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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

ESPHome vs Roomba

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

IoT & Smart Home

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Roomba logo

Roomba

IoT & Smart Home

iRobot's intelligent robot vacuum series

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ESPHome has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ESPHome eSPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects; Roomba robot vacuums list from $399.99 up to $999.99 for the top combo model, and Affirm financing on iRobot.com carries rates up to 36 percent APR
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Roomba covers Smart Mapping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Roomba actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and Roomba differ
AttributeESPHomeRoomba
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiIOS, Android, Web
Founded20181990

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ESPHome

  • YAML Configuration
  • OTA Updates
  • Home Assistant Native
  • Custom Components
  • Home Assistant
  • MQTT
  • API
  • Native integration

Only in Roomba

  • Smart Mapping
  • Auto-Empty Base
  • Multi-Room Navigation
  • Dirt Detect
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • IFTTT
  • Smart schedules

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ESPHome

  • Building custom smart home sensors and switches on ESP32 hardwarenot Roomba
  • Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based devices with locally controlled firmwarenot Roomba
  • Integrating DIY devices into Home Assistant over a native API or MQTTnot Roomba

Roomba

  • Automated vacuuming and mopping of home floorsnot ESPHome
  • Scheduled cleaning managed through a connected appnot ESPHome

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ESPHome

  • ESPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects
  • Support for ESP32-H2, RP2040 and other newer chips is documented as less mature
  • Large displays and some sensors do not work well on ESP8266 because of its limited RAM, which is roughly a fifth of an ESP32

Roomba

  • Robot vacuums list from $399.99 up to $999.99 for the top combo model, and Affirm financing on iRobot.com carries rates up to 36 percent APR

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full firmware
    • Home Assistant integration
    • Custom sensors

Roomba

On request
  • iRobot Select$29/month
    • Robot ownership
    • Extended warranty
    • Consumables

Which should you pick?

Choose ESPHome if

  • You need yaml configuration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want ota updates.
ESPHome review

Choose Roomba if

  • You need smart mapping.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want auto-empty base.
Roomba review

Questions people ask

Is ESPHome or Roomba better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Roomba at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Roomba?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESPHome and On request for Roomba.
Does ESPHome or Roomba run on more platforms?
ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Roomba runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Roomba starts at On request.
What is ESPHome best used for?
ESPHome is most often used for building custom smart home sensors and switches on esp32 hardware, replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based devices with locally controlled firmware, integrating diy devices into home assistant over a native api or mqtt. Of those, building custom smart home sensors and switches on esp32 hardware and replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based devices with locally controlled firmware are not what Roomba is typically brought in for.
What can ESPHome do that Roomba cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Roomba covers Smart Mapping, Auto-Empty Base, Multi-Room Navigation, Dirt Detect.
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