The Roomba Max 705 is iRobot’s latest vacuum-only robot designed to offer high suction, intelligent navigation, and a self-emptying dock for up to 75 days of hands-free cleaning.
With a focus on households with pets, this model promises powerful performance and simple maintenance. But how well does it actually deliver in everyday life?
Design and Build — Familiar Style, Subtle Refinements
The Roomba Max 705 keeps the classic circular Roomba silhouette, but introduces a few design tweaks. Its understated matte black finish looks elegant, and the layout is intuitive with physical buttons for Home and Power. The base station is compact, clean-looking, and comes with storage for spare bags.
We appreciated the thoughtful details, like how the bumper guards are easy to remove and the LiDAR navigation system is shielded to prevent accidental damage. The robot stands about 4.1 inches tall and measures roughly 13.75 inches in diameter, making it a fit under most furniture.
Pros
Sturdy build with classic Roomba aesthetics
LiDAR navigation system for accurate mapping
Neat base station design with hidden bag storage
Cons
Dust bin is on the smaller side
No camera-based vision system
Performance and Features — Smart Navigation, Pet Hair Control
During our tests, the Max 705 impressed us with how quickly and accurately it mapped our rooms. Using ClearView™ Pro LiDAR and PrecisionVision™ AI, it detected cords, toys, and even fake pet waste. It avoided these obstacles effectively most of the time and adjusted its side brush speed around them.
The suction is powerful—180x the power of the 600 series, according to iRobot—and it showed in real-world cleaning. We saw it pick up long hairs, crumbs, and coffee grounds in one or two passes. However, edge cleaning on the second pass was inconsistent.
Pros
Excellent mapping and obstacle detection
Strong suction power suitable for pet hair
Smart zone customization and no-go areas
Cons
Missed some debris along room edges
Hair wrap still builds up around brushes over time
Check out the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20+ review.
Battery and Automation — Powerful and Mostly Hands-Off
The Max 705 comfortably cleaned a full floor of our test home on a single charge. It returns to base reliably to recharge and auto-empties its bin into a disposable bag.
We liked the app integration, which lets you customize cleaning zones, set schedules, and even assign names to rooms. The “Smart” cleaning mode adjusts suction based on detected dirt levels and room usage. However, firmware updates can take up to 30 minutes and may require a reboot if they fail.
Pros
Hands-free auto-empty for up to 75 days
Smart cleaning modes and automation features
Reliable mapping and return-to-base behavior
Cons
Long and sometimes glitchy firmware updates
Dust bag replacement required every ~2 months
User Experience — Easy Setup, Minor Frustrations
Setting up the Max 705 via the Roomba Home app was mostly straightforward. While it didn’t come with a user manual, the app provided guidance after connecting the robot. We experienced a few hiccups: the QR code didn’t work, and firmware updates froze once, requiring a reset.
Once installed, the mapping and room editing tools in the app were intuitive. We liked being able to name rooms, set clean zones (like hallways or kitchens), and add keep-out zones. The interface is clean, though some settings are buried and not immediately obvious.
Pros
Quick setup after app installation
User-friendly room editing and smart scheduling
Quiet operation, even in high-power mode
Cons
No printed manual included
App layout could be clearer in some sections
Conclusion
The Roomba Max 705 Vac Robot is a capable, hands-free vacuum with strong suction and smart mapping, especially well-suited for homes with pets. It handles long hair, dirt, and daily messes with minimal intervention, thanks to its obstacle detection and auto-empty dock. However, its small bin, firmware quirks, and edge cleaning limitations mean it’s not flawless.
Ideal for pet owners who value automation and don’t mind using an app-centric interface, the Max 705 is a solid choice—as long as you can find it on sale.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
| Dimensions (Robot) | 13.75 in x 13.75 in x 4.1 in |
| Navigation System | ClearView™ Pro LiDAR + PrecisionVision™ AI |
| Suction Power | 180x vs Roomba 600 series |
| Brushes | Dual anti-tangle rubber brushes |
| App Control | Roomba Home App (Wi-Fi only) |
| Auto-Empty Bin Capacity | Up to 75 days |
| Obstacle Detection | Cords, toys, pet waste |
| Battery Life | Full-floor clean per charge |
| Noise Level | Quiet operation |
| Smart Features | Room names, zones, schedules |
| Connectivity | Works with Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant |
Alternatives
- Roborock Q Revo: Powerful with a rotating mop, ideal for homes with mixed flooring. Its navigation system is accurate, though the base takes up more space.
- Dreame L10s Ultra: Excellent mapping, solid app integration, and automatic mopping. It may be noisier than the Roomba.
- Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1: Affordable and effective, it offers laser mapping and self-emptying. Lacks the advanced object recognition features of the Max 705.
