I’m a vacuum cleaner expert, and this $150 Roomba deal is my early Black Friday must-buy

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This bargain robot vacuum is your Thanksgiving cleanup savior

Roomba Essential robot vacuum on a wooden floor, with 'Don't miss' graphic overlaid
(Image credit: iRobot / Future)

Head to Amazon right now and you can hoover up the Roomba Essential robot vacuum for $149 (was $249.99), or the combo vacuum-mop version for just $159 (was $274.99). That's 40% and 42% off respectively, and the lowest prices we've seen for both models – and these are ridiculously cheap prices for Roomba vacs.

These are the best early Black Friday deals I've seen so far. Robot vacuum cleaners are always well represented in these seasonal sales, and this limited-time deal is especially good value. iRobot's Roombas are amongst the best robot vacuums around, and while the Essential range is basic in terms of features, you're still getting that brand expertise and build quality, and if you're just looking for a simple but effective low-effort clean, either model will serve you well.

Not in the US? Scroll down for more Roomba Black Friday deals in your region.

Today's best cheap robot vacuum deals

iRobot Roomba Essential Robovac Q0120
iRobot Roomba Essential Robovac Q0120: was $249.99 now $149.98 at Amazon

This basic Roomba robot vacuum just dropped to the lowest price ever, with $100 off the list price. It has a simple but effective design, and will traverse your rooms in neat rows, with three levels of suction to choose from, and has a side brush for edge cleaning. If you have an Alexa device, you can control it with your voice, too.

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iRobot Roomba Combo Essential:
iRobot Roomba Combo Essential: was $274.99 now $159 at Amazon

If you want mopping functionality as well as vacuuming, the 'Combo' version of the Essential is also on sale for its cheapest price ever. You can choose from three suction levels and three water levels, and it features basic navigation and object avoidance. It's a relatively basic vac, but it could make a huge difference to your cleaning routine.

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The Roomba Essential models are relatively new additions to the iRobot range, offering simple and very affordable entry-level robot vacuum options. They're designed for regular, light cleans, helping you stay on top of things so the dirt never builds up. You control these robovacs via a companion app (or, if you have an Alexa device, using your voice) and you can schedule cleans for while you're out and about, for minimal disruption.

You can see exactly how the Essential and Combo Essential compare to pricier options in my Roomba range guide – if you have a bit of a bigger budget, you might want to consider upgrading to a slightly more advanced model (we're rounding up all the best offers across the range in our Black Friday Roomba deals guide).

The Essential and Combo Essential both have a compact dock, which charges the robovac when it runs out of juice. This is perfect if you're short on space, but if you're dealing with lots of dirt or pet hair you'll probably need to empty the onboard dust cup regularly, because it's pretty small. Most of the other models in the range have the option of an auto-empty dock, with a larger dust bin that will need less frequent emptying.

One notable difference between the Essential range and other Roombas is that they have a single bristle roller rather than dual rubber rollers. The latter is especially good at picking up hair, so if that's a priority for you head to our guide to the best robot vacuums for pet hair.

More of today's Black Friday sales in the US

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Ruth Hamilton
Homes Editor

Ruth is a TechRadar Homes Editor. She has covered a wide range of home kit, but currently specializes in aircare (vacuum cleaners, fans, air purifiers), and haircare (hair dryers, straighteners and stylers). Prior to making the shift to Homes, Ruth was TechRadar's Sleep Editor, testing and reviewing mattresses and other sleep products.