Reviewing the best Roomba vacuum cleaners UK (2024)

What’s the difference between individual Roomba robot hoovers?

Which Roomba is the current flagship model?

Which is the best Roomba?

Is there an iRobot vacuum-mop combo (hybrid model)?

So many questions to answer about the different Roomba models. 🤯

To make things easier, we’ve created a comparison table for the best iRobot gadgets. This will make it easier for you to keep track. 👇

You can check out our full review of the Roomba i7+ below. 👇

iRobot remains the global leader in the robot vacuum cleaner market.

In this section, we want to take a closer look at the advantages (but also disadvantages) of the Roomba vacuum robots. 🤔

Disadvantages

Navigation

iRobot uses camera-based VSLAM navigation (Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping). 📷

This ensures that the little household helper travels around your home in a systematic, reliable manner. No spots are left out.

Another navigation system prevalent among robot vacuum cleaners is laser navigation (Lidar). The majority of iRobot's competitors use this navigation method.

And there are reasons for this: VSLAM navigation is good, but has some disadvantages compared to laser navigation:

• Slower.

• Less efficient.
• Objects are frequently "bumped into".
• Navigation is difficult in low light conditions.
• Has issues in homes with sloping ceilings (ceiling outline ≠ floor plan).
• Cleaning routes cannot be traced on the map.

However, even the best robot vacuum cleaners can’t manage all the hard-to-reach spots (like stairs) - in these cases, we recommend having a cordless vacuum to hand.

Price

Roomba vacuuming robots are very high-quality products.

However, as we all know, quality has its price.

It's no secret: iRobot's devices could cost you an arm and a leg. 💸

So if you're looking for a deal on your robot vacuum cleaner, you probably won't find it at iRobot.

Lack of mopping ability

Cleaning robots that vacuum and mop at the same time have recently established themselves on the market. 🧹💧

iRobot, on the other hand, makes a strict distinction between vacuuming robots and mopping robots.

Hybrid robots (e.g. iRobot Romba Combo - available at Amazon*) hardly feature in the range. Moreover, the quality of these iRobot devices is not great.

Minimal detail on maps

Modern Roombas all create a map of your home. This can be accessed in the app. 📱

The map is less detailed compared to those created by robotic hoovers with laser navigation.

Only a floor plan is shown. Larger objects (such as furniture, doors, etc.) are not shown on the map. 🛋️

Advantages

Good cleaning performance

The best iRobot Roomba vacuum robots (our test winners) all impressed us in our cleaning test (both on laminate and carpet).

Robot hoovers have particular difficulty with medium and high-pile carpets. And this is where the Roomba really shines.

Very good workmanship and beautiful design

The iRobot Roomba vacuum robots are characterised by their superb workmanship.

This ensures that the household helpers are very durable.

But the American manufacturer also focusses on appearance. The design has been thought through right down to the last detail. The Roombas look classy and stylish. 😍

Impressive app and voice control

In our opinion, the iRobot Home App (Android / iOS) is one of the best robot vacuum apps on the market.

The app is laid out in a clear manner. Using it is a breeze. The range of functions is huge. Bugs? Not a chance!

And operation via voice control (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant) also works well.

Self-emptying station

The Clean Base is, if you like, the hallmark of iRobot Roomba models.

It remains a fantastic feature and one of the main reasons to buy a Roomba robot vac.

Short design

Since iRobot Roomba robots do not use laser navigation, the (typical) laser tower seen in other robots is also missing.

As a result, the Roomba models have a noticeably lower profile than numerous competitors (by approx. 1 - 2 cm) at around 8.5 cm.

This advantage should not be underestimated.

These shorter household helpers can efficiently clean areas where many competitors cannot reach due to their height. 🛋️

One of the absolute hallmarks of the Roomba series is the self-emptying station. iRobot calls this feature the "Clean Base."

This practical feature means you never have to empty the mobile dust box by hand again.

The only thing you still have to do is replace the large dust container (2.7 litres) in the emptying station itself every few months.

P. S.: Two replacement bags are normally included in the package contents. Replacement dust bags can be easily ordered from Amazon*.

Advantages

Automated cleaning

Manually emptying the mobile dust bin of a Roomba robot vacuum cleaner is one of the most common maintenance tasks.

If you choose a model with the Clean Base, this maintenance step is completely omitted.

This is how the process works in everyday life:

• The Roomba robot vacuum cleaner cleans your home.
• After cleaning, the unit returns to the Cleaning Base to charge.
• During this process, the mobile dust bin is also completely emptied.
• Dirt is transferred to the large dust bag, which is located in the Clean Base itself.
• And there you have it!

A very practical feature that saves you a lot of extra work. 🍸

No contact with dirt

Since there is no need to manually empty a mobile dust box into the bin, you no longer come into contact with everyday dust.

• Remove the dust bag from the emptying station.
• Throw it in the bin (no need to cause a dust storm with emptying!)
• Insert a new dust bag in the Clean Base.

Convenience

There is no other way to put it: Self-emptying stations are super practical.

Floor cleaning is almost completely automated, so you can sit back and relax. 🏝️

Disadvantages

However, the emptying stations also come with some disadvantages:

Increased costs

Models that come with emptying stations are more expensive.

But that’s not the only additional cost: Using a model with this kind of cleaning base requires follow-up costs in the form of repurchasing dust bags. 💰

Disposable dust bags

Disposable bags are used in the Clean Base.

Not only does this introduce follow-up costs, but it’s also harmful to the environment. 🌍

Alternatively, you can read our Roborock S7 review. This robot vacuum cleaner uses a self-empty station without the need for disposable bags. 👏

Our conclusion on Roomba’s Clean Base

If you're already considering an iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner, we'd recommend getting the emptying station as well.

This feature saves you a lot of work and is just so convenient.

The emptying station automates the majority of your daily floor cleaning.

Find the best Roomba models with a self-empty base below. 👇

iRobot produces a very limited number of robots with mopping capabilities.

In almost all cases, the manufacturer systematically separates the two functions:

• Vacuum-only robots (Roomba series),
• and mop-only robots (Braava series).

Bonus: Imprint Link Technology allows iRobot Roomba vacuum robots and iRobot Braava robot mops to "communicate" with each other.

How does this work? Quite simply:

As soon as the robot vacuum cleaner has finished hoovering, the Braava robot mop gets a signal and starts working by itself. 💧

But why does the American manufacturer separate “mopping" and "vacuuming" functions?

Well, according to iRobot, individual cleaning devices can be optimised for the respective functions (vacuuming vs. mopping).

Our team has reviewed numerous robotic vacuum cleaners, robot mops and robot vacuum-mop hybrids.

And we do not share this opinion.

Modern robot vacuums with mops can do a great job in both areas, these days.

If you opt for a combo unit (robot vacuum-mop), you can benefit from a number of advantages:

• You won't have to buy two devices
• You’ll save money
• Cleaning time is halved (you do not have to have both units cleaned one after the other)

Want to know which hybrid robot vacuum-mops were particularly impressive when put to the test? Check out our review!

If you're looking for some robot vacuum-mop combo options, you’re barking up the wrong tree with iRobot.

Here are our top picks for all-vacuuming, all-mopping robot cleaning devices. 👇

The price of your Roomba vacuum cleaner depends largely on the features you choose:

• Are you opting for the latest model, or will the predecessor do the job?
• Will your chosen model include a self-emptying station?
• Do you want a Roomba with an additional front camera (to detect / avoid flat objects)?

If you answer yes to all the above questions, the p bnbhrice will be correspondingly high. 💸

However, if you want to cut back on price, then these are exactly the features you should drop from your list.

If your budget is tight, it's worth taking a look at the competition. You will find some inspiration below. 👇

Another interesting way to control your Roomba is with the voice assistant. 💬

The following voice assistants are supported:

• Alexa (Click here for the Alexa Skill)
• Google Home Assistant

iRobot proves its software expertise in the area of voice control, too.

The voice control works very well in practice. The choice of commands is also greater compared to other manufacturers:

Using voice assistants to control your iRobot Roomba is easy and convenient. It fully integrates the household helper into your smart home.

How to pair your Roomba with Alexa

• Search for the "Alexa iRobot Roomba Skill" in the Alexa app or on the Amazon website.
• Activate the skill.
• Enter your iRobot login details (email + password).
• Done. You can now control your Roomba with Alexa.

How to pair your Roomba with Google Home Assistant

• Select the Smart Home menu item in the iRobot Home app.
• Select “Google Assistant.”
• Now open the Google Home app.
• Select "Smart Home Control" and click on the "+" symbol.
• Scroll down and add "iRobot Smart Home" as a new service.
• Enter your iRobot Home App login details (email & password).
• Done. Your Roomba is now controllable with Google Home Assistant.

In 1990, three robotics engineers at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) had the vision of making robots a part of our everyday lives. 🤖

They founded a company called "iRobot."

Initially, the company's focus was not on household robots.

It wasn’t until 2002 that the Roomba series was introduced, the first truly capable floor-cleaning robot.

Since the stock launch in 2005, the company's focus has increasingly shifted to the household sector.

The highlights of their product range are:

• Robot vacuum cleaners (Roomba Series)
• Robot mops (Braava Series)

From time to time, you will need to carry out maintenance and clean your iRobot Roomba, just like any other hoover or electrical appliance.

Proper maintenance ensures:

• A long service life 🕰️
• Continued cleaning results 🧹

Next, we’ll take a closer look at the most important maintenance tasks. 👇

Manually emptying the mobile dust box

Does your Roomba come with a self-emptying station? Then you can skip this section.

Your Clean Base will automatically extract any dirt from your Roomba, meaning you won’t have to empty it by hand.

Don’t have a base station? Then the container must be emptied manually.

How often? That depends entirely on how dirty your home is.

With regular use, you should do this task at least once a week.

Washing out the dust container

Every time you clean, everyday dirt enters the mobile dust box.

So it just makes sense to rinse it out at regular intervals. 💧

P.S.: If you have a Roomba with a self-emptying station, you won’t have to wash it out as often because the dirt from the dust container is extracted with a powerful blast of air after every cleaning session.

This way, the container stays clean for much longer.

Changing the Clean Base dirt disposal bag

The iRobot Roomba vacuum station uses disposable dust bags.

So obviously, these must be changed once they are full (don’t worry, you will be notified in time by a push message in the app).

The process is foolproof:

• Remove old hoover bag
• Insert new bag
• Dispose of old bag. 🚮

How often do you have to change the bag?

This depends greatly on how much dirt your home accumulates and how often the robot vacuum cleaner is used.

Cleaning the two rubber brushes

The Roomba robot's rubber brush rollers are easy to remove and clean:

• Remove the two brushes.
• Pull out the stuck hairs (at the ends of the brushes).
• Wipe the brushes with a slightly damp cloth.

The entire process takes no longer than 3 minutes. 👍

Because if an extremely large number of hairs get wrapped around the brushes, they can cut through the rubber.

Dusting your Roomba and cleaning the sensors

Roomba vacuums are mainly available in black.

This looks very classy, but has the disadvantage that dust seems to be "magically" attracted to it. 💫

So our advice is to grab a cloth and dust off your little household helper once a week. 💨

Make sure not to forget the sensors (especially the crash sensors) on the underside of the robot.

HEPA filter care

HEPA filters ensure that the air drawn in is freed from tiny, harmful particles before it is discharged.

You must clean it every 3-4 weeks to ensure that the filter can continue working correctly.

To do this, remove the filter and knock it out at the waste bin.

It is advisable to replace the filter at least every 12 months.

The exact time depends on how heavily you use the robot vacuum cleaner and how dirty your home is.

P.S.: The app also informs you after a certain period of use that the filter needs to be changed.

You can order a replacement from Amazon*.

Buy spare parts / accessories for your iRobot Roomba

There's no way around it: no matter how well you take care of your Roomba robot vacuum...

... some spare parts wear out and have to be replaced.

Typical candidates are:

• HEPA filter
• Dust bag for the extraction station

You can easily buy spare parts and accessories at Amazon.

iRobot offers very good and reliable customer service. 📞

You can always reach well-trained staff via the hotline who will help you with your questions.

If you aren’t satisfied with the product, the robot can be returned to the manufacturer free of charge within 14 days (Right to Cancel).

We were satisfied with iRobot's service. Many competitors (especially from China) offer no service or very poor service.