2022 Gift Guide: Our Best Robot Vacuum For Pet Hair & More

Looking for the best robot vacuum for pet hair? If you have a dog or cat, you may need something that can get under your couch and tv stand (if they’re tall enough, we haven’t invented an inch thin vacuum yet), where all the pet hair can really pile up.

Or maybe you have kids. You may want a robot vacuum that can avoid their little socks, but still have the power to pick up all their thrown cereal puffs.

Then there’s just the reality that some robot vacuums have a larger canister size, which means emptying it less often. Or, how about the difference between a self-emptying robot vacuum and a vacuum bin you have to empty after every use?

Maybe it seems a bit odd, to match a Wi-Fi connected robot vacuum to a lifestyle, but it’s far more necessary than you may realize at first glance of your options. Especially if you’re shopping for a gift for someone else.

You may not know all of your options yet and which meet your needs, but that’s what this buying guide is for – to help you find the best iRobot robot vacuum cleaner (not just any kind of robot vacuum) to fit your lifestyle.

Here are some common questions we cover in this article:

Here are a few lifestyle-aligned recommendations you may be searching for:

(And our key takeaways section at the bottom of this article will feature a side-by-side comparison of all our best robot vacuum models.)

Which is the right robot vacuum cleaner for you?

So, knowing what vacuum is right for you really comes down to, well… you. We ultimately can’t make the decision for you, so you have to understand what you need.

Here are some considerations:

Robot vacuum Dirt Detection

  • How often do you vacuum now? Does it feel like it’s too often?
  • Do you have high-pile carpet, medium-pile carpet or low-pile carpet? Rugs? Or just hard floors?
  • How tall is your furniture? You might want your robot to have a low profile and fit and vacuum underneath.
  • Do you have a pet that sheds fur? (Hello, dander.) You might need some super strong suction power.
  • Does your pet ever have accidents in your home? You might need a robot smart enough to avoid those accidents.
  • Do you have children that make a lot of messes on the floor? You might also need a robot mop.
  • What is your budget for a robot vacuum? We have a range of options here.
  • How much of your cleaning up do you want to automate? We have lots of home automation ideas!

Ultimately, the decision is yours, but asking yourself these questions can help put you on the right track to choosing the best robot vacuum for your life.

What makes a great robot vacuum?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a good robot vacuum. You may not need all of the features that come with some, or you may need strong suction power, or need something that can avoid specific rooms or stop cleaning sessions at certain points in the day.

But, we can say that a great robot vacuum has the right balance of helpful automation features, suction and agitation, and noise control, at the right price point.

Now, what’s considered helpful, noisy, the right price, and with enough suction power is entirely dependent on you.

How do robot vacuums work?

Though it’s called a “robot vacuum” you might not be fully aware of just how robotic iRobot’s Roomba® robots (and other robots) truly are.

iRobot’s technology inspired NASA’s designs for the first Micro Rovers as well as the first ground robots for the U.S. Forces.

(If that ain’t robot sophistication and advancement, we don’t know what is… and we definitely do.)

So what makes our Roomba® robot work?

Dual Brush System

Well, if you were to take it apart, you’d start with the two rollers at the bottom (sometimes rubber, sometimes bristled). This is the real powerhouse of a Roomba® robot vacuum, and what sets it apart from other robot vacuum cleaners – the dual brush roll system.

These rollers both scroll opposite of each other to draw in more of the larger particles.

Since the first brush sort of scrubs at the carpet, it loosens up dirt and debris. The second brush picks it up to toss into the direct path of the suction and send it to the collection bin.

Corner Cleaning

Looking to ensure every square foot gets cleaned? The 3-winged spinning side brush (or FIVE-armed corner brush for the Roomba ® s9) at the edge of the robot – the one that sweeps the corners and edges of each room – acts as a broom, first pushing in the debris while the powerful suction pulls it all in like a vacuum, passing it through a filter.

Dirt Detect™ Sensors

Behind the rollers is a Dirt Detect™ sensor with acoustic technology that senses when there’s more noise than usual, alerting it to a larger mess and debris.

If it does sense a big ole mess (or more than it can handle with a single pass), it’ll run back and forth over the mess several times to focus on the dirtier areas.

Young baby girl playing on the stairs

Optical Mouse Sensor

Several of our robots have mapping technology and utilize an optical mouse sensor. The optical mouse sensor works just like a computer mouse, which tracks the movement of the robot for mapping purposes to help transition between two types of flooring.

Cliff Detection

Cliff detection sensors keep your Roomba® robot vacuum from falling down stairs and other steep drop-offs. Essentially, it detects a lack of flooring underneath it using the four sensors that line the bumper of the robot in the front (there are 2 in the back).

Anti-Tangle Avoidance

Our Roomba® j7 robot vacuum uses our handy dandy PrecisionVision Navigation system to identify and avoid cords (bye bye tangles).

We can’t leave out the Dual Multi-Surface Rubber brushes for pet-hair tangle avoidance either. These brushes adjust to different floor types so picking up things like pet hair is a breeze.

Virtual Wall® Barriers

Virtual Wall® barriers or virtual boundaries technology keeps your Roomba® robot vacuum in the areas you want to clean (or from rooms you want it to avoid, such as a nursery), while light touch bumper technology allows your robot to slow down and gently touch obstacles with its bumper before changing direction.

Lidar Detection

And we can’t forget lidar detection, an optical sensor built into the robot and the dock.

To put it simply, it creates a sort of invisible light beam that shoots out from the robot’s charging dock. The Roomba® robot vacuum uses it to align itself when coming back for a charge.

All in all, the Roomba® robot vacuum performs dozens of robotic behaviors and uses its handy dandy sensors to give you a great cleaning experience.

Can a robot vac replace my upright vacuum?

Yes, and no.

Sure, a robot vacuum can’t get your stairs (yet) and it can’t clean vertically (we all collect a few spider webs on the ceiling every now and then), but it can do some things a traditional vacuum or even a cordless vacuum has a hard time with.

A Roomba® robot vacuum can get under most furniture, whereas you typically can’t get under much (other than maybe a table, some chairs… and even that can be a chore, pun intended).

Some of iRobot’s Roomba® vacuums allow you to clean just one area of your house without doing the floor cleaning yourself (how’s that for a win?).

Not to mention that some of our robot vacuums are so intelligent that they actually learn your routine, the areas you use the most, and rooms they should stay out of or objects to avoid.

Is your baby sleeping around 10-11 each morning, and you don’t want any noise waking them up? No worries, the right Roomba® robot vacuum will stop cleaning or avoid cleaning at certain times of the day.

father daughter reading

The beauty of home automation

Did we mention robot vacuums are intelligent?

Well, if we haven’t yet, this is somewhat of a fortuitous time to talk about how great it is to not do all of your own cleaning.

If you’re like some of us, you’re vacuuming your floors every day or every other day (especially with cats that like to play fight – for real fight?). It’s a hassle.

First, you have to shift everything in your closet just to get the thing out, then untangle the cord, navigate to your go-to plug (the one that lets you vacuum the most amount of space in your home without changing outlets)… you get the picture.

Home automation of any kind – whether it be all of the lights in your home, your kitchen appliances, or your vacuum – is already a blessing enough.

It allows you to get more done in a shorter amount of time (no more harping after children that “forget” to turn out the lights after they leave a room).

But when it also eliminates a chore at cleaning time!!!! Say no more.

What makes iRobot’s vacuums so special?

You’re probably reading this blog because you’re not looking for just any old regular vacuum. You’re looking for something that is going to make your life easier.

Our Genius features make it possible for you to turn on, off, and remote control your Roomba® using voice commands (among other things… we’ll get to that in a second).

roomba lifestyle Cleans up itself

We don’t stop there though. Because all of our robot vacuums operate on software, and are “smart products” or “smart devices,” we’re able to continually make them better over time simply by pushing software updates to the robots.

So you can get new features, personalized suggestions, a better understanding of your cleaning preferences, and more, just like a phone or a laptop would.

The brilliance of iRobot Genius

If you’re looking for a smart robot vacuum, we have you covered. One of the reasons Roomba® robot vacuums are capable of getting smarter over time, is because of iRobot Genius features (you’re about to see just how genius these robots really are).

We’re always listening to our customers’ needs to spot all the little and fun ways that we can improve experiences, and make our robots the ultimate cleaning machines.

So far, that’s led to the development of object avoidance, mapping capabilities, and quiet mode. But, we’ve added a quiet mode for when it’s not in cleaning mode, which slightly softens the motor sounds when it’s on its way back to its charging dock (or self-emptying station).

We’ve also added to cleaning schedules to give you loads of options. We definitely don’t want to wake a sleeping baby.

We take it further than that though, because we know you need and deserve more. 

Smartphone app control? Yup! We’ve made it possible to personalize and control your cleaning experience through the iRobot Home app, while our products also learns your habits and home.  

Oh, and don’t forget, we can push software updates* to our robots to continually improve the experience of your Roomba® robot vacuum AND Braava jet® m6 robot mop.

*Only available for our s, j, i, and m series robots.

What if my vacuum breaks?

Well, I guess you’re out of luck… KIDDING!

We take your claims seriously, and to back that up, we provide several ways to repair, upgrade, or replace your Roomba® robot vacuum.

The first option is our manufacturer warranty.

Essentially, you have a full year after purchase to claim issues or defects in the materials or the manufacturing. If this is the case, we’ll repair or replace your robot vacuum free of charge.

(For full warranty details, see the warranty page on our website.)

The second option only applies to refurbished Roomba® robot vacuums.

j7 Photo Lifestyle Kitchen

If you’ve purchased a refurbished Roomba® robot vacuum on eBay, you’re protected for a full 90 days after your purchase through iRobot, in addition to your 2-year extended warranty (through Allstate).

If you’ve purchased a refurbished Roomba® robot through iRobot’s Roomba® Restored program, and want more information on your warranty, we have a page on our site just for you (so special).

Then there’s Protect and Protect+ (oh gosh, what’s that? Extra protection?).

Protect and Protect+ cover your robot and damage it may have after your manufacturer’s warranty. This could be anywhere from 1-3 years of additional protection.

We’ll either send you easily replaceable parts such as the battery or the base, or repair your robot for you.

When you purchase Protect+, we’ll also cover things like accidental damage, such as an electrical issue or mechanical defect.

iRobot’s Best Vacuum for Pet Hair

Best robot vacuums for pet hair

You may be wondering, “WHY is my dog shedding SO MUCH?” Did you know there’s an actual shedding season for dog hair? Yup. Dog shedding season.

Yeah, so while you feel like you’re picking hair up allllll the time, you’re actually picking up more during the transitions between spring and summer and throughout fall.

And if your pet hair – whether it be cats or dogs – is anything like the shedding hair from every dog we’ve ever known… it floats and finds its way into every nook and cranny in your home.

I mean, you’ll find it under the tv stand, under the bed (even when the pets aren’t allowed upstairs). And even under the couch a year after your pet has moved on to pet heaven (we’ve heard a few stories).

Cute French Bulldog puppy staring at service bell on the floor

There are plenty of things you can do to prevent this from happening (well, at least reducing the amount of hair floating around), including:

  • Using an air filter or air purifier to trap flying particles
  • Grooming your pet daily with a pet hair removal brush
  • Giving your pet a bath around shedding season, to get rid of a lot of the hair at once (you can even use an anti-shedding shampoo)
  • Have a groomer shave your pet at the beginning of summer. Especially if you live in a hot climate (even a little hair cut can help significantly with the hair loss)
  • Give your dog a healthy diet and even doggie vitamins to keep their coat nice and healthy (just like humans, healthy hair sheds less often; though you should always check with your vet for individual pet needs)
  • Make designated areas of the house for your pet to stay in (maybe this is the entire downstairs. It might not keep all of it from reaching your top floor, but it’ll reduce pet hair in these areas.)
  • Regularly wash fabrics in the wash, such as removable cushion covers that trap a lot of hair but are difficult to hand-clean
  • Vacuum consistently

Got allergens? Make it through dog shedding season!

Check out our shedding survival guide.

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Clearly, there are far more ways to get pet hair out of your home, or at least reduce the hair population, besides obsessively vacuuming every day (or multiple times a day).

You’ll still find that you have to vacuum, and vacuum thoroughly and regularly, but you don’t necessarily need to do it by hand. 

If you have a Roomba® robot vacuum, you can still clean every day without putting any time into it yourself. Just let your Roomba® robot roam throughout the day, or schedule cleanings at specific times of the day, and concentrate on the areas where hair builds up the most.

roomba s9

That said, which Roomba® robot vacuum cleaner is ideal for pet owners?And what’s the best Roomba for pet hair?

Well, it depends, because there are two options that fit the bill.

First, there’s the s9+ (we advise the + because it is self-emptying. If your pet has a lot of hair, you’ll appreciate that).

If you’re a pet owner, and you’re having trouble getting pet hair out of your carpet, you may be wondering…

Which iRobot robot vacuum cleaner has the best suction?

Answer: iRobot’s Roomba® s9 and s9+.

We like it for pet owners because it has 40x the suction power, compared to our 600 series, and specialized corner cleaning that all of our models do not possess. This makes it an ideal Roomba vacuum for pet hair.

  • Suction Power: 40x the suction over the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system
  • Bin Size: 12.2” W x 15.1” D x 19” H (Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal)
  • Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.5 inches high
  • Size: 12.25 inches width x 3.5 inches high
  • Weight: 8.15 lbs.
  • Battery Life: Smart charge and resume charges your robot the right amount of time for the specific job
  • Top Reasons to Buy: 40x the suction over our 600 series, specialized corner cleaning, and is self-emptying 

Capture dust and pet hair even in the tricky corners of your home

The Roomba® s9 is here for it

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Roomba j7

Your other option is the j7+.

  • Suction Power: 10x the suction over the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system
  • Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.4 inches high
  • Size: 13.3 inches width x 3.4 inches high
  • Weight: 7.49 lbs.
  • Battery Life: Smart charge and resume charges your robot the right amount of time for the specific job.
  • Top Reasons to Buy: object detection & avoidance, smart mapping, self-emptying, clean by room and clean by object

It’s the only model in our range that uses PrecisionVision navigation to avoid objects, such as cords, shoes, or socks, and… well, any pet waste your fur baby leaves on the floor, if they couldn’t make it outside in time.

 Identify and avoid obstacles like pet waste

Guess what? The Roomba® j7 Series does that.

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@irobot

Not us making sound effects in the background forgetting there would be no music 💀 #unboxing #asmr

♬ original sound – iRobot

But if you’re just looking for the suction power, especially for carpeted areas, the s9+ will be enough.

Best Self-Emptying iRobot Vacuum

Best self-emptying robot vacuums

If you’re anything like us, you really love avoiding chores. I mean, to the point you get a robot to do the work for you.

All in all, any Roomba® robot vacuum can take away so much of the hassle that is keeping a house clean (oh what fun it is to be an adult). But there are just some, even among our own line, that go above and beyond their call of duty. And clean up after themselves!

Yeah, you read that right… a robotic vacuum cleaner that empties after itself, with Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal.

What can we say, we like automation.

What exactly is a self-emptying bin, though?

j7 Photo Lifestyle Male and Dog

Every time a robot vacuum without a self-emptying base runs, you need to empty the bin on the robot to clean out all the debris an dirt it’s picked up.

Of course, you may have a few times when you’re just cleaning a specific spot and your floors aren’t that dirty, so maybe you can get away with a few extra cleans between emptying the collection bin.

Still, cleaning out that dust bin when you have a family and pets can feel like an extra step in something you’re trying to eliminate – cleaning the floors yourself.

A Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal acts as both the charging base for your robot vacuum and the disposal for all dirt.

The base has its own motor to suck the debris up and into one of the enclosed dirt disposal bags, where it can sit for much longer before you empty it (up to 60 DAYS!).

Why is the self-emptying bin so great?

You’ve probably worked that out already, right?

Any delay in emptying the dust bin is a win. It’s one less thing you need to worry about each day. One less task on your to-do list.

Yeah, it may only take a minute to clear it out, but that isn’t the point.

It’s all about reclaiming time to do other things, like build that fort with your kids and watch a movie under its canopy. (And then let your Roomba® robot vacuum clean up after – wait, it can’t do all that just yet).

So which Roomba® robot vacuum is best if you want a self-emptying bin?

We’re not tooting our horn here, it’s simply fact… any + model Roomba® robot vacuum automatically comes with a self-emptying bin.

Even our non-plus models (for our i, j, and s series), are compatible with our Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal, though it must be purchased separately.

If you want the best features for the money, you’ll want to go for the Roomba® i3 or i3+.

Roomba i3+

Why?

Well, you get most of the smart features we’ve developed so far, while still being a relatively affordable robot vacuum.

Currently, our Roomba® i3 starts at $399, while the i3+ is $499.

Here’s a rundown of the specs for the i3:

  • Suction Power: 10x the suction over the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system
  • Bin Size: 12.2” W x 15.1” D x 19” H
  • Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.63 inches high
  • Size: 13.26 inches width x 3.63 inches high
  • Weight: 7.44 lbs.
  • Top Reasons to Buy: Specialized corner cleaning, self-emptying

Want a thorough, satisfying cleaning experience?

The Roomba® i3 Series cleans in neat rows.

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Best High-End Tech iRobot Vacuum

Best high-end robot vacuums

You’re in line to upgrade your phone as soon as a new model comes out. You’re looking for all the top-of-the-line features.

At home, you have all the latest home automation gadgets and smart appliances (and it has to be top of the line).

You absolutely revel in controlling all of your devices from your phone (even if it’s just the volume on your tv).

Truth be told, we all wish we could be like you, in a way, because you have the best of everything. You aren’t willing to settle for less.

That applies to your cleaning gadgets and gizmos too.

Option #1: The Detailed Clean, Courtesy of iRobot® Roomba® s9.

What’s so great about it?

Prepare yourself for the greatness…

irobot roomba s9

Besides the impressive suction power that is 40 times greater than our 600 series base models, the s9 has our range of smart features (and can continue getting smarter with software updates), including:

  • Specialized corner cleaning
  • Navigates around obstacles (as in, your grandma’s antique furniture)
  • Mapping and cleaning in neat rows rather than awkward randomness
  • Dirt Detect™
    Technology
  • Recharge and Resume cleaning
  • A Clean Base® automatic dirt disposal (only in the + model)
  • Targeted area cleaning
  • Targeted room cleaning
  • Personal cleaning suggestions based on your habits and lifestyle
  • Favorite cleaning routines
  • Voice control through smart devices like Alexa and Google Assistant

Want the full rundown on the s9+? Here are the specs:

  • Suction Power: 40x the suction over the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system
  • Bin Size: 12.2” W x 15.1” D x 19” H (Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal)
  • Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.5 inches high
  • Size: 12.25 inches width x 3.5 inches high
  • Weight: 8.15 lbs.
  • Battery Life: Smart charge and resume charges your robot for the right amount of runtime
  • Top Reasons to Buy: 40x the suction over our 600 series, specialized corner cleaning, self-emptying

If you think Roomba® S Series are cool, wait til you see the accessories.

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Option #2: Object Avoidance, Courtesy of Roomba® j7+ Robot Vacuum

irobot roomba j7

The s9 has obstacle avoidance, but the j7 is just a step further with PrecisionVision Navigation to steer clear of things like cords, socks, and doggie (or cat) droppings.

So if you have a doggie that isn’t quite ready to keep it all outside, or a child who likes to toss their socks on the floor, you might find the j7+ to suit your lifestyle a bit more than our other models.

Here are the j7’s specs again, so you can compare side-by-side:

  • Suction Power: 10x the suction over the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system
  • Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.4 inches high
  • Size: 13.3 inches width x 3.4 inches high
  • Weight: 7.49 lbs.
  • Battery Life: Smart charge and resume charges your robot the right amount of time for the cleaning cycle.
  • Top Reasons to Buy: It’s our smartest, with object avoidance

Looking for more convenience? Check out these Roomba® J Series refill kits

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iRobot’s “Low-Tech” Robot Vacuums 

Best budget robot vacuums

Okay, maybe a robot can’t exactly be “low-tech,” but… 

Have you ever found a product you just absolutely need, and not just because it’s “to die for,” but because it helps you manage your life and give you some time back (not to mention your sanity)? 

Only, it just seems a little out of your realm, with all its cool features you think you might not need?

You either forget about it and move on, or you opt for a less techy version. 

Either way, you still want a solution to keeping your house clean, while managing pet hair and babies running around spilling their cheesy fishies (and then crushing them with their little feet as they rampage). 

We get it. Robots are a coordinated system of software, infrared sensors, and moving parts, but they don’t have to have everything in their arsenal to be effective. They can just do their job with minimal input from you. 

Luckily, we do have a Roomba® robot vacuum for everyone – every lifestyle and every technical ability. 

Speaking of easy gift options…  

You can personalize your Roomba® Robot Vacuum with a custom durable vinyl skin from SkinIt®. They have thousands of options for personalizing your Roomba® robot to your style and liking. 

Check out this cute shark print

Okay, what are we talking? What does this not-too-terribly-techy robot actually look like?

Well, lucky you, our less-technical robot vacuum cleaners still uphold awesome cleaning power and software that make it a force in your home without all the features you might not think you need. 

In that regard, it’s probably the best bang for your buck. Our 600 series fits the bill perfectly. 

Roomba® robot vacuum in the 600 series Best high-end robot vacuums

The 600 series is an entry-level series. A few reasons they’re such great value is because they still have a lot of the desired features that make it a Roomba® robot vacuum, but at a much lower price than our new models. 

Some of the features include: 

  • Compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant 
  • Favorite cleaning schedules 
  • Seasonal and personalized cleaning suggestions 
  • Dirt Detect™ technology

If you’re simply looking to eliminate a task from your day, without the cost of all the additional features, then our 600 series robot vacuums are the best option for you.   

While we only offer the Roomba® 694 robot vacuum on our website, other 600 models are still widely sold at some of our partner retailers such as Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohls, Lowes, Target, Walmart and more. 

@irobot

The Social Team is guilty of this #Roomba #SMM #cleantok #minions

♬ minion – isa

Our Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet

best robot vacuum for carpet

Did you ever notice that small spaces seem to feel dirty really quickly? But then, as soon as you vacuum your floors it instantly feels much cleaner?

Well, we did… 

Best budget robot vacuums

We also noticed that larger spaces look much cleaner as soon as the area rugs and carpets are cleared of their dirt, chip crumbs, and popcorn kernels.

Basically if you just clean your carpets constantly, you never have to clean anything else again. Okay, we’re kidding. Please don’t stop scrubbing your toilets.

The point still stands though, that even if the rest of your house is spick and span, a dirty carpet can make the entire room so as well. That’s not ideal.

But how do you keep your carpet clean when you have kids and pets?

There is no solution other than to vacuum constantly, and you can only do that with a robot vacuum. Unless you want to lose your mind keeping your stand-up vacuum out all day (even if it is bagless, it’s still a hassle).

Nobody has time for that.

Worried about how to clean your rugs? 

Our guide to rug cleaning has you covered.

LEARN MORE

family relaxing and playing togetherWhat may be on your mind now is:

But how does it handle the transition between them? Can Roomba® robot vacuum go over a door jam?

Absolutely! Of course, if the door jamb is more like a step, it won’t be able to climb. It’s best to keep in mind though, that this answer depends on the model and on your own home’s specification.  

How about uneven floors? Does a Roomba® robot work on uneven floors?

A Roomba® robot vacuum can handle a clearance or transition from bare floors or hardwood to tile or tile/ hardwood to carpet in most homes.  

Some of our models (Roomba® models that are paired with a motion sensor) have a little black and white roller at the front of the vacuum. The robot knows that when it’s running, it’ll see black, white, black, white, and so on.

If it senses that it’s still meant to move because the motor is still running, yet it’s not seeing the exchange of black and white, it’ll understand that it’s stuck and make maneuvers away from that surface.  

So which is the best Roomba® robot vacuum for cleaning carpets? 

s9 CleanBase Recharge Overlay

Again, the s9 is still a clear winner in terms of performance. It has 40x the suction power compared to all of our 600 series (we just can’t get over how great that is). Making it one mean (c)lean dirt sucking machine.

The PerfectEdge® Technology also helps to get those corners of the room nice and clean. (No more pet hair piled along the edges. Woohoo!)

Even better, all the other features are still present. Such as mapping for all floor plans, cliff detection, and recharge and resume.

Here’s another breakdown of the s9+:

  • Suction Power: 40x the suction over the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system
  • Bin Size: 12.2” W x 15.1” D x 19” H (Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal)
  • Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.5 inches high
  • Size: 12.25 inches width x 3.5 inches high
  • Weight: 8.15 lbs.
  • Battery Life: Smart charge and resume charges your robot the right amount of time for the specific job.
  • Top Reasons to Buy: 40x the suction over our 600 series, specialized corner cleaning, self-emptying

iRobot’s Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors

Best robot vacuums for hard floors

i3 Neutral m6 Silver Photo Lifestyle

Vacuuming hardwood floors would seem like a joke several years ago. The only real option used to be a broom.

There are more options now, of course, but only robot vacuums can handle the job all on their own.

So, which robot vacuum from iRobot is best for hardwood floors? 

In all honesty, choose any Roomba® robot vacuum and you’ll be satisfied with the cleaning power on hardwood and tile floors.

But if we had to have a top pick (or a few), we’d say that Roomba® i3/ i3+ and i7/i8 series. They have the ability to sync to our Braava jet® m6 robot mop for a team clean, and were the first in our lineup to have Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal.

Here’s the full rundown on the specs for the iRobot Roomba® i3:

  • Suction Power: 10x the suction over the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system
  • Bin Size: 12.2” W x 15.1” D x 19” H
  • Smart Home Compatibility: compatible with Google Home / Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.63 inches high
  • Size: 13.26 inches width x 3.63 inches high
  • Weight: 7.44 lbs.
  • Top Reasons to Buy: Recharge and resume, compatible with Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal, Dirt Detect™ technology, creates favorite cleaning routes

Need a robot vacuum that’s ideal for homes with pets?

Try the Wi-Fi® connected Roomba® i3 EVO

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Best Multi-Surface iRobot Vacuums (for Hard Floors and Carpet)

Best robot vacuums for multiple surfaces

It’s so convenient when you can eliminate multiple machines, and pare down to one that does several things at once.

But 2-in-1 combo machines don’t always work better than a singular machine. We prefer the power of two machines that work seamlessly together.

When machines can chat, and tell each other where to go, what rooms to clean, what sections to avoid, and so on, you get the cleaning power of both machines without the time and effort of operating them yourself (and without lugging around a huge water tank to mop with). What a combo!

m6 Silver Photo Object Directed Table Alexa

Is there a Roomba® robot vacuum that sweeps and mops?

The shorter answer is no.

Don’t count us out just yet though.

Most of our models have the option to sync with a Braava jet® m6 robot mop.

The Braava® robot mop has much of the functionality of a Roomba® robot vacuum, but with the sole mission of mopping your floors.

Syncing your Roomba® and Braava® robots means that your mop will start a mopping job immediately afterwards, and you can program it to follow the vacuum’s path, cleaning pattern, and preferences for the cleaning area.

Hey, robot vacuum. Meet effortless mopping.

Make your life easier. Check out our Roomba and Braava bundles.

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The Ultimate Robot Mop

Best robot mops

braava 300

The task of wet mopping is rarely a favorite for anyone. It can be cumbersome, messy, and you just never really know whether you’re microfiber is getting up all the mess. So what’s the best robot mop?

Yet, it’s just something you have to do to protect your tile and hardwood floors for years to come- and keep your home sparkling.

We make it pretty easy to avoid the task with automation.

So, what’s different about the Braava® robot mop? 

The 300 series was our first Braava® robot mop, cleaning with just two modes: wet and dry. It doesn’t have a jet spray or any of the features of the more recent Braava jet® m6, but it tackles everyday dirt and grime.

It’s also one of the quietest of all of our models. So, if you work from home or have a young child and don’t feel the need to have a lot of features, a Braava® 300 series will do the trick.

It uses cloth-like mop pads that’s easy to replace and tackle larger messes.

What’s unique about this robot mop, is that its mapping features aren’t fully onboard, like some of our Roomba® robot vacuums.

irobot braava jet

It uses a little black box that shoots a signal up to your ceiling and guides your Braava® robot mop around your home, telling it where it’s already been and where it still needs to go.

While this is our earliest Braava® mopping model and doesn’t have a lot of the capabilities of the m6, it’s still worlds ahead of a regular mop.

The Braava jet® 200 series takes another giant leap for mankind by adding jet spray, ejecting water ahead of the machine.

Oh, and it gently scrubs back and forth to lift the particles that are buried in grooves and pores (like a vibrating toothbrush, you could say).

Then there’s our Braava jet® m6 robot. It’s quite revolutionary if we do say so ourselves (and we do).

braava jet m6

The reason:

  • App and voice commands to operate and control your robot mop
  • Capable of cleaning much larger spaces than our other models
  • Features smart mapping just like some Roomba® models
  • Voice controlling with Wi-Fi connectivity through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Can form no-go zones, or command Braava jet® robot mop to only clean certain areas
  • Syncs with certain Roomba® robot vacuums for an all-house clean (Pretty neato!)

More on the Braava® m6:

  • Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
  • Height: 3.5 inches high
  • Size: 10.6 inches width x 3.5 inches high
  • Weight: 4.85 lbs.
  • Long Battery Life:  Smart charge and resume charges your robot the right amount of time for the specific job.
  • Top Reasons to Buy: specialized corner clean, smart recharge & resume, precision jet spray, and targeted area cleaning

Mop when and where you want.

Our Braava robot mop works while you relax

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Key Takeaways on Choosing the Best Robot Vacuum for Your Lifestyle

If you’re on the prowl for a Roomba® or Braava® robot, either for yourself or someone you love, here are a few key things to remember in your search:Mother with daughter playing acoustic guitar

  • All of our Roomba® robot vacuums were designed for both hardwood and carpet, and for all kinds of floorplans.
  • Most of our models can get smarter over time with regular software updates.
  • We offer a warranty and several protection plan options.
  • iRobot’s Roomba S9 has all of our best features available, besides object avoidance, which is in our j7/j7+ series.
  • iRobot.com has some pretty epic seasonal sales (and we hear our Black Friday deals are to die for).

Choosing a Roomba® robot vacuum or Braava® robot mop that suits your lifestyle and budget doesn’t have to be a challenge. There’s something for everyone, and if you haven’t found one that suits your every need just yet, we might be developing it already.

Best Robot Vacuum Infographic

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Braava® Robot Mop

Robot mop that cleans like you would.
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