Roborock vs iRobot Roomba

Lidar against camera, and why it is blurring

A lidar robot spins a laser to measure the room. It builds an accurate map quickly and works just as well with the lights off. The Roborock Q7 BF and Qrevo 5AE both list lidar navigation, and the Qrevo 5AE adds structured light sensors at the front for cables, toys and chair legs.

A camera robot looks ahead like a small dashcam. The Roomba j7 listing describes PrecisionVision Navigation that spots and avoids cords, socks, shoes and pet waste in real time, and the Combo 10 Max lists detection sensors and a camera. Cameras are good at recognising objects, though like any camera they rely on some light to see by.

iRobot's newer models, such as the Roomba 505 Combo and Max 705 Combo, now list ClearView LiDAR alongside PrecisionVision, so the old rule of thumb applies mainly to the camera-led Roombas compared here. Our explainer on lidar against camera robot vacuums goes into more detail.

Spec table: two pairs, four listings

The first two columns are the simpler robots, with a charging base only. The last two are all-in-ones with docks that empty the bin and wash the mop. Specs come from the Amazon UK listings; Not stated means the listing is silent.

Mopping: how each keeps carpets dry

The Roborock Q7 BF mops and vacuums at the same time with a simple wiping module, so it is best for homes where you can fit or remove the mop by hand depending on the day. The Roomba j7 does not mop at all.

The two all-in-ones solve rugs differently. The Qrevo 5AE lifts its spinning pads by 10 mm when it meets carpet, which clears most short-pile rugs, and swings one pad out on its FlexiArm to reach corners. The Roomba Combo 10 Max uses an Auto-Retract system that lifts the whole mop pad up onto the top of the robot, so it can cross deep rugs without them getting damp. That is a neat answer for homes with thick carpet next to hard floors.

Both docks wash the mop afterwards. The Combo 10 Max can be told to wash its pad after particular rooms, such as a bathroom, so dirt from one room is not carried to the next.

Docks and daily upkeep

With the Q7 BF and the j7 you empty the bin by hand, which is quick but needs doing often in homes with pets. The Qrevo 5AE dock holds about seven weeks of dust according to its listing, washes the mops, dries them with hot air and refills the robot's water tank. The Combo 10 Max AutoWash Dock empties debris into an enclosed bag, refills the mopping tank, washes and dries the pad, and runs a self-cleaning cycle on itself.

Whichever you pick, a few regular jobs stay with you rather than the dock:

• Cut hair off the brush roll and side brush every week or two.
• Rinse or replace the filter as the manual advises.
• Empty the dirty water tank and refill the clean one on mopping docks.
• Wipe the sensors and charging contacts with a dry cloth.
• Replace dust bags when the app or dock tells you.

Spares and support in the UK

iRobot has sold Roombas in the UK for many years, and filters, brushes, bags and batteries for popular models are easy to find from iRobot and from third-party sellers. The Combo 10 Max listing states EU spare part availability of two years. iRobot has also been through well publicised financial difficulties, so it is sensible to check the current UK support and parts pages for your exact model before you buy.

Roborock sells consumables such as brushes, filters, mop pads and dust bags through its own store and Amazon UK, and the Q7 BF listing states a two year guarantee. Availability varies by model, so check that the parts for your choice are listed. Our spares schedule shows which parts wear fastest.

For the wider ranges, see our iRobot Roomba models compared and Roborock models compared guides.

Note:Robot vacuums use lithium batteries. Use only the charger and dock supplied, do not charge a battery that is swollen, hot or damaged, and buy replacement batteries from the maker or a reputable seller. If in doubt, contact the maker's service team or a qualified repairer.

Compare every Roomba →

Who should buy which

If you want a straightforward robot with an accurate map, the Roborock Q7 BF is the simpler lidar option, while the Roomba j7 suits a home where cables, socks and pet mess are the main hazards and you do not need mopping.

At the all-in-one level, the Qrevo 5AE gives you lidar mapping across up to four floors, a mop that reaches into corners and a dock that dries the pads with hot air. The Roomba Combo 10 Max is the better fit for homes with deep rugs, because its mop lifts right out of the way, and for owners who like camera-based object recognition.

Frequently asked questions

Is Roborock better than Roomba? Neither wins outright. Roborock models compared here use lidar and offer more mop and dock features for the tier, while the camera-led Roombas are strong at recognising objects, and the Combo 10 Max has an unusually good way of keeping rugs dry.

Do Roombas use lidar now? Some do. Newer models such as the Roomba 505 Combo and Max 705 Combo list ClearView LiDAR. The j7 and Combo 10 Max compared here lead with camera navigation.

Which works better in the dark? Lidar does not need light, so Roborock's lidar models map just as well at night. Camera navigation relies on some light, so check the maker's guidance if you plan to clean with the lights off.

Are Roomba spare parts easy to get in the UK? For popular models, yes, from iRobot and third-party sellers. Check the parts page for your exact model, as availability varies and changes over time.