iRobot bets on manual cleaning with $399 Electro Plus

iRobot has introduced its first foray into a non-robotic floor cleaning device with the Roomba Electro Plus. Priced at $399, this hand operated floor cleaner is described as a five in one hard floor cleaner that can vacuum, mop, and disinfect, but you have to operate it yourself. The price tag is explicit: $399 upfront, with no subscription required or advertised for this unit. In short, the Electro Plus is positioned as a simpler, cheaper alternative to iRobot’s robotic lineup, aimed at households that want a cleaner floor without waiting for a robot to finish the job.

The move comes alongside a broader refresh of iRobot’s robot vacuums. The Verge notes five new Roomba models designed to push higher suction power, shrink footprints, and cut prices, largely replacing the line that arrived in 2025. Taken together, the push signals a two pronged strategy: defend the brand’s name in robot vacuums while expanding into a straightforward, manual cleaning option for hard floors. The Electro Plus is designed exclusively for hard floors, contrasting with the more versatile but pricier robotic systems. It also sits in the same space as manual wet dry floor cleaners already gaining traction from Dreame, Roborock, and others, suggesting iRobot is betting that consumers want a trusted name with a familiar feel rather than a new feature set alone.

The key catch for anyone considering the Electro Plus is the absence of automation. It is, by design, a hands on tool. For shoppers who prize convenience, the hand operated nature means you won’t benefit from app based scheduling, room mapping, or autonomous cleaning cycles that define most robot vacuums. On the flip side, you get a lower upfront cost and a known brand name in one product, without the ongoing data exchange that can accompany connected devices. The Verge’s description makes the tradeoff explicit: a five in one hard floor cleaner that relies on you to guide it, without the subscription baggage some smart cleaning ecosystems carry.

From a consumer perspective, the Electro Plus could appeal to households that want a straightforward clean on hard floors and are skeptical about robot navigation or data sharing. It may also attract longtime iRobot fans who mistrust or balk at subscription models tied to cleaning devices. Yet the product’s success hinges on how well it performs versus existing manual cleaners from other brands and how it stacks up against iRobot’s own robot based options in real world use. The Electro Plus enters a crowded category where marginal gains come from better mop components, more durable scrubbing heads, or stronger disinfecting capabilities, areas where the Verge notes the device’s 5 in 1 scope but leaves room for practical testing.

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In the end, iRobot’s Electro Plus is a clear statement: the company will compete on multiple fronts in floor cleaning, offering a familiar name in a simpler, lower cost package while continuing to push improvements in its robot vacuums. Whether households embrace the manual option or wait for the next round of autonomous cleaning will become clearer as early adopters try the Electro Plus in real homes.