Roomba vs Roborock: Which Robot Vacuum Actually Cleans Better?
Based on lab testing from RTINGS and Vacuum Wars, Consumer Reports reliability data, and thousands of real user experiences
The short answer: Roborock wins for most buyers. It offers better navigation, superior mopping, and more features at comparable prices. But Roomba still has the edge for deep carpet cleaning and pet waste avoidance. If you have mostly hard floors or want a robot that mops well, get Roborock. If you have thick carpets and pets that have accidents, Roomba's P.O.O.P. Promise makes it worth considering. Get Roborock S8 Pro Ultra on Amazon for $1,599 →
The Fighters
| Roomba | Roborock | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300-$1,400 on Amazon | $250-$1,600 on Amazon |
| Best For | Pet owners worried about accidents, thick carpets | Hard floors, mixed surfaces, mopping |
| Max Suction | ~2,500 Pa (s9+) | 6,000 Pa (S8 Pro Ultra) |
| Navigation | Camera-based (V-SLAM) | LiDAR-based |
| Mopping | Limited models | Most models, superior performance |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: Carpet Cleaning Performance
Roomba invented the category and still leads on carpet. The s9+ held the best carpet deep clean score in Vacuum Wars testing for an extended period. The secret? Roomba's patented dual rubber brush extractors that agitate carpet fibers and pull embedded dirt better than any competitor.
The Roomba s9+ achieves 99% debris removal on carpets. It's particularly devastating on pet hair—those dual extractors grab hair that single-brush Roborocks miss. If you have thick carpets throughout your home, Roomba is the clear choice.
Roborock isn't far behind. The S8 series scores around 96-97% on carpet tests. But the difference is noticeable on medium-pile carpet where Roborock sometimes struggles. Multiple Reddit users report that "the roomba is a plastic roller with a rubber cover"—but those rubber rollers genuinely outperform Roborock's bristle/rubber combo on deep carpet cleaning.
| Roomba | Roborock |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 7/10 |
Round 1 Winner: Roomba — Dual rubber brush extractors still set the standard for deep carpet cleaning.
Score after Round 1: Roomba 9 | Roborock 7
Round 2: Hard Floor Cleaning
The tables turn on hard floors. RTINGS found "The Roborock S7 cleans more effectively on bare floors" than comparable Roombas. Roborock's higher suction power—up to 6,000 Pa on the S8 Pro Ultra versus Roomba's ~2,500 Pa—pulls debris more efficiently.
More importantly, Roborock cleans in one pass. Vacuum Wars consistently praises how "Roborocks pick up debris from hard floors very cleanly and on the first pass." Roomba sometimes needs multiple passes over the same area, which wastes time and battery.
For homes with hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring, Roborock is the better cleaner.
| Roomba | Roborock |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 9/10 |
Round 2 Winner: Roborock — Higher suction and cleaner first-pass pickup dominate hard floors.
Score after Round 2: Roomba 16 | Roborock 16
Round 3: Navigation & Efficiency
This round isn't close. Roborock uses LiDAR navigation, which creates precise room maps and calculates efficient cleaning paths. Roomba uses camera-based V-SLAM, which works but is slower and bumpier.
Reddit users consistently praise Roborock's navigation. One user compared directly: "The navigation is night and day between this and J9+, no more bumping or getting lost." Another noted their Roborock "slows down and turns around before running into anything."
A Roomba j7+ owner considering switching said it "takes forever to finish with all of the obstacles we have in our rooms." LiDAR-based Roborocks complete rooms faster with less random wandering.
The one exception: Roomba's j7+ and j9+ have superior obstacle identification via their cameras. They can spot and avoid pet waste—backed by iRobot's "P.O.O.P. Promise" guarantee. If your pets have accidents, that camera-based detection matters.
| Roomba | Roborock |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 9/10 |
Round 3 Winner: Roborock — LiDAR navigation is faster and more precise than camera-based mapping.
Score after Round 3: Roomba 22 | Roborock 25
Round 4: Mopping Capability
Roborock dominates mopping so completely it's almost unfair. Most Roborock models include sonic mopping with features like:
- Auto mop lift when approaching carpet (7mm lift on Qrevo models)
- Self-wash at the dock with clean water
- Self-dry to prevent mold/mildew
- Adjustable water flow based on floor type
One Reddit user with 3 pets and an S8 Ultra said: "Have 5 dogs tracking in dirt all day? Run this mop and go eat off the floor."
Roomba's mopping? Limited to a few Combo models, with basic performance that users describe as adequate but unremarkable. Roomba simply wasn't built for mopping—Roborock was.
If mopping matters at all, Roborock is your only real choice.
| Roomba | Roborock |
|---|---|
| 4/10 | 10/10 |
Round 4 Winner: Roborock — Superior mopping with auto-lift, self-wash, and self-dry isn't close.
Score after Round 4: Roomba 26 | Roborock 35
Round 5: Reliability & Customer Service
Both brands have reliability issues, but the patterns differ.
Consumer Affairs shows Roomba complaints about batteries dying quickly, charging ports failing, and robots getting stuck constantly. One user reported their Roomba stopped emptying after months and eventually died entirely. Multiple users say Roombas need replacement every 2-3 years.
Roborock has its own problems: LiDAR failures, navigation quirks (31% of Saros 10R complaints), and unreliable carpet boost. The company has an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau, and Reddit consensus is that "Roborock doesn't follow up on customer complaints."
Neither company wins points for customer service. Both offer minimal support once warranties expire. The difference? Roborock units often last longer with proper maintenance, and firmware updates have fixed many navigation issues. One Redditor reported "had 3 Keurigs before Nespresso. They always broke within about a year"—a comment about coffee makers that mirrors how some users feel about Roomba durability.
| Roomba | Roborock |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 5/10 |
Round 5 Winner: Tie — Both have reliability and service problems; neither deserves praise here.
Score after Round 5: Roomba 31 | Roborock 40
Round 6: Value for Money
At every price tier, Roborock offers more features. The entry-level Roborock Q5 at ~$350 includes 2,700 Pa suction and LiDAR navigation—features you won't find in a similarly-priced Roomba.
At the premium level, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra ($1,600) delivers 6,000 Pa suction, full mopping with self-wash/dry, and LiDAR navigation. The comparable Roomba Combo j9+ ($1,400) has less suction, inferior mopping, and camera navigation.
Digital Trends notes that "Roborock edges ahead on raw specifications" at comparable prices. You're paying for the Roomba brand name more than features.
The one value exception: if you specifically need pet waste avoidance, the Roomba j9+'s P.O.O.P. Promise is unique. That guarantee could save you from a very unpleasant cleanup.
| Roomba | Roborock |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 9/10 |
Round 6 Winner: Roborock — More features at every price point makes it the better value.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Roborock | 49/60 | WINNER |
| Roomba | 37/60 |
The Winner: Roborock
Roborock wins with a significant margin—49 to 37. The LiDAR navigation, superior mopping, and better value proposition make it the smarter choice for most buyers.
But "most buyers" isn't everyone. Roomba still makes sense in specific situations:
-
Thick carpets throughout: Roomba's dual rubber extractors genuinely clean carpet better than anything Roborock makes.
-
Pet waste concerns: The P.O.O.P. Promise on the j7+ and j9+ is the only guarantee in the industry that your robot won't spread pet accidents across your floor.
-
Brand trust: Some buyers prefer iRobot's longer track record, even if Roborock specs are better on paper.
For everyone else—especially those with hard floors, mixed surfaces, or any interest in mopping—Roborock is the better robot vacuum.
Ready to buy the winner? Get Roborock S8 Pro Ultra on Amazon →
When the Loser Actually Wins
Roomba isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:
- You have thick carpets throughout your home
- You have pets that occasionally have accidents indoors
- Deep carpet cleaning matters more than mopping
- You prefer camera-based obstacle recognition
- You want iRobot's established support ecosystem
Roomba might be right for you: Check Roomba j9+ prices on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better suction, Roomba or Roborock?
Roborock wins on raw suction power. The S8 Pro Ultra delivers 6,000 Pa—more than double Roomba's most powerful s9+ at ~2,500 Pa. However, Roomba's dual rubber extractors compensate on carpet by agitating fibers more effectively.
Can robot vacuums really replace mopping?
Roborock's sonic mopping with self-wash and self-dry comes closest. Users with pets report floors clean enough to "eat off." Roomba's mopping is basic and won't replace regular manual mopping.
How long do robot vacuums last?
Both brands average 3-5 years with proper maintenance. Some users report Roborocks lasting longer, while others say Roombas die after 2 years. Regular brush cleaning and sensor maintenance extends lifespan for both.
Is LiDAR navigation really better than camera?
For efficiency and speed, yes. LiDAR creates more precise maps and faster cleaning paths. But camera-based navigation (like Roomba's) is better at identifying specific obstacles like pet waste or cords.
Which brand has better customer service?
Neither excels. Roborock has an "F" BBB rating with slow response times. Roomba users report being offered small discounts rather than repairs. Both struggle once warranties expire.