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Google Home vs Roomba

Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Roomba logo

Roomba

Software

iRobot's intelligent robot vacuum series

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Home has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app; 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: Google Home covers Google Assistant, Roomba covers Smart Mapping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Home and Roomba actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Home and Roomba differ
AttributeGoogle HomeRoomba
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSIOS, Android, Web
Founded20161990

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

Only in Roomba

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

Both cover

  • Android support
  • IOS support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot Roomba
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Roomba
  • Creating automation routinesnot Roomba
  • Managing household device settingsnot Roomba
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot Roomba

Roomba

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

Where each one falls short

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

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

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

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Roomba

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home 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 Google Home or Roomba better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home 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, Google Home or Roomba?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Home and On request for Roomba.
Does Google Home or Roomba run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Roomba runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Yes. Google Home has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Roomba starts at On request.
What is Google Home best used for?
Google Home is most often used for controlling and automating smart home devices, viewing nest camera feeds, creating automation routines, managing household device settings. Of those, controlling and automating smart home devices and viewing nest camera feeds are not what Roomba is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that Roomba cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Roomba covers Smart Mapping, Auto-Empty Base, Multi-Room Navigation, Dirt Detect. Both handle Android support, IOS support, Web support.
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