iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock vs Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
We compare the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock and the Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop across every dimension that matters - our scores, the key specs, and how each performs on the things you will actually notice day to day.

iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
At a glance
| iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock | Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.1/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Best for | Homes wanting hands-off floor cleaning on hard floors and carpet, with mopping and self-empty dock | Homes wanting hands-off floor cleaning on hard floors and carpet, with mopping |
| Not ideal for | Homes with lots of floor clutter, cables or deep high-pile carpet, where a robot struggles | Homes with lots of floor clutter, cables or deep high-pile carpet, where a robot struggles |
| Brand | iRobot | Roborock |
Suction Power and Cleaning Performance
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
Suction power and cleaning performance depend mainly on how the Roomba Max 705 Combo's modes are set, because it can adjust suction level and, for mopping, choose among liquid levels and run repeat passes in high-traffic areas. The app offers 4 suction levels and 3 liquid levels, plus repeat cleaning for tough zones. Heated mopping combines SmartScrub with a PowerSpin Roller Mop that spins at 200 RPM to provide consistent pressure. Dual rubber brushes and edge-sweeping help pick up debris, although deep stains may still need multiple cycles.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
With suction rated at 36,000 Pa, this robot vacuum is built to pull dust, pet hair and debris from deep floor gaps, which matters most on mixed floors and around carpet edges. The Roborock review also highlights an anti-tangle system to help reduce hair wrap on the brush. For uneven areas, the AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0 lifts the body to help keep suction engaged when crossing thresholds. For mopping, the RockDock tray is intended to support better mop coverage and a larger water capacity, although thorough results still depend on the drying cycle.
Navigation and Mapping
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
Lidar navigation governs how this robot vacuum Combo maps and moves through the home. It builds detailed 3D maps and auto-names rooms for coverage planning, which supports consistent movement around furniture edges and open areas. PrecisionVision AI technology helps it identify cords and socks, steer around them, and detect wet and dry messes ahead, then repeat passes to improve cleaning coverage. Tight, heavily cluttered areas may still limit progress.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
Navigation and mapping matter because a mop-and-vacuum robot needs to find rooms accurately, avoid trouble spots, and keep moving in a logical pattern. The robot vacuum uses StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 with 3D ToF sensors and RGB vision, building maps in real time so it can follow routes with fewer missed areas. It also recognizes over 300 obstacles, which helps it steer around clutter, stairs, and furniture legs. Mapping accuracy depends on clean, unobstructed sensor views, and very reflective or dark areas can still reduce consistency.
Battery Life and Run Time
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
Battery life directly affects how much floor the iRobot Combo can clean on a single session. The manufacturer notes that, in spot clean mode with a full battery, it delivers performance compared with the Roomba 600 series. Run time details are otherwise not stated, so exact minutes per cleaning mode cannot be confirmed. Longer sessions depend on factors like suction level and repeated passes. For practical use, shorter targeted cleans may suit battery limits better, while larger areas may need multiple cycles.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
Battery life and run time determine how long the Roborock can clean before returning to its dock, and how often it may need to recharge during larger UK homes. The manufacturer description provided does not state battery capacity, runtime, or recharge time. As a result, buyers should plan for potential mid-session dock returns on bigger layouts, especially when using full-floor coverage. The onboard route planning may help reduce stops.
Mop Function
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
The Mop Function on the robot vacuum Combo uses its PowerSpin Roller Mop to clean floors while managing mopping coverage and carpet protection. The iRobot applies heated mopping, then spins the roller at 200 RPMs with consistent pressure for streak-free results. For edge and corners, the mop extends, so cleaning can reach areas a flat pad might miss. SmartScrub allows extra deep scrubbing on stuck-on spots, while PrecisionVision AI detects wet versus dry messes and repeats passes where needed. Coverage can still be limited by heavy clutter.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
The cleaning setup shifts the emphasis from how long the robot runs to how it mops, because floor washing influences how effectively stubborn marks and sticky spots are handled between vacuuming passes. The dock's one-piece tray is designed to improve mop coverage and water capacity. For cleaning performance, the system uses 100°C hot water washing and then 55°C hot air drying, while the mop area is intended to be kept clean. This approach supports better stain handling between vacuum cycles and offers edge reach via the FlexiArm. A key limitation is limited control of the mop depth, as the specifics are not detailed.
Self-Empty and Maintenance
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
The AutoWash dock is designed to reduce hands-on work by handling debris disposal and mop upkeep in the background. The robot vacuum price should be viewed alongside what the dock covers: auto-emptying debris for 75 days (based on 1 mopping run per week), and about 8 weeks of heated mopping and roller washing. The dock runs a self-clean cycle, uses heated roller drying, and dispenses solution automatically. Even so, some maintenance is still required, including occasional dock cleaning, and the dock area needs to remain accessible for smooth operation.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
Because the Saros 20 is built around a fully automated dock, maintenance is designed to be less hands-on than standard mopping robots. The robot vacuum uses a one-piece cleaning tray in its RockDock. Washing runs using 100°C hot water, followed by 55°C hot air drying to reduce residue. It also includes self-cleaning mop maintenance routines, and auto dust emptying lasts up to 65 days depending on household use. For day-to-day care, users mainly check water and debris levels, and remove hair from the anti-tangle system if clogs form.
App Control and Smart Features
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
How does the Roomba Max 705 Combo manage day-to-day cleaning tasks, and what can a user control? The New Roomba Home app lets users choose specific rooms or furniture, adjust suction (4 levels) and liquid (3 levels), and repeat passes for busy areas. It also tracks which rooms get dirty fastest, then prioritises those areas and auto-selects settings. For convenience, it supports Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant voice control, and it allows users to schedule future cleaning. Accuracy depends on initial mapping.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
With the Roborock Saros 20 app, the Saros 20 can be controlled from a phone. It supports smart mapping via its StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, using 3D ToF sensors plus RGB vision to build maps in real time. Through the app, users can set cleaning plans and manage routines with SmartPlan 3.0, which learns household patterns for one-tap optimisation. It also supports voice control and displays the robot's camera view, so owners can check on pets between cycles. Buyers can find it listed on Amazon UK as the "Roborock amazon", though some smart features depend on Wi-Fi setup, supporting 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Noise Level
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
During vacuuming, the typical robovac sound is noticeable in quiet rooms. In mopping runs, noise can increase because the heated mopping system and the self-cleaning PowerSpin roller mop are active. When the AutoWash dock runs its self-clean cycle, the dock can add background noise while it washes and dries. Strong points include mode adaptability, but timing matters.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
Noise levels are rarely the main selling point, yet they matter in homes where cleaning happens near bedrooms, nurseries, or work-from-home areas. The manufacturer does not publish a decibel rating, so the actual sound output cannot be stated precisely. During typical operation, the robot's main sound comes from its motor and airflow, and it may be more noticeable on thick carpets because it needs to maintain suction while moving. For quieter routines, owners can schedule cleaning cycles around sleep and use the app controls rather than running it during meetings.
Pet Hair Performance
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
Pet hair handling is a core focus for the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo, and performance shifts depending on whether the robot is vacuuming, mopping, or doing both. The iRobot is designed with Dual Rubber Brushes and Dual Edge-Sweeping Brushes to lift debris from floors and along edges, which is relevant for shed fur that collects near baseboards. On carpets, PrecisionVision AI Technology helps avoid or route around cords, socks, and pet waste, although thick, tangled hair may still require repeat passes. For hard floors, heated mopping with SmartScrub targets smears, while the dock's washing cycle helps reduce clogs over time.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
Pet hair performance is a central strength of the robot vacuum, built to tackle hair and dust rather than only surface-level debris. With 36,000 Pa suction, it is designed to lift dust and pet hair from deep floor gaps, which is especially relevant around baseboards and the edges of rugs. A dual anti-tangle system helps reduce hair wrap on the brushes, cutting down how often upkeep is needed. Camera-based navigation supports consistent coverage of pet zones, and the robot can cross up to 3.46 in double-layer steps. Even so, heavy shedding may still call for occasional spot checks in dense carpet areas.
Cleaning and Maintenance
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
Cleaning and maintenance for the robot vacuum Combo are designed to be mostly hands-off thanks to the AutoWash dock, but some user tasks still help keep results consistent. In this UK setup, the iRobot 705 Combo robot vacuum and mop and AutoWash dock automatically empty debris for 75 days, while heated mopping runs for 8 weeks with roller washing and heated roller drying. Each self-clean cycle also dispenses solution automatically. Users should still check for tangled cords and remove any stuck debris from brushes. The mop extends for edge work, but dock performance relies on correct solution and clean dock contact.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
Cleaning and maintenance for the Roborock are largely designed to be hands-off, mainly via its Fully Automated Dock and a hot-water washing cycle. After each job, the RockDock performs self-cleaning maintenance, including up to 65 days of auto dust emptying, and it washes with 100°C hot water before drying with 55°C hot air. The mop tray also uses a one-piece cleaning design to boost coverage and maintain quiet operation. For edge grime, the FlexiArm side brush and mop reach corners.
Who Is This Robot Vacuum For?
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock
The robot vacuum Combo (Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot + AutoWash Dock) is for households that want both vacuuming and heated mopping, with cleaning designed around edge-focused coverage. It suits homes with mixed floors and messy zones because it builds 3D maps, avoids wet and dry messes, and enables room targeting through the app. The simpler alternative is a more basic robot vacuum for people who mainly need vacuuming, or who prefer not to use the dock's ongoing mopping and auto-emptying cycles, potentially at a more affordable "cheapest" price.
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop
The robot vacuum is aimed at people who want a mostly hands-off robot that can handle a mix of hard floors, carpets, and everyday obstacles, without requiring frequent brush and mop scrubbing. It is suited to UK homes with thresholds and uneven areas, as it can cross up to 3.46 in double-layer steps and lift its body for gliding. It also fits pet owners, thanks to an anti-tangle system designed to reduce hair buildup. Buyers should note the unit is large at 16.05 kg, so storage space is required.
iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock: pros
- Self-empty dock - weeks between bag changes
- Vacuum and mop in one
- LiDAR laser navigation for systematic cleaning
Cons
- Struggles with floor clutter, cables and deep high-pile carpet
- Sensors and brushes need regular cleaning to keep performing
Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop: pros
- 36,000 Pa suction
- Vacuum and mop in one
- Camera-based navigation for systematic cleaning
Cons
- No self-empty dock - the onboard bin needs emptying often
- Struggles with floor clutter, cables and deep high-pile carpet
- Sensors and brushes need regular cleaning to keep performing
Our verdict
Our pick is the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoWash Dock (our score 8.1/10) - A robot vacuum (vacuum + mop, self-empty), a capable hands-off cleaner with LiDAR laser navigation for everyday floor upkeep. The Roborock Saros 20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner With Mop is still worth it if it is cheaper when you check, or if it better matches your specific needs.
