# iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo review

LiDAR Roomba that compacts dirt onboard instead of using a big dock

- Our score: 5.6 out of 10
- Price: $470 (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Status: on sale
- Best for: small spaces with no room for a dock
- Skip if: you want real mopping or good obstacle avoidance
- HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/robot/irobot-roomba-205-dustcompactor-combo/

## Verdict

A space saving Roomba with no tall dock, good LiDAR navigation and a large compacting bin. TechRadar needed to empty it after 8 days rather than 60 and measured 78 dB. Mopping and obstacle handling are weak, so it suits small tidy homes.

## Pros

- Compact charging base with no dock bin
- About 1.5 L compacting bin
- Reliable LiDAR navigation per Tech Advisor
- Good carpet cleaning per Tech Advisor
- Works with Alexa, Siri and Google

## Cons

- Emptied after 8 days in TechRadar testing, not 60
- 78 dB average noise in TechRadar testing
- Weak mopping
- Gets stuck and pushes obstacles
- Out of stock at iRobot on 2026-10-26

## Specs

- suction: iRobot claims 70x the suction of Roomba 600 series, 4 levels; no Pa figure published
- navigation: ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 maps (iRobot)
- obstacle avoidance: Basic; TechRadar saw it push toys and drag a cable, Tech Advisor saw it suck up a glove and get stuck
- mopping: Reusable microfiber pad with Carpet Detect to avoid rugs (iRobot); Tech Advisor found it mostly spread mess
- self empty: No dock emptying; compacts debris onboard, claimed up to 60 days (iRobot); TechRadar needed to empty it after 8 days
- dock features: Small charging base only (Tech Advisor)
- runtime: Not published; iRobot says it covers up to 1,000 sq ft
- dustbin: About 1.5 L compacting bin (TechRadar, Tech Advisor)
- height: 3.98 in (robot 14.1 x 14.09 x 3.98 in, iRobot)
- pet hair: No measured pet hair result published in the reviews we read
- app: Roomba Home app; works with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant (iRobot)
- threshold: Not published
- noise: TechRadar measured an average of 78 dB from five feet

## Safety

- recalls: None found as of 2026-10-26 (CPSC search)
- fcc: Not checked
- company status: Restructured

## Questions buyers ask

### Does it need a dock bag?

No. It compacts dirt inside the robot. iRobot claims up to 60 days, but TechRadar emptied it after eight.

### Does it mop carpets?

No. Carpet Detect keeps the mop off rugs, and Tech Advisor found the pad blocks it from crossing carpet.

### Is it loud?

TechRadar measured an average of 78 dB from five feet.

## Sources

1. [iRobot US: Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo](https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-205-dustcompactor-combo-robot/L124020.html)
2. [iRobot US: washable mop pads 3 pack](https://www.irobot.com/en_US/washable-mop-pads-for-roomba-205-dustcompactor-combo-robot,-3-pack/4849958.html)
3. [TechRadar: iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo review](https://www.techradar.com/home/robot-vacuums/irobot-roomba-205-dustcompactor-combo-review)
4. [Tech Advisor: Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo review](https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2837405/roomba-205-dust-compactor-combo-robot-vacuum-review.html)
5. [CPSC: vacuum cleaner recalls](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recall-Products/Vacuum-Cleaners)