Roombas are one of the more exciting products that have come out in the last twenty years.
Unlike vacuums that are horrifically loud, hard to keep up with, and dusty; the Roomba is a somewhat silent threat to dust, dirt, and pet hair. These products are also excellent for helping you keep a tidy home regardless of how busy your schedule is.
While it may seem like any old automated vacuum will do – this is the same anti-Roomba sentiment that gets people to purchase a lackluster product. While we can’t guarantee that you will get the best product on the market, we can certainly show you a good portion of the options and their general price range.
In this article, we are going to take a careful look at what Roomba has to offer compared to its price range.
What To Look For In A Roomba
You didn’t come here to hear about all the features that should be inside your robotic vacuum. That said, it may help guide your decision about which price range you should look at.
Too often we (aka myself) purchase a product because it is cheap and end up paying for it down the line. To avoid this, let’s take a brief look at what to look for.
Cleaning Ability
A vacuum needs to be able to fill the boxes that you checked before purchasing the machine. To make sure you get a quality product, look for edge cleaning options, dual brushes, and hopefully something to better suck up stubborn dirt.
While a 600 series will get the job done, the s9+ might drag the carpet with it with its suction ability. Superior suction is often highly sought after for these products, especially for pet households.
Navigational Features
We have all seen the videos of a Roomba playing chicken with the nearby wall. This is due to inferior guiding ability that leaves earlier models looking a bit ridiculous at times. Some of the later models have something called “Dirt Detect Technology” that allows them to focus on dirt and dust.
Another useful feature worth looking into is how intelligent its navigation is. If you need the upstairs cleaned, look into Cliff Detect Sensors, which keep your Roomba from air diving down the second-floor stairs.
Also, try to pay attention to the version of iAdapt your Roomba is using. While some will bump into walls and move with the efficiency of a boozy relative, others have a more efficient, guided approach.
Volume
While it may be marketed as completely silent, there are more than a few Roombas that want you to know how hard they are working. Pay attention to customer reviews when purchasing a product, as the manufacturer is less likely to inform you of drawbacks.
For instance, the old 400 series used to get up to 76 decibels! A regular vacuum hits around 70 decibels to offer a comparison.
The quietest Roomba on the market today is either the i7+ or j7+ depending on your surface. These will be around 50 dB and shouldn’t be louder than a fridge or a decent downpour. Much more preferable to the aggressive whirring of earlier generations.
With that said, if you don’t mind a loud Roomba – there is a price drop in it for you.
Compatible With Your House
This is a common problem with first-time Roomba buyers. You get a Roomba for your large, palatial estate and realize that it was designed for a small, contained environment. What is reassuring is that there is an automated vacuum for everyone, but you need to know what yours can do.
How big are the rooms that the Roomba will clean? How many pets do you have? Do you have carpet, hardwood, or linoleum?
While we won’t get into excruciating detail about what each Roomba offers in this article, these are all good questions to ask yourself prior to purchasing a Roomba. If the product cannot accommodate you, find one that can.
Battery
Typically we cover a lot of portable speakers, where the battery is essential. Roombas have a bit more common sense however and do not require as much battery life. That is unless you have a lot of room to cover.
If you are planning to subject your robot vacuum to several unpaid hours of labor, you may want to look for a bit more battery life. A lot of these products will return to their charging station when the battery is low, which is very efficient and mildly endearing.
General Prices of Roombas
To be broad, the average price range of Roombas will vary anywhere from about $200 to a little over $1,000 (with some expensive exceptions). While we could go over each robotic vacuum to ever come out, it feels like that may rob people of a more informed decision.
So instead, let’s look at some of the best options by price range.
Below $200
If we are being blunt, this doesn’t leave with you several great options. For most people searching for Roombas in this price range, you may be able to find a reliable product – though it will likely be used or refurbished. There are some alternative brands you can try out, though they won’t be nearly as effective as some of the other higher-end Roomba products.
Yeedi k650 Vacuum
The Yeedi k650 Robot Vacuum is not going to be the best product on the market, though it may well be the cheapest. You can snatch this thing typically for somewhere in the $130 – $140 range. It is a competent device, though it will wander aimlessly for what seems like an eternity. It can also have issues connecting to its dock when you first try to use it.
The upsides to it are undoubtedly its long-lasting battery which is pretty solid, regardless of price. It also carries a self-emptying bin which is a very nice feature for a budget product like the k650. Overall, if you want something cheap that doesn’t feel cheap – the Yeedi offers more quality than the price tag might suggest.
ILIFE A4s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner
In another turn of fortune, there is another fairly competent budget Roomba that won’t fall apart on purchase. The ILIFE A4s is a good little device for its price tag (shouldn’t ever find it for more than $180ish). One of its most competent features that comes highly praised is the edge cleaning mode, which competently cleans hard-to-reach corners of the home.
It can also create invisible fences for itself or electrowalls that block off certain areas of the house that Roombas weren’t meant to go to. It has a solid battery life and works well on carpet and hardwood. While it does have sensors – they don’t seem to work quite as well as other high-end Roombas. Regardless, if money is tight, this is a good choice.
eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 11S (On Discount)
While this product might be a bit over our estimated price range, it often goes on discount and you may be able to find a used or refurbished version. Rounding out the bargain bin of (surprisingly well-made) robot vacuums, the Robovac 11S is a quiet device with a notable list of worthwhile features.
It has edge detection, so you don’t have to worry about it taking a tumble. This product does especially well with pet households and carpets, but might not be able to handle thicker types like shag. While it avoids walls well, its navigation leaves a lot to be desired and it may have trouble finding its charging dock.
You may be able to snag a Roomba 614 model at a discount, though it’s admittedly fairly rare.
$200 – $500 Price Range
Roomba 614 & 675
Introducing the first two iRobot products we have the 614 and 675 which are going to be in the $200s almost always. Their biggest drawback is going to be that they are as loud if not louder than most vacuums. These two are super noisy. Past that, they are fairly good products with poor navigation. These products are also not able to self-empty.
The 675 is essentially the same device with an improved battery, wifi capabilities, and scheduled cleanings.
It sounds like the 614 is a poor product, which it isn’t. This is a barebones, reliable device with a few drawbacks. This machine is going to benefit someone who wants an affordable Roomba without all the additional perks attached to it. You also don’t have to worry about setting up apps or smart home assistants, which can be nice if you find that stuff superfluous.
If you do want the 614 but prefer wifi options, toss a few extra bucks in to upgrade to the 675.
These products are often discounted and can occasionally be found used or refurbished through Amazon, eBay, or other retailers.
iRobot Roomba E5
Most people would consider the E5 the beginning of the “smart” vacuums, mostly due to its ability to function through Wifi and Smart home. It is also a fair bit quieter than the previous models, though is still very audible when in use. It also comes with better navigation to avoid walls, chair legs, and more.
It runs in the mid to high $200s when not discounted.
I would say, however, that if you have hardwood or linoleum – the 600 series performs better on solid surfaces. For more fuzzy floors, the e5 will outperform the previously mentioned products. Additionally, this product utilizes a bigger dirt compartment, so you have to do a bit less maintenance.
$500 – $800 Price Range
The Roomba 690
The last of the 600 series is the much pricier 690, which sits just a bit above $500 when not on discount. Though if we are being frank, this massive price increase comes exclusively through the virtual wall feature the 690 has. If that is important to you, there are sub-200 options that come with it.
We aren’t reviewing Roombas in this article, though I still feel responsible for people making informed purchases. This device has a smaller emptying bin than its cheaper sibling, it is virtually identical in size and features, and the only major difference is a virtual wall and a hundred-plus dollars.
This device is regularly on discount, though it still feels too high in price.
The i3+ Roomba
All I series Roombas come with Wifi unless otherwise stated. This includes smart home functionality as well as app features.
The I3 plus was made to be a new reasonably priced option for first-time Roomba owners. When not on discount, it usually sits around $550ish (discounts are fairly often). This product is on the newer side of the spectrum and comes with a few really useful features, the most prominent being the self-cleaning bin.
It also creates a smart map of your home, so you don’t have to worry whether or not your Roomba broke into the wine cabinet. This product specializes in homes with pets and will reflect that in any dog-lovers abode. According to the manufacturer it has “10X the suction power of the 600 series” though we didn’t test this ourselves.
The i6+ Roomba
The i6 just barely made this range as it typically is listed a bit under $800 when it isn’t discounted. Similar to the i3+, it offers a smart map feature to learn the twists and turns of your home. It also features the always useful self-emptying feature that lets it dispose of its daily dirt, dust, and grime. Compared to the 600 series, the intelligent navigation of this product is something to behold.
The i6+ and i7+ are virtually the same product with a few differences in the packaged content. The i6+ lacks an additional filter and bags.
It is also listed as 10x the cleaning power of the 600 series and comes with visual navigation to spot ledges, walls, and inclines. You will still have to clean it out every once in a while, and it does get a bit loud – but it more than justifies its price, even if it is outshined by the next selection.
The j7+ Roomba
The j7+ is just a hair under $800 and improves on several of the i6+ features in meaningful ways. The new feature offers obstacle avoidance, which is mainly for kids’ toys and pet accidents. It offers scheduled cleanings, a self-emptying bin (which is designed to hold an extra bag), and a slightly better battery than that of the i6+.
On most other parts of the product, it is identical to the i6+. While it might have been more expensive in the past, they are listed for the same price now (discounts notwithstanding). For that reason, it’s hard to overlook this as the ideal product in the $800 price range.
800+ Price Range
The s9+ Roomba
For those that are looking for the best roomba to clean their private jet, the s9+ might be the greatest robotic vacuum ever created. It typically sits just shy of a cool grand, though weirdly enough it is currently discounted to be a few hundred cheaper than its lesser model – the s9. For that reason (and the fact they are now listed at the same price) we will be going over this one exclusively.
As this article gets older, things may change in pricing. Because of this, it may be worthwhile to keep an eye on the older model.
Keeping with tradition, this vacuum is listed to have 40x the strength of the 600 series, though again, we don’t have a bunch of mercury around to verify this claim. What is true, is that it can clean edges, empty its bin automatically, navigate a house better than any previous iteration of vacuum, and offers customized schedules to capitalize on your cleaning habits. Its one weakness is the lack of object avoidance that the j7+ has.
Final Thoughts
The price range for these products is absurdly large, though this benefits a wider audience of people. Whether you have a few hundred to play with or a few thousand, there is likely a great choice for you. While we typically like to give alternative brands the benefit of the doubt, on average, iRobot products seem to consistently outperform the competitors.
This doesn’t mean you can’t utilize other products from outside the pricey umbrella of iRobot, just know that you may be purchasing a lower-quality product. Regardless of which you pick, just make sure it fulfills the needs you have for it. If all else fails, at least you can say you took in a stray roomba when the robots take over – they will likely dig that.
