You’ve seen them. Those little discs scurrying across floors like oversized beetles. For twenty years, the iRobot Roomba was basically the only name that mattered if you wanted a robot to do your chores. But honestly, things have gotten weird lately. If you’re looking at buying one in 2026, you aren't just buying a vacuum; you're stepping into a company’s massive transition period.
The news broke recently that iRobot, after a failed Amazon merger and some heavy financial weather, has been absorbed by its long-time manufacturer, Picea Robotics. It’s a huge shift. One day you’re the American darling of the smart home world, and the next, you’re a private entity trying to claw back market share from aggressive rivals like Roborock and Dreame.
What’s the Deal With the New Models?
iRobot hasn't just sat around during the bankruptcy filings. They’ve leaned hard into the Roomba Max 705 and the Combo 10 Max.
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The 10 Max is their "do-it-all" machine. It’s got this cool AutoWash dock that finally catches up to what the Chinese brands have been doing for a while. It washes the mopping pad, dries it so it doesn't smell like a wet dog, and refills the water tank.
But here is the thing.
The suction power on these newer units is significantly higher than the old j7+ models we all loved. We’re talking about a jump from standard "power-lifting" to what they call 180x suction on the high-end stuff. Does that mean it’ll rip the carpet off your floor? No. But it finally handles the deep-seated grit that used to stay trapped in medium-pile rugs.
Why Pet Owners Still Swear by Them
I’ve talked to plenty of people who tried switching to cheaper brands and came running back. Why? The brushes. iRobot holds the patents on those Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes.
Most vacuums have a single brush roll with bristles. Hair wraps around those bristles like a nightmare. Roomba uses two rubber rollers that spin in opposite directions. They basically "knead" the hair into the suction path. If you have a Golden Retriever or a cat that sheds its entire body weight weekly, this is the difference between a clean floor and a tangled motor.
Also, let’s talk about the P.O.O.P. guarantee.
It stands for Pet Owner Official Promise. If your Roomba j7+ or newer runs over a "surprise" left by your dog and smears it across the house, iRobot replaces the vacuum for free. It sounds like a joke, but for anyone who has ever spent three hours cleaning poop out of a vacuum’s internal gears, it’s a lifesaver.
The Competition is Getting Scary
While iRobot was figuring out its finances, brands like Dreame and Roborock went "mad scientist" on us.
- Dreame Cyber 10 Ultra: This thing has a literal robotic arm. It can reach into corners and pick up socks.
- Roborock Saros Z70: It’s pushing suction levels that feel like industrial equipment.
iRobot’s counter-move has been Dirt Detective. Instead of just blindly cleaning, the software looks at which rooms get dirty the fastest. If it knows your kitchen is a disaster zone on Tuesday nights, it prioritizes that area and turns the suction up to max automatically. It’s smart, but is it "robotic arm" smart? Probably not.
But Roombas are generally simpler to fix. You can find a replacement battery or a new side motor on Amazon in five seconds. Finding parts for a niche Chinese flagship can feel like a scavenger hunt in a foreign language.
Common Headaches You Should Know About
Nothing is perfect. I’ve seen Roombas get "confused" by black rugs because the cliff sensors think the dark color is a literal hole in the floor. They’ll just stop and cry for help.
Then there's the battery life. After about two years, you’ll notice your bot takes three trips to the dock to finish a single cleaning cycle. The lithium-ion packs are better than they used to be, but they still degrade.
- Keep the charging contacts clean. A little rubbing alcohol on the metal bits prevents 90% of "charging error" messages.
- Empty the dock bag before it’s rock hard. If the air can't flow, the "self-empty" feature just makes a loud noise and achieves nothing.
- Check the front caster wheel. It pops out. Hair gets trapped in the axle and stops it from turning, which eventually wears a flat spot on the wheel.
Is a Roomba Still Worth It in 2026?
It depends on what you value. If you want the most cutting-edge, "I have a robot with a claw" technology, you're looking elsewhere. If you want a machine that is relentlessly good at getting hair out of carpets and has an app that actually makes sense, iRobot is still the king of the hill.
The new ownership under Picea Robotics means we’re seeing lower prices. The Roomba Combo Essential has brought mopping and vacuuming down to a price point that actually makes sense for a small apartment. It’s not fancy, but it works.
Actionable Steps for Your Home
If you're ready to automate your floor care, don't just buy the most expensive one.
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Measure your furniture clearance. Most Roombas need about 3.5 inches to slide under a couch. If your furniture is lower, the robot will just bump into it for an hour.
Check your Wi-Fi. These bots hate 5GHz bands. Make sure your router supports a 2.4GHz connection, or the initial setup will make you want to throw the machine out the window.
Start with a "cleared" floor. No robot—no matter how many "AI cameras" it has—likes a floor covered in phone chargers and shoelaces. Spend two minutes picking up the big stuff, and the Roomba will do a better job than you ever would with an upright.
Focus on the j9+ or the Max 705 if you have pets. The suction and obstacle avoidance on those specific models are the current sweet spot for price and performance. Avoid the old "i" series unless you find a massive clearance deal; their navigation feels primitive compared to the newer LiDAR-equipped units.