Some of the products we link to are partners who may pay us when you buy through them. This doesn't change which ones we recommend. How this works.
No. A Roomba doesn't need a subscription to clean, and iRobot doesn't charge a monthly fee for its iRobot Home app. The one subscription iRobot used to sell, iRobot Select, was a way to rent a robot monthly, not a fee to unlock features, and its own page now says it isn't accepting new subscriptions. What you actually keep paying for is consumables: replacement bags if you have a self-emptying base, plus filters and brushes.
What You Pay For, and What You Don’t
Roomba, bought outright
- Cleaning, schedules, app controlNo monthly fee
- Self-emptying base bagsBuy as needed
- Filters and brushesReplace as they wear
- Monthly subscriptionNone required
iRobot Select
- What it wasMonthly robot rental with upgrades
- New sign-upsNot accepted
- Needed to use a Roomba?Never
Checked against iRobot’s US site, the iRobot Select page, and iRobot’s support articles on September 30, 2026. iRobot’s US “Subscriptions” page listed no subscription plan on that date.
iRobot Select Was a Rental Plan, and It’s Closed
iRobot Select launched as a membership that let you pay monthly for a robot instead of buying it, with replacements and upgrades built in. It was an alternative way to own the hardware, not a charge for using a robot you already bought. Today the iRobot Select page says: “Currently, we are not accepting new subscriptions.” So if you see an older article weighing up “Roomba with or without Select,” that choice no longer exists for new buyers.
The 2026 Ownership Change, and Why the App Still Matters
In January 2026 iRobot completed a court-supervised sale to its manufacturing partner, Shenzhen PICEA Robotics, which now owns 100% of the company. iRobot’s announcement says the company emerged from chapter 11 and set up an independent US subsidiary, iRobot Safe, focused on data protection. Nothing in that announcement adds a fee to the app.
The practical point: features like room-by-room cleaning, maps, and remote scheduling run through the iRobot Home app and iRobot’s cloud. If you care about those, you’re relying on iRobot keeping the app running. The robot’s basic cleaning doesn’t depend on a subscription either way.
The Used-Roomba Catch
This is the one situation where “no subscription” doesn’t mean “no hassle.” A Wi-Fi Roomba is tied to the owner’s iRobot account. iRobot’s own guidance for sellers is to run a factory reset from the iRobot Home app (Settings, then Factory Reset), which removes maps, history, schedules, and the account association.
- If you’re buying a used Roomba: ask the seller to do that factory reset from the app before handing it over. If they don’t, setting it up on your own account can mean a call to iRobot Customer Care.
- If you’re selling one: do the reset first. It also clears your home’s map from the robot.
The Real Ongoing Costs
With no subscription, your running costs are parts:
- Self-emptying base bags. If your Roomba has a Clean Base or AutoEmpty dock, it empties into a disposable bag that you replace when it fills. This is the most regular cost.
- Filters and brushes. These wear out and need replacing over time. Third-party kits are common and cheaper; iRobot also sells its own.
iRobot Clean Base Dirt Disposal Bags (3-pack)
Authentic iRobot bags for Clean Base docks. 4.7★ (3,341 ratings). Sold by a third-party seller when checked, so compare prices.
Bag and part compatibility varies by model, so check your robot’s model number against the listing before buying.
Who Should NOT Buy a Roomba Expecting Zero Ongoing Cost
If your plan is a self-emptying Roomba with no further spending at all, it doesn’t work that way. The base needs bags, and brushes and filters wear out. And if the app features are the reason you’re buying, remember they depend on iRobot’s app staying online, which after the 2026 ownership change is a reasonable thing to weigh. Anyone who wants a robot that works with no account at all should look at the model’s app requirements before buying, whichever brand it is.
How Roomba Compares on Subscriptions
Roomba sits on the easy end of the smart-home spectrum. Unlike security cameras such as Arlo, Ring, or Nest, where recorded video is a paid feature, a Roomba’s core job isn’t behind a paywall. Our Arlo without a subscription guide and Litter-Robot subscription guide cover devices where the line between free and paid features matters more.
FAQ
Does Roomba require a monthly subscription? No. You can buy a Roomba outright and use it with the free iRobot Home app. There’s no monthly fee to clean, schedule, or control it.
Is iRobot Select still available? Not for new members. The iRobot Select page says iRobot isn’t accepting new subscriptions.
Does the Roomba app still work after iRobot was sold? iRobot’s January 2026 announcement says Picea acquired the company and that it emerged from chapter 11. It didn’t announce any charge for the app.
Can I use a used Roomba on my own account? Yes, once the robot has been removed from the previous owner’s account. iRobot recommends the seller factory reset it from the iRobot Home app before selling. If that wasn’t done, contact iRobot Customer Care.
What does a Roomba cost to run each year? Mostly parts: replacement bags for a self-emptying base, plus filters and brushes as they wear. How often depends on your home and how often it runs.
Bottom Line
- Buying a new Roomba: there’s no subscription to add. Budget for bags and parts.
- Buying a used Roomba: make sure it’s been factory reset from the seller’s app first.
- Seeing “iRobot Select” in an older review: it’s closed to new members, so ignore that comparison.