eufy vs. Roomba robot mops: Which is best?

The latest robots from eufy run rings around iRobot’s Roomba

Shopping for a robot mop can be a daunting task. There are a lot of brands and a lot of options. The BestReviews Testing Lab decided to revisit a head-to-head matchup, comparing eufy to Roomba, that we first did in 2024. This time, we pitted eufy’s latest Omni-series robot mops against a current model from iRobot’s famed Roomba lineup.

When we last did this comparison, iRobot was still riding high and eufy was playing catch-up. Those days are long gone. Our testing found that eufy’s robot vacuums now compete feature-for-feature with robot vacuum brands across the market, while Roombas, for the most part, have stagnated. 

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How we tested robot mops from eufy and iRobot 

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim the brand/manufacturer makes about the product. For this article, we tested these robot vacuums in a 1,000-square-foot, two-level apartment with a mix of vinyl plank hard flooring, medium-pile carpeting and short-pile area rugs.

• Setup and design: We set up each test model according to instructions, noting design, complexity and any easy-to-overlook steps.
• Software and connection: We downloaded each brand’s smartphone app and set up each robot, looking for easiness and stability.
• Mapping: We observed how quickly and accurately each robot completed its first map of its surroundings. We also checked how simple it was to edit the map and what it took to set up cleaning zones and no-go zones.
• Vacuuming: We used one tablespoon each of dry rice, dry oatmeal and baking soda on both hard flooring and short-pile area rugs. We then ran a cleaning job, noting how much of the debris was left behind and whether the robot scattered or spread the mess.
• Mopping: We used one tablespoon of water as well as stuck-on stains of coffee and soy sauce. We ran the robots with both standard and extra-water mopping settings and checked how much spill or stain was left after one or two passes. We also noted whether the robot spread the spill and how often it needed to return to wash its mop.
• Hair: To test hair pickup and tangle, we used 1- to 2-inch strands of faux fur spread on both hard flooring and short-pile carpet, noting how much was left behind and if there were any tangles on the robot.
• Cleaning efficiency and obstacle detection: We ran each robot on multiple whole-home cleaning jobs, noting mop lifting, edge cleaning and obstacle avoidance. We also ran room-specific and zone-specific jobs to test navigation and efficiency.
• Maintenance and dock: We disassembled each robot for maintenance and inspection and took note of the efficiency and capacity of the dock’s dirty-water tank and dust bag.

The big picture

Overall, the eufy Omni models we tested were effective cleaners and a pleasure to use, even if their features could sometimes get in the way of their usefulness. On the other hand, the Roomba Plus 405 was disappointing and underpowered except during deep cleaning.

eufy vs. iRobot robot mops: What they do well

Any robot vacuum from a trustworthy brand makes it easier to keep a home clean. They can handle regular pickup of dust and small particles from most floor surfaces and can mop up everyday splatters and footprints.

eufy benefits

Eufy is the home-products brand of Anker, the company also known for its power banks and adapters, as well as Soundcore headphones and speakers.

• Advanced features: The eufy Omni E25 and E28 are among the most advanced cleaning robots in eufy’s lineup, with accurate AI-powered object recognition, fully automated docks and continuously-refreshed roller mops.
• Value: Robot vacuums from eufy have long been known for lower prices relative to rivals, not even counting frequent deep discounts on both its own brand store and retailers like Amazon.
• Quiet operation: Eufy robot vacuums have often been quieter than comparable rival models, a trend continued in the E25 and E28 (not counting its dock).
• Two side brushes: Eufy’s robot vacuums have often boasted two side brushes, including the E25 and E28, instead of one as in most other robot vacuums.

iRobot benefits

With the first Roomba in 2002, iRobot invented the consumer robot vacuum. Every robot vacuum since has owed its basic concept to that first Roomba model.

• Brand recognition: Roomba is as famous a brand as Kleenex or Xerox. Any robot vacuum may be called a “roomba” by a casual consumer.
• Parts ecosystem: Because of its long history and the way it constructed its robots until recently, there is a large existing ecosystem of parts and repair options for iRobot Roombas, both official and third-party.
• Scrubbing motion: The Roomba Plus 405 has a back-and-forth scrubbing motion that adds effectiveness to its mopping and vacuuming, but only in deep-clean mode.

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What they could improve 

Despite their convenience, robot vacuums are not better than upright or canister vacuums, or manual mops. Eufy and iRobot both have drawbacks that we noted during testing and research.

eufy drawbacks

Products by eufy are not known for repairability or longevity. Sometimes, their features are better in concept than execution.

• Lack of repairability: Customer service often goes from basic user fixes to being issued an entire replacement unit, or just buying a new one, even after a year or two.
• Feature execution: The eufy Omni E28 comes with a spot cleaner, which is convenient, except it adds size and noise to the dock and isn’t particularly great at cleaning.

iRobot drawbacks

For a pioneering, original brand, iRobot has lost a lot of its innovation and feature parity with rivals.

• Stagnant innovation: iRobot was slow to adopt LiDAR and other innovations from its rivals. When it finally did catch up, it dropped features that made Roombas special, like dual rollers and lift-away mop pads.
• Low suction: A long-standing issue with Roombas is their lower suction power compared to competitors. Roombas made up for that with dual rollers, but it dropped that feature in recent models.

Deep dive: eufy vs. iRobot robot mops 

In this round of our robot vacuum tests, we compared the eufy Omni E25 and E28 robot vacuums with the iRobot Roomba Plus 405. All three models are combination mopping and vacuuming robots with self-emptying, self-washing docks.

eufy Omni E25 Robot Vacuum

Dimensions: 12.83” L x 13.72” W x 4.4” H | Dock dimensions: 14.55” W × 18.18” D × 17.19” H | Runtime: 125 min | Mopping: Roller |  Navigation: LiDAR, camera

The eufy Omni E25 was our favorite among the robot vacuums we tested in this round, providing the best all-around cleaning, mopping and automation. It removed over 95% of large debris and over 90% of fine particles in our tests, although it struggled somewhat with fine powder on hard flooring and faux fur on short pile. It mopped up small spills well, although dried stains took multiple passes before being removed. The E25 has excellent object recognition, identifying and labeling shoes, power cords and fabric, keeping its map updated, and avoiding us if we stepped in its path. The Omni dock was relatively quiet for a self-empty dock and doesn’t take up as much space as some rival all-in-one docks. 

eufy Omni E28 Robot Vacuum

Dimensions: 12.83” L × 13.72” W × 4.4” H | Dock dimensions: 14.63” W × 19.07” D × 17.29” H | Runtime: 125 min | Mopping: Roller |  Navigation: LiDAR, camera

The eufy Omni E28 robot vacuum and mop is essentially identical to the E25. Its main difference is its Omni dock, which, in the E28’s case, integrates a lift-away portable stain remover that takes up the entire upper half of the dock. It integrates the clean and dirty water tanks plus the power cord and power supply, so when it’s removed, the dock doesn’t function and the E28 robot doesn’t charge. As a spot cleaner and stain remover, it performed adequately but unspectacularly, and required a separate stain-removal spray to get at stubborn dirt. It’s also loud, registering over 85 decibels during operation, the same noise it makes when emptying the robot’s dustbin.

iRobot Roomba Plus 405 

Dimensions: 14.1" L x 13.8" W x 4.2" H | Dock dimensions: 17.72” L x 12.4” W x 18.58” H | Runtime: 120 min | Mopping: Rotary pads |  Navigation: LiDAR

The iRobot Roomba Plus 405 combo vacuum and mopping robot is a midrange cleaning robot with an auto-empty, mop-washing dock. It disappointed in our tests, leaving behind up to 50% of various debris in our vacuuming tests, unable to move any faux fur on short-pile rugs, and spreading spills around with its mopping pads. It did, however, remove all the faux fur on hard flooring, and in deep-clean mode used a back-and-forth scrubbing motion to improve its overall cleaning performance. Its dock is somewhat loud, but does the job, while its app buried controls in unintuitive sections and lost synchronization with the robot long enough to need a reboot.

Price comparison 

The Roomba Plus 405 is the lowest-priced of the three robots tested, retailing at $799. By comparison, the eufy Omni E25 starts at $1,299, while the Omni E28 is priced at $1,399. The Roomba 405 is a lower midrange model, while the two eufy robots are considered premium machines. Both iRobot and eufy discount their models often, cutting prices sometimes 40% to 50%.

Should you get a robot mop from eufy or iRobot? 

There was a time when iRobot’s Roombas were the most reliable robot vacuums around. They were easy to maintain and repair, while eufy robot vacuums were cheap and derivative. But iRobot dropped the ball, forgot innovation and switched its lineup to mediocre performers like the Roomba Plus 405. Though the eufy Omni E25 and E28 are not the best cleaning robots we’ve ever seen, they are superior to the Roomba for everyday cleaning.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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