iRobot doesn’t participate in CES, so we don’t typically get much new Roomba hype in late winter like we do for some of its competitors.
But for iRobot this year, skipping out on CES doesn’t mean skipping out on that prime spring cleaning spotlight. iRobot announced four new series of Roombas on March 11 — and it’s not like a Roomba drop you’ve ever seen before. Prices range from $299 to $999, with all models opening for preorder at irobot.com on March 18 and shipping beginning on March 23.
iRobot was clearly over having blindspots in its lineup
Roombas have always been a staple in the robot vacuum market because iRobot is often the first brand to bring innovative new robot vacuum features to the mainstream. Everyone was wowed by a robot vacuum that could remember a map of your home or empty itself with the i7+ in 2018, or a robot vacuum that could avoid phone chargers with the j7 in 2021.
But iRobot tends to plateau after that rush wears off. Other big robot vacuum brands catch up and make those once-fancy features available at lower price points, and both the cheapest and the fanciest Roombas alike struggle to be a bang for your buck. iRobot heard those qualms and did something — a lot of things, actually — about it.
I think that this 2025 Roomba showcase has more variety and depth than all Roomba drops from the past few years combined — you could probably go as far as to call it a full overhaul of the Roomba family tree. With circular LiDAR laser towers sitting atop most of the new models and each coming in a white option, there’s little resemblance to be seen to the older Roombas.
In total, there are eight new Roombas falling under four different umbrellas: the Roomba 105 or 205, or Roomba Plus 405 or 505. White Roombas are finally an option now for anyone who just doesn’t vibe with the black plasticky look. Some mop, some self-empty, some do both, offering opportunities to mix and match the features you prioritize with a price point that feels comfy. One crucial robot vacuum feature applies across the board, though: smart mapping.
Let’s get into the differences between the 2025 Roombas.
New budget Roomba: Roomba 105 Series
Credit: iRobot
Credit: iRobot
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Roomba 105 (standalone) — $299
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Roomba 105 with AutoEmpty dock — $449
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Roomba 105 Combo (standalone) — $319
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Roomba 105 Combo with AutoEmpty dock — $469
While the mid-range to high-end Roombas at least start off being groundbreaking, the low-end cheap Roombas have had a history of being underwhelming from the jump. For instance, iRobot ushered in two new budget Roombas in April 2024 — neither of which had smart mapping, both of which retailed at $250 or more. The Combo 2 Essential, which does mop and self-empty but still doesn’t smart map, later debuted at $424.99. At this point in the game, a robot vacuum that just bumps around and hopes to get to the right spot is all but guaranteed to be more trouble than it’s worth, especially if you’re paying more than, like, $100.
The new Roomba 105 series is a much smarter option for the $300 to $500 range. All 105 models are equipped with LiDAR-powered smart mapping to clean specific rooms on command. Compared to the older mid-range Roomba i3 and i5 models, the Roomba 105s use a four-stage cleaning system instead of three-stage, offering up to 70 times the suction power compared to the old base-tier 600 series Roombas.
If you’re on a budget, there’s still a lot of room for customization within your Roomba 105 purchase. The two without Combo in the title don’t mop, but one of the non-Combos does still offer automatic emptying. Alternatively, you could save money and space by choosing a Combo version without the AutoEmpty dock.
New mid-tier Roomba: Roomba 205 Series
Credit: iRobot
Credit: iRobot
The Roomba 205 DustCompactor series was blessed with the coolest innovation on this list, providing a much-needed alternative to bulky self-emptying docks for people who live in small spaces. Rather than trying to squeeze a self-empty canister into the most compact dock possible, iRobot found a way to simply compact the dust itself. As debris is sucked in, the Roomba 205 condenses it, enough to leave you off the hook from emptying the onboard dust bin for up to 60 days.
With a dock no bigger than your average box of tissues and the Roomba itself omitting the LiDAR tower to stay flat on top, this is a rare option that can be fully stored under a TV stand, credenza, or even a bed — without having to give up the convenience of automatic “emptying.”
Mashable Deals
The Roomba 205 DustCompactor also uses the upgraded four-stage cleaning system and can be purchased in a Combo or non-Combo version.
New premium Roombas: Roomba Plus 405 Combo and 505 Combo
The Roomba Plus 405 Combo.
Credit: iRobot
The Roomba Plus 505 Combo.
Credit: iRobot
These last two Roomba releases aren’t the first time we’ve seen the AutoWash Dock from iRobot, but they do mark the first time we’ve seen a Roomba with self-washing and drying mopping pads debut under $1,000 (or under $800, in the 405’s case). This is the meshing of premium maintenance features and practical prices that we’ve been itching to see from iRobot for years.
Both the 405 and 505 ditch the retractable mopping arm that is iRobot’s claim to fame on the Combo j7, j9, and 10 Max lines. In its place are two spinning mopping pads, or what iRobot is referring to as DualClean. In my briefing on these products with iRobot, I learned that the company has found that customers find this dual-spinning pad system to scrub more reliably than one big, flat pad.
One main difference between the 405 and 505 models is that the spinning pads on the Roomba Plus 505 use iRobot’s PerfectEdge technology, meaning they can swing out from under the circular vacuum to mop along edges and in corners. This hinged pad design is one I’ve experienced in a few Roborock models now, and the attention to detail has been a game changer for me, especially near the kitchen counters. That’s the true wall-to-wall robot vacuum experience.
The Roomba Plus 505 also incorporates another navigational non-negotiable of mine: small obstacle avoidance. Because robot vacuums with this technology can avoid random clutter on the floor like charging cords, loose laundry, and pet waste, you can start a spontaneous cleaning without having to tidy up the floor first. I’ve tested a ton of robot vacuums with this capability in the past two years, but iRobot’s PrecisionVision obstacle avoidance has consistently been the most accurate. While several Roombas at multiple price points can already do this, the Roomba Plus 505 Combo is the only Roomba under $1,000 to offer this and the AutoWash Dock. The other option is the Combo 10 Max, which retails for $1,399.
