iRobot has unveiled its newest robot vacuum, the Roomba Combo 10 Max, and with it comes the news that it will finally be compatible with Matter, meaning the Combo 10 Max will be compatible with the Apple Home ecosystem.
Other improvements include a self-cleaning base for a more autonomous experience and improved dirt-sensing capabilities. iRobot has a reputation for making some of the best robot vacuums on the market, and we can’t wait to get our hands on this model to see how it compares.
Previous Roombas have been compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but the Combo 10 Max will be the first with Matter integration, the universal communications standard designed to improve interoperability between various smart home ecosystems (i.e., to make your smart devices play nicely together). iRobot says it’s been working with major smart home players to define and implement the Matter robot vacuum standard, and we’re about to see the results of its efforts.
In practice, the Matter integration means the new Roomba will work with any smart home device that also supports Matter, most notably Apple Home, which was previously only available for Roomba via a Siri Shortcut integration for voice control.
This is a long-awaited and welcome update, but the wait isn’t over yet. While the robot vacuum itself is coming imminently (pre-orders are now open on irobot.com in the US, Canada, and Europe), Matter support isn’t planned until Q4 (so sometime starting in October 2024) via a firmware update.
According to The Verge, iRobot plans to roll out Matter support to more products in 2025, but we don't know anything more specific than that.
Hands-off cleaning
What about the Combo 10 Max? The big upgrade is the base, which not only takes care of the robot vacuum's maintenance (emptying the dust bin, refilling the mopping solution, cleaning and drying the mop), but it also cleans itself to prevent dirt and grime from building up.
These types of self-cleaning base functions are increasingly appearing in high-end robot vacuum cleaners. Of course, none of them are… entirely However, the levels of effort required are increasingly lower.
There are also improvements aimed at helping the Roomba Combo 10 Max clean more like a human would: The built-in camera can now detect dirt, and the robot vacuum will pass over the dirtiest areas multiple times. It can also learn which rooms need more cleaning and prioritize those areas, and identify and avoid objects like loose socks and loose cords. To reduce the pain of initial setup, iRobot promises super-fast smart mapping and automatic room labeling.
Elsewhere, you’ll find the same features that make other premium Roombas so popular: dual rubber brushes that adjust based on floor type and discourage hair tangles (we consider the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus one of the best robot vacuums for pet hair), powerful suction, and rigorous mopping.
Price and availability
In the U.S. and Canada, the Roomba Combo 10 Max is now available for pre-order at irobot.com, with shipping in August. Additional retailers will open for pre-orders in August. Prices start at $1,399.
In Europe, pre-orders are also open at irobot.com, with prices starting from £1,499. iRobot says it will be rolling out to other international markets in the “coming months.”
