Which iRobot Roomba Vacuum Should You Buy? A Hands-On Comparison of Their Best Models
iRobot's current Roomba lineup offers three distinct options for different homes and budgets, each with specific strengths. The Roomba J6+ leads if pet waste avoidance matters; the 105 balances auto-emptying and price; the Essential suits tight budgets and small spaces. All three use smart navigation and connect to the iRobot app, but they differ meaningfully in their standout features and value proposition.
Why iRobot Roomba?
iRobot pioneered robotic vacuums in 2002 and remains the market leader in autonomous floor cleaning. Roomba specialises in self-navigating vacuums that map rooms, return to dock stations, and increasingly automate the emptying process itself. What sets the current range apart: smart pet detection (on the J6+), genuine auto-emptying docks (on the 105 and J6+), and integration with smart home systems like Google Home and Alexa. iRobot's app lets you schedule cleaning, check bin status, and receive notifications—useful if you're away or have multiple floor levels.
Top Picks
Roomba J6+ Self-emptying Vacuum with Pet Waste Detection — £311.49
Best for homes with pets and the strongest budget. The standout feature is PetDroid technology, which identifies and avoids pet waste automatically—a genuine problem-solver for multi-pet households. It includes an auto-emptying dock (holds 60 days of dirt), smart mapping, and app control. The J6+ is iRobot's flagship consumer model and justifies its premium over cheaper rivals.
Roomba 105 Vac with Auto-Empty Dock — £249.99
Best for the balance of feature set and affordability. Auto-emptying alone is worth the cost—you won't need to empty the bin yourself for months. Smart navigation learns your home's layout, and the app lets you schedule cleaning around your routine. It lacks pet detection, so suits homes without dogs or cats, or owners less concerned about waste avoidance.
Roomba Essential with Smart Navigation — £249.99
Best for small homes and those prioritising simplicity. No auto-emptying dock means you'll empty the bin manually every 1–2 weeks (depending on floor size and pet hair volume). Smart navigation works well in apartments and smaller houses. It's the cheapest entry point to the Roomba ecosystem and still offers app control and scheduling.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |-------|-------|----------|------------------| | J6+ | £311.49 | Pet owners, larger homes | Pet waste detection + auto-emptying dock | | 105 | £249.99 | Mid-range homes, non-pet households | Auto-emptying dock, no pet detection | | Essential | £249.99 | Small spaces, budget-conscious | Smart navigation only, manual emptying |
What to Look For When Choosing a Roomba
- Auto-emptying capability: Saves 30–40 minutes per year on bin emptying. Both the J6+ and 105 include docks; the Essential requires manual emptying. If you have more than 1,500 square feet or multiple pets, auto-emptying adds real convenience.
- Pet detection and avoidance: The J6+ alone detects pet waste using computer vision. If you have dogs or cats and want to avoid cleaning up accidents from the vacuum, the £62 premium over the 105 is justified.
- Home size and layout: All three handle 1,000–2,000+ square feet, but the Essential suits smaller, simpler layouts (studios, one-bed flats). The J6+ and 105 excel with multiple rooms and floor levels thanks to advanced mapping.
- Smart home integration: All three connect to Alexa and Google Home, and all include the iRobot app for scheduling. If you want hands-free voice control or away-from-home scheduling, these are mandatory anyway.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Roomba J6+ (£311.49) if you have pets and a larger home—the pet waste detection and auto-emptying dock justify the premium. If pets aren't a factor but convenience is, the Roomba 105 (£249.99) offers nearly identical auto-emptying at a lower cost. For small flats or budget-tight buyers, the Roomba Essential (£249.99) delivers smart navigation and app control, though you'll empty the bin yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roomba J6+ worth £311.49?
Yes, if you have pets. Pet waste detection alone prevents the mess of your vacuum spreading faeces around your home—a real problem Roomba solved. The auto-emptying dock (holding 60 days of debris) adds another £50–100 in convenience value over manual models. For non-pet homes, the 105 is better value.
How often do you need to empty the auto-emptying dock?
The dock holds about 60 days of dirt for an average 1,500 sq ft home with no pets. With two pets and daily runs, expect emptying every 30–45 days. You'll still empty it roughly 8–12 times per year versus 52+ for manual models.
Can all three models work with Google Home and Alexa?
Yes. All three (J6+, 105, Essential) connect to the iRobot app and integrate with Alexa and Google Home. You can schedule cleaning, check status, and send the vacuum home via voice or app from anywhere.
Which Roomba is best for a flat with no pets?
The Roomba 105 (£249.99). You skip the pet detection premium of the J6+ and get the convenience of auto-emptying on the same budget as the Essential. The Essential is only better if your flat is under 800 sq ft and you don't mind manual emptying.
