iRobot Robot Vacuum Review
17 models tracked · 17 fully rated · 88 owner comments
iRobot earns a 3.4/5 ZenVacuum Rating from 88 owner comments. Owners most often praise iRobot for reliable / recommend, pet hair, self-empty dock. The complaints we count are directional only — loud and expensive come up, but complaint data is thin across the dataset.
That score blends the average star rating across all 88 owner comments with how ofteniRobot comes up in recommendation threads, the spec coverage of its tracked lineup, and where its observed prices sit relative to the rest of the dataset. The strongest model in the lineup is the iRobot j7+ at 3.6/5. Observed prices run $244.99–$887.21 across the models we track — point-in-time snapshots, not live offers.
Should you buy a iRobot robot vacuum?
Shortlist iRobot if
- You care about reliable / recommend — 12 owner comments credit iRobot with it.
- You care about pet hair — 5 owner comments credit iRobot with it.
- You care about self-empty dock — 4 owner comments credit iRobot with it.
- You want a way in under $400 — the cheapest tracked iRobot model was observed at $244.99.
- You want choice — 17 iRobot models have enough evidence to rate.
Look elsewhere if
- Loud would rule it out — owners raise it 1 time.
- Expensive would rule it out — owners raise it 1 time.
Owner-ranked lists for iRobot's strengths: Reliable / recommend · Pet hair · Self-empty dock.
In owners' own words
"is all you need."
"would not recommend them."
Most praised versus most complained about
Complaints
"We have a roomba j7 and shark matrix. The roomba is "smarter" but the shark is more adventurous. They both do alright."
"I have a Roomba i3+, and what you described with it leaving the base and returning means the charging contacts are dirty."
"We have an iRobot Roomba E6 for years and at one point it managed hair of 7 cats. It is simple, reliable and affordable."
"I like my roomba j5, specifically with a self emptying base. Without the self emptying base, it sucked."
"it's loud. But also, it empties itself and that feature was absolutely the most important thing"
"That’s the one I have and I really like it."
"I probably would have paid up to $200."
"is all you need."
"It's horrible for pet hair."
"By far the best."
"For vacuum only I love my roomba j9."
"It works well."
"It was a Roomba i7+ that I bought in the summer of 2022."
"Got a 614 and it is one of the Go-To robots at our house."
"I wouldn’t own a robot vacuum without iRobot’s select membership. They’ve replaced the thing thrice and they send me all the parts."
"iRobot is generally the best for carpet cleaning."
"iRobot’s overall quality from customer service to it failing to self empty has been declining."
"I bought two i-robot vacuums (one for each floor of my home). The first one I bought does okay, but it doesn’t replace having to vacuum regularly."
"They have newer and fancier versions, but this one is great for me."
"they work well."
"roomba J9+ is all you need."
"cleaned the apartment to nearly spotless in one pass."
"I wouldn’t recommend a combo robot. If you’re wanting just daily or several days a week cleaning."
"is pretty awesome."
"it's been great."
"I bought a used/refurbished Roomba 694 from Amazon for $80 and it has changed my life!"
"The i8+ I personally own now is 2 years old."
"I have an iRobot i8, Dyson Detect v15 and Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro to take care of several cats and medium dog."
"Works like a gem."
"We have a roomba s9+ that self empties and two dogs."
"Roomba S9+. Been running daily for about 5 years."
"it’s alright but it’s expensive."
"It does a good job on the hard floors."
"It does a good job keeping us mostly-tumbleweed-free."
"I love our Roomba - our dog sheds a lot, so we have it set to automatically run every day."
"I loved our Roomba until we had kids."
"I would not buy a Roomba again."
"I'd say the Roomba worked more consistently."
"We use a self emptying roomba daily."
"I have roomba and I’m pleased."
"I love my roomba but it doesn’t do well on thick fluffy carpets."
"They're great when they're working!"
"A Roomba from Costco on Black Friday."
"Any Roomba. The duel brushes are AMAZING!"
"would not recommend them."
"I had a roomba for about 5 years. Worked great and made it so I only had to vacuum once a month myself."
"It does a decent job on hard flooring."
"We have a Roomba but only use it after a thorough check and the dogs are with us/in their crate."
"My 12 year old Roomba is still working."
"So, we had a roomba and hated it."
"I have a Roomba that lives in the downstairs of our two story house."
"We absolutely love the self emptying feature."
"has been good for us."
"Currently the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is discounted and I can recommend it with 2 hands."
"The Roomba S9 does a great job with our 3 cats."
"I think an iRobot Roomba j7+ is a good option."
"It’s been such a relief for handling pet hair!"
"Do not get the Dyson ones."
"I like my roborock s7."
"I am very satisfied with my iRobot Roomba J7+ that also mops."
"Avoid Roomba j7/j7+. Just replaced a Roomba 980 with it."
"Works great for us."
"get roomba"
"Loved my roomba for a year until I realized it was slowly destroying all of my previous rugs at their corners and edges"
"we just got a basic iRobot Roomba."
"iRobot Roomba’s, which are a godsend, pretty much put them on every day."
"I've used Roomba for 12+ years, and recently started using Shark."
"I have 2 Roombas, 3 stories to keep clean and a fluffy husky. Roombas are terrific."
"I've a Roomba that's gotta be 12 years old at least. Replaced the battery thrice (easy). Several other repairs. But still working."
"Idk if you have a roomba but I have one of the latest models and it’s still awful."
"We have a roomba. It does pretty well with my two dogs and one cat."
"I've been using a Roomba for the past few years and really like it."
"I have a roomba. Works well for us (2 dogs, one cat)."
"The original iRobot Roomba is still a pretty good cleaner."
"Ive been using Roomba for a great many years, no issues."
"Normally I diss on Roomba... in this case it sounds like the best thing for you."
"it's been pretty good."
"I have three dogs and I use my roomba for maintenance during the week."
"I have a roomba and love it. I’m always surprised when I empty the bin."
"My Roomba is probably 6 or 7 years old. Replaced the battery twice and can’t program it, but it still works."
"I had an older roomba. It took too long to run and required more attention than I would have liked."
"I enjoy my Roomba. I think it was $300. It's several years old. Not fancy compared to what they can be. It's great for helping out especially with pet hair."
"will be your best bet."
"My roomba does a pretty legit job after 3 years, I’m still grateful for it."
"See if Roomba Select is available in your area. You get a vacuum/cleaning base and all the bags, filters, replaceable parts, etc., for $35/mo for three years."
"have a refurbished Roomba for 3 years now although no pets."
"Roomba 800(?) pet series. First one just for gobs of hair; two dsh and 1 Golden. Works well BUT I do get well-rolled-up wads of hair left behind."
"are suited for this."
iRobot model lineup, best first
- iRobotiRobot j7+$794.95 price snapshot
"it's been great."owner comment via r/RobotVacuums
- iRobotiRobot Combo j9+$887.21 price snapshot
"Currently the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is discounted and I can recommend it with 2 hands."owner comment via r/RobotVacuums
- iRobotiRobot j9+
"is all you need."owner comment via r/RobotVacuums
- iRobotiRobot j9
"For vacuum only I love my roomba j9."owner comment via r/RobotVacuums
- iRobotiRobot s9+
"I probably would have paid up to $200."owner comment via r/homemaking
- iRobotiRobot j5$599.95 price snapshot
"I like my roomba j5, specifically with a self emptying base. Without the self emptying base, it sucked."owner comment via r/PetAdvice
- iRobotiRobot 614
"Got a 614 and it is one of the Go-To robots at our house."owner comment via r/roomba
- iRobotiRobot i5$244.99 price snapshot
"That’s the one I have and I really like it."owner comment via r/DobermanPinscher
- iRobotiRobot s9
"We have a roomba s9+ that self empties and two dogs."owner comment via r/greatpyrenees
- iRobotiRobot i8
"The i8+ I personally own now is 2 years old."owner comment via r/RobotVacuums
- iRobotiRobot i7
"Works like a gem."owner comment via r/chennaicity
- iRobotiRobot i7+
"it's loud. But also, it empties itself and that feature was absolutely the most important thing"owner comment via r/homeowners
- iRobotiRobot i3+
"I have a Roomba i3+, and what you described with it leaving the base and returning means the charging contacts are dirty."owner comment via r/BuyItForLife
- iRobotiRobot i8+
"It does a good job on the hard floors."owner comment via r/goldenretrievers
- iRobotiRobot e6
"We have an iRobot Roomba E6 for years and at one point it managed hair of 7 cats. It is simple, reliable and affordable."owner comment via r/BuyItForLife
- iRobotiRobot j7$599.99 price snapshot
"We have a roomba j7 and shark matrix. The roomba is "smarter" but the shark is more adventurous. They both do alright."owner comment via r/BuyItForLife
- iRobotiRobot 767
"they work well."owner comment via r/RobotVacuums
| Model | Rating | Comments | Price | Mop | Self-empty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iRobot j7+ | 3.6 | 10 | $794.95 | No | Yes |
| iRobot Combo j9+ | 3.6 | 1 | $887.21 | Yes | Yes |
| iRobot j9+ | 3.5 | 5 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot j9 | 3.3 | 2 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot s9+ | 3.3 | 2 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot j5 | 3.3 | 1 | $599.95 | Yes | Yes |
| iRobot 614 | 3.2 | 1 | Not observed | No | No |
| iRobot i5 | 3.2 | 1 | $244.99 | Yes | No |
| iRobot s9 | 3.1 | 4 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot i8 | 3.1 | 2 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot i7 | 3.1 | 2 | Not observed | No | No |
| iRobot i7+ | 3.0 | 3 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot i3+ | 3.0 | 1 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot i8+ | 2.9 | 1 | Not observed | No | Yes |
| iRobot e6 | 2.8 | 1 | Not observed | No | No |
| iRobot j7 | 2.8 | 1 | $599.99 | No | No |
| iRobot 767 | 2.7 | 1 | Not observed | No | No |
What to look for in a iRobot model
For pet homes, favour models with an anti-tangle brush and a self-empty dock; fur fills a small bin fast.
If mopping is the draw, check that the dock washes and dries the mop — otherwise pads need daily attention.
Value praise usually points at entry models; compare runtime and dock type before assuming the cheapest is enough.
Our dock types and cost of ownership explainers show how those choices play out across the whole tracked lineup.