Roborock vs Roomba
Testers’ picks, reliability, prices and ownership, side by side.
Roborock makes the top picks at two of the four big US testers: Wirecutter (checked Oct 11, 2026) and RTINGS (Aug 7, 2026). Consumer Reports still spotlights the Roomba Max 705 (Aug 28, 2026).
Side by side
| Roborock | Roomba (iRobot) | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Beijing Roborock Technology, founded in 2014. Xiaomi invested early, but Roborock sells under its own name. | iRobot, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 14, 2025. Picea, a Chinese manufacturer that was one of iRobot’s lenders and suppliers, completed its takeover on January 23, 2026. |
| Where the robots are made | Overseas, not in the US. | Overseas. Wirecutter notes that even US brands mostly build in China, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. |
| Testers’ picks | Wirecutter’s top pick (Q7 M5+, checked Oct 11, 2026), RTINGS’ top pick (Saros 10R, Aug 7, 2026), and third place at Vacuum Wars (Qrevo Edge 3 Pro, Oct 7, 2026). | Consumer Reports spotlights the Roomba Max 705 (Aug 28, 2026). Wirecutter doesn’t recommend current Roombas (checked Oct 11, 2026). |
| Reliability | First among robot vacuum brands for predicted reliability in Consumer Reports’ member survey, according to a summary by House Digest. | Consumer Reports rates iRobot midlevel for predicted reliability and below par for owner satisfaction. |
| Store prices | From $479.99 (QV 35A) to $1,479.99 (Saros 20) for the models on our site, Oct 10, 2026. | From $279.99 (Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty) to $1,199.99 (Max 875 Combo) on irobot.com, Oct 11, 2026. |
| Buying direct | Free 30-day returns, free shipping, 1-year warranty, Trade Up credit up to $300. | 60-day home trial, price-match promise, trade-in credit up to $150. |
| New models and the FCC rule | New foreign-made models need a Conditional Approval; none found for Roborock as of early October 2026. | The same rule applies, because Roombas are made abroad too. |
What changed at iRobot
Picea, one of iRobot’s lenders and suppliers, took full ownership in January 2026, after a Chapter 11 filing. iRobot’s CEO then said the app keeps working and warranties will be honored. Consumer Reports’ members report more Wi-Fi problems with iRobot than with most brands.
In 2022, MIT Technology Review reported that photos from development Roomba J7 units had been shared by data-labeling contractors. iRobot said they came from test units, not customers’ robots.
Is Roborock the same as Xiaomi?
No. Roborock was founded in July 2014, and Xiaomi invested that September. Roborock’s first robots were sold under Xiaomi’s brand, but it has sold under its own name for years and runs its own US store and support.
Which to pick
- Go Roborock for the brand behind Wirecutter’s and RTINGS’ top picks (checked Oct 11, 2026; Aug 7, 2026), the Roborock Saros 20 for door sills up to 1.77 in, or the Roborock QV 35A for a full dock at $479.99 (Oct 10, 2026).
- Go Roomba if Consumer Reports’ pick suits your home, or you want iRobot’s 60-day home trial.
- Either way, today’s models are fine to buy under the FCC rule.
Sources
- Wirecutter, best robot vacuum
- RTINGS, best robot vacuums, Aug 7, 2026
- Vacuum Wars, best robot vacuums, Oct 7, 2026
- Consumer Reports, best robotic vacuums, Aug 28, 2026
- House Digest, summary of Consumer Reports’ reliability survey
- Reuters, iRobot enters Chapter 11 and DealStreetAsia, sale approved Jan 23, 2026
- TechRadar, iRobot CEO on app and warranties
- MIT Technology Review, 2022
- Roborock, about us
- iRobot Roomba store page, Oct 11, 2026