It would come as a shock that “roomba” is not the common time period for a robotic vacuum. It’s, actually, a capital “R” that denotes Roomba as a correct noun fairly than a generic trademark. Roombas are simply robotic vacuums made by iRobot, and searching for the perfect Roombas is a way more particular process than searching for the finest robotic vacuums generally. Nonetheless, Roomba’s Band-Support or Kleenex stage fame actually does show simply how iconic iRobot has turn out to be on the earth of automated flooring cleaners.
There is a good cause for that: Not solely was iRobot first to the robotic vacuum get together, however the firm has persistently delivered among the most dependable robotic vacuum fashions for twenty years. Greater than 20 Roombas have come out for the reason that first one hit properties in 2002, however if you happen to’re searching for the perfect Roomba in the present day, there are solely a handful of fashions you want to know in 2025.
Meet the brand new 2025 Roomba lineup from iRobot
iRobot launched 4 new Roomba collection in March 2025, deviating from its (unofficial) summer time launch schedule. I believe iRobot had two causes to rush: the spring launch of the prime robotic vacuums from CES and the corporate’s rocky monetary scenario. As somebody who exams robotic vacuums for a dwelling, I will be the primary to let you know that Roombas had been flopping in a sea of smarter, extra fairly-priced robotic vacs from the likes of Roborock and Shark.
The brand new Roomba 105, Roomba 205, Roomba Plus 405, and Roomba Plus 505 collection are additional damaged down into eight complete fashions, many with utterly completely different bodily designs that do not scream “classic Roomba.”
iRobot is enjoying catch-up with its competitors, and for the primary time, you should buy Roombas that use LiDAR for sensible mapping, Roombas with twin spinning mopping pads, and a Roomba that compacts its personal mud fairly than self-emptying. Regardless of such improvements, the brand new 2025 Roombas are surprisingly inexpensive, particularly in comparison with previous Roombas (which are actually very straightforward to search out on sale).
The right way to inform the distinction between the Roomba fashions
The iRobot Roomba 105. The Roomba Combo i5+. The Roomba Combo j7+ (to not be confused with the Roomba j7). The arbitrary numbers and letters of the Roomba household tree are complicated at face worth, however we are able to educate you.
When searching for a Roomba, you will select from what I name iRobot’s core lineup: the group of three to 5 Roomba collection offered on iRobot’s web site. Any Roomba whose title features a letter and a quantity (like j9+ or i5) or the phrase Max is extra superior than a Roomba with simply numbers within the title (like 105, 205, or 692) or simply phrases (like Roomba Vac or Important).
A plus signal (like j9+) denotes that the mannequin comes with a self-emptying dock, and Roombas that mop can have “Combo” within the title. “Max” is a brand new Roomba time period launched with the Roomba Combo 10 Max — it refers back to the capacity of a hybrid Roomba to clean and dry its personal mopping pad throughout the self-empty dock. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, “Essential” means “most basic” within the Roomba household, which means no sensible mapping.
Testing the Roomba Combo 10 Max.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Testing the Roomba Combo j7+.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable
So, which Roomba is finest for you? I’ve examined practically each Roomba launched since 2019, and I repeatedly replace this information to the perfect Roombas vacuums all year long. (As for the most recent Roombas, I’ve already gotten my arms on one collection, with testing of the opposite three within the works.) After evaluating suction, pet hair pickup, mopping, sensible mapping, small impediment detection, and worth, I selected the Roombas that supply the perfect worth.
UPDATE: Apr. 27, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EDT After testing the brand new Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, I’ve added it to this information. iRobot additionally launched the Roomba 105, Roomba Plus 405, and Roomba Plus 505 in March. I am within the technique of testing them, and can replace this information accordingly based mostly on my hands-on critiques.
