🐶 Best Roomba For Pet Hair (Top 5 Roomba Pet Series Models For 2020)

Are you on a lookout for the best Roomba for pet hair?

Homeowners nowadays are lucky to choose among a long lineup of efficient robotic vacuum cleaners to fit everyone’s budget.

Among these brands include Roomba, Eufy, Shark, and ECOVACS.

However, iRobot’s Roomba still makes the most buzz in the industry for the longest time, and it is still the defending champ of the robovac competition in the United States.



Our Quick Pick of Roomba Best Roomba for pet hair on carpets – Roomba S9 and S9+ The iRobot S9 and S9+ are the best Roombas for pet hair on carpets. As you may be aware, suction power is the most important aspect when it comes to carpet vacuuming. These two models deliver 2200pa and have a self-emptying bin system so you won’t have to worry about emptying the bin now and then. Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair on bare floors – Roomba i7 and i7+ For pet owners with bare floors, the Roomba i7 and i7+ are the best choices. They have the right suction power to pick up pet hair and also feature a self-emptying bin system. It’s also an intelligent robot vacuum with the latest features, including Zone Cleaning, which enables homeowners to clean select rooms instead of the entire house. Best Roomba for budget buyers – Model E5 If you are on a budget, we recommend the Roomba E5.

It costs around $300 and puts up quite some good performance, whether you want to vacuum the short pet hair or the long dog hairs.

But then, it compromises on suction power and navigation, as well as runtime.

Why Roomba is the Best for pets?

iRobot had set a high bar in robotic vacuum cleaners. After all, the company pioneered the force of robot vacuum technology with over two decades of experience. If you compare Roomba’s high-end models with other brands’ flagship robots, you will notice a significant difference right off the bat.

A good comparison would be the Shark IQ vs. Roomba s9+. Both models are camera-based that come with docks that automatically draws out the dust and debris accumulated by the robots. Although Shark has a higher suction power, it falls behind in terms of functionality and navigation when compared to the Roomba s9+.

Another brand that rises to the ranks is Eufy, which boasts of the Boost IQ RoboVac 11S. While the robot runs at 1300 Pa at peak performance, it goes about grumbling at just 55 decibels. Therefore, it is a quiet but powerful robot that can work on hard floors to medium-pile carpets. While generally reliable, you will find yourself babysitting your vacuum at times.

Then we have Deebot OZMO 950 by ECOVACS and Roborock S6 by Xiaomi that are brushing shoulders with the likes of Roomba. Both models use LIDAR technology to orient themselves and have longer run-times compared to the Roomba s9+.

Even still, Roombas pack more innovative features that makes it a versatile cleaner. For instance, the Imprint™ Smart Map Technology allows the Roomba to save up to 10 floor plans, while the Imprint™ Link Technology lets your Braava Jet M6 start mopping after your robot vacuum. Another thing is iAdapt® 3.0 Technology, which is the leading and most advanced navigation software in the market.

Important Overall, Roombas offer groundbreaking features that make them better cleaners. The efficiency of Roombas as a cleaner crosses over from the hardware expertise to their user-friendly softwares. The fact is partly because Roomba primarily focuses on robot vacuums, instead of widening their selection of vacuums.

Roomba Price History Comparison Chart

The 5 Best Roombas for Pet Hair You Should Buy This 2020



The Roomba S9/s9+ is the juggernaut of robotic vacuum cleaners. With its electronic eyes and enhanced computing power, it is the toughest robot vacuum to beat!

The newest addition to the Roomba family has let go of the conventional circular aesthetic and went with a D-shape body style. The buttons also have a different location. This new design, which the manufacturer refers to as PerfectEdge®, allows the robot to follow walls more closely so that it can clean edges far better than previous models.

As you can see, the top of the unit features a gold disk and copper accents that contrast the black matte chassis beautifully. There is also an LED ring light that will glow blue, red, or white. The color depends on the status of the robot. As always, the build quality is impressive! Looking like a tank (when you pull the hood up), it also feels just as solid!

Attention The S9/S9+ is the strongest robot vacuum in the Roomba showroom. According to the manufacturer, it delivers 40x the suction power compared to the first-generation Roombas. Combine that with the AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System, and you will get a robot vacuum that will not only tidy up your floors but will also enhance the air quality of your home.

This Roomba comes with Dirt Detect ™ Technology, as well. A robust vacuum cleaner such as the Roomba s9/s9+ can tackle hardwood floors, high-pile carpets, and anything in between.

Important The S Series is the best Roomba for pet hair, as it uses tangle-free cylindrical and grooved rubber rollers.

Turn the robot over, and you will see that iRobot’s patented dual counter-rotating brushroll is a lot longer due to its new placement.

Thus, the Roomba s9/s9+ provides a broader cleaning path compared to circular robovacs. The newly improved side-sweeping brush also has a five-spoke design set at a 27-degree angle.

The premier Roomba also features Clean Base™ just like the i7 Series.

Aside from the thin copper band, its design and function are the same. However, this time, the manufacturer has made incremental improvements with the connection between the robot and its self-emptying bin.

The base also uses the same AllergenLock™ disposable bag to hold the collected debris. The price of the Roomba s9+ will set you back at a staggering four figures, and the cost will continue to balloon because of the bags. If you wish to cut down costs, you may skip out on the Clean Base™ and manually empty its dustbin.

Regardless of what you choose, expect a pretty smart machine. The Roomba s9/s9+ boasts of iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology with vSLAM and Imprint™ Smart Maps. With the most advanced sensors and latest navigation software, it gathers over 230, 400 data points per millisecond to understand its environment real-time.

Therefore, the robot can quickly detect changes and obstacles in its path, while it simultaneously memorizes and updates its surroundings.

With Imprint™ Smart Maps, your robot can create a draft of your home that you can view using the iRobot Home App. You can rename the saved rooms through the app, as well. The best part is that the robot can create up to 10 floor plans, making it suitable for upscale multi-story homes.

Using the app, you can choose between three cleaning modes: “Detailed Clean,” “Quiet,” and “Custom.” You can also select how many passes you want your robot to cover a particular room. The user-friendly app also allows you to create Keep-Out Zones anytime, so you won’t have to install Virtual Wall® manually or change batteries.

Furthermore, the Roomba s9/s9+ features Imprint™ Link Technology. If you have the iRobot mop Braava M6, you can connect it with the Roomba s9/s9+. The M6 will start mopping as soon as the s9/s9+ finished vacuuming.

Price History

Pros Best Roomba for pets – uses tangle-free brushroll

Best Roomba for pets – uses tangle-free brushroll PerfectEdge®, Dirt Detect ™ Technology, and AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System offers superior cleaning

PerfectEdge®, Dirt Detect ™ Technology, and AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System offers superior cleaning Perfect for all floor types – 2200 suction power combined with Brush Adaptive Height Technology

Perfect for all floor types – 2200 suction power combined with Brush Adaptive Height Technology iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology with vSLAM and Imprint™ Smart Maps

iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology with vSLAM and Imprint™ Smart Maps 120 minutes of battery life with “Recharge and Resume” feature

120 minutes of battery life with “Recharge and Resume” feature Your robot will remember all the Keep-Out Zones you make via the app

Your robot will remember all the Keep-Out Zones you make via the app Countless customization options for your robot using the iRobot Home app

Countless customization options for your robot using the iRobot Home app Supports Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free operation

Supports Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free operation Optional Clean Base™

Optional Clean Base™ One AllergenLock™ dust bag can hold up to a month’s worth of debris Cons A pack of three AllergenLock™ disposable bags may cost around $15

A pack of three AllergenLock™ disposable bags may cost around $15 The Clean Base ™ must lean against a wall with 4 x 1.5 ft. of open space

The Clean Base ™ must lean against a wall with 4 x 1.5 ft. of open space Four hours charging time

Four hours charging time The most expensive robotic vacuum cleaner in the market



The Roomba i7+ is the first robotic vacuum cleaner that can empty its dustbin. The Clean Base™ will suck all the accumulated dirt and debris out of the robot’s bin, emptying it into the AllergenLock™ dust bag at the top of the hub.

The base will automatically do so each time the robot parks in the dock. The process involves a lot of suction to extract the dirt from the underside of the robot. So, it is going to be as noisy as a hand dryer.

Attention Some homeowners think that the Clean Base™ and AllergenLock™ bags are unnecessary expenditures, but if you are allergic to dust and dander, it is wise not to skip out on these features.

While the Roomba i7 equips a HEPA filter, it would be rendered useless if you still have to expose yourself to irritants for shaking off dust into the garbage can. The AllergenLock™ bag, on the other hand, has a plastic sheath that prevents allergens from escaping. So, throw the entire bag away!

Nevertheless, the Roomba i7+ brings a lot more features to the table other than the Clean Base™. The i7 Series boasts of AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System.

This model uses a Gen 3 motor that produces 1700 Pa of airpower. According to the manufacturer, it is 10x the suction power compared to earlier models. With its HEPA filtration, it traps dander, pollen, and other substances invisible to the naked eye.

Adding to that is the Height-Adapt Technology that allows a smooth transition between bare floors to carpeted surfaces. Performance-wise, this robot slays the cleaning competition on all floor types!

The i7/i7+ is also the ideal Roomba for pets. This robot comes equipped with dual counter-rotating, rubber rollers that flawlessly pick up large debris, such as kibble, cat litter, and other pet messes. More impressively, the brushroll is tangle-free.

The Roomba i7/i7+ also introduced the slickest navigation tech in the market — iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology with vSLAM and Imprint™ Smart Maps. This model can save up to 10 different floor plans, so it is suitable for a multi-story home. You will have to be patient for the first week, though. Many users complained that it took their robot a few days to learn the ins and outs of their abode. Nevertheless, it is worth the wait!

Once you get an accurate map of your home, you can leave your robot anywhere, and it will clean wherever you want it to go. Added visual localization will enable the robot to create various landmarks and use it as a reference point.

You can also direct the robot to either skip or concentrate on a specific area in a room. Likewise, you can create Keep-Out Zones using the iRobot Home app to prevent your robot from straying into your pet’s domain.

Price History

Pros Equipped with a tangle-free, multi-surface brush system

Equipped with a tangle-free, multi-surface brush system Dirt Detect ™ Technology and AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System offers superior cleaning

Dirt Detect ™ Technology and AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System offers superior cleaning Suitable for all floor types – 1700 suction power combined with Brush Adaptive Height Technology

Suitable for all floor types – 1700 suction power combined with Brush Adaptive Height Technology iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology with vSLAM and Imprint™ Smart Maps

iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology with vSLAM and Imprint™ Smart Maps 75 minutes of battery life with “Recharge and Resume” feature

75 minutes of battery life with “Recharge and Resume” feature Create as many Keep-Out Zones via the app

Create as many Keep-Out Zones via the app Personalize your robot using the iRobot Home app

Personalize your robot using the iRobot Home app Make voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant

Make voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant Optional Clean Base™

Optional Clean Base™ One AllergenLock™ dust bag can hold up to a month’s worth of debris Cons Sometimes the robot has trouble parking in the dock

Sometimes the robot has trouble parking in the dock The unit takes a lot longer to create a complete digital map of your home

The unit takes a lot longer to create a complete digital map of your home A pack of three AllergenLock™ disposable bags cost around $15

A pack of three AllergenLock™ disposable bags cost around $15 The Clean Base ™ must lean against a wall with 4 x 1.5 ft. of open space



The Roomba 960 hits the sweet spot between affordability and innovation. You can nab a smart cleaning robot vacuum without breaking the bank.

Although the Roomba 960 lacks Carpet Boost, it features vSLAM Technology (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), which is an upgrade from the earlier SLAM navigation system.

With a real-time camera and a suite of sensors, it captures images of your home and notes down all landmarks. The little bot will unlikely hit obstacles or get stuck.

The icing on the cake is the AeroForce 3-Stage Cleaning System. Having equipped with tangle-free multi-surface brushes, it makes the 960 an efficient cleaner for homes with pets and carpets.

This robot also features “Recharge and Resume.” Using the app, you can create cleaning schedules anytime from anywhere and monitor your robot’s progress. You can also direct your robot to make two passes for each room, do the final edge clean, and more.

Important With Imprint™ Link Technology, you can also allow your Roomba® 960 and Braava Jet® M6 to automatically clean in sequence.

Price History Chart

Pros Uses iAdapt Navigation 2.0 with Visual Localization

Uses iAdapt Navigation 2.0 with Visual Localization Equipped with tangle-free dual multi-surface rubber brushes to handle pet hair and reduce tangles

Equipped with tangle-free dual multi-surface rubber brushes to handle pet hair and reduce tangles Dirt Detect ™ Technology and AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System offers superior cleaning

Dirt Detect ™ Technology and AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System offers superior cleaning Runs for 75 minutes then recharges and resumes cleaning thereafter

Runs for 75 minutes then recharges and resumes cleaning thereafter Features Imprint™ Link Technology

Features Imprint™ Link Technology Alexa and Google Assistant Connectivity Cons Has a small debris bin

Has a small debris bin Long charging time



The Roomba 890 is the dark horse of the 800 Series, which is among the first “smart” Roombas in the market that works with the iRobot Home App and Google Assistant, among other integrations.

During its release, iRobot shifted from the AeroVac® filtration to the AeroForce® Performance Cleaning System. The Gen 2 motor of the Roomba 890 delivers 1,000 Pa of airpower.

The 890 is also an excellent Roomba for pets. Unlike previous models that use a bristle brush, it is less prone to tangles. This model uses rubberized debris extractors to make the brush more durable yet gentle on delicate floors.

Also, take note that the previous system uses HEPA-like filters that are just clones of HEPA filters. Having equipped with an authentic HEPA filter, it ensures the collected dust stays trapped within the bin.

Moreover, there is a suite of intelligent sensors that serve as the eyes of the robot vacuum. This model also features Dirt Detect™ Technology to eliminate dirt from high-traffic areas of your home and prompt the robot to clean them thoroughly.

Likewise, the Roomba 890 is a self-charging robot vacuum and will return to its dock for a recharge. The robot can last for 60 minutes after a three-hour charge.

Attention On the downside, the Roomba 890 is a poor performer in high-pile carpets and rugs. The lack of a “carpet boost” feature limits its performance to hard floors, which is always to be the case with robot vacuums in its price range.

Price History Chart

Pros Uses iAdapt® technology

Uses iAdapt® technology Features AeroForce® Performance Cleaning System and Dirt Detect™ Technology

Features AeroForce® Performance Cleaning System and Dirt Detect™ Technology Tough on dirt, gentle on floors

Tough on dirt, gentle on floors Monitor activity and create schedules through the iRobot Home app

Monitor activity and create schedules through the iRobot Home app Comes with a Full Bin indicator Cons Human/pet hair may still get caught between the rollers, causing it to jam eventually

Human/pet hair may still get caught between the rollers, causing it to jam eventually There is no “Recharge and Resume” feature

There is no “Recharge and Resume” feature Runs for 60 minutes max, but takes three hours to complete a charge



The Roomba e5 is a new generation Roomba, but it does not have the cutting-edge qualities that the I7 and S Series possess. Even still, this newcomer offers some significant upgrades in terms of suction power, battery life, and other essential features.

The Roomba e5 is the first robotic vacuum cleaner of the e Series that iRobot introduced in 2018. Like new-generation Roombas, it excels particularly in picking up hair.

The dual counter-rotating brushes release human/pet hair directly into the dirt compartment. Thereby, there is a slim chance of fuzz sticking out. If you have plenty of hardwood to keep clean and free of dust bunnies, it is a great and affordable Roomba to use.

Important The Roomba e5 is the best Roomba for dog hair for the masses.

You can expect this little bot to work equally well on bare floors and low to medium-pile carpets, as well. Not only is the brush system tangle-free, but it also applies Brush Adaptive Height Technology for a deeper clean in carpeted surfaces.

The multi-surface brushroll flexes to maintain contact with any floor type. This model also has a spinning side brush for sweeping the gunk out of baseboards.

Minimal upkeep is also another factor that makes the e5 a great buy. The high-efficiency filter is the only part that needs regular replacement, while the rest depends on the durability of the unit. The battery for the Roomba e5 sets to last for up to five minutes before the robot docks itself for a recharge. Still, the exact run-time will depend on the amount of dirt and obstacles the robot meets.

This model also features built-in Wi-Fi so that you can monitor or issue voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also view the robot’s cleaning activity through the iRobot Home app.

The Roomba e5 has 1,700 Pa of airpower when running at its peak performance. This mid-range pick even has Dirt Detect™ Technology to ensure it tackles even the heavily soiled areas, such as the entryway of your home.

The cleaning prowess of this mid-range robot is nearly identical to the high-end Roomba i7/i7+. But for under $500, it lacks the latest features in smart mapping, and neither does it come with Virtual Wall® barriers. Compared to other budget robot vacuum cleaners, it is quite the steal!

Price History Chart

Pros Suitable for all pets

Suitable for all pets Features 3-Stage-Cleaning and Dirt Detect™ Technology

Features 3-Stage-Cleaning and Dirt Detect™ Technology Equipped with a multi-surface brushroll with Brush Adaptive Height Technology

Equipped with a multi-surface brushroll with Brush Adaptive Height Technology 1,700 suction power – 5x the air power compared to first-generation Roombas

1,700 suction power – 5x the air power compared to first-generation Roombas Monitor robot activity through the iRobot Home App

Monitor robot activity through the iRobot Home App Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant

Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant Automatic recharging

Automatic recharging Use Dual Virtual Wall® Barriers for areas you wish to block Cons Doesn’t have Imprint ™ Smart Maps, camera navigation, and other luxurious features that other new-generation Roombas have

What Features Make Roombas the Best for Pet Hair?

HEPA Filter

iRobot uses authentic HEPA filters for their Roombas starting from the 800 Series moving forward.

Important Take note that there are significant differences between a HEPA-style filter and a true HEPA filter. The density of the fibers and the efficiency rate of the latter are much better.



A Roomba equipped with a true HEPA filter games up the filtration system up to 99.97% at particles as small as 0.3 microns.

If you own a Roomba, it is important to buy the real thing and avoid cheap knockoffs. Fakes clog faster. The performance and longevity of inferior filters also take a hit.

AeroVac™/AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System

The original technology behind iRobot’s three-stage-cleaning system is the AeroVac™ found in the third-generation Roombas, such as those from the 600 Series. The first stage is to detect debris, stairs, and edges, followed by the motor and air flow channel that collects dirt and debris. The final stage involves the brushes and extractors.



Roombas equipped with the AeroVac™ Technology comes with a larger dustbin capacity as a standard feature. The AeroVac™ bin maximizes airflow, pulling hair and debris off the brushes, as well as guiding the debris to the bin. Likewise, the upgrade includes a more advanced cleaning head.

iRobot changed from the AeroVac™ System to the AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System with the 800 Series moving forward. However, don’t be confused by these fancy marketing terms. The technology between the AeroVac™ and the AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System is similar. Think of the latter as a major upgrade. So, what exactly is it?

The AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System boosts the Roomba’s cleaning prowess up to 50%. Dual counter-rotating AeroForce™ extractors integrate a durable rubber tread design to pull and break down stubborn dirt from any surface.



This new brushless design with unique angle treads allows for maximum debris churning and steers them straight into the vacuum field. Jams caused by both human and pet hair are nearly impossible! Moreover, the airflow accelerator brings the vacuum power right down to the floor surface. This process creates a channel that concentrates the airflow and multiplies the vacuum power.

Engineered to balance suction power and airflow, any Roomba with this feature is five times more powerful than flagship models from its competitors. Roombas trap allergens and dust particles up to 0.3 microns in size, drawing them into the sealed HEPA filtered bin to keep them from being dispersed around the room.

The AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System is the combination of these three breakthrough technologies. From the airflow accelerator to the high-efficiency vacuum, everything works together to deliver unprecedented cleaning results.

Navigation and Mapping

Assorted furniture, mobile pets, and multiple rooms make our homes a labyrinth or a never-ending obstacle course for robotic vacuum cleaners.

While cheap models navigate homes blindly as a bat, traditional Roombas perceive their surroundings using the following sensors:



Obstacle sensors – Roombas don’t bounce off aimlessly against furniture and walls like a ping-pong ball. Using infrared emissions, it finds its way around a room and locates obstacles to avoid. When an obstruction stands in the way, it will trigger the robot to move away and turn towards a clear path. But smart as they are, it is often inevitable to bump against a moving pet or newly added décor. So, it is a plus that the manufacturer included shock-absorbing bumpers to protect the unit.

– Roombas don’t bounce off aimlessly against furniture and walls like a ping-pong ball. Using infrared emissions, it finds its way around a room and locates obstacles to avoid. When an obstruction stands in the way, it will trigger the robot to move away and turn towards a clear path. But smart as they are, it is often inevitable to bump against a moving pet or newly added décor. So, it is a plus that the manufacturer included shock-absorbing bumpers to protect the unit. Cliff sensors – Roombas constantly send infrared signals to determine the distance between the unit and the floor. If the response takes longer than usual, it means there is an increase between the range. Since the robot knows it is approaching a drop-off, it will back off and change its direction so that it won’t fall off a staircase.

However, relying on infrared sensors alone will not suffice. Random cleaners take a lot more time to clean, and they often tend to lose their way back to their docks. That is why iRobot added iAdapt® Navigation Technology to their robot vacuums to make them efficient methodical cleaners.

iAdapt® 1.0 Navigation Technology



This technology allows the robot to “Wall Follow” instead of recognizing them as obstacles. As a result, it can clean messes along baseboards. Adding to that, it exhibits “Escape Behavior” where the robot moves away from confinement, instead of shutting down when it is stuck. This technology also includes “Soft Touch.” The robot will decelerate whenever it approaches an obstruction to prevent it from bumping into fragile objects with force.

Attention Another advantage of the iAdapt® Navigation Technology is the robot’s compatibility with the Virtual Wall® and Virtual Wall® Lighthouse™. These are navigation control devices available only for Roombas.

Just looking at the names, these devices act as invisible walls for your robot. These tools emit infrared beams, allowing your robot vacuum to concentrate on a specific area. You can set up a virtual fence if you want your robot to clean an oriental rug thoroughly or if you want to block an archway that leads to another room.

iAdapt® 2.0 Navigation Technology



The iAdapt® 2.0 Navigation Technology found in recent models, such as the Roomba 960 and the Roomba 890, offers a lot more.

While these robot vacuums have all the usual capabilities of the iAdapt® 1.0, its more advanced navigation allows these units to learn your floor plan.

The goal is to develop a more efficient cleaning pattern to reduce time spent navigating. Adding to that are sensors to detect heavily soiled areas and the introduction of the Dual Mode Virtual Wall® Barrier.

This navigational control device creates a halo up to 24 inches from its center. Unfortunately, moving the Roomba to a different storey will overwrite the registered floorplan.

iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology



The latest generation of Roombas features the iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology with vSLAM and Imprint™ Smart Maps to solve a significant limitation of previous Roombas.

You can find these features with the Roomba i7/i7+ and Roomba s9/s9+. These robots are quite proactive! You can expect these clever bots to orient themselves to different rooms, charge themselves when batteries are low, and come back to the exact spot where they left.

Attention The latest navigational system enables the robot to cover the entire level of a home with many rooms. Equipped with a camera, it continually takes pictures as it navigates an unknown environment or to update a previously saved map.

More impressively, Imprint™ Smart Maps give you the benefit of saving not just one, but ten floor plans as reference for future cleaning tasks. As soon as you have saved maps, you can schedule room-specific cleanings via the app or a compatible Smart Home system, such as Alexa and Google Assistant. Lastly, you can draw Keep-Out Zones using your smartphone.

Suction Power

A unit with low suction may eliminate heavy, visible particles on hard floors with ease, but may find difficulty in drawing out fine dust in carpeted surfaces. That is why the suction power plays a crucial role that defines the efficacy of a robot vacuum as a cleaner.

The Roomba 890 uses the Gen 2 motor that is five times stronger than the engine used in previous models. Delivering 1,000 Pa of airpower, it is sufficient for general vacuuming in bare floors and low-pile carpeting.

The motor in the Roomba 960 is a carryover from the 800 Series, as well, but it only produces 900 Pa of airpower.

For medium-pile carpets, you may want to consider the Roomba i7/i7+ or the cheaper, Roomba e5. Both these models have 1,700 Pa of airpower.



Robotic vacuum cleaners aren’t as powerful as an upright vacuum cleaner, but Roomba is heading there. In fact, people describe their latest model, the Roomba s9/s9+, as a contender against stick vacuums. This Roomba is a lot noisier, but it is due to the 2,200 Pa suction power. The manufacturer claims that the suction power of the s9/s9+ is 40x stronger than first-generation Roombas; this translates into an efficient all-around deep clean on all surfaces, including high-pile carpets.

Patented Brush System

Regular robotic vacuum cleaners use a single brush to loosen up stubborn dirt and pick up debris from the floor.

Roombas, on the other hand, use a pair of agitating brushes that rotate in opposite directions. This dual counter-rotating brush system is a proprietary feature of iRobot.

Newer models starting from the 800 Series also include a spinning side brush to extract deep-seated dirt from mopboards, directing it into the robot’s suction outlet.



More impressively, the latest models come equipped with a multi-surface and height-adaptive brushroll to accommodate surface changes automatically. The Roomba i7/i7+ and Roomba s9/s9+ ramp up power when it transitions from bare floor to carpet, and vice versa.

Virtual Barriers

The convenience of being able to employ virtual barriers instead of installing magnetic tapes is one of the many things that give Roombas an edge over its rivals.



There are three various types of navigation control devices compatible with Roomba:



Virtual Wall® – This device creates a cone-shaped barrier up to 7-feet wide by manually turning it on. The Wall will automatically turn off after two hours and fifteen minutes of run-time. This device uses two C batteries and will blink to indicate that it is low in juice.

– This device creates a cone-shaped barrier up to 7-feet wide by manually turning it on. The Wall will automatically turn off after two hours and fifteen minutes of run-time. This device uses two C batteries and will blink to indicate that it is low in juice. Virtual Wall® Lighthouse – During the virtual wall mode, it blocks your robot from entering areas and rooms you do not want it to clean. Meanwhile, the lighthouse mode guides your robot vacuum to clean a specific area more thoroughly. This device also uses two C batteries and will blink to signify that the batteries need replacement.

– During the virtual wall mode, it blocks your robot from entering areas and rooms you do not want it to clean. Meanwhile, the lighthouse mode guides your robot vacuum to clean a specific area more thoroughly. This device also uses two C batteries and will blink to signify that the batteries need replacement. Dual Mode Virtual Wall® Barrier – This device can block off an entryway that is as wide as 10 feet. Likewise, it can create a four-feet halo to partition small spaces. You can use the device to protect breakable items and unstable furniture, as well as prevent your robot from disturbing your pets.

The Roomba 890, Roomba 960, and Roomba e5 are compatible with the Dual Mode Virtual Wall® Barrier. Disappointingly, each unit comes with one node only. You need a pair to use the feature effectively. On the bright side, you can always buy more devices, and there is no limit to how much you can use to gain more control over a large room. However, it isn’t always pleasant to turn on multiple barriers each time you want to clean your house.

But if you own a Roomba i7/i7+ or a Roomba s9/s9+, you will be able to designate Keep-Out Zones by simply opening the latest version of the iRobot app. Your robot vacuum will remember these partitions regardless of how you like to clean.

Battery Life

Roombas have various run-times ranging from 60 to 90 minutes on average, depending on the cleaning mode.

The Roomba 890 has the shortest battery life in our list with 60 minutes; whereas, the Roomba s9/s9+ has the most extended run-time with 120 minutes.



Although the Roomba i7/i7+ is a high-end model, it only has a 75-minute run-time, which is significantly lesser than its cheaper counterparts from other brands. But because high-end Roombas feature precise navigation, these robots will cut cleaning time in half.

What is more, the “Recharge and Resume” feature will ensure it gets the job done regardless of the size of your home. Nevertheless, the run-time of robot vacuums only matters to some extent.

If you need to clean multiple rooms with lots of furniture, a Roomba with a 60-minute battery life, such as the e5, might be inadequate.

Dirt Detect™ Technology



Dirt Detect™ is an exclusive feature of Roombas. Using optical and acoustic sensors, it allows the robot to recognize spots with excessive dirt and debris. The robot will move back and forth, concentrating its cleaning efforts on that particular area before it continues vacuuming the rest of the room.

Frequently Asked Questions Which Roomba is best for pet hair? If you have to choose one, the best Roomba for dog hair would be the Roomba s9/s9+ with its improved tangle-free dual multi-surface brushes. But if you have a lower budget, the Roomba i7/i7+ would also be a good fit. Which is better: Shark ION or Roomba? premium Roombas, such as the The, such as the S and i7 Series , feature better navigation and cleaning technologies than the Shark ION units. The best way to choose between the two is to determine your budget and what features are most important to you. Shark ION robots are around the same price as the early Roombas, but if you are looking for the smartest robot vacuum in the market, it is hard to beat the S and i7 Series Roombas. Does Roomba learn my house? The S and i7 Series have the brains to map out 10 floor plans while these robots go to work. You can view these maps through the mobile app. How do I empty Roomba s9? Without the Clean Base™, emptying the Roomba S9 is similar to how you would clean a regular robot vacuum cleaner. How do I clean my iRobot i7 filter? Filters used in Roombas are not washable. Any contact with liquid will damage the filter. You just need to shake off the debris by tapping the filter and replace them when needed. Will Roomba go from room to room? Roombas will move from one room to the other, so if you have a large apartment with many rooms, you should not worry. Yes,, so if you have a large apartment with many rooms, you should not worry. However, only the advanced Roombas have the intelligence of finishing one room before going to the next one. With the old models like Roomba 650 and 690, they might go to the next room before completing the particular one they are in. You have to use boundary marking devices like Virtual Walls and Lighthouse to block the robot from leaving that room. But with the advanced models like the i7 and S9, the elaborate floor scanning and mapping will make sure that the robot leaves the room after cleaning it entirely. Are robot vacuums good for pet hair? Robot vacuums are not as potent as the canisters and upright, but they do a reasonably good job in picking up pet hair from the bare floors and carpets. But what makes the exceptionally for pet hair vacuuming is the autonomous operation. They work independently, whether you are at home or in the office. Advanced models can be scheduled to clean at specific times while others allow homeowners to initiate cleaning remotely via the Smartphone app or Alexa. It is the fact that robot vacuums are autonomous that makes them best for pets hair cleaning. Pets shed all the time, and the best remedy is regular vacuuming. You don’t need to break your back with the regular canister or upright, let Roomba do its work!

Takeaway

While many other robot vacuums come from a strong lineage, those from iRobot are more extensive than other robot vacuum range found in other brands. Roombas also have alternative options to cater to a variety of budgets.

But if you are on the lookout for top-of-the-line for high-end robot vacuums, you won’t get wrong with the Roomba S and i7 Series. We hope this article review will inform your decision.