I Love the Self-Cleaning Roomba, But Can’t Justify Spending $900 on It. Here’s What I’m Buying Instead

There’s something undeniably appealing about the idea of a robot vacuum that does all the heavy lifting for you—especially one that even empties its own dustbin. As someone who values both time and a clean home, I’ve been eyeing the latest self-cleaning Roomba for a while now. It promises the ultimate in convenience, with advanced features like enhanced suction, smart mapping, and a self-emptying dustbin. But here’s the thing: at around $900, it’s a serious investment, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there must be a more affordable option that could deliver similar results without the hefty price tag.

After doing some research and considering what I really need from a robot vacuum, I discovered an alternative that caught my attention. It’s a bit under the radar compared to the Roomba, but it ticks a lot of the same boxes for nearly half the price.

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A Review of the Roomba Combo j7+

First, let’s talk about what makes the Roomba so enticing. When it comes to robot vacuums, it’s hard to beat the reputation this brand has built over the years. Combo j7+ is a powerhouse with suction that’s 100% stronger than its predecessors. That’s not just a number—during tests, it picked up everything from fine dust to larger debris, making it ideal for both hard floors and carpets. Its dual brush design also means it can handle different surfaces with ease, transitioning seamlessly from hardwood to deep-pile carpet without missing a beat.

Then there’s the self-cleaning feature. This is the real draw for me—the idea of not having to worry about emptying the dustbin after every run. The Roomba can store up to 60 days’ worth of dirt in its clean base, and it even has a water reservoir that can last for 30 days if you’re using its mopping function. And speaking of mopping, the Roomba’s retractable mop pad is a game-changer. It’s smart enough to lift itself out of the way when it detects carpet, so you don’t have to worry about wet rugs or mats.

But here’s where the hesitation comes in: while the Roomba excels in many areas, it’s also not without its drawbacks. The most significant being the $900 price tag. That’s a lot to shell out, especially when you consider that you still need to manually clean the mop pads after each run. Sure, it’s a small task, but at that price point, you’d expect it to be fully automated. Add to that the fact that the Roomba isn’t the fastest at mapping your space—it takes about 25 minutes to complete an initial map, which is longer than some of its competitors. It’s these little things that got me thinking: is there a way to get most of these benefits without the hefty cost?

So What’s the Alternative?

The Yeedi 3-in-1 robot vacuum station is the more budget-friendly option that’s been flying under the radar. This little machine has some impressive features, all at a price that’s much easier to swallow—around $429. What’s impressive about this model is that it offers a lot of the same functionality as the Roomba but without the eye-watering price tag.

For starters, this vacuum boasts strong suction power, comparable to what you’d get from the Roomba. It’s equipped with smart mapping technology that allows it to learn the layout of your home quickly, creating an efficient cleaning route. And it’s not just about vacuuming—this model is a 3-in-1 cleaner, meaning it can vacuum, mop, and even self-empty, all without you having to lift a finger.

One of the standout features is its ability to run for up to 200 minutes on a single charge. That’s more than enough time to cover a large area, even in a home with multiple rooms. Plus, it has smart carpet detection, which means it automatically adjusts its cleaning mode when it transitions from hard floors to carpet. This is especially handy for those of us with mixed flooring types, as it ensures that both surfaces get the attention they need.

What I Love About Yeedi

So, what makes this vacuum a better choice for me? First and foremost, it’s the price. At $429, I’m getting nearly all the features I’d expect from the Roomba but at almost half the price.

But beyond that, there are some cool features that make Yeedi stand out. The self-emptying dustbin might not hold quite as much as the Roomba’s, but it’s more than adequate for regular use. And the fact that it can run for over three hours on a single charge is another big plus. I don’t have to worry about it dying in the middle of a cleaning session, even on days when the house needs a bit of extra attention.

The mopping function is not just a basic feature—it’s a well-thought-out addition that actually works. The vacuum is smart enough to avoid carpets when mopping, and it does a thorough job on hard floors. The water tank was a bit of a letdown because it’s not as large as the Roomba’s, but other than that, the cleaning results have been impressive so far.

What I Didn’t Like

Of course, no product is perfect, and Yeedi is no exception. While it does a lot of things well, there are a few areas where it doesn’t quite match up to the Roomba. The most obvious is the lack of an app with quite as many advanced features. While you still get the basics—like scheduling, remote control, and cleaning reports—the app doesn’t have the same level of customization that the Roomba’s does. If you’re someone who likes to tweak every little setting, this might be a bit of a letdown.

Another area where it falls short is in the obstacle avoidance department. It does a decent job, but it’s not as precise as the Roomba. Occasionally, it might bump into things or get stuck in tricky spots that the Roomba would navigate with ease. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but it’s something to keep in mind if your home is full of potential obstacles.

And while the mopping function is generally solid, it doesn’t have the same scrubbing power as the Roomba. It’s great for light cleaning and maintenance, but if you’re dealing with tough, dried-on stains, you might need to do a bit of manual scrubbing afterward. Again, not a huge issue for me, but it’s something to consider if mopping is a top priority for you.

Why I’m Sticking with the Budget-Friendly Option

At the end of the day, the decision comes down to what you value most. If you’re looking for the absolute top-of-the-line experience, with every bell and whistle, the Roomba is hard to beat. But for me, the price of Yeedi vacuum station makes more sense. It offers a great balance of features and performance at a price that doesn’t make me cringe.

Sure, it has a few limitations, but they’re minor compared to the overall value it provides. I’m getting a vacuum that can handle my home’s cleaning needs without breaking the bank, and that’s something I can feel good about. It’s reliable, easy to use, and most importantly, it keeps my floors clean with minimal effort on my part. For anyone looking to upgrade their cleaning game without spending a small fortune, this vacuum is definitely worth considering.