At the IFA 2026 trade show in Berlin, iRobot unveiled two new high-end robot vacuums intended to challenge the dominance of Chinese manufacturers. the new lineup features the $1,200 Roomba Max 875 and the $900 Roomba Plus 678, both boasting significant upgrades in suction and automated cleaning.
A 35,000Pa response to Dreame and Roborock
iRobot is attempting to regain its footing in a market that has increasingly shifted towarrd feature-heavy models from Chinese brands like Dreame, Roborock, and Mova. According to the report, the flagship Roomba Max 875 aims to lead this charge with a massive 35,000Pa of suction power. This move follows years where iRobot was perceived to be falling behind its rivals in terms of raw technical specifications and dock-based automation.
To differentiate itself , iRobot is introducing "SealForce Vacuuming Technology," which the company claims provides three times deeper carpet cleaning than robots lacking the system. This technological pivot is a direct attempt to move the conversation away from mere suction numbers and toward specialized cleaning performance.
176-degree heated mops and the Max 875's self-cleaning dock
The Roomba Max 875 features a sophisticated self-cleaning dock designed to minimize manual maintenance for the user. As reported at IFA 2026, the dock uses 176-degree Fahrenheit water to wash the robot's mop pad and automatically refills the onboard tank with a fresh mixture of water and cleaning solution.
Beyond the dock, the Max 875 utilizes a unique lateral mop roller that extends to reach baseboards and walls before retracting when the unit detects carpet. The robot also employs a continuous heated mist from its undercarriage to help dissolve stubborn , dried-on messes on hard floors. for hair management, the device includes a specialized hair-cutting main brush to prevent the common issue of tangles.
The $300 differrence between the Max 875 and Plus 678
While the flagship model targets the ultra-premium segment, the $900 Roomba Plus 678 offers a more accessible entry point into iRobot's new ecosystem. The Plus 678 provides a respectable 30,000Pa of suction, though it lacks some of the high-end automation found in the Max 875.
Specifically, the Plus 678 utilizes a high-pressure spray for cleaning instead of the heated mist system found in the more expensive model.. It also lacks the self-sealing mop roller, though the mop can still extend outward to clean edges. Despite these differences, both models utilize LiDAR navigation and front-facing cameras for obstacle avoidance, maintaining a slim profile of under four inches.
Will real-world reliability match the IFA 2026 specs?
Despite the impressive hardware revealed in Berlin, significant questions remain regarding how these machines will perform in actual homes. reviewers are currently advising consumers to wait for hands-on testing and long-term user feedback before committing to a purchase.
One major unknown is whether iRobot can match the conssitent reliability and polish that Chinese competitors have established in recent years. Additionally, it remains to be seen if the "SealForce" technology and heated mist features provide enough of a functional advantage to justify the premium price point when compared to lower-cost alternatives that offer similar specifications.
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