Roomba 104 Review: The 2-in-1 Cleaning Solution for Pets and Hard Floors

When I first got my hands on the Roomba 104, I was curious to see how it would stack up against my previous cleaning gadgets. This combo vacuum and mop promised to tackle everything from pet hair to sticky spills, and I was eager to see if it could deliver. The promise of 75 days of self-emptying sounded like a dream come true, especially in a busy household.

The setup was relatively straightforward. I followed the instructions to connect it to my WiFi, and soon I had it mapped out my home using its LiDAR navigation. Initial impressions were positive, but I was cautiously optimistic. Would it really be as hands-off as advertised?

Over a couple of weeks, I got to see its strengths and weaknesses. It wasn’t perfect, but it had some solid features. The ease of scheduling cleans from the app was a big plus, especially when life got hectic. I was also intrigued by the promise of keeping rugs dry while mopping, something that had been a hassle with my old mop.

After testing it out on various surfaces, I found some aspects impressive, while others left a bit to be desired. Here's how the Roomba 104 held up in different areas.

When considering the value of the Roomba 104, it’s important to weigh its features against the price point. At first glance, it seems like a significant investment, especially with so many robotic vacuums on the market. However, the combination of vacuuming and mopping capabilities adds value, especially if you're someone dealing with pet hair and mixed flooring types.

The self-emptying feature is a huge plus, reducing maintenance time and effort. If you’ve ever had to frequently empty a vacuum, you’ll appreciate this feature. It also packs quite a punch with its suction power, making it effective for routine cleaning. The app control and voice assistance compatibility are handy for those who like integrating their tech devices.

On the downside, while it performs adequately, it doesn’t stand out in any single area. The mopping function isn’t as strong as a dedicated mop might be, and it occasionally struggles with smaller items or transitions between different floor types. For the price, you might expect a little more polish in these areas.

In conclusion, if you want a device that combines vacuuming and mopping with minimal maintenance, the Roomba 104 is a good option. However, if you’re looking for top-of-the-line performance in every aspect, there might be better options without the dual function.

The battery life on the Roomba 104 is another strong point. With a duration of up to 120 minutes, it managed to clean most of my home on a single charge. This is particularly useful for larger spaces, where you don’t want to be interrupted by a halfway-charged battery.

After a session, it would automatically return to its docking station to recharge. The self-emptying feature was a highlight, as I didn’t have to worry about emptying the dirt compartment frequently. The bag in the dock holds up to 75 days of debris, which in practice meant I only had to think about it every few months.

One thing to note, however, is that the battery life can vary based on the cleaning mode you choose. When I used the vacuum-and-mop combo feature, it tended to drain the battery faster than when used in vacuum-only mode. This isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning long cleaning sessions.

In summary, the battery life is reliable, and the convenience of the self-emptying dock adds to its appeal. Just be mindful of how the different modes impact its longevity during each session.

The performance of the Roomba 104 on various surfaces was a mixed bag. One thing I noticed was its strong suction power. It boasts 70X more power-lifting suction compared to older models, and in practice, that meant it did a pretty solid job on carpets and hard floors alike. Pet hair, which is often a nightmare to clean, was picked up efficiently.

That said, when it came to mopping, the results were less consistent. On hard floors, it usually got the job done, but there were times when it left behind some streaks, depending on how much cleaning solution I added. The SmartScrub feature, which promises deeper cleaning, was handy for high-traffic areas, but I had to be careful not to overdo it with the water.

The ClearView LiDAR navigation was impressive in mapping out the rooms, and it avoided obstacles smoothly. However, I noticed it occasionally struggled with small items left on the floor, which led to a few rescues. Compared to my previous vacuum, this was a noticeable improvement in navigation but not flawless.

Overall, the Roomba 104 performed well, but there were hiccups, especially when it came to transitioning between surfaces. It's reliable for regular use, but not perfect for deep cleaning tasks.