How Well Do Roomba Vacuums Really Work On Tile Floors? Here's What We Know

Between juggling work, your social life, and other obligations, keeping your home tidy can be a struggle. So home gadgets like Roomba vacuums are an excellent way to stay on top of chores without much effort. If you live somewhere with a lot of tile, though, you may be wondering how well a Roomba would work in your home. Fortunately, many Roomba vacuums function fantastically on tile, but pay attention to the model you're buying, as some will give you a more thorough clean than others. 

For tile floors, you need a strong vacuum, as debris can get stuck in crevices, like grout lines or chips in the tile. A vacuum's strength is measured by its suction power, which is often displayed in Pascals, abbreviated "Pa." This simply refers to how much force is being used to lift debris from the floor. While you can find models outside of these ranges, an upright vacuum with 1,400 to 1,600 Pa is generally considered good. Meanwhile, robot vacuums like Roombas typically range from 2,500 to 5,000 Pa. 

Suction isn't the only factor that influences how well a Roomba can work on tile. Many Roomba models have multi-surface brushes so they can transition between different floor types. There are also Roomba rubber brushes sold separately that are especially effective on tile. These brushes are all compatible with the Roomba Combo, Combo 10 Max, and i, e, and j series. You'll also likely want a vacuum with a long battery life or a charging station, as cleaning large tiled areas can use up a lot of power.

If you want to purchase a Roomba specifically for tile floors, you have plenty of options. At the high end, there's the Roomba Combo j9+, currently on sale for $1,199.99. This model is neat because it's both a vacuum and mop. The latter function makes it particularly useful at removing stains or other residue on hard floors like tile. In a similar price range, the Roomba s9+, currently $926.45, boasts extra-strong suction power with multi-surface rubber brushes. 

For a budget-friendlier option, you can check out the Roomba i3+, currently on sale for $398.99, which also includes multi-surface rubber brushes. You can also save money by looking into Roomba alternatives, like the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S, which is one of the best Roomba dupes on the market and available for only $109.99.

There are some things to consider before buying a robot vacuum, like whether you're down to deal with its maintenance. For example, most of these units don't hold a lot of waste. Unless you go for a model that empties itself, like the j9+, you'll likely have to take care of this more often than you would with a regular vacuum. But if you decide to make the investment into a robot vacuum, check out these tips for getting the most out of your Roomba.