Quick Overview
- For the lowest priced Roomba without extra frills, check out the Roomba 650.
- For the best mix of VALUE and FUNCTIONS, I would go with the Roomba 880.
- For the best GENERAL Roomba (where the price is not an objection), the Roomba 980 is the best roomba on the market today.
For the full details read more …
Roomba’s are all the rage. Whether you are watching funny cat videos online or receiving positive feedback from friends, the Roomba is definitely the most popular and wanted robot piston. When it comes to picking the right Roomba, it’s not always easy.
There are a number of different generations and models. Sometimes the differences do not seem significant, but the price chart varies.
In this resource page, I emphasize the best Roomba model based on affordability, value, and overall performance. At the bottom of the page you will find a comparison table for easy contrast of all Roomba models.
Best affordable Roomba
In this category we look at the best budget Roomba models. This is a useful category for price conscious consumers who just want a Rooma for the best possible price. You may be able to meet an older model, but the properties of these Roomba’s are usually more than adequate for your average home. If you are looking for the cheapest Roomba, please refer to the suggestions below.
The Roomba 630
The Roomba 630 is one of the most affordable Roomba vacuums available on the market. It contains all the standard features you would expect from Roomba at a very reasonable price. Here you can read our full review for all details. However, I have included a brief summary below.
At the core of the Roomba 630 is the iAdapt and Dirt Detect patented technology systems. These systems are still using Roomba, even in their latest versions. The iAdapt software is designed to ensure that the entire room has been cleaned properly, leaving no land untouched. Vapor detection allows Roomba to adjust mid-vacuum to different levels of debris and dirt. Once identified, the Roomba 630 will take extra time to clean these “problems”. This effectively mimics what a person would do with a traditional upright vacuum. It’s not always perfect, but it’s pretty close!
The good news is that the Roomba 630 standard features many fun features like a virtual wall (1 standard included) to help with space management / containment. This is very useful to clearly define which areas should be cleaned. However, in most cases, you must, in most cases, cause your house to be “Roomba-proof” due to technical constraints and the fact that there is only one virtual wall.
First of all, the Roomba 630 is available here for a bargain (price will be updated automatically).
Best Value Roomba
Unlike the budget category, the value category combines affordability with features. In short, if you want to expand your dollar to the furthest of the best features, this is the category for you. The newest Roomba’s usually come at a steep price premium, but sometimes the overdue model is not very different and has a significantly lower sticker price.
The Roomba 770
The Roomba 770 is an excellent balance of affordability and features. It’s a “previous year” generation, but it has many of the most important features that the 800 series has. While you will miss a few extras, overall performance is still more than enough for most homes. You can read my full review here. As before, I included the following key features:
This “middle class” Roomba has a lot to find. Built on the iAdapt and Vapor Detection Systems, the Roomba introduced 770 double HEPA filters to help absorb dust, allergens and other particles while leaving only “clean air”. This is especially useful for pet owners or for people with air sensitivity. A brand new cleaning head is an important feature of the 700 Series, which improves overall cleaning performance. Finally, iRobot added what needed energy management. In total, you’ll see about 50% more battery life versus the 600 series.
As a well-added feature, the 770 comes standard with an infrared remote control, which allows you to manually control the Roomba (if required) without stopping or “chasing”. This is not a huge feature, but it’s definitely a “fun to have”.
You will probably need to scale an additional $ 100 dollar over 630 to buy the 770, but it is still a significant cost savings on the latest models. You can find the latest updated prices here.
The Roomba 860
iRobot recently released the 860 target for budget conscious customers who still want to search for recent technology without the latest prices.
For the full review, see here. The 860 does not get out of the box, but you can always add virtual walls + accessories (replacement brushes, filters) as you need them. To date, this is the most affordable 800-series robot and can be considered the “new” middle class Roomba (it’s only slightly more expensive than the 770). Check out the latest prices on the 860.
Best overall performance Roomba
In this category you will find the very best Roomba currently on the market. Price is not the main concern, but with the latest features. What you miss with the older models is the newest cutting edge robotics technology that can often form a crucial turning point for Roomba’s. IRobot has a large budget for R & D, so they’re constantly looking for ways to improve their new models with groundbreaking new features. If you need the best and the last, see below my recommendations:
The Roomba 880
The Roomba 880 is the cream of the crop in terms of Roomba’s and robot dredges in general. If you are looking for the latest features and innovations in home robotics, then this is the vacuum for you. Of course you pay a premium. You can read my in-depth analysis of the roomba 880 here. Otherwise, check out the following features:
The roomba 880 binds it all together well. You get automatic docking where the device returns to the home station between sessions, the AeroForce Performance Cleaning System, automated scheduling and iAdapt-responsive technology.
But the 880 also takes a few notches in important areas. First, the AeroForce has extra extractors for optimal airflow, resulting in less maintenance and wear. The added efficiency is up to 5x more than previous versions. Another feature is a larger trash can. This is a long time ago a complaint from Roomba users and iRobot has now been delivered. A smaller feature is the quieter engine. In the past, Roomba’s was criticized as a bit noisier than desired.
If you want the best, you have to pay a little premium. The Roomba 880 models are not cheap, but you can find some good discounts here.
The Roomba 980
iRobot just released the Roomba 980 and it’s still the best! It introduces a new app to run the Roomba Web for remote control / management. This is huge. IRobot is the first robotic vacuum cleaner to do this. They also have improved suction power, carpet performance, better navigation (using VSLAM visual localization technology) and lasting battery life. The 980 also goes back to the base to load (like the Roomba 880), but can now pick up where it is automatically switched off. The only disadvantage? It is also expensive for this offer. Still, if the budget is not worried, it is now the best Roomba there. You can read my full Roomba 980 review here.
The Roomba 960
If you only want WiFi features but do not worry too much about the other 980 features, the 960 can be the perfect option for you.
You can read the full Roomba 960 review here, but the 960 is essentially an 800-series robot with the same WiFi functionality as the last 980. You can view the latest prices here.
