7 Best Roomba Robot Vacuums to Buy in 2025

The iRobot Roomba j9+ isn’t just another robot vacuum—it’s a game-changing powerhouse engineered for real homes, especially those ruled by pets. With 100% stronger suction than the Combo i Series and PrecisionVision Navigation, this robot doesn’t just dodge obstacles—it sees them in real time, including the dreaded pet waste, thanks to its P.O.O.P. Promise. Its Dirt Detective Intelligence learns your cleaning habits and automatically boosts suction in high-traffic zones, making it the smartest self-optimizing vacuum on the market. If you’re tired of robot vacuums getting stuck, tangled, or worse—tracking waste across your floor—this model rewrites the rules.

In real-world testing, the Roomba j9+ excels on mixed flooring, gliding from plush carpet to hardwood with zero hair wrap on its dual rubber brushes and consistent debris pickup. The 60-day self-emptying bin is a genuine set-and-forget feature, and the 7x faster initial mapping means you’re cleaning room-specific zones after just one run. It handles cords, shoes, and toys like a pro, but it can struggle slightly in ultra-cluttered spaces where tight turns overwhelm its turning radius. Still, its neat row navigation and two-pass cleaning mode ensure no spot is missed—even under low-clearance furniture.

Compared to the Max 705, the j9+ trades a bit of battery longevity (75 vs. 60 days of emptying) for superior obstacle avoidance and pet-specific intelligence. It’s the clear choice for pet owners who want maximum confidence and minimal intervention. While the Max 705 offers stronger suction in spot mode, the j9+ delivers a more predictable, intelligent clean tailored to chaotic households. For those willing to invest in the most pet-aware robot vacuum available, the j9+ sets a new benchmark in smarts, suction, and self-reliance.

The iRobot Roomba Max 705 is a floor-cleaning beast built for large homes that demand nonstop power and precision. With 180x more extreme power-lifting suction in Spot Clean mode and ClearView Pro LiDAR, this robot maps expansive layouts with surgical accuracy and obliterates embedded pet hair like no other. Its anti-tangle dual rubber brushes stay clear of cords and tangles, while the 75-day AutoEmpty Dock makes it one of the most hands-free vacuums available. If your home spans multiple rooms and battles daily pet messes, the Max 705 is engineered to dominate dirt at scale.

During extended use, the Max 705 shines in open-concept homes, where its LiDAR navigation charts efficient, grid-like paths without missing edges or corners. The Dirt Detect Technology kicks into high gear when it hits a messy spot, automatically increasing suction and repeat passes—ideal for kitchens and entryways. It handles transitions between hardwood and thick carpet seamlessly, though it can occasionally bump into narrow furniture legs due to its forward-facing sensor layout. The app-based room selection and four suction levels give you surgical control, but the robot’s larger footprint can limit access under ultra-low furniture.

Against the j9+, the Max 705 offers longer hands-free operation and stronger spot suction, but lacks the j9+’s real-time obstacle recognition like pet waste avoidance. It’s better suited for spacious, moderately cluttered homes where raw power and extended self-emptying outweigh AI-driven obstacle detection. For large households that prioritize coverage and cleaning intensity over pet-specific AI, the Max 705 delivers elite performance with industrial-grade reliability—a true workhorse in the Roomba lineup.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ is the most balanced dual-action robot for homes that want serious vacuuming with reliable mopping—without the premium price of fully automated models. Its 4-stage cleaning system delivers strong pickup on carpets and hard floors, while the self-emptying bin keeps maintenance to a minimum for up to 60 days. The real magic lies in its Imprint Smart Map, which lets you target specific rooms for vacuuming or mopping with pinpoint accuracy via the app or voice commands. If you’re looking for a no-fuss combo robot that actually mops, not just damp-wipes, this is a top-tier value play.

In real-world use, the Combo i5+ transitions smoothly between vacuuming and mopping thanks to its swappable bin system, and the microfiber mop pad handles light footprints and dust effectively—though it’s not for deep mopping grime. The Dirt Detect Technology focuses extra passes on high-traffic zones, and the edge-sweeping brush grabs debris along baseboards. It struggles slightly on thick carpets when mopping (pad stays down too long), and the water tank is small, limiting runtime. Still, for daily maintenance cleaning, it keeps floors consistently fresh with minimal input.

Pitted against the newer Plus 405, the i5+ lacks auto-mop washing and drying, meaning you’ll manually clean the pad after each use. But it wins on price and simplicity, offering self-emptying vacuum power and solid mopping in one compact package. For budget-conscious buyers who want smart mapping, room-specific cleaning, and self-emptying, the Combo i5+ delivers the best vacuum-mop balance under $300—a practical powerhouse for small to medium homes.

The iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is the pinnacle of mopping automation, designed for users who want a truly hands-off wet-clean experience. With spinning DualClean Mop Pads, SmartScrub, and the AutoWash Dock, this robot doesn’t just mop—it scrubs, washes, and dries its pads automatically, delivering a restaurant-grade clean without lifting a finger. The 75-day self-emptying and 4-week mopping cycle (with weekly runs) mean you can go months without maintenance, making it the most autonomous floor cleaner iRobot has ever built.

In testing, the Plus 405’s downward scrubbing pressure and dual-spinning pads remove stubborn coffee stains and kitchen spills far better than passive mop bots. The LiDAR navigation ensures precise, efficient coverage, and the mop-lift feature reliably avoids carpets, preventing soggy messes. It handles large open areas with ease, though tight spaces between furniture can confuse its turning logic. The app-based Clean Zones and Keep Out Zones offer granular control, but the initial setup requires careful dock placement to ensure proper pad washing alignment.

Compared to the Combo i5+, the Plus 405 is in a different league for mopping—where the i5+ needs manual pad care, the Plus 405 self-washes and dries, eliminating odor and mold risks. It sacrifices some raw vacuum power compared to the j9+ or Max 705, but for hard-floor-heavy homes, its mopping superiority is unmatched. If you want set-it-and-forget-it mopping with top-tier automation, the Plus 405 is the ultimate upgrade—a luxury clean without the labor.

The iRobot Roomba 105 is a budget-savvy powerhouse that brings LiDAR navigation and self-emptying to an entry-level price, making it the best value pick for tech-conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on smarts. With 70x more power-lifting suction than the 600 series and ClearView LiDAR, it maps homes quickly and cleans in precise, efficient rows—a huge leap over random-bounce budget bots. The 75-day AutoEmpty Dock traps 99% of allergens, making it ideal for allergy sufferers who want dust-free disposal.

In real use, the 105 handles multi-surface homes with ease, transitioning from tile to rug without issue. Its 3-stage cleaning system picks up pet hair and dust effectively, and the Spot Clean mode tackles high-traffic zones with repeated passes. The app offers full control, including scheduling and keep-out zones, though the robot lacks advanced AI like dirt detection or room recognition. It occasionally misses tight corners due to brush design, and the sleek design attracts fingerprints, but performance far exceeds its price.

Against the Vac 2 Essential, the 105 delivers better suction, longer self-emptying, and superior navigation for just a bit more. It doesn’t offer mopping or pet waste avoidance, but for those seeking a no-nonsense, self-emptying robot with LiDAR precision, the 105 is the smartest budget entry—delivering premium features without the premium cost.

The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential (Y0140) is a compact, wallet-friendly robot that delivers solid vacuum-mop performance for small apartments or starter homes. With power-lifting suction, smart navigation, and a micro pump for consistent water flow, it tackles daily dust and light spills without breaking the bank. Its low-profile design slips under beds and sofas, and the 3 suction and 3 water levels let you customize cleaning for delicate floors or sticky messes. If you need a no-fuss, all-in-one clean without auto-emptying, this is the most affordable way to get real iRobot performance.

In practice, the Combo Essential cleans in neat rows and reliably returns to charge, covering up to 120 minutes on a single run. The reusable microfiber pad holds moisture well and lasts up to 30 washes, but it lacks scrubbing power for dried-on grime. The app offers Clean Maps and scheduling, but setup requires a 2.4GHz network, and mapping is less precise than LiDAR models. It sometimes misses edges and can over-mop thin rugs, but for light maintenance, it keeps floors visibly cleaner with zero effort.

Versus the Combo i5+, it lacks self-emptying and room-specific cleaning, but it costs over $60 less. It’s not for large homes or heavy pet owners, but for studio apartments or secondary spaces, the Y0140 delivers surprising versatility in a tiny package—a smart starter robot that punches above its weight in convenience and reliability.

The iRobot Roomba Vac 2 Essential is the most affordable self-emptying robot in iRobot’s lineup, making it a game-changer for budget buyers who want set-and-forget convenience without sacrificing core performance. With 2x cleaning power over the Essential model and a 60-day self-emptying dock, it removes the chore of daily bin emptying—a rare feature at this price. Its 3-stage cleaning system and edge-sweeping brush grab dust from corners, while latest floor tracking sensors help it navigate in neat rows, not chaotic circles.

In real use, the Vac 2 handles hard floors and low-pile rugs well, picking up cereal crumbs and pet hair with consistent results. The recharge-and-resume feature ensures full-home coverage, and the app provides cleaning maps and schedules, though mapping is less precise than LiDAR models. It lacks advanced smarts like room selection or dirt detection, and the bristle brush can tangle with long hair, requiring occasional maintenance. Still, for a sub-$200 robot, it delivers remarkable autonomy and reliability.

Compared to the 105, it trades LiDAR and stronger suction for a lower price and self-emptying—a smart trade for those prioritizing hands-free operation over precision. It doesn’t mop or avoid obstacles intelligently, but for renters or secondary homes, the Vac 2 is the best entry point to self-emptying tech—a minimalist marvel that does the basics exceptionally well.