It may be unexpected to discover that “roomba” isn’t a universal designation for robot vacuums. The capital “R” actually denotes Roomba as a distinct brand rather than a general trademark. Roombas are robot vacuums produced by iRobot, and identifying the best Roomba is a more specific endeavor than assessing the best robot vacuums across all brands. Nonetheless, a recent update regarding iRobot’s financial status indicates that Roomba may not be able to uphold its position as the Band-Aid or Kleenex of robotic vacuum cleaners for much longer.
Following an unprofitable 2025, we may witness the conclusion of an era for iRobot. Next year, the question might not be which iRobot vacuum to purchase, but whether iRobot continues to manufacture vacuums at all. In 2024, Amazon and iRobot ceased their acquisition plans, and the situation for iRobot has deteriorated since then. Shortly after, iRobot unexpectedly overhauled the Roomba line in March 2025, breaking from its usual schedule where major Roombas typically debut in August. This appeared to be a desperate attempt to keep the company afloat after facing profitability issues in 2024.
Over 20 Roombas have been introduced since the initial Roomba arrived in homes in 2002, yet the most recent Roombas exhibit a lack of the innovation that distinguished earlier versions. As a professional who evaluates robot vacuums, I’ve observed over the past year that Roombas struggle to maintain relevance in light of smarter, stronger, and more affordable robot vacuums from brands like Roborock and Shark, which are iRobot’s main competitors on Google search. While it’s refreshing to see a mopping Roomba with spinning pads or a reasonably priced self-washing and drying mopping pad dock, the leading robot vacuum mop combinations from other brands have remained ahead for years.
Which robot vacuum should I consider purchasing on Black Friday? If you’re still keen on Roombas, plan to buy one during Black Friday. iRobot deserves recognition for the unexpectedly reasonable prices of the 2025 Roombas, but I wouldn’t suggest paying full price for them. Thankfully, most top Roombas have been discounted since October Prime Day and are expected to see further price reductions this Black Friday season. Despite the unsuccessful Amazon acquisition, Roomba promotions consistently rank high among the top Black Friday robot vacuum deals on Amazon.
As long as the Roomba legacy persists, the question persists: “Which Roomba is the best?” I’ve tested almost every Roomba that launched since 2019 and continuously update this guide as I evaluate the 2025 models in my home. After comparing suction, pet hair collection, mopping, smart mapping, small obstacle detection, and pricing, I have curated a selection of Roombas that provide the best value for diverse households.
How to differentiate between Roomba models: The iRobot Roomba 105, Roomba Combo i5+, and Roomba Combo j7+ (not to be confused with the Roomba j7) possess confusing numbers and letters, but we can assist. When selecting a Roomba, opt from iRobot’s core lineup: the three to five Roomba series available on iRobot’s website. Any Roomba with a letter and number (like j9+ or i5) or the word Max indicates a more advanced model than one that has only numbers (like 105, 205, or 692) or only words (like Roomba Vac or Essential).
A plus sign (like j9+) signifies a model with a self-emptying dock, while Roombas designed for mopping will have “Combo” in the title. “Max” is a new designation introduced with the Roomba Combo 10 Max, referring to a hybrid Roomba’s capacity to wash and dry its mopping pad within the self-empty dock. Conversely, “Essential” denotes the “most basic” option in the Roomba family, lacking smart mapping features.
Other Roombas I’ve evaluated: I’ve tested several Roombas that are no longer key players in the 2025 guide. The Roomba Combo j9+ doesn’t clean or dry its mopping pad and is priced too high compared to its siblings like the Roomba Combo 10 Max, Roomba Plus 505, or Roomba Max 705. The j9’s growing obsolescence has impeded its prospects for substantial discounts.
I’ve also excluded any 600 series Roombas from this guide for similar reasons: they struggle to compete with newer, cost-effective Roombas that boast stronger suction and smart mapping capabilities. My evaluation of the Roomba 694 was more exasperating than impressive. The Roomba 694 and Roomba 692 are difficult to find in stock and seldom retail for less than the Roomba 105, which I now consider the best budget-friendly Roomba.