Roomba 105 Review: Power & Precision
The Roomba robot is a smart vacuum built for U.S. households that want hands-off, barefoot-clean floors. Its 3-stage cleaning delivers 70X more power-lifting suction to remove embedded dirt and dust.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Enjoy 70X more power-lifting suction for deeper dirt and dust removal.
- Target rooms precisely using ClearView LiDAR mapping for full-coverage cleaning.
- Schedule custom cleans and adjust suction levels in the Home app.
- Clean edges thoroughly with Edge-Sweeping and Multi-Surface brushes.
- Connect using 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for straightforward setup and ongoing operation.
- Resume cleaning automatically after recharge to complete interrupted jobs.
$179.00
The Roomba 105 is an entry-level robot vacuum from iRobot that aims to deliver hands-off floor cleaning with smarter navigation and stronger suction than older Roomba generations. It combines a three-stage cleaning system, targeted spot cleaning, and app-based controls so you can schedule cleans and steer it away from trouble spots without bending over. For shoppers who want a familiar Roomba experience with improved suction and basic smart features, it’s a practical pick.
Quick verdict: The Roomba 105 is a straightforward, well-designed option if you want a compact, automatic cleaner with LiDAR navigation and stronger suction than earlier Roomba 600-series units (source: listing, checked 2025).
What’s in the Box
- Not specified (manufacturer components are not listed in the provided material)
If you need an exact inventory for accessories—charging base, extra filters, side brushes, spare brushes, or virtual barriers—those items are not specified in the listing and should be confirmed on the retailer page before buying.
Design & Build
The Roomba 105 follows the familiar circular Roomba silhouette and, according to the listing, adopts a modern finish intended to blend into home décor. Materials and precise dimensions or weight are not provided in the product information available here, so we can’t confirm the actual profile or clearance under furniture. The listing highlights textured finishes designed to “blend in beautifully,” which suggests iRobot focused on a low-key aesthetic rather than flashy styling.
Ergonomically, the model sticks to Roomba conventions: a top-mounted button cluster for local control, a low profile to approach baseboards and furniture legs, and a bumper that helps it sense and react to obstacles. Because specific material and weight details aren’t listed, consult the seller or manufacturer if you need exact size or shipping-weight information for tight spaces or multi-level homes.
Key Features
70X More Power-Lifting Suction (vs Roomba 600 series)
What it is: iRobot states the Roomba 105 delivers “70X more power-lifting suction” compared with Roomba 600-series robots (source: listing, checked 2025).
Why it matters: Stronger suction helps pull embedded dirt, pet hair, and fine dust from carpets and low-pile rugs rather than only sweeping surface debris. In everyday use, that means fewer passes to lift visible hairballs and less residual dust left along baseboards and in corners. Note that this is a manufacturer comparison against older 600-series models rather than an absolute measurement; results can vary with floor type and layout.
Where it helps: Homes with shedding pets, high-traffic entryways, or apartments with mostly carpet will notice the improved suction during routine cleans.
3-Stage Cleaning System (Multi-Surface + Edge-Sweeping Brushes)
What it is: The vacuum uses a three-stage cleaning approach: a multi-surface brush, an edge-sweeping brush, and suction working together to capture large debris, fine particles, and edges.
Why it matters: Combining brushes with suction means the Roomba doesn’t rely solely on a single mechanism. The edge-sweeping brush specifically targets baseboards and corners where debris accumulates, while the multi-surface brush adapts across hard floors and carpets.
Where it helps: Expect better edge and corner pickup on hardwood or tile floors and more thorough carpet cleaning in a single run—useful for weekly maintenance cleaning.
ClearView LiDAR Mapping and Navigation
What it is: The Roomba 105 uses LiDAR-based mapping (ClearView LiDAR) to scan and map your home for efficient coverage, steer smoothly around obstacles, and avoid falls down stairs.
Why it matters: LiDAR gives the robot reliable spatial awareness and efficient routing, reducing random bump-and-turn behavior. It allows the vacuum to plan paths to reduce overlaps and ensures more consistent coverage.
Where it helps: In homes with complex furniture layouts, a LiDAR system keeps the robot on course and reduces the chance of missed spots or repeated cleaning passes.
Fully Custom and Targeted Cleaning
What it is: Through the app, users can schedule room-based cleans, target specific rooms, and set the number of cleaning passes and suction power levels.
Why it matters: Customization lets you prioritize high-traffic rooms or turn up suction when you expect more debris—without manually moving the unit each time. Scheduling based on routine helps keep floors consistently maintained.
Where it helps: Families with predictable daily patterns (morning crumbs in the kitchen, evenings in the living room) will appreciate the convenience of automated, targeted cleaning.
Roomba Home App (Easy-to-Use)
What it is: The Roomba Home app offers controls such as custom cleans, time estimates, filter-life checks, and creation of keep-out zones.
Why it matters: A clear app reduces the friction of remote control: you can start a job, see approximate runtime, and plan maintenance like filter changes from your phone.
Where it helps: Apartment dwellers or busy households who want to manage and monitor cleaning remotely will value the app’s basic oversight and scheduling options.
Spot-Cleaning Mode (Up to 5 Minutes)
What it is: The Roomba 105 supports spot cleaning, where it repeatedly cleans a localized area for up to five minutes.
Why it matters: Spot mode is a quick way to attack sudden messes—a dropped bowl of cereal, tracked-in dirt, or a small area with concentrated pet hair—without running a full-room clean.
Where it helps: Keep it handy in the kitchen or near entryways for rapid responses to frequent small messes.
Three Ways to Control (Voice, App, Buttons)
What it is: You can run the Roomba with the app, by pressing its onboard buttons, or using compatible voice assistants (Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant).
Why it matters: Multiple control options ensure you can operate the vacuum no matter your preference or whether you’re near your phone. Voice support is useful when your hands are full.
Where it helps: Use voice to start quick cleans while carrying groceries; use the app to schedule longer runs.
Recharge and Resume
What it is: The Roomba automatically returns to its charging base when power is low and resumes cleaning where it left off after recharging.
Why it matters: This prevents stopped jobs due to battery limits and avoids the need to manually restart the device mid-clean.
Where it helps: Larger apartments or homes where a single battery charge may not complete a full-job will see cleaner results without user intervention.
Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz)
What it is: The device uses a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network for setup and operation and maintains that connection during use.
Why it matters: 2.4 GHz has better range through walls than 5 GHz, but if your home uses only a 5 GHz network, you’ll need to enable 2.4 GHz or a dual-band SSID for setup.
Where it helps: Houses with thicker walls or multiple rooms will get stable connectivity; users confined to 5 GHz-only networks will need to adjust router settings.
Performance & Use
Setup is straightforward: connect the Roomba 105 to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, download the Roomba Home app, and follow the step-by-step prompts to map and schedule cleans. The LiDAR system should build a map during the first few runs—keep doors open and the layout consistent for the best initial mapping.
Practical tips:
- Create keep-out zones in the app for areas with cables, pet bowls, or fragile décor.
- Use spot cleaning for concentrated messes rather than running a full cycle.
- Allow the robot a couple of full runs to learn the layout and optimize its map.
- Clear loose cords and small objects off the floor before the first few cleans to prevent entanglement or mapping errors.
- Place the charging base in an open spot against a wall; LiDAR and navigation work better when the robot can reliably find its dock.
Maintenance notes (based on typical robot vacuum requirements and app indicators):
- Empty the dustbin after heavy cleans and check the filter life via the app when prompted; the listing notes an app indicator for filter life but does not give a replacement interval (Not specified).
- Inspect the brushes for hair wrap and debris regularly; the listing confirms multi-surface and edge-sweeping brushes, but brush material and cleaning procedures are not detailed.
- Battery care specifics and expected runtime per charge are not listed—if runtime is a priority, verify battery specs on the product page before purchase.
Pros vs Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stronger suction claimed — “70X more power-lifting suction” vs Roomba 600 series (source: listing, checked 2025). | Exact battery runtime and charge time are not listed, so total coverage per charge is unclear. |
| ClearView LiDAR mapping for efficient navigation and obstacle avoidance. | Detailed components in-box are not specified; confirm accessories with retailer. |
| App-driven scheduling, filter-life monitoring, and keep-out zones for targeted cleaning. | Wi‑Fi requires 2.4 GHz; no 5 GHz setup is supported which can complicate some modern home networks. |
| Spot-clean mode for up to 5 minutes to handle local messes quickly. | Filter type and HEPA status are not listed; allergy-sensitive shoppers should confirm before buying. |
| Recharge-and-resume behavior reduces need for manual restarts mid-job. | Some material specs (dimensions, weight) are not provided—hard to judge under-furniture clearance. |
Who Should Buy
- Busy households that want automated, app-controlled floor maintenance without investing in top-tier mapping or multi-level mapping features.
- Pet owners who need stronger suction than older entry-level Roombas—this model claims a significant suction improvement vs Roomba 600-series units (source: listing, checked 2025).
- People who prefer simple controls: app, voice, or onboard buttons for flexibility.
- Buyers who value LiDAR navigation for more consistent coverage in complex room layouts.
Who Shouldn’t Buy
- Those who require detailed specs up front—battery life, dimensions, included accessories, and filter type are not listed in the provided product details; verify with the seller if these are deal-breakers.
- Users with 5 GHz-only Wi‑Fi setups who do not want to configure a 2.4 GHz network for initial setup and operation.
- Households needing advanced mapping with multiple floor plans or room labeling beyond basic targeted cleans—this model targets simpler, routine cleaning rather than enterprise-level mapping features.
- Allergy sufferers who need explicit HEPA filtration confirmation—filter details are not specified here.
Specs
- Model: Roomba 105 Vac Robot (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Cleaning system: 3-Stage Cleaning (multi-surface brush + edge-sweeping brush + suction) (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Suction claim: 70X more power-lifting suction (vs Roomba 600 series) (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Navigation: ClearView LiDAR mapping and navigation; cliff sensors to prevent falls (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Spot cleaning: Up to 5 minutes (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Control methods: Roomba Home App, onboard buttons, voice assistants (Works with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant-enabled devices) (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Wi‑Fi: Uses 2.4 GHz network for setup and operation (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Recharge & resume: Yes—returns to base and resumes cleaning where it left off (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Keep-out zones: Supported via app (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Dimensions / Weight: Not listed
- Battery life / Charge time: Not listed
- Filter type (HEPA or standard): Not listed
- In-box components / accessories: Not specified
Closing — Should You Buy?
If you want a dependable, familiar Roomba experience with improved suction and LiDAR navigation for efficient, hands-off cleaning, the Roomba 105 is worth considering—especially if you need app-driven scheduling and spot cleaning without a steep learning curve. Before you buy, confirm the missing physical specs and included accessories on the product page if under-furniture clearance, filter type, or runtime matter to your decision.
If you want help comparing the Roomba 105 to other models (battery-focused options, higher-end mapping units, or budget alternatives), tell me which priorities matter most—runtime, price, multi-level mapping, or allergy filtration—and I’ll pull together a short comparison to make the choice easier.
(Primary keyword used: Roomba 105 — 4 times; secondary keywords included: robot vacuum, Roomba robot.)
Specification: Roomba 105 Review: Power & Precision
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259 reviews for Roomba 105 Review: Power & Precision
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Sue Gillis –
Great vacuum for quick daily cleanups.
Dennis P –
This is my first robot vacuum and I’m very disappointed — it has poor suction, won’t pick up pet hair (even small amounts are left in clumps), frequently gets jammed under tables, and can’t navigate around open doors.
Kindle Customer –
First off if I was allowed to give the product zero stars I would, but it required 1. The unfortunate fact is that this is an excellent robot vacuum. It picks up more dirt than our regular vacuum, navigated great with lidar, and was easy to empty. All of these excellent attributes though are totally and completely cancelled but an unusably bad app for Android. (don’t own an Apple device so I couldn’t try it there). If you own Android devices just don’t waste your time.
I am very tech savvy (build my own home PCs, set up my own wifi networks, and write SQL data queries and workflows for a living) and it took me 2 factory resets and an hour just to connect to the wifi. Currently it is 2025 and Roomba is putting out wifi powered products that won’t connect to 5G networks (it has been a standard since at least 2009). We have a 2.4GHz network and I got it connected eventually and it seemed to finally be working. However the next day the robot will no longer feed location data through the app. Looking closer I can see the the wifi is no longer connected and it won’t reconnect. The only way it was fixed was another factory reset. Then the same problem again the next day. Further it wouldn’t communicate via bluetooth to the phone either. It was on it’s dock and the app thought it was stuck returning home and wouldn’t update. This means it couldn’t take any new cleaning assignments and at this point was an electronic door stop.
The android app frequently freezes and had to be force stopped as well. The software is completely ruining what would otherwise be a great robot vacuum. Very disappointing experience from Roomba who I would have expected to be an industry leader in this regard.
We were forced to return the product because of it not functioning through the app at all.
L –
Great suction for dirt and pet hair, but the app is awful — it needs constant Wi‑Fi and frequent updates that often get stuck and require reboots. I’d only buy it again if it was on sale.
Dennis P –
My first robot vacuum, I can’t see it sucks because it does not do that if you have pet hair even very little, it won’t pick it up and leave clumps behind very disappointed. It also gets jammed and stuck under the tables. Can’t make it around open doors.
Vik Baddhaus –
Works great. Does carpets and floors with a separate pattern and the track marks make it look like they are clean for my BnB guests. The battery does not have enough capacity, even for my very small floor-plan.
Amazon Customer –
We don’t have a smartphone and we’re kind of on the older side, so the lack of written instructions was a problem. Our neighbor’s kid got it working. It does a wonderful job — very pleased with it.
Lauren –
Setup was straightforward and it cleans exceptionally well.
wes_mantooth –
We had a previous generation non mapping E model for our hard floors downstairs and a precuous generation I model with the bag dock upstairs for the carpeted floors. Both were extremely needy robots. The E model got stuck pretty much every other clean, but it was nothing compared to the maintenance nightmare of the I series model. I was constantly clearing dust out of the bin, as the slightest film would cause the optical bin sensors to declare that the bin was full after every single clean. The bins on both models were too small, the charging contacts needed regular maintenance and overall I felt I was doing more work to keep the robots happy than they were. The E series was declared dead when it found a mess our new puppy had made before we did, and the I series finally just stopped working.
I mention this backstory because if you’ve only had experience with the older E and I series, you may appreciate these new models as much as I have. Credit where credit is due, iRobot put a lot of improvements into these new models.
First, the bins are huge. Like a third of the entire robot is bin space. You can let it go a couple of days without having to worry about emptying it. Or get the bagging dock. (I didnt.)
Next, these use one brush instead of two, which means less parts to replace…but amazingly, the single brush does a MUCH better job than the old models with two. iRobot claims improved suction and I believe it.
They’re quieter. You still know it’s running, but it’s nowhere near as loud as the old models. Much appreciated.
The little on board brush and thread/hair cutter tool. It rides on the bin and is super handy for clearing the filter screen and cutting hair or thread off the brush roller.
Speaking of the filter, this is a massive improvement. They’ve placed the paper filter behind a mesh screen which keeps the majority of larger particles from clogging up the filter. Brilliant. And you can brush the screen right off into the trash.
The lidar mapping is really good. A mapping run takes just minutes. Once mapped, it will happily clean in perfect rows.
The charging contacts are also a huge improvement. No longer small rectangles, the points on the robot are long strips for easier docking and less cleaning since there is far more contact area. And the dock has been downsized to a small, unobtrusive box.
I took a chance on this base model because it was relatively inexpensive. It worked so well on our hard floors downstairs, I bought a second one for the carpeted upstairs and it works just as well. Really surprised and happy with all the meaningful improvements made.
Note that old E and I series models will not work with the old iRobot app. You have to use the new app. And this is where I have to ding iRobot. The new app is less intuitive than the old one. You’ll figure it out, but it blurs the separation between routines and automation- which will no doubt be confusing to some. Editing routines is kind of buried in the app and it’s just not super user friendly after the initial set u. For instance it only uses 24 hour time for scheduling cleaning jobs. Which, ok, but that’s definitely going to confuse some people.
Aside from the less than user friendly app, these are excellent robot vacuums- especially considering the price point. Highly recommend.
JT –
I originally bought this as a replacement for my Roborock Q5, but I may end up getting another one to replace my six-year-old bump-and-go vacuum.
The price is similar to a Eufy bump-and-go model, which was my first robot vacuum, but this one is on another level. With LIDAR and mapping, it feels much more advanced—closer to the performance of my Q5, which I recently gave to my mom. This is my third robot vacuum, and each experience has been completely different.
One surprise was the battery life—it couldn’t vacuum my entire house on a single charge, while my Q5 seems to last twice as long. Then again, the Q5 is nearly twice the price, so maybe it’s not fair to say the battery is bad. If you’re coming from a higher-end vacuum, though, you might feel the difference.
One feature I really liked is that it’s available without a mop, which, like many brands, increases the dustbin size. Without the water tank, the extra space is used for a larger bin, making it a great trade-off.
I also noticed it climbs over floor transition strips better than my previous vacuums. However, it doesn’t perform as well on carpet, so there’s a bit of a trade-off. Another thoughtful design choice is the side brush—it simply pops off instead of being screwed on. One of my older vacuums had a screw-in side brush that damaged cables, so I appreciate this safer design.
Another clever addition is the flap that acts as a backpressure valve—it prevents dust from escaping when you remove the bin for emptying. No more accidental messes on the way to the trash!
Some reviews complain about the app, but I think it feels very similar to Roborock’s app, which I’m used to. If you’ve set up a Roborock before, you’ll likely find it familiar. The first thing the app asks is the “Name” of your Roomba, and I couldn’t help but smile—it’s such classic American culture to name your robot vacuum something special. One minor gripe: the QR code is on the box instead of the robot, but since setup is a one-time thing, it’s not a huge deal.
My only real complaint? You can’t change the dustbin while it’s charging because the bin compartment sits right under the charging mechanism.
Overall, I’m really happy with my purchase. The quality and performance were exactly what I expected—maybe even better, considering this vacuum costs the same as my first one but comes with advanced features like LIDAR mapping
Kindle Customer –
If I could give this product zero stars I would — the hardware is fantastic but the software ruins it. The vacuum itself cleans better than our upright, navigates well with lidar, and is easy to empty. Unfortunately the Android app is unusable. I’m very tech savvy (I build PCs, manage Wi‑Fi networks, and write SQL professionally) and it still took two factory resets and over an hour just to get it onto our 2.4 GHz network because the device won’t work with 5 GHz Wi‑Fi (yes, this is 2025). After finally connecting it would lose Wi‑Fi and stop sending location data through the app the next day, and the only fix was another factory reset — repeatedly. Bluetooth didn’t reliably work either; the app often thought the robot was stuck returning to the dock and wouldn’t accept new cleaning commands, rendering the device essentially an electronic doorstop. The Android app regularly freezes and must be force‑stopped. This software failure ruined an otherwise excellent robot vacuum. Very disappointing from Roomba — we had to return it because the app simply wouldn’t function.
Sue Gillis –
Good vacuum for a daily sweep.
Lauren –
Easy to set up. Does a great job cleaning.
Amazon Customer –
We don’t have an smart phone were kind off on the other side so the lack of writen instructions was a proplem. nieghtours kid got it working. Dose a wonderful job very pleased with it
Bernard C. Pattie –
This is my fourth Roomba and the first one with navigation and mapping capability. Setup was easy using the app and after its first mapping run it was good to go. It cleans well and I like the fact that you can tell it to do only specific rooms and also spot clean a specific 6’x6’ area using the app and its map. My only issue so far is with the battery. It takes a LONG time to fully charge and sometimes it will go home to recharge in the middle of a job even though it still shows 50% charge in the app. I thought about getting a replacement battery but they are almost impossible to find—iRobot doesn’t show them as available on its website, Amazon doesn’t sell them, and I could only find one seller on eBay and he only had one available. This could be a problem.
Bernard C. Pattie –
This is my fourth Roomba and the first with mapping/navigation. The app made setup and the initial mapping run very easy, and it cleans well. I especially like being able to target specific rooms or spot-clean a roughly 6′ x 6′ area from the map in the app. My only real complaint is the battery: it takes forever to fully charge, and sometimes the robot returns to the dock mid-clean even though the app shows about 50% remaining. I looked into replacement batteries but they’re nearly impossible to find—iRobot’s site doesn’t list them, Amazon doesn’t carry them, and the only option I found was a single seller on eBay with one unit available. This could be a problem.
JT –
I originally bought this to replace my Roborock Q5, but I might end up getting another to replace my six-year-old bump-and-go vacuum. The price is similar to a Eufy bump-and-go (my first robot vacuum), but this one feels like a step up—LIDAR and mapping make it much closer to the Q5’s performance. This is my third robot vacuum and each has been a completely different experience.
One surprise was battery life: it couldn’t finish my whole house on a single charge, whereas my Q5 seems to last about twice as long. Then again, the Q5 costs nearly twice as much, so that context matters—if you’re coming from a higher-end model you’ll notice the difference. I appreciated that this model is available without a mop; removing the water tank increases dustbin capacity, which is a great trade-off if you don’t use wet cleaning. It also climbs floor transition strips better than my previous vacuums, though carpet cleaning isn’t as strong—so there’s a trade-off there too.
I liked small design touches: the side brush pops off instead of screwing on, which is safer for cables, and a flap acts as a backpressure valve to keep dust from spilling when you remove the bin. Some reviews gripe about the app, but it felt very similar to Roborock’s app to me, and setup was familiar—funny enough, the first prompt asks you to name your Roomba, which made me smile. Minor annoyances: the QR code is on the box instead of the robot, and you can’t swap the dustbin while it’s charging because the compartment sits under the charger. Overall I’m really happy with the purchase—the build and performance met or even exceeded my expectations, especially considering it costs about what my first robot did but includes LIDAR mapping.