iRobot Made a Non-Robot Floor Cleaner — The Roomba Electro Plus Disinfects Without Chemicals

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

iRobot, the company best known for its autonomous Roomba vacuum cleaners, has surprised the industry with a decidedly un-robotic new product. The Roomba Electro Plus is iRobot’s first-ever non-robot floor cleaner — a human-operated, cordless device that turns tap water into a commercial-grade disinfectant using nothing but electricity.

The Electro Plus: Cleaning Without Robots

Unlike the autonomous vacuum cleaners iRobot built its name on, the Electro Plus requires a human hand on the handle. But what it lacks in automation, it makes up for with a clever 5-in-1 cleaning system that combines vacuuming, mopping, and disinfecting in a single pass.

The headline feature is its electrolyzed water technology. According to iRobot’s chief engineer and vice president Adam Pope, the device passes an electrical current through ordinary tap water, converting naturally occurring chlorine into hypochlorous acid — a powerful yet non-toxic disinfectant that kills 99.99 percent of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Because it uses no added chemicals or toxins, iRobot says the Electro Plus is completely safe for use around children and pets.

Familiar Features, Manual Operation

While the Electro Plus is not a robot, it borrows several proven technologies from iRobot’s robotic lineup. It uses the same self-cleaning PowerSpin Roller Mop found on Roomba robot vacuums, along with the DirtDetect system that automatically increases roller flow and water speed when it encounters dirtier patches of flooring.

The device offers up to 35 minutes of cordless operation on a single charge, enough to clean up to 1,292 square feet. It can also lay completely flat to reach under furniture and other hard-to-access areas. When cleaning is done, the ThermaClean dock automatically washes, dries, and sanitizes the mop pad, so you never have to touch a dirty rag.

The Roomba Electro Plus is available now for $400.

iRobot’s Broader Comeback Push

The Electro Plus arrived alongside a wave of new robot vacuum models as iRobot works to turn its fortunes around following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing at the end of 2025. The company’s new flagship is the Roomba Max 775 Combo Robot + AutoWash Dock ($1,000), which features LiDAR, 3D mapping, and AI-powered obstacle recognition alongside the same self-cleaning mop tech found in the Electro Plus.

For those who prefer a dedicated vacuum, the Roomba Max 715 Vacuum Robot + AutoEmpty Dock ($700) offers the same intelligence without mopping capabilities. Three mid-range models — the Roomba Plus 575 ($800), Plus 515 ($700), and Plus 415 ($600) — round out the lineup with varying suction power levels, all using LiDAR navigation and the self-emptying AutoWash dock.

A Strategic Diversification

By launching a manual floor cleaner alongside a refreshed robotic lineup, iRobot appears to be hedging its bets. The Electro Plus targets homeowners who want powerful chemical-free disinfection but may not be ready to trust a robot with their floors, or who need a dedicated deep-cleaning tool for hard-to-reach areas. Meanwhile, the new Roomba models keep the company competitive in the increasingly crowded robot vacuum market dominated by rivals like Roborock and Dreame.

With its combination of electrolyzed water sanitation and familiar Roomba engineering, the Electro Plus may carve out a niche for itself — even if it does require you to actually push it.

Sources:

https://www.engadget.com/2209802/irobot-made-a-non-robot-floor-cleaner/

Photo by NickyPe on Pixabay

Irobot on Know the Tech

iRobot Made a Non-Robot Floor Cleaner — The Roomba Electro Plus Disinfects Without Chemicals

The Electro Plus: Cleaning Without Robots

Familiar Features, Manual Operation

iRobot’s Broader Comeback Push

A Strategic Diversification