Every iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum Compared
Last updated: March 2026
iRobot's 2026 comeback lineup -- 2 models at $499 and $799 -- built around the best pet hair handling in the business.
About iRobot
iRobot essentially invented the robot vacuum category with the original Roomba in 2002, and the brand still carries more name recognition in the US than any competitor. After a turbulent period -- including a failed Amazon acquisition and significant layoffs -- iRobot relaunched in 2025 with a streamlined two-model lineup that plays to the brand's core strengths: pet hair pickup and obstacle intelligence.
The new Roomba Combo robots pair iRobot's signature dual rubber brush rollers (which remain the gold standard for grabbing pet hair without tangling) with PrecisionVision AI obstacle avoidance that reliably detects pet waste, cords, and wet messes. Both models support Matter for native smart home integration with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa -- something that most Chinese competitors still lack or implement inconsistently.
Where iRobot trails the competition is raw suction power. The 505 Combo's 7,000Pa and the 705 Combo's 13,000Pa are well below what Dreame, Roborock, and even Ecovacs offer at similar price points. iRobot is betting that superior brush design, obstacle AI, and brand trust outweigh the spec-sheet gap -- and for pet owners on hard floors, that bet often pays off. For deep carpet cleaning, however, Chinese alternatives deliver more performance per dollar.
The Full Lineup
Every iRobot Roomba robot vacuum we've reviewed, from mid-range to premium.
iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo
Dual rubber brush rollers + PerfectEdge extending mop arm
The 505 Combo marks iRobot's re-entry into the competitive robot vacuum market, and it leads with what Roomba has always done best: pet hair. The dual rubber brush rollers grab hair from carpet fibers without tangling, and the PerfectEdge extending mop arm reaches wall edges that other robots miss. PrecisionVision AI handles obstacle avoidance with reliable pet waste detection. The catch is the 7,000Pa suction, which is roughly half of what Chinese competitors offer at this price. For pet-heavy households on hard floors, the 505 Combo is a strong pick. For deep carpet cleaning, it falls short.
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo
PowerSpin Roller Mop with retractable carpet cover
The 705 Combo is iRobot's flagship and introduces a genuinely clever innovation: a PowerSpin roller mop that automatically retracts a protective cover when transitioning to carpet. No other robot handles the mop-to-carpet transition this cleanly. The 13,000Pa suction is a big step up from the 505, and the AutoWash dock adds heated mop washing, self-cleaning cycles, and auto solution dispensing. At $799 it faces stiff competition from Chinese brands offering more raw suction, but the build quality, obstacle AI, and seamless carpet protection justify the premium for buyers who value refinement over specs.
Find iRobot Models by Category
iRobot products appear across several of our curated buying guides. Jump to the ones that match your needs.