iRobot Roomba 104 Vac

Users report the Roomba 104 Vac picks up dirt, dust, and pet hair well on both carpets and hard floors. Two-thirds of owners say it delivers effective cleaning in their homes.

Battery life runs 60-90 minutes per charge, which is typical for robot vacuums in this price range.

The 104 Vac uses ClearView LiDAR mapping to learn your home's layout. Higher-end models offer more advanced room recognition, but this one provides reliable navigation and coverage.

For pet hair, look for strong suction (roughly 20,000 Pa or more on a robot vacuum, 150 AW or more on a cordless), a tangle-resistant brush roll, a dedicated pet tool, and HEPA filtration, which by definition captures 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns. Dyson, Shark and Bissell all make well-reviewed pet models. Use the Pet Hair Specialist filter on our comparison table to see which ones are in stock and what they cost right now.

Most manufacturers suggest replacing filters every 3 to 6 months, depending on how often you vacuum and whether you have pets. HEPA filters usually last 12 to 18 months if you clean them regularly. Washable foam filters on bagless models should be rinsed every 1 to 2 weeks and dried fully before going back in. Replacements typically run $15 to $50. A clogged filter chokes airflow, so suction drops noticeably well before the filter looks dirty.