Do you hate vacuum cleaning or continuously have to collect the hair after your dog or cat? You might think about buying a Roomba, a vacuum cleaning robot that is automatically running through your rooms or apartments.
The company is regularly releasing new models that might confuse customers about the differences and which product is right. Especially if you have hardwood floors, then you need a device that is suctioning efficiently but is protecting your floor from scratches and damages.
Find help in choosing the perfect vacuum assistant for your home by reading my review about the best Roomba for hardwood floors. The reviews, comparison table, key features, and pros and cons will undoubtedly support you in finding the perfect one to make our life easier.
What Are The Best Roomba for Hardwood Floors?
In this section, I present you with the best Roomba for Hardwood Floors based on their most outstanding feature. You can thus quickly limit your selection options and better choose the right one for your beautiful home.
- Best Overall: iRobot 770 Robotic Roomba For Hardwood Floors
“Very reliable; useful in the daily household; popular over many years; neat design.” - Best Budget: iRobot 665 Affordable Roomba
“Long battery lifetime; low-profile design; dual-model virtual wall barrier; automatic adjustment to all floors; docking and recharging automatically.” - Best for Tile Floors: iRobot 614 Mini Roomba
“Affordable; appealing; schedulable; convenient to start; works harder in dirty areas.” - Best with Smart Assistants: iRobot 960 Smart Roomba
“Ideal for homes with pets; powerful suction; convenient operation and handling; reliable.” - Best for Small Homes: iRobot 675 Silent Roomba
“Great cleaning performance; flexible vacuum mode; solid suction mode; easy to maintain; adjustable to your needs.” - Best for Hardwood Floors: iRobot E5 (5150) Powerful Roomba
“Strong vacuum performance on carpets; very efficient in picking animal hair; silent; sufficient battery life; customizable.” - Best for Automated Cleaning: iRobot i7+ Autonomous Roomba
“Fully autonomous; no maintenance needed; reliable without supervision; flexible to schedule tasks; rapid cleaning.” - Best with Docking Station: iRobot s9+ (9550) Premium Roomba
“Premium model; upscale device; very silent operation; long battery runtime; luxurious appearance.” - Best for Pet Hair: iRobot 985 Innovative Roomba
“Dual multi-surface brushes; visual localization; efficient navigation; automatically recharges; high-efficiency filter.” - Best Design: iRobot 891 Precious Roomba
“Power-lifting suction; auto-adjust cleaning head; automatic docking and recharging; edge-sweeping brush; Wi-Fi connectivity.”
Best Roomba for Hardwood Floors Comparison Chart
While all the different versions, series, and models of the iRobot Roomba can be confusing, you can quickly and easily compare their dimensions, weight, battery runtime, and release year in the table below.
See also:
- How To Clean Travertine Floors? – The Ultimate Guide 2023
- Top 15 Best Mops for Hardwood Floors To Buy in 2023
- Top 15 Best Shark Vacuum for Hardwood Floors To Buy 2023
- Top 15 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors and Pet Hairs in 2023
- 8 Hardwood Floor Alternatives That Look Like Real
- Top 15 Best Vacuum Cleaners for Hardwood Floors Reviews 2023
- How to Clean Bamboo Floors? Exclusive Guide for Beginners 2023
- The 14 Best Hardwood Floor Brands: The All-Inclusive Guide 2023
Top 14 Best Roomba for Hardwood Floors Reviews 2023
Below are the detailed reviews of the best Roomba for hardwood floors. Keep reading to know everything you need to know about your perfect vacuum robot.
1. iRobot 770 Robotic Roomba For Hardwood Floors
(Best Overall)
The iRobot Roomba 770 is now belonging to the older versions, being released in 2014. Nevertheless, it is still highly loved and appreciated by homeowners due to its longevity and reliability.
Many people get a 770 now even though there are newer models available now. You can schedule 7 tasks per week, and the robot will complete them one after another as long as it can access the area from its charging base.
Key Features:
- Hushed operation
- Very reliable
- Good navigation
- Suitable for all floor types
Pros
- Very reliable and long-lasting
- Easy to clean dust bin and filter
- Fantastic in switching modes for different floor types
- It even works well in small apartments with plenty of furniture
Cons
- Complicated warranty policy
- Long pet hair can get stuck
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.9 x 3.4 x 13.9 inches |
Weight | 13.2 pounds |
Cleaning power | 5x suction |
Volume | 0.6 Liter |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | All types of floors supported Superior pick-up power on pet hair. |
If you want to know how to schedule your Roomba 770, kindly refer to this video:
2. iRobot 665 Affordable Roomba
(Best Budget)
With the Roomba 665, you can enjoy an iRobot device vacuum cleaning your home for a comparatively low price now as this model is one of their older ones.
However, it still provides many of the popular features as it can be scheduled and navigates through the home by itself.
It automatically adjusts its cleaning mode to the floor type and the dirt concentration and detects stairs or drop-offs and avoids them. Hence it will not fall.
Key Features:
- One of the older releases
- Budget-friendly alternative
- Works best on hardwood floors
- Very durable
Pros
- Battery still lasts long after two years
- Very convenient to use
- Standard suction is already powerful
- It also works great on vinyl floors
Cons
- May not find the charger if the home is huge
- Sometimes gets lost within the furniture
Product Specification:
Dimension | 18.8 x 17 x 5 inches |
Weight | 11.43 pounds |
Cleaning power | Normal suction |
Volume | Eight fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action |
3. iRobot 614 Mini Roomba
(Best for Tile Floors)
This is one of the earlier models from Roomba that now sells cheaper but, of course, misses some of the high-tech functions that more recent models have.
The suction power is rather simple, making it still a useful device for hardwood floors but can be too weak for thicker carpets.
The device remembers areas with more dust or dirt and will work harder in these zones. The vacuum cleaner can make up to 60 intelligent decisions per second to clever navigate through your home.
Key Features:
- Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush
- Automatically adjusts to carpets and hardwood floors.
- Edge sweeping brush can handle up to a 27-degree angle.
- Suitable for dirt, dust and pet hair
Pros
- Full of power despite the compact design
- It rarely leaves any dust behind
- It is easy to empty the bin.
- It is mighty
Cons
- The bin must be emptied after every use
- The cleaning pattern looks very unusual
Product Specification:
Dimension | 17 x 18 x 5 inches |
Weight | 11.5 pounds |
Cleaning power | Normal suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | Hardwood, Tile, Linoleum, and Carpet |
4. iRobot 960 Smart Roomba
(Best with Smart Assistants)
The Roomba 960 is a more recent release from iRobot. It comes with much better navigation technology and can remember every little square foot of your home to become more efficient.
It is compatible with your smartphone using either the iRobot App and Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and hence perfectly integrates into your existing smart home system.
It also remembers which area was cleaned if you have to interrupt the job to empty the bin.
Key Features:
- Can capture 99% of allergens, pollen, & dust
- Designed for homes with pets
- Improved navigation
- More potent suction than the 600 series models
Pros
- Short enough to go under bed and couch
- Notifies edges and will not fall from countertops or stairs
- Notifies you when garbage is full
- Firmware updated
- The app can keep track of the need for renewable parts
Cons
- Returns to charger too late and sometimes does not make it
- Due to charging interruption, struggles with large space jobs
- Needs flat surfaces (cannot clean sofa for example)
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.8 x 13.8 x 3.6 inches |
Weight | 8.6 pounds |
Cleaning power | 5x suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action |
If you want to see how to pair your Roomba with your smartphone, and use the mapping function, watch it:
5. iRobot 675 Silent Roomba
(Best for Small Homes)
This little Roomba is a perfect device for homes with hardwood floors and an average dust level. Because the suction power is average, it is not suitable if you have pets, but it is sufficient for households of two or three people.
It is much more silent than a conventional vacuum cleaner, and its sound reminds more of a fan, making the cleaning bearable. However, jobs can also be scheduled to complete while you are out of your house.
Key Features:
- Works with Alexa or Google Assistant voice control
- Includes an extra filter in the package
- Has buttons for operation without Wi-Fi
- Designed to clean one room per job
Pros
- Excellent cleaning results at a beneficial price
- Impressive cleaning performance
- It vacuums both small particles and large debris from carpets and hard floors
- Switches mode between surface types
- Saves a lot of time in the household cleaning
- Excellent product
Cons
- Docking is very unreliable
- It doesn’t get in the corners
- Kept wedging itself under areas lower than the vacuum
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.54 inches |
Weight | 6.77 pounds |
Cleaning power | Normal suction |
Volume | Eight fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | Suitable for Pet Hair, Self-Charging, Wi-Fi Connected, Works with Alexa, Carpets & Hard Floors |
6. iRobot E5 (5150) Powerful Roomba
(Best for Hardwood Floors)
The Roomba E5 is an upgraded version from iRobot’s previous models that has a more reliable cleaning power and ability to connect to your smartphone, as well as integrate into smart home systems from Amazon or Google.
It is very suitable for homes with pets or persons suffering from allergies as the integrated air filter traps up to 99 percent of pet allergens.
The cleaning head automatically adjusts to the floor type. It can finish about two large rooms before it needs to recharge, with a full recharging cycle to last for approximately 3 hours.
Key Features:
- Larger debris bin than previous models
- Cleans both carpets and hardwood floors
- Rubber brushes to push dirt into the suction channel
- Pulls in also embedded dirt in carpets
Pros
- Arrives ready, no need to assemble parts
- iRobot App is easy to use
- Extreme suction power
- Takes away pet hair from nearly any carpet
Cons
- Misses random areas or gets stuck in random patterns
- Charging contacts can loosen over time
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.45 x 13.39 x 3.65 inches |
Weight | 7.23 pounds |
Cleaning power | 5x suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action, 1-year limited warranty |
7. iRobot i7+ Autonomous Roomba
(Best for Automated Cleaning)
If you are willing to invest in a smart home cleaning system, then the Roomba i7+ should grab your attention.
With this model, it is no longer necessary to empty the dust bin as the robot is placing the debris into the charging station, which collects the volume of 60 cleaning days.
It also maps your entire home, and you will be able to assign jobs by individual rooms or zones and can also assign quick “asap” jobs using Alexa or Google.
Key Features:
- Can be synchronized with Brava jet for mopping after vacuuming
- Keep-out zones can be defined
- Allergy safe dust containers
- Needs 1 hour for 1000 sq. Ft.
Pros
- Much more quiet than previous models
- The bin is dishwasher safe.
- Mapping functionality is great
- Extremely long battery life
Cons
- Very pricey
- Smartphones must be connected to Wi-Fi at the time of the job start
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches |
Weight | 7.44 pounds |
Cleaning power | 10x suction |
Volume | 60 days of cleaning |
Runtime | 120 minutes |
Special features | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action, 1-year limited warranty |
8. iRobot s9+ (9550) Premium Roomba
(Best with Docking Station)
With the Roomba s9+ (9550), you are purchasing the most advanced, smart vacuum cleaning system that has been created so far. This model represents the latest state of the art technologies.
It works autonomous for up to 60 days, and then you need to clean the dust bag in the docking station. It comes with an extra high-efficiency filter and a corner brush.
Its navigation system has also been upgraded. It scans the space ahead 25 times a second to avoid collision with objects and gathers up to 400 data points each millisecond to create full coverage of your home.
Key Features:
- Strongest suction is ever available
- More full brushes to tackle all kinds of pet hair
- The new design can reach the last edge of a corner
- Regular software updates enhancing functionalities even more
Pros
- Can work in multi-stories homes if you carry it up the stairs
- Navigates save around furniture without causing scratches
- Cable management built-in docking station
- Most convenient system ever
Cons
- Software bugs that cause interruptions
- May not find the home base every time
Product Specification:
Dimension | 12.25 x 12.25 x 3.5 inches |
Weight | 8.2 pounds |
Cleaning power | 40x suction |
Volume | 60 days of cleaning |
Runtime | 120 minutes |
Special features | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action, one-year limited warranty |
For further details, check out this video:
9. iRobot 985 Innovative Roomba
(Best for Pet Hair)
The iRobot Roomba 985 is designed for homes that suffer from plenty of dog hair. Its durable suction power and the innovative brushes ensure to pick up all pet hair, even if embedded in a dense carpet.
It can navigate through an entire level and will clean every room to which the door is open. If the battery won’t last for the entire floor, it remembers where it stopped and will resume at precisely this location after the automatic recharge process.
Key Features:
- Designed for dog hair
- Navigates through an entire level of your home
- Tangle-free rubber brushes
- Captures 99% of pollen and allergens
Pros
- Cleans up to 1300 sq. Ft. per charging cycle
- Rarely gets stuck
- Exact automatic boost mode
- Floors never looked cleaner before
Cons
- Cannot program to clean specific rooms only
Product Specification:
Dimension | 20 x 16.5 x 5.25 inches |
Weight | 4.4 pounds |
Cleaning power | 10x suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 120 minutes |
Special features | Unique design for dog hair |
10. iRobot 891 Precious Roomba
(Best Design)
The iRobot Roomba 891 looks a little bit more precious due to its golden-brown top finish casing. Its functions are similar to those of other 800 series models.
It can clean around 800 square feet until it automatically returns to its charging station, so it is ideal for cleaning a one-room studio apartment.
Key Features:
- Same features as 800 series devices
- Unique appearance with golden case
- Tasks can be scheduled
- Wi-Fi connected
Pros
- Very efficient in removing pet hair
- Maneuvers well; can even navigate in between dining room chairs
- Easy to clean and replace parts if needed
- Excellent for plain floor types
Cons
- Can get stuck in and destroy rugs
- Gets lost in large, open spaces
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.59 inches |
Weight | 12.52 pounds |
Cleaning power | 5x suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action, one-year limited warranty |
11. iRobot i7 (7150) Mapping Roomba
The main difference between the Roomba i7 and i7+ is that this one comes without the cleaning base station, and the bag system is not allergen-proof, which makes this device slightly cheaper.
It is also possible to operate this device without the cleaning station first and add the automated dust bin emptying feature later as the cleaning base station is sold separately.
Key Features:
- Can handle up to 10 unique maps
- Can also work in low light environment
- Automatic dirt detection
- Captures 99% of pet allergens
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Mapping protects furniture as Roomba maneuvers around
- Really sucks up all pet hair from carpets
- Ready to use when unpacking
Cons
- Needs manual attention quite often
- Rubber brushes are not durable and easily break
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches |
Weight | 7.44 pounds |
Cleaning power | 10x suction power |
Volume | 13 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | One year limited warranty, Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action |
For more information to see the product in action, please take a look at the video:
12. iRobot S9 (9150) Agile Roomba
With the release of its S9 models, iRobot applied the same pattern as with the i7 series, where the plus versions have the cleaning base already included in the package, and the standard version is sold without that base, which can be bought as an add-on later if requested.
Without that station, the dust bin must be emptied after nearly every use. As the suction power of this robot is the highest ever built, the dust bin also fills quicker than with older models.
Key Features:
- Newest technology to reach tiny corners
- The robot remembers your home and creates efficient cleaning paths
- Ideal for homes with pets
- Cleaning-base sold separately
Pros
- Very accurate mapping
- No hair gets stuck in the brushes
- Better sensors than previous models
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Falsely interprets high carpet edges as walls
- Models seem to be released too early as there are various issues
Product Specification:
Dimension | 12.25 x 12.25 x 3.5 inches |
Weight | 8.2 pounds |
Cleaning power | 40x suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 120 minutes |
Special features | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action, one-year limited warranty |
13. iRobot 671 Servicing Roomba
In contrast to other models of the 60 series, the Roomba 671 is connectable with your home Wi-Fi and can hence also be programmed and controlled using the iRobot app or smart home assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home.
This means that you can talk to your Roomba and instruct him to do both ad hoc jobs, such as clean something you accidentally spilled or schedule a cleaning for later. The bin volume is slightly larger than other models.
Key Features:
- Monitor performance and get a cleaning report
- Create jobs even while you are away from home
- 27-degree angle brushes to reach into corners
- Enhanced battery life due to the software update
Pros
- Recharges fast
- Suctions up so much dirt
- Very high for homes with pets
- Accessible to empty dust bin and resume
Cons
- Can bang into dark furniture if the light is low
- May miss some areas in large homes
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.54 inches |
Weight | 5 pounds |
Cleaning power | Normal suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | Thorough coverage, Wi-Fi connected
Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action |
14. iRobot 860 Convenient Roomba
The Roomba 860 differs from its previous models with its silver color and modern looking appearance. Thanks to its increased memory, you can plan up to 7 jobs per week in advance.
The only manual maintenance required is to empty the bin once in a while, but you receive a notification for when this has to be done.
It automatically remembers the dust density in different areas and then works harder at those areas that tend to are dirtier, such as hallways.
Pros
- Suctions up all dust – no need to manually clean after
- Picks up a lot of pet hair
- Replacement parts can be ordered individually
- Does a great job at picking up dust and hair
Cons
- It will get hung on lamp cords, etc.
- The surface of Roomba can scratch easily
Product Specification:
Dimension | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6 inches |
Weight | 8.4 pounds |
Cleaning power | Normal suction |
Volume | 20 fl. oz. |
Runtime | 90 minutes |
Special features | 90-day warranty from iRobot, Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action |
Buying Guide
With lots of different Roomba versions on the market and frequent new releases, it can, by no doubt, be tough to understand all their differences, benefits, and drawbacks.
If you haven’t found your personal best yet, let me help you with these few points you should consider when buying an iRobot Roomba.
Battery Life
Battery life influences how long the Roomba needs to complete a job. If you have smaller sized rooms, shorter battery life may still be enough to complete one room before returning to the charger.
If you have larger rooms, longer battery life can speed up the process.
Automatic Dust Bin
Only the i7 or s9 series have the feature to automatically empty the bin and move the dust into the home base station.
This makes them work fully autonomously without any supervision or interference required and is perfect if you want to have your entire apartment cleaned while you are not at home.
Since those models are at a very high price point, you may ditch on this feature and empty the bin yourself, if you just have a two-room apartment, saving you some money.
Smart Features
The older models clean by scanning your room and remember where they have been while newer models explore your home first and then develop an efficient route.
If you have more than two rooms, I recommend opting for a model with the mapping feature as you can plan to clean individual rooms or your entire apartment.
Another interesting point is the compatibility with Alexa and Google, using those smart home assistants to communicate with your Roomba.
If this is too high-tech for you, remember that you need a model that features Wi-Fi to be able to schedule tasks using your smartphone.
User Manual
There are two ways to use your Roomba vacuum robot, depending on whether you want to integrate them into your home Wi-Fi.
Method 1: Not connected to Wi-Fi
Step 1:
Before using the first time, give the device a full charge, which can take up to three hours.
Step 2:
Remove bothersome objects from the floors such as socks or shoes with laces. They could get stuck into the brushes and interrupt the cleaning process.
Step 3:
Press the big round button to start the cleaning process. The Roomba will clean the entire room so you should close all doors. It will return to the charging station if it cannot finish the job at once.
Step 4:
If you want to have another room cleaned, you need to carry the Roomba there first and then turn it on, while making sure that the doors to this room are closed.
Step 5:
When the dust bin is full, it will make a sound and tells you to empty the container.
Method 2: Connected to Wi-Fi
Step 1:
Download the iRobot app on your smartphone and pair the device. You need to have Bluetooth turned on and grant the permissions that the app is requesting. There is an onboarding setup that you can follow through.
Step 2:
Activate your Roomba. Make sure it is connected to the charging base and press and hold “Home” and “SPOT Clean” buttons at the same time. If this was successful, then you will be able to control your robot using your smartphone.
Step 3:
Also, you can connect the Roomba now to your Alexa or Google Assistant if you have one.
Step 4:
Using the app, you can schedule vacuuming jobs. If you have a device featuring smart mapping, you should send it on a “discovery” tour first.
It will then analyze your entire home and will send you a map to your phone. You can then name the rooms to customize it to your home.
Step 5:
Now your Roomba is completely set up. You can assign tasks to clean specific rooms (if this feature is supported) or call him to immediate vacuum cleaning.
Roomba Compared to Shark Robot
Generally speaking, Roomba vacuum robots are more high-end devices than those from Shark. The most expensive Roomba model is the i9+, which has all the features that have been developed so far. There is no comparable model from Shark from the market.
While iRobot, the manufacture of Roomba, focuses entirely on the developing cleaning robot, Shark is highly present on the market with all kinds of vacuum cleaners, including robots: upright models and handhelds.
The best robot from Shark compares to medium class iRobots, which means that their devices are more affordable.
The Shark IQ is also a self-emptying robot, which is priced below the Roomba i7 but can be a good alternative for you, who are looking for this function at a lower budget.
It has a slightly weaker battery than the Roomba i7, which means that after 70 minutes, it already needs to return to its charging station.
The cleaning performance also is about 80 percent of the one from Roomba i7, which makes iRobot untouchable in terms of suction power.
FAQs
Do you still have some questions that have not been mentioned above? Then check out the section here where I provide answers to questions that most customers have.
My Top Pick
After careful comparison, my personal favorite is the iRobot i7+ Autonomous Roomba, as it is the first model that truly works without any supervision.
Since it returns to the charging station by itself and also empties its dust container, it works very reliable and cleans an entire apartment while no one is at home. It is indeed a pricey investment, but it pays off with all the time saved from vacuum cleaning.
Just keep your room doors open, and Roomba is doing all the work. Which one are you going to buy, and what are your experiences with the Roomba? I am curious to know, so I am happy to read your comments.
Good Luck!