Should you buy a Roomba in 2026? Here's what you need to know

Roomba Plus 505 Combo robot vacuum
(Image credit: Future)
Recent updates

Roomba announced the first of its new lineup after its acquisition back in May 2026, and we just got our hands on two of them for testing. The Roomba 115 and Roomba 415 Combo Robot both come at entry-level prices and with a compact frame that has the potential to set them apart in a crowded market. If they hit the mark, I'll be adding them to this guide in the next couple of months.

Truth be told, now's not a good time to buy a Roomba. Once synonymous with the very best robot vacuums, iRobot Roomba went into administration in 2025, and was acquired in February 2026 by major Chinese technology company Picea. We reached out to iRobot, who confirmed that it will be "operating as before", and said "there are no changes to existing models or our support of them". But, with that being said, we're seeing a lot of classic iRobot models such as the J9+ Combi and the i3 being taken out of circulation.

With that in mind, the three models I've included in this guide are still readily available to buy and also almost permanently heavily discounted. The most recent model we tested, the iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo, offers the latest Roomba tech and scored very highly across the board when we tested it in 2025. More interested in mopping? The Braava Jet M6 has been a favorite of ours for years, and is heavily reduced at a number of a retailers.

But a lot's changed since we tested these robot vacuums, and the brand recently announced a new range of budget-friendly models (the first to be released under the brand's new ownership), which we expect to launch later this year. Can't wait for then? Take a look at the three best Roombas I recommend below.

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The best Roombas you can buy today

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The best Roombas you can buy today

Roomba 505 Plus cleaning hard floors around a door

(Image credit: Future/Annie Collyer)
The best Roomba overall

Specifications

Size: 45cm x 34.4cm x 47cm
Dust bin capacity: Up to 75 days
Weight: 9 pounds
Mapping: Yes
Smart home compatibility: Alexa & Google Assistant

Reasons to buy

+
Reaches into corners well
+
Scrubs floors clean
+
Maps your house fast
+
Great for pet hair

Reasons to avoid

-
App was sometimes glitchy
-
Spot Clean mode isn't the best
-
Loud when emptying bin

As part of a series of newly-launched robot vacuum mops from Roomba in 2025, the iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo is by far one of the best robot vacuums we’ve tested.

Our tester, Annie, (who is also a busy mom to a toddler and dog), put the Roomba Plus 505 to good use in her home. After months of testing she was impressed by its sheer cleaning power, mopping results and pet hair pick-up. In other words, a great overall robot vacuum to suit every task.

Not only was the Roomba Plus 505 able to do a thorough clean on her carpets, it did a good job of tackling messes on hard floors, particularly in corners. It also managed to maneuver its way over thresholds and around doors and other obstacles without any problem.

Perhaps what impressed our tester the most though, was its excellent mopping results that actually scrubbed floors well. Promising ‘70x more suction’, our tester could clearly see where areas had been scrubbed, and was glad to see floors were left dry and free from wet streaks. What’s more, the Roomba Plus 505 tackles pet hair really well, and Annie didn't find a single strand of her dog's hair tangled in the brush at all. Impressive!

She also loved the fact that it empties its bin, fills itself with clean water, and empties the dirty water away for up to 75 days. In fact, the only downsides Annie noted was the ‘spot cleaning’ mode to be a little hit and miss, and the App could be glitchy at times. However, for an overall, robot vacuum and mop hybrid to handle everyday cleaning, the Roomba Plus 505 was good enough to retire her cordless vacuum.

Read our full iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo review.

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Roomba Plus 505 Combo test results
Row 0 - Cell 0

Overall

Cheerios

Kitty Litter

Pet hair

Hardwood Floor

94.75

97.3

94.45

92.5

Carpet

88.9

99.35

94.75

72.5

Best premium

Roomba J9+ Combo robot vacuum and mop shown on floor

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
A hybrid robot vacuum with a retractable mop pad

Specifications

Size: 13.7 x 13.7 x 3.4 inches
Weight: 9 pounds
Mapping: Yes
Smart home: Alexa, Google Assistant

Reasons to buy

+
Cleans carpets and mops floors well
+
Multifunctional dock
+
Smart obstacle avoidance
+
Easy-to-use iRobot app

Reasons to avoid

-
Need to manually remove and clean mop pad after each use
-
Expensive
-
Loud

One of iRobot's more premium models, the J9+ Combo is pricey, but it vacuums and mops homes with a healthy mix of carpet and hard floors thoroughly while avoiding obstacles. Its retractable mop design folds over the top of the bot like a convertible car's roof. This completely avoids spilling even a drop of water on carpets — but it requires you to manually remove and clean the mop pad after each job, which is some outdated tech compared to more modern releases from brands like Dreame and Dyson.

The J9+ had no problem sucking up nearly all of the Cheerios and kitty litter placed on both surface types. It even ripped through 93 percent of pet hair on carpet which is where most models struggle.

Our tester, Hunter, noted that only place this Roomba dropped the ball was when collecting pet hair on hard floors. While it managed to collect around 80% of the hair it struggled for the majority of the cleaning and often pushed it all together in clumps.

Its onboard AI powers advanced obstacle avoidance and uses a camera to detect dirt and optimize cleanings ensure that your floors are left clean and shiny. The algorithm's "SmartScrub" feature can even determine how effective a mop passthrough was to apply more pressure like a human would. If your home is equal parts hardwood to carpet then the Roomba J9+ Combo can't be topped.

Read our full iRobot Roomba J9+ Combo robot vacuum and mop review.

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iRobot Roomba J9+ test results
Row 0 - Cell 0

Overall

Cheerios

Kitty Litter

Pet hair

Hardwood Floor

91.2

95.7

97

81

Carpet

97.0

98

99.9

93

Best robot mop

iRobot Braava Jet M6 on hardwood floor

iRobot Braava jet m6 (Image credit: Future)
Best for multi-room mopping

Specifications

Size: 10.6 x 10.6 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 4.85 pounds
Mapping: Yes
Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Reasons to buy

+
Able to clean specific rooms on demand
+
Wi-Fi connected and easy to control via the app
+
Works in tandem with some Roombas so you get a full vacuum and mop performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Can only be used with proprietary cleaning solution — alternative solutions should not be used

The iRobot Braava jet m6 is, in essence, the Roomba s9, but solely for mopping. This impressive bot uses the same advanced navigation found in the Roomba s9 and Roomba i7 to clean and map your home. It’ll save a map of your home’s layout that can be customized, giving you the power to command the Braava jet m6 to clean specific rooms while avoiding no-go areas such as pet food bowls. While this is a handy feature in a vacuum, it’s nearly essential in a mop. No one wants to deal with a wet rug.

The square shape of the Braava jet m6 means it cleans well along baseboards. We like the easy-to-fill removable water tank, too. Like some Roombas, when the mop’s battery gets low, it’ll head back to its base, recharge, and then get back to work. Perhaps the neatest feature of the Braava jet m6 is how it works in tandem with the Roomba s9 and Roomba i7. When the vacuum has finished cleaning and returned to its base, the mop goes to work.

Like the Braava jet 240, the Braava jet m6 uses proprietary wet and dry cleaning pads that are available in reusable or disposable versions.

The m6 is at the top of our list of the best robot mops; as we found in our Braava jet m6 review, it was the best at both mopping and sweeping, and all of its smarts made it the easiest to use, too.

Read our full iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop review.

How we tested

iRobot Roomba j7+ cleaning dog fur

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Our list of the best Roombas has been compiled through a combination of hands-on testing alongside extensive online research. Those which are tested in-house must demonstrate high levels of pick-up on everyday debris, including Cheerios, kitty litter and dog hair across both carpet and hardwood floors. We also take into account the effectiveness of the navigation as well as how much noise it makes on route. Speed is also considered as part of this test.

On top of that, we give the overall design a once-over, checking how easy the dustbin and filter are to remove and refit, as well as factoring in the settings and features on offer. We also test the app to see how easy it is to navigate and how intuitive the Roomba is to use on the whole.

Those models which are assessed based solely on online research need to have a proven track record in performance. We check this by referring to online reviews which must be commendable as well as consistent. Specifications are also compared to find the models which have the most to offer. Battery life and dustbin capacity are considered along with special features such as obstacle recognition and self-emptying bases.

Things to consider before buying a Roomba

What happened to iRobot, and who owns Roomba now?

iRobot went through a court-supervised restructuring process in late 2025 and was acquired by Picea, a Chinese technology company, in February 2026. Roomba is still the consumer brand, but the ownership change comes as some older models are becoming harder to find and a new generation is arriving. That makes a discounted existing Roomba worth considering only if it fits your needs and the saving is substantial.

Will Roombas still receive app updates, customer support, and replacement parts?

iRobot says it will continue to support current products with customer service, applicable software updates, and warranty coverage, and that there are no planned changes to app functionality. That is good news for current owners and anyone considering an available model, but it is sensible to check the warranty, return policy, and availability of essentials such as bags, filters, brushes, and mop pads before buying.

What new robot vacuums is Roomba bringing out in 2026?

iRobot’s new Roomba range spans eight models, from the £229 Roomba 115 to the £799 Roomba Max 775 Combo — roughly $310 to $1,080 at current exchange rates, although US retail prices do not always directly match those conversions. The entry-level Roomba 115 is aimed at smaller homes and everyday upkeep, with a compact body, smart navigation and up to 15,000Pa of suction. The £449 Roomba 415 Combo, or roughly $610, adds vacuuming and mopping.

US availability is being phased in from mid-2026. At the time of writing, iRobot’s US site lists the Roomba Plus 515 Combo for $699.99, the Plus 575 Combo for $799.99, the Max 715 Vac for $699.99 and the Max 775 Combo for $999.99. We have not yet found clear US listings for the 115, 415, 615 or 675.

The Plus range adds stronger suction, ClearView LiDAR navigation and AutoWash docks on selected models, while the higher-spec 575, 615 and 675 add AI visual recognition and ClearView Pro LiDAR. We’re working on full reviews and will update this guide once we have tested their cleaning, navigation and mopping performance.

Are the new Roomba models worth waiting for?

They could be, especially if you are not in a rush. We covered the new line back in May, but have only just recieved the first samples for testing as of July 2026. We are currently working on reviews of the new Roomba 115 and Roomba 415, so it is too early to say whether either is a better buy than the established models. If you need a robot vacuum now, a heavily discounted older model can still make sense. Otherwise, wait for our full testing, along with confirmed pricing, features, and longer-term support details.

Should I buy a discounted older Roomba or wait for the new range?

Buy a discounted older Roomba if it is a strong match for your home and cheap enough to justify the uncertainty around the brand’s transition. The Roomba Plus 505 Combo is still a capable option for everyday vacuuming and mopping, while the J9+ Combo remains well suited to homes with both carpets and hard floors. Wait if you want the latest technology, a model likely to remain on sale for longer, or clearer evidence of how the new range performs.

Will older Roombas work with iRobot’s app under the new ownership?

Yes, iRobot says existing apps will keep working and that it has no planned changes to app functionality. Compatible older models should therefore continue to offer features such as scheduling, mapping, room-specific cleaning, and no-go zones while support continues. Before buying a clearance model, check which iRobot app it uses and confirm that it supports the smart features you want, as these vary between Roomba generations.

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Millie Fender
Managing Editor, Buying Guides

Millie is the Managing Editor of Buying Guides at Tom's Guide. Previously Managing Editor of Homes, she's been reviewing home tech for over five years, testing everything from coffee makers to the latest vacuum cleaners.

With particular expertise in cookware and kitchen appliances, you'll struggle to find an air fryer Millie hasn't tested. She's traveled the world reporting on the latest home innovations and product launches, learning how to use pizza ovens from Pizzaiolos in Naples, and touring the De'Longhi factory in Venice. Millie is also an SCA-Certified barista.

When she's not reporting on home and appliance trends, Millie loves watching live music. She's currently learning the guitar - naturally, she plays a Fender.