iRobot
iRobot Roomba 105 Combo
- Autonomy
- IIIConditional
- Score
- Not scored
- Readiness
- Not assessed
- Price
- $369.99list
ComparisoniRobot Roomba 105 Combo and Roborock S4 Max
Roborock
Roborock S4 Max
- Autonomy
- IIIConditional
- Score
- 72/100Strong
- Readiness
- Not assessed
- Price
- $429list
Up to three
Autonomy Ladder
- IManual
- IIAssisted
- IIIConditional
- IVEnvironmental
- VGeneralized
All robot vacuums. Every figure below is placed against the whole class, so a gap can be read against how much the class itself varies.
Where each one suits you.
The conditions each robot was assessed against, side by side. Rows marked in gold are where these machines genuinely differ.
| Condition | Roomba 105 Combo | Roborock S4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Home size | ||
| Under 1,500 sqftthey differ | DependsNo runtime or coverage figure was verified, and no independent test of the Combo was found. | GoodRuntime and LiDAR mapping cover compact homes in a single charge; budget price suits smaller space owners. |
| 1,500 – 3,000 | DependsWithout a verified runtime or coverage test, homes this size are unconfirmed on one charge. | Depends110-minute runtime handles two-story or open-plan homes with careful zone planning; may need multi-session scheduling on full-carpet layouts. |
| Over 3,000they differ | DependsNo independent test of large homes was found, and runtime is unverified. | PoorRuntime caps at 130 minutes on eco mode; sprawling homes require manual multi-session scheduling or larger-capacity competitors. |
| Primary floors | ||
| Hard floorsthey differ | DependsiRobot claims improved suction, but no independent hard-floor pickup test of the Combo was found. | GoodTom's Guide found only 8.5% of hair reached the dustbin on hard floors, clumping around the brush roll and inlet instead. |
| Low / medium pilethey differ | DependsNo independent carpet test of the Combo was found, and mopping runs avoid carpet. | GoodTom's Guide measured 88-100% pickup of cereal, litter and dog hair on carpet; strong performance for a budget LiDAR vacuum. |
| High pile / shag | DependsNo independent high-pile test was found for this entry-level model. | DependsAt 2,000 Pa, suction trails S8-series flagships on thick, matted carpet; adequate for routine debris, not heavy buildup. |
| Mopping needs | ||
| Vacuum only | GoodVacuums first; the mop pad is optional. | GoodVacuum-only robot — matches a vacuum-only need. |
| Light moppingthey differ | GoodFlat mop pad handles light, routine wiping of hard floors. | PoorThis model has no mopping function. |
| Frequent moppingthey differ | DependsA dragged pad freshens floors but lacks the pressure or scrubbing for heavy, frequent mopping. | PoorNo mop at all; choose a vacuum-and-mop robot instead. |
| You want to… | ||
| Empty bin myself | GoodOwners willing to rinse pads and refill water will manage its upkeep, with or without the dock. | Good0.46 L bagless bin tips into the trash every one to two runs; no bag to buy, ever. |
| Empty occasionallythey differ | GoodWith the AutoEmpty dock, debris is handled for weeks, leaving mop care to you. | DependsBin empties every one to two runs, more frequent than 'occasional' implies; no auto-empty option exists for this model. |
| Set-and-forgetthey differ | DependsMopping runs still need the pad rinsed and water refilled by hand. | PoorNo auto-empty dock and no retrofit exists; the bin is emptied by hand every one to two runs. |
A robot being poor for a condition is a fact about fit, not a fault. “Depends” means the record names a limit worth reading, not that the answer is unknown.
How far apart is a long way?
A number only means something next to the spread it sits in. Each track is the real range across every classified robot in the class, with the median marked.
Price217 with a published figure
$369.99$429
- iRobot Roomba 105 Combo$369.99
- Roborock S4 Max$429
$160median $799.99$2,599
Suction (mode not stated)210 with a published figure
7,000 Pa2,000 Pa
- iRobot Roomba 105 Combo7,000 Pa
- Roborock S4 Max2,000 Pa
1,000 Pamedian 10,000 Pa42,000 Pa
Weight191 with a published figure
6.5 lbs7.8 lbs
- iRobot Roomba 105 Combo6.5 lbs
- Roborock S4 Max7.8 lbs
3.6 lbsmedian 8.4 lbs25 lbs
Height232 with a published figure
4.1 in3.7 in
- iRobot Roomba 105 Combo4.1 in
- Roborock S4 Max3.7 in
2.6 inmedian 3.8 in7.8 in
Not compared, because fewer than two of these robots carry a published figure: Runtime, Charge time, Noise.
What the numbers leave out.
Written on each record, and the only thing here every robot on the site carries.
The trade-off
What each design gives up to be good at what it is good at.
iRobot Roomba 105 Combo
LiDAR and auto-empty at an entry price, with no independent test of the Combo yet.
Roborock S4 Max
No object recognition: with LiDAR, cliff sensors and a bumper but no camera, the S4 Max maps a room accurately and still drives into the cords, socks and pet messes that camera-equipped models identify and route around.
Who each one is wrong for
Stated by the record itself. A robot being wrong for a household is a fact about fit, not a fault.
iRobot Roomba 105 Combo
- Buyers who want independent test results first
- No hands-on review of the 105 Combo was found; the tested Roomba 105 models are the vacuum-only 105 Vac.
- Rooms where carpets need mopping nearby
- iRobot describes carpet avoidance while mopping, so rugs are skipped rather than vacuumed with the pad lifted.
- Buyers wary of the maker's long-term future
- iRobot filed for Chapter 11 in Dec 2025 with a planned acquisition by Picea Robotics, per HotHardware.
- Owners wanting a dock that washes the mop
- The optional AutoEmpty dock empties debris only; TechRadar reserves mop washing for the Plus 405 and 505 Combo.
Roborock S4 Max
- Owners wanting hands-off dust management
- The S4 Max charges on a plain floor-standing base with no auto-empty function. Emptying the 0.46 L bin by hand every one to two runs is part of using it, and no auto-empty retrofit exists for this model.
- Large open-plan homes over 2,500 sqft
- Single charge supports 110–130 minutes runtime on carpet; large floor plans require multi-session scheduling or manual recharge.
- Homes prioritizing quiet operation
- Flagship models run 65–68 dB; the S4 Max runs 68–70 dB in standard mode. Noticeable in sound-sensitive environments; use eco mode (quieter, slower) for off-peak times.
- High-pile carpet with heavy pet debris load
- Suction is solid for daily maintenance but trails S8-series flagships. Owners with thick matted carpet or weekly pet shedding may need stronger brush design.
What stays your job
The upkeep ownership hands back to you, whatever the autonomy level says.
iRobot Roomba 105 Combo
- As needed: Replace the AutoEmpty dock bag, which the retail listing says holds up to 75 days of debris.
- After every use: Refill the water tank and rinse the mop pad after mopping runs.
- As needed: Empty the onboard bin by hand on the version sold without the AutoEmpty dock.
- As needed: Clean the brushes and filter, and replace them when worn.
- As needed: Keep the iRobot app updated, since iRobot said app functionality would continue through its restructuring.
Roborock S4 Max
- After every 1-2 uses: Empty the 0.46 L onboard dustbin into the trash. The S4 Max is bagless and has no auto-empty dock, so there is no bag consumable to buy.
- Monthly: Inspect main brush for bristle loss and embedded hair; clean wheel and side brush; rinse the bin and check its seal.
- Every 6-8 months: Replace main brush (~$14–18) if bristles show notching or loss.
- Annually: Replace filter (~$8–14).
- Every 12-18 months: Replace side brush (~$8–12) depending on pet presence and usage.
How much each of these is standing on.
Classifications rest on different depths of evidence. A pre-release assessment and a verified one are not the same kind of claim.
| Robot | Evidence status | Sources reviewed | Last assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| iRobot Roomba 105 Combo | Provisional | 6 | Sep 2026 |
| Roborock S4 Max | Discontinued | 4 | Aug 2026 |
Evidence status counts the sources behind a classification, not their kind. A high count can be maker documentation and price coverage, so read it as how much was reviewed rather than as independent testing. How we weigh evidence.
Keep going.
The full recordiRobot Roomba 105 ComboSpecifications, evidence, the Fit Check in full, and every tracked change.
The full recordRoborock S4 MaxSpecifications, evidence, the Fit Check in full, and every tracked change.Robovations classifies robots; it does not rank them. Nothing on this page is a recommendation, and no manufacturer influences a classification or its placement here.
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