Roomba Models Compared: Which Roomba Should You Buy?
The Roomba lineup changed dramatically in 2026. The new Max 875 Combo is now the flagship, Plus 678 Combo brings the newer roller-mop system below flagship pricing, Plus 575 Combo remains the compact premium alternative, and Max 715 is the best current choice if you want a premium Roomba without mopping.
Our pick for most buyers: choose the Plus 575 if you want a compact full-service Roomba, the Plus 678 if you specifically want the newer roller-mop platform, and the Max 875 only when you want iRobot’s strongest cleaning technology regardless of price.
Compare the wider category in the Robot Vacuum Hub, or start with the Best Robot Vacuums guide if you are not committed to Roomba.
Which Roomba should you buy in 2026?
For most buyers, Plus 575 is the easiest Roomba to justify right now. It is compact, widely available, uses AI obstacle avoidance, has a full AutoWash dock, and costs far less than the Max flagships. Move up only when a specific Max or Plus 678 feature solves a real problem in your home.
Best Roomba Models Right Now
Roomba Max 875 Combo
35,000 Pa SealForce vacuuming, heated pretreatment, self-cleaning roller mopping and the most advanced current Roomba cleaning platform.
Buy if: you want the best Roomba, not the best value.
Best Value
Roomba Plus 575 Combo
Compact premium design, AI obstacle avoidance, lifting spinning mops and a full AutoWash dock.
About $699.99
🛒 Check Amazon
Best Vacuum-Only
Roomba Max 715
Premium 30,000 Pa vacuuming, dual rubber brushes and AI obstacle avoidance without paying for mopping hardware.
About $699.99
🛒 Check AmazonRoomba Plus 678 Combo
Brings SealForce vacuuming and the newer SprayForce AI + PowerSpin roller-mop system below Max 875.
Buy if: you want the newer roller system but do not want to pay flagship money.
Current Roomba Lineup at a Glance
The simplest way to understand the lineup is: Max = premium, Plus = mainstream advanced, and 115/Mini = simpler or more compact. The biggest trap is assuming every higher number is automatically the better buy. Some models exist because they solve different floor-care problems.
| Model | Vacuum/Mop | Navigation | Mopping | Dock | Best For | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max 875 Combo | Vacuum + mop | ClearView Pro LiDAR + PrecisionVision AI | Heated pretreatment + PowerSpin Max roller | AutoWash | Best overall Roomba technology | Check iRobot / retail |
| Max 775 Combo | Vacuum + mop | LiDAR + AI | Self-cleaning roller mop | AutoWash | Premium combo below 875 | About $999.99 |
| Max 715 | Vacuum only | LiDAR + PrecisionVision AI | None | AutoEmpty | Carpet, pets, no mopping | About $699.99 |
| Plus 678 Combo | Vacuum + mop | ClearView Pro LiDAR + PrecisionVision AI | SprayForce AI + PowerSpin roller | AutoWash | Newer roller tech below flagship | MSRP $899 |
| Plus 575 Combo | Vacuum + mop | ClearView Pro LiDAR + PrecisionVision AI | DualClean spinning pads | AutoWash | Best compact premium value | About $699.99 |
| Plus 515 Combo | Vacuum + mop | Smart navigation | Lifting spinning pads | AutoWash | Midrange full-dock buyer | About $599.99 |
| Plus 415 Combo | Vacuum + mop | Smart navigation | Lifting spinning pads | Multifunction dock | Lowest-cost current full-dock Plus | About $499.99 |
| Roomba 115 / 115X | Simpler vacuum/combo configurations | Simpler current platform | Varies by version | AutoEmpty on some versions | Entry-level buyers | Varies |
Roomba Max Series: Why Pay More?
The Max family is no longer just “the expensive Roomba.” It now separates into two very different buying paths: premium combo cleaning and premium vacuum-only cleaning.
Max 875 Combo
Why it exists: this is the model for buyers who want iRobot’s maximum cleaning technology. It combines 35,000 Pa SealForce vacuuming, ThermaMist heated-mist pretreatment, the self-cleaning PowerSpin Max roller and DriLift carpet protection.
Who should buy it? Large mixed-floor homes, heavy pet messes, frequent dried-on kitchen grime and buyers willing to pay for the newest Roomba platform.
Who should skip it? Anyone mainly vacuuming, anyone with a simple layout, or anyone who cares strongly about value.
Premium Combo
Max 775 Combo
The Max 775 remains useful because it gives you the Max roller-mop architecture and premium automation without paying for the newest Max 875 feature set.
Buy it if: it is meaningfully cheaper than Max 875.
Skip it if: the price is close to 875, because the newer flagship has the stronger upgrade story.
🛒 Check Amazon Best Vacuum-Only
Max 715
This is the cleanest choice for carpet-heavy homes and pet owners who want premium suction, dual rubber brushes and AI obstacle avoidance but do not need automated mopping.
Buy it if: vacuuming matters far more than mopping.
Skip it if: you have lots of hard flooring and actually want wet cleaning.
🛒 Check AmazonRoomba Plus Series: Where Most Buyers Should Start
The Plus family is the part of the lineup most buyers should compare first. It gives you self-emptying, automated mop care and smarter navigation without automatically pushing into Max pricing.
Plus 678 Combo
The newer technology choice. It introduces SealForce vacuuming and SprayForce AI pretreatment with a continuously self-cleaning PowerSpin roller below the Max 875 tier.
Buy it if: you specifically want roller mopping and stronger carpet extraction but do not need every Max 875 feature.
Skip it if: Plus 575 is much cheaper and your home does not need the newer roller architecture.
Plus 575 Combo
The best current value for most Roomba buyers. It is compact, uses ClearView Pro LiDAR and PrecisionVision AI, has lifting DualClean spinning pads and a full AutoWash dock.
Buy it if: you want a current premium Roomba for a normal home and do not need Max-level hardware.
Skip it if: roller mopping is your highest priority.
🛒 Check Amazon
Plus 515 Combo
Best when the price gap to Plus 575 is large enough to matter. It keeps the full-dock experience but steps down from the more premium obstacle-navigation position.
🛒 Check Amazon
Plus 415 Combo
The lowest-cost current Plus model with a multifunction dock. It makes sense for buyers who want automated emptying and mop care but are willing to accept simpler navigation and cleaning hardware.
🛒 Check AmazonMax 875 vs Plus 678 vs Plus 575: The Most Important Roomba Decision
| Question | Max 875 | Plus 678 | Plus 575 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Flagship | New mainstream premium | Compact premium value |
| Vacuuming | 35,000 Pa SealForce | 30,000 Pa SealForce | 25,000 Pa current listing |
| Mopping | Heated pretreatment + PowerSpin Max roller | SprayForce AI + PowerSpin roller | DualClean spinning pads |
| Best fit | Maximum cleaning | New roller-mop tech | Best balance of price and automation |
| Our verdict | Best flagship | Best newer-tech alternative | Best for most buyers |
What About Max 775 and Max 715?
Max 775 is not obsolete. It is now the lower premium combo step below Max 875. Its value depends heavily on discounting: if it falls meaningfully below Max 875, it becomes interesting again.
Max 715 has a clearer reason to exist. It is the premium vacuum-first Roomba. If you have carpet, pets and long hair but do not care about mopping, buying a combo robot can mean paying for hardware you will rarely use.
Which Roomba Is Best for Your Home?
Max 715 if you mainly need hair pickup; Plus 575 for pets plus mopping; Max 875 for the most demanding mixed messes. Also compare the best robot vacuums for pet hair.
Max 715 is the cleanest buying decision if mopping is not important. Compare broader alternatives in the best robot vacuums for carpet.
Plus 678 for newer roller mopping, Plus 575 for better value, Max 875 for maximum technology. See the best robot mops.
Plus 575 is the safest default. Move to Plus 678 or Max 875 if mopping performance matters more than price.
Max 875 or Plus 678 make more sense when long cleaning missions, stronger cleaning and premium automation justify the larger investment.
Plus 575 is especially attractive because of its slim, compact design. For less money, look at Plus 415 or the simpler 115 family.
Buy Max 715. It is the clearest premium Roomba for vacuum-first homes.
Max 875 is the obvious choice if budget is secondary.
Older Roombas: Which Are Still Worth Buying?
| Older Family | Status | When it still makes sense | Better current direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| j7 / j7+ | Discount only | Strong clearance price, proven obstacle avoidance | Plus 575 or Max 715 |
| Combo j9+ | Legacy premium | Heavily discounted and you prefer the older lift-mop approach | Plus 575 / 678 |
| s9+ | Legacy | Only if extremely cheap and you specifically want D-shaped edge cleaning | Max 715 |
| i-series | Budget/legacy | Replacement purchase or very low clearance price | 115 / Plus 415 |
Older Roombas can still make sense, but the discount needs to be large enough to compensate for older navigation, older dock design and a weaker upgrade path.
What Is Roomba Duo?
Roomba Duo is iRobot’s new dual-robot concept shown at IFA 2026. It pairs a larger vacuum-and-steam-mopping main robot with an ultra-slim companion robot. The two share a home map and coordinate cleaning through one mobile dock.
The idea is interesting because it lets one robot focus on heavy floor washing while the smaller unit reaches under low furniture and into tight spaces. The live demonstration used a Plus 575 as the companion platform.
Roomba Duo is currently a prototype rather than a model you can buy, so it is not included in our purchasing recommendations.
Which Roomba Should You Buy?
Buy Max 875 if you want iRobot’s best current cleaning platform and price is secondary.
Buy Plus 678 if you want the newer roller-mop architecture without going all the way to flagship pricing.
Buy Plus 575 if you want the strongest balance of automation, size, navigation and price. This is our recommendation for most buyers.
Buy Max 715 if you want premium vacuuming but do not need mopping.
Buy Plus 515 or 415 when keeping the purchase price lower matters more than having the strongest current navigation or cleaning hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the newest Roomba?
The newest major purchasable Roombas are the Max 875 Combo and Plus 678 Combo, announced in September 2026. Roomba Duo was also unveiled in September, but it is a prototype rather than a retail model.
What is the best Roomba in 2026?
Max 875 is the best overall Roomba by technology. Plus 575 is the better buy for most people because it costs much less while keeping premium navigation, mopping and dock automation.
What is the difference between Roomba Max and Plus?
Max is the premium family, with stronger cleaning hardware and higher-end positioning. Plus is the mainstream advanced family and usually gives better value.
Is Max 875 better than Max 775?
Yes. Max 875 is the newer flagship and introduces stronger SealForce vacuuming plus ThermaMist heated pretreatment. Max 775 is still worth considering if its price is much lower.
What is the difference between Plus 678 and Plus 575?
Plus 678 uses the newer SealForce vacuuming and PowerSpin roller-mop system. Plus 575 uses dual spinning mop pads and has a smaller, compact design. We prefer 575 for value and 678 for buyers specifically prioritizing the newer roller system.
Which Roomba is best for carpet?
Max 715 is our favorite Roomba for carpet-first homes that do not need mopping. Max 875 is the premium mixed-floor choice.
Which Roomba is best for pet hair?
Max 715 is strong for vacuum-first pet homes, while Plus 575 is the better all-round pick if you also want mopping.
Are older Roombas still worth buying?
Yes, but only at the right discount. j7, j9 and older s/i-series models can still be useful, but they should not cost close to current 2026 models.
What is Roomba Duo?
Roomba Duo is a prototype two-robot system shown at IFA 2026. A larger main robot and ultra-slim companion coordinate cleaning on one shared map.
Can you buy Roomba Duo?
No. Roomba Duo is currently a prototype and is not part of the retail lineup.
Troubleshooting & Ownership Help
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