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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
It doesn't take a scientist to realize that a robot vacuum, like one from iRobot's high-tech line of Roombas, can be a game-changer, allowing you to keep a tidy home without putting the time or energy into actually vacuuming it yourself. "They're great for someone that's gone during the day and wants to have this [cleaning] task off their list," says Becky Rapinchuk, The Spruce's Cleaning Board member and founder of Clean Mama. Just set your Roomba to run while you're away, so you can come back to a clean home—or at the very least, clean floors.
Because there are several different models on the market and because Roombas can be a tad expensive, we wondered which one is really the very best. Doing what we do, we decided to put them to the test and graded each vacuum on ease of setup, effectiveness, noise level, features, maneuverability, ease of emptying, and overall value. The end result is backed by our thorough testing and research. Let's find out which Roomba scored on top and cleaned house!
Best Overall
iRobot Roomba i3+
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Amazon
Easy, intuitive app
Can set it to do one or two passes
Smoothly returns to base to recharge and will resume cleaning
Maneuvers well, impressive mapping
Automatically self-empties into base when dust cup is full
Only one power setting; suction could be stronger
Does not reach corners and baseboards
The future is here, and it comes in the form of the Roomba i3+. With a mid-tier price among Roomba models, it's a reliable machine that will clean your space in neat, tidy lines—perfect for those who like to see the fruits of their (or their robot's) labor. We were impressed with the simple, intuitive setup and thorough mapping process, and how smoothly it returns to its base to recharge. It's very much a "set it and forget it" type of machine, until it's time to empty the base (which can be up to every 60 days, depending on your cleaning needs). Emptying the base is just as easy as you might hope, but if for some reason you'd rather clear the smaller container on the Roomba itself, you can do that, too.
We also liked that you can opt for it to do one or two passes of your space. We tested this machine with pet owners in mind, but we could see it working well in a variety of households. We found no issues with it switching from hard floor to carpeting and were satisfied with the amount of pet hair it grabbed from our floors.
Though we think this Roomba performed well, it could have had more powerful suction, and it would have been nice for more than one power setting, too. The other (small) hiccup we encountered was that, like many vacuums, the brushes won't fully reach into corners or up to baseboards, so you'll want to keep that in mind. But, overall, iRobot has packed a cleaning punch into this machine, and it offers a number of extra conveniences that free up a user's time and energy. We heartily recommend it.
Price at time of publish: $550
Dimensions: 3.63 in x 13.26 x 13.34 inches | Battery Life: 75 minutes | Charge Time: Not listed | Cleaning Path Width: 7 inches | Filter Type: Replaceable | Brush Type: Rubber | Smart Features: Alexa and Google compatible, self-empty base, customizable cleaning schedule
Best Budget
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
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Amazon
Can operate with or without Wi-Fi
Affordable
Transitions from carpet to hard floors seamlessly
Lacks high-tech smart features
No obstacle avoidance
The iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum is another top pick because almost anyone can operate this device. In fact, we previously named it "best overall" because it's so easy and impressive. It's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, but you can also just push a button on top of this vacuum and it will start cleaning. If you're a beginner to robot vacuums, or if you don't want to rely on apps and Wi-Fi connectivity, you'll absolutely want to choose this vacuum. If you appreciate a few high-tech features or are looking for a robot vacuum with stellar cleaning abilities, this vacuum is also for you. We just love that you don't have to enable smart features to get a great clean.
It took less than five minutes to get this robot vacuum up and running, and it quickly proved to be effective on hardwood and carpeted flooring. It sucked up pet hair, synthetic human hair, and Cheerios with ease, and it did a really impressive job vacuuming up sand from a carpet, too. Compared to the other robot vacuums in The Lab, this one transitioned smoothly from area rugs to hardwood floors, which is a big plus if you have a home with a variety of flooring types. We also love that human and pet hair won't get tangled up in the brushes.
Still, this Roomba was knocked a few points for lack of features, but it performed the basic, advertised functions extremely well. It was a little noisy, so you'll likely have to turn up your TV volume if you're watching a show while running it. In addition, the Roomba 694 doesn't have object avoidance technology, which is one of the newest features that more expensive models (like the Roomba j7+) offer. You'll likely need to do a bit of pre-cleaning before running this vacuum to make sure your floor is clear of stray socks or crayons it could possibly suck up. While this might be an inconvenience, object avoidance technology usually means an increase of at least $500 in price.
All in all, if you're looking for an affordable, excellent, and easy-to-use robot vacuum, the Roomba 694 is the way to go.
Price at time of publish: $275
Dimensions: 3.54 x 13.4 x 13.4 inches | Battery Life: 90 minutes | Charge Time: 2 hours | Cleaning Path Width: 7 inches | Filter Type: Cartridge | Brush Type: Rubber and bristle | Smart Features: Alexa and Google compatible, customizable cleaning schedule
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Best Splurge
iRobot Roomba s9+ 9550 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
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Bed Bath & Beyond
Powerful suction
Can clean corners
Self-emptying base
Spot-cleaning feature
Battery life shorter than expected
Loud operation
Visually, the Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum is stunning. The gold accents and unique shape of this robotic vacuum make it a true statement piece to have gliding around your home. The s9+ model promises to pack the most power of all the Roombas, so if you have a habitually dirty home full of pollen, dust, or pet hair, this could be a great feature for you. We loved that it cleans daily and empties itself without any effort on the user's part. We did, however, find the battery life is closer to 60 minutes than the advertised 120 minutes. And while we found it to be easy to set up and effective at cleaning, we did notice some debris left on the floor around the base. This is also a loud machine, so you definitely can't make a phone call to talk to your BFF while this is running.
During testing, we figured out that the s9+ also has a spot-cleaning function, which is a nice additional feature that many other robot vacuums don’t have. When you press the spot-clean button, the s9+ will clean a small area about 3 feet in diameter instead of running through a full cleaning cycle. This is nice if you accidentally spill something, or if your cats just had a royal rumble, and there’s a pile of fur left behind!
We also discovered that you really need to unlock the smart features for this robot vacuum to perform well. If you're a beginner in the robot vacuum world, this is probably not the model for you. If you have the patience to let this device map and learn your home, then it can be worth the splurge.
The biggest standout feature of the Roomba s9+ is its unique shape. Two rounded corners allow it to clean corners in your home better than any other Roomba currently on the market. If you're interested in mopping after vacuuming, you can purchase the iRobot Roomba s9+ Bundle that includes this Roomba and the Braava Jet m6, too.
Price at time of publish: $1,000
Dimensions: 3.5 x 12.25 x 12.25 inches | Battery Life: 120 minutes | Charge Time: 3 hours | Cleaning Path Width: 9.5 inches | Filter Type: Replaceable HE filter | Brush Type: Rubber and bristle | Smart Features: Alexa and Google compatible, smart mapping, smart charge and resume, visual navigation, custom cleaning routine, on-demand cleaning, self-emptying, cleans corners, pairs with compatible robot mop
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Best for Pet Owners
iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
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iRobot
Obstacle avoidance
Self-emptying base
Pet owner's promise
Expensive
Loud operation
The Roomba j series created a lot of buzz upon its release because it promised to avoid pet waste. The Pet Owner's Official Promise (lovingly named the P.O.O.P. Promise) is currently offered on the iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum, and based on our testing experience, it really does work. Plus, if your Roomba j7+ does not avoid solid pet waste during its first year of use, iRobot will replace it.
Besides this precise obstacle avoidance feature, the Roomba j7+ includes a self-emptying base, in addition to smart-mapping features. You can set a cleaning schedule or remotely start the vacuum from your smartphone. We found the setup to be incredibly easy, and it seemed to learn its space better with each clean. We noticed it expertly navigated around real pet waste, and every day it picked up pet hair that wasn't visible. If you have pets and are looking for a hands-free vacuum, this is it!
This model is a step up from the Roomba i7+, but know that means it comes at a cost. This is an expensive Roomba, but if you're a pet owner with a puppy or elderly dog prone to accidents, it could be worth the price. Just be prepared for the louder operation of this vacuum, especially when it empties, which may be hard to talk over or disturb your sleeping pup or cat on the couch.
Price at time of publish: $800
Dimensions: 13.3 x 13.3 x 3.4 inches | Battery Life: 90 minutes | Charge Time: 3 hours | Cleaning Path Width: 7 inches | Filter Type: Replaceable HE filter | Brush Type: Rubber and bristle | Smart Features: Alexa and Google compatible, smart mapping, smart charge and resume, visual navigation, custom cleaning routine, on-demand cleaning, self-emptying, obstacle avoidance
Best for Carpet
iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal
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IRobot
Self-emptying base
Smart mapping
Dual rubber brushes for pet hair
Easy to set up
No object avoidance
Did not fully self-empty
The iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum is smarter and more high-tech than the 600 series, but it's a step down from the Roomba s9+ model. What does that mean exactly? It has some convenient and smart features that the Roomba 694 doesn't have, but it doesn't clean corners like the s9+ model. Plus, the Roomba i7+ has a self-emptying base, and one dust bag will hold 60 days' worth of debris (according to the manufacturer), so you will likely only have to change the bag once every two months—definitely a perk in our eyes.
When the Roomba is done cleaning your home, it will dock itself and empty the debris into the tower, so you don't have to release dust back into the air by emptying the dust bin. During testing, we found that the machine did leave a little bit of debris behind in the dust bin. The battery life is only 75 minutes, but this Roomba has a smart charge and resume feature so when it gets low on battery, it will dock itself, charge, and get back to cleaning your home. Speaking of cleaning, it performed its best on our testing lab area rug, expertly sucking up everything in its path.
Like other models, the Roomba i7+ will learn your home through smart mapping. It should avoid large obstacles like stairs, but it doesn't have the technology to avoid smaller obstacles like socks, cords, or pet waste. If that's important to you, you'll need to purchase a j7 or j7+ Roomba. Be careful though; the "i" and "j" look very similar, and the only difference is that the Roomba j series has obstacle avoidance, while the Roomba i7+ does not. However, we think if the Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum is on sale, you should snag it.
Price at time of publish: $650
Dimensions: 3.63 x 13.34 x 13.34 inches | Battery Life: 75 minutes | Charge Time: Not listed | Cleaning Path Width: 7 inches | Filter Type: Not listed | Brush Type: Rubber and bristle | Smart Features: Alexa and Google compatible, smart mapping, smart charge and resume, visual navigation, custom cleaning routine, on-demand cleaning, self-emptying
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Our top pick is the iRobot Roomba i3+ for its impressive performance and intuitive usability. It's easy to set up, transitions from one surface to another seamlessly, and self-empties as needed. Looking to spend a little less? Opt for the iRobot Roomba 694. It can be used with or without Wi-Fi, and still cleans and maneuvers efficiently.
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Other Options We Tested
iRobot Roomba i3 EVO Robot Vacuum: Not to be confused with the i3+ model, this robot vacuum was quiet and did a good job picking up debris from carpet and hardwood flooring—but it doesn't come with a self-emptying base, and we had a difficult time with the initial setup. We found the 600 series easier to use than the i3 EVO, and since they're at similar price points, we recommend opting for the Roomba 675 or 694 instead of this pick.
iRobot Roomba j7 Robot Vacuum: In The Lab, we loved this vacuum and gave it high marks. However, it didn't avoid pet waste like its counterpart, the j7+. While it was effective at sucking up cereal, debris, and sand off of carpet and hardwood flooring, if you're looking for precise obstacle avoidance, you should opt for the slightly more advanced j7+ model that's backed by the Pet Owner's Official Promise.
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
How We Tested the Roombas
We purchased and tested 30 robot vacuums, including multiple Roomba models, in The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, for two days. We unboxed and timed the setup process. Our testers assembled each vacuum, inserted any filters, and hooked up docking stations. (Our current at-home testers will expand on these insights when they further get to know each vacuum's app and smart mapping features while using them long-term in their homes.) Once setup was complete, we tested cleaning effectiveness by observing how well each vacuum picked up debris—hair, Cheerios, and sand—from hard floors and carpets.
As the robot vacuum was operating, we used a decibel reader to assess the noise level of each. We also took note of any special features included, such as obstacle avoidance or smart mapping that our home testers will further dive into, and scored on maneuverability as the robot vacuums made their way around our living room obstacle course. If object avoidance was an advertised feature, we tested that by putting a USB cord, sock, and chocolate pudding on the floor, and then we took note of whether it successfully avoided those obstacles. Lastly, not all Roombas are self-emptying, so we rated each one on the ease of emptying the dust bin or included bag. Then, we assessed the overall value based on how well the product performed in all of the tests, in comparison with the price tag and promised features.
Aside from cleaning your floors, Roombas also come with features such as voice control, smart mapping, and scheduled cleans. Our home testers are currently performing long-term tests on our top vacuums to put these smart features through their paces in the real world. We will update this list with their fresh and thorough insights once those tests are complete.
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
What to Look for in a Roomba
Battery Life
Most Roomba models will run for around 90 minutes before needing to recharge. Robot vacuums take their time cleaning your space, and Roombas are no different. If you have a smaller space, a 60- to 75-minute run time may suffice. If you live in a large home, opt for a model with a 120-minute battery life. The higher-end models also often have a "smart charge and resume" feature. These models will dock themselves automatically when their battery is low. Once they've successfully charged, they'll resume cleaning your home. The iRobot Roomba i3+ is an example of a mid-priced model that comes with this feature.
Smart Capabilities
All Roombas work with the iRobot app. Most are also compatible with in-home smart speakers like Alexa or Google Assistant. You can program almost all models to run on a cleaning schedule (such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon). You can also start some Roomba models from your smartphone before you even get home. Other features include smart mapping, where your Roomba learns your home so you can tell it, "Clean the living room," and it will concentrate its cleaning run to that area. Be aware that with each smart feature, the price tag usually goes up.
Noise Level
If you live in a single-person household and plan on running your Roomba while you're not home, its noise level might not be important to you. However, if you have pets, children, or are noise-sensitive yourself, you may want to take note of the robot vacuum's noise level. Self-emptying Roombas seem to be particularly loud during the "emptying" phase.
"My dogs do not like the Roomba and kind of freak out," says Becky Rapinchuk, The Spruce's Cleaning Board member and founder of Clean Mama. "This is something to consider, especially if you have dogs or cats and you want to run it when you're not around. Or if you have napping children—it does make noise!" In our testing, we found that the iRobot Roomba i3 EVO was the quietest model, while the s9+ was the loudest.
Standout Features
Obstacle Avoidance
The newest Roomba technology is the PrecisionVision Navigation feature that helps the vacuum avoid small obstacles like pet messes and cords. According to iRobot, an accidental robot vacuum run through pet waste was a huge concern for their customers. With this technology, available with the iRobot Roomba j7+, the Roomba uses a small camera on the front of it to identify obstacles and work around them instead of running through them. After the Roomba's cleaning run is complete, the app will show you what it avoided, and you can mark whether it was correct in avoiding that spot or not. This way, the machine continues to learn your home and adapt to temporary and permanent obstacles.
Self-Emptying Base
To achieve a truly hands-off clean, look for a Roomba with a self-emptying base (most of the machines we've chosen for this list include this feature, with the exception of the iRobot Roomba 694). At the end of your Roomba's run, a model with this feature will dock itself, and then the tower will suck all of the debris out of the Roomba and into a dust bag. When it is time to change the dust bag (recommended every 60 days for regular cleaning), you open the lid at the top of the tower, pull out the dust bag, and dispose of it. This does require you to purchase extra dust bags, but this process offers a more hygienic clean since there's no possibility of the dust releasing back into the air when you manually empty the dust bin.
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
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How do I empty a Roomba?
To empty a standard Roomba, lift the lid and remove the canister. Open it over a trash can and empty the contents. You can dust out the canister or put it back into the Roomba. Cleaning your vacuum is an important step to make sure that the Roomba continues to work as designed. If your Roomba has a self-emptying base, it does the emptying for you. All you have to do is remove and replace the dust bag every 60 days (or when it is full).
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How do I maintain a Roomba's battery?
Roombas come with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery installed. Typically, they come with a charge when you open the box. The Roomba will keep itself charged and return to its charging dock when it has a low battery. You can also see a visible low battery indicator on the top of the vacuum or in your iRobot app.
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How do I reset a Roomba?
To reset your Roomba, just press the CLEAN button for 10 to 20 seconds (depending on your model). You will hear a reset tone or see a white light when it has rebooted. You can also make changes to the zones that your Roomba cleans or other settings via the iRobot app.
iRobot also has service support on its website, which will help you set up your Roomba and reset it or make any changes in the future.
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How often should you change a Roomba bag?
If you have a self-emptying Roomba, you should change the dust bag every two months to keep the vacuum working at its best. This number is based on regular surface cleaning, but you may need to change the bag more often if you have a lot of pet hair or debris on your floors. Keep an eye out for an indicator light on the base that will let you know when the bag is full.
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Erin Johnson, a commerce editor at The Spruce focusing on appliances, cleaning, and organization. You can also find her work on Real Simple, Better Homes and Gardens, Apartment Therapy, and Southern Living. She has hands-on experience testing upright, cordless, handheld, and robot vacuums and mops and has developed and led tests in The Lab. Johnson has boiled down testing insights and brought our experience with low- and high-tech products to life. To curate this list of the best Roombas, we consulted Becky Rapinchuk, a member of The Spruce's Cleaning Board and founder of Clean Mama.
Dena Ogden also updated this piece, providing additional research and reviewing testing insights. Ogden is lifestyle and commerce writer who’s been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022. She's written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and vacuums.
What Is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
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