RELEASED 2026.09REASSESSED 2026.09.14

iRobot

iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo

Name: iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo
Brand: iRobot

The AutoWash dock hot-washes and heat-dries the PowerSpin roller and auto-empties the dustbin for up to 90 days, so day-to-day upkeep is light. What is not yet known is how that dock and roller hold up over months of real use, and how the Plus tier's lower suction spec compares to the Max 875 Combo on carpet.

PriceList $899 maker’s figure, not a street priceNo retailer listing

Autonomy Ladder

Why Level III.

One five-rung scale, every category, from acting only on command to working unsupervised anywhere.

VGeneralized AutonomyAny task, any setting. No consumer robot has reached it.
IVEnvironmental AutonomyHandles new obstacles and re-plans in real time; rare in consumer products.
To reach Level IVSustained operation across sessions, including layouts and conditions it has not met before.
IIIConditional AutonomyThis robot

iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo finishes whole jobs in a space it already knows, and still needs a person at the edges.

Navigation and control

ClearView Pro LiDAR + PrecisionVision AI object recognition
Why this level
- ClearView Pro LiDAR builds and retains a room-by-room map without relying on camera-only SLAM, placing it at Level III.
- Conditional autonomy within a mapped, known layout.
- The AutoWash dock and PowerSpin roller execute wash, dry, and carpet-lift cycles without operator input.
- No teleoperation or remote-pilot fallback is documented for this model.
Autonomy dimension 62 / 100 · 7 sources reviewed
IIAssisted AutonomyRuns preset routines; stalls at anything new.
IManual AutomationOne action on command; no independent operation.

How we assign a level →

Behind the classification

Sources we reviewed.

Verified7 sources reviewed

Sufficient public evidence across source types to publish a non-provisional classification.

Sources reviewed

Press & video reviews3 sourcesReviewed

Independent specs listing for this exact model, confirming AutoWash dock and price at launch

Press & video reviews3 sourcesReviewed

Retail listing for this exact model, confirming model number and category placement

Manufacturer documentation1 sourceReviewed

iRobot's own product page for the Plus 678 Combo, confirming model number, AutoWash dock specifics, and dimensions

Roomba Plus 678 Combo robot + AutoWash dockiRobot

How we evaluate evidence →

Human Readiness

New to Market.

One question: what does buying this robot today walk you into? The state is computed from the record, and recomputed daily.

Ready NowAssessed, with a clean record on file. A successor may be shipping; the page says so when it is.
New to MarketThis robot

iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo is new to market. The capability is on sale; the ownership record is not in yet.
How this was derived
- On sale 13 days, inside the first-90-day window where the ownership record is still forming.
Notes on the record
- Shipped 2 Sep 2026 alongside the Max 875 Combo; no independent hands-on or owner-report base exists yet, so readiness rests on iRobot's Combo-line track record rather than this model's own field history.
On the record
- Shipping since September 2026
- 7 sources reviewed
What would move it
Crossing 90 days on sale with a published assessment and no documented issues moves it to Ready Now automatically.
WaitA successor is announced and has not shipped; re-read the decision when it arrives.
Known IssuesDocumented problems stand on the record; read the case before buying.

How we assess readiness →

Robovations Score

How this number was reached

61of 100

CapableAt or above 26% of the 421 robots we scoreand 22% of the 212 scored robot vacuums

DeficientLimitedCapableStrongExemplary

Measured on 6 of the 9 inputs40% not counted

Our assessment did not establish an independent source for edge-case recovery, field failure rate, software stability on this machine, so those inputs are left out of the score rather than guessed at, and the rest re-weighted to fill the space. A gap in what we have been able to verify is not evidence against the robot. Where a whole pillar has nothing measured, we publish no number at all.

What moved itpoints gained or lost against a typical robot

Carried by

Routine maintenance72+0.7

Held back by

Task completion60−1.9
Support longevity55−0.8
Consumables62−0.6

Capability40% of the score63What it does without you.

Task completion16% of the score60

Evidence

The AutoWash dock washes and dries the PowerSpin roller and auto-empties the bin between runs, and the roller auto-lifts about 10mm on carpet detection so a single scheduled run covers vacuum-plus-mop without a manual pad swap. No independent multi-week completion-rate test exists yet for this specific model, twelve days after its 2 Sep 2026 launch.

Coverage and navigation10% of the score68

Evidence

ClearView Pro LiDAR paired with PrecisionVision AI object recognition is documented by iRobot for this model, supporting room-by-room mapping and recharge-and-resume on larger floor plans. Independent mapping-accuracy testing of this exact model has not been published yet.

Edge-case recoverynot countedno source verified55

Evidence

No independent report describes how this specific model handles cords, furniture legs, or low-clearance obstacles. Unevidenced: the score reflects category-typical behavior for LiDAR-navigating Combo units, not observed outcomes for this model.

Operating envelope4% of the score60

Evidence

Indoor hard-floor and low-pile carpet use is standard for this class; iRobot rates suction at 30,000 Pa, below the sibling Max 875 Combo's published figure. High-pile carpet performance for this model is not independently documented.

Dependability40% of the score55Whether it keeps doing it.

Field failure ratenot countedno source verified60

Evidence

Unevidenced: the product shipped 2 Sep 2026, twelve days before this record, and no independent field-failure report or teardown has been published, including for the AutoWash dock's hot-water wash mechanism. iRobot's broader Combo line has no open recall as of this writing.

Software stabilitynot countedno source verified65

Evidence

Unevidenced: no update has shipped to this specific model yet with independent reporting on its effect. iRobot maintains an active update channel across its current Roomba app fleet.

Support longevity10% of the score55

Evidence

iRobot documents an active parts and repair channel for its current lineup, but the company disclosed significant layoffs and financial restructuring in 2024 before returning to new product launches in 2025 and 2026, a documented risk to long-term support commitments that this model's continued sale does not fully resolve.

Ownership burden20% of the score68What it asks of you.

Routine maintenance12% of the score72

Evidence

The AutoWash dock auto-empties the dustbin into a sealed bag rated for up to 90 days and hot-washes/heat-dries the PowerSpin roller after each mop run, removing the hand-rinse step a dragged-pad system would need. The dock's own filter and self-clean cycle still require periodic owner attention, and no independent long-term account of dock upkeep exists yet.

Consumables8% of the score62

Evidence

Consumables follow iRobot's AutoWash-dock parts set: filters, side brush, self-empty bags, and the StayClean mopping concentrate the dock mixes with water, priced by the consumables engine. Roller replacement interval for this specific model is not independently documented.

middle half of the databaseits medianthis robot

Reported, not scoredneither measures how well the robot works

Five-year cost$1,140

Purchase price plus five years of filters, side brush, self-empty bags, and StayClean mopping concentrate at iRobot's typical AutoWash-dock part pricing.

Data postureCloud-linked

Account required. Maps and telemetry leave the home; core function survives an outage.

What leaves the homeDocumented

iRobot's app requires an account to store floor maps and cleaning history for Combo-line robots, and the onboard LiDAR plus PrecisionVision AI camera system supports navigation and the 300+ object-recognition object avoidance iRobot documents. iRobot has not published a model-specific data-handling breakdown for the Plus 678 Combo, so exact image retention and processing location for this SKU are not independently confirmed.

On-device processingNo

Read the full methodology →

FIT CHECK

Will the iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo work in your home?

Describe your home using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Home size

Primary floors

Mopping needs

You want to…

See every robot vacuum suited to these conditions

A classification of fit for the conditions you set, not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced above the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

Dimensional drawing

Key specificationsManufacturer-published

Footprint: 13.9 in dia · 3.9 in tall
Weight: 10.69 lbs
Wi-Fi: Supported

Where it lands · ranked across 236 robot vacuumsThis robotMedianTypical range

Suction30,000Pamode not stated

1,000 Pa42,000 Pa

Above median

Price$899

$138$2,000

Near median

Weight10.69lbs

3.6 lbs25 lbs

Above median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category, not a quality judgment. Suction in Pascals has no standard test method, and the published figure is a peak-mode claim, so it is comparable only within a brand and generation.

Official referencesProduct page

OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

Twelve days post-launch, too early for any independent reliability signal.

No independent teardown, failure report, or owner-forum thread yet exists for this model, including how the AutoWash dock's hot-water wash mechanism holds up over months of use. iRobot's Combo line has generally shipped stable hardware, but that history does not guarantee this new SKU.

Reliability trendUnprovenowner-reported arc

What goes wrong · 4 documented · 0 self-recover

Common

Hair wrap on rollerReduced pickup, brush strain

Owner fixClear hair from roller weekly on pet homes

Occasional

Roller wash chamber buildupReduced roller wash effectiveness

Owner fixWipe wash chamber monthly; run dock self-clean cycle

Occasional

LiDAR turret dust buildupDegraded mapping accuracy

Owner fixWipe turret lens monthly with a dry cloth

Rare

Self-empty bag seal wearOdor escape, incomplete empty

Owner fixReplace bag if seal looks worn

Step-by-step fixesAuto-Empty Base Not Emptying?Brush Not Spinning?App Says Offline or Won’t Connect?All robot vacuum guides

Upkeep routine

Weekly52×/yr

Check the StayClean mopping concentrate reservoir and refill if the dock signals low.

Monthly12×/yr

Clear hair wrap from the main brush and roller.

Seasonal4×/yr

Replace the self-empty bag. · Replace the filter (roughly $15-20 for a 3-pack at iRobot's typical part pricing). · Replace the side brush.

As neededno fixed schedule

Run the dock's self-clean cycle and wipe down the roller-wash chamber to prevent buildup.

Cost over time · past the sticker

$899 to buy. Ongoing running cost for this model hasn’t been assessed yet.

Safety notes

CautionChoking hazard: small parts: Roller clips and filter components are small; keep away from toddlers and pets that chew.

NoteStair and drop-off sensing: Cliff sensors are standard for this class; keep sensor lenses clean for reliable drop-off detection.

CautionBattery fire risk if damaged: Li-ion pack; do not puncture, crush, or charge with a non-iRobot dock or cable.

NoteHot water in dock: The AutoWash dock heats water to ~176°F for washing; keep children and pets away during wash cycles.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon

Just launched

Active updates

Settled

Discontinued

Sep 2026 · AssessmentReadiness assessed as New to Market
Sep 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 61 of 100

Common questions

What people actually ask.

5 answered

OperationDoes the Roomba Plus 678 Combo auto-empty its dust bin like the Max 875 Combo?

Yes. The AutoWash dock auto-empties the robot’s dustbin into a sealed bag rated for up to 90 days of hands-free operation, the same architecture iRobot uses across its current AutoWash-dock lineup.

OperationDoes the Roomba Plus 678 Combo's mop pad wash itself in the dock?

Yes. The AutoWash dock soaks and washes the PowerSpin roller in hot water (iRobot lists roughly 176°F/80°C) and heat-dries it (roughly 131°F/55°C) after each mop run, and the roller auto-lifts about 10mm when the robot detects carpet.

OperationIs the Roomba Plus 678 Combo's navigation LiDAR or camera-based?

LiDAR. iRobot documents ClearView Pro LiDAR paired with PrecisionVision AI, which the company says recognizes more than 300 household objects for avoidance.

OperationHow does the Roomba Plus 678 Combo differ from the Roomba Max 875 Combo?

Both launched 2 Sep 2026 and share the AutoWash self-washing, self-emptying dock architecture. The confirmed difference is price ($899 vs. $1,199) and rated suction (30,000 Pa on the Plus 678); a full feature-by-feature delta between the two has not been independently published.

OperationIs there independent reliability data on the Roomba Plus 678 Combo yet?

No. It shipped twelve days before this assessment, too early for an owner-report base or failure pattern to exist, including for the AutoWash dock’s hot-water wash mechanism.

Cite / Embed

Reference the iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo classification.

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Citation

Robovations. "iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo: Autonomy Level III (Conditional Autonomy)." Autonomy Ladder™, assessed September 2026. https://robovations.com/robots/irobot-roomba-plus-678-combo/

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A classification, not an endorsement. It may not appear beside language implying Robovations recommends, rates, or approves the product.

Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

See the iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo and MOVA E50 Ultra side by side: autonomy level, Robovations Score, readiness, and price. Classification, not a verdict.

See the full comparison

Or compare with MOVA E50 Pro Ultra, MOVA S70 Pro Roller, Dreame L50s Pro Ultra.

For browsers

See every Level III.

Every robot we’ve classified at conditional autonomy. Sorted by readiness, score, and price. Filter by category, manufacturer, or release date.

Browse the database

Updated weekly with new entries and reclassifications.

iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo

Will the iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo work in your home?

The full spec sheet.

Living with it.

How the assessment has moved.

What people actually ask.

Other robot vacuums we have classified.

MOVA E50 Ultra

MOVA E50 Pro Ultra

MOVA S70 Pro Roller

Dreame L50s Pro Ultra

Reference the iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo classification.

Three ways to keep going.

Get the next reassessment.

Compare with a peer.

See every Level III.