iRobot Launches Two New Roombas at IFA 2026; Why It Matters

Roborock has dominated the last two editions of CES and IFA, and no rival has come close to matching the hardware the Beijing-based company keeps putting out. Now iRobot is trying to change that narrative with two new Roombas: Max 875 Combo and the Plus 678 Combo.

Unveiled at IFA 2026, iRobot calls the Max 875 and Plus 678 Combo “the most powerful robot” it has ever built. Frankly, neither model matches the hardware prowess and technical ability of Roborock’s Saros Rover or Saros Z70 on paper, and the launch sounds like iRobot’s last attempt to reclaim ground in a category it invented before Chinese rivals took over.

Nevertheless, both new Roombas share an AutoWash Dock, a base station that empties the dustbin, refills water, and washes and dries the mop pads without any input from the owner. iRobot introduced a similar dock in its lineup a few months ago, so this isn’t new ground. What’s worth paying attention to is “SealForce Vacuuming Technology”, which iRobot describes as a “mechanical rethink of how a robot vacuum handles carpet.”

PC Mag explains that the SealForce chassis lowers a skirt onto the carpet fibers, sealing the area so the vacuum can pull up debris a standard robot vacuum would leave behind. It is a proprietary active-suction system built for iRobot’s higher-end machines, and the company says “it’s meant to maximize raw suction and airflow sealing.”

The success of iRobot’s new SealForce technology depends on real-world testing, but this marketing strategy could help the struggling company bounce back after losing its market relevance for years. Now owned by the Chinese robotics group Picea, iRobot is using Europe’s biggest tech show, IFA 2026, to launch a major comeback. The newly introduced Roomba Max 875 Combo and Plus 678 Combo represent the brand’s clearest attempt to regain its position as a serious competitor in the robot vacuum industry.

The question arises: what’s the core difference between the two models? Engadget did a detailed piece on the launch, reporting that Max 875 carries a suction rating of 35,000Pa, compared to the 30,000Pa suction Plus 678 boasts.

Among other differences, Max 875 Combo uses a heated ultrasonic ThermaMist system to dissolve tough stains, alongside a protective DriLift shield that fully encloses the damp roller to keep carpets dry. In contrast, the Plus 678 utilizes a cold-water pressurized SprayForce AI jet for pre-soaking messes and relies on a standard 10mm automatic lift to clear carpets.

When on carpets, both models drop a protective skirt around the cleaning head to seal in airflow, pushing 20 litres of air per second deep into the fibers for three times deeper cleaning. For mopping, the system scrubs at 300 rpm with 18 newtons of pressure, uses an edge extension to reach walls, and features anti-tangle brushes to prevent pet hair clogs.

Also Read: Are Robot Vacuum Cleaners Suitable for All Floor Types?

The robot uses smart lasers and a camera to spot and avoid over 300 household objects. Measuring less than 0.3 inches tall, it fits under most furniture and can climb over thresholds up to 0.4 inches high. As with all robot vacuums, you can control it easily using the Roomba app or with voice commands through Alexa, Google, and Siri.

The Roomba Max 875 Combo is available now through iRobot’s own store at $1,199 in the US, with wider North American retail availability expected later this month. The cheaper Roomba Plus 678 Combo keeps the same AutoWash Dock and a version of SealForce but drops suction to 30,000Pa, priced at $899.