Roborock emerges victorious, surpassing iRobot in the hierarchy of robotic cleaners.
Roborock Steals the Spotlight in the Global Robot Vacuum Market
In a stunning turn of events, Roborock has outshone iRobot in both unit sales and revenue in the global robot vacuum market, according to IDC's Q4 2024 Global Smart Home Device Market Quarterly Tracking Report.
The 2024 smart vacuum category witnessed a surge of 11.2% with 20.6 million units distributed, while revenue soared to $9.31 billion, with an average cost increase of 7.6%. Consumers seem to be preferring higher-end models, indicating a shift towards more advanced technology.
Roborock's success story came to light with a 16% share in worldwide unit sales, a 22.3% share in the market's revenue, and a 20.7% growth in shipments compared to the previous year. International markets, such as Germany, France, South Korea, and the Nordic region, contributed significantly, alongside continued expansion in China and the United States.
With a wide range of offerings, from budget-friendly options like the Q5 Pro to advanced technology like the Saros series with a robotic arm for picking up smelly socks, Roborock has solidified its position as a formidable player in the industry, catering to various consumer needs.
Meanwhile, iRobot continues to lead in North America, but its global shipments decreased by 6.7%, and its market share dropped by 2.6%, resulting in an overall share of 13.7%. The company has faced competition from Chinese manufacturers offering competitive pricing and faster innovation cycles.
Besides Roborock, other Chinese brands like Ecovacs, Dreame, Mova, Narwal, Xiaomi, and Yeedi are gaining traction in the market. Dreame, in particular, is demonstrating substantial growth, with a 36.6% increase in shipments year-over-year. At CES 2025, Dreame showcased the X50 Ultra Complete, which features ProLeap technology, enabling it to negotiate thresholds up to 6cm high.
The robust Asian Pacific region leads the global robotic vacuum cleaner market, with significant growth anticipated in countries like China. The market's growth is driven by factors such as rising demand for automated cleaning solutions, technological advancements, and increasing awareness of smart home devices.
- In the global robot vacuum market, Ecovacs, like Roborock, has also shown significant growth, offering consumers innovative tech solutions.
- Amidst the surge in the global robot vacuum market, with Roborock's success and Dreame's substantial growth, the competition between Chinese brands and traditional manufacturers, such as iRobot, is heating up.
- As the market for robot vacuum cleaners continues to grow, especially in regions like the Asian Pacific, billion-dollar giants like Roborock and Ecovacs are expected to ship even more units, further solidifying their positions in the tech market.
