Roomba 104 Review — 75-Day Auto-Empty, Powerful Vacuum & Mop
Overview:The Roomba 104 Combo Robot is a vacuum-and-mop robot built for busy U.S. homes, offering powerful automated cleaning. It delivers up to 75 days of hands-free cleaning by emptying into an AutoEmpty dock with a disposable bag.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Devour dirt with 70X more suction for deeper debris removal.
- Keep air cleaner: bag traps 99% of allergens down to 0.7 microns.
- Avoid carpets automatically while mopping to keep rugs dry.
- Map precisely with ClearView LiDAR to maximize coverage and prevent falls.
- Control via voice, app, or buttons; connect over 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi.
- Use included AutoEmpty dock and disposable bag for low-maintenance disposal.
Original price was: $449.99.$249.99Current price is: $249.99.
Intro
The Roomba 104 Combo is a mid-range robot vacuum and mop hybrid designed to handle everyday dirt, dust bunnies and light spills without constant supervision. It combines powered suction, a multi-surface brush, an edge-sweeping tool and a microfiber mopping pad with an AutoEmpty base that collects debris into a disposable bag.
If you want a hands-off cleaner that both vacuums and mops, and you dislike dealing with dust clouds when emptying the bin, this model aims to reduce that upkeep. Quick verdict: the Roomba 104 Combo is a convenient, smart-mapping robot vacuum mop with a self-emptying dock that’s best for busy households looking to minimize maintenance.
What’s in the Box
- 1 Roomba 104 Combo robot
- 1 AutoEmpty Dock
- (Other accessories: Not specified)
Design & Build
The Roomba 104 Combo keeps the familiar circular robot profile with a low-height chassis that helps it fit under many couches and cabinets (exact height and weight: Not listed). The unit integrates a multi-surface brush system and an edge-sweeping brush positioned to pull debris from corners into the cleaning path. The rear or underside includes a microfiber mopping pad and a micro-pump system to control water flow during mopping.
Materials are not itemized in the listing; the robot appears to follow typical Roomba construction—rigid plastic shell with rubberized wheels and a soft mop pad. The AutoEmpty dock includes a bagged system that accepts the robot’s internal dust bin and seals dust and particles inside the bag for disposal.
Ergonomics are focused on low-touch maintenance: the dock automatically collects dirt, and the app plus voice control options reduce the need to physically interact with the robot often. If you’re sensitive to dust when emptying robot bins, the bagged dock is a practical advantage.
Key Features
70X More Power-Lifting Suction
This Roomba claims 70X more power-lifting suction compared with its baseline model on the brand listing (source: listing, checked 2025). In practical terms, that increased suction helps lift embedded dust and pet hair from carpets and rugs, making it more effective than basic models at removing ground-in debris. You’ll notice the difference on medium-pile rugs and pet hair hotspots, where a weaker unit might only skim the surface.
AutoEmpty Dock with 75 Days Hands-Free Capacity
The included AutoEmpty dock collects debris from the robot and holds it in a disposable bag that, per the manufacturer, can keep you hands-free for up to 75 days between bag changes (source: listing, checked 2025). The bag is also rated to trap 99% of allergens down to 0.7 microns (source: listing, checked 2025), which reduces the dust cloud that often bothers allergy sufferers during disposal. For busy families or allergy-conscious buyers, that means much less direct contact with collected dust.
ClearView LiDAR Mapping and Navigation
ClearView LiDAR mapping gives the Roomba precise room mapping and navigation so it can cover floorplans systematically instead of random-roaming. The LiDAR system helps the robot steer smoothly around furniture, plan efficient paths and avoid stairs. In practice this means fewer missed zones, predictable runs and quicker cleaning cycles on multi-room homes.
Rug Detection While Mopping
A common mopping concern is wetting rugs. The Roomba 104 Combo automatically detects and avoids carpets when in mop mode, so rugs and soft surfaces stay dry without manual intervention. If you switch to mop-only or combo mode, the robot will steer clear of carpeted areas—useful for homes that run regular vacuum+ mop passes without having to set spot exclusions.
Dual Cleaning Modes and Customization
Choose vac only, mop only, or combo vac-mop, and tailor how the bot cleans room-by-room. You can schedule cleans, set targeted rooms, and adjust suction strength, number of passes, and the amount of mopping solution pumped onto the pad. These options let you prioritize deep cleaning in high-traffic rooms and lighter passes where floors are less soiled.
Micro-Pump Mopping & SmartScrub
The built-in mop uses a micro-pump to maintain an even pad moisture level; the SmartScrub setting provides what the manufacturer calls “2x deeper scrubbing” for tougher spots (source: listing, checked 2025). For everyday streak-free hardwood and tile maintenance, that controlled water delivery helps avoid puddling while giving a more consistent wipe than passive damp pads.
Edge-Sweeping Brush for Corners
An edge-sweeping brush improves corner and edge pickup and—according to the listing—delivers about 20% better edge-and-corner cleaning versus the referenced baseline (source: listing, checked 2025). If you frequently find dust lines along baseboards or in corners, this adds measurable benefit compared with single-brush designs.
App Control, Voice Assistants and Scheduling
Control options include the Roomba Home app, which lets you start custom cleans, create keep-out zones, get time estimates and check filter life. The robot also responds to voice commands through compatible assistants, and its physical buttons provide an on-device fallback. The robot uses a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi connection for setup and operation (source: listing, checked 2025).
Performance & Use
Setup is straightforward: place the AutoEmpty dock on a flat floor against a wall, plug it in, charge the robot and connect to your 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi through the app for mapping and scheduling features. Because the robot uses LiDAR, the first few runs will focus on mapping and can take slightly longer; this is normal and improves subsequent cleaning efficiency.
Practical tips:
- Position the dock in a low-traffic location with a clear approach so the robot can return and dock reliably.
- Use the app to establish keep-out zones for delicate decor, pet areas, or cables.
- For mopping, fill the micro-pump reservoir with water or a compatible cleaning solution (specific compatible solutions: Not specified). Adjust the pump level in the app to control how much moisture reaches the pad.
- If you have a lot of pet hair, perform more frequent runs or higher suction settings in high-traffic zones to prevent hairy tangles on the brush.
- Replace the dock bag per the app’s guidance or when the dock indicates it’s full. With typical household debris, the company claims up to 75 days between bag changes (source: listing, checked 2025).
- Clean the brushes and check the mop pad periodically. The listing doesn’t specify exact maintenance intervals, so adjust frequency based on use and visible dirt.
The LiDAR navigation handles obstacles and stairs safely, but you should remove small objects, cords and loose socks from the floor to avoid unexpected snags. If your home layout includes many narrow passages or very dark/reflective surfaces, watch the first few runs to confirm mapping accuracy; LiDAR typically handles these well, but unique room conditions may need slight human adjustments (e.g., adding virtual keep-out zones).
Pros vs Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| AutoEmpty dock with bagged system reduces exposure to dust and allergens (bag traps 99% of particles down to 0.7 microns; source: listing, checked 2025). | Exact runtime per charge, weight and dimensions are not listed in the public specs—some buyers prefer those details. |
| ClearView LiDAR mapping provides systematic coverage and better navigation around furniture and stairs (source: listing, checked 2025). | The included accessories beyond the robot and dock aren’t specified—extra brushes, filters or spare bags may require separate purchase. |
| Robo-mop feature avoids carpets automatically and uses a micro-pump for even mopping (SmartScrub provides 2x deeper scrubbing; source: listing, checked 2025). | Listing doesn’t name compatible cleaning solutions; if you want branded fluids or detergents, compatibility needs checking. |
| Strong-suction claim and edge-sweeping brush improve pickup of pet hair and corner debris (70X suction and 20% better edge cleaning claims; source: listing, checked 2025). | Some advanced features (exact battery life per run, maximum suction in pascals, noise level in dB) are not provided in the listing. |
| Multiple control methods: app, voice assistant and on-device buttons make operation flexible. | The robot uses a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi requirement for operation—some multi-band home networks may need configuration. |
Who Should Buy
- Busy households that want low-touch cleaning and minimal bin handling—especially those with allergies—because of the bagged AutoEmpty dock and claimed allergen capture.
- Homes with mixed surfaces (hard floors + rugs) that want one device to both mop and vacuum while avoiding wetting carpets.
- People who prefer predictable, mapped cleaning paths rather than random navigation and appreciate scheduling and app control.
Who Shouldn’t Buy
- Buyers who need detailed hardware specs up front (battery runtime per charge, robot dimensions and weight) because those numbers are not listed.
- Users who require a fully bagless solution—this model relies on disposable dock bags.
- Households that need heavy-duty carpet-deep-cleaning beyond what a combo robot is designed to do; this model is optimized for routine maintenance rather than deep carpet extraction.
Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Roomba 104 Combo (as listed) |
| AutoEmpty capacity | Up to 75 days hands-free between bag changes (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Allergen capture | Bag traps 99% of allergens as small as 0.7 microns (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Navigation | ClearView LiDAR mapping (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Mopping | Microfiber mop pad with micro-pump; SmartScrub 2x deeper scrubbing (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Carpet handling while mopping | Automatic carpet detection and avoidance (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Suction claim | 70X more power-lifting suction (claim on listing; source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Edge cleaning | Edge-sweeping brush with ~20% better edge/corner cleaning claim (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| App & connectivity | Roomba Home app; 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi required for setup/operation (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Included in box | 1 Roomba 104 Combo robot, 1 AutoEmpty Dock (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Voice control | Works with voice assistants (compatible devices: Not specified) |
If you need other technical details such as exact battery run time per run, noise level, robot dimensions or spare part counts, those specific numbers are Not listed in the product information provided.
Closing — Should You Buy It?
If you want a convenient, low-maintenance robot that vacuums and mops while limiting your contact with collected dust, the Roomba 104 Combo is a compelling choice—especially for allergy-aware households and busy people who value automated empties and smart mapping. It’s not the right buy if you need exhaustive, published technical specs before purchasing or if you must avoid bagged systems.
Ready to reduce daily floor chores? Check current offers and confirm compatible cleaning solutions or spare bags before ordering to make sure the setup matches your cleaning routine.
Specification: Roomba 104 Review — 75-Day Auto-Empty, Powerful Vacuum & Mop
|





Joshua Rivera –
I picked up my iRobot Roomba 104 when it was on sale and as a first time Roomba owner, I’m ecstatic! This thing is a powerhouse. It picks up dirt and dust bunnies with incredible suction. It’s definitely useful in my kitchen since I like to prep a lot of ingredients and more than few chunks land on the floor. I was surprised to see it mapping my whole home going between chair and table legs with very little assistance from me. The setup via the app was quick and easy. The deep scrubbing mop was also a surprise and my floors have never looked better with so little effort. I named mine Tenfour, after the model number.
J8529 –
I’ve been using the Roomba 104 Robot Vacuum & Mop for a week now, and I’m impressed with how well it performs. During its cleaning cycles, it picks up dust, crumbs, and pet hair reliably, and the mop function gives my floors a nice refreshed look. It doesn’t replace a deep clean, but for everyday upkeep, it does a great job. The setup and use are very straightforward. Connecting it to the app was easy, and scheduling cleanings takes just a few taps. I love being able to set it to run while I’m out, so I come back to a cleaner home without lifting a finger. In terms of time saved, this little robot has cut down my manual cleaning by at least half. Instead of vacuuming and mopping several times a week, I now only need to do a quick touch-up once in a while. That’s hours of my week back. Noise level is reasonable—quieter than a regular vacuum but not completely silent. It’s easy enough to have running in the background without it being too distracting. Performance overall is strong for its size and price point, and I really appreciate how consistent it is. If you’re looking for an easy, time-saving cleaning companion, the Roomba 104 is definitely worth it.
J8529 –
I am extremely impressed with the iRobot Roomba 104 Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has made my daily cleaning routine so much easier. The vacuum has strong suction, picks up dust, hair, and crumbs perfectly, and the mop function leaves my floors spotless without leaving streaks.
The smart navigation is excellent — it avoids furniture, doesn’t get stuck, and cleans every corner efficiently. I also love how easy it is to schedule cleanings with the app, so my floors are always fresh without me lifting a finger.
The battery lasts long enough to cover my whole home, and it returns to the charging station automatically. Overall, it’s a reliable, high-quality product.
kevin –
The Roomba 104 Combo may be an entry-level model, but its lidar navigation is surprisingly effective. It steers clear of carpets while mopping, vacuums thoroughly, and learns our home’s layout quickly—making it a great choice for first-time robot vacuum owners. The charging dock’s built-in vacuum compartment is a convenient bonus. It struggles to reach tight corners, but its combined vacuum-and-mop functionality is impressive. At $520 it’s a solid purchase, and if you can grab it for $350 or less it’s an excellent deal. A real time-saver for keeping the house clean.
odette loureiro –
Wanted to share my excitement about the Roomba 104 with you. After switching from my previous i series robot, I have been thoroughly impressed with the Roomba 104’s performance. The cleaning capabilities are significantly better, and the LiDAR navigation is simply stellar. For an entry-level robot, it is definitely worth every penny.
One of the standout features is the improved suction power, which makes a noticeable difference in the cleanliness of my home. Additionally, the noise levels seem to be lower, making it less intrusive during its operation. The mopping function is fantastic, especially since I have carpets. The Roomba 104 smartly navigates around the carpets without getting confused or stuck.
Another great aspect is the flexibility with cleaning solutions – you can use any solution you prefer, except for vinegar and bleach. The size of the empty base is also worth mentioning as it is small and discrete, fitting seamlessly into my home.
The app is quite user-friendly, allowing you to customize the map and create no-go zones, which is a fantastic feature for an entry-level robot. Overall, I believe the Roomba 104 is an excellent choice for anyone with a small house or apartment.
Anita V –
I just ran it on vacuum-only mode and it wasn’t as effective as I hoped. It pushed some crumbs around without picking them up, and when I inspected the floors I found dust bunnies and specks of dirt. That said, it did remove the majority of the dust. I’m giving it 3 stars for easy setup, a user-friendly app, and the dirt it did pick up — but it could definitely do a better job.
kevin –
I had a iRobot 770, didn’t even have wifi. It infuriated me for years, running around and getting caught on everything, and if it nearly got caught, continuing to hammer that same .5 inch spot where it just about got stuck until it actually successfully did, instead of doing the rest of the room.
This one is literally no different, I just watched it attempt to mop the cat scratch post over and over again until it finally got stuck there, leaving a huge swath of my living room past there not done. Also managed to throw an error for the ‘brush’ being stuck on the edge of my carpet and then again under my entertainment centre where it managed to wrap itself up in a cable that was secured, but it just turned circles in one spot until it caught it and wrapped it around itself.
I’ve had it 2 days and already had to restart it because the machine wasn’t talking to the app or my Alexa and it doesn’t seem to be cleaning out the bin, either.
If it’s on mop, it won’t mop some places and vacuum others, it skips the carpets all together.
And, it still doesn’t really suck much up very well. Still lots of small pieces of dirt on the floor.
Meg Pardo –
Wanted to share my excitement about the Roomba 104 with you. After switching from my previous i series robot, I have been thoroughly impressed with the Roomba 104’s performance. The cleaning capabilities are significantly better, and the LiDAR navigation is simply stellar. For an entry-level robot, it is definitely worth every penny.
One of the standout features is the improved suction power, which makes a noticeable difference in the cleanliness of my home. Additionally, the noise levels seem to be lower, making it less intrusive during its operation. The mopping function is fantastic, especially since I have carpets. The Roomba 104 smartly navigates around the carpets without getting confused or stuck.
Another great aspect is the flexibility with cleaning solutions – you can use any solution you prefer, except for vinegar and bleach. The size of the empty base is also worth mentioning as it is small and discrete, fitting seamlessly into my home.
The app is quite user-friendly, allowing you to customize the map and create no-go zones, which is a fantastic feature for an entry-level robot. Overall, I believe the Roomba 104 is an excellent choice for anyone with a small house or apartment.
Jonathan Melgar Castro –
I bought this Roomba as a gift for my father. I needed something simple and easy to operate, especially for someone without a smartphone for the app. While I know he could unlock more functions like scheduling if he had the app, I love that he doesn’t need it to use the robot. My dad simply pushes the button on top and away it goes! He’s amazed at how well it works and equally impressed that the robot empties itself into the base without him having to lift a finger.
The fact that it mops was a bonus for my dad who at first wasn’t sure if he would use it. I showed him how easy it is to get the robot ready–just add the pad, fill the water tank, and again, simply push the button to start. This Roomba is even smart enough to avoid the area rugs when mopping! No need to block them off or roll them away. My dad is excited to have his new Roomba buddy, Duke.
He admits that vacuuming isn’t as easy or enjoyable as it used to be. But Duke will make it easy for him to keep up on his floors and, so far, he’s loving it!
Kai –
I previously owned an iRobot 770 (no Wi‑Fi) and it drove me crazy — it would get caught on everything and, if it nearly got stuck, it would obsessively hammer the same half‑inch spot until it finally did, instead of moving on to the rest of the room. This new model is no different. I watched it try to mop the cat scratch post over and over until it finally got stuck there, leaving a huge swath of my living room untouched. It also threw a “brush stuck” error on the edge of my carpet, then got under my entertainment center and wrapped itself around a secured cable, just turning in circles until it tightened the wrap. After only two days I already had to restart it because it wouldn’t connect to the app or Alexa, and the bin doesn’t seem to be emptied properly. In mop mode it won’t mop some areas while vacuuming others — it skips carpets entirely. And it still doesn’t pick up very well; there are lots of small bits of dirt left on the floor.
Jonathan Melgar Castro –
It is good for basic cleaning not like if you do it
homesyck –
It is good for basic cleaning not like if you do it
jorge campos –
Just got my Roomba 104 today and was impressed right away—well packaged with a premium look and feel. Setup was straightforward and only took a few minutes to get it ready for its first run. The mapping feature is excellent: it accurately mapped my entire floor, divided it into zones, and lets you choose to clean the whole layout or just a specific zone. Suction is strong—perfect for pet hair, which used to be everywhere until now. I love that it self-empties, so I don’t have to worry about hair and dust kicking up into the air. It’s mostly fully automatic—just a few taps in the app and it’s off—and it even mops. Really impressed with its performance; if you want a smart vacuum, this is a great choice.
Julie R –
I absolutely love my Roomba 104. I was unsure about buying a robot vacuum, but this model has completely changed my mind — it’s a lifesaver for keeping my floors consistently clean. The combined vacuum and mop functions are incredibly useful.
The ClearView LiDAR navigation is one of the best features: it maps my home and cleans in neat, efficient rows, which is a huge improvement over the random patterns of my old robot. It reliably avoids obstacles and stairs, so I don’t worry about it getting stuck or falling. The suction is powerful and lifts dirt, dust, and pet hair from both hard floors and carpets, and the mopping does a great job of leaving floors truly clean. The self-emptying base station is another major plus — I can go weeks without thinking about it. Overall, the Roomba 104 has exceeded my expectations; it’s a smart, powerful cleaning assistant that saves me time and effort. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a reliable, effective way to keep their home tidy.
jorge campos –
Just received my roomba 104 today. First impression, it came packaged well. It has a premium look and feel. Set up was straight forward, took just a few minutes to get it ready for its first run.
The mapping feature was really cool. It was able to accurately map out my entire floor layout, divide it into zones. You could set it to clean the entire layout or select a specific zone.
Vacuum suction is strong. I have pets so their hairs get everywhere. The roomba made sweeping pet hair a thought of the past.
I really like that it self empties. No more hair and dust particles flinging up in the air.
It’s for the most part fully automatic. Just a few clicks in the app and it’s running on its own. Not only does it vacuum, it mops too!
Really impressed with its performance. If you’re thinking of getting yourself a smart vacuum, this is the one!
Gian Luka –
The media could not be loaded.
If you want a real set it and forget it floor routine without paying a ton, this Roomba has been a lifesaver in my house. I am a busy mom with a busy career, and the floors still manage to look like people live here in a good way. It handles the everyday dust and pet hair we have plenty of, maps the rooms, and goes back and forth in neat lines like a little overachiever. The auto empty base is the hero of the story. I do not have to think about the dustbin for weeks, which feels like getting time back I did not know I was missing. My last Roomba needed constant emptying, so this is a big upgrade.
Set up was easy. I ran it once to map the house, named it because that is what we do with robots now, and then made a simple schedule in the app. I have keep out zones around the kids Lego zone and the dog’s water bowl, and it actually respects those boundaries better than my children. Most nights I tap start after dinner and it cruises around while homework is happening. By the time teeth are brushed, the crumbs are gone and I did not have to haul out the big vacuum.
The mop is a light maintenance mop, which is exactly what I wanted. It keeps the floors presentable between real mop days. Think sticky handprints and faint spaghetti trails disappearing, not grout restoration projects. On mixed floors it avoids rugs while mopping rather than lifting the pad, so it takes a little longer to work around the living room, but it does not drag a damp pad across my area rugs and I will take that trade. For bigger messes I spot mop, but most days this keeps me ahead of the chaos.
Cleaning performance is solid. It fits under our couch and beds, which is where dust bunnies retire. Edges and corners are good enough (see video) that I only grab a handheld once in a while for the truly stubborn spots. Noise is background level. I can still hear spelling words and the oven timer, which is the bar in this house.
A few real life notes. I try to pick up phone chargers before a run. It can handle small stuff, but no robot loves a charging cable. I rinse the mop pad every few days, swap in a fresh one on the weekend, and empty the clean water tank when I remember. The base bags last a while for us, and replacing them has been simple. None of this feels like work compared to daily sweeping and vacuuming.
If your home is mostly hard floors with some low to medium pile rugs and you want a dependable daily clean without babysitting, this is a great fit!!
Sean –
Setup took less than 10 minutes—I had it out of the box and connected to the app almost immediately. My little robot, Johnny 5, started mapping the house and cleaning right away; it’s straightforward and very effective. It powerfully handles massive hair bunnies from my Husky/Shepherd without clogging and is much quieter than my old vacuum. It smartly switches from vacuuming the carpets to mopping the kitchen, leaving floors perfectly clean and streak-free. Having a vacuum and mop in one is fantastic—my home has never looked better and it saves me so much time. The smart mapping is excellent and it hasn’t gotten stuck once. I only wish I’d bought it sooner. Johnny 5 is my new best friend—if you’re considering it, just go for it.
Amazon Customer –
This was my first robot vacuum. Unboxing was a bit odd — there was no user manual or detailed quick-start guide. After watching a few YouTube videos I learned you need to download the app and connect it to Wi‑Fi, then everything made sense. I love that it returns to the base automatically and empties itself.
The Wi‑Fi connection has been stable, but it still won’t update even though the app says an update is needed. The app shows where the robot is and where it has cleaned; the mapping features look like they’d be especially useful in larger homes. So far it’s doing a good job on its own.
At first I had to remove a lot of obstacles (cables especially). It went into corners and picked up more debris than I expected — which is great, but some debris clogged the brushes and had to be cleared manually. After about a dozen runs in various rooms it has been fully automatic. It occasionally slows for obstacles but rarely gets stuck, and it transitions from hardwood to carpet without issue.
The mop function is more of a light wipe — it improves the floor a bit but don’t expect true mopping. Battery life is more than sufficient. Overall, if you understand the limitations and capabilities of these machines, I recommend it. It looks modern, is very convenient, works well so far, and the app is easy to use. It’s a little noisy, but that’s to be expected from a vacuum.
J. Holden –
Hands down one of my best recent buys. I can use my phone to schedule cleanings for specific areas — it maps the house and lets you label each room. You can set daily routines or send it to clean particular rooms whenever you want. Absolutely brilliant, and yes, you can even give your Roomba a name. Love it!
Sean –
The setup was incredibly fast and easy. I had it unboxed and connected to the app in under 10 minutes. My little robot, which I named Johnny 5, was mapping my home and cleaning in no time it was easy & effective! This little guy is a powerhouse. It handles the huge hair bunnies from my big Husky/Shepherd without clogging and is much quieter than my old “manual” vacuum. It intelligently switches from vacuuming the carpets to mopping the kitchen floor, leaving them with a perfect, streak-free shine. It’s amazing to have a vacuum and mop in one, and my home has never been cleaner not to mention all the times it saves me. The smart mapping feature is brilliant, and it so far has not got stuck anywhere in my home. I only wish I’d made this purchase sooner. Johnny 5 is my new best friend! If you’re thinking about it, just do it. This robot is a total game-changer for my home.
odette loureiro –
My Take on the Roomba 104 Combo Robot
When I first got the Roomba 104, I hoped it’d replace a lot of my manual cleaning tasks since my old Roomba needed to be replaced . Overall, it has—and it’s definitely worth the upgrade in many ways. But it’s not perfect. Here’s what stands out for me, both the wins and the compromises.
What I Love
Mopping feature — this is a big plus. Having the robot mop along with vacuuming means I don’t have to drag out a mop nearly as often. For regular dust, crumbs, and light messes it does a really nice job making the floors look clean.
Hair & dust pickup is excellent . Pet hair, dust bunnies, all of it gets sucked up well. Less time with the broom or vacuum myself. That’s a big relief.
Self-empty dock — this is one of the features I think makes the price premium more justifiable. Not having to constantly empty the bin saves me time and annoyance.
Scheduling & automation — setting preferred days/times means I hardly think about it. The Roomba just runs, cleans, empties (mostly), and then waits for the next run. That kind of “set-and-forget” is pretty close to what I wanted.
What Frustrates Me / What to Be Aware Of
Sticky spills still a problem — the mopping function helps, but it doesn’t always get up sticky messes or dried-on gunk. When my 9 year old spills something sugary or tacky, I often have to go back with a regular mop or spot clean manually. So don’t expect it to completely replace the old mop in that sense.
Noise — it’s a bit loud, especially when the AutoEmpty dock is dumping out or when it’s doing more strenuous work (carpet, corners). If I run it when I’m trying to relax, it’s noticeable.
Can’t reach under very low furniture — this is important. I have some furniture with low clearance; those areas stay dirty unless I move the furniture when I use the Roomba. So plan for that, especially with couches, side tables, etc.
Price — yes, it is more expensive than basic robot vacuums. My previous model cost significantly less. But between the self-empty feature and the mopping, I feel like I’m getting enough value to justify the extra dollars—especially since I don’t have to intervene as often.
Overall great product
Aurora Blackman –
I bought this Roomba as a gift for my father. I needed something simple and easy to operate, especially for someone without a smartphone for the app. While I know he could unlock more functions like scheduling if he had the app, I love that he doesn’t need it to use the robot. My dad simply pushes the button on top and away it goes! He’s amazed at how well it works and equally impressed that the robot empties itself into the base without him having to lift a finger.
The fact that it mops was a bonus for my dad who at first wasn’t sure if he would use it. I showed him how easy it is to get the robot ready–just add the pad, fill the water tank, and again, simply push the button to start. This Roomba is even smart enough to avoid the area rugs when mopping! No need to block them off or roll them away. My dad is excited to have his new Roomba buddy, Duke.
He admits that vacuuming isn’t as easy or enjoyable as it used to be. But Duke will make it easy for him to keep up on his floors and, so far, he’s loving it!
homesyck –
I had a iRobot 770, didn’t even have wifi. It infuriated me for years, running around and getting caught on everything, and if it nearly got caught, continuing to hammer that same .5 inch spot where it just about got stuck until it actually successfully did, instead of doing the rest of the room.
This one is literally no different, I just watched it attempt to mop the cat scratch post over and over again until it finally got stuck there, leaving a huge swath of my living room past there not done. Also managed to throw an error for the ‘brush’ being stuck on the edge of my carpet and then again under my entertainment centre where it managed to wrap itself up in a cable that was secured, but it just turned circles in one spot until it caught it and wrapped it around itself.
I’ve had it 2 days and already had to restart it because the machine wasn’t talking to the app or my Alexa and it doesn’t seem to be cleaning out the bin, either.
If it’s on mop, it won’t mop some places and vacuum others, it skips the carpets all together.
And, it still doesn’t really suck much up very well. Still lots of small pieces of dirt on the floor.
Amazon Customer –
I bought this Roomba—I call him Jeeves—to save time on chores and keep the house clean, and he’s been perfect for that. Setup was a breeze: the cardboard insert directed me to the app and included clear instructions, and after downloading the app I added Jeeves, connected to Wi‑Fi and installed a quick software update with no fuss. The initial mapping took about 10 minutes and then he was ready to go. His vacuuming performance exceeded my expectations—dog hair didn’t stand a chance—and he transitions from tile to carpet smoothly. He’s quiet while cleaning and navigates around furniture with ease. Great value overall: scheduled cleanings are a huge time-saver, and the vacuum-and-mop combo is ideal for my daily maintenance needs.
kevin –
The Roomba 104 Combo, despite being a low-tier model, impresses with its efficient lidar navigation. It avoids carpet while mopping, handles vacuuming with ease, and adapts well to our home’s layout. It’s a fantastic option for first-time robot vacuum owners, bringing both convenience and value. The inbuilt vacuum compartment in the charging dock is a handy feature. While it can’t reach tight corners, its versatility in vacuuming and mopping is impressive. At $520, it’s a commendable investment. If you find it on sale for $350 or less, it’s a stellar deal for first-time buyers. A must-have for simplifying your cleaning routine!
Theo from Boston –
We recently got this iRobot Roomba 104 vacuum and floor mopper, and it’s our first experience with any type of home automation. I’ve got to say, I think we’ve been missing out, because this thing is terrific! It never occurred to me that having something like this would be such a time saver. We’ve set it up on a schedule so it does its thing when we’re asleep or not around, and now we’re waking up/coming home to freshly cleaned floors.
Set up was a piece of cake–We took it out of the box, placed it in the corner of our dining room out of the way, and plugged it in. There was a piece of cardboard in the box with a QR code on it. I took a picture with my camera and it got me to the app store where I downloaded the Roomba Home app. The app guided me through the setup process, which took all of ten minutes; I created an account, connected the robot to our Wifi network (connectivity was easy), and it was ready to go. The first step was to have the robot map the first floor of my home (Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be able to climb stairs–yet). It went off to do its thing, and it was actually sort of cool to watch it motor around the house figuring out where to go. Once that was done, the app had a map of my house. I took a few minutes in the app to separate the map into the specific rooms (which is very easy to do), and then I used the app to create a schedule of when the robot would clean a specific room.
Now, our little robot goes about its business, keeping our floors nice and clean. We have yet to encounter any dirt it couldn’t pick up, and it does it very quietly. Since it’s connected to our home Wifi network, we can tell it to clean our floors from anywhere. I’ve used the app to get it to clean our floors while I was away just for the heck of it (and to get a rise out of the dog!)
The Roomba really does a good job, and takes a tedious task off of our plate. The fact that we were able to get it on sale made this purchase an absolute no-brainer; it’s a great robot at a great price.
Now that we’ve discovered the world of automation, we’re looking at other things to try. I’ve read that you can control the Roomba with Alexa or Siri, though we’re still pretty new at this, so baby steps.
Joshua Rivera –
My house has lots of adults, a toddler and 2 Persian cats. I really appreciate just turning on the Romba 104 to do all the hard work. It is so simple to set. The ClearView LiDAR mapped out the floorplan and started cleaning. One of the first things I noticed was its powerful suction. It was able to vacuum, automatically detect and avoid carpets due to sensors during mopping I watched as it turned quickly preventing itself from falling down the stairs. One of the most important features is the ability to self-empty the dustbin so I’ll never have to get my hands dirty. The Roomba knows to return to its charging dock to recharge itself. This Robot vacuum can be controlled with a smartphone app allowing you to start, stop, and schedule cleanings from anywhere. The Romba 104 has saved me a ton of time. I use it several times which has kept the pet hair off the floor, and I love having clean floors. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a dependable all-in-one cleaning solution. It is a nice little helper.
J. Holden –
The Roomba 104 Combo, despite being a low-tier model, impresses with its efficient lidar navigation. It avoids carpet while mopping, handles vacuuming with ease, and adapts well to our home’s layout. It’s a fantastic option for first-time robot vacuum owners, bringing both convenience and value. The inbuilt vacuum compartment in the charging dock is a handy feature. While it can’t reach tight corners, its versatility in vacuuming and mopping is impressive. At $520, it’s a commendable investment. If you find it on sale for $350 or less, it’s a stellar deal for first-time buyers. A must-have for simplifying your cleaning routine!
Amazon Customer –
Good for basic cleaning, but not suitable for heavy-duty or deep cleaning.