iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum vs Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop
The iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum is the budget option here, but its 120-minute runtime makes it a reliable choice for basic cleaning. On the other hand, Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop offers a premium experience with hands-free maintenance and powerful suction, making it an upgrade worth considering. In real-world testing, the Roborock excels with features like a 5500 Pa suction power and a 180-minute runtime, which means fewer interruptions during cleaning sessions. If you want a vacuum that can handle tough stains and carpets effortlessly, the Roborock's VibraRise mopping system is a game-changer, especially for households with pets or kids.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum vs Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop
| Criterion | iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum | Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(51,777)Amazon | ★4(380)Best Buy |
Navigation | Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs. | PreciSense LiDAR Navigation (Systematic mapping with adaptive route algorithms). |
Mapping | Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping). | LiDAR Mapping (3D Mapping, Matrix Map, Multi-level mapping up to 4 floors, Quick Mapping). |
Obstacle Avoidance | Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition). | Reactive Tech Obstacle Avoidance (Structured Light + Infrared; detects objects without using a camera/images). |
Suction Pa | Not specified (3 suction power levels) | 5,500 Pa (HyperForce Suction) |
Brush System | 3-Stage Cleaning System with Multi-Surface V-shaped main brush + Edge-Sweeping brush. | All-Rubber Floating Brush (Durable rubber fins resist hair tangles and adapt to uneven floors). |
Mopping | No | VibraRise® Sonic Mopping (Scrubbing up to 3,000 times/min with consistent downward pressure). |
Mop Lift | N/A (No mopping) | 0.20" (5 mm) Automatic Mop Lift (Raises mop when carpet is detected). |
Carpet Boost | No automatic boost (Manual control: 3 suction levels). | Yes (Carpet Boost+ automatically increases suction; Deep Carpet Cleaning mode available). |
Battery | Lithium-ion (2600 mAh) | 14.4V / 5200 mAh Lithium-ion |
Runtime | Up to 120 min | Up to 180 min (Quiet Mode) |
Charging Time | Approx. 4 hours | Approx. 4 hours |
Dustbin | 0.10 gal (approx. 400 mL) | 0.09 gal (350 mL) — Internal bin |
Water Tank | N/A (No mopping) | 0.05 gal (200 mL) — Internal tank (Auto-refilled by dock) |
Auto Empty | No | Yes |
Dock Type | Charging Dock (Standard Home Base) | RockDock™ Ultra (Empty, Wash, Refill, Dry, Self-Cleaning). Tanks: 3.0L Clean / 2.5L Dirty / 2.5L Dust Bag. Dims: 16.6" x 19.4" x 16.5". |
Mop Wash | N/A (No mopping) | Yes (Automatic mop washing with high-speed scrubbing brush) |
Mop Dry | N/A (No mopping) | Yes (Built-in Warm Air Drying) |
Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter | E11 Rated Washable Filter |
Noise Level | Not specified | Approx. 67 dB (Balanced Mode) |
App Features | iRobot Home App: Clean While I'm Away, suggested schedules, Clean Map® report, spot cleaning. | Roborock App (Deep Carpet Cleaning, Clean Along Floor Direction, Pin-n-Go, No-Go Zones, Invisible Walls). |
Voice Assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Siri Shortcuts. |
Multi Floor | No (Does not store maps) | Yes (Up to 4 map levels). |
Threshold Climb | 0.625" (5/8 in) | 0.79" (20 mm) |
Height | 3.15" | 3.80" (96.5 mm) |
Dimensions | 13" (L) x 13" (W) x 3.15" (H) | 13.78" (L) x 13.90" (W) x 3.80" (H) |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
✓ Pros:
- • Methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation
- • Up to 120 minutes runtime with auto-docking recharge
- • iRobot Home App scheduling + Clean Map® report; voice assistant support
- • 3-stage cleaning with V-shaped brush + edge-sweeping brush and 3 suction levels
✗ Cons:
- • No mopping capability
- • No auto-empty dock (standard charging dock only)
- • No advanced AI obstacle avoidance (no camera/LiDAR object detection)
- • Lacks persistent mapping features like Keep Out Zones or Room Select
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop
✓ Pros:
- • RockDock™ Ultra provides complete hands-free maintenance (wash, dry, empty, refill, self-clean)
- • VibraRise® mopping system scrubs effective on dried stains and lifts 5mm on carpets
- • Reactive Tech obstacle avoidance offers solid navigation without the privacy concerns of RGB cameras
- • High 5,500 Pa suction power handles carpets and pet hair effectively
- • Built-in warm air drying in the dock (an upgrade over the original S7 MaxV dock)
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks the advanced AI object recognition (RGB camera) found in the 'MaxV' series
- • Single rubber brush is slightly less effective on deep carpets than the S8's DuoRoller
- • Internal water tank (200 mL) and dustbin (350 mL) are smaller than average, relying on the dock
- • Dock footprint is substantial and requires significant floor space
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which one is better?
The Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop is the better buy for most people - its 5500 Pa suction power crushes the iRobot's capabilities. That said, grab the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum if you need a straightforward, budget-friendly option that’s reliable for basic cleaning tasks.
Who should buy each?
Choose the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum if: you need a budget-friendly option for simple cleaning, want a straightforward app for scheduling, or prefer a compact design for small spaces. (93.44 oz weight)
Choose the Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop if: you need advanced cleaning features like mopping, want hands-free maintenance, or require powerful suction for pet hair and deep carpets. (165.79 oz weight)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum excels if you value methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation. Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum & Mop is better if you prioritize rockdock™ ultra provides complete hands-free maintenance (wash, dry, empty, refill, self-clean). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.