Ever since Picea took the reins of iRobot in January, the Roomba maker has been on a release binge. The company first introduced the Roomba Mini in March, a device iRobot insisted was already in the pipeline before the ownership change. In May, the company dropped eight new Roombas in a single sweep. Two months later, iRobot is back, and this time it has done something it has never attempted in over two decades of making robots.
Breaking new ground, iRobot has launched its first-ever floor cleaner that isn’t a robot at all. Dubbed Roomba Electro Plus, the company’s maiden floor cleaner is a cordless, hand-pushed device that vacuums, mops, and disinfects hard floors in a single pass. Floor cleaners are a dime a dozen these days, but what earns Electro Plus its keep is its methodology.
According to the company’s press release, the “Roomba Electro Plus transforms ordinary tap water into a powerful disinfecting solution that kills 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, fungi and germs without any added chemicals, toxins, steam, or complexity.” In simple terms, iRobot uses electricity to kill germs. iRobot’s chief engineer and VP Adam Pope explained the science to CNET’s Ajay Kumar, describing how the process pulls naturally occurring chlorine from tap water and turns it into hypochlorous acid using electricity.
iRobot also states in its press release that “Roomba Electro Plus is safe for kids, pets, and the planet.” That is because, unlike traditional floor cleaners that rely on bleach as their main cleaning agent, Roomba Electro Plus uses a chemical-free solution that is eco-friendly and gentle on sealed hardwood, tile, laminate, stone, and vinyl floors.
In addition to being chemical-free, the Roomba Electro Plus also helps you save bucks. The statement won’t make much sense if you have never owned a vacuum cleaner before. But those of you who do know that brands sell their own detergents, which they often stress is the only compatible solution with the respective model. This leads to added cost for the buyer, considering a regular detergent would cost ten times less than what the brands sell. iRobot saw this loophole and introduced the Roomba Electro Plus, which eliminates the use of chemicals and toxins.
Verge’s Jennifer Patitnson, who has been observing the smart home industry trends for a decade, pointed out that Electro Plus is more or less similar to a new breed of floor cleaners coming from brands like Roborock and Dreame. What, however, separates the Electro Plus is its ability to turn regular tap water into a commercial-grade disinfectant cleaning solution. Forbes’ Monica Petrucci also praised the floor cleaner for its ability to disinfect without relying on harsh cleaners. Redditors are yet to have their say, but the launch has met with mixed to positive reviews.
Alongside the Electro Plus, iRobot introduced five new robot models for the North American market. This includes Max 775 Combo, Max 715 Vacuum, and Plus-tier 575, 515, and 415 Combo robots. Engadget’s Matt Tate pointed out that the Max 775 is now iRobot’s most advanced robot yet, packing LiDAR mapping, AI-based obstacle recognition, and the same self-cleaning PowerSpin mop found on the Electro Plus. The three Plus models are a notable 46 percent smaller than their predecessors, small enough to duck under furniture with as little as 9 cm of clearance.
Also Read: Best Handheld Vacuums You Need for Everyday Cleaning in 2026
Whether any of this restores iRobot’s standing against Chinese and domestic competitors that have outpaced it in R&D spending over the past few years remains an open question. But going by sheer output, which is three major launches in six months, this clearly signifies that iRobot and its new boss, Picea, have gone on offensive mode. Will it make any difference? We will know once iRobot’s quarterly reports are out.
For now, the Roomba Electro Plus and the new Roomba lineup are up for pre-sale now at iRobot’s official website, with retail availability expected later this month. The Roomba Electro Plus is priced at $400, while most robovacs start at $600.
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