- Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
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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
| Feature | iRobot Roomba 205 | Roborock Saros 20 Flow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.0 | iRobot Roomba 205 |
| Battery Life | 120 minutes | 301 minutes | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth | 2.4 GHz WiFi | iRobot Roomba 205 |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Suction Power | 7000Pa | 36000Pa | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Mopping Functionality | NO | YES | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Auto Mop Washing | NO | YES | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Auto Mop Drying | NO | YES | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Self-Emptying Dustbin | NO | YES | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Local Control | NO | YES | Roborock Saros 20 Flow |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Auto Recharge | YES | YES | Tie |
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
- you want real mopping without touching the pad
The Roborock Saros 20 Flow washes, dries and lifts its mop and doses detergent from the dock on its own.
- your smart home runs on Apple Home, SmartThings or Matter
Only the Roborock Saros 20 Flow is Matter certified and reaches those platforms alongside Alexa and Google Home.
- you want a compact base and no dock tower
The iRobot Roomba 205 compacts dust internally and charges on a small base, at a much lower price.
- you have pets and thick carpet
The Roborock Saros 20 Flow's 36,000Pa suction lifts far more embedded hair than the iRobot Roomba 205's 7,000Pa.
- + 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
- + 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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