Innovative robot vacuums like the Roomba and Dyson 360 are freeing up hours of chore time by autonomously cleaning homes. With over 20 years on the market, iRobot’s Roomba became the first mainstream robotic vacuum. But British upstart Dyson aims to disrupt the bot vac dominance using their technology known for best-in-class suction power.
This detailed robotic vacuum comparison puts these iconic home cleaning brands to the test across 12 factors to determine if pioneering Roomba still rules the category they created or if newcomer Dyson’s premium models outshine on performance.
A Brief History of Automated Vacuums
Before analyzing the bots, it helps to understand the origins of these robotic vacuums.
iRobot Roomba – Founded in 1990, Massachusetts-based iRobot was working on defense robotics when engineer Colin Angle suggested adapting their navigation software for the home. This sparked the idea for the Roomba which launched in 2002 as the world’s first mainstream consumer robot vacuum. It uses sensors and algorithms to autonomously roam while vacuuming. Their focus remains on iterating cutting-edge bots for cleaner floors.
★★★★☆ – Market pioneering brand that popularized robot vacuums
Dyson Robot Vacuums – Dyson disrupted the vacuum industry in the ‘90s by eliminating bags and filters needed for suction. Established by British inventor Sir James Dyson, their vacuums became synonymous with powerful cleaning performance enabled by strong airflow. Dyson launched their first robot vac – the 360 Eye which used tank treads and 360° cameras – in 2014. A second generation model called the Heurist debuted in 2019 with improved navigation. Unlike iRobot, vacuums are just one product within Dyson‘s home appliance ecosystem.
★★★☆☆ – Prestigious vacuum brand but very new to robot vacs
Now let’s see how today‘s Roomba and Dyson robovacs stack up across the essential factors shoppers care about most.
Battle of the Bots: Dyson vs Roomba Robot Vacuums Head-to-Head
| Cleaning Ability | Roomba | Dyson |
|---|---|---|
| Suction Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Stronger than past Roombas but air watts not disclosed |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 185 AW on Dyson 360 Heurist is class-leading |
| Effectiveness on Carpets | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Impressive at grabbing pet hair and debris based on testing |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excels on high pile and shag carpeting |
| Hard Floor Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Foam extractors lift fine dust; adjustable height |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Wider cleaner head reaches edges better |
| Built-in Mopping | ⭐⭐⭆⭆⭆ Just third-party mop attachments available |
⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ No official mopping accessories |
SEE ALSO: Dyson Outperforms Top Roombas in Carpet Cleaning Battle
When it comes to pure vacuuming capabilities, Dyson touts its signature strong suction with a rating nearly 20% higher than Roomba‘s best available. Comparative testing confirms Dyson‘s extra air watts translate into superior dirt and debris pickup across most surfaces. Roomba counterpunches with better reach into corners thanks to its rubber extractors. Neither offers integrated mopping like some competitors but can be paired with attachable damp mop modules.
| Navigation & Mapping | Roomba | Dyson |
|---|---|---|
| Obstacle Avoidance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent object detection so minimal getting stuck |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Vision system hampered in dark rooms |
| Multi-Floor Handling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Manual movement between floors |
⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ No automatic relocation between floors |
| Mapping Ability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Imprint Smart Mapping precisely scans homes |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Accurate maps but slower learning process |
| Pathfinding AI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Methodical cleaning patterns room to room |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Efficient but more scattershot coverage |
SEE ALSO: Roomba s9 vs Dyson 360 Heurist Navigation Compared
iRobot Roombas leverage over 20 years refining robot vac routing powered by sensor fusion technology to build smart maps. This enables more methodical room-to-room cleaning versus Dyson‘s cameras which produce some mapping inconsistencies. Dyson promises intelligent navigation but lacks the experience fine tuning AI specific to home vacuuming.
| Convenience Features | Roomba | Dyson |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Flexible daily, weekly timing options |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Lacks granular scheduling capabilities |
| App Integration | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Intuitive iRobot HOME app with smart maps |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Dyson Link app feels more basic |
| Voice Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Alexa + Google Assistant voice commands |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Lacks wider smart home ecosystem ties |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Self-emptying base on some models |
⭐⭆⭆⭆⭆ No self-emptying base |
| Notifications | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Alerts for full bin, errors etc. |
⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ Very basic smartphone notifications |
SEE ALSO: Roomba j7+ Review – Amazon Alexa Robot Vacuum With Self-Empty
While lacking the deep vacuum industry experience, Dyson offsets some navigation shortcomings with interoperability conveniences like Alexa and Google Assistant control. But Roomba moves the bar higher for whole-home automation integration with its self-emptying CleanBase dock and robust scheduling options. Overall, Dyson focuses more on tangible cleaning improvements over smart home connectivity.
| Hardware Design | Roomba | Dyson |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic Appeal | ⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ Plastic build feels utilitarian |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Sleek style and bold colors |
| Maintenance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Low upkeep apart from cleaning brushes |
⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ Requires frequent bin emptying |
| Reliability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Proven Roomba gearboxes hold up well |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ Questions around long-term durability |
| Noise Level | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ 64dB on Quiet drive mode |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ 68dB volume is louder than Roomba |
SEE ALSO: Dyson 360 Heurist vs Roomba s9 Noise Level Test
Form definitely takes priority over function with Dyson‘s handsome, modern-looking robovacs compared to Roomba‘s slightly dull matte finish. However, Roomba utilizes proven components across numerous generations leading to better reliability and easier maintenance than Dyson‘s less road-tested robotic vacuums.
| Value & Cost | Roomba | Dyson |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Options | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Lower-priced intro models like Roomba 675 |
⭐⭅⭅⭅⭅ No budget-friendly options |
| Price to Performance Ratio | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Variety matches needs and budgets |
⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ High price for suction gains but feature trade-offs |
| Ownership Cost | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Affordable parts/filters keep operating costs low |
⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ $70+ replacement battery adds expense |
| Resale Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭅ Holds value well if cared for |
⭐⭐⭐⭆⭆ Untested demand for used Dyson bots |
Dyson touts best-in-class performance but that engineering prowess comes at a lofty price only a premium buyer may justify. With a decade headstart, Roomba established reliable vacuums integrating smarter into whole home ecosystems – all at just a fraction of a Dyson‘s cost. Even lower-end Roombas satisfy most robotic vacuum shoppers.
The Final Verdict: Roomba Wins on Overall Value
If simply needing the strongest suction power trumps all else, Dyson offers unmatched cleaning muscle starting at $1,000. But Roomba‘s formula balancing performance, convenience and affordability keeps them king of the robot vacuum arena. Their unmatched navigation precision also leads to a more hands-off, hassle-free experience for years. Dyson dazzles but remains far too costly, compromised and unproven to justify over a Roomba that defines the entire robot vacuum category.
So despite slick style providing superficial appeal, Dyson fails to suck up sufficient advantages in other areas vital to robot vac ownership. Treat yourself to the best robotic vacuum pioneer Roomba has engineered – or save with an affordable model that gets the automated cleaning job done almost as well.
