5 of the Best iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum cleaner bots will feature and besides there is an in-depth review of their performances and suitability for specific vacuuming situations–including but not limited to large homes, carpet, pets, and hard floors. This will also compare specific models from the line while mentioning some capable and affordable alternatives from competitors for units that may be lacking one way or the other.
Reviews
More than a dozen Roomba bots are currently available. ONLY the top five from the line (Roomba j7+, s9+, i7+, i3+, and e5) will feature. Selection is being made based on value for money, usability, and cleaning ability.
Here are five of the highest-rated best iRobot Roomba robot vacuum floor cleaners worth the money.
What are the Best iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum Cleaners?
#1 iRobot Roomba J7 Plus
Advantages of iRobot Roomba J7+
- Powerful robot vacuum that collects fine dust and larger debris from carpets and hard floors.
- Capability of avoiding obstacles such as charging cables and the odd sock that may appear in its path
- Self-emptying and loaded with smart features
The iRobot Roomba j7+ is the first to be featured and the latest in the lineup.
This plenty of similarities with previous models–straight line cleaning, auto top-up, auto-resume, auto-empty, etc., The j7+ features a redesigned auto-clean dock (shorter and bulkier) with a front-facing camera for obstacle recognition and avoidance.
So should you or should you not buy the j7+?
The j7+ is a new release with few use cases and feedback. Here many reviews are available on the product’s page (iRobot’s website) also the product is available at this particular page and orders can be done from here as well!
Can’t guess it already?
Here’s what I’m trying to say…
The system currently is able to recognize shoes and socks or any other obstacles appearing in its path. Why wait? Hurry and order the product as soon as possible and witness the improvement in technology.
Think you can’t wait?
See one of theEcovacs Deebot t8 AIVI or Roborock s6 MaxV robotic sweeper. They do enough of good job at avoiding small objects like pet’s toys, cables, shoestrings and socks.
Recommended: Deebot vacuum reviews
#2 iRobot Roomba S9 Plus
Advantages of iRobot Roomba S9+
- It has the clean base automatic dirt disposal that allows the s9+ to empty itself for up to 60 days
- With the anti-allergen system, 99% of the pollen and mold allergens are trapped from the robot to the base so that they can’t escape back into the air
- Eliminates debris and pet hair from deep within the carpets
Released after the i7, the Roomba s9 Plus is defined by its flat front that makes the best use of it in corners.
Talking of hardware, key highlights include the signature dual brushless extractors that are particularly ideal for pet hair vacuuming.
Feature-wise, the s9 is a vacuum-only bot that maps and saves floor plans (up to ten). It cleans methodically and can cover a home size of ~2000ft². Also the iRobot s9 auto vacuum self-recharges, self-resumes, runs for 75 – 100 minutes on a single charge, plus the clean base is available as an add-on.
Advantages of iRobot Roomba S9
- Has better suction power
- A virtual wall creates an invisible barrier that Roomba S9 won’t cross
- It is advanced, feature-rich and effective robot
As for carpet cleaning, the Roomba s9 does brilliantly seeing as it’s closer to the ground coupled with its strong suction. Hard floor cleaning is no exception with the speed-sensitive side brush and the dirt detect function that ensures more intensive and efficient vacuuming. In a home with hair problems (human & animal), the s9 makes sense as per the tangle-free rubber rollers that minimize and simplify upkeep.
View full list: automatic vacuums for pet hair
The Roomba s9’s mapping and navigation tend to be confusing or slow or difficult to program. A few hardware and software-related issues (lid & bin error, error 31, etc.) have also been reported.
Consider the iRobot Roomba s9 self-emptying floor cleaner if…
- You’ll be vacuuming during the day
- You won’t be running on a schedule or completely unattended
- You don’t mind splurging
- You live in a multi-level house with lots of pets and fewer obstacles
- You have mixed flooring or an extended carpeted area
- You’re interested in advanced technology or want some personalization (room selection, keep-out zones, room scheduling, smart cleaning suggestions, etc.)
Avoid the iRobot Roomba s9 Plus and consider alternatives (see some here) if you…
- Are on a budget or looking for the best value for your money
- Are looking for something hands-off
- Are interested in mopping or obstacle avoidance
- Want something quiet, want to clean at night or stay-at-home working from home
- Want convenience and efficiency
- Want reliability
#3 iRobot Roomba i7 Plus
Advantages of iRobot Roomba i7+
- It has the improved design – Rubber rollers with more refined grooves to efficiently pull in the dirt
- Dustbin is attached to the bot’s bas was designed in such a way that it is easier to empty automatically and manually
- Effortlessly picks up crumbs, debris, hair and dirt as soon as it comes in contact with it
Sharing aesthetics and design with the 960 & 980, the Roomba i7 Plus is defined by its mapping ability and custom app settings (room select & schedule, virtual barriers, spot/area cleaning, etc.)
The i7 cleans methodically and can cover a home size of ~2000ft². Also it self-recharges, self-resumes, runs for about an hour (can self-recharge & resume), plus the clean base is available as an add-on.
As for carpet cleaning, the Roomba i7 does brilliantly given its brushless rollers and powerful motor. Hard floor cleaning is no exception with the speed-sensitive side brush, dirt-detect and full-bin functions that ensure a more intensive and efficient cleaning. In a home with hair problems (human & animal), the i7 makes sense, too, per the tangle-free rubber rollers that minimize and simplify upkeep.
Not only that, the Roomba i7’s mapping and navigation could be confusing or slow or difficult to program. A few hardware and software-related issues (lost/stuck under something, unable to charge or connect to wifi, the clean base stopped working, etc) have also been reported.
Consider the iRobot Roomba i7 if…
- You don’t mind splurging.
- You don’t plan to run on a schedule or completely unattended.
- You live in a multi-level house with lots of pets and fewer obstacles.
- You have mixed flooring or an extended carpeted area.
- You’re interested in advanced tech or want some personalization (room selection, keep-out zones, room-specific scheduling, cleaning suggestions, etc.)
Avoid the iRobot Roomba i7 and consider alternatives (see here) if…
- You’re on a budget or looking for the best value for the money robot vacuum.
- You’re looking for something hands-off.
- You’re interested in mopping or obstacle avoidance.
- You want to clean at night.
- You want reliability.
#4 iRobot Roomba i3 plus
Advantages of iRobot Roomba i3+
- It has an auto-emptying clean base for just under $600
- Least expensive robot vacuum
- It keeps the dust as far away as possible as it uses disposable vacuum bags
Next up on this list of the best iRobot Roomba floor robots is the i3 Plus model.
The i3 Plus is the one to get if you’re big on reliability or don’t want to deal with the performance-related issues of the i7/+, s9/+, or iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop, seeing as the i3/+ uses less complicated tech. It uses Gyro (versus cameras in the high-end models for floor tracking floors) doesn’t create floor maps or save one and receives less frequent software updates.
Its price is another reason to consider the Roomba i3 Plus self-emptying automatic cleaner. Just like the Roborock e4 or Deebot u2 Pro, the iRobot i3 (w/o the base station) is typically selling between $250 – $350.
Despite its affordability, the i3 doesn’t skimp on the most important things. It cleans in straight, efficient lines; gentle, precise with the ability to cross strips up to 0.79″ tall. The i3 handles hard floors just as well as it does low- and medium-pile carpets thanks to its all-rubber brush design and powerful suction. It’s quiet enough not to interrupt sleep at night and can clean in the dark.
There are a few things worth mentioning or emphasizing about the Roomba i3 Plus:
- Mats with black patterns may trigger the cliff sensor and cause it to kind of spin in circles or shut off completely. You can use white tape to cover the sensors but this is at risk of a fall if you live in a multistory house
- Although it is auto top-up, the iRobot i3 isn’t the best Roomba for a large house considering a run time of about an hour. Consider the iRobot 980 or s9 (#2 on the list) if you’re in this boat
- As in the i7, edge cleaning on the i3 is just about decent
- The iRobot i3 Plus doesn’t support in-app barriers; it uses boundary walls instead
- It doesn’t support targeted cleaning or map saving
- It’s only available in one power setting of around 17cfm of airflow
- It doesn’t have the mopping function (although there’s the m6 which is a dedicated mopper), automatic dirt emptying, obstacle avoidance or room sequencing features
- The auto-emptying dock isn’t compatible with previous Roomba models including the 900 series
The i3 Plus is affordable, practical, and reliable. Consider getting one if you…
- Live in a home ~1200ft²
- Have a mix of hard floors (tile, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, etc.) and carpets (low- through medium-pile)
- Have low shedding pets with short hair
- Don’t mind pre-cleaning/constant floor tidying
- Don’t intend mopping
- Don’t want custom settings such as room divider, room scheduling, or zone cleaning
- Don’t have a cluttered setup or live in a multi-level house
- Don’t plan to run on a schedule or unattended
#5 iRobot Roomba E5
Advantages of iRobot Roomba E5
- Their low profile allows them to clean under sofas, tables and other furniture
- They also allow users to schedule cleaning ahead of time
- Operate as robot mops
- Can be used on a variety of surfaces including tiles, hardwood, carpet, laminate etc.
The iRobot e5 robot vacuum is the last item to be featured in this list of the best iRobot Roomba robot vacuums. A downgrade to the i3+ and i7+ in terms of navigation & mapping, object avoidance, app & features and cleaning ability. Interestingly, there are upsides and downsides to the no-frills offerings of the Roomba e5.
Starting with the positives, the e5 doesn’t receive firmware updates. This explains its ability to avoid the much familiar situation of the i7+ and s9+ where an update fixes one bug while creating another usability problem that would have to be endured until the next update. The Roomba e5 doesn’t have a camera. This makes sense if you want to clean without having the lights on or if you’d rather not have a camera on wheels driving around your home.
Further, the side brush on the e5 does enough to reach and remove dirt wherever they might be hiding. Also it has specially designed center brush, powerful suction, and airflow join forces for effective pick up of dust, sand, hair, etc. on a rug, carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, or stone floors. And while not at room level it’s possible to schedule cleaning jobs.
Other key highlights of the Roomba e5 include:
- Dirt Detect for improved pickup performance
- Full bin indicator to prevent bin overflow
- HEPA filter for improved air quality
- 65dB max noise level supports nondisruptive conversations during the day
- 0.71″ max barrier cross height for increased reach
- Brushless rollers for easier upkeep
- App and voice control for increased control, customization, and flexibility
Short comings of iRobot Roomba E5
Firstly, the e5 is lacking the upgraded navigation of the i3+ and mapping system of the i7+. As a result, spots may be missed with rooms getting ignored or cleaning jobs getting abandoned. Baseboards and other objects on the floor can’t escape, and customized and/or systematic cleaning isn’t available for multi-story homeowners.
On low power settings, the e5 can run up to 90 minutes before needing to recharge. That number could drop to 45 – 60 minutes if run on high power/as the battery ages.
And compatible with only 2.4 GHz frequency, auto-resume isn’t available on the e5. Thus, cleaning may delay plus vacuuming is best done if you’re home as the e5 is a little more hands-on.
No carpet boost function, so no power savings on the hardwood.
Dustbin at 500ml without an auto-empty base station means you can’t have a busy house with kids & pets everywhere and still lack time to empty the dustbin and wipe the robot as much as necessary.
Optical blocks are your best bet to condone the Roomba e5. Besides they’re less effective and convenient than the keep-out zones found in the j7+, i7+, or s9+, it doesn’t come with the package and is sold separately.
Bottom line, no the Roomba e5 isn’t going to replace your upright or give you the convenience and personalization of the more pricey models. With some patience and a little time to spare, however, you can pay just under $300 for the e5 (being one of the lowest-priced Roomba) instead of $600, $800, and $1000 respectively for the i3+, i7+, and s9+. That’s savings of at least $300! And the e5, because it lets you go longer in between vacuuming, also rewards you with the free time you can spend with your kids or doing other things of interest.
Get the Roomba e5 vacuuming robot if you…
- Live in a small house/an apartment.
- Have a less complicated layout and fewer obstacles.
- Have low- through medium-pile carpets and hard floors.
- Have moderate shedding short hair pets.
- Are on a budget.
- Don’t live in a multi-level home.
- Don’t want to mop.
- Can’t be bothered with personalization.
- Won’t be running unattended.
Comparison Between The Roomba Products
Because of the dozens of iRobot products in the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose especially when they share subtle differences like colors or have features you don’t need or that don’t improve cleaning or usability.
It turns out you’re in the right place if you want to make better decisions while maximizing value on your purchase of a Roomba as this section will do a straight-to-the-point comparison between popular Roomba models.
Roomba j7+ vs. Roomba i7 vs. Roomba s9
iRobot Roomba j7+ iRobot Roomba i7 iRobot Roomba s9
Roomba s9 works consistently and has a more durable side brush. On the plus side, it has a ton of suction and airflow which is very helpful if you have full-length (thick) carpets. Its D shape and wider brush design, similar to the Neato d7, also aid pickup in open areas, corners, and along walls.
If you don’t have thick carpets, the Roomba i7 (main unit w/o the clean base) is probably the best choice considering it’s cheaper with a more durable side brush and stable operation.
As for the Roomba j7+, thanks to its front vision, it is one of the most suited product to a busy or cluttered home with pets and kids. Also, it’s the quietest of the three at around 63 decibels.
j7+, i7, and s9 are advanced models.
- Meaning they path-plan and clean systematically in a back and forth pattern.
- They have floor maps that can be saved and edited which allow for personalized vacuuming.
- Also, the i7 and s9 have specially designed rubber brushes, auto-recharge and resume (including smart top-up), and auto-dirt emptying functions (the i7+ and s9+ variants).
- “+” indicates the total package with the clean base. It’s also possible to buy the main units (j7, i7, or s9) and add their clean bases separately or as a bundle (j7 plus, i7 plus, or s9 plus). In any case, the center brush and self-emptying dock of the i7+ or j7+ aren’t compatible with the s9+ and vice versa.
Conclusively, either of the j7, i7, or s9 is ideal if you want the latest tech or a fully automatic floor robot, have carpets or hair situations or live in a large or multi-level home.
Product titles Product images Purchase links
iRobot s9 robot vacuum 
Check current price on Amazon
iRobot s9 self-emptying bin 
Check current price on Amazon
iRobot s9 Plus (total package) 
Check current price on Amazon
iRobot i7 robot vacuum 
Check current price on Amazon
iRobot i7 self-emptying bin 
Check current price on Amazon
iRobot i7 Plus (total package) 
Check current price on Amazon
Roomba i6 vs Roomba i7 vs Roomba i8
iRobot Roomba i6+ iRobot Roomba i7
Roomba i6/i7/i8 Plus/i6 Plus/i7 Plus/i8 is the same, with the only difference being where they’re sold, battery life and motor strength, accessories (or the lack thereof), and the warranty.
iRobot Roomba i7 (7150) or i7+(7550) is the general name it’s known by. i7 is the main unit without the base whereas the i7+ is the bundle of the robot and the auto-empty station.
If you’re buying from iRobot (the manufacturer), you’ll see it listed as the iRobot Roomba i7 with a one-year warranty.
If you’re buying from Amazon, it’s listed as both the iRobot Roomba i6 (6150)/i6 Plus (6550) or iRobot Roomba i7 (7150)/i7 Plus (7550) also with a one-year warranty.
At Costco, however, the iRobot Roomba i7 is listed as iRobot Roomba i8 (8150)/i8 Plus (8550), with slightly increased suction (20% larger according to iRobot) and battery (90 minutes vs 75 minutes). The i8+ ships with extra pair of dirtbags for the emptying tower, one filter, and one virtual wall (which you may not need since it’s floor mapping capability). Plus, instead of the one-year warranty of the i7 or i6, the i8 gives you a two-year warranty.
Roomba i7 vs. Roomba 980
iRobot Roomba i7 iRobot Roomba 980
- Both the i7 and 980 clean in logical straight lines while automatically recharging and resuming missions.
- The iRobot i7 supports automatic dirt emptying, multi-floor mapping, and custom cleaning.
- The Roomba 980 supports prolonged cleaning given its 120 minutes run time. It doesn’t receive firmware updates, though, so it’s more reliable.
Consider the Roomba 980 if you want a floor robot that simply works in a single-story home or apartment with carpets (high-pile inclusive), hard floors, sand, dust, dirt, and hair of one or two humans/shedding pets.
Consider the Roomba i7 if you don’t mind splurging; want something less hands-on; have complicated floor plans with lots of transitions; live in a large/multi-level home; want personalized cleaning; or have kids, pets, and humans who constantly lose hair.
Roomba i3 vs. Roomba 960 vs. Roomba 980
iRobot Roomba i3 iRobot Roomba 960 iRobot Roomba 980
The i3 (i4 is Costco’s variant), 960 and 980 Roombas are a considerable step up from the 800, 700, 600, and 500 generations in crucial areas of cleaning and operation.
- They clean in neat rows and when they’re low on battery power would return to their charging stations to charge up and resume missions where they left off.
- Expectedly they’re pricier but worth it, in my opinion, since they’re more effective at cleaning and less hands-on.
In a typical setup with moderate furniture and obstacles, the Roomba 960 suffices.
Given its automated dirt disposal system, iRobot i3 (i3+ is the complete package with the clean base) makes sense for a busy household with plenty of foot traffic, kids, and pets.
Get the Roomba 980 (with 120 minutes of run time, carpet boost, and increased suction power and airflow) if you have extended carpeted areas or particularly thicker rugs.
Roomba i3 vs. Roomba i4+
iRobot Roomba i3 iRobot Roomba i4+
- i3 or i4 Plus is the bundle with the base.
- Essentially the same unit with the only difference being that the i4 Plus has 20% increased battery capacity compared to the i3 (3150) & i3 (3550).
- The i3 & i4 just so you know is iRobot’s attempt at a capable, reliable, and affordable robot vacuum.
- This model cleans in a straight line and can automatically recharge and resume cleaning missions, there’s no mapping or customization (room selection/scheduling, spot/area cleaning, keep out zone), plus medium pile rugs or carpets can overwhelm it given its suction of 900Pa.
The iRobot i3 and i4 Plus regardless should suffice in an apartment with zero kids, a couple of pets, and mostly hard flooring (vinyl, tile, hardwood, etc.) or low pile rugs or carpets.
Roomba i8 vs. Roomba i7 vs. Roomba i6 vs. Roomba i4 vs. Roomba i3
iRobot Roomba i7 iRobot Roomba i3
- The iRobot i8/i7/i6 is an advanced, feature-rich i3/i4.
- The i3/i4 is a trimmed down i8/i7/16.
- The i8/i7/i6 uses a camera for path planning & optimization.
- The i4/i3 uses Gyro and floor trackers for the same purpose, which is inferior in precision, not to mention lacking the ability to map/save floor maps, or allow the selection, scheduling, or blocking of zones through the App.
Understand however that the camera navigation of the i7 is less effective at night with its mapping technology being more prone to malfunctioning. The i4/i3, thankfully and retaining much of the cleaning ability of the i7, cleans thoroughly and efficiently regardless of the lighting condition while adding operational stability as a bonus.
- If you live in an apartment, want a stable, practical, and functional cleaning bot and don’t mind personalization or have kids get the Roomba i4, i3, i4 Plus, or i3 Plus.
- Consider the i8, i7, i6, i8 Plus, i7 Plus, or i6 Plus in a busy multi-story house with a simple layout.
Roomba i7 vs. Roomba e5
iRobot Roomba i7 iRobot Roomba e5
Dual rubber brush design and app support are just about the similarities shared between the iRobot i7 and e5.
- The e5 is typically sold around $300. For that price, you’re getting a robot that gets the job done in a small space albeit without rhyme or rhythm.
- It doesn’t offer Interactive Mapping either so you can’t switch it between floors and expect systematic cleaning.
- The tendency of the e5 missing spots or skipping rooms, failing to dock properly, or jamming, therefore, increases as much as the need to rescue or get it to do the right thing.
- You may also find the manual emptying of the small dustbin inconvenient especially when you have to do this frequently or if you’re allergic.
- The i7, on the other hand, has the auto-dirt disposal system in addition to other useful and usable functions (upgraded processor, increased suction and airflow, auto recharge and resume, smart top-up, smart interlinking, app-based barriers, zone cleaning, room cleaning, intelligent navigation, and mapping) for convenient and efficient vacuuming.
- The Roomba e5 isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it and can get you your weekend back.
- Highly recommended if you live in a multi-level home up to 2000sqft; have hard floors or carpets (medium- and high-pile) with fewer obstacles and pets, kids, or people with long hair or if you want a robot that cleans in neat rows, is less hands-on and allows enough personalization.
Product titles Product images Purchase links
iRobot Roomba e5 robot vacuum 
Check current price on Amazon
iRobot i7 robot vacuum Check current price on Amazon
iRobot i7 self-emptying bin Check current price on Amazon
iRobot i7 Plus (total package) Check current price on Amazon
Roomba 690 vs. Roomba 960
iRobot Roomba 690 iRobot Roomba 960
Besides hard floor cleaning performance, the Roomba 690 has nothing on the 960. Is it the two brushless center brushes of the 960 (the 690’s brush has bristles) that do better under hair vacuuming situations and as such easy to maintain. Or the increased suction and airflow, logical pathing, and auto top-up feature that work together for improved coverage, pickup performance (particularly on medium and high-profile carpets), and usability.
It turns out if you have mostly tiles, hardwoods, or laminates in an apartment and don’t mind babysitting a robot, then maybe get the Roomba 690.
If you’d rather spend your time on something more rewarding, want to worry less about cleaning, yet want perpetually clean floors, then you want to check out the iRobot Roomba 960 robot vacuum.
Roomba 675 vs. Roomba e5
iRobot Roomba 675 iRobot Roomba e5
The Roomba 675 and e5 are reliable machines since they don’t receive firmware updates or use complex technologies. They’re cheaper too (with the 675 being the cheaper of the two). On top of that, you’ll be getting raw vacuuming power and a well-built machine w/ modular parts.
The dual brush-less extractor of the e5 is the biggest upgrade over the 675. But it isn’t like it’ll not tangle hair except removing hair is a lot easier on the e5 than the 675.
The 690 if it helps to mention is the 675 with a virtual wall. Similarly, the e5 has a black color whereas the e6 is a combo of black and tan with extra filters and two virtual walls.
Bottom line, get the 675 if you have lots of carpets or a mix of carpets and tile or stone floors. Consider the e5 if you have mostly hardwood floors, pets, or long human hair situations.
Roomba 675 vs. Roomba 614
iRobot Roomba 675 iRobot Roomba 614
- The Roomba 614 and 675 have the advantage of the price (only relative to the mid and top-tier Roomba models though) and use persistence (as against intelligence) to achieve clean floors.
- In hard floors and low through medium pile carpets, if given the 600Pa suction and multi-surface brush design which isn’t ideal for hair (human & animal) vacuuming situations.
- Multi-story homes with complicated layouts are also an exception considering the Roomba 614 and 675 lacks multi-level mapping support and keep-out zone functions.
90 minutes run time (no auto-resume), 300ml dustbin (no auto empty) and random navigation also make the 614 and Roomba 675 best suited for small apartments/homes (~800ft²). Also get Roomba 675 if you want to run your robot on a schedule.
With app and voice control being the only difference between both models, get the Roomba 614 if you want to run on-demand.
Best Roomba Alternatives
Whether you dislike particular aspects of specific models or maybe the features that are important to you aren’t available in your preferred choice. Regardless of your situation or needs, the good news is there are options from competing brands such as Roborock and Ecovacs.
Below are three feature-rich, capable, affordable, and reliable substitutes to specific Roomba automatic cleaners.
3 of the Best Roomba Floor Robot Alternatives
The overall best Roomba s9 alternative: Ecovacs Deebot T8
Ecovacs Deebot T8 is the best Roomba s9 alternative–but at half the price (typically selling between $650 and $800), while it may not have the deep penetrating, corner cleaning, or hair resisting abilities of the s9. The t8 does however get close enough so that the difference is negligible.
The software on the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo t8 Plus, if it helps to add, is a lot more polished.
Floor maps may get a little messed up occasionally plus the app user interface is also a little quirky. Nonetheless, maps are created more quickly and accurately, and you can follow progress through the app.
Unlike the Roomba, the t8 doesn’t path erratically or get stuck nearly as much or in the middle of nowhere.
Better yet, no lid to otherwise trigger the “close lid error.” No random shutdowns, “internal communication aka error 31”, “bumper stuck” error, or “clean brush” error.
The t8 Plus is also able to find its docking station if and when it needs to.
Feature-wise, the t8+ is on par…
- Multi-floor mapping capability
- Straight-line cleaning
- Auto top-up
- Auto-dirt emptying
- Carpet boost
- Restricted, targeted & selective cleaning
- Longer battery life (up to three hours on low power)…
In addition to its:
- 240 ml electronically controlled water tank (vibrating mopping module available as an add-on);
- Carpet avoidance feature & mopping functions;
- Ability to avoid getting stuck on shoes, cords, socks, kids’ toys, etc.
The Ozmo T8 is by far a better option than the Roomba s9. Not only in pricing but also in functionality and usability.
The best quiet alternative to the Roomba S9: Roborock S6
Roborock s6 is the second item to feature in this list of the best Roomba s9 alternatives.
Now, for everything the s6 gets right–and that’s worth mentioning–its quietness and nighttime usefulness are hard ones to pass on.
At only 55 max decibels, the Roborock s6 unlike the Roomba s9 at 75 decibels DOESN’T disrupt conversations or sleep. It’s Lidar-based, too, which lets it clean w/o having the lights on.
Worth mentioning though that the Roborock s6 doesn’t have as much carpet vacuuming power or corner cleaning ability as the s9. You also can’t add the auto-clean dock unless you’re looking at the Roborock s7 self vacuum cleaner. On the upside, Roborock s6 smart robotic cleaner navigates and cleans excellently.
Smart, functional, and reliable, the Roborock s6 is ideal if you work from home or relish waking up to fresh vacuumed lines on your carpets.
Continue reading: Roomba s9 vs Roborock s6
The best most reliable Roomba S9 alternative: Roomba 980 or Roomba 960 or i3 Plus
iRobot Roomba 980 iRobot Roomba 960 iRobot Roomba i3+
Noticed there are three items, unlike previous listings? There are highlights unique to each model that makes them better suited to certain vacuuming situations. You may only need to choose one though.
Made to just work, with simple controls and settings (no room mapping or other high-tech features that could complicate things), the Roomba i3 Plus, Roomba 980 and Roomba 960 clean floors with effectiveness and fewer to zero issues.
The Roomba 980 being the most expensive and powerful of the three, is however an older model.
As such, it may not be readily available. If or when this is the case, you can consider the Roomba 960 with lesser power and battery life, but impressive carpet cleaning ability, nonetheless.
Moving on, and while the brush design of the 960 or 980 helps to minimize de-clogging routines, they don’t clean dark carpets plus their dust cup is only 600 ml with no auto-clean function. This poses a challenge if you have a German Shepherd or some other super shedding dog breed.
Thankfully there’s the Roomba i3 plus that doesn’t ONLY clean dark rugs and/or in dark environments, but its clean base (available as a bundle or an accessory) works just as well for helping to collect hair and fur from the onboard dustbin through an automated process.
The best most affordable Roomba S9 alternative: Roborock E4 or Neato D7
Roborock e4 Neato Robotics Botvac D7
If it helps for a reminder, the suction power and brush design of the Roomba s9 are two main reasons it’s able to handle high-pile and thicker rugs. Neither the Roborock e4 nor Neato d7 has these features. Meaning, while their carpet performance is quite good (the Neato d7 can do rugs up to 15mm or 0.6in thick), Pricing is where they really shine.
The Roborock e4, for example, is typically selling for $300 or less. That’s at least $500 in savings vis-a-vis the Roomba s9. At this price, while you’ll miss out on personalization (zoning, virtual no-go lines, and room cleaning), no doubt–but clean floors are guaranteed, courtesy of a simple machine that works as advertised.
Continue reading: Roborock e4 review
As for the Neato d7, you wouldn’t get as much in returns as the e4. But $300 in savings isn’t a bad deal, either. Even so, you’d be getting near the cleaning power and effectiveness of the Roomba EXCEPT w/o the headaches, of course, seeing Neato’s hardware and software are better refined. Okay, maybe not as powerful enough for shag or heavily padded carpets. However, the Neato d7 smart vacuum suffices if you live in a multi-level home (can save up to three-floor plans) with mostly carpets or rugs.
Best overall Roomba i7 alternative: Roborock s7
The Roomba i7 in the early part of this guide, where I mentioned its mapping and navigation imperfections. Another area of concern I noted was the fact that the i7 doesn’t have the mopping function (there’s the m6, a dedicated mopper, which only adds to the cost of an already overpriced i7) obstacle avoidance, or room sequencing feature. Software-related issues too, including the i7’s inability to find its docking station consistently, getting confused, terminating cleaning jobs prematurely, bumping hard into things, identifying non-existing objects, etc.
If any of the above scenarios resonate with you, while not perfect, the Roborock s7 auto cleaner vacuum is one to take a chance with. It does all the good stuff you like in the Roomba i7, on top of its :
- Stable and functional maps (up to three maps allowed for saving);
- Gentle and precise pathing;
- Ability to avoid getting stuck on shoes, cords, socks, kids’ toys, etc.; and
- Ability to perform whole house or room-specific cleaning multiple times daily.
Deals
Can’t afford or don’t want to pay full price for a Roomba or Braava robot? Check this page for ongoing deals.
Conclusion
Although overpriced and until recent firmware updates (3.10, 3.12, 3.16) affected their flagship i and s line, iRobot Roomba bots worked as advertised and quite reliably. Add that to their nice quality look and feel. What’s more, Roomba floor robots support most floor types and cleaning tasks. Keep in mind their mapping and camera-based navigation limitations.
Talking about limitations, busy homes with kids and pets where things move or where small items get left behind may prove too much for the navigation and mapping technology of the Roomba. For these reasons, alternatives from competitors featured, including Roborock and Ecovacs that make up for the iRobot’s deficiencies in pricing, mapping, navigation, and usability.
And if it so happens you’re stuck between any of the Roomba vacs, there’s the COMPARISON section that helps to eliminate confusion while offering insights into who should be getting what and why. As to which Roomba is better or worth it, I’d think this will depend on what’s important to you. Under the review section, each product’s strong points were highlighted while being associated with ideal use cases/users. The Roomba i3, if it helps to mention it, is my favorite given its practicality, affordability, and vacuuming potential.
Regardless of which model you choose, though, there are upkeep/ongoing expenses on parts.
You’d have to clean the main brush and empty the bin of your Roomba (maybe more frequently if you don’t have the base station and/or have messy or shedding pets). In which case you should schedule multiple daily or weekly runs.).
Further Reading
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Terminologies