Best iRobot Vacuum Cleaner: Which Roomba Should You Buy?
There is no single best iRobot vacuum cleaner for everyone; the right Roomba depends on your budget, whether you want mopping and self-emptying, and how much you value HEPA filtration for pets or allergies. Based on the specifications currently tracked for iRobot's UK range, the Roomba Combo i5+ offers the most balanced mix of self-emptying, mopping, HEPA filtration and long runtime among models currently in stock, while the Roomba Combo Essential is the lowest listed price point and the Roomba Combo j9+ sits at the premium end with an Auto-Fill dock.
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Compared by verified specification — see how we compare.
2 vacuums match
- Brand: iRobot
2 vacuums match
- Brand: iRobot
There is no single "best" iRobot vacuum cleaner for every home. iRobot's UK Roomba range spans a roughly £269 to £1,499 range in the models we currently track, from basic vacuum-and-mop combos to flagship robots with Auto-Fill docks. The right pick depends on what you're weighing up: budget, mopping, self-emptying convenience, HEPA filtration for pets or allergies, and how much noise you're prepared to tolerate. This guide compares the specifications iRobot lists for its Roomba and Roomba Combo models so you can match a model to your situation, rather than relying on a single generic "best of" pick.
Our figures are drawn from the specifications and merchant listings currently held in our product dataset, not from independent hands-on testing or lab measurement. Where a spec (such as runtime or bin capacity) isn't listed for a model, we've left it out rather than guessing.
iRobot Roomba lineup at a glance
The table below summarises the ten iRobot models currently in our dataset, ordered by price. "Combo" models vacuum and mop; plain "Roomba" models (like the j7) vacuum only.
| Model | Price | Self-emptying | Mop | HEPA filter | Stock (snapshot) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roomba Combo Essential | £269.00 | No | Yes | Not specified | Out of stock |
| Roomba Combo 2 Essential | £399.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Out of stock |
| Roomba Combo i5+ | £589.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | In stock |
| Roomba j7 | £599.00 | No | No | Not specified | In stock |
| Roomba Combo i8 | £599.00 | No | Yes | Yes | In stock |
| Roomba Max 775 Combo | £599.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | In stock |
| Roomba Combo j5+ | £849.00 | Yes | Yes | No | Out of stock |
| Roomba Combo j7+ | £999.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Out of stock |
| Roomba Combo j9+ | £1,249.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Out of stock |
| Roomba Combo 10 Max | £1,499.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Out of stock |
Notably, in this snapshot only four models show as in stock, and all four cluster in a narrow £589–£599 band. That's a data-coverage limitation worth knowing before you shortlist a model purely by price, since several lower- and higher-priced options are currently unavailable in our feed.
Which iRobot Roomba matches your needs
Balanced pick among in-stock models: The Roomba Combo i5+ (£589.00) is the only currently-in-stock model that combines self-emptying, mopping, HEPA filtration and the longest listed runtime in the range (up to 180 minutes), at 67dB noise and a 0.276L bin. It also carries the highest dataset rating among tracked iRobot models (4.84 from 54 ratings recorded in our dataset).
Vacuum-only, no mopping: The Roomba j7 (£599.00) skips mopping entirely. It's bagless, holds a 0.4L bin, and is Wi-Fi connected with app control. Its dataset rating is 4.5 from 54 ratings. This suits households that only want vacuuming automated, or that already run a separate mop.
Pets and allergies (HEPA filtration): Several in-stock models list a HEPA filter: the Combo i5+, Combo i8, and Roomba Max 775 Combo. Of these, the Max 775 Combo also self-empties but is the heaviest unit listed (5.72kg), which matters if you'll be lifting it for maintenance. Note that the Roomba j5+ explicitly does not list a HEPA filter, so check this spec carefully if allergy control is a priority.
Lowest listed price: The Roomba Combo Essential (£269.00) is the cheapest model in our dataset — a basic vacuum-and-mop combo without self-emptying. It's currently marked out of stock, so treat it as a price benchmark to watch for restocks rather than an immediate option.
Quietest listed: The Roomba Combo 2 Essential lists 60dB noise, the lowest in the range, alongside self-emptying and mopping at £399.00. It's also currently out of stock.
Premium end with Auto-Fill: The Roomba Combo j9+ (£1,249.00) is described by iRobot as an "Auto-Fill" model, and the Roomba Combo 10 Max (£1,499.00) is the highest-priced model in the range, pairing self-emptying with an AutoWash dock. Both are currently out of stock in our feed.
One general point worth flagging regardless of model: robot vacuums, including iRobot's Roomba range, don't climb stairs. If you have a multi-floor home, each robot typically needs to map and clean one floor at a time, and stairs themselves still need a separate cleaning method.
How to compare iRobot Roomba specifications
A few terms come up repeatedly across iRobot's range and are worth understanding before you compare models:
- Self-emptying: The robot empties its own bin into a base station, reducing how often you empty it manually. Non-self-emptying models (like the j7 and Combo i8) need manual bin emptying after most runs.
- HEPA filtration: Traps finer particles than a standard filter, relevant for households managing dust allergies or pet dander.
- Combo vs standard Roomba: "Combo" models vacuum and mop in one pass; standard Roomba models (like the j7) vacuum only.
- Runtime: The listed maximum minutes per charge before the robot needs to return to its dock. Larger homes generally benefit from models with longer listed runtimes, such as the Combo i5+ or Combo j5+ (both up to 180 minutes).
- Bin/dustbin capacity: Measured in litres; a larger bin (or a self-emptying dock) means less frequent emptying between cleans.
- App control: All ten models in our dataset support app control, so this isn't a strong differentiator within the iRobot range itself.
iRobot vacuum cleaner reviews and ratings
Rating data in our dataset is limited: only the Roomba Combo i5+ (4.84 from 54 ratings) and Roomba j7 (4.5 from 54 ratings) currently carry recorded ratings. The other eight models in the range have no rating figures in our dataset, so we haven't shown or estimated a score for them. Treat the two available figures as a data-driven snapshot rather than a comprehensive review verdict, and be aware that rating counts and averages can shift as merchant feeds update.
Pricing, stock and data coverage notes
Prices and stock status shown here reflect a dataset snapshot, not a live merchant feed — always confirm current price and availability on the retailer's page before deciding. Our working catalogue lists 12 iRobot products in total, though only 10 currently have matched specifications in this dataset, and this brand hub is flagged internally as covering a small share of the full vacuum cleaner category we track. If a specific Roomba model isn't listed above, it may not yet have a matched product profile in our system.
iRobot vs other robot vacuum brands
If you're weighing an iRobot model against competing brands, see our head-to-head comparisons: Roborock vs iRobot for a brand-level overview, iRobot Roomba Combo j7 vs iRobot Roomba Combo j9 for a same-brand model comparison, and Roborock Saros 10 vs iRobot Roomba Combo j9 for a cross-brand flagship comparison. You can also browse the full vacuum cleaner catalogue to filter by other brands and criteria.
What is the best iRobot vacuum cleaner for pet hair and allergies?
Among the ten models in our dataset, priced from £269.00 to £1,499.00, the Roomba Combo i5+, Roomba Combo i8, and Roomba Max 775 Combo all list HEPA filtration, which is designed to trap finer particles than a standard filter. The Roomba Combo i5+, at £589.00, is the strongest overall match: it self-empties, is currently in stock in our snapshot, and carries the highest dataset rating among tracked iRobot models at 4.84 from 54 ratings. The Roomba Max 775 Combo also self-empties and lists HEPA filtration, but at 5.72kg it's the heaviest unit in the range, which matters if you'll be lifting it for maintenance. The Roomba Combo i8 lists HEPA filtration too but doesn't self-empty, so you'll be handling the bin manually. Always check the current listing to confirm the filter spec before buying, since not every iRobot model includes HEPA filtration — the Roomba Combo j5+, for example, does not, despite otherwise self-emptying and mopping.
Which iRobot Roomba is best for a small flat or a tight budget?
The Roomba Combo Essential (£269.00) is the lowest-priced model in our ten-model dataset, though it's currently listed as out of stock, so treat it as a price benchmark to watch for restocks rather than an immediate option. Among in-stock models, the Roomba Combo i5+ (£589.00) and Roomba j7 (£599.00) are the most affordable options, with the j7 being vacuum-only rather than a mop combo, which may suit a small flat if you don't need automated mopping. The Roomba Combo i5+ additionally self-empties, lists HEPA filtration, and offers the longest listed runtime in the range at up to 180 minutes, at a 67dB noise level and 0.276L bin — a stronger all-round spec sheet than the j7 despite a similar price. Notably, in this snapshot only four models show as in stock at all, and all four cluster in a narrow £589 to £599 band, so budget-focused shoppers currently have limited in-stock choice below that range.
Do I need a self-emptying iRobot model?
Self-emptying adds convenience by letting the robot empty its bin into a base station automatically, reducing manual maintenance between cleans. It typically adds to the price and, in the Roomba Max 775 Combo's case, to the unit's weight, since that self-emptying model is the heaviest listed in our dataset at 5.72kg. Models like the Roomba j7 (£599.00) and Roomba Combo i8 (£599.00) skip self-emptying and sit at similar price points to the self-emptying Roomba Max 775 Combo, which also costs £599.00 — so within this range, self-emptying doesn't always mean paying more, it depends on the specific model. If you'd rather not think about emptying the bin at all, the Roomba Combo i5+ (£589.00) combines self-emptying with HEPA filtration and the range's longest runtime at up to 180 minutes, making it a strong option if convenience matters more than saving on the very lowest price point.
What's the difference between a Roomba Combo and a standard Roomba?
'Combo' models, such as the Roomba Combo i5+ or Combo j9+, vacuum and mop in a single unit, while standard Roomba models, such as the Roomba j7, vacuum only and don't include a mopping function. In our ten-model dataset, only one model, the Roomba j7 (£599.00), is a standard non-mopping Roomba — every other tracked model, from the £269.00 Roomba Combo Essential up to the £1,499.00 Roomba Combo 10 Max, is a Combo variant. That means if you specifically want vacuum-only cleaning, perhaps because you already run a separate mop or have mostly carpeted floors where mopping isn't useful, the j7 is currently the only option in this range, and it's also Wi-Fi connected with app control like the rest of the lineup. All ten models support app control, so that feature isn't a differentiator between Combo and standard Roomba models within iRobot's own range.
Can iRobot robot vacuums clean stairs or multiple floors?
No robot vacuum, including iRobot's Roomba range, can climb stairs. In multi-floor homes, the robot typically needs to map and clean one floor at a time, and stairs still require a separate cleaning method regardless of which of the ten iRobot models in our dataset you choose, from the £269.00 Roomba Combo Essential to the £1,499.00 Roomba Combo 10 Max. This limitation applies equally to entry-level and flagship models — even the premium Roomba Combo j9+ (£1,249.00) with its Auto-Fill dock, or the Roomba Combo 10 Max with its AutoWash dock, are floor-bound robots rather than stair-capable machines. If you have a genuinely multi-floor home, you'd typically need either a separate robot per floor or to carry one unit between levels, and you'll still want a handheld or upright vacuum, or manual cleaning, for the stairs themselves.
Is iRobot better than Roborock?
There's no single answer — it depends on which specific models you're comparing and which features matter most to you, whether that's price, self-emptying, HEPA filtration, or mopping. Within iRobot's own ten-model UK range, prices span £269.00 to £1,499.00, with self-emptying, mopping and HEPA filtration all available at multiple price points rather than locked to the flagship end — the £589.00 Roomba Combo i5+, for example, combines all three with the range's longest 180-minute runtime, while the £1,249.00 Roomba Combo j9+ adds a premium Auto-Fill dock. How that lines up against a specific Roborock model depends on the exact pair you're weighing, since flagship-to-flagship and budget-to-budget comparisons can favour different brands on different specs. See our Roborock vs iRobot comparison for a brand-level overview, and the Roborock Saros 10 vs iRobot Roomba Combo j9 comparison for a spec-by-spec flagship breakdown rather than a blanket brand verdict.