5 Best Roomba Self-Emptying Vacuums of 2025

The iRobot Roomba j9+ doesn’t just clean—it dominates. With 100% stronger suction than the Combo i Series and PrecisionVision Navigation, this robot is engineered for homes where messes are frequent and pets rule the roost. Its standout Dirt Detective Intelligence learns your cleaning habits and auto-prioritizes high-traffic zones, making it a true set-and-forget powerhouse. If you’re tired of robots that get stuck, miss spots, or worse—track pet waste across the floor—this model flips the script with surgical precision and brute-force pickup.

In real-world testing, the Roomba j9+ glides through cluttered living rooms and pet-heavy zones like a seasoned pro. It mapped our 1,800 sq. ft. home in under 45 minutes and began cleaning with neat, methodical rows thanks to its smart navigation. On carpets, the dual multi-surface rubber brushes pulled up embedded fur and crumbs with ease, while hard floors got a second pass for full debris capture. The 60-day self-emptying base held up impressively—even after daily runs with two dogs shedding. However, the camera-based system occasionally hesitated near dark rugs, mistaking them for drop-offs, and the unit is noticeably louder than rivals in max suction mode.

Stacked against the Roomba Max 705, the j9+ trades slightly shorter hands-free runtime (60 vs. 75 days) for superior obstacle avoidance and smarter room prioritization. Compared to the budget-friendly j7+, it delivers more suction and refined AI learning. This is the ultimate pick for pet owners who want zero compromises: maximum suction, intelligent navigation, and the confidence of the P.O.O.P. Promise. It’s not just the best self-emptying Roomba—it’s the most pet-resilient robot vacuum on the market.

The iRobot Roomba Max 705 enters the ring as a long-haul cleaning beast, built for sprawling homes that demand relentless coverage. With 180x more extreme suction in Spot Clean mode compared to the Roomba 600 series and a 75-day self-emptying dock, it’s designed to run hard and clean longer than most competitors. Its ClearView Pro LiDAR delivers fast, accurate mapping in total darkness, while PrecisionVision AI actively identifies and dodges pet waste, cords, and toys—making it a top contender for high-traffic, cluttered households.

During testing across a 2,500 sq. ft. two-story home, the Max 705 completed full-house cleans in under two hours, thanks to its efficient LiDAR-guided pathing. The anti-tangle dual rubber brushes handled long hair and tracked-in dirt without a single jam, and the Dirt Detect Technology doubled down on muddy entryways and kitchen spills. The AutoEmpty Dock stayed sealed and odor-free, trapping particles as small as 0.7 microns—a win for allergy sufferers. That said, the robot occasionally missed tight corners behind furniture, and its mopping omission will disappoint hybrid seekers.

When compared to the j9+, the Max 705 offers longer hands-free operation and stronger suction in burst mode but lacks the j9+’s Dirt Detective learning and voice command depth. Against the Roomba 105 Combo, it wins on suction and runtime but loses on value—especially if mopping matters. This is the ideal machine for large, carpeted homes where vacuuming is a daily chore and emptying bins is a non-starter. It delivers industrial-grade cleaning with consumer-friendly smarts, outlasting rivals when square footage matters most.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ is a budget-savvy multitasker that brings mopping to the self-emptying party without breaking the bank. With a 4-stage cleaning system and the ability to switch from vacuuming to wet mopping via bin swap, it’s a rare find under $300 that doesn’t sacrifice core intelligence. Its Imprint Smart Mapping learns your layout fast, letting you target specific rooms—perfect for spot-cleaning around dinner spills or muddy paw prints. For pet owners on a budget, this robot delivers real smarts and dual functionality where it counts.

In practice, the Combo i5+ excelled on hard floors, where its microfiber mop pad lifted dried coffee rings and footprints with moderate passes. Vacuum performance was solid—pulling up cereal crumbs and pet hair with its dual rubber brushes—though it struggled slightly on thick rugs. The 60-day self-empty base worked flawlessly, and the Dirt Detect mode zeroed in on high-traffic zones like entryways. However, the mopping system lacks a water pump, relying on passive saturation, which limits scrubbing power. It also requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, which can frustrate tech novices.

Versus the pricier Roomba 105 Combo, the i5+ shares similar mapping and self-emptying but falls short on mopping precision and suction power. Compared to the j7+, it lacks real-time obstacle avoidance and the P.O.O.P. Promise. But for those who want one device to handle both dry and damp messes without overspending, the i5+ is a smart middle ground. It’s the best value if mopping is non-negotiable but you still want hands-free emptying and room-by-room control.

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is the pet parent’s peace-of-mind machine, engineered with one bold promise: it won’t run through poop. Backed by the P.O.O.P. Guarantee, this robot uses PrecisionVision Navigation and a front-facing camera to identify and avoid pet waste, socks, and cords with uncanny accuracy. With 10x the power-lifting suction of the Roomba 600 series and Imprint Smart Mapping, it combines strong pickup with intelligent decision-making—making it a standout for homes where chaos is the daily norm.

In real use, the j7+ navigated a toy-strewn playroom and pet-filled kitchen with confidence, sidestepping chew toys and avoiding a strategically placed (but thankfully fake) accident. Its dual rubber brushes handled fur and gravel with ease, and the 3-stage cleaning system left hard floors streak-free. The self-emptying Clean Base held two months of debris without leaks or odors. However, the camera can struggle in low light, and the robot sometimes took longer routes to avoid false obstacles. It also lacks mopping—unlike some rivals in its price tier.

Compared to the j9+, the j7+ offers nearly identical navigation and avoidance but with less suction and fewer AI learning features. Against the Combo i5+, it wins on obstacle intelligence but loses on versatility. This is the best choice for pet owners who prioritize avoidance over mopping and want a reliable, self-sufficient cleaner. It may not be the most powerful, but it’s the most trustworthy robot when pets are involved, delivering performance with a safety net no other brand can match.

The iRobot Roomba 105 Combo is the smartest all-in-one value play, blending 70x more suction, LiDAR navigation, and intelligent mopping in a package that undercuts premium models. What sets it apart is its carpet-aware mopping—it automatically detects rugs and skips them, ensuring no soggy bath mats or damp shags. With 75-day hands-free cleaning and a micro-pump mopping system, it’s engineered for users who want true autonomy without sacrificing floor safety.

In testing, the 105 Combo mapped a three-bedroom apartment in under 30 minutes and cleaned with surgical precision, thanks to ClearView LiDAR. The SmartScrub mode doubled scrubbing intensity on sticky kitchen spills, while the edge-sweeping brush captured dust bunnies behind furniture. Vacuum power easily handled cereal and pet hair, and the AutoEmpty Dock remained sealed and odor-free. However, the app occasionally lagged during scheduling, and the robot struggled on very dark hardwood, briefly mistaking it for stairs.

Against the Combo i5+, the 105 Combo offers longer self-emptying, better mopping control, and carpet detection—making it a clear upgrade. Compared to the j9+, it lacks pet waste avoidance but delivers mopping at half the price. This is the ideal pick for tech-savvy users who want a fully automated, mop-ready robot with smart mapping and real-world intelligence. It strikes a rare balance between price, performance, and innovation, making it the best overall value for hybrid cleaning.