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Robovations
Robovations™
Robot Autonomy, Classified
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Comparison · 2 robots

iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo · Roborock S4 Max

All robot vacuums. Every measure below is plotted against the full class, so a difference can be read against how much the class itself varies.

  1. iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo
  2. Roborock S4 Max

Roborock

Roborock S4 Max

Autonomy
IIIConditional Autonomy
Score
72/100 Strong
Readiness
Not assessed
Price
$429list

Up to three

01 Classification

What each one does on its own.

The Autonomy Ladder is the same five rungs for every robot on the site. A rung describes the conditions a robot handles without you, not how good it is.

V
Generalized
Any task, any setting
IV
Environmental
Handles new obstacles without help
III
Conditional
Finishes familiar jobs on its own
iRobot Roomba Plus 415 ComboRoborock S4 Max
II
Assisted
Runs preset routines, needs rescue
I
Manual
One action, on command
02 Assessment

Where they actually differ.

The Robovations Score is nine inputs across three pillars, each weighted as shown and each scored so that more is better. A robot can lead on one and trail on another, which is the point of showing them apart. Cost of ownership and data handling are reported on each robot's own page and are never averaged into the score.

Capability

Task completion16% of score
Does it finish the job it is sold to do, unattended
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo60
  • Roborock S4 Max70
18median 72 across 433 scored robots100
Coverage and navigation10% of score
Does it work the whole area, and hold that between runs
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo68
  • Roborock S4 Max88
0median 70 across 421 scored robots100
Edge-case recovery10% of score
Does it recover from the failures its category presents
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo52
  • Roborock S4 Max43
18median 52 across 320 scored robots100
Operating envelope4% of score
How far conditions can vary before performance drops
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo60
  • Roborock S4 Max76
28median 68 across 397 scored robots100

Dependability

Field failure rate16% of score
Documented hardware failures per owner-year
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo55
  • Roborock S4 Max94
6median 70 across 359 scored robots100
Software stability14% of score
Whether updates fix more than they break
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo55
  • Roborock S4 Max86
15median 65 across 342 scored robots100
Support longevity10% of score
Committed parts, service and updates, with dates
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo68
  • Roborock S4 Max63
0median 62 across 429 scored robots100

Ownership burden

Routine maintenance12% of score
Hands-on time it asks for in normal operation
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo84
  • Roborock S4 Max43
22median 67 across 434 scored robots100
Consumables8% of score
Parts that must be bought to keep it working
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo66
  • Roborock S4 Max74
8median 69 across 434 scored robots100
03 Measured against the class

How far apart is a long way?

A number only means something next to the spread it sits in. Each track below is the real range across every classified robot in the class, with the median marked.

Price217 with a published figure
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo$599.99
  • Roborock S4 Max$429
$160median $799.99$2,599
Suction (mode not stated)210 with a published figure
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo20,000 Pa
  • Roborock S4 Max2,000 Pa
1,000 Pamedian 10,000 Pa42,000 Pa
Charge time165 with a published figure
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo330 min
  • Roborock S4 Max240 min
90 minmedian 240 min420 min
Noise156 with a published figure
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo60 dB
  • Roborock S4 Max68 dB
43 dBmedian 67 dB80 dB
Weight191 with a published figure
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo6.4 lbs
  • Roborock S4 Max7.8 lbs
3.6 lbsmedian 8.4 lbs25 lbs
Height232 with a published figure
  • iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo3.3 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.

04 Ownership

What the numbers leave out.

The trade-off

What each design gives up to be good at what it is good at.

iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo

Water-only pad washing skips a chemical cartridge to refill, and skips the deeper stain-lift a detergent wash cycle adds elsewhere in iRobot’s lineup.

No published per-charge runtime: buyers get a 330-minute charge time and no way to know how long one cleaning session actually lasts.

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 Plus 415 Combo
Households needing a documented per-charge runtime figure
iRobot has not published a per-charge runtime figure for this model, only a 330-minute charge time for the 5200mAh battery, leaving coverage-per-charge unconfirmed for buyers who need that number before deciding.
Owners wanting automatic detergent dispensing at the dock
The AutoWash Dock washes and heat-dries the DualClean mop pads with water only; buyers wanting an automatic cleaning-solution cycle for dried-on messes need a different dock tier.
Buyers prioritizing the strongest suction in iRobot's combo lineup
At 20,000 Pa, this model is the entry point among iRobot's current AutoWash Dock combos; buyers wanting the strongest suction in that lineup should compare other current models.
Thick, deep-pile carpet homes
No independent test of thick-pile performance was found, and 20,000 Pa is the lowest published suction figure among iRobot's current wash-dock combo models, so performance on heavy shag or high-pile rugs remains unverified.
Buyers requiring a multi-year ownership track record
The Plus 415 Combo launched summer 2026 with no independent hands-on reviews published yet; owners wanting years of documented field reliability should wait or choose a longer-tenured model.
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 Plus 415 Combo
  • Weekly: Wipe the LiDAR turret and check the roller for hair wrap.
  • Monthly: Inspect the edge-sweeping brush for wear and clean the AutoWash Dock’s wash chamber.
  • Every 3-6 months: Replace the DualClean mop pads if worn (one pair included in box).
  • Every 3-6 months: Replace the dirt disposal bag as it fills (2 bags included in box).
  • Annually: Check dock water lines and hose connections for mineral buildup.
  • As needed: Empty and rinse the dock’s clean-water tank between wash cycles during heavy use.
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.
05 Evidence

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.

Evidence behind each classification
Robot Evidence status Sources reviewed Last assessed
iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo Verified 9 Sep 2026
Roborock S4 Max Discontinued 4 Aug 2026

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.