iRobot Roomba Max 875 Combo Review: Best Robot Vacuum for Carpets 2026

The iRobot Roomba Max 875 Combo is the company's current flagship robot vacuum, and it stands out as possibly the best robot vacuum for carpets. In this iRobot Roomba Max 875 Combo review, we put it through its paces to see if it lives up to the hype.

iRobot invented the Roomba and became synonymous with robot vacuums. Now under Chinese ownership, the brand is increasingly borrowing from rivals—and that's not necessarily bad. The Roomba Max 875 Combo features a self-cleaning roller that uses hot water and extends slightly to the sides, a first for iRobot.

After thorough testing, we found that this robot excels on carpets thanks to strong suction and a unique vacuum effect that pulls out embedded dust. But does it justify its premium price? Let's dive in.

Design and Build Quality

The Roomba Max 875 Combo sports a premium design with high-quality materials. It feels sturdy and well-made, typical of iRobot's flagship models. The robot has a sleek look that fits well in modern homes.

One notable feature is the self-cleaning roller, which uses hot water to clean itself. This reduces maintenance and ensures consistent performance. The roller also extends slightly to the sides, allowing it to clean edges more effectively.

The robot comes with a large dustbin and a water tank for mopping. The combination of vacuuming and mopping makes it a versatile cleaning tool. However, the mopping function is basic compared to dedicated mopping robots.

Performance on Carpets

Where the Roomba Max 875 Combo truly shines is on carpets. It uses high suction power and a vacuum effect to extract dust and debris from deep within carpet fibers. This makes it ideal for homes with carpets, especially those with pets or allergies.

In our tests, it picked up fine dust, pet hair, and larger debris with ease. The self-cleaning roller prevented hair tangles, which is a common issue with other robots. The edge-sweeping brush also did a good job of cleaning along walls and corners.

On hard floors, the robot performed well too, but the mopping function was less impressive. It left some streaks and didn't scrub as aggressively as we'd like. However, for light mopping, it's adequate.

Navigation and App

The Roomba Max 875 Combo uses iRobot's advanced navigation system, which maps your home and plans efficient cleaning routes. It avoided obstacles well and didn't get stuck in our tests. The app is user-friendly and offers full control over cleaning schedules, no-go zones, and more.

You can also integrate it with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. The app provides detailed cleaning reports, showing where the robot cleaned and any issues encountered.

One downside is that the initial mapping run can be slow, but once the map is created, cleaning is efficient. The robot also supports multi-floor mapping, which is great for larger homes.

Battery Life and Maintenance

The battery life is sufficient for most homes. It cleaned our test area (about 1,000 square feet) on a single charge. For larger homes, the robot will recharge and resume cleaning automatically.

Maintenance is straightforward thanks to the self-cleaning roller. You still need to empty the dustbin regularly and refill the water tank for mopping. The filter should be cleaned periodically to maintain suction power.

The self-cleaning base, if included, washes the roller with hot water and dries it, reducing manual cleaning. However, the base is bulky and requires space. The background to this story is set out in Roomba Max 775 Combo Review: The Ultimate Pet Hair Robot Vacuum. A related thread runs through iRobot Roomba Plus 575 and 515 Combo: 2026 Robot Vacuums. Earlier coverage in iRobot Roomba 115 Combo Drops to $169: LiDAR and Pet Hair Pickup shows how the argument developed.

Key Takeaways

• Excellent on carpets: Strong suction and vacuum effect remove deep-seated dirt.
• Self-cleaning roller: Uses hot water to prevent hair tangles and maintain performance.
• User-friendly app: Easy to set up and control, with advanced mapping.
• Basic mopping: Adequate for light cleaning but not a deep scrub.
• Premium price: It's an investment, but worth it for carpet-heavy homes.

Comparison with Other Robot Vacuums

To see how the Roomba Max 875 Combo stacks up, here's a comparison with similar models: A closer look at the same subject appears in iRobot Roomba Combo Plus 415 Plus: 20,000 Pa Robot Vacuum Launched. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Last Chance to Win iRobot Roomba Mini: Brand Giveaway Ends Tomorrow. The same theme surfaces in Lexus Partners Giveaway: Win an iRobot Roomba Mini Robot Vacuum, which takes a different angle.

The Roomba Max 875 Combo holds its own, especially on carpets. Its self-cleaning roller is unique, but mopping is less advanced than competitors. Context on how this played out before sits in Ultenic MX50 Robot Vacuum Review: Self-Cleaning Convenience. A companion piece, Roborock Saros 20 in Spain: Robots That Climb Steps and Avoid Wet Carpets, approaches the same subject from another angle.

FAQ

Overall, the iRobot Roomba Max 875 Combo is a top choice for carpeted homes. Its carpet performance is unmatched, and the self-cleaning roller is a game-changer. If you have carpets, this robot will make your life easier.