iRobot Roomba 2026 Lineup: Which Robot Vacuum Is Right for You

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iRobot went bankrupt, got acquired by a Chinese robotics company, and came back with eight new Roomba models that are smaller, cheaper, and finally competitive again. If you wrote off Roomba after the failed Amazon acquisition and the financial collapse, the 2026 lineup deserves a second look. Here is what changed, what did not, and which model is worth your money.

Last updated: July 2026 | By CleverHomeClub

What Happened to iRobot: Bankruptcy, Acquisition, and Rebirth

The backstory matters here because it explains the pricing and design choices. iRobot, the company that invented the robot vacuum category, saw its $1.7 billion Amazon acquisition fall through in early 2024 due to EU regulatory concerns. What followed was a cash crisis, layoffs, and eventually a bankruptcy filing. Shenzhen PICEA Robotics, a Chinese robotics company, acquired what was left.

That is a tough transition for a brand that basically defined robot vacuums for two decades. But the May 2026 launch of eight new models suggests the new ownership is serious about keeping Roomba competitive rather than just milking the brand name. Competitors like Roborock, Dreame, and Ecovacs spent two years eating Roomba’s lunch while iRobot was distracted. The new lineup is iRobot’s answer.

The New Numbering System (Actually Simple This Time)

Gone are the confusing j-series, i-series, and s-series names. The 2026 lineup uses a straightforward three-digit system:

• Base models: Numbers only (105, 415, 515)
• Plus tier: “Plus” prefix (575, 615, 675) — includes auto-empty dock
• Max tier: “Max” prefix (715, 775) — flagship features

“Combo” means it vacuums and mops. “Vac” means vacuum only. Higher numbers mean more features and higher prices. After years of trying to figure out whether a j7+ was better than an i7+ or a j9+, this is a welcome change.

Every New Roomba Model: What You Get

Roomba 105 Vac — The Budget Entry

The new entry-level. Vacuum only, basic navigation, no mapping, no mopping. This is iRobot’s play for the sub-$250 market they previously ignored. Think of it as the Roomba for people who just want a robot to run while they are at work and do not care about smart features.

If you want mopping from the start, the Roomba 105 Combo adds mop functionality for a small premium. It is the cheapest way to get both vacuum and mop from iRobot.

Roomba 415 Combo — First Mopping Option

The first combo model in the lineup. Vacuums and mops with the new roller mop system. Basic room mapping, no auto-empty base included. This is where things start getting interesting for most buyers who want a robot that does both jobs without spending $500+.

Roomba 515 Combo — Mid-Range Sweet Spot

Better suction than the 415, smarter navigation with multi-floor mapping. Still no auto-empty base included, but compatible with one sold separately. If you have a multi-story home, this is the cheapest model that can actually remember which floor it is on.

Roomba Plus 575 Combo — Hot Spot Mopping Starts Here

The Plus tier begins. Improved suction, full multi-floor mapping, and the “hot spot mopping” feature that identifies high-traffic areas and gives them extra attention. Compatible with auto-empty dock. This is where the features start justifying the price jump.

Roomba Plus 615 Combo — Auto-Empty Included

Steps up with higher suction power, better obstacle avoidance via front-facing camera, and includes an auto-empty base in the box. Hot spot mopping included. This is the model that replaces what the old Roomba Combo j7+ used to do.

Roomba Plus 675 Combo — Top of Plus Tier

Maximum suction for the Plus range, advanced obstacle avoidance, auto-empty base included, and the most thorough mopping pattern in the tier. If you want near-flagship features without the flagship price, this is the one.

Roomba Max 715 Vac — Best Vacuum, No Mop

An interesting choice: vacuum only but positioned in the premium Max tier. Maximum suction power across the entire lineup, advanced navigation, auto-empty base included. For people who want the absolute best vacuum performance and handle mopping separately or do not mop at all.

Roomba Max 775 Combo — The Flagship

Everything iRobot can throw at a robot vacuum in 2026. Highest suction, best obstacle avoidance, roller mop with hot spot mopping, auto-empty and auto-fill water dock. This is the model that has to compete with the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Dreame L20 Ultra. At $699, it is not cheap, but it is still $200 less than what the old flagship cost at launch.

Three Big Changes That Actually Matter

25 Percent Smaller

Every new Roomba model is up to 25 percent smaller in diameter than the previous generation. That is not a minor tweak. A smaller robot fits under more furniture, navigates tighter spaces between chair legs, and reaches corners that larger robots bounce off of. The old Roomba design was 13.3 inches across. Competitors like Roborock already went smaller, and iRobot is catching up.

Roller Mops Replace Vibrating Pads

Previous Roomba Combo models used vibrating pads for mopping. Fine for maintenance cleaning, terrible for dried-on stains. The new roller mop system provides actual scrubbing action, applying more consistent pressure and agitating stuck-on messes. If you were underwhelmed by Roomba mopping before, this is the fix.

Hot Spot Mopping

The robot identifies areas with heavier soiling — kitchen in front of the stove, entryway by the door — and automatically makes extra passes with the mop. This is software intelligence, not hardware. The robot learns your home’s dirty spots over time and focuses effort where it matters most. It is available on Plus tier and above.

How the New Roombas Compare to Roborock and Dreame

This is the real question. iRobot can make whatever it wants — the market has moved on. Here is how the lineup stacks up:

• Roomba 105 ($169-249) vs Roborock Q Revo ($250) — Roomba is cheaper, comparable basic cleaning
• Roomba 415 Combo ($249) vs Ecovacs N20 ($300) — Roomba cheaper, roller mop is new advantage
• Roomba 515 Combo ($329) vs Roborock Q8 Max ($350) — Comparable, Roomba has multi-floor mapping
• Roomba Plus 615 Combo ($499) vs Roborock S8 ($450) — Roborock cheaper, Roomba includes auto-empty base
• Roomba Max 775 Combo ($699) vs Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra ($500 on sale) — Roborock is $200 less and proven

That last comparison is the tough one for iRobot. The Max 775 Combo at $699 competes against the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, which routinely goes on sale for around $500. Roborock’s robot has months of proven real-world performance. The new Roomba is unproven under new ownership. Brand loyalty only stretches so far when there is a $200 gap.

For a broader comparison, our best smart home gadgets guide covers where robot vacuums fit into a full home setup.

The Subscription Question

iRobot Select is still here. The subscription service ($14.99/month or $149/year) unlocks premium features, provides replacement parts, and offers extended warranty. Under previous management, iRobot pushed Select aggressively, sometimes locking basic features behind the paywall.

New ownership has not clarified exactly what is included without a subscription versus what requires Select. This is a red flag. If hot spot mopping or advanced mapping requires a subscription, that changes the value calculation significantly. Check the fine print before buying.

Who Should Buy a New Roomba

Buy a Roomba 105 if: You want the cheapest reliable robot vacuum from a brand you know. No frills, just cleaning.

Buy a Roomba Plus 615 Combo if: You want the sweet spot — mopping, auto-empty base, obstacle avoidance, and you don’t need the absolute strongest suction. This is the best value in the lineup.

Buy a Roomba Max 775 Combo if: You want the best Roomba can offer and you are loyal to the brand. Just know the Roborock alternative is $200 cheaper.

Skip the new Roombas if: You already have a Roborock S8 or Dreame L20. The new Roombas are competitive, but they are not clearly better than what those brands already offer at similar or lower prices.

The Bottom Line

iRobot is back, and the 2026 lineup is better than it has any right to be after a bankruptcy and ownership change. The new numbering system makes sense, the 25 percent smaller design catches up to competitors, and the roller mop system finally addresses the biggest complaint about Roomba mopping. Pricing is aggressive — up to $270 cheaper than previous models.

The Max 775 Combo is the flagship to watch, but the Plus 615 Combo at $499 is the sweet spot: auto-empty base, mopping, obstacle avoidance, and a price that undercuts the competition. If you were waiting to see whether iRobot could compete again, the answer is yes — with caveats. The subscription question is unresolved, and the Roborock alternatives are still cheaper at the flagship level. But for the first time in two years, Roomba is worth considering again.