The best iRobot vacuums of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

A robot vacuum is a worthwhile investment, but it can still be a lot of money to spend on a household product. Whatever the price, you want a quality device that can reliably tackle your floor's cleaning needs. Luckily, iRobot has been around the block for a while and has several reputable robot vacuums you can buy. Here at ZDNET, we've spent a lot of time testing and reviewing machines made by iRobot and other manufacturers to help you make the right purchase.

Also: iRobot's latest flagship Roomba is on sale at 29% off

What is the best Roomba vacuum right now?

We've done hands-on testing with and reviewed several Roomba vacuums, evaluating each for design, mapping, self-emptying capabilities, pet waste avoidance skills, smart technology, and cost to help you find the best iRobot vacuum for your home. Based on our testing, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is our pick for the best iRobot vacuum overall, thanks to its smart navigation, self-emptying features, and great price. Read on for the rest of our picks for the best Roomba vacuums.

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The best iRobot Roomba robot vacuums of 2024

4.2 / 5 Score

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is our pick for the best overall iRobot vacuum. With PrecisionVision Navigation, the j7+ beautifully navigates your home without vacuuming cords, shoes, and other common household objects. Its three-stage cleaning system is suitable for a dirty home, successfully cleaning up pet hair and everyday dirt and grime.

Review: iRobot Roomba j7+

The unsung hero of the j7+ is the Clean Base: The vacuum knows when its dustbin is full, pausing in the middle of a job to go self-empty into the Clean Base as often as it takes to get your house clean. Amazon customers also love this feature, maybe even as much as we do. One customer said in a review, "The self-emptying feature is revolutionary; it [also] demonstrates cutting-edge technology by detecting and avoiding obstructions such as cords and pet waste."

The j7+ is one of the few robot vacuums you can trust to clean your home while away. It won't get stuck, will self-empty as needed, and will do a great job overall.

iRobot Roomba j7+ features: Price: $350 | P.O.O.P – pet accident avoidance guarantee | PrecisionVision Navigation | 3-stage cleaning system | Clean Base automatic dirt disposal

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The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential is our pick for the best budget vacuum, thanks to its lower price and smart technology. Despite the $220 price tag, the Roomba Combo Essential still intelligently maps your home and cleans in neat, organized rows like high-end robot vacuums. It also has a removable microfiber mop pad to mop your floors as it cleans.

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

It's hard to emphasize how helpful a quality robot vacuum is. If you run it frequently enough, it will keep your floors clean and help eliminate some of the dust that scatters throughout your home.

One Amazon customer raved about how beneficial the Roomba Combo Essential has been in their home, saying, "It's a compelling option for those seeking an affordable, efficient, and versatile robot vacuum and mop. Its combination of advanced cleaning technology, smart home integration, and user-friendly features make it a worthy consideration for simplification of a cleaning routine."

iRobot Roomba Combo Essential features: Price: $160 (limited-time deal) | Cleans in rows | V-shaped brush roller | Up to 120 minutes runtime | Google Assistant and Alexa capable

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The Roomba s9+ is iRobot's most powerful robot vacuum. It has the highest suction power of all iRobot units and, thanks to its D-shaped design, is made to fit easily into tight corners. The design is one of my favorite features because it easily removes dust bunnies and dog hair clumps from their hiding places.

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

The Clean Base on the s9+ is smaller than the one on the j7+, featuring a skinny and tall design that can fit into your home well. The three-stage cleaning system navigates easily from tile to carpet without skipping a beat. As iRobot's most powerful robot vacuum, you can rest assured it will successfully tackle any mess you throw its way.

Amazon customers appreciate how much time the s9+ saves them, with one saying, "All in all, we are very happy with ours and have had no issues after six months. It's saved us hours of vacuuming time and keeps the house naturally clean. In fact, we are considering a second one dedicated to the 2nd floor."

iRobot Roomba s9+ features: Price: $935 | D-shaped design | iRobot's most-powerful robot vacuum | 3-stage cleaning system | Clean Base automatic dirt disposal

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The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is a two-in-one vacuum and mop with a retractable mop head. It will vacuum and mop until it reaches a carpet or rug. At that point, it will lift its retractable mop head to sit on top of the robot and only vacuum on carpeted surfaces. Once it reaches a flooring surface that needs mopping, it'll drop its mop head back down behind it and begin the two-in-one cleaning once again.

As the name implies, the Combo j9+ uses the same technology as the j9+, so you can rest assured you're getting an intelligent and capable robot. The retractable arm technology is impressive — we ran this in the dark, during the day, in weird shadows, and all kinds of other scenarios, and it never mopped over carpet or rugs. It's truly an intelligent machine.

Review: iRobot Roomba Combo j9+

The improvements made to the Combo j9+ from its predecessor were major ones and ones that make this such a desirable robot. My absolute favorite feature is how quiet it is self-emptying. To date, it may be the quietest self-emptying robot we've tested. The next best feature is also related to Clean Base: the robot's ability to automatically refill the cleaning solution. These features make this Combo machine attractive if you need a reliable two-in-one robot vacuum from iRobot.

A reliable, quality two-in-one machine will change your life, and the Combo j9+ falls into that category. One Amazon customer said, "This Roomba Combo has improved my life. I'm a happier, less stressed person because I have a Roomba Angel who whisks away dirt, dust, and paw prints so I can focus on other things."

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ features: Price: $1,200 | Vacuums and mops simultaneously | Guarantees to avoid pet accidents | Auto-Retract mopping system | Four-stage cleaning system

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Other iRobot vacuums worth considering

BEST BUDGET ALTERNATIVE

iRobot Roomba Vac Essential

The Roomba Vac Essential is a robot vacuum alternative without the mop feature, and it retails for $200.

View at Amazon

BEST SELF-EMPTYING ALTERNATIVE

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

This is the perfect self-emptying robot vacuum for carpeted homes, including those with pets.

View at Amazon

BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR PET HAIR

iRobot Roomba j7

This robot vacuum works well on both carpeted and hard floors. With Dirt Detect Technology, the j7 can focus on the dirtier areas around your home to give you a thorough cleaning.

View at Amazon Robot Vacuum Roundups Robot Vacuums Reviewed & Compared

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