Roomba 104 vs Roomba 105: Which Smart Robot Vacuum Truly Fits Your Home in 2025?
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image
Last updated: August 2025
Picture this: It’s 6 PM, you come home after a hectic day, and the last thing on your mind is vacuuming crumbs or pet hair scattered across your living room. As you set your bag down, the Roomba 105 quietly glides across hardwood floors, weaving around chair legs with precision thanks to its LiDAR navigation. Meanwhile, your friend who owns the Roomba 104 swears it’s all they need—simple, effective, and affordable.
Both models aim to deliver stress-free cleaning, but how do they truly stack up? We put them head-to-head, digging into navigation, suction power, design aesthetics, and real-world convenience.
The Smart Home Context: Where Robot Vacuums Stand in 2025
According to Statista (2025), over 62% of U.S. households now use at least one smart home device, and robot vacuums have climbed to the top five in ownership. CNET notes that this surge is tied to busy lifestyles and the normalization of “set-it-and-forget-it” automation. TechRadar even highlighted robot vacuums as “the new cornerstone of modern domestic convenience” in their 2025 report.
This isn’t just about cleaning anymore—it’s about integrating automation seamlessly into daily routines, from voice-activated scheduling through Alexa or Google Assistant to multi-room mapping that feels more futuristic than functional.
Navigation and Mapping—Where Roomba 105 Pulls Ahead
Imagine a sunlit open-concept living room with a mix of hardwood floors and area rugs. Here, the Roomba 105’s LiDAR navigation creates accurate maps of your home. It glides in neat, predictable rows, avoiding obstacles with uncanny precision. CNET praised its “laser-guided consistency” and noted it reduced cleaning time by 20% compared to camera-only models.
By contrast, the Roomba 104 relies on simpler vSLAM technology. It’s capable but less precise—it occasionally bumps gently into furniture before correcting its path. In smaller apartments or single-room spaces, this isn’t a dealbreaker. But in homes with pets or open layouts, the 105’s mapping superiority is obvious.
Suction Power and Cleaning Performance
TechRadar’s 2025 tests showed that the Roomba 105’s Power-Lifting Suction delivered a measurable 25% improvement in debris pickup over the Roomba 104, especially on thick carpets and pet hair.
In daily use, you’ll notice this difference most under dining tables or near kitchen entryways—high-traffic areas where crumbs collect. One Austin homeowner described how their 105 “handled scattered cereal and Golden Retriever fur in a single pass.”
Meanwhile, the 104 shines on hard floors and low-pile rugs, but it occasionally requires a second run to match the 105’s single-pass efficiency.
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image
Design and Visual Integration in Your Home
Here’s where editorial texture matters. Both models share iRobot’s understated matte black finish, which blends effortlessly into most interiors. But the Roomba 105’s sleeker dock with an Auto-Empty base feels more integrated—its low-profile bin tucks neatly against a wall, almost disappearing beside modern furniture.
Picture it: in a minimalist loft with polished concrete floors, the 105’s dock sits near a mid-century sideboard, its discrete LED indicator softly glowing—futuristic but subtle. The 104’s smaller footprint is ideal for tight urban apartments where space is premium, like sliding next to a hallway console without intrusion.
Automation and Hands-Free Living
This is where the Roomba 105 flexes its smart-home credentials. With Alexa or Google integration, you can trigger it with commands like, “Alexa, start Roomba in the kitchen.” Combined with its 75-day Auto-Empty Dock, this model delivers genuine low-maintenance convenience.
CNET’s 2025 review noted: “For busy households, this setup nearly eliminates vacuuming from your mental load.” Pet owners especially benefit—emptying bins every 10+ weeks changes the game when dealing with daily fur.
The Roomba 104, while app-compatible, lacks auto-emptying. It suits those who don’t mind emptying bins manually every few days—still convenient, but less “hands-off.”
Real-World User Stories
- Sarah in Denver upgraded from the Roomba 104 to the 105 after moving into a two-story townhouse: “With kids and a Labrador, the 105’s mapping and auto-empty base just simplified everything. It’s like it knows my house better than I do.”
- Mike in Portland, who lives in a studio apartment, sticks with his 104: “It’s budget-friendly and perfect for my space. I don’t need LiDAR when my place is basically one big room.”
These illustrate the natural division: the Roomba 104 excels in compact, low-maintenance setups, while the 105 dominates larger, pet-friendly homes.
Pros and Cons in Context
Roomba 104 Pros
The 104 remains an affordable entry point with respectable cleaning. Its lightweight build is ideal for condos or small homes. But its lack of auto-emptying and less advanced mapping means it’s better suited for simpler floor plans and lighter debris loads.
Roomba 105 Pros
The 105’s advanced LiDAR, stronger suction, and self-empty dock justify its higher price for larger spaces. It’s designed for pet owners, families, or anyone craving true “set-and-forget” automation. The only drawbacks? Its taller dock needs clearance and its price tag may exceed casual users’ budgets.
Price and Availability
According to Consumer Reports (2025), the Roomba 104 averages around $349, while the Roomba 105 retails closer to $499, with periodic Amazon discounts shaving off $50-$70.
Here’s the editorial catch: while the 104 is wallet-friendly, many owners eventually upgrade. As CNET puts it: “The 105 is less about cost and more about reclaiming time—a price that pays itself off in convenience.”
Which Fits Your Lifestyle?
If you live in a compact apartment, vacuum lightly, or want to dip your toes into robot cleaning without breaking the bank, the Roomba 104 remains a solid, no-frills pick.
But for families juggling pets, kids, and sprawling floor plans, the Roomba 105 delivers a smarter, truly low-maintenance solution.
Ultimately, both shine in their lanes: the 104 is a smart entry-level robot, while the 105 is the future-proof choice for automation lovers.
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