iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo vs iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 12, 2026
As of Nov 12, 2026, the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo costs $470 and the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo costs $430, so the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo is $40 cheaper. The iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo scores higher in our ranking (7.0 vs 5.8 out of 10). Pick the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo for small spaces with no room for a dock. Pick the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo for small homes with low sofas and beds. The iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo wins 2 of 2 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo wins 2 of 2 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo | Roomba Plus 515 Combo | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $470 | $430 | Roomba Plus 515 Combo |
| Robot height (fits under furniture) | 3.98 in | 3.29 in | Roomba Plus 515 Combo |
- Best for small spaces with no room for a dock
- You want to spend less (saves $40)
- You care most about robot height (fits under furniture) (3.29 in vs 3.98 in)
- Best for small homes with low sofas and beds
- Suction
- iRobot claims 70x
- Navigation
- ClearView LiDAR
- Mopping
- Reusable microfiber pad
LiDAR Roomba that compacts dirt onboard instead of using a big dock
Full iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo review, pros and cons →- Suction
- iRobot US says 3x
- Navigation
- ClearView LiDAR
- Mopping
- Yes
- Runtime
- Up to 295 min or 2,000
Slim Roomba with spinning mops and a hot wash dock for small homes
Full iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo review, pros and cons →Side by side
| iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo | iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $470 | $430 |
| 3 year cost | $470 | $430 |
| Our score | 5.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Rank in Floors | #49 | #26 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | n/a | n/a |
| Suction | iRobot claims 70x the suction of Roomba 600 series, 4 levels; no Pa figure published | iRobot US says 3x the suction of the Roomba Plus 505 Combo with four levels and gives no Pa figure; Just A Dad Approved lists 22,000 Pa; Lifehacker Japan instead says 3x the Roomba 105 Combo |
| Navigation | ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 maps (iRobot) | ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 saved maps for multiple floors, works in the dark (iRobot); Gizmodo Japan reports the LiDAR moved to the front as a 120 degree integrated line laser; Just A Dad Approved found the map slightly off |
| Obstacle avoidance | Basic; TechRadar saw it push toys and drag a cable, Tech Advisor saw it suck up a glove and get stuck | Front line laser recognizes cords, shoes, pet bowls, toys, pets and people (iRobot); no camera (Just A Dad Approved), which scored clutter 7/10 but called avoidance weak |
| Mopping | Reusable microfiber pad with Carpet Detect to avoid rugs (iRobot); Tech Advisor found it mostly spread mess | Yes, two DualClean spinning pads at 180 RPM that lift 10 mm on carpet, with PerfectEdge extension for 18% more edge coverage and a SmartScrub mode (iRobot) |
| Self empty | No dock emptying; compacts debris onboard, claimed up to 60 days (iRobot); TechRadar needed to empty it after 8 days | Yes, bagged auto empty into the dock; iRobot says up to 3 months hands free |
| Dock features | Small charging base only (Tech Advisor) | Empties debris, washes pads with hot water, dries pads at 113 F, refills clean water and takes in dirty water (iRobot). iRobot's page lists the wash as 167 F in one place and 140 F in another; Just A Dad Approved lists 140 F. No cleaning solution tank (Just A Dad Approved) |
| Runtime | Not published; iRobot says it covers up to 1,000 sq ft | Up to 295 min or 2,000 sq ft per charge with a 5,200 mAh battery (iRobot); one iRobot footnote cites 1,000 sq ft instead |
| Dustbin | About 1.5 L compacting bin (TechRadar, Tech Advisor) | n/a |
| Height | 3.98 in (robot 14.1 x 14.09 x 3.98 in, iRobot) | 3.29 in; robot is 11.73 x 11.93 in and 6.44 lb, 46% smaller by volume than the Roomba Plus 505 Combo (iRobot) |
| Pet hair | No measured pet hair result published in the reviews we read | Single brush roll with a comb; Just A Dad Approved scored its hair tangle test 5/10 with long hair wrapping, while Gizmodo Japan saw cat and dog hair picked up well |
| App | Roomba Home app; works with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant (iRobot) | Roomba Home app with schedules; works with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant (iRobot); Just A Dad Approved reported repeated Wi-Fi drops and app freezes |
| Threshold | Not published | 0.98 in (24 mm) per Just A Dad Approved; iRobot does not list a figure |
| Noise | TechRadar measured an average of 78 dB from five feet | n/a |
| Best for | small spaces with no room for a dock | small homes with low sofas and beds |
| Skip if | you want real mopping or good obstacle avoidance | you need strong obstacle avoidance or have long hair at home |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo
- TechRadar (Performance 2.5/5): Measured an average of 78 dB from five feet. The roughly 1.5 L bin needed emptying after eight days. It pushed aside toys and dragged a phone cable. Called a crushing disappointment. Source
- Tech Advisor: Good carpet cleaning and LiDAR navigation, but mopping mostly spread mess and it got stuck on furniture bases and thin table legs. Source
iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo
- Just A Dad Approved (6.5/10): 3 month real world test: subscores Hassle Free 6.7/10, Mop Performance 7.2/10, Carpet Cleaning 6.4/10, Hair Tangle 5/10, Obstacle Avoidance 7/10. Reported repeated Wi-Fi disconnects that needed hard reboots, hair wrap on the single brush roll, a slightly off map and a filter that can only be replaced. Says the Amazon only 515X is the same robot. Source
- Lifehacker Japan: Hands on with the Japanese model: measured 8.4 cm tall, cleaned under low sofas and cabinet toe kicks earlier Roombas missed, and avoided a camera placed as an obstacle. The review lists no drawbacks and carries affiliate links. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo or the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo?
The iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo scores higher in our ranking (7.0 vs 5.8 out of 10). Pick the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo for small spaces with no room for a dock. Pick the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo for small homes with low sofas and beds.
Which is cheaper?
The iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo at $430, versus $470 for the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, checked Nov 12, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $470 vs $430.
What is the difference between the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo and the Roomba Plus 515 Combo?
Suction: iRobot claims 70x the suction of Roomba 600 series, 4 levels; no Pa figure published on the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, iRobot US says 3x the suction of the Roomba Plus 505 Combo with four levels and gives no… on the Roomba Plus 515 Combo. Navigation: ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 maps (iRobot) on the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 saved maps for multiple floors, works in the dark (iRobot)… on the Roomba Plus 515 Combo. Obstacle avoidance: Basic; TechRadar saw it push toys and drag a cable, Tech Advisor saw it suck up a glove… on the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, Front line laser recognizes cords, shoes, pet bowls, toys, pets and people (iRobot); no… on the Roomba Plus 515 Combo.
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