iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Robot Vacuum & Mop | Review

iRobot Roomba Plus 405 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with AutoWash Dock

The iRobot Roomba Plus 405 represents the convergence of decades of robotic cleaning expertise into a single, capable machine. This 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop pairs powerful suction with dual spinning mop pads, all managed by an advanced AutoWash dock that handles emptying, pad washing, and drying automatically. Built by the company that pioneered the consumer robot vacuum category over 30 years ago, the Roomba Plus 405 is designed for homeowners who want truly autonomous floor maintenance across both carpeted and hard floor surfaces.

What sets this Roomba apart from simpler robot vacuums is the depth of its cleaning capability. With 70 times more suction than the original Roomba 600 series, ClearView LiDAR navigation for precise mapping, and a SmartScrub mode that delivers double the scrubbing intensity, this is a robot built for serious whole-home cleaning rather than light surface maintenance.

Key Features

The Roomba Plus 405 combines iRobot's most advanced technologies into a feature-rich cleaning platform:

• 70x Suction Power: Compared to the Roomba 600 series baseline, the Plus 405 delivers 70 times more power-lifting suction. This dramatic increase in airflow tackles embedded dirt, pet hair, dust, and fine particles on both carpet and hard floor surfaces with authority.
• DualClean Spinning Mop Pads: Two counter-rotating mop pads apply consistent downward pressure to scrub away dried-on stains, coffee spills, kitchen grease, and everyday grime from hard floors. The pads work with water or compatible cleaning solution for a deep, hygienic mop.
• SmartScrub Mode: When activated, SmartScrub delivers two times deeper scrubbing compared to the standard vacuum and mop mode. The robot moves its mop pads in a back-and-forth scrubbing motion, targeting tough stains like dried coffee and tracked-in grime with increased intensity.
• ClearView LiDAR Navigation: The laser-based mapping system scans your home in minutes and creates a detailed floor plan. The robot then uses this map to plan efficient cleaning paths, maximize coverage, and navigate smoothly around obstacles while specialized sensors prevent falls down stairs.
• AutoWash Dock: The all-in-one dock automatically empties debris into a sealed bag that holds up to 75 days of dirt. During mopping runs, the robot periodically returns to the dock to rinse its mop pads with fresh water, ensuring it never drags dirty pads across clean floors. After cleaning, the dock washes and dries the mop pads so they are always fresh and ready.
• Automatic Carpet Detection: When the robot senses carpet, it automatically lifts its mop pads away from the surface to prevent dripping and wet contact. This allows seamless transitions between hard floors and carpeted areas without manual intervention.
• 4 Cleaning Modes: Choose from vacuum only, mop only, combo clean (simultaneous vacuum and mop), or vacuum first then mop. This flexibility lets you tailor each cleaning session to your specific needs.
• Roomba Home App: The redesigned app allows you to set custom cleaning routines, designate Clean Zones for targeted cleaning, establish Keep Out Zones to protect sensitive areas, schedule sessions, check filter health, and monitor room-by-room cleaning insights.
• Triple Control Options: Manage the robot through the Roomba Home App, voice commands via Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, or the physical buttons on the robot itself.

Performance and Design

The Roomba Plus 405 delivers a noticeable step up in cleaning performance compared to standard robot vacuums. The 70x suction upgrade is immediately apparent on carpeted surfaces, where the multi-surface rubber brush extracts embedded pet hair and ground-in dirt that lighter robots leave behind. The edge-sweeping brush reaches along walls and into corners, directing debris into the suction path for thorough perimeter cleaning.

On hard floors, the DualClean mop pads provide genuinely effective mopping rather than the light dampening that many robot mops offer. The spinning pads apply real scrubbing pressure to the floor surface, and the SmartScrub mode takes this further with a deliberate back-and-forth motion that tackles dried spills and sticky spots. The ability to use cleaning solution in addition to water enhances the mopping performance significantly.

The AutoWash dock is where the Roomba Plus 405 truly differentiates itself. The 75-day auto-emptying capacity means you can forget about the robot for weeks at a time. The periodic mid-clean pad rinsing is a thoughtful feature that prevents the common problem of robot mops spreading dirty water across clean areas. And the post-clean pad washing and drying cycle eliminates the musty odors that develop when mop pads are stored wet.

ClearView LiDAR mapping creates precise room layouts that enable targeted cleaning. Send the robot to mop only the kitchen after dinner, vacuum just the living room before guests arrive, or set the bedroom as a Keep Out Zone during nap time. This room-level control transforms the robot from a simple automated cleaner into a customizable cleaning system.

The modern, low-profile design allows the robot to clean under beds, sofas, and entertainment centers where dust and pet hair accumulate. Both the robot and dock feature a contemporary black aesthetic that blends into most home decor rather than standing out as an appliance.

Best For

• Multi-surface homes: Automatic carpet detection and mop lifting allow seamless cleaning across carpet and hard floors.
• Pet households: Powerful suction and rubber brush effectively handle pet hair on every surface type.
• Hands-off cleaning: The AutoWash dock handles emptying, pad washing, and drying for weeks of autonomous operation.
• Hard floor deep cleaning: DualClean mop pads and SmartScrub mode deliver genuine scrubbing results on stuck-on messes.

Final Verdict

The iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is a premium 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that delivers on the promise of truly autonomous floor care. The combination of powerful suction, effective scrubbing mop pads, intelligent LiDAR navigation, and the comprehensive AutoWash dock creates a system that handles both vacuuming and mopping with minimal human involvement. For households that want clean floors without the daily effort, the Roomba Plus 405 is one of the most complete robotic cleaning solutions available.