Should You Buy a Roomba in 2026? Honestly — No
Why this isn't just an opinion — what changed
1. The bankruptcy itself (December 2025)
iRobot — the company that invented the consumer robot vacuum category — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2025. This isn't a small operational hiccup. Chapter 11 is a court-supervised reorganization that typically takes 12-24 months and reshapes a company's entire structure. A Chinese manufacturer has been named as the planned acquirer, but the transition is ongoing throughout 2026.
What buyers should care about during a Chapter 11:
- Parts and consumables supply — brush rolls, filters, side brushes, batteries — has no legally guaranteed continuation. Existing inventory will eventually run down.
- App, cloud, and subscription continuity is not protected by Chapter 11 itself. The new owner sets new terms, and there's no obligation to honor existing subscription pricing or feature commitments.
- Warranty claims on new purchases become harder to enforce against a reorganizing entity. Even Chapter 11 (vs Chapter 7 liquidation) leaves new buyers near the back of the creditor queue for service issues.
2. The product itself fell behind two years ago
Before bankruptcy, Roomba flagship models had been losing technical comparisons against Dreame and Roborock for two consecutive years. The j-series, s-series, and even the Combo j7+/j9+ no longer appear in the top ranks of any major independent tester's list — Vacuum Wars, RTINGS, or TechGearLab.
The specific gaps:
- No retractable lift system — Dreame's ProLeap and Roborock's AdaptiLift can climb thresholds and rugs that beach Roombas.
- Inferior obstacle avoidance — Roomba's vision system identifies fewer obstacle types and avoids fewer in independent testing.
- Mop performance is weakest at the top of the market — the Combo j-series uses simple vibrating pads versus Dreame and Roborock's hot-water-washed rotating systems.
- Premium pricing without premium results — Roomba flagships are typically priced $200-400 above better-performing rivals.
3. The brand goodwill is doing the work
People still buy Roombas mostly out of name recognition. The original Roomba was a category-defining product, and that legacy creates trust that the current product range hasn't earned in years. The bankruptcy is an inflection point — there's no longer a sentimental reason to overlook the technical and operational gaps.
What to buy instead
Dreame L50 Ultra (~$799-949)
Vacuum Wars' 2026 #2 overall. The closest to flagship performance without flagship pricing. Lift system, hot-water mop-pad washing, anti-tangle brushes for long hair. Same price band as a top-end Roomba, but it actually performs.
View on Amazon →MOVA P10 Pro Ultra (~$400)
Vacuum Wars' Best Budget pick for 2026. Held its position even after the Gen 2 release. At the bottom of the Roomba 600/Combo i-series pricing tier — but objectively a better vacuum.
View on Amazon →Roborock Saros 20 (~$1,599)
Best obstacle-avoidance vision array of 2026. If your floor plan is messy, this is what Roomba's "vision" feature should have been but isn't.
View on Amazon →If you already own a Roomba
Keep using it. None of this means you should rush to replace a working machine. The bankruptcy primarily affects new purchases and ongoing service expectations, not the device sitting on your charging base. A few practical notes:
- Stockpile parts you'll need in the next year while supplies are still moving — a spare brush roll, filter pack, side brush, and battery if your model uses a removable one. These are usually $15-40 items.
- Don't sign up for new long-term iRobot subscriptions. If you have an existing one, that's fine; if you don't, this isn't the moment to start.
- Back up your maps and schedules through screenshots so you can re-create them if the app changes.
- Be aware that resale value will fall — if you've been thinking of selling an older Roomba, sooner is better than later.
FAQ
Is iRobot going out of business?
Not exactly — Chapter 11 is reorganization, not liquidation. The company is being sold to a new owner and will likely continue to exist under that ownership. But the brand, product strategy, and support commitments may all change substantially.
Will my Roomba stop working when the new owner takes over?
Unlikely in the short term. But there's no legal guarantee about cloud service continuity, app updates, or premium subscription terms under new ownership. Older models lose support faster than newer ones in any acquisition.
What about Roomba accessories from third parties?
Third-party brush rolls, filters, and side brushes are widely available and will likely keep being made — the aftermarket parts business is independent of iRobot. So your existing Roomba isn't going to become unmaintainable. The issue is bigger items: batteries that match older models, replacement boards, anything that goes through iRobot's own support channel.
Is this just a Roomba problem, or are other brands in trouble too?
Just Roomba. Dreame, Roborock, Eufy, MOVA, and Narwal are all financially healthy and growing. The robot vacuum market is consolidating around them, which is part of why Roomba lost ground.