iRobot Roomba 104 Review: Is This Budget Robot Vacuum Worth It Over the Roomba 105?

Today, we’re taking a close look at the iRobot Roomba 104. For those curious, it’s essentially the same as the Roomba 105. The 104 is an Amazon-exclusive model, which allows iRobot to offer discounts without affecting the perceived value of the 105. Functionally, there are no differences between the two, so if you’ve seen our Roomba 105 review, much of this will feel familiar. In practice, your best bet is to choose whichever model is cheaper at the time of purchase—most often, that will be the 104. Both models are also available with the self-emptying base and optional mopping capabilities, giving users flexibility depending on their cleaning needs.

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Unboxing and Setup

Inside the box, you’ll find the robot vacuum, the charging station with its power cord, and product literature. Setup is straightforward: simply plug in the dock, charge the unit, and connect it to the iRobot Home app. For existing iRobot users, it’s important to note that the new app manages newer devices, while the Home App Classic handles legacy devices. While the new app can feel a bit unintuitive and occasionally frustrating for frequent users, it’s manageable for basic scheduling and general use.

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Design, Build, and Navigation

The Roomba 104 includes iRobot’s LIDAR navigation module, which is a welcome addition for an entry-level model. iRobot’s build quality continues to impress, and the device now maps more quickly and efficiently than earlier budget models. Overall cleaning performance is solid, with the vacuum handling dust, hair, and debris well. While hair tangles on the roller are expected—especially without a split roller system—they are understandable for a model in this price range. The Roomba 104 delivers 7,000 pascals of suction, which is strong for an entry-level vacuum, though slightly below the overall category average. Noise levels were also minimal, just a couple of decibels above the average.

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Cleaning Performance

In practical testing, the Roomba 104 achieved 395 feet per minute (FPM) on carpet, slightly below the 420 FPM category average, and airflow peaked at 0.55 kPa. These numbers translate into strong real-world cleaning results, particularly on dust, debris, and pet hair. On our practical cleaning tests, the Roomba 104 scored 90 out of 100, slightly above the category average of 88. Its carpet cleaning is effective, and while its features are relatively basic, that simplicity works well for small apartments or clutter-free condos.

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Features and App Experience

The iRobot Home app brings a range of features, including customizable cleaning schedules, smart mapping, zone targeting, multi-floor support, no-go zones, and voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant. While these features make the 104 quite versatile for its price, the app interface is somewhat clunky and unintuitive. Users who rely heavily on the app may find it frustrating, especially compared to iRobot’s higher-end devices.

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User Feedback

The Roomba 104 currently averages 4.6 stars from users. Many praise its affordability and effectiveness at cleaning dust, debris, and pet hair, along with the convenience of smart mapping and scheduling. Criticisms generally focus on limited obstacle avoidance, average edge cleaning, the need for frequent dust bin emptying, and inconsistent noise levels. Discussions on Reddit reflect a mix of experiences: some users highlight the vacuum’s strong suction, while others report occasional issues with powering on or charging, including rare instances of units failing despite troubleshooting.

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Final Thoughts

The iRobot Roomba 104 is a welcome update to iRobot’s entry-level lineup. It offers lighter navigation, faster mapping, and reliable cleaning performance, handling common household messes with ease. However, the unintuitive app and limited obstacle avoidance hold it back from being a standout model. For those on a budget, particularly in small living spaces, the Roomba 104 is a practical and affordable choice, especially when available at a discount. While it feels more like a cautious evolution than a bold leap forward, a few software and hardware improvements could make it a much stronger contender in the budget robot vacuum market.