It might come as a surprise that “roomba” isn’t a term that universally applies to a robot vacuum. In fact, “Roomba,” with a capital “R,” is a proper noun, signifying a specific brand rather than a standard trademark. Roombas are robot vacuums manufactured by iRobot, and identifying the top Roomba is a more precise endeavor than assessing the best robot vacuums across all brands. Nevertheless, Roomba’s extensive recognition, similar to Band-Aid or Kleenex, underscores iRobot’s iconic position in the robotic vacuum market.

The fame of Roomba is reasonable: iRobot introduced the first successful commercial robot vacuum years ago and has continuously delivered dependable models for two decades. Since the debut of the first Roomba in homes in 2002, over 20 models have been launched. In 2025, recognizing the differences between a few key Roomba models is all that is necessary.

In 2025, iRobot updated its lineup after the conclusion of a pending acquisition with Amazon in 2024, which fueled speculation about iRobot’s potential shutdown. Instead, iRobot rebranded, unveiling several new Roomba series in March 2025, straying from its typical summer release pattern. This urgency was likely linked to the spring launch of leading robot vacuums from competitors and iRobot’s financial difficulties. As a robot vacuum tester, I observed that Roombas were having difficulty keeping up with smarter, more budget-friendly models from brands like Roborock and Shark.

In 2025, iRobot has been striving to catch up with its rivals. For the first time, Roombas now come equipped with LiDAR for intelligent mapping, vacuum and mop combinations featuring dual spinning mopping pads, and a model that compresses its own dust instead of utilizing a self-emptying dock. iRobot now quantifies suction power in Pascals (Pa), making it simpler to compare Roomba’s performance on carpets with other brands.

Despite these advancements, the new 2025 Roombas are unexpectedly budget-friendly compared to earlier models. With these new options available, the question persists: “Which Roomba is the best?” I have tested nearly every Roomba since 2019 and consistently update this guide as I assess the 2025 models in my apartment. After analyzing suction, pet hair collection, mopping, smart mapping, obstacle detection, and price, I’ve pinpointed the Roombas that provide the best value for various households.

To distinguish Roomba models, contemplate iRobot’s main lineup: three to five series available on iRobot’s website. Models designated with a letter and number (such as j9+ or i5) or “Max” are more sophisticated than those indicated solely with numbers (like 105, 205, or 692) or words (like Roomba Vac or Essential). A plus sign (like j9+) signifies a self-emptying dock, and models labeled with “Combo” have mopping capabilities. “Max” refers to a hybrid Roomba’s function to wash and dry its mopping pad within the self-empty dock. “Essential” indicates the most fundamental models, which lack smart mapping.

I have tested a number of Roombas that are no longer included in the 2025 guide. The Roomba Combo j9+ does not have the capability to wash or dry its mopping pad and is priced too high when compared to models like the Roomba Combo 10 Max, Roomba Plus 505, or Roomba Max 705. The j9’s obsolescence has also limited the availability of discounts. I’ve removed 600 series Roombas for similar reasons: they cannot compete with newer, more affordable models that offer greater suction and smart mapping. The Roomba 694 proved to be more frustrating than impressive in my evaluations. The Roomba 694 and Roomba 692 are difficult to find in stock and are seldom priced lower than the Roomba 105, which is now my top recommendation for the best budget-friendly Roomba.