iRobot's new flagship vacuum uses a sealing skirt to boost dirt extraction
iRobot unveiled its Roomba Max 875 Combo, a $1,199 robot vacuum and mop, at IFA 2026, its first major trade show appearance under new owner Picea Robotics. The device introduces SealForce, a system that lowers a skirt around the cleaning head to create a seal with the carpet, aiming to dislodge more dirt than suction alone. A mid-range Roomba Plus 678 Combo, priced at $899, also launched alongside the flagship.
The SealForce system represents a notable engineering shift for iRobot, trading its long-standing dual-roller design for a single rubber brush to accommodate the sealing skirt mechanism. The company claims this configuration, combined with the new blower motor, achieves three times deeper carpet penetration than conventional suction-only approaches. Both the $1,199 Max 875 Combo and the $899 Plus 678 Combo are available immediately through iRobot's website.
This launch marks iRobot's first major trade show presence since Picea Robotics acquired the company out of bankruptcy in January. The new ownership appears to be pushing the brand toward more aggressive performance specifications, including the 35,000 Pa suction rating—a figure iRobot historically declined to publish. The flagship also introduces ThermaMist, a heated pre-treatment spray for mopping, alongside a retractable mop cover designed to protect carpets during vacuum-only cycles.
This product could signal how iRobot adapts under new ownership after its financial struggles. The premium pricing may test whether consumers still associate the Roomba brand with innovation worth paying for, particularly as competitors offer comparable features at lower price points. For households with heavy carpeting, the SealForce technology could meaningfully improve cleaning results, but its real-world effectiveness remains to be verified. The company's survival and competitive positioning may hinge on whether these technical claims translate into tangible consumer satisfaction.