Roborock vs iRobot Roomba: Which Robot Vacuum to Buy (2026)
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 23, 2026.
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For years, “Roomba” was shorthand for robot vacuum. Today the picture is very different. Roborock has become the brand reviewers recommend most often, while iRobot went through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was taken over by its manufacturer. If you’re choosing between the two, both the products and the companies have changed.
This guide answers one question: should you buy a Roborock or a Roomba in 2026? We compared Wirecutter’s robot vacuum testing and its reporting on iRobot, ownership details compiled by Best at Best from iRobot’s announcements, and news of the FCC’s July 2026 ruling on foreign-made robots. We haven’t tested these robots ourselves. Prices are as reported and change.
The short answer: for most people, buy a Roborock. Wirecutter’s top robot vacuum pick is the Roborock Q7 M5+, and Wirecutter currently doesn’t recommend iRobot’s vacuums. A Roomba remains a reasonable buy if you find one at a good price, since iRobot says its apps, support and warranties continue.
Our picks at a glance
| Roborock | iRobot Roomba | |
|---|---|---|
| Wirecutter status | Top pick: Q7 M5+ ($300 at listing) | Not currently recommended |
| Navigation (Wirecutter on picks) | Lidar plus bump sensors; maps multiple levels | Mixed results in recent tests |
| Company status | Independent brand | Emerged from Chapter 11 Jan. 23, 2026; owned by Picea |
| Support and warranty | One-year warranty on Q7 M5+ | iRobot says app, support and warranties continue |
| Repair parts (Wirecutter) | Filters, brush, bin, cable; no replacement motors | Check current availability |
What happened to iRobot
iRobot filed for Chapter 11 in Delaware on December 14, 2025, Best at Best reports from iRobot’s announcements, under a plan agreed in advance with Picea, the Chinese company that manufactured Roombas and had lent iRobot money. On January 23, 2026, Picea took over all of iRobot’s shares and the procedure ended. iRobot remains headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts. US customer data sits in a separate company, iRobot Safe, with an independent board of US citizens.
For owners, iRobot says the app keeps working, customer service and software updates continue, warranties are honored, and parts remain on sale. Chief executive Gary Cohen told TechRadar it’s business as usual. Best at Best concludes the takeover itself is no reason to avoid a Roomba.
How they perform
Wirecutter’s top pick, the Roborock Q7 M5+, was one of the most thorough cleaners it tested and one of the best navigators. It maps multiple levels, avoids obstacles more effectively than the other robots Wirecutter tried, runs quietly, and empties itself into a 2.7-liter bag in its dock. Wirecutter says that bag typically needs changing every six or seven weeks, per the company. It picked up Cheerios around barstool legs that foiled other robots, and Wirecutter measured about 180 minutes of battery life on bare floors in Quiet mode.
Wirecutter’s verdict on recent Roombas is harsher. It found the Roomba j9+ cleaned well, but its dock didn’t consistently empty the bin, and it bumped furniture and knocked over a cup. It found the entry-level Roomba Plus 105 thoroughly average, struggling at corners, with a clunky app and clumsy navigation. Best at Best’s aggregate ranking of independent tests puts the best-placed iRobot, the Roomba Max 775 Combo, at 45 out of 173 robots.
Price
Roborock spans budget to flagship. Wirecutter lists the Q7 M5+ at $300, while Best at Best’s top-ranked robot overall, the Roborock Saros 20 Flow, was $1,499 at Roborock’s store on October 23, 2026. Best at Best’s October 23 listing of iRobot’s lineup runs from the Roomba 105 Combo at $179 to the Roomba Max 875 Combo at $1,199. Comparing like for like, Best at Best suggests checking what the tests rank for the same money before you buy a Roomba.
The FCC ruling
Wirecutter reports that on July 28, 2026, the FCC announced a ban on new models of foreign-made advanced robotic devices, including robot vacuums. Existing models and those already FCC-approved aren’t affected, and software and firmware updates for existing models are permitted until January 1, 2029. Future models made overseas will need conditional approval. Wirecutter notes that nearly all robot vacuums are made in China or Southeast Asia, that iRobot had already moved production overseas and is now Picea-owned, and that its recommended picks remain available.
Practically, the ruling affects Roborock and iRobot similarly. Today’s models keep working and stay on sale.
Our picks
1. Roborock Q7 M5+: best for most people
Best for: most homes.
Wirecutter’s top pick: a thorough, quiet lidar navigator with a self-emptying dock and an app that stores up to four maps, with no-go zones, room-by-room settings and five suction modes. It works with Siri, Alexa and Google Home.
Wirecutter notes it has one side brush, so baseboard edges suffer. It found many complaints about Roborock’s customer service in Amazon reviews, although its own call was answered promptly. The basic mop is optional.
Pros
- Excellent cleaning and navigation
- Self-emptying
- Quiet
Cons
- One side brush
- Customer service reviews mixed
2. Roborock Saros 20 Flow: top-ranked flagship
Best for: buyers who want an all-in-one vacuum-mop station.
Best at Best’s aggregate ranking of independent tests places the Saros 20 Flow first of 173 robots, at $1,499 at Roborock’s store. Wirecutter cautions that mop-vacuum combos are expensive, have hulking docks and more failure points, and can mop superficially.
Expensive, with a large dock.
Pros
- Top of aggregate ranking
- All-in-one station
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky dock
3. iRobot Roomba Max 775 Combo: the best-ranked Roomba
Best for: Roomba loyalists.
The highest-ranked iRobot in Best at Best’s aggregate ranking, at 45th, listed at $799 at iRobot’s store on October 23, 2026.
Wirecutter doesn’t currently recommend iRobot vacuums, and plans to test the company’s new lineup.
Pros
- Familiar app and brand
- Support continues
Cons
- Ranks below many rivals
4. Tapo RV30 Max Plus: the budget alternative
Best for: tight budgets.
Wirecutter’s runner-up, at $250 from TP-Link: lidar navigation, a self-emptying dock with a 3-liter bag, and strong carpet dust pickup.
About half the suction of the Roborock, and a less customizable app, per Wirecutter.
Pros
- Affordable
- Self-emptying
Cons
- Less thorough than Roborock
Robot vacuum reality check
Wirecutter cautions that robot vacuums excel at routine midweek cleanups but can’t replace a plug-in or cordless vacuum, especially on rugs. They have a fraction of the suction of a good upright. Even the best get tangled in cords, socks and toys, so tidy up first. Pair a robot with a strong cordless stick, see our Dyson vs Shark comparison and Is a Dyson worth it?, and see our robot vacuums for large homes guide for bigger spaces.
Maintenance tips
- Shake out the filter every few runs; wash or replace it every few dozen sessions (Wirecutter).
- Cut hair from the brush roll as needed.
- Clean bearings, sensors and charging contacts every few weeks.
- Leave a few feet of clear space around the dock.
- Replace side brushes and filters a few times a year.
Choosing a robot vacuum
Start with your floors. Mostly hard floors with a few low-pile rugs suit almost any good robot. Thick carpet challenges all of them, so pair a robot with a strong stick or upright vacuum. Next, consider navigation. Lidar-based robots like the Roborock Q7 M5+ map rooms quickly and let you set no-go zones, which matters in larger or multi-level homes. Then decide whether you want a self-emptying dock. It costs more but means you rarely touch the dustbin, which Wirecutter notes is potentially less irritating for allergy sufferers.
Finally, think about mopping. Wirecutter has been skeptical of robot mop-vacuum combos but now recommends some with caveats. They can be good maintenance cleaners if used consistently, but they’re expensive and their mopping is superficial. If you don’t want to deal with water, choose a vacuum-only model or simply don’t install the mop pads.
Privacy and apps
Mapping robots collect information about your home’s layout. Review the app’s privacy settings, use a strong account password, and keep firmware updated. iRobot says US customer data sits in a separate company, iRobot Safe, with an independent US board.
How we researched this guide
We don’t run a test lab, so we built this guide from independent testing by Wirecutter, which says it has tested dozens of robot vacuums since 2012, together with Best at Best’s aggregate rankings and its summary of iRobot’s own announcements. Where they measured something, we report their numbers and credit them by name. Where sources disagreed, or a claim came only from a manufacturer, we say so. We also weighed long-term ownership factors that matter to luxury buyers: warranty terms, build quality, ease of care and how a product fits into a well-designed home. Prices quoted are as listed by reviewers or retailers at the time of their writing and will change, so check current listings before you buy.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a robot to replace a full vacuum on thick rugs.
- Leaving cords, socks and toys on the floor.
- Hiding the dock under furniture, which causes docking failures.
- Skipping filter and brush maintenance.
Large and multi-level homes
Wirecutter notes the Roborock Q7 M5+ maps multiple levels and stores up to four maps, and that on Turbo or Max its runtime still covers a 1,500-square-foot home. For larger houses, consider a robot per floor, or carrying one between floors and letting it recall each map. Our large-home robot vacuum guide goes deeper.
FAQ
Is Roborock better than Roomba?
In Wirecutter’s recent testing, yes. Its top pick is a Roborock and it doesn’t currently recommend iRobot vacuums.
Is iRobot going out of business?
No. It emerged from Chapter 11 on January 23, 2026 as a subsidiary of Picea, and says apps, support and warranties continue.
Will my Roomba app keep working?
iRobot says there are no planned changes to the app or data security.
Does the FCC ruling affect robots I can buy now?
No. Existing and already-approved models aren’t affected, per Wirecutter.
What’s the best cheap robot vacuum?
Wirecutter’s runner-up, the Tapo RV30 Max Plus, at about $250.
The bottom line
Roborock is the better bet for most buyers, led by Wirecutter’s top pick, the Q7 M5+. A Roomba isn’t a risky purchase after the bankruptcy, but recent models have lagged in testing, so compare prices and rankings before choosing one.
