Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jul. 25, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 27, 2020
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001159167
Entity File Number	001-36414
Entity Registrant Name	iROBOT CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	77-0259335
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Address, Address Line One	8 Crosby Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Bedford
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	01730
City Area Code	781
Local Phone Number	430-3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	IRBT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,005,989