Roborock vs Roomba 2026: Which Robot Vacuum Should You Buy?
By the WhatNotSell team · Updated Price ranges in this guide are typical prices as of the date above and change often. The live prices on this page are current.
Short answer: for most people, Roborock. It offers more models at every price, its vacuum-and-mop docks are more advanced, and it releases new features faster. Roomba is still a good buy for a simple, cheap robot vacuum, especially the Roomba 105 on sale, and its July 2026 models have closed much of the mopping gap.
The bigger change is ownership. iRobot, the company behind Roomba, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2025, and its Chinese manufacturing partner Picea completed its takeover in January 2026. Roombas are still made, sold and supported. Details are below.
The Current Lineups (September 2026)
Roomba (iRobot):
- Roomba 105 (Vac or Combo): the entry line, with LiDAR mapping. The 105 Vac often sells for about $150, and the 105 Combo with AutoEmpty Dock has been about $270 on sale ($469.99 list).
- Roomba 205 DustCompactor: a slimmer robot that compacts dust in its bin, so it can go weeks between emptying.
- Roomba Plus 405 / 505 Combo: vacuum and mop with an AutoWash dock.
- New for July 2026: Roomba Plus 415 Combo ($599.99), Plus 515 Combo ($699.99), Plus 575 Combo ($799.99), Max 715 Vac with AutoEmpty dock ($699.99) and the flagship Max 775 Combo ($999.99) with a heated-water roller mop.
Roborock:
- Q series (budget): Q7 M5 and Q7 Max+ with LiDAR and a self-emptying dock, usually about $240 to $300.
- Qrevo series (mid-range): Qrevo MaxV ($349.99), Qrevo Master ($499.99), Qrevo Edge ($599.99) and Qrevo Curv ($849.99), with docks that empty the bin and wash and dry the mops.
- Saros series (premium): Saros 10 ($699.99, a low-profile robot that fits under more furniture), Saros 20 ($1,599.99) and the Saros Z70 (about $1,000 on sale), which has a robotic arm that picks up small items like socks.
Prices are Roborock and iRobot list prices or recent sale prices as of September 2026. Robot vacuum prices move a lot, so check live prices before you buy.
Head to Head at Each Price
| Budget | Roomba pick | Roborock pick | Better buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $200 | Roomba 105 Vac (~$150 on sale) | Refurbished Q7 Max | Roomba, for a new robot with LiDAR at this price |
| $250 to $300 | Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty (~$270 on sale) | Q7 M5 / Q7 Max+ (~$240 to $300) | Tie. Both map, mop lightly and empty themselves. |
| About $600 | Roomba Plus 415 Combo ($599.99) | Qrevo Edge ($599.99) | Roborock, with a more proven wash-and-dry dock |
| About $1,000 | Roomba Max 775 Combo ($999.99) | Saros Z70 (~$1,000 on sale) or Saros 10 ($699.99) | Roborock, for more features for the money |
Mopping: Roborock, but Roomba Has Caught Up
Roborock led the move to docks that wash the mops with hot water, dry them, and lift the mops over rugs. Its Qrevo and Saros docks handle almost all of the upkeep for you.
Roomba's July 2026 models finally compete here. The Max 775 Combo uses a self-cleaning roller mop washed with heated water, and iRobot says it keeps carpets dry. The Plus models use spinning pads with heated drying. These models are new, though, and Roborock's docks have a longer track record.
Winner: Roborock.
Suction and Navigation: Don't Compare the Numbers
Roborock lists suction in pascals (Pa). The Saros 20 is rated at 36,000Pa, and budget Q models at about 10,000Pa. iRobot doesn't use pascals. It describes suction as a multiple of its own older robots (for example, "4x" or "70x the 600 series"). The two can't be compared directly, and suction alone doesn't tell you how well a robot cleans carpet.
Both brands now use LiDAR mapping across their ranges, and both premium lines use cameras and AI to avoid obstacles like cables and pet mess. Independent testers at Vacuum Wars gave the Roborock Saros 10R their top award for obstacle avoidance.
Winner: Roborock at the high end. At the entry level, Roomba's LiDAR models are just as good at the basics.
Pet Hair
Both handle pet hair well if you pick the right model. Roomba's Max models use dual rubber anti-tangle brushes. Roborock's newer models use a split DuoDivide brush designed to stop hair wrapping. Avoid bristle-only brushes on budget models if you have a shedding pet, because they tangle.
Winner: Tie.
Is Roomba Still Safe to Buy After the Bankruptcy?
Yes, with some caution. What we know:
- iRobot filed a prepackaged Chapter 11 in December 2025. Its contract manufacturer, Shenzhen Picea Robotics, took full ownership on January 23, 2026. iRobot is now private.
- iRobot has said its apps keep working and warranties and customer service stay in place.
- In July 2026 it launched five new Roomba robots and its first manual floor cleaner, the Roomba Electro Plus ($399.99). That's a strong sign the brand is continuing.
What's less certain is long-term support for older models, and how iRobot will run under new owners. If you buy a Roomba today, pick a current model (105 or newer) rather than old stock like the 694 or j-series, and buy from a retailer with an easy return policy.
Worth knowing: both brands are now Chinese-owned. Roborock is based in Beijing, and Roomba's owner Picea is in Shenzhen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roborock better than Roomba?
For most buyers in 2026, yes. Roborock offers more choice at each price and more advanced mopping docks. Roomba is competitive at the budget end, where the Roomba 105 often sells for about $150.
Is iRobot going out of business?
No. iRobot went through Chapter 11 and was bought by Picea in January 2026. It is still selling Roombas and released new models in July 2026.
Will my old Roomba keep working?
iRobot says its apps and customer support continue. Even if app support ended for an older model, basic cleaning still starts from the button on the robot.
Which is better for mopping?
Roborock, especially the Qrevo and Saros models, whose docks wash and dry the mops and lift them off carpet. Roomba's new Max 775 Combo is a serious competitor but is newer.
What's the best cheap robot vacuum?
The Roomba 105 Vac at about $150 on sale, or a Roborock Q7 M5 / Q7 Max+ at about $250 to $300 if you want a self-emptying dock. See our best robot vacuums under $300 guide for more picks.
Final Recommendation
Best overall: a Roborock Qrevo model in the $500 to $850 range, for mapping, strong suction and a dock that handles the mop for you.
Best on a tight budget: Roomba 105 Vac on sale around $150.
Best budget with auto-empty: Roborock Q7 M5 or Q7 Max+, about $250 to $300.
Best premium: Roborock Saros 10 ($699.99) for low furniture, or the Roomba Max 775 Combo ($999.99) if you prefer iRobot.
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