What Is The Best Roomba Vacuum

If you’re looking for a robot vacuum, you’ve probably asked yourself: what is the best Roomba vacuum? The answer isn’t the same for everyone, because the best model depends on your home, your floors, and your budget. This guide will cut through the confusion and help you find the perfect Roomba for your specific needs, without any marketing hype.

Roombas, made by iRobot, are the most well-known brand in robot vacuums. They offer a wide range, from basic models that just vacuum to advanced machines that empty their own bin and even mop. We’ll break down the key features, compare the top models, and explain what really matters for keeping your floors clean.

There is no single “best” Roomba. Instead, the best choice is the one that solves your particular cleaning problems. To find it, you need to consider your home’s layout, your floor types, and how much hands-off automation you want. We’ll compare the top contenders in each category so you can make a smart decision.

Key Features to Consider Before You Buy

Not all Roombas are created equal. Here are the main features that differentiate them and impact their price.

Navigation & Mapping: Older models bump around randomly. Smart models use cameras or lasers (vSLAM or LiDAR) to create a map of your home. This allows for efficient cleaning, room-by-room selection, and keep-out zones.
Self-Emptying Base: This is a game-changer. The robot returns to its base, which sucks the dirt from the robot’s bin into a disposable bag. You might only need to empty the base every 60 days.
Mopping Capability: Some models have a water reservoir and a mopping pad to tackle hard floors. Effectiveness varies; some just dampen, while others scrub.
Obstacle Avoidance: Advanced models use sensors to see and avoid common hazards like pet waste, cords, and socks. Basic models might just bump into them or get stuck.
Suction Power: Measured in Pascals (Pa), more suction generally means better deep cleaning, especially on carpets. iRobot rates theirs with a proprietary “Power-Lifting Suction” scale.
Brush System: Dual rubber brushes are great for avoiding hair tangles. Models with a combo brush (bristles and rubber) can be good for deep carpet cleaning but may require more maintenance.

Top Roomba Models Compared Side-by-Side

Let’s look at the current lineup and see who each one is best for.

1. For Most Homes: Roomba j7+

The Roomba j7+ strikes an excellent balance of intelligence and value. Its standout feature is PrecisionVision Navigation, which promises to avoid common obstacles like pet waste and cords. It creates smart maps, works with voice assistants, and comes with a self-emptying base. It’s a fantastic “set it and forget it” option for homes with pets or lots of clutter.

Best for: Pet owners, homes with mixed floor types, avoiding obstacles.
Key Feature: Guaranteed obstacle avoidance (with certain conditions).
Downside: Mopping requires a separate Braava robot.

2. The Premium Choice: Roomba s9+

The Roomba s9+ is the top-of-the-line model. It has the strongest suction, a unique D-shaped design for better corner cleaning, and advanced room mapping. It’s the best performer on deep-pile carpets. However, its price is significantly higher than other models, and it still uses a bristle brush that can require frequent hair cutting.

Best for: Large homes with lots of carpet, prioritizing deep cleaning power.
Key Feature: Maximum suction power and corner-cleaning design.
Downside: Very expensive, higher maintenance brush.

3. The Budget Smart Pick: Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO offers smart mapping and a self-emptying base at a more accessible price point. It navigates using a gyroscope and sensor data (not a camera), which works well but is slightly less precise. It lacks some bells and whistles like room-specific cleaning from the app initially, but it learns your habits over time. It’s a solid workhorse.

Best for: Getting smart mapping and self-emptying on a budget.
Key Feature: Cost-effective self-emptying.
Downside: Navigation is less precise than camera-based models.

4. The Basic Starter: Roomba 694

The Roomba 600 series is the entry point. The 694 cleans well with a three-stage system but uses random navigation. You control it with physical buttons or a simple app. There’s no mapping, no zoning, and no self-emptying. It’s a good way to see if you like robot vacuums without a big investment, but you’ll miss smart features quickly.

Best for: Small apartments, first-time buyers on a tight budget.
Key Feature: Low price for core Roomba cleaning.
Downside: Dumb navigation, no mapping, frequent manual emptying.

5. The All-in-One: Roomba Combo j9+

This is iRobot’s flagship vacuum-and-mop combo. It has a retractable mopping pad that lifts when it senses carpet, so it can vacuum and mop in one go without you changing attachments. It includes the obstacle avoidance of the j7+ and a self-emptying base that handles both dry and wet waste. It’s the ultimate in convenience.

Best for: Homes with lots of hard floors that want hands-off vacuuming and mopping.
Key Feature: Retractable mopping pad for true simultaneous cleaning.
Downside: Premium price, mopping is for maintenance not deep scrubs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Your Roomba

Follow these steps to narrow down your choice.

Set Your Budget: Decide how much you are willing to spend. Remember to factor in ongoing costs like bags for the self-emptying base and replacement filters/brushes.
Analyze Your Floors: Do you have mostly carpet, hard floors, or a mix? High-pile carpets need strong suction (s9+). Mostly hard floors might benefit from a mopping model (Combo j9+).
Identify Your Pain Points: Is it pet hair? Look for tangle-free brushes. Is it daily dust bunnies? A self-emptying model is key. Is it navigating a cluttered home? Prioritize obstacle avoidance.
Consider Smart Features: Do you want to clean specific rooms via an app or on a schedule? Then you need a model with smart mapping. If you don’t care, a random navigation model saves money.
Check Compatibility: Ensure the model you choose works with your smart home system (Google Assistant, Alexa, etc.) if that’s important to you.

Common Roomba Problems and Simple Fixes

Even the best Roombas can have issues. Here’s how to solve common ones.

Robot Getting Stuck: This is the number one issue. Before each run, do a quick “pick-up” of floor clutter like cords, shoes, and socks. Use the provided virtual wall barriers or keep-out zones in the app to block problem areas.
Poor Suction or Cleaning: Check and empty the bin. Clean the filter (tap it out weekly, replace every 2 months). Remove hair and debris wrapped around the brushes and brush ends. A clogged airpath is a common culprit.
Error Notifications: The app usually gives a clue. “Error 5” often means the bin is full or the filter is clogged. “Roomba stuck” means you need to go find it. Refer to the manual or iRobot’s website for specific error codes.
Battery Not Holding Charge: Batteries degrade over 2-3 years. If runtime is very short, you can usually order a official replacement battery and install it yourself quite easily.
Mapping Problems: If the map gets corrupted, you can often delete it and start a new mapping run. Ensure the robot’s sensors and camera (if it has one) are clean and unobstructed.

Maintenance Tips to Extend Its Life

A little maintenance goes a long way. Follow this quick routine.

After Every Clean: Empty the bin (if not self-emptying). Check the brushes for major hair wraps.
Weekly: Clean the filter by tapping it out. Wipe the sensors and charging contacts with a dry cloth. Check the wheels for hair.
Monthly: Remove the brushes and clean the brush chambers. Give the filter a more thorough clean or replace it if needed. Inspect the side brush for damage.
Every 6 Months: Deep clean the entire unit. Remove the bin and wash it (let it dry completely). Check the battery health in the app.

FAQ Section

Which Roomba is best for pet hair?
The Roomba j7+ or s9+ are excellent for pet hair. The j7+ has great obstacle avoidance to avoid accidents, while the s9+ has the strongest suction. Both have systems designed to resist hair tangles, though the s9’s brush may need more frequent cleaning.

What is the best Roomba for hardwood floors?
Any Roomba will vacuum hard floors well. For added mopping, the Roomba Combo j9+ is the best integrated option. If you just want vacuuming, the Roomba j7+ provides smart navigation to avoid scattering debris.

Are self-emptying Roombas worth it?
Absolutely, if your budget allows. They transform the experience from a daily chore to a truly automated one. You only interact with the robot every couple of months to change the bag in the base, which is a major convenience boost.

How long does a Roomba last?
With proper maintenance, you can expect a Roomba to last between 4 to 6 years. The first component to usually fail or degrade is the battery, which is replaceable.

Can Roombas go over rugs or from hardwood to carpet?
Yes, all modern Roombas can transition between floor types. Most can climb low thresholds (up to ~3/4 inch). Models with mopping capabilities, like the Combo j9+, automatically retract their mop pad when they detect carpet.

Do Roombas work in the dark?
Models that use camera-based navigation (like the j7+) need some ambient light to map and avoid obstacles. Models that use LiDAR or gyroscope-based navigation (like some competitors, not typically Roombas) can operate in complete darkness.

Final Recommendations

Choosing the best Roomba comes down to matching features to your life. For the smartest, most hassle-free cleaning, the Roomba j7+ is our top pick for most people. It’s intelligent, reliable, and avoids messes. If money is no object and you want the deepest carpet clean, the Roomba s9+ is the powerhouse. For a great balance of smart features and value, the Roomba i3+ EVO is a very strong contender.

Remember, the best robot vacuum is the one you actually use. Consider how much you want to interact with it. A self-emptying model encourages daily use because you don’t have to think about it. Start by identifying your main cleaning challenge, set a realistic budget, and use the comparisons above to guide your choice. With the right model, you’ll enjoy cleaner floors with much less daily effort.