7 Best iRobot Vacuums of 2025

The iRobot Roomba j9+ doesn’t just clean—it anticipates. With 100% stronger suction than the Combo i Series and PrecisionVision Navigation, this robot reads your home like a seasoned pro, dodging pet waste, cords, and toys with uncanny accuracy. Its Dirt Detective Intelligence learns your cleaning habits, automatically prioritizing high-traffic zones and adjusting suction on the fly—making it a game-changer for pet owners tired of surprise messes and half-cleaned corners. If you’ve ever dreaded stepping on a forgotten sock or found your robot stuck under a chair, this model flips the script with confidence and flair.

In real-world testing, the j9+ delivers a wall-to-wall clean with military precision, navigating in tight, efficient rows thanks to advanced LiDAR and camera-based obstacle detection. It tackles both carpets and hard floors with ease, using its 3-stage cleaning system and dual rubber brushes to pull up embedded pet hair and fine dust. Even in cluttered living rooms or dim hallways, it maintains flawless coverage—though it occasionally slows near reflective surfaces where the camera can misread depth. While the mopping function is absent (a trade-off for its vacuum-only focus), its 60-day self-emptying bin keeps maintenance to a bare minimum, ideal for busy households.

Positioned above the Roomba Max 705 and far ahead of budget combos like the 105, the j9+ is the undisputed king of smart vacuuming—especially for homes with pets. It sacrifices mopping for superior suction and obstacle avoidance, making it a focused powerhouse rather than a jack-of-all-trades. For those who value cleaning autonomy over multi-functionality, the j9+ offers unmatched intelligence and reliability. It commands a premium, but its performance-to-smarts ratio outshines even the Max 705, which lacks its real-time visual processing.

The iRobot Roomba 104 Combo is a budget-savvy multitasker that brings self-emptying and mopping to a price point most brands reserve for vacuums alone. With 70x more power-lifting suction than the 600 series and a microfiber mop pad driven by a precision water pump, it handles daily grime across hard floors with surprising finesse. Its ClearView LiDAR navigation maps your home swiftly, avoiding obstacles and stairs with confidence—while the auto-detection of carpets ensures rugs stay dry during mopping runs, a rare and welcome feature at this tier. If you’re tired of manual pad removal or inconsistent water flow, this robot delivers hands-free consistency.

During testing, the 104 Combo proved reliable on tile and hardwood, lifting tracked-in dirt and light spills with its SmartScrub mode enabling 2x deeper scrubbing. The vacuum performance is solid for low-pile carpets, though it struggles slightly on thicker rugs where suction can’t fully engage. The 75-day AutoEmpty dock is a standout, sealing allergens in a bag with 99% filtration—perfect for allergy sufferers. However, the mopping pad tends to dry out on larger homes, and water distribution isn’t as even as higher-end models like the Plus 405. Still, for its class, it covers ground efficiently and adapts well to daily living room spills or kitchen crumbs.

When stacked against the Roomba 105 Combo with AutoEmpty, the 104 offers nearly identical performance but at a slightly lower price, making it a smarter buy for budget-focused buyers who want both vacuuming and mopping with self-emptying. It’s not as powerful or intelligent as the j9+ or Max 705, but it fills the gap for pet owners who want low-maintenance, dual-function cleaning without overspending. For small to medium homes where mopping matters but deep carpet cleaning isn’t critical, the 104 Combo delivers exceptional value—outclassing basic vacuums with its thoughtful, pet-friendly design.

The iRobot Roomba Max 705 is a suction-driven powerhouse built for homes that demand deep cleaning without compromise. With 180x more suction in Spot Clean mode than the 600 series and anti-tangle dual rubber brushes, it powers through pet hair, cereal spills, and embedded debris like a miniaturized canister vacuum. Its ClearView Pro LiDAR delivers rapid, precise mapping, while PrecisionVision AI enables real-time obstacle avoidance—keeping it clear of cords, shoes, and yes, even pet waste. If you’ve ever had a robot skip spots or spin out in confusion, the Max 705’s Dirt Detect Technology ensures no mess goes unnoticed, automatically increasing passes in high-traffic zones.

In performance trials, the Max 705 excelled on both low and medium-pile carpets, lifting fur and fine dust with ease thanks to its Carpet Boost mode and edge-sweeping brush. It navigated tight spaces between furniture with fluid precision, rarely needing rescue. The 75-day AutoEmpty dock keeps maintenance minimal, sealing allergens in a bag that traps particles down to 0.7 microns—ideal for allergy-prone homes. However, it lacks mopping, limiting its appeal for those wanting all-in-one floor care. On hard floors, it vacuums well but doesn’t wet-clean, leaving sticky spots untouched unless pre-treated.

Compared to the j9+, the Max 705 trades some AI smarts (like real-time camera learning) for raw vacuuming power at a slightly lower price. It’s more performance-focused than the Plus 504, offering stronger suction and better navigation than value models. For pet owners who prioritize deep carpet cleaning and reliability over mopping or voice command volume, the Max 705 is a top-tier choice. It delivers near-j9+ vacuum performance without the premium AI overhead, making it a smarter pick than the j9+ for those who don’t need mopping or ultra-advanced learning.

The iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is the ultimate mopping upgrade in iRobot’s lineup, engineered for users who want spotless hard floors without lifting a finger. It combines 70x more suction than the 600 series with spinning DualClean Mop Pads and SmartScrub technology, delivering 2x deeper scrubbing force and consistent water pressure for real stain removal. The real magic lies in the AutoWash Dock, which doesn’t just empty the bin—it washes and dries the mop pads automatically, preventing mildew and odors between runs. If you’ve ever dealt with a smelly, damp mop pad, this feature is a revelation.

In real-world use, the Plus 405 shines on tile, laminate, and sealed hardwood, lifting coffee rings, footprints, and dried sauce with minimal pre-cleaning. The downward pressure on mop pads ensures contact even on uneven floors, while the robot intelligently lifts pads when approaching carpets—no manual setup needed. The 75-day self-empty and 4-week mopping cycle (with weekly runs) mean true hands-off operation. However, the water tank is small, limiting runtime on large homes, and the vacuum motor, while strong, isn’t as aggressive as the Max 705 on thick pet hair.

Against the Roomba 104 or 105 Combos, the Plus 405 is in a different league—its automated pad washing and drying set it apart as the only model that truly maintains itself. It’s more specialized than the j9+, sacrificing raw suction and AI navigation for unmatched mopping convenience. For homes with mostly hard floors and pets that track in messes, it offers the most complete, low-effort clean in iRobot’s catalog. While it costs more than basic combos, its mopping autonomy outperforms even pricier rivals, making it the clear choice over the Max 705 when wet cleaning is a priority.

The iRobot Roomba 105 Combo is the entry point to smart cleaning, offering core iRobot intelligence at a price that won’t break the bank. With 70x more suction than the 600 series and a 4-stage cleaning system, it handles daily dust, crumbs, and light pet messes across hard floors and low-pile rugs. Its ClearView LiDAR navigation maps homes quickly, cleaning in neat rows and avoiding obstacles—even in total darkness—while the automatic carpet detection ensures mop pads stay dry, a rare win in budget models. If you’re new to robot vacuums and want something simple yet effective, this is your gateway.

In testing, the 105 Combo proved reliable for small apartments and tidy homes, vacuuming with consistent coverage and delivering a decent wet clean on sealed floors. The SmartScrub mode offers 2x deeper scrubbing, though water distribution is less precise than higher-end models. It lacks self-emptying in this base version, meaning you’ll empty the bin weekly—a trade-off for affordability. The 2.4GHz Wi-Fi requirement is standard, and the app is intuitive, letting you schedule cleans, set zones, and control suction. However, it struggles with large messes and thick carpets, and the mop pad dries unevenly over long runs.

Compared to the self-emptying 105 Combo with AutoEmpty Dock, this model saves you money but adds weekly maintenance. It’s less powerful than the Plus 405 and lacks AI navigation, but it outperforms generic brands with its reliable mapping and carpet detection. For first-time buyers or renters who want a no-fuss combo robot, the 105 delivers solid performance without complexity. It doesn’t match the j9+ in smarts or the Plus 405 in mopping, but for basic, budget-friendly automation, it’s a smarter starting point than pricier, over-featured models.

The iRobot Roomba 105 Combo with AutoEmpty is the sweet spot between cost and convenience, upgrading the base 105 with a game-changing 75-day self-emptying dock. It retains the same 70x suction boost, ClearView LiDAR, and automatic carpet detection, but now eliminates weekly bin emptying—making it ideal for pet owners and busy households. The micro-pump mopping system delivers consistent moisture, and SmartScrub mode doubles down on grime, lifting dried spills that basic bots leave behind. If you want a set-it-and-forget-it combo robot without paying premium prices, this model hits the mark.

Real-world tests show it handles daily debris and light mopping with ease, navigating around furniture and under tables with confidence. The AutoEmpty dock traps 99% of allergens, sealing dust in a bag—no clouds of particles when you take it out. It’s especially effective in homes under 1,500 sq ft, where it completes full cleans without refills. However, the mopping pad still dries mid-cycle on larger homes, and vacuum power, while strong, can’t match the Max 705 on deep carpet cleaning. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, so it may occasionally bump into cords or socks.

Stacked against the Roomba 104 Combo, this model offers nearly identical performance but with the critical advantage of self-emptying—making it the better long-term investment. It’s less advanced than the Plus 405 but far more affordable, striking a balance the j9+ doesn’t need to consider. For pet owners who want hands-free vacuuming and decent mopping, this robot delivers where it counts. It doesn’t have camera navigation or pet waste avoidance, but its value-for-features ratio beats the Max 705 when mopping and self-cleaning are top priorities.

The iRobot Roomba Plus 504 is a smart mid-tier performer that brings premium features like PrecisionVision AI and 75-day self-emptying to a more accessible price. With 150x more suction than the 600 series and anti-tangle dual rubber brushes, it’s built to conquer pet hair, dust, and debris across all floor types. Its ClearView Pro LiDAR delivers fast, accurate mapping, while Dirt Detect Technology spots high-traffic zones and increases cleaning passes automatically—ensuring no spot is skipped. If you want j9+–level intelligence without the top-tier cost, the Plus 504 delivers real value.

In testing, the Plus 504 handled pet-heavy homes with ease, navigating around toys and cords with minimal intervention. The Carpet Boost mode enhances suction on rugs, and the edge brush captures dust in corners where most robots fail. The AutoEmpty dock keeps the bin clean for up to 75 days, sealing allergens effectively—ideal for asthma sufferers. However, it lacks mopping, limiting its use to vacuum-only homes. It also doesn’t have the j9+’s real-time learning, so it won’t adapt as quickly to layout changes.

Compared to the Max 705, the Plus 504 offers similar navigation and self-emptying but with slightly less raw suction. Against the j9+, it trades some AI depth for affordability. For pet owners who want strong vacuuming, obstacle avoidance, and low maintenance, it’s a smarter buy than overpriced all-in-ones. It doesn’t mop like the Plus 405, but its vacuum performance and AI smarts outshine the 105 Combo, making it the best value for those who prioritize cleaning intelligence over multi-functionality.