Roomba is still the name people search for. But iRobot went through Chapter 11 last winter, and in independent tests the cheapest new Roomba trails rivals that cost about the same.
Each one links to its full review further down.
Set on a Roomba, no pets
iRobot Roomba 105 Vac with AutoEmpty Dock
The cheapest self-emptying Roomba with laser mapping.
Read the reviewA Roomba that mops
iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo with AutoWash Dock
An AutoWash dock that washes and dries the pads.
Read the reviewThe questions people ask before they buy, with a straight answer and the robot or fix that handles each one.
iRobot says the app, support and updates continue under Picea. The worry raised during the bankruptcy was that without cloud support, app-dependent models could fall back to their physical buttons. So far, iRobot says that isn’t happening.
Third-party kits are plentiful. Our Amazon data included kits for the newest 100-series Roombas and for the older i, E and J series.
Fix: Roomba parts kits
Tom’s Guide says to hold off. Independent tests also show the cheapest new Roomba trailing rivals on pet hair and coverage.
If it still maps and docks, a parts kit is the cheap fix: our Amazon data included kits for the i, E and J series and for the newest 100 series. Replace it when you want camera obstacle avoidance or a dock that washes the mop.
Cheapest self-emptying Roomba
The cheapest way into a self-emptying, laser-mapped Roomba, with real limits.
Why it’s on this list: The cheapest Roomba with a dock. Fine without pets; Vacuum Wars measured 29% on flattened pet hair.
It gives you laser mapping and a dock that empties into a sealed bag for up to 75 days, at a price far below most self-emptying robots. Independent tests are unkind, though: Vacuum Wars measured just 29% pickup of flattened pet hair, heavy hair tangling and no obstacle avoidance, and RTINGS scored it 5.0 for pets.
At 4.1 inches tall in Vacuum Wars’ measurement, it won’t fit under many sofas either. iRobot says the bag traps 99% of allergens as small as 0.7 microns, and the robot can be started from its own buttons as well as the app or a voice assistant.
You have no pets, simple floors and the smallest budget for a self-emptying robot.
You have pets. With 29% pet-hair pickup in testing, the Dreame D20 Pro Plus is the better budget buy.
Sources: Vacuum Wars Roomba 105 Vac review, RTINGS Roomba 105 review
We may earn a commission if you buy. Product details checked October 24, 2026.
Cheapest Roomba that washes its mop
iRobot’s least expensive robot with a dock that washes and dries its mop pads.
Why it’s on this list: iRobot’s least expensive robot with a mop-washing dock; no independent results yet.
No independent lab results found yet.
The Plus 405 adds spinning DualClean mop pads that lift when the robot senses carpet ahead, and an AutoWash dock that empties debris for up to 75 days and washes and dries the pads. We haven’t found independent lab results for it yet, so treat it as an option for committed Roomba households.
iRobot lists ClearView LiDAR, four suction levels, a SmartScrub mode for tough messes, Clean Zones and Keep Out Zones, and control from the app, a voice assistant or the robot’s buttons. The dock is rated for about four weeks of mopping between refills at one run a week.
You’re staying with Roomba and want a dock that washes the pads.
You want tested mopping. The Ecovacs T90 Pro Omni has the numbers.
Sources: the Amazon listing
We may earn a commission if you buy. Product details checked October 24, 2026.
Older Roomba, discount only
An older Roomba built on the i3 EVO platform, worth it only on a deep discount.
Why it’s on this list: An older model; consider it only at a clearance price.
This is an older design. iRobot’s listing describes dual multi-surface rubber brushes that flex instead of tangling, room-by-room Imprint Smart Mapping, recharge and resume, and about 75 minutes of runtime.
There’s no self-emptying base in this listing, and newer robots for similar money add laser mapping and docks. Buy it only if it’s heavily discounted and you want to stay in the Roomba app.
You want a familiar Roomba at a clearance price.
Almost anyone else. The D20 Pro Plus empties itself.
Sources: the Amazon listing
We may earn a commission if you buy. Product details checked October 24, 2026.
The most complete robot here: slim enough for low sofas, careful around clutter and excellent with pet hair.
The affordable robot that handled thick carpet best in CNN’s testing.
The best mopping we’ve seen measured, from a robot that also aces pet hair.
Short answers to what people ask most.
No. iRobot went through a pre-packaged Chapter 11 and, since January 23, 2026, has operated as a private subsidiary of Picea, its former contract manufacturer.
iRobot says apps, support and updates continue. Keep the app updated and register the robot so you get support notices.
For a pet-free home on a budget, the Roomba 105 Vac with AutoEmpty dock; for mopping, the Plus 405 Combo. Independent tests favor rivals, though.
The Roomba 105 Vac isn’t: Vacuum Wars measured 29% pickup of flattened pet hair, and RTINGS scored it 5.0 for pets.
In 2026 testing, Roborock’s Saros 10R tops RTINGS’ list, while the budget Roomba 105 trails rivals. See our Roborock guide.
From iRobot, or as third-party kits that list your exact model code, which is printed under the robot.
If you already own a Roomba, keep it and stock up on parts. If you’re buying new, the test data points elsewhere: the Dreame X60 Max at the top, or the Dreame D20 Pro Plus on a budget.