iRobot Roomba 104 2-in-1 Vacuum and Mop Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this robot in person. The verdict rests on our reading of three independent write-ups (listed at the end), and only one of them is a lab-style test. We found no multi-year durability data for the Roomba 104, and say so below. Our method.
A fair budget pick if you mainly want dust and pet hair handled
Reviewers agree the Roomba 104 maps quickly with LiDAR and handles dust, debris and pet hair well. The same reviewers point out almost no obstacle avoidance, a drag-only mop with no lift, a small shared dust bin and a single brush that tangles with long hair. One tester scored it low overall and called it overpriced at list price. It suits flat, tidy floors; busy homes with cables, toys and thick rugs may be happier elsewhere.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- want a budget robot for daily dust and pet hair on hard floors and low rugs
- like fast, orderly LiDAR mapping and no-go zones in an app
- want light damp mopping between proper mop sessions
Skip it if you…
- have cables, socks or toys on the floor, since obstacle avoidance is very weak
- expect real scrubbing from the mop
- have long hair or pets that shed long hair, which can wrap the single brush
The iRobot Roomba 104 is an entry-level 2-in-1 robot that vacuums and wipes with a drag-style mop pad. It maps with LiDAR, runs from the iRobot Home app, and can pair with an auto-empty dock that stores debris in a bag.
We combed independent reviews and summaries. Independent testing of this exact model is limited, so we flag where evidence is thin.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Navigation | LiDAR mapping, no camera |
|---|---|
| Suction | 7,000 Pa listed |
| Mop | Drag-style pad, no lift or scrubbing |
| Dock | Optional auto-empty dock with sealed bag |
| Control | iRobot Home app, Alexa and Google Assistant |
What owners and reviewers like
What owners and reviewers complain about
How it holds up over time
We found no long-term durability data. The longest test we saw was about three months. Vacuum Chef lists some units failing to power on or charge among user complaints, but gives no failure rate. Plan for ongoing parts: dust bags every couple of months, mop pads, filters, side brushes and a roller each year.
Tips from reviewers
- Clear cables and small items first, since the robot will not avoid them.
- Use no-go and no-mop zones in the app to protect rugs.
- Cut hair off the brush regularly if you have long hair or shedding pets.
- Budget for bags and pads as ongoing costs.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Handles dust and pet hair well
- Fast, accurate LiDAR mapping
- Improved app with no-go and no-mop zones
- Optional auto-empty dock
- Avoids carpets while mopping
What owners complain about
- Very weak obstacle avoidance
- Drag-only mop, no lift or scrubbing
- Single brush tangles with long hair
- Small dust bin fills quickly
Other options owners compare
These robots give a sense of the trade-offs at the lower end of the range.
| Model | Style | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iRobot Roomba 104 (this review) | LiDAR vacuum and drag mop | You want a budget Roomba for dust and pet hair | See on Amazon |
| iRobot Roomba 694 Read our review | Simple vacuum only | You want an even simpler, vacuum-only Roomba | See on Amazon |
| eufy RoboVac 11S MAX Read our review | Slim vacuum only | You want a quiet, slim budget vacuum without mopping | See on Amazon |
Want a budget robot that keeps dust and pet hair in check?
Check the current price, dock bundles and replacement parts on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Roomba 104 avoid obstacles?
Barely. Two reviewers say obstacle avoidance is very weak, so clear cables and small items first.
Is the mop any good?
It is a drag-style pad without lift or scrubbing. It handles light messes, but reviewers call it basic.
Does it work on carpet?
It cleans low carpet in vacuum mode, but with the mop pad attached the carpet sensor keeps it off rugs.
Does it use a camera?
No. Just A Dad Approved notes it uses LiDAR rather than a camera, so it can run in the dark.
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Sources we analyzed
- Vacuum Chef: Roomba 104 Combo review — specs, test scores, user complaints
- Just A Dad Approved: Roomba 104 Combo AutoEmpty review — three-month test, mop, app, obstacle avoidance
- ShopSavvy: Roomba 104 review summary — aggregated praise and complaint themes
Figures reflect each source as of October 22, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.