The best iRobot vacuums of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

A robot vacuum is a worthwhile funding, however it may possibly nonetheless be some huge cash to spend on a family product. Regardless of the value, you need a high quality gadget that may reliably deal with your ground’s cleansing wants. Fortunately, iRobot has been across the block for some time and has a number of respected robotic vacuums you should buy. Right here at ZDNET, we have spent a variety of time testing and reviewing machines made by iRobot and different producers that will help you make the precise buy.

Additionally: iRobot’s latest flagship Roomba is on sale at 29% off

What’s the finest Roomba vacuum proper now? 

We have accomplished hands-on testing with and reviewed a number of Roomba vacuums, evaluating every for design, mapping, self-emptying capabilities, pet waste avoidance abilities, sensible expertise, and value that will help you discover the very best iRobot vacuum in your house. Based mostly on our testing, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is our choose for the very best iRobot vacuum total, due to its sensible navigation, self-emptying options, and nice value. Learn on for the remainder of our picks for the very best Roomba vacuums. 

One of the best iRobot Roomba robotic vacuums of 2024

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The iRobot Roomba j7+ is our choose for the very best total iRobot vacuum. With PrecisionVision Navigation, the j7+ fantastically navigates your own home with out vacuuming cords, sneakers, and different widespread family objects. Its three-stage cleansing system is appropriate for a unclean house, efficiently cleansing up pet hair and on a regular basis grime and dirt. 

Assessment: iRobot Roomba j7+

The unsung hero of the j7+ is the Clear Base: The vacuum is aware of when its dustbin is full, pausing in the course of a job to go self-empty into the Clear Base as typically because it takes to get your own home clear. Amazon prospects additionally love this function, possibly whilst a lot as we do. One buyer stated in a overview, “The self-emptying function is revolutionary; it [also] demonstrates cutting-edge expertise by detecting and avoiding obstructions reminiscent of cords and pet waste.”

The j7+ is among the few robotic vacuums you possibly can belief to scrub your own home whereas away. It will not get caught, will self-empty as wanted, and can do an ideal job total. 

iRobot Roomba j7+ options: Value: $350 | P.O.O.P – pet accident avoidance assure | PrecisionVision Navigation | 3-stage cleansing system | Clear Base computerized grime disposal


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Roomba j7+ vacuuming on tile.

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The iRobot Roomba Combo Important is our choose for the very best funds vacuum, due to its lower cost and sensible expertise. Regardless of the $220 price ticket, the Roomba Combo Important nonetheless intelligently maps your own home and cleans in neat, organized rows like high-end robotic vacuums. It additionally has a detachable microfiber mop pad to mop your flooring because it cleans. 

Additionally: The best robot vacuum deals right now: Save on iRobot, Roborock, and more

It is exhausting to emphasise how useful a high quality robotic vacuum is. For those who run it continuously sufficient, it’ll preserve your flooring clear and assist eradicate a number of the mud that scatters all through your own home. 

One Amazon buyer raved about how useful the Roomba Combo Important has been of their house, saying, “It is a compelling choice for these searching for an inexpensive, environment friendly, and versatile robotic vacuum and mop. Its mixture of superior cleansing expertise, sensible house integration, and user-friendly options make it a worthy consideration for simplification of a cleansing routine.”

iRobot Roomba Combo Important options: Value: $160 (limited-time deal) | Cleans in rows | V-shaped brush curler | As much as 120 minutes runtime | Google Assistant and Alexa succesful


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Roomba Combo Essential robot vacuum and mop

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The Roomba s9+ is iRobot’s strongest robotic vacuum. It has the very best suction energy of all iRobot models and, due to its D-shaped design, is made to suit simply into tight corners. The design is considered one of my favourite options as a result of it simply removes mud bunnies and canine hair clumps from their hiding locations. 

Additionally: The best robot vacuums for 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

The Clear Base on the s9+ is smaller than the one on the j7+, that includes a thin and tall design that may match into your own home nicely. The three-stage cleansing system navigates simply from tile to carpet with out skipping a beat. As iRobot’s strongest robotic vacuum, you possibly can relaxation assured it’ll efficiently deal with any mess you throw its method. 

Amazon prospects recognize how a lot time the s9+ saves them, with one saying, “All in all, we’re very pleased with ours and have had no points after six months. It is saved us hours of vacuuming time and retains the home naturally clear. In reality, we’re contemplating a second one devoted to the 2nd ground.”

iRobot Roomba s9+ options: Value: $935 | D-shaped design | iRobot’s most-powerful robotic vacuum | 3-stage cleansing system | Clear Base computerized grime disposal 


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Roomba s9+ vacuuming on carpet.

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The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is a two-in-one vacuum and mop with a retractable mop head. It’ll vacuum and mop till it reaches a carpet or rug. At that time, it’ll raise its retractable mop head to take a seat on prime of the robotic and solely vacuum on carpeted surfaces. As soon as it reaches a flooring floor that wants mopping, it’s going to drop its mop head again down behind it and start the two-in-one cleansing as soon as once more. 

Because the title implies, the Combo j9+ makes use of the identical expertise because the j9+, so you possibly can relaxation assured you are getting an clever and succesful robotic. The retractable arm expertise is spectacular — we ran this at the hours of darkness, in the course of the day, in bizarre shadows, and all types of different situations, and it by no means mopped over carpet or rugs. It is actually an clever machine.

Assessment: iRobot Roomba Combo j9+

The enhancements made to the Combo j9+ from its predecessor have been main ones and ones that make this such a fascinating robotic. My absolute favourite function is how quiet it’s self-emptying. To this point, it could be the quietest self-emptying robotic we have examined. The following finest function can also be associated to Clear Base: the robotic’s potential to routinely refill the cleansing resolution. These options make this Combo machine engaging for those who want a dependable two-in-one robotic vacuum from iRobot.

A dependable, high quality two-in-one machine will change your life, and the Combo j9+ falls into that class. One Amazon buyer stated, “This Roomba Combo has improved my life. I am a happier, much less careworn particular person as a result of I’ve a Roomba Angel who whisks away grime, mud, and paw prints so I can deal with different issues.”

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ options: Value: $1,200 | Vacuums and mops concurrently | Ensures to keep away from pet accidents | Auto-Retract mopping system | 4-stage cleansing system


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Roomba Combo j9+ from the front

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Customers and I like the Roomba j7+ — and for good motive. It is clever, succesful, and maybe most significantly, self-emptying. What good is a robotic vacuum if it does not perceive when its mud bin is full in the course of a job? Irrespective of how a lot there’s, I want a robotic vacuum to suction up all of my grime and particles. A number of different iRobots have a self-emptying base as nicely.

Greatest iRobot vacuum Price Clear Base
iRobot Roomba j7+ $430 Sure
iRobot Roomba s9+ $935 Sure
iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ $1,200 Sure
iRobot Roomba Combo Important $160 No


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Even the very best iRobot vacuums start to mix collectively after some time. These are our skilled suggestions that will help you discover the very best vacuum in your wants.

Select this finest iRobot vacuum…

For those who want…

iRobot Roomba j7+

iRobot’s most clever robotic vacuum available on the market. It is good for individuals who have pets and do not at all times have time to choose up their house earlier than they vacuum.

iRobot Roomba s9+

A premium iRobot vacuum that tackles pet hair. It additionally options computerized emptying so that you by no means have to fret in regards to the vacuum unit getting clogged.

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+

A mix robotic vacuum and mop. This 2-in-1 mannequin is able to cleansing up nearly any mess from nearly any floor.

iRobot Roomba Combo Important

A budget-friendly iRobot vacuum. It retails beneath $300 and nonetheless gives nice options like Alexa voice controls and cleansing schedules.


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Whereas making an attempt to find out the very best Roomba vacuum, we saved a number of components on the forefront of our testing and analysis that may additionally support in your search: 

  • Ground sorts: Some robotic vacuums are outfitted to work with sure ground sorts, like carpet or hardwood. Others might be able to accommodate different ground sorts, like stone or marble. Before you purchase, contemplate the forms of flooring in your house and which vacuum is most applicable.
  • Mapping: For full automation, your robotic vacuum should have a mapping function to navigate every room. You additionally wish to contemplate an impediment avoidance function that may keep away from issues like furnishings, wires, and even pet waste. This function is a must have in my house with strewn about.
  • Battery: An iRobot vacuum is hardly value it if it does not have the battery to maintain it going. Think about the battery time earlier than selecting the very best robotic vacuum to make sure it has sufficient energy to scrub your own home. If you choose a robotic vacuum with the technical functionality to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, after which resume the job the place it left off, this will not be as massive of an element as others on this checklist. Most Roomba vacuums have this functionality, but it surely’s value double-checking.
  • Connectivity: Most of the finest robotic vacuums provide voice management, some even with Alexa. Others might function an app that permits you to management your robotic from afar, set schedules, monitor progress, and management the machine’s efforts. For those who’re hoping for voice activation quite than utilizing an app, verify and see if the machine is suitable with the house assistant of your selection. 


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ZDNET has a number of robotic vacuum reviewers who’ve examined over 50 models so far. We conduct assessments in actual houses with actual challenges, and in a managed lab atmosphere for comparability.

Additionally: How we test robot vacuums at ZDNET in 2024

Here is what we contemplate when testing robotic vacuums and mops at ZDNET:

  • Decide analysis standards: For our key analysis standards, we contemplate how robots carry out by assessing their suction energy, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We additionally assess the consumer expertise, the robotic’s versatility, longevity, and whether or not it delivers on its specs.
  • Unboxing: Throughout this course of, we assess the packaging and setup expertise and notice any equipment and distinctive options.
  • Testing environments: We check the robotic vacuums on totally different ground sorts (like carpet and hardwood) and see how they navigate numerous obstacles to check efficiency.
  • Efficiency metrics: We check suction energy with numerous particles sorts and assess impediment navigation and mapping accuracy.
  • Additional options: When testing robotic vacuum and mop combos, we consider their effectiveness at eradicating stains and total cleansing high quality. We additionally verify how distinctive options work, like impediment avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, and so on.

To prime all of it off, we gauge the gadget’s longevity and long-term efficiency by utilizing it over the course of some months. Our overview timelines fluctuate, however we sometimes check robotic vacuums for a couple of month earlier than reviewing and preserve our critiques up to date whereas the gadget is obtainable.


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iRobot vacuums fluctuate in runtime, ranging wherever from 90 minutes to 120 minutes on a single cost. iRobot vacuums are a number of the few available on the market that may acknowledge their mud bins are full in the course of a job, pause, self-empty, after which return to their job with out you ever having to raise a finger. All of this to say, I totally excuse the shortage of runtime capabilities a number of the iRobots provide due to this unbelievable function.


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Sure, particularly for these busier households. iRobot vacuums require an upfront funding, however they’re cost-effective machines that may prevent a ton of labor and stress. These are self-sufficient machines you possibly can activate and neglect about, enormously simplifying life and decreasing cleansing prices. The ROI (return on funding) I’ve gained from having further time with my household is value the price of even the priciest Roomba.


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iRobot Roombas can vary from just a few hundred {dollars} to greater than a thousand. One of the best iRobot Roombas run between $200 and $1,400, relying in your chosen mannequin.


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Different iRobot vacuums value contemplating


Robotic Vacuums Reviewed & In contrast

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