(checked 2026-10-10)
A cheap LiDAR Roomba with good suction on carpet, but testers found no obstacle avoidance, poor pet-hair pickup, heavy hair tangling and a clunky app. Owners also report charging and docking problems.
Top complaints
- Poor pet-hair pickup and hair tangling
Vacuum Wars measured 29% pickup of flattened pet hair against an 81% category average, and found 79% of 7-inch hair wrapped around the brush roll against a 38% average. Walmart 1-star reviews say it doesn't pick up pet hair, and Amazon's review summary says some owners find it doesn't deep clean.
- Battery, charging and docking problems
Amazon's summary says the battery is problematic: owners report it stops charging and doesn't return to the dock. Walmart owners describe a robot that can't find its base and a battery that doesn't stay charged. Vacuum Wars measured about 630 sq ft per charge against a 1,015 sq ft average.
- No obstacle avoidance, clumsy navigation and app
Wirecutter calls the Plus 105 with AutoEmpty dock 'thoroughly average': it struggles around corners and edges, and has a clunky app and clumsy navigation. Vacuum Wars says it has no obstacle avoidance for cables or socks. Some Walmart owners couldn't pair it to the app.
What owners love
- Good deep-carpet suction
Vacuum Wars measured 82% of embedded sand removed from medium-pile carpet (against a 75% average) and sealed suction of 2.16 kPa (against 0.83 kPa).
Source: Vacuum Wars review - Picks up everyday dirt
Amazon shoppers say it picks up dirt, pet hair and debris well. Walmart's review summary praises its floor cleaning, quick setup and battery that lasts a whole session.
- Fine in open spaces
Wirecutter found it excels in open spaces, and Vacuum Wars rated its cleaning efficiency (0.74 m²/min) slightly above average.
Source: Wirecutter, Vacuum Wars review
- You have long-haired pets
- Your floors have cords or socks
- You care about long-term app and parts support (iRobot filed for bankruptcy in December 2025)
- Uncluttered rooms with low-pile carpet
- Basic scheduled cleaning on a budget
- Buyers who want the Roomba name
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended: the Plus 105 with AutoEmpty dock is an average performer with a clunky app and clumsy navigation. Wirecutter doesn't currently recommend iRobot, which filed for bankruptcy in December 2025 and is now owned by Picea.
- Vacuum Wars: iRobot's cheapest self-emptying option, with strong carpet suction but very poor pet-hair pickup, heavy hair tangling, below-average battery coverage and no obstacle avoidance.
- RTINGS: Tested and listed in RTINGS' budget robot category, but with no full write-up. The visible specs show a 10.5 cm (4.1 in) height and 1.9 cm max threshold.