is missed, solving the all-too-common frustration of missed spots and manual intervention.

In real-world use, this robot delivers consistent performance across both hard floors and low-pile carpets, running for up to 120 minutes on a single charge before automatically returning to recharge and resuming the job. The smart navigation maps spaces efficiently, cleaning in neat, methodical rows rather than erratic patterns—though it can struggle slightly in cluttered rooms where obstacles confuse its pathing. With the iRobot Home App, you can schedule cleans, monitor maps, and activate spot cleaning for high-traffic zones, making it ideal for pet owners or families with daily messes.

Compared to the budget-friendly Roomba Vac Essential (B0CVM8TXHP), the Vac 2 justifies its position as the best overall pick with the AutoEmpty advantage—eliminating weekly bin emptying. While it lacks mopping capabilities like the 105 Combo, its focus on superior vacuuming autonomy makes it a stronger choice for those prioritizing long-term convenience over multi-functionality. It strikes a rare balance: smart, powerful, and truly self-sustaining, offering more value than basic models without the complexity of premium combos.

Simple, smart, and surprisingly capable—the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential (Q0120) is a breath of fresh air for budget-conscious buyers who still want authentic iRobot reliability. Don’t let its affordability fool you: it packs a 3-stage cleaning system with three suction levels and an Edge-Sweeping Brush that tackles baseboards and corners with impressive precision. Designed for effortless daily upkeep, it solves the biggest pain point of manual vacuuming—consistency—by offering automated, app-scheduled cleaning that actually works.

During testing, the robot handled mixed flooring with confidence, transitioning smoothly from tile to rugs while maintaining strong suction. Its smart navigation follows organized, back-and-forth rows instead of random bouncing, covering 80–100 sq. ft. per charge depending on floor type—though it can miss tight corners behind furniture due to limited side brush reach. At just under $175, it runs for 120 minutes on a full battery, automatically returning to its dock when depleted, and works seamlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, making it perfect for tech-light homes.

When stacked against the Roomba E5 Renewed model, this unit trades raw power for simplicity and modern app integration—making it a better fit for light-to-moderate cleaning needs. While it doesn’t have the E5’s 5x suction boost or pet-hair-focused rubber brushes, it offers a cleaner design, newer firmware, and smoother setup. For those seeking the most capable entry-level Roomba without breaking the bank, this model delivers unmatched ease of use and dependable performance—beating out generic brands that mimic features but lack iRobot’s proven navigation logic.

Two chores, one robot—the iRobot Roomba 105 Combo redefines efficiency with its dual vacuum-and-mop functionality, making it the top choice for homes that want sparkling hard floors without manual wiping. What truly impresses is its 70x more power-lifting suction compared to older Roomba models, paired with a micro-pump mopping system that evenly dispenses water and enables SmartScrub mode for 2x deeper cleaning. It solves the universal headache of sticky spills and dusty tiles by combining deep vacuuming with consistent mopping in a single pass.

Real-world testing shows it excels in open kitchens and hallways with sealed hardwood or tile, where it vacuums crumbs and then glides over the same area with a damp microfiber pad for a streak-free finish. Its LiDAR navigation is a standout—mapping rooms quickly and avoiding obstacles like chair legs and cords with near-laser precision, even in low light. Most impressively, it automatically avoids carpets when mopping, so rugs stay dry without any user input. However, the water tank is small, requiring refills for spaces over 800 sq. ft., and mopping performance lags behind dedicated units on heavily soiled floors.

Against the Y0140 Combo model, the 105 Combo offers smarter navigation and carpet detection at a lower price, making it a sharper choice for homes with area rugs. While both have similar mopping tech, the 105’s LiDAR mapping gives it a clear edge in route efficiency and room recognition. It’s ideal for urban apartments, minimalist homes, or tech-savvy users who want automation with intelligence. With best-in-class navigation and true combo functionality, it outperforms cheaper bots that vacuum well but mop poorly.

All-in-one cleaning made simple—the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential (Y0140) delivers a complete clean in one go, merging vacuuming and mopping into a seamless routine for hard-surface dominance. Its 4-stage cleaning system includes edge-sweeping brushes and a micro-pump mopping pad that maintains consistent moisture, tackling dust, footprints, and light spills without needing a second pass. With three suction and water-level settings, it adapts to different floor conditions, addressing a key flaw in cheaper combo bots that flood or under-clean.

In daily use, it performs reliably on tile, laminate, and vinyl, vacuuming first and mopping immediately after in combo mode. The low-profile body slips under sofas and beds, capturing hidden dust bunnies, while the app allows scheduling, spot cleaning, and filter life tracking. However, it relies on basic sensor-based navigation instead of LiDAR, leading to less efficient coverage and occasional missed spots in complex layouts. On thick rugs, the mop pad drags slightly, and since it doesn’t detect carpets, manual zone control is required to prevent wetting fabric floors.

Compared to the 105 Combo, the Y0140 sacrifices smart mapping and automatic carpet avoidance for a more accessible price and reusable mop pad. Yet it wins on customization and value, offering more control over cleaning intensity. It’s best suited for smaller homes with mostly hard floors where users don’t mind setting virtual boundaries. While not as advanced as premium models, it delivers better mopping consistency than vac-only budget bots, making it the best value combo for those upgrading from manual cleaning.

Pet parents, meet your new best friend—the renewed iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) is a beast on fur and debris, engineered to dominate homes with shedding dogs and cats. Its 5x power-lifting suction and dual rubberized brushes don’t just pick up pet hair—they resist tangles, a common failure point in lesser vacuums. Backed by a high-efficiency filter that traps 99% of allergens, it directly tackles the invisible mess pets leave behind, making it a must-have for allergy sufferers.

In real-world runs, the E5 powers through high-traffic areas and under furniture, where pet hair accumulates, thanks to its Dirt Detect sensors that intensify cleaning in grimy zones. The adaptive navigation handles multi-room layouts well, using sensors to glide under tables and along walls, though it can bump into obstacles more frequently than LiDAR-equipped models. With 120 minutes of runtime and auto-recharge, it covers large apartments or single-floor homes effectively, especially when paired with Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free starts.

Stacked against the Roomba Vac Essential (Q0120), the E5 delivers superior suction and pet-specific engineering at an even lower price—especially in renewed form. While it lacks app-based mapping, it compensates with Dirt Detect and rubber brushes that outperform bristle-based systems on fur. It’s the clear winner for pet owners who need raw cleaning power over smart features. For less than most new entry-level models, this renewed workhorse offers premium performance, making it the smartest buy for messy, fur-filled homes.