Best Roomba vacuums 2024: hands-free and fuss-free cleaning

Roomba Combo j7+ Robot Vacuum and Mop being tested in writer's home
(Image credit: Future)

With the best Roomba vacuums, you can sit back and relax while they do the work for you. These vacuums are considered to be some of the best robot vacuums on the market, and they come in a range of models at different prices, so you can pick one that suits your needs.

What's great about these vacuums is that they're easy to use. Once you've connected your smartphone to the vacuum, you can control it from an app. This means you don't have to supervise the cleaning process, and you can even highlight areas you want the robot to focus on. If you have a smart home, you can connect your vacuum to a smart speaker and start cleaning with just one voice command.

If you're wondering whether these vacuums can get stuck or fall down the stairs while cleaning, don't worry, as they have clever sensors that prevent them from getting into trouble. And if they do, you'll get a notification on your app.

If you're interested in other cleaning appliances, you can also check out the best vacuum cleaners and the best cordless vacuums

The best Roomba vacuums we recommend in 2024

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We've rounded up the best iRobot Roomba vacuums that you can currently buy, ranging from great budget buys to high-end mop/ vacuum hybrids. While we endeavor to review everything that we highlight in our guides, testing is still underway for the models below. However, we've summed up the key specs, features, and a summary of user reviews to help you decide which models are right for you and your household. 

The best Roomba vacuum overall

This is the best iRobot Roomba vacuum you can currently buy

Specifications

Type: Vacuum + mop
Cleaning path width: 7in
Bin capacity: 0.11 gallons
Pet capable?: Yes
Works with: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Dimensions: H13.3 x W3.4 x L12.3in

Reasons to buy

+
Two-in-one marvel
+
Automatically transitions from carpet to hard floors
+
Self-emptying

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Battery life could be longer
-
Smaller bin capacity

The Roomba Combo j7+ is an impressive robot vacuum that offers a range of advanced features and capabilities. While testing, one of its best features was its ability to differentiate between hard floors and carpets, which is useful for homes with different types of flooring. The device's mapping and room-specific job capabilities are also impressive, allowing users to ask the Roomba to perform jobs limited to a specific room and giving an estimated time frame for completion. 

The j7+ also boasts excellent obstacle avoidance capabilities, ensuring that the device never gets stuck on dangling curtains or entangled in wires. The mopping functionality is also a cut above the rest, with a dedicated water tank and the ability to adjust the water level through the app. While the device is expensive and quite heavy, these drawbacks are offset by its impressive range of features and capabilities. 

Setup was straightforward, and schedules can be set up within the iRobot app. The device can also be easily integrated into your smart home system, allowing for simple voice commands through Google Home.

Read more: iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ review

The best vacuum-only Roomba

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

(Image credit: iRobot)

2. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

This is the best iRobot Roomba vacuum that's solely a vacuum

Specifications

Type: Vacuum
Cleaning path width: 7in
Bin capacity: 0.1 gallons
Pet capable?: Yes
Works with: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Dimensions: H3.6 x W13.3 x L13.2in

Reasons to buy

+
Protective bumpers
+
Automatic emptying
+
10x power-lifting suction
+
Work with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri

Reasons to avoid

-
Not cheap
-
Small bin capacity

The Roomba i3+ EVO robot vacuum is an excellent vacuum-only Roomba with advanced features meaning it can learn and map your home room-by-room. The model boasts a 10x power-lifting suction and 3-stage cleaning, and it's powered by iRobot OS, suggesting cleaning schedules and cleaning even when you're not home.

One of the best things about the i3+ EVO is the automatic emptying. This feature allows the robot to empty itself into an enclosed bag that captures 99% of particles, meaning that you don't have to think about emptying the bin for months at a time. The robot vacuum also cleans intelligently in straight lines back and forth while navigating around furniture. 

The Roomba is also perfect for homes with pets, as it uses dual multi-surface rubber brushes that flex to adjust to different floor types and avoid getting tangled with hair. You also get new features through automatic software updates.

The best budget Roomba vacuum

iRobot Roomba 694

(Image credit: iRobot)

3. iRobot Roomba 694

This is the best budget iRobot Roomba vacuum

Specifications

Type: Vacuum
Cleaning path width: 7in
Bin capacity: 0.1 gallons
Pet capable?: Yes
Dimensions: H3.5 x W13.4 x L13.4in

Reasons to buy

+
Entry-level price point
+
Great wall-to-wall coverage
+
Good battery life
+
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri

Reasons to avoid

-
Small bin capacity

The Roomba 694 is a great budget robot vacuum that's still sleek and stylish and includes voice assistant and app compatibility for easy scheduling. The Roomba has a 3-stage cleaning system and dual multi-surface brushes that work together to loosen, lift, and suction dirt from both carpet and hard floors, and an edge-sweeping brush also tackles corners and edges.

One of the best things about the 694 is its ability to learn cleaning habits and offer personalized schedules based on your behavior. You will even get suggestions based on when allergy season hits, or when pets are shedding. Advanced sensors allow the vacuum to navigate under and around furniture, along edges, and avoid falling down the stairs with cliff detection.

The dirt detection sensors alert the robot about dirtier areas of your home so it can clean them more thoroughly, and the auto-adjust cleaning head adapts its height to effectively clean carpets and hard floors. With up to 90 minutes of run time, the vacuum will automatically dock and recharge when needed.

The best Roomba for hard floors

Best iRobot Roomba vacuums

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. iRobot Roomba 675

This is the best iRobot Roomba for hard floors

Specifications

Type: Vacuum
Cleaning path width: 7in
Bin capacity: 0.6 gallons
Dimensions: H3.5 x W13.4 x L13.4in

Reasons to buy

+
Work with Alexa, Google Assistant
+
Large bin capacity

Reasons to avoid

-
Not great for pet hair
-
Uses older navigation technology

The iRobot Roomba 675 has built-in WiFi connectivity, meaning you can control it via the iRobot app on your smartphone. 

What the users say…

Users also loved how this machine worked on their hard flooring, and with a 4.3 out of five stars on Amazon, it remains one of the best iRobot Roomba models on the market. Users also loved that it can be controlled via Amazon Alexa as well as your smartphone. Some users weren’t happy about the way that the iRobot navigated their space, with some claiming that it didn’t always vacuum every room and instead focused on the same spot. 

You can also turn it on using the buttons on the machine, or you can purchase a compatible remote control, but we love the idea of using the app to send it to work while we relax. 

The design of the Roomba 675 is not unlike other models in the range. It’s circular with a matte grey and black plastic cover. It also has a handy handle at the front of the machine just above the clean, spot, and dock buttons that will make it easier to transport up and down the stairs. 

The setup is incredibly easy using the app and only takes a few minutes. While you’re in the app, you can find out all the information you need to know, such as how much battery life is left and if the dust compartment is full. The app also lets you start, pause, resume, or dock the machine. 

The iRobot Roomba 675 is the best iRobot Roomba for hard floors, although it doesn’t have any issues adjusting to low and medium-pile carpets or tiled flooring either. This model doesn’t offer mapping or advanced navigation, but it does get close to the baseboards and navigate around furniture a lot more efficiently than a regular vacuum. 

The battery life with the iRobot Roomba is impressive, with it often lasting a tad longer than the 90 minutes estimated. 

The best mop-only Roomba

Best iRobot Roomba vacuums

(Image credit: Amazon)

5. iRobot Braava Jet M6

The iRobot Braava Jet M6 is the best robot mop

Specifications

Type: Mop
Cleaning path width: 10.7in
Bin capacity: N/A
Pet capable?: N/A
Dimensions: H10.6 x W3.5 x L10in

Reasons to buy

+
Work with Alexa, Google Assistant
+
Great cleaning path width

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

OK, so we may have cheated slightly by including the iRobot Braava Jet M6 in this buying guide, as it's not technically a vacuum, but we couldn’t leave out the best iRobot mop. 

What the users say…

User reviews are positive about this best iRobot mop, giving it 4 out of five stars on Amazon. Users found it to be incredible technology at a reasonable price and also loved how simple it was to set it up and watch it go. Some negative comments have been made about the software, including the machine being very buggy.

If you’re looking for floors that will sparkle, then the iRobot Braava Jet M6 will sweep and mop until they shine. This model can cover up to 1,000 square feet in just one single cleaning session. It's operated using targeted zone cleaning, so it will map your floor plan and can even follow behind other compatible Roomba vacuums, working in tandem with a Roomba vacuum. 

It weighs just 4.4 lbs, so it’s compact, and it does have a retractable carrying handle for taking with you on different floors. The iRobot Braava Jet M6 has a camera and sensor on the top of the machine for precise navigation. The water tank can also be found on the top of the device, while the precision spray nozzle is located on the front. 

This iRobot mop comes with a charging dock, a selection of mopping pads, a small bottle of Braava jet hard floor cleaner, and an attachable drip tray. You can purchase all these items separately, too, if you want to replace or have extras. 

As with other high-end models of the iRobot, this does work via WiFi, and you can connect it to your smartphone, Google Assistant, or Alexa. It allows you to map your area and will set virtual barriers called keep-out zones, so you have greater control over the area that it cleans. 

What's more, you can customize the mopping preferences via the app to suit your flooring type. For example, there is an extended coverage mode, which will mop a large area quickly but with less cleaning power, and also a deep mode, which will operate in a reduced cleaning area while ramping up the power to tackle tough messes. 

The battery lasts for a whopping 160 minutes, so unless you’re living in a mansion, you should get all your cleaning done with one charge. 

How to choose the best Roomba vacuum for you

When it comes to looking for the best iRobot Roomba model, there are a few things to keep in mind. We’ve gone into detail in each of our reviews, including letting you know the best iRobot Roomba for hard floors, but here are just a few tips we thought we'd share first to ensure that you get the best iRobot Roomba model for your needs. 

First up, dust compartments. While they're not exactly exciting, make sure you get an iRobot Roomba with a dust compartment that will suit your needs. If you have pets or a larger home, then you’re going to most likely need to pick a Roomba that has a larger dust compartment than those people without pets or smaller spaces. 

Also, checking the battery life of the model you’re thinking about buying is another way of making sure you get the best iRobot Roomba model for you. If you have a lot of rooms (or a lot of dust) or your home has carpet, then you are going to need a model that has a longer battery life. We should note that mapping iRobot models will take themselves back to the charging dock in the middle of a clean if the battery level starts to run low, so you won't have to deal with half-finished floors. 

Taking note of the size of the Roomba is also essential. If you want your machine to navigate around and even under your furniture, then you’re going to need to make sure it fits. And it’s not just that. Where you place the charging dock can make all the difference. After all, your robotic friend doesn’t need to be on display, so think about a nook it can hide in that’s out of the way.

The ability to schedule your iRobot Roomba is another feature that can make a big difference. Not all models have this function, but it will make your life a lot easier. Not only can you set it to vacuum when you know when most people will be out and not in its way, but you can also stick to a routine so you come home to clean floors every day. 

And finally, WiFi and smart home integration are other functions that can level up an iRobot Roomba vacuum. You can start or stop your vacuum while you’re outside of the home, making scheduling and maintaining the vacuum easier. 

Roomba vacuum FAQs

Are Roombas worth it?

Yes! You may look at the iRobot Roomba models and think they are just a novelty or a gimmick, but they’re more than that. They can save you so much time, and you can set them up to run automatically, so they get rid of any dust and debris without you even having to think about it. Plus, because they’re robotic, they don’t get bored or complacent, which means that they will give your floors a more thorough clean. 

It is worth bearing in mind that even some of the best iRobot Roomba models aren’t quite as strong as traditional vacuum cleaners. This means that the dust that could be ingrained in your carpets or rugs or even the dust that has settled in the crevices of your floorboards may not be picked up quite as well. Also, if you live in a property where you have stairs, you’re still going to need a traditional vacuum because they do not do stairs.  

But when you weigh up the convenience with the very few flaws they have, they do make an excellent addition to any home.  

Are Roomba bags reuseable?

If you have a Roomba model that uses a bagged system, it is possible to reuse the bags. However, we will note that these bags are not designed to be reused forever. Over time, they will become worn and may leak dust and debris, reducing the effectiveness of your Roomba's cleaning abilities. For this reason, it's recommended that you replace these bags every so often.

However, if you have a Roomba model that uses a bagless system, you do not need to worry about replacing bags. Instead, you must empty the dustbin on your Roomba after each use. This can be done by simply removing the dustbin from the Roomba and emptying it into the trash. Once the dustbin is empty, reattach it to your Roomba and continue cleaning.

Are Roombas loud?

Roombas are designed to be relatively quiet, especially compared to traditional vacuum cleaners. However, some models may be louder than others. For example, as with most technology, older Roomba models tend to be louder than newer ones, and some models are louder when operating on carpets rather than hard floors.

Rachael Phillips

Rachael is a freelance journalist who specializes in lifestyle, travel, digital culture, sustainability and slow living. She has been writing for Top Ten Reviews for several years now, and has applied her expert knowledge of sleep and relaxation to some of our sleep and mattress reviews, features, comparisons, and guides. 

With contributions from