iRobot has unveiled two new robot vacuum models at this year’s major tech conference, both equipped with advanced suction power and innovative cleaning technology designed to deliver results that older units cannot match. The Roomba Max 875 and Roomba Plus 678 represent the company’s latest effort to improve carpet cleaning performance and simplify household maintenance through automation.
What Changed in These New Roomba Models
The standout feature across both new units is SealForce Vacuuming Technology, a system that iRobot claims delivers three times deeper carpet cleaning compared to robot vacuums without this feature. The Max 875 generates 35,000Pa of suction power, while the Plus 678 offers 30,000Pa, putting both models at the high end of the market in terms of raw cleaning force.
The Max 875, priced at 1,200 dollars, comes with a self-emptying dock that performs additional functions beyond simple debris collection. The dock washes the robot’s mop pad using 176-degree Fahrenheit water, refills it with fresh water and cleaning solution, and readies the unit for the next cleaning cycle automatically. This model also features a mop roller that extends to clean baseboards and edges, then automatically lifts and retracts when the robot transitions to carpet to prevent moisture damage.
During operation, the Max 875 sprays a continuous heated mist underneath the chassis to address stubborn, dried-on messes on hard floors. The main brush includes a hair-cutting design to reduce tangling, a practical feature that addresses one of the most common complaints robot vacuum owners face.
The Roomba Plus 678, positioned at 900 dollars, shares many capabilities with its pricier sibling but uses a high-pressure spray system instead of heated mist. It also lacks the self-sealing mop roller, though its mop pad still extends to reach tight spaces. Both units use LiDAR navigation and front-facing cameras to map spaces and avoid obstacles during cleaning.
Pricing and Market Context
At 900 to 1,200 dollars, both models remain substantial investments for household appliances. However, they fall below the price points of competing robot vacuums with comparable features, making them more accessible options in the premium robovac category. For comparison, robot vacuums with similar technology capabilities have historically carried even higher price tags.
The timing of these releases comes as the robot vacuum market grows more competitive, with manufacturers across the globe introducing increasingly sophisticated cleaning systems. The evolution of floor care technology extends beyond traditional suction-based approaches, though Roomba has doubled down on increasing suction power and targeted spraying systems as its innovation strategy.
What This Means for Shoppers
If you currently own an older Roomba or are considering your first robot vacuum purchase, these new models represent meaningful upgrades in carpet cleaning capability. The combination of high suction, heated moisture systems, and edge-reaching mop technology addresses real pain points that many robot vacuum users encounter.
However, caution remains warranted before making a purchase decision. Robot vacuums with advanced features sometimes struggle with real-world performance, and specifications on paper do not always translate to practical cleaning results in typical homes. Pet hair management, edge-to-edge coverage, and durability over extended use require hands-on testing and user feedback to assess properly.
Prospective buyers should wait for independent reviews from experienced testers who have put these units through rigorous cleaning scenarios. Reading feedback from actual owners who have used these models in homes with various flooring types, furniture layouts, and pet situations will provide more reliable guidance than manufacturer claims alone.
For those who cannot wait, both models are available directly from iRobot’s website. For others, the smarter approach involves researching detailed reviews and user experiences before committing to either model. The combination of self-cleaning capabilities and deeper carpet cleaning technology does represent genuine innovation, but purchasing decisions should rest on verified performance rather than specifications.
Looking Ahead
The introduction of these models continues iRobot’s strategy of incorporating features previously seen only on competing premium products. As consumer product companies across categories introduce more sophisticated technology, robot vacuum features that seemed luxurious five years ago now appear standard. Whether the SealForce technology truly delivers the promised cleaning improvement will only become clear through extensive real-world testing and user reports over coming months.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!