iRobot’s new Roomba seals itself to carpets and costs nearly US$1,200
The Roomba Max 875 Combo combines SealForce carpet cleaning, heated mopping and an AutoWash dock, but its headline performance claims still need testing.
iRobot’s Roomba Max 875 Combo is going after the messes that robot vacuums traditionally fear: deep carpet dirt, dried spills and the awkward strip of floor along the skirting board.
Listed at US$1,199.99, the new robot combines SealForce suction technology with heated mopping, carpet protection and an AutoWash dock. The price is premium; the performance claims are still iRobot’s claims until independent testing says otherwise.
What's actually going on
iRobot says SealForce combines a closer carpet seal, tornado-like airflow and five times more suction to pull dust, pet hair and crumbs from carpet fibres. The product page does not turn that marketing figure into an independent test result.
For hard floors, the Max 875 uses ultrasonic ThermaMist and a PowerSpin Max roller mop. iRobot lists 140°F water, a 300 RPM roller speed and 18N of downward pressure, claiming two times better stain removal in its testing.
The robot also has PerfectEdge cleaning, a side brush for corners, AI-powered ClearView Pro and PrecisionVision navigation, and DriLift protection that raises the mop when it detects carpet.
The AutoWash dock is designed to provide up to 90 days of hands-free maintenance. iRobot’s US product page lists the Max 875 at US$1,199.99 and says it will ship in approximately two weeks. UK and European pricing and availability were not confirmed.
Why you should care
Robot vacuums have become very good at routine maintenance. The premium models are now competing over the annoying jobs people still end up doing themselves: scrubbing stains, chasing pet hair and rescuing carpets from damp mop pads.
A carpet-sealing system could make a meaningful difference if it works across different pile heights and household messes. Heated water and automated washing also sound useful, although they add complexity to a machine whose main selling point used to be “drive around and collect dust”.
Our opinion
The Max 875 is an ambitious cleaning robot with a price tag that demands evidence. US$1,199.99 is a lot to spend on a machine that may still require you to pick up socks and empty mystery debris from the hallway.
The technology is worth watching, especially for homes with pets and carpets, but we would wait for independent tests and UK pricing before recommending it. If SealForce delivers, iRobot may have a serious deep-cleaning machine; if not, it is an expensive box of excellent adjectives.
- Roomba Max 875 Combo is listed at US$1,199.99
- iRobot says it uses SealForce and 5x more suction
- It includes ultrasonic ThermaMist and a PowerSpin Max roller mop
- It uses 140°F water, 300 RPM roller speed and 18N downward pressure
- AutoWash dock provides up to 90 days hands-free maintenance
- US product page says shipping in approximately two weeks
- UK/EU pricing and availability were not confirmed