The Roomba 105 Vac is iRobot’s most affordable robot vacuum with auto-emptying in 2025. This vacuum-only model is designed for budget-conscious buyers who want Roomba cleaning performance without paying for extras like mopping. In our independent Roomba 105 Vac review, we compare it with competitors like the Eufy C10 (see our review) to see how it performs in cleaning power, navigation, battery life, and pet hair pickup.
Vacuum Wars tests robot vacuums using a rigorous 100+ point inspection process. All products are purchased independently and reviewed without sponsorships of any kind, making our results some of the most trusted in the industry.
Market Position in iRobot’s 2025 Lineup
The Roomba 105 Vac is a vacuum-only robot that ships with a self-emptying dustbin, making it the most affordable Roomba in the 2025 lineup that offers auto-emptying. It should not be confused with the Roomba 105 Combo, which includes mopping; the 105 Vac does not have any mopping hardware.
Additionally, the Roomba 105 does not have Obstacle Avoidance. While this is not expected for a robot at this tier, it is important to know it won’t sense or move around items like phone cables or socks, so you will need to tidy up before a vacuuming run.
Roomba 105 Vac Pros: Cleaning Power, Suction, and Navigation
Solid Carpet Cleaning Power
Despite being the most stripped-down Roomba, the 105 Vac performed well in our carpet deep clean test, where we embedded sand and grit into a medium-pile carpet and measured how much the robot removed. The Roomba 105 removed 82% of embedded sand, which was better than the category average of 75%. However, both scores are below the Eufy C10’s impressive score of 86%.
Respectable Suction and Airflow Bench Tests
In sealed suction tests, the Roomba 105 Vac reached 2.16 kPa, much higher than the Eufy C10 (0.73 kPa) and the class average (0.83 kPa). This raw suction advantage contributed to its decent carpet deep clean results.
The Roomba measured 12 CFM airflow, slightly ahead of the Eufy C10 (11 CFM), though both are behind the category average (16.4 CFM). Paired with its single roller brush and fixed side brush, this was sufficient for sweeping debris from the surface of both hard floors and rugs.
Roomba vs. Roborock?
Curious how Roomba compares to Roborock? Use our Robot Vacuum Comparison Tool to explore detailed specs and features—just select the Roborock and Roomba models you want to compare side by side.
Navigation with LiDAR
The Roomba 105 Vac navigates with LiDAR, which is a big change for iRobot vacuums, and they only recently joined in on the LiDAR game. In our navigation efficiency evaluations, it scored on the higher side with 0.74 m²/min, compared to 0.62 for the C10 and a 0.70 average. While its overall navigation rating was slightly below the average (2.79 points vs. 3.0), this is consistent for a budget-tier robot vacuum.
App Features
The Roomba 105 Vac’s app covers the basics most buyers will expect. You can connect via Wi-Fi, start jobs with Alexa or Google Assistant, save multi-level maps, and set up no-go zones, rooms, and custom cleaning sequences. While the app lacks premium extras, the essentials are here for everyday scheduling and map management. The Roomba App is not typically a favorite among users, but it is adequate for most needs.
User Feedback on the Roomba 105 Vac
Consumer reviews are mixed but similar to other budget robots. Around 15% of users gave the 105 Vac a one-star review, close to the 18% one-star rate for the Eufy C10. This suggests that the Roomba 105 performs about as expected for its price tier.
Pros at a glance
| Feature | Roomba 105 Vac | Eufy C10 | Category Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet Deep Clean | 82% | 86% | 75% |
| Sealed Suction (kPa) | 2.16 | 0.73 | 0.83 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 12 | 11 | 16.4 |
| Navigation Efficiency m²/min | 0.74 | 0.62 | 0.70 |
| User Feedback | 15% 1-star | 18% 1-star | – |
Roomba 105 Vac Cons: Pet Hair, Battery Life, and Design Limitations
Poor Hair Management
Hair pickup was the Roomba 105 Vac’s biggest weakness in our tests. In our flattened pet hair test, it scored 29%, compared to the C10’s 100% and the 81% average of all robot vacuums that we have evaluated.
Without an active detangling system, it struggled in the 7-inch hair tangle test, with 79% of strands wrapped around the brush. This was far worse than the C10 (37%), which scored near the average of 38%. Roomba includes a hair-removing tool to manually address hair wrapping.
Limited Battery Efficiency
While iRobot lists the 105 Vac’s runtime at 200 minutes, its efficiency came out low in our tests: just 0.79 m² per % battery, compared to the C10’s 1.36 m² and the 1.31 m² average. That translated to 630 sq. ft. per charge, well behind the C10 (904 sq. ft.) and the average (1,015 sq. ft.).
Recharge & Resume is built in, so the robot can top up its battery and then finish if a job runs long, which is a good thing as larger spaces will likely require multiple runs.
Taller Design
At 4.1 inches tall, the 105 Vac is significantly bulkier than the Eufy C10’s slim 2.85 inches, and also above the 3.8-inch average. This prevents it from fitting under some low-clearance furniture.
| Issue | Roomba 105 Vac | Eufy C10 | Category Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet Hair Pickup | 29% | 100% | 81% |
| 7-Inch Hair Tangle | 79% | 37% | 38% |
| Battery Efficiency | 0.79 m²/% | 1.36 | 1.31 |
| Coverage Per Charge | 630 sq. ft. | 904 sq. ft. | 1,015 sq. ft. |
| Height / Profile | 4.1 in | 2.85 in | 3.8 in |
Roomba 105 Vac vs Eufy C10: Is the Roomba 105 Vac Worth It?
In conclusion, the Roomba 105 Vac is iRobot’s cheapest auto-emptying robot vacuum in 2025, but our tests show it lags behind rivals like the Eufy C10 in pet hair pickup, battery efficiency, and coverage. If you’re shopping for the best budget robot vacuum, the Eufy C10 may deliver better everyday value, though the Roomba 105 still appeals to buyers who want the lowest-cost entry into the Roomba ecosystem.
iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum Buyers Guide 2025
iRobot has rolled out a revamped Roomba lineup for 2025, introducing key changes to its long-running series. From the entry-level 105 series to the top-of-the-line 705 series, these new models showcase a range of noteworthy updates that could signal a pivotal shift for the company. This guide delves into their major enhancements and offers insights into how they’ll perform in everyday life. See the Guide
