Softwr

Software · head to head

Roomba vs Amazon Alexa

Roomba logo

Roomba

Software

iRobot's intelligent robot vacuum series

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Amazon Alexa has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Amazon Alexa amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music
  • They diverge on capability: Roomba covers Smart Mapping, Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Roomba and Amazon Alexa actually diverge.

Attributes where Roomba and Amazon Alexa differ
AttributeRoombaAmazon Alexa
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS
Founded19901994

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 Roomba

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

Only in Amazon Alexa

  • Voice Control
  • Skills Library
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 100,000+ skills
  • Ring
  • Blink
  • Fire TV

Both cover

  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Roomba

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

Amazon Alexa

  • Voice-controlled homenot Roomba
  • Smart shoppingnot Roomba
  • Entertainmentnot Roomba
  • Home securitynot Roomba

Where each one falls short

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

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

Amazon Alexa

  • Amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music

Pricing, plan by plan

Roomba

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

Amazon Alexa

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Voice control
    • Skills
    • Smart home control
  • Alexa Guard Plus$4.99/month
    • Emergency response
    • Hands-free calling
    • Enhanced alerts

Which should you pick?

Choose Roomba if

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

Choose Amazon Alexa if

  • You need voice control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
  • You also want skills library.
Amazon Alexa review

Questions people ask

Is Roomba or Amazon Alexa better?
Neither clearly leads. Roomba starts at On request and Amazon Alexa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Roomba or Amazon Alexa?
Amazon Alexa has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Roomba and Free for Amazon Alexa.
Does Roomba or Amazon Alexa run on more platforms?
Roomba runs on IOS, Android, Web. Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
Can I use Amazon Alexa for free?
Yes. Amazon Alexa has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Roomba starts at On request.
What is Roomba best used for?
Roomba is most often used for automated vacuuming and mopping of home floors, scheduled cleaning managed through a connected app. Of those, automated vacuuming and mopping of home floors and scheduled cleaning managed through a connected app are not what Amazon Alexa is typically brought in for.
What can Roomba do that Amazon Alexa cannot?
Roomba covers Smart Mapping, Auto-Empty Base, Multi-Room Navigation, Dirt Detect. Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Both handle IOS support, Android support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Roomba

More on Amazon Alexa

Keep looking

Other head to heads