Roomba Max 715 Vac
iRobot's vacuum-only Roomba with a front camera, twin rubber brushes and a small self-emptying dock. It's excellent at steering round clutter, but in the one test of this exact model the dock couldn't empty the bin and long hair wrapped the brushes.
See the alternatives below, or switch market.
The short version
The Max 715 Vac is the follow-up to the Max 705 Vac, iRobot's vacuum-only Roomba. It keeps the same body, laser mapping, front camera and compact dock, and iRobot says it adds much stronger suction, an upgraded tangle-resistant side brush and odour-control dust bags that last up to 90 days. There's no mop at all, so it's for people who want a vacuum and nothing else.
The worry is the part you're paying extra for. In the one test of this exact model, the dock failed to empty the robot's bin properly five times in a row, and long hair wrapped round both rubber brushes and the side brush. At 10.4cm tall it also won't reach under the lowest sofas. The same tester found it no different in practice from the Max 705 Vac, so don't pay more just for the newer number.
Our take: Consider it only if clutter on the floor is your main problem and you want a Roomba that deals with it well, and even then wait for more tests. If you want a self-emptying vacuum that empties reliably, the Roborock Q8 Max+ is better reviewed. If you have long-haired pets, look for a robot with a hair-cutting or floating brush instead.
Where it sits in iRobot’s range
What we know so far
Limited evidence Only one independent, finished hands-on review so far. A score and badge appear once there is a second.
Two home tests from the same reviewer, one per model. Just A Dad Approved ran the Max 715 Vac through August on hard floors and carpet, with pets and clutter, and marked it Skip It: brilliant at avoiding obstacles, but the dock couldn't empty the bin and hair wrapped the brushes. His three-month test of the Max 705 Vac, Just A Dad Approved, which shares the body, camera, brushes and dock, found the same strengths and faults. Nobody has measured the 715's extra claimed suction in a lab yet.
Just A Dad Approved, hands-on, Through August 2026, Aug 2026 · Just A Dad Approved, hands-on, Three months (tested on the Roomba Max 705 Vac; Tested the Max 705 Vac, which shares the body, camera, brushes and dock; Same reviewer as the 715 test; counted once)
The dock couldn't empty the bin
This is the big one. Just A Dad Approved watched the dock run its emptying cycle five times, with little in the bin, and every time it left debris behind. He blames the older-style bin, and says the robot then keeps running while you assume it's vacuuming. On the Max 705 Vac, Just A Dad Approved saw emptying work after a hard-floor test but fail after a carpet test. Expect to open the bin yourself sometimes, which defeats the point of the dock.
Superb at dodging clutter
Just A Dad Approved gave it the highest obstacle score he has given any Roomba: it read his clutter course of cords, shoes and toys and worked round it cleanly. That matches his experience with the Max 705 Vac, where Just A Dad Approved saw the front sensor avoid a cable, a Lego brick and fake dog mess, and slow the side brush near them. If your floors are a minefield, this is the reason to shortlist it.
Long hair wraps the brushes
iRobot sells this version on its anti-tangle brushes, but Just A Dad Approved found long hair wrapped badly round both rubber rollers and round the side brush. He puts it down to the rollers' pivoting ends, which collect hair, rather than a floating roller. The Max 705 Vac showed the same wrap on the roller ends for Just A Dad Approved. If you have long hair or a long-haired pet, plan on cutting hair free regularly.
Everyday vacuuming is fine and quiet
Just A Dad Approved calls the vacuuming an okay job, neither the best nor the worst, and found it relatively quiet, which matters if it runs while you're home. Nobody has yet measured whether the much higher suction iRobot claims makes a difference over the Max 705 Vac; Just A Dad Approved scored the two the same in every category. Mapping was easy, though his map was a little off on room sizes and wall positions.
The Max 705 Vac review counts only for the hardware the two share. The 715's higher claimed suction, upgraded side brush and odour-control bags have been tried only in the one 715 test, and nobody has measured the suction.
Prices
Where to buy the Roomba Max 715 Vac in Australia
Not sold in Australia. Switch market above, or see the alternatives below.
Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Will it avoid cables and pet mess?
Yes, better than most Roombas. Just A Dad Approved gave it his best obstacle score for any Roomba, and iRobot says its camera recognises cords, socks, shoes, toys and pet waste, per the specifications. No robot is perfect, so still move anything precious.
How often do I have to empty or refill anything?
iRobot claims the dock's bag lasts up to 90 days, per the specifications, and there's no water to refill. In practice Just A Dad Approved found the dock couldn't clear the bin fully, so expect to empty the robot by hand now and then, and to clear hair from the brushes.
Does it fit under low furniture?
It's 10.4cm tall with a laser turret, per the specifications. That's taller than slim robots such as iRobot's own Plus 575 Combo, so measure the gap under your sofa and bed first.
How big is the dock, and is it loud?
The dock is small, at 21.3 × 17.2 × 29cm, per the specifications, so it fits in most corners. Just A Dad Approved found the robot relatively quiet while cleaning, but nobody has measured the emptying noise. On the Max 705 Vac, Just A Dad Approved had to watch the robot back up two or three times to line up with this style of dock.
Compare with
Roomba Max 705 Vac
The same body, camera and dock, often for less, and the same tester scored it identically.
It has the same unreliable emptying and hair wrap.
Q8 Max+
A better-reviewed self-emptying vacuum that maps well and steers round obvious obstacles.
Its drag-behind mop is only good for a light wipe.
AI Ultra Self-Empty
A no-fuss vacuum with a bagless self-emptying base, good on hard floors.
It bumps into small objects and struggles with hair pressed into carpet.
Full specifications
Figures come from the manufacturer’s product page unless a source is named. A blank means nobody we trust has confirmed it.
Owner reviews
Own a Roomba Max 715 Vac?
Tell people how it’s held up: cleaning, maintenance, faults and support. Owner reviews are shown separately from expert tests and never mixed into the score.
Sources
Everything cited on this page. Expert scores are shown as the reviewer gave them.
- Just A Dad Approved: iRobot Roomba Max 715 Pet Robot Vacuum Review · 7.3, Skip ItHands-on, Through August 2026
- Just A Dad Approved: iRobot Roomba Max 705 Robot Vacuum ReviewHands-on, Three months · Tested on the Roomba Max 705 Vac · Tested the Max 705 Vac, which shares the body, camera, brushes and dock · Same reviewer as the 715 test; counted once (not counted towards our two-review minimum)
- iRobot: Roomba Max 715 Vac robot + AutoEmpty dock (US)Manufacturer
- iRobot UK: Roomba Max 715 Vac robot + AutoEmpty dock (UK)Manufacturer