Robot Vacuums · Head to head

iRobot Roomba 205 vs Roborock Saros 20 Flow

Full Robot Vacuums comparison in 2026

Updated November 2026
Data from the official iRobot and Roborock sites.
2026 verdict
Want a dock that doses its own detergent and a robot that joins any smart home?
The Roborock Saros 20 Flow is the better robot vacuum of this pair over the iRobot Roomba 205, rated at 36,000Pa against 7,000Pa and built with a self-washing, self-drying mop, automatic detergent dosing and Matter support for Apple Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant. It is also a 9cm-slim body that fits under low furniture. The iRobot Roomba 205 counters with its DustCompactor and compact charging base, and it costs far less, but it is vacuum-only. Choose the Roborock Saros 20 Flow for strong suction, real mopping and full platform support, and the iRobot Roomba 205 when a compact, low-maintenance vacuum is all you want.
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The biggest differences

Where these two are furthest apart, and by how much.

  • Suction Power5.1×Roborock Saros 20 Flow36000Pa vs 7000Pa
  • Battery Life2.5×Roborock Saros 20 Flow301 minutes vs 120 minutes
FeatureiRobot Roomba 205Roborock Saros 20 FlowWinner
Rating4.24.0iRobot Roomba 205
Battery Life120 minutes301 minutesRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Connectivity2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth2.4 GHz WiFiiRobot Roomba 205
IntegrationsGoogle Home, AlexaGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, MatterRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Suction Power7000Pa36000PaRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Mopping FunctionalityNOYESRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Auto Mop WashingNOYESRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Auto Mop DryingNOYESRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Self-Emptying DustbinNOYESRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Local ControlNOYESRoborock Saros 20 Flow
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Auto RechargeYESYESTie

What the differences mean

Suction

The Roborock Saros 20 Flow is rated at 36,000Pa against 7,000Pa for the iRobot Roomba 205, so it pulls far more from carpet and embedded pet hair. On bare hard floors the gap narrows.

Mopping

The Roborock Saros 20 Flow mops with a pad that washes, dries and lifts on carpet and doses detergent from the dock. The iRobot Roomba 205 is vacuum-only, so there is no mop to maintain or to wet a rug.

Smart home support

The Roborock Saros 20 Flow supports Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings, Home Assistant and Matter. The iRobot Roomba 205 stops at Alexa, Google Home and IFTTT.

Footprint

The iRobot Roomba 205 charges on a compact base and compacts dust inside the robot, while the Roborock Saros 20 Flow needs a large self-emptying dock. In a small home the Roomba is the easier fit.

Battery runtime

The Roborock Saros 20 Flow is rated for up to 301 minutes per charge against 120 for the iRobot Roomba 205, so it covers far more floor before it recharges. The iRobot Roomba 205 leans on its compactor, which keeps its bin from needing frequent emptying.

Which one to buy if

Price unavailable right now
  • + Rating: 4.2
  • + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth
  • - Battery Life: 120 minutes vs 301 minutes
  • - Integrations: Google Home, Alexa vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter
Winner
Prime exclusive deal
$1699.99
  • + Battery Life: 301 minutes
  • + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter
  • + Suction Power: 36000Pa
  • - Rating: 4.0 vs 4.2
  • - Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi vs 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth

What owners say

Owners of the iRobot Roomba 205 value the compact design: the internal DustCompactor presses debris down so the bin needs emptying far less, and the small charging base tucks away where an auto-empty tower would not. Its pickup on carpet and hard floors draws praise, and pet owners say it keeps up with daily shedding. The recurring caveat is battery life, with several owners needing more than one recharge cycle to finish a single level, and a few report it getting stuck on cords, thresholds or small mats. The app also has rough edges, including occasional confusion about whether the robot is docked, and some find the compacted bin awkward to empty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: iRobot Roomba 205 or Roborock Saros 20 Flow?

The Roborock Saros 20 Flow, for a home that wants strong suction and real mopping. It is rated at 36,000Pa, washes and dries its own mop and supports Matter. The iRobot Roomba 205 is the compact, cheaper, vacuum-only alternative.

What is the biggest difference between the iRobot Roomba 205 and the Roborock Saros 20 Flow?

Mopping and suction. The Roborock Saros 20 Flow mops with a self-washing, self-drying pad and is rated at 36,000Pa, while the iRobot Roomba 205 is a vacuum-only robot rated at 7,000Pa with an internal DustCompactor.

Does the Roborock Saros 20 Flow work with Apple Home and Matter?

Yes. The Roborock Saros 20 Flow supports Matter, which brings it into Apple Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant, plus direct Alexa and Google Home. The iRobot Roomba 205 supports Alexa, Google Home and IFTTT only.

Which runs longer per charge, the Roborock Saros 20 Flow or the iRobot Roomba 205?

The Roborock Saros 20 Flow, rated for up to 301 minutes per charge against 120 for the iRobot Roomba 205. Owners report the iRobot Roomba 205 can need several recharges to finish a level.

Who should buy the iRobot Roomba 205?

Buyers with a small or medium home who want a compact vacuum that compacts dust internally and avoids a dock tower. The iRobot Roomba 205 is the lower-priced, simpler machine of the pair.

Who should buy the Roborock Saros 20 Flow?

Homes that want mopping automated and a robot that joins Apple Home, SmartThings or Matter, or anyone who needs strong suction for pet hair and carpet. The Roborock Saros 20 Flow is the more capable machine.

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