Roomba 104 Robot Vacuum & Mop: The Ultimate Set It and Forget It Cleaner?
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image
Why the Roomba 104 Is Turning Heads in 2025
If you’ve ever delayed vacuuming until later—then forgotten entirely—the Roomba 104 might feel like a guilty-pleasure upgrade. With its 75-day auto-empty dock, 70× power-lifting suction, LiDAR mapping, and smart mop that avoids rugs, it’s engineered to fit seamlessly into bustling U.S. homes.
According to Statista (2025), over 62 % of U.S. households now own at least one smart home device. Despite this, many robot vacuums still feel like toys—Roomba 104, however, blends power with practicality (TechRadar, Wired). It’s the perfect pick if you’re after serious cleaning with minimal fuss.
Amazon listings and customer feedback (June 2025) confirm it maps houses under 10 minutes and allows zone cleaning—ideal for busy families or pet-friendly households.
Features That Actually Make a Difference
The Roomba 104 doesn’t rely on hyperbole. Instead, it delivers automation people actually use:
- Self‑Emptying Dock (75 Days): According to CNET (2025), this dock holds up to 75 days of fine dust and hair—eliminating weekly maintenance hassles at $449 MSRP (Amazon).
- 70× Power Suction: With power-lifting suction vastly above baseline models, it’s rated strong for pet environments and debris-heavy homes (Amazon listings, Tom’s Guide Prime Day deal).
- LiDAR Smart Mapping: Wired (2025) lauded ClearView LiDAR: it reduces random navigation, ensures logical row cleaning, and keeps maps consistent across sessions.
- Carpet-Aware Mopping: Its mop head automatically pauses or lifts on carpeted zones, preventing soggy rugs—users note this feature as a standout during daily use.
- SmartScrub Mop Motion: Mops back and forth for better smear removal; fully adjustable per zone (via app) for targeted cleaning.
- App & Voice Integration: Full iRobot OS control—from suction levels to room targeting—via Alexa, Google Home, Siri (Matter protocol support in latest models) Tom’s Guide+5Tom’s Guide+5Amazon+5AmazonTom’s Guide+4The Verge+4Tom’s Guide+4.
LiDAR Mapping in Real Homes
TechRadar’s 2025 review highlighted room-labeling capabilities: clean by “kitchen,” “living room,” or “playroom” at a tap. Combined with Amazon reviewers noting nearly flawless first-time mapping in under 10 minutes, it’s usability you actually see in your experience.
Roomba 104 vs. Two Amazon Rival Combos
In the competitive smart vacuum space, the Roomba 104 stands out—but not everyone agrees it’s top. Here’s how it compares:
Roomba 104 vs. Roborock Q Revo
Roborock offers an all-in-one dock that washes and dries mop pads—something the Roomba lacks. However, multiple reviews (Vacuum Wars, 2025) note daily mop re-cleaning and more frequent dustbin emptying—up to every 10–14 days—despite higher price ($799–$899). For long maintenance intervals, Roomba wins. Vacuum Wars+2The Verge+2
Roomba 104 vs. Eufy X10 Pro Omni
The Eufy boasts mop cleaning automation at a lower starting price ($699 range), but TechRadar (2025) flagged its navigation as less precise—leading to missed spots and occasional app issues. Roomba’s LiDAR accuracy and simpler dock offer more reliable consistency for larger homes. The VergeVacuum Wars
Price and Accessibility in the U.S.
Pricing history:
- MSRP: $449
- Prime Day Discount: dropped to $249 (44% off) during mid‑2025 Tom’s Guide-declared deal—making it one of the lowest-ever street prices. Tom’s Guide+2Tom’s Guide+2
Despite being Amazon-exclusive (SKU Y351020), it’s consistently restocked, with strong availability through summer 2025. Consumer Reports ranked it as a strong value amid premium models. Tom’s Guide+2Tom’s Guide+2
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image
Real-Life Pros and Cons
What Users Praise Most
- Hands-off cleaning: auto-empty dock and app-controlled cycles free up time.
- Accurate mapping: rows reduce missed spots, zones stay stable, map editing is seamless.
- Quiet runtime: at ~58 dB, suitable for late-night or apartment use.
- Pet-friendly: 70× suction and SmartScrub mop remove pet hair effectively without brush tangles.
- Scheduling flexibility: per-room suction/water control and voice commands simplify control.
Where It’s Not Perfect
- No mop self-cleaning: You must rinse and dry the pad manually after use.
- Amazon only: No retail pickup or in-store returns in U.S.
- Limited app features: lacks advanced scheduling or concierge suggestions found in some rivals (e.g., Consumer Reports commentary).
- Not top-tier suction: Doesn’t match flagship suction stats of Combo 10 Max series.
Common Use Cases in U.S. Homes
Busy households with kids/pets
Ideal for parents juggling meals, toys, and unexpected spills. The dock clears dust, while LiDAR mapping tailors clean zones.
Pet households
Handles shedding efficiently: Amazon reviewers report significant reduction in daily fur clean-up, even with larger dogs.
Apartment or multi-level living
Compact (13.2 in diameter), low profile (4 in tall), and LiDAR mapping manage routine cleaning across rooms or floors reliably.
Market Trends and Technology Context (2025)
In 2025, the Roomba lineup expanded significantly, with eight new LiDAR-equipped models (105, 205, 405, 505 series), most with dual spinning pads and mop-wash docks. lavender-alligator-407214.hostingersite.com+9The Verge+9Amazon+9Amazon+2Tom’s Guide+2Vacuum Wars+2Wikipedia+2
The Roomba 104, despite lacking automatic mop wash, remains a reliable entry-point with automation leaning on core strengths—not gimmicks. It’s in the sweet spot between affordability and automation.
Final Takeaway: Is It a Smart Choice?
The Roomba 104 gets the job done without fuss. It won’t blow your mind with fancy extras, but it nails the basics: strong suction, reliable mapping, and a 75-day self-emptying dock that genuinely makes life easier. Its mop feature handles hard floors well and avoids carpets smartly—no weird surprises there.
Sure, it’s not built for multi-level mansions or tech obsessives who want app micromanagement. But if you just want clean floors and fewer chores, this vacuum-mop combo delivers steady results at a fair price. For most households in 2025, that’s more than enough.
FAQs About the Roomba 104
How long does the Roomba 104 run per charge?
It provides up to 120 minutes of runtime—enough for most medium U.S. homes. Amazon
Does it avoid carpets while mopping?
Yes. Carpet detection pausing/lifting the mop protects rugs. Tom’s GuideAmazon
Can it handle thick pet hair?
Yes. Users and reviews confirm tangle-free pickup—especially from dense Labrador sheds. Vacuum Wars+4reddit.com+4Amazon+4
Is it sold only on Amazon?
Yes, only Amazon U.S. stocks it under SKU Y351020. WikipediaAmazon
Does it support room mapping or multi-level homes?
Absolutely. Maps rooms quickly, labels zones, and supports cleaning by level. Tom’s GuideVacuum Wars
Explore More
