We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Roomba's robot cleaning technology feels like a dream come true—no more having to push a heavy vacuum or mop across your floors every day! We spent hours researching the top-rated Roombas, evaluating ease of setup and use, effectiveness, and functionality.
Our favorite, the iRobot Roomba i3+, has a self-emptying canister and a 3-stage suction system and adjusts to different floor types.
Here are the best Roombas.
Best Overall: iRobot Roomba i3+
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/irobot-robot-vacuums-i35502b-66_1000-61b84103da7c45869d031003ecbc453c.jpg)
Courtesy of iRobot
Great value
Self-emptying
Works with mop
Takes up more space
The iRobot Roomba I3+ is the perfect combination of top Roomba features without breaking the bank. It has the self-emptying canister, a must-have if you want to maximize the efficiency of your robot vacuum and minimize your own work. It has a 3-stage suction system that picks up most debris. At around $600, it’s one of the best values from iRobot.
Best Budget: iRobot Roomba 675
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/71X6seRh2NL._AC_SL1500_1-bdfef7b3150f48dd868efabcc00d614c.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Compatible with Alexa
Budget-friendly
Adjustable height
Small canister
Purchasing a robot vacuum doesn’t need to be a major financial line item in your household budget. The iRobot Roomba 675 is the most basic and affordable model but still does everything that you want from a robot cleaning machine. It works with your Alexa smart speaker, can be app-controlled, and adjusts itself to work around obstacles and different types of flooring. It doesn’t have a particularly large in-unit canister but will still get the job done.
Best Splurge: iRobot Roomba J7+ Self-Emptying Vacuum
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iRobotRoombaj7Self-EmptyingRobotVacuum-575af1bede794300a12c850933c1ec18.jpg)
Courtesy of iRobot
Self-emptying
Avoids pet waste
Expensive
This is one of the high-end iRobot vacuums for its superior technology and connectivity, as well as the coveted self-emptying feature. The best aspect of the J7+ vacuum is that it uses PrecisionVision navigation to avoid obstacles like phone cords or pet waste. If your robot vacuum gets tripped up every time it goes near a cord or (worse yet) drags pet accidents all over your home, upgrading to the J7+ is well worth the cost.
Best for Hardwood: iRobot Roomba S9+ Vacuum and Mop Bundle
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iRobotRoombas9Self-EmptyingRobotVacuumBraavajetm6RobotMopBundle-06c4da202d334289b6c488ba4ffde799.jpg)
Courtesy of iRobot
Wider vacuum
Works with mop
Self-emptying
Longer runtime
Expensive
Another top-of-the-line option, the Roomba S9+ vacuum and mop bundle can handle any surface cleaning that you need. The vacuum is wider than most other Roomba models and can go from carpet to hardwood or tile without interruption. When it’s done, the vacuum will go back to the base and empty itself in the large capacity canister. It has a 120-minute runtime, longer than any other model. You can then run the robot mop on hardwood to really get things sparkling clean.
Best for Carpet: iRobot Roomba e5
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/download-3-e064ec59ce80468798ee4e05b95872cf.jpg)
Courtesy of iRobot
Adaptive Navigation
Budget-friendly
High powered
No self-emptying canister
The Roomba E5 is just what you need to tackle debris and messes on the carpet. It’s a great price and will effectively navigate around obstacles like couch legs or coffee tables using its Adaptive Navigation. Like most other Roomba models, the E5 uses a 3-stage cleaning system. But it is five times the power of the Roomba 600 series models, its closest price comparison.
Best for Apartments: iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/41TRoGy5I7L._AC_-1851166fc9754bc6a84d5a67d0c880b3.jpg)
Amazon
Virtual wall compatible
Auto-adjusting height
Ideal runtime for apartments
Small capacity
This Roomba is a bit smaller than some of the other models but still a great option for keeping your space clean. It has a 90-minute runtime, which is perfect for most apartments. You can set it up with a virtual wall to keep it focused on one particular area, ideal for apartment living. The 690 has auto-adjusting height and can travel from carpet to tile or hardwood without any interruption in its cleaning power.
Best for Corners: iRobot Roomba s9+ 9550 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iRobotRoombas99550Wi-FiConnectedRobotVacuum-512125f677854450b49200415af4bb0f.jpg)
Courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond
Flat edge for corners
High powered
Self-emptying
Expensive
iRobot redesigned the overall shape of the Roomba with the S9 model. Rather than being a circular robot, it now has one flat side, perfect for getting into corners and running along the edge of rooms. This helps it deep clean your carpeted rooms by getting into those hard-to-reach areas. It is expensive but has some of the best cleaning technology and most power out of all the Roomba robot vacuums.
Best for Pet Hair: iRobot Roomba J7 Wi-Fi Connected Vacuum
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iRobotRoombaj7-8cf0c80514404143a5dd2a19b2f3e530.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
PrecisionVision Navigation
Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.) guarantee
High powered
Expensive
No self-emptying canister
The Roomba J7 has all of the features that you need to get your carpets clean, including PrecisionVision Navigation. This robot vacuum avoids picking up pet waste and other obstacles, like small cords or toys. iRobot will even replace the vacuum for free if it does accidentally drag pet poop around the house. The J7 model does not have a self-emptying canister, although it is still quite pricey.
Our top pick is the iRobot Roomba i3+ (view at Amazon) for its great value. It has a self-emptying canister, a three-stage suction system to catch debris, and more to make your cleaning routine a breeze. Looking to splurge? We recommend the iRobot Roomba J7+ Self Emptying Vacuum (view at iRobot) for its PrecisionVision navigation that will help it avoid running into obstacles.
What to Look for in a Roomba
Charge Time
Most Roomba models will run for around 90 minutes before needing a charge. This will depend on the amount of dirt that they have to pick up and the power that the vacuum uses. Look for a Roomba that will pick up where it left off in its cleaning routine, even if it does need to return to the base to recharge. A few models do have a longer runtime of 120 minutes on a single charge. These are great options for larger homes and rooms.
Cleaning Path Width
The top-of-the-line Roomba models have a slightly wider cleaning path width than most others. While this isn’t a huge selling point for everyone, it can be a game-changer in some households. If your Roomba has to tackle a lot of pet hair (or human hair), the wider cleaning path width will keep it from getting tangled as easily. It also cuts down on the overall cleaning time needed.
Smart Capabilities
All Roombas work with the iRobot app. Most are also compatible with in-home smart speakers like Alexa. The best Roomba technology is the PrecisionVision Navigation that helps the vacuum avoid pet messes and cords. One of the biggest concerns from buyers before getting a robot vacuum was the possibility that it would drag pet messes all over the house. The PrecisionVision capability (and the P.O.O.P. guarantee that comes with it) keeps that from happening.
-
How do I empty a Roomba?
To empty a Roomba, simply 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.
-
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.
-
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 great service support on their website, which will help you set up your Roomba and reset it or make any changes in the future. -
How often should you change a roomba bag?
You should replace the roomba's filter every two or three months to keep the vacuum working at its best. Keep an eye out for indicator light on the base that will let you know when the bag is full.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To make this list, Katie considered the features offered and the overall price. The top features that she likes in her robot vacuum include good runtime, superior cleaning, and adaptive navigation.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/71AvnpFjgTL._SL1500_-59e0fb93519de2001193e441.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-shark-vacmop-wet-dry-stick-vacuum-phoebe-cheong-photo-01-4142b20f8ea24457bd53ba655a138e58.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1285917401-7b02f7f209fd44359b50ea058179863b.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-590173301-fb678a1f45d94685ab3c9f079add3359.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-8-best-vacuum-for-carpet-recirc-badge-03236603f36849dc9c20c32efcfd6260.jpg){kind=icon}
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spr_recirc_commercebadge_test-81dfec07e4244bbea6839c8c4046be3a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Dolphin-Nautilus-CC-Plus-Robotic-Pool-Cleaner-1-9e519731265c4f41b027311a5485cb71-e0c9f9def7794c6b87e25e116828be1c.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-best-shark-vacuums-recirc-badge-8b7d91deb33342cd92c722e186a02b97.jpg){kind=icon}
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-544723346-5c659014c9e77c000166294c.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Eufy-RoboVac-30C-MAX-02-6bd928ccc42b4e8eae923b9a63cff81f-ca512f17b9b84e968cbc78cdb6ccfb30.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-best-cordless-stick-vacuums-recirc-badge-9d631cedf57647799f2150a437690371.jpg){kind=icon}
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-9-best-hardwood-floor-vacuums-recirc-badge-3676385c64b0423b903072a5154edf3e.jpg){kind=icon}
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MCC-Spruce-RECIRC-MASTER-1500-1125-badge-ed6ac596b8da43d7a5fac5d2781d24c3.jpg){kind=icon}
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-best-dyson-vacuums-recirc-badge-052b3e5b375b410093c3b9dd032bf3ff.jpg){kind=icon}
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iRobot-Roomba-s9-Plus-Vacuum-5-c3f1cb24273542c2874e8384ad95a7a4-1fa9dd44298840ba9ccea3844b8ed043.jpeg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-best-canister-vacuums-recirc-badge-56fae922a0fd459e91a1fada11508546.jpg){kind=icon}