Introduction: The Smart Way to Keep Floors Clean
Robot vacuums have come a long way. In 2025, they’re smarter, faster, and better at both vacuuming and mopping. If you’re shopping for one, two names stand out: Roomba and Roborock. These brands lead the market with feature-packed models and solid reputations — but which one is better?
In this guide, we compare Roomba vs Roborock head-to-head, looking at everything from cleaning power and battery life to smart features and price. Whether you live in a small apartment or a busy house with pets, this breakdown will help you pick the right cleaner for your home.
1. Cleaning Performance: Suction, Coverage, and Debris Pick-Up
Roomba: Powerful Pick-Up with Dirt Detection
Roomba models like the iRobot Roomba j9+ and Combo j7+ are known for strong suction, especially on carpets. They use dual rubber rollers that avoid hair tangles and adjust to different floor types. Roombas also use Dirt Detect sensors to clean messier areas more thoroughly.
- Best for: Homes with carpets, pet hair, and high-traffic zones
- Strength: Great edge cleaning, smart re-cleaning patterns
Roborock: Smarter Navigation, Strong Suction
Roborock’s high-end models, like the S8 MaxV Ultra, offer up to 10,000Pa suction, compared to Roomba’s ~2,500–4,000Pa. Roborock vacuums also use Lidar mapping for precise cleaning paths and can clean in straight, efficient lines without missing spots.
- Best for: Mixed flooring, deeper suction, faster coverage
- Strength: Stronger vacuum suction and smoother pathing
Winner: Roborock — Better raw suction and coverage per pass
2. Mopping Capabilities: Who Does Wet Cleaning Better?
Roomba: Separate Mop Models
Only select Roombas, like the Roomba Combo j9+, come with a built-in mopping function. Others require buying a separate Braava mop. The j9+ has a self-retracting mop pad that lifts when carpet is detected, avoiding soggy rugs.
- Strength: Good carpet avoidance
- Weakness: Limited to high-end models
Roborock: Mopping Built-In Across Many Models
Most Roborock units — even mid-range ones — offer mopping. The S8 MaxV Ultra can lift its mop pad, use vibration for scrubbing, and auto-refill and self-clean with its dock.
- Strength: Better mopping automation and scrubbing
- Weakness: Water usage may require extra cleaning for some homes
Winner: Roborock — More advanced and available across models
3. Navigation and Smart Features
Roomba: Camera-Based Precision
Roomba uses vSLAM (camera + sensors) to map rooms. It can identify objects like cords, pet toys, or even shoes. The app supports room-specific cleaning, scheduling, and “Keep Out” zones.
- Strength: Smart object detection
- Weakness: Needs light to function well (camera-based)
Roborock: Lidar + AI Obstacle Avoidance
Roborock models use Lidar sensors + Reactive AI to map rooms quickly and avoid clutter. Their 3D mapping shows furniture, carpet, and room labels. The app is responsive and offers multi-level mapping, no-go zones, and deep scheduling.
- Strength: Works well even in dark rooms
- Weakness: May need calibration if moved between floors
Winner: Roborock — Smarter, more consistent navigation
4. Self-Emptying, Maintenance, and Docking Systems
Roomba: Clean Base with Optional Mop Wash
High-end Roombas like the Combo j9+ come with a self-emptying Clean Base that holds up to 60 days of dirt. The mopping version can also refill water and clean its mop, though this is newer for Roomba.
- Strength: Dependable and simple design
- Weakness: Maintenance costs can add up (bags, filters)
Roborock: All-in-One Ultra Dock
Roborock’s Ultra Dock is fully automated — it empties dust, refills water, washes mops, and dries them. You get more hands-off convenience compared to Roomba’s current offerings.
- Strength: Fully automated cleaning station
- Weakness: Takes up more space
Winner: Roborock — More advanced maintenance system
5. Battery Life and Runtime
Roomba
Most Roombas run for 75–120 minutes, then return to the dock and resume cleaning after recharging. It’s reliable, but not the longest runtime out there.
Roborock
Top models can clean for up to 180 minutes on a charge. That’s great for larger homes. Roborock also maps faster, so it wastes less energy covering the same space.
Winner: Roborock — Longer runtime and better efficiency
6. App Experience and Voice Control
Both brands offer clean, user-friendly apps. But Roborock’s app is often praised for being more responsive, more customizable, and visually clearer. You can:
- Schedule per-room mopping or vacuuming
- Set floor plans for multiple levels
- See live cleaning progress
Roomba’s app is good, especially with iRobot OS, but it’s slightly less customizable.
Winner: Roborock — Slightly better app features and layout
7. Price and Value for Money
Roomba
Roomba’s top models (Combo j9+, j7+, i7+) often cost $699–$1,399, depending on features. You pay more for the iRobot brand and support.
- Lower-end models like the i3+ offer good value with basic self-emptying
Roborock
Roborock covers a wider price range — from the budget Q5+ ($399) to the premium S8 MaxV Ultra ($1,599). Even mid-tier Roborocks have strong mapping and mopping, making them better value in many cases.
Winner: Roborock — More features for the price across all tiers
Final Verdict: Which Robot Cleaner Wins in 2025?
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Suction Power | Roborock |
| Mopping Features | Roborock |
| Navigation & Mapping | Roborock |
| Maintenance Dock | Roborock |
| Battery Life | Roborock |
| App Experience | Roborock |
| Price-to-Performance | Roborock |
| Object Recognition | Roomba |
| Carpet Performance | Roomba |
🏆 Overall Winner: Roborock
Roborock takes the lead in 2025 with better suction, smarter mapping, more advanced mopping, and great value at almost every price point. If you want hands-off floor cleaning that really works, Roborock is hard to beat.
That said, Roomba still wins in certain areas — especially for pet hair pickup, carpet-specific cleaning, and object recognition. And for users already in the iRobot ecosystem, sticking with Roomba still makes sense.
Which Model Should You Buy?
- Best All-in-One: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra
- Best for Carpet + Pets: Roomba j9+ Combo
- Best Budget Option: Roborock Q5+
- Best Compact Design: Roomba i3 EVO
- Best Value Mid-Tier: Roborock S7 Max Ultra
Conclusion: Clean Smarter, Not Harder
Robot vacuums in 2025 are more capable than ever. If you’re buying your first, or upgrading, choose based on your home’s needs: do you have thick carpets, pets, multiple floors, or just want to mop with no effort?
Either brand will make life easier — but Roborock offers more automation, better battery, and stronger value overall. If you’re looking for a cleaner that practically takes care of itself, it’s the brand to beat this year.