The best Roombas in 2022 Tom s Guide
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This is available on some of the more premium models, such as the iRobot Roomba s9+ mentioned above. When the dustbin is full, the Roomba will return to its charging base to empty itself into a larger bin. This means you don't have to empty it so often, and it's ideal if you suffer from allergies as dust isn't released into the air as frequently. Wi-Fi connectivity
Most Roomba vacuums come with Wi-Fi connectivity. With this, you can connect your vacuum to your smartphone, which allows you to better monitor and control it. Hybrid models
Hybrid models are available which can mop as well as vacuum. In our experience, these generally aren't as good as dedicated models though. Mapping
As the name suggests, with mapping your Roomba can map-out your home. It does this using sensors prior to calculating the best cleaning route. It can record obstacles, such as the stairs, and this opens up the no-go zones and targeted room features for some models.No-go zones
With no-go zones, you can mark rooms or areas where you don't want your Roomba to go. It's great if you want to avoid pet bowls or an expensive rug, for instance. Targeted rooms
Using this, you can set where you want the Roomba to focus on cleaning - ideal if there's an unexpected mess. Multiple floors
If you have lots of floors, look for a Roomba which can support multiple maps. That way, you're not restricted to just one floor.Scheduling
You will find this feature on pretty much every robot vacuum with Wi-Fi connectivity. Once it's connected to your phone, you can set up cleaning schedules to best suit your routine. Dust capacity
Smaller dustbins naturally need emptying more often - unless you're lucky enough to own a self-emptying model. 400ml is a good size of capacity for guidance.
The best Roombas in 2022
By Katie Mortram published 25 October 2022 The best Roombas: Robot vacuums and robot mops, tested and ranked Included in this guide:1iRobotRoomba j7+Check Price (opens in new tab)2iRobotRoomba 675Check Price (opens in new tab)3iRobotRoomba i7 PlusCheck Price (opens in new tab)4iRobotRoomba S9+Check Price (opens in new tab)5iRobotRoomba i3+Check Price (opens in new tab)6iRobotRoomba 694Check Price (opens in new tab)7iRobotBraava JetCheck Price (opens in new tab)8iRobotBraava Jet M6Check Price (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Future) Considering the extensive range on offer from iRobot, the best Roombas are quite hard to find. While all Roomba robot vacuums can make the rounds and pick up everyday debris, the best will have a higher rate of power, collecting everything from crumbs to pet hair in one sweep. A good Roomba will also have excellent navigational skills - so no bumping into furniture legs or missing a crucial corner. Ideally, you want one with a user-friendly design as well, which means it's intuitive to operate and easy to empty when the time comes. Having said that, if you opt for a Roomba with a self-emptying base, you won't need to worry about that. iRobot offers some of the latest tech, such as object recognition and self-emptying bases. So, depending on what you want to spend there's a whole host of features to peruse. But, you don't necessarily have to spend the big bucks to get one of the best Roombas. We put a range of models to the test to see which delivered the best performance, and there's a winner here to suit every budget. These are the best Roombas.The best Roombas you can buy today
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)1 iRobot Roomba j7
The best Roomba overallSpecifications
Size: 13.3 x 3.4 inchesDust bin capacity: Up to 60 daysWeight: 7.5 poundsMapping: YesSmart home compatibility: Alexa & Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Bed Bath & Beyond (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Excellent obstacle avoidance +Learns from cleaning data +Easy to create no-go zones +Redesigned Clean Base is less obtrusiveReasons to avoid
-Clean Base is very loud -Middling pet hair pickup on carpet iRobot's newest offering, the Roomba j7+, is one of the best robot vacuums you can buy. It stands out for promising to avoid pet poop - a major fear for robot vacuum owners. This is thanks to its obstacle avoidance technology, which will detect an object and choose to veer around it. It essentially learns from every run, so it recognises items such as cables and socks - in time, it should grow its database to factor in larger objects too. The J7+ comes with a handy clean base as well, which will store up to 60 days of debris. It's a compact and attractive design for a base too - not too obtrusive. In terms of cleaning performance, the j7+ held its own on larger debris, such as cereal and kitty litter, but there were better scorers for pet hair. Having said that, with an overall cleaning score of 91.81, this is by no means a poor performer and its object detection technology is next to none. This model won't come cheap, but it often features in the best robot vacuum deals list. Read our full iRobot Roomba j7+ review. (Image credit: Future)2 iRobot Roomba 675
Best Roomba for those on a budgetSpecifications
Size: 13 x 13 x 3.7 inchesDust bin capacity: 350 mlWeight: 7.8 poundsMapping: NoSmart home compatibility: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Target (opens in new tab)View at iRobot (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Affordable+Easy-to-use app+Wi-Fi connectedReasons to avoid
-Charging indicator could be brighter-Uses older navigation technology Just because it's a Roomba doesn't mean you have to take out a second mortgage on your house just to get one in your home. Behold the iRobot Roomba 675, one of the best cheap robot vacuums. Like its more premium siblings, the Roomba 675 is Wi-Fi connected and controlled via the iRobot app, meaning you're not hunting around for a remote when it's time to clean. You can also schedule cleanings directly from the app. While it's not capable of mapping your pad, you can set up virtual walls to keep the bot from venturing into areas it shouldn't. Dressed in a mix of shiny black and matte grey, the Roomba 675 looks refined and understated. We love the sturdy carrying handle that's built into the bot. Since the 675 doesn't offer any mapping, you're likely to find yourself picking it up and moving it from room to room to target specific areas. iRobot uses two different-sized brush rolls - one with rubber flaps and one with bristles-- to enhance the cleaning prowess of the Roomba 675. However, in our Roomba 675 review, we found that while it was good for Cheerios and kitty litter, the robovac wasn't as capable as other models at cleaning up pet hair, collecting just 74% in our tests. The company says its Auto-Adjust cleaning head will adapt to surfaces of different heights. Should one of those brush rolls go bad, iRobot sells numerous replacement parts for the Roomba 675, ensuring that you'll be able to repair it instead of tossing it in a landfill. Read our full Roomba 675 review. (Image credit: Future)3 iRobot Roomba i7
Best Roomba for large homes with multiple roomsSpecifications
Size: 13.3 x 13.3 x 3.7 inchesDust bin capacity: 500 ml Weight: 7.4 poundsMapping: YesSmart home compatibility: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Excellent navigation+Able to clean just one room+Fast cleanerReasons to avoid
-Clean Base is very loud-Cheerio pickup could be stronger The Roomba i7+ was the first robot vacuum to come with iRobot's Clean Base, a self-emptying dustbin that's built into the charging base. It uses small disposable vacuum bags to capture dust. After approximately 30 runs, the bag will need to be replaced. It's a godsend for those who have allergies and aversions to handling dust. But that's far from the only standout feature on the Roomba i7+. This Wi-Fi-connected mapping robot is capable of cleaning specific rooms on demand while avoiding fixed obstacles like pet food bowls. In our Roomba i7+ review, this was among the first mapping robots we encountered that we could almost see thinking. It would enter a room going one direction and then clean, pause and head toward another area at a slightly different angle. From the Roomba app, you're able to schedule cleanings and tweak the map for your floor plan. The i7+ remembers up to 10 different floor plans, which can be edited at any time. Like the Roomba s9, the Roomba i7 plays well with the Braava jet m6 robot mop. When the vacuum is finished cleaning, the Braava jet m6 will start mopping. We are truly living in the future. Though the Roomba i7+ isn't the cheapest Roomba around, it has dropped in price significantly since the s9 was introduced. It scored fairly well across the board in our tests, although Cheerio pick wasn't as strong as we would have liked at 93%. Read our full iRobot Roomba i7+ review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)4 iRobot Roomba s9
Best premium RoombaSpecifications
Size: 12.3 x 12.3 x 3.5 inchesDust bin capacity: 388 mlWeight: 8.2 poundsMapping: YesSmart home compatibility: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Attractive, premium design+Mapping was quick and easy+Easy-to-use mapping controls in appReasons to avoid
-Loud vacuum, loud dustbin-Very expensive Go big or go home, right? iRobot's first D-shaped Roomba is one of the best robot vacuums we've tested, making it one of the best vacuum cleaners overall. The Roomba s9 aims to elevate the task of vacuuming to a human level-- by vacuuming more where it's needed and avoiding places where it's not. The s9+ version pairs this intelligent vac with a self-emptying base designed to limit exposure to dust. Once it's set up, the only help the Roomba s9+ needs is replacing the vacuum bag when it's full. The D-shape of the s9 helps it clean more thoroughly along baseboards and corners.. A recessed brushed bronze disc sits in the center and subtle lines suggesting movement are etched into the black plastic surrounding it. When the Roomba s9+ is cleaning, white light zooms around the edge of the disc. This is truly a good-looking vacuum cleaner. Controlling the Roomba s9+ is done via the iRobot app, which is where you can view mapping results, demarcate specific rooms, and create no-go zones. The s9+ supports scheduled cleanings of specific rooms or whole floors. Have multiple levels? iRobot says its Imprint Smart Mapping will support up to 10 maps. As if that wasn't enough, the Roomba s9 will work in tandem with the Braava jet m6 mopping robot. When the s9 finishes vacuuming, the Braava jet m6 will start mopping, giving you clean floors with minimal effort. In our tests, the Roomba s9 earned a perfect score when picking up kitty litter on both hardwood and carpet. It also excelled at picking up dog hair as well as Cheerios. The only downfall of the Roomba s9+ (aside from its price) is that it's loud. In our Roomba S9+ review, we noted the vacuum itself was noisy on hardwood floors, but the self-emptying Clean Base sounded like a jet engine readying for takeoff. This is definitely a robot you'll want cleaning when you're not home. Read our full iRobot Roomba S9+ review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)5 iRobot Roomba i3
Roomba's least expensive self-emptying robot vacuumSpecifications
Cleaning Performance: 90.1Pet Hair Score: 75.5Bin Size: 500 mlSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google AssistantSize: 13.26 x 13.26 x 3.6 inchesWeight: 7.4 poundsToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Self-emptying base great for those with allergies+Excellent hardwood performance+Auto-detects dirtier areasReasons to avoid
-Poor pet hair pickup on carpet-Lacks smart mapping-Very loud Clean Base The iRobot Roomba i3+ is the company's least-expensive robot vacuum with a self-cleaning feature. Thanks to the self-emptying base, you don't have to dump out its contents after every run-very convenient. The Roomba i3+ excelled at most of our tests, except for picking up pet hair on carpet, which scored just 58%. Compared to the Roomba 675 which scored 99%, there's no competition here. The Roomba i3+ can be controlled via an app as well as with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can create a schedule and connect it to smart home devices. Unlike the more expensive Roomba i7+ and s9+, though, the i3+ can't be directed to map individual rooms. Overall though, we really liked its performance, and it's nice not to have to clean it after every use. Read our full iRobot Roomba i3+ review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)6 iRobot Roomba 694
Specifications
Size: 13.4 inches x 3.5 inchesDust bin capacity: 350 mlWeight: 6.8 poundsMapping: NoSmart home compatibility: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at wayfair (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Solid cleaning performance+Timed cleaning options in app+Location-based cleaning optionsReasons to avoid
-No mapping-Similar model still available for less The iRobot Roomba 694 is essentially the Roomba 675 but with a few additional tricks. Unlike smarter Roombas, the 694 is a bump-style robot vacuum, in that it roams around your room randomly and turns when it hits an object. However, the Roomba 694 can be connected to an app, which lets you use features such as geofencing so that the robot will only start cleaning once you've left the house. It also means you can use Alexa and Google Assistant to tell the robot to start cleaning. In our tests, we found the Roomba 694 to be a good cleaner, with a slightly better overall score than the Roomba 675. On hardwood floors, it picked up nearly 95 percent of dog hair - but only 68 percent on carpet. Read our full Roomba 694 review. (Image credit: Future)7 iRobot Braava jet 240
Best Roomba for mopping on a budgetSpecifications
Size: 7 x 6.7 x 3.3 inchesWeight: 2.7 pounds Mapping: NoSmart home compatibility: NoToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Newegg (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Lightweight and compact+Multiple cleaning modes+Replaceable batteryReasons to avoid
-Must purchase washable or disposable replacement pads-Drags dirt around Roomba's the name of the game for vacuums, but when it comes to iRobot's robot mops, there is Braava. The budget-friendly Braava jet 240 is a diminutive bot that's particularly good at cleaning small spaces. Most impressively, this robot mop respects boundaries. Pressing and holding the Clean button illuminates two blue lights on the top of the bot. The lights represent an invisible line that the Braava jet 240 will refuse to cross. It's a nifty trick and, more importantly, we found in our Braava jet 240 review that it worked well. If you've never used a robot mop before, the Braava jet 240 is a good place to start. We were impressed at how well it cleaned edges and liked the fresh scent it left when it was done. For less than $200, it's an easy way to keep your floors clean without lugging out the mop and bucket. So how does it actually work? The Braava jet 240 mops in a back and forth motion and uses scented cleaning pads that are akin to Swiffer pads. There are three types of proprietary pads made by iRobot that work with the Braava jet 240: a white, dry sweeping pad; an orange, damp sweeping pad; and a blue, wet mopping pad. Reusable, washable pads are available in addition to disposable ones. Attach the pad for the type of cleaning you'd like and forget it. The full-of-tricks Braava jet 240 is able to detect which pad is attached and adjust its cleaning style accordingly. Read our full iRobot Braava Jet 240 Mopping Robot review. iRobot Braava jet m6 (Image credit: Future)8 iRobot Braava jet m6
Best for multi-room moppingSpecifications
Size: 10.6 x 10.6 x 3.5 inchesWeight: 4.85 poundsMapping: YesSmart home compatibility: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Bed Bath & Beyond (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Able to clean specific rooms+Wi-Fi connected+Works in tandem with some RoombasReasons to avoid
-Expensive The iRobot Braava jet m6 is, in essence the Roomba s9, but for mopping. This impressive bot uses the same advanced navigation found in the Roomba s9 and Roomba i7 to clean and map your home. It'll save a map of your home's layout that can be customized, giving you the power to command the Braava jet m6 to clean specific rooms while avoiding no-go areas such as pet food bowls. While this is a handy feature in a vacuum, it's nearly essential in a mop. No one wants to deal with a wet rug. The square shape of the Braava jet m6 means it cleans well along baseboards. We like the easy-to-fill removable water tank, too. Like some Roombas, when the mop's battery gets low, it'll head back to its base, recharge, and then get back to work. Perhaps the neatest feature of the Braava jet m6 is how it works in tandem with the Roomba s9 and Roomba i7. When the vacuum has finished cleaning and returned to its base, the mop goes to work. Like the Braava jet 240, the Braava jet m6 uses proprietary wet and dry cleaning pads that are available in reusable or disposable versions. The m6 is at the top of our list of the best robot mops; as we found in our Braava jet m6 review, it was the best at both mopping and sweeping, and all of its smarts made it the easiest to use, too. Read our full iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop review.How we tested the best Roombas
Our list of the best Roombas has been compiled through a combination of hands-on testing alongside extensive online research. Those which are tested in-house must demonstrate high levels of pick-up on everyday debris, including Cheerios, kitty litter and dog hair across both carpet and hardwood floors. We also take into account the effectiveness of the navigation as well as how much noise it makes on route. Speed is also considered as part of this test. On top of that, we give the overall design a once-over, checking how easy the dustbin and filter are to remove and refit, as well as factoring in the settings and features on offer. We also test the app to see how easy it is to navigate and how intuitive the Roomba is to use on the whole. Those models which are assessed based solely on online research need to have a proven track record in performance. We check this by referring to online reviews which must be commendable as well as consistent. Specifications are also compared to find the models which have the most to offer. Battery life and dustbin capacity are considered along with special features such as obstacle recognition and self-emptying bases.How to choose the best Roomba for you
Choosing the best Roomba for your home and lifestyle is as easy as considering what features are important to you. Want to be able to tell your bot exactly which rooms to clean? Consider the Roomba j7+, s9+, the Roomba i7+, or the Braava jet m6. All of them use advanced camera navigation, allowing them to create and save accurate maps of your home. From there, you can customize a map by naming specific rooms and creating no-go zones to keep the robot from pushing Fido's food bowl across the floor. If the last thing you want to deal with is a dustbin full of everything that was just cleaned up, the automatic, self-emptying Clean Base that's available with the Roomba j7+, s9+ and the Roomba i7+ will be right up your alley. The base uses bags that seal shut when removed, keeping the dust and allergens at bay. Struggle with pet poop collisions? Then the answer is easily the new iRobot Roomba j7+. With obstacle avoidance technology, this problem is a thing of the past. In fact, iRobot is so confident in the Roomba j7+'s intelligence that it's introduced the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P), whereby iRobot will replace any j7+ that fails to avoid solid pet waste. Want to control your Roomba or Braava from your phone? You're in luck. All of these models, from the Roomba 675 up to the Roomba s9+ can be controlled via the iRobot app. Every model (except the Braava jet 240) is Wi-Fi connected, meaning you'll be able to start or schedule a cleaning when you're not home. Afterall, there's nothing better than coming home to a clean house. The one exception is the Braava jet 240. This mopping bot connects to the iRobot app via Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi. The removable battery and nature of this mop make it an unlikely candidate for a completely unsupervised cleaning session.Features to look out for
Self-emptyingThis is available on some of the more premium models, such as the iRobot Roomba s9+ mentioned above. When the dustbin is full, the Roomba will return to its charging base to empty itself into a larger bin. This means you don't have to empty it so often, and it's ideal if you suffer from allergies as dust isn't released into the air as frequently. Wi-Fi connectivity
Most Roomba vacuums come with Wi-Fi connectivity. With this, you can connect your vacuum to your smartphone, which allows you to better monitor and control it. Hybrid models
Hybrid models are available which can mop as well as vacuum. In our experience, these generally aren't as good as dedicated models though. Mapping
As the name suggests, with mapping your Roomba can map-out your home. It does this using sensors prior to calculating the best cleaning route. It can record obstacles, such as the stairs, and this opens up the no-go zones and targeted room features for some models.No-go zones
With no-go zones, you can mark rooms or areas where you don't want your Roomba to go. It's great if you want to avoid pet bowls or an expensive rug, for instance. Targeted rooms
Using this, you can set where you want the Roomba to focus on cleaning - ideal if there's an unexpected mess. Multiple floors
If you have lots of floors, look for a Roomba which can support multiple maps. That way, you're not restricted to just one floor.Scheduling
You will find this feature on pretty much every robot vacuum with Wi-Fi connectivity. Once it's connected to your phone, you can set up cleaning schedules to best suit your routine. Dust capacity
Smaller dustbins naturally need emptying more often - unless you're lucky enough to own a self-emptying model. 400ml is a good size of capacity for guidance.