iRobot Roomba Plus 678X Review: iRobot’s Answer to Roller-Mop Robots
Our verdict: 4.3 / 5
The 678X is iRobot’s most complete floor robot so far. It pairs strong carpet vacuuming with a heated roller mop, a pre-spray that softens dried spills, a roller that shifts out toward baseboards and AI obstacle avoidance. It’s expensive, and you’re paying for the mop and dock as much as the vacuum.
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For years, Roombas were great vacuums with mediocre mopping. The Roomba Plus 678X is iRobot catching up with the roller-mop robots from eufy and others, and in a couple of ways trying to get ahead. It scrubs with a heated roller, sprays a jet of water ahead of the roller on dried messes, and pushes the roller out toward the wall for edges.
This review covers what each of those features does in a real home, where the 678X falls short and which buyers should choose something cheaper. We based it on iRobot’s published specs and the robot’s design, not our own testing, and we label iRobot’s numbers as maker claims.
Specs
| Model | V186020 |
| Suction | 30,000 Pa (maker rating) |
| Carpet | SealForce sealed brush zone, mop lifts 10 mm |
| Mop | Self-cleaning PowerSpin roller, heated water, 15 N pressure |
| Stain pre-treatment | SprayForce AI, 40,000 Pa spray (maker figure) |
| Edges | PerfectEdge: roller extends up to 45 mm, edge-sweeping brush |
| Navigation | LiDAR plus AI obstacle avoidance |
| Dock | AutoWash with heated wash and dry, up to 90 days hands-free (maker claim) |
| Height | 9.95 cm (about 3.9 in) |
| Threshold climbing | Up to 3.5 cm (maker claim) |
What we like
A pre-spray for the stuck-on stuff
Dried spills are where most robot mops give up. They wipe across a sticky patch and leave it a bit duller but still sticky. SprayForce AI aims a concentrated burst of water at a stain before the roller reaches it, so the mess has a moment to soften. iRobot rates that spray at 40,000 Pa. The idea is sound: it’s what you’d do yourself with a spray bottle before scrubbing.
Heated roller with real pressure
The PowerSpin roller cleans itself as it turns and uses heated water with 15 newtons of downward pressure. Warm water loosens grease far better than cold, and steady pressure is what turns a wipe into a scrub. That combination makes the 678X a genuine option for kitchens, entryways and homes with toddlers.
It vacuums carpet properly too
When it detects carpet, the mop lifts 10 mm and a sealed brush zone kicks in. iRobot claims up to 4x more suction there and “3X deeper” carpet cleaning, both maker figures. The design point is that it seals the brush area against the carpet so the airflow pulls from the fibers instead of leaking out the sides.
Edges and obstacles
PerfectEdge pushes the roller out up to 45 mm, and an edge-sweeping brush handles corners. That’s the strip along baseboards where round robots usually leave a line of dust. Add LiDAR mapping plus AI obstacle avoidance, and it should handle a lived-in home with fewer rescues. Keep in mind our list of reasons a robot vacuum keeps getting stuck, though, because no robot is perfect around cables.
What could be better
- Price. It sits in flagship territory. If you mainly need vacuuming, you’re paying for features you won’t use.
- 10 mm mop lift. Good for low rugs. Thick rugs still need no-mop zones.
- Many marketing numbers. “3X deeper” and “4x more suction” are iRobot’s internal comparisons, not independent test results.
- Big dock. Clean and dirty water tanks plus heating need floor space and an outlet nearby.
Who should buy it
- Homes with large kitchens or lots of hard floor that gets sticky
- Families with small kids or pets that track in dirt
- Mixed homes that need strong carpet vacuuming and real mopping
- Anyone who wants the most complete Roomba available
Who should skip it
- Mostly-carpet homes. A vacuum-only robot does the job for much less.
- Small apartments where a big dock won’t fit
- Budget buyers. The Roomba 105 Combo or Roborock Q7 M5+ cover the basics.
Roomba Plus 678X vs eufy E25
| Roomba Plus 678X | eufy E25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Suction (maker) | 30,000 Pa | 20,000 Pa |
| Mop | Heated PowerSpin roller, 15 N | HydroJet roller, rinsed 2x per second |
| Stain pre-spray | Yes, SprayForce AI | No |
| Edge reach | Roller extends up to 45 mm | CornerRover extending arm |
| Mop lift | 10 mm | 10.8 mm |
| Dock | AutoWash, heated wash and dry | Empties, washes, 50°C drying, refills |
| Check price | Roomba Plus 678X | eufy E25 |
Both are roller-mop robots with full docks. The eufy E25 usually costs less and covers most of the same jobs. The 678X earns its premium with heated scrubbing, the stain pre-spray and stronger carpet suction.
Tips to get the most out of it
- Let it run a full mapping clean first, then mark rugs and pet areas in the app.
- Use SprayForce on kitchen and dining zones, not every room. It uses more water.
- Empty the dirty-water tank often in summer to stop smells.
- Check the edge brush and bristle brush monthly for wrapped hair. See when to replace robot vacuum brushes.
- Keep thresholds under 3.5 cm, or add a small ramp, so it can move between rooms.
FAQ
Is the Roomba Plus 678X a good mopping robot?
Yes. It uses a heated, self-cleaning roller with 15 N of pressure and a pre-spray for dried stains. That puts it among the stronger mopping robots on paper.
Does the Roomba Plus 678X avoid pet waste and cables?
It has LiDAR and AI obstacle avoidance designed for everyday objects. No robot is perfect, so still pick up cables and check for pet accidents before scheduled runs.
How long can the 678X go without emptying?
iRobot says the AutoWash dock gives up to 90 days of hands-free vacuuming. You’ll refill clean water and empty dirty water much more often than that.
Can the Roomba Plus 678X clean carpets?
Yes. It lifts the mop 10 mm on carpet and uses a sealed brush zone to boost suction. For thick rugs, set a no-mop zone.
Final word
The Roomba Plus 678X is for people who want one robot to handle both serious carpet vacuuming and real mopping, and who are willing to pay for it. The heated roller and stain pre-spray target the messes cheaper robots leave behind. If your floors are mostly carpet or your budget is tight, a simpler model will make more sense.