Published On: March 12, 2025

iRobot Just Dropped 8 New Roombas—And They Might Actually Be Good This Time

Published On: March 12, 2025
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iRobot Just Dropped 8 New Roombas—And They Might Actually Be Good This Time

iRobot just launched eight new Roombas, packing long-overdue upgrades like LiDAR navigation, self-cleaning mops, and a fresh design—so are they finally worth buying?

iRobot Just Dropped 8 New Roombas—And They Might Actually Be Good This Time

iRobot just shook things up in the robot vacuum world with its biggest Roomba lineup update in years. If you’ve been holding off on getting a robot vacuum because they either seemed too expensive or not smart enough, this new batch might change your mind.

The company just announced eight new Roomba models, spread across four different series, with prices ranging from $299 to $999. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly vacuum or a fully automated cleaner that mops, self-empties, and barely needs your input, iRobot is offering something for almost everyone.

For a while, iRobot’s lineup felt like it was falling behind competitors like Roborock and Ecovacs. Other brands introduced LiDAR navigation, better mopping features, and stronger suction, often at more competitive prices. Meanwhile, Roombas stuck with older camera-based mapping systems and higher price tags, making them a tough sell.

iRobot Roomba robot vacuums 2025 lineup top and bottom view.

That’s all changing now. Every new Roomba in this lineup includes LiDAR navigation (which iRobot is calling ClearView Navigation), making them better at finding their way around your home—even in the dark.

There’s also a new DustCompactor system in one of the mid-tier models, designed for people who don’t have space for a giant self-emptying dock but still want low-maintenance cleaning. And for those who want a more premium experience without paying over $1,500, iRobot is introducing new mop-and-vacuum combos with self-cleaning and drying mop pads—something we’ve previously only seen in much more expensive models.

Roomba 105 Series

  • Roomba 105 (Vacuum only) – $299
  • Roomba 105 with AutoEmpty dock – $449
  • Roomba 105 Combo (Vacuum + Mop) – $319
  • Roomba 105 Combo with AutoEmpty dock – $469
Roomba 105 Combo with AutoEmpty dock.

If you just want a smart and affordable robot vacuum, the Roomba 105 series might be a good fit. Unlike previous budget Roombas that just aimlessly bounced around your home, this one has LiDAR-powered smart mapping—a big deal for something at this price.

It also has 70 times more suction than iRobot’s older entry-level models, which should help it pick up dirt more effectively. You can customize your setup, too, by choosing a model with self-emptying or mopping, depending on what matters most to you.

Roomba 205 DustCompactor

  • Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac – $449
  • Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo – $469
Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac.

This is one of the most interesting models in the lineup. Instead of needing a bulky self-emptying dock, this vacuum actually compacts the dust inside its own bin, letting you go much longer before needing to empty it.

For anyone living in a small apartment where space is at a premium, this could be a game-changer. It also comes with four-stage cleaning, meaning it should do a better job of pulling in dirt compared to some older Roombas.

Roomba Plus 405 and 505 Combo

  • Roomba Plus 405 Combo with AutoWash Dock – $799
  • Roomba Plus 505 Combo with AutoWash Dock – $999

These models are where things start to get really advanced. Both come with spinning mop pads that can lift up when the vacuum moves over carpets.

The 505 model goes a step further by letting the mop pads swing outward, so they can clean along edges and in corners—something that’s usually a weak point for robot mops.

Roomba Plus 405 Combo with AutoWash Dock.

Both models also come with the AutoWash Dock, which cleans and dries the mop pads automatically. That means no more gross, damp mop pads sitting in your vacuum between cleaning sessions.

On top of that, the 505 also has small obstacle avoidance, so it can dodge things like power cords, pet waste, and random socks left on the floor—making it much more hands-off.

Aside from the new features, iRobot also changed up the design of its Roombas for the first time in years.

The new models have a sleek matte finish and are available in white—a big shift from the traditional all-black look. There’s also a more modern geometric pattern on top, which iRobot is calling GRID (Geometric, Rational, Iconic, Dynamic).

While looks aren’t everything, this design refresh helps Roombas stand out in a market filled with similar-looking robot vacuums.

Roomba Plus 505 Combo with AutoWash Dock.

iRobot is clearly trying to win back some ground in a market that’s gotten increasingly competitive. For years, brands like Roborock, Ecovacs, and Dreame have been offering high-end features at lower prices, making it harder for Roombas to justify their costs.

With these new models, iRobot is making some smart moves:

  • Adding LiDAR navigation across all models—finally catching up to competitors
  • Offering more features at lower price points, like self-cleaning mop pads under $1,000
  • Introducing a space-saving alternative to self-emptying docks with the DustCompactor system

But there are still a couple of things missing. For one, iRobot’s suction power (7,000Pa) is still lower than some other brands, many of which exceed 10,000Pa. It’s also worth noting that the Roomba Combo 10 Max, their priciest model, hasn’t been updated with LiDAR, making it feel outdated compared to the new lineup.

All of the new Roombas will be available for preorder on March 18 at iRobot’s website, with shipping starting March 23.

For advertising please contact the editor at [email protected]

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