# iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock vs iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo

As of Nov 12, 2026, the iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock costs $400 and the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo costs $430, so the iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock is $30 cheaper. The iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo scores higher in our ranking (7.0 vs 6.9 out of 10). Pick the iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock for carpeted homes that do not need a mop. Pick the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo for small homes with low sofas and beds.

Prices checked Nov 12, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/vs/irobot-roomba-max-715-vac-vs-irobot-roomba-plus-515-combo/

## Side by side

| | iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock | iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 | $430 |
| 3 year cost | $400 | $430 |
| Our score | 6.9/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Rank in Floors | #31 | #26 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | n/a | n/a |
| Suction | 30,000 Pa (iRobot rating per PCWorld); iRobot's store says 4X the Roomba 105 | 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 Pro LiDAR with 3D maps, up to 5 maps, about 9 min per 1,000 sq ft (iRobot); PCWorld found the map mostly accurate but it merged two rooms | 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 | PrecisionVision AI recognizes cords, socks, shoes, toys and pet waste (iRobot); PCWorld saw it push through shoes and chew magazines, while Just A Dad Approved scored its clutter test 8.5/10 | 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 | No | 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 | Yes, AllergenLock bag that iRobot says lasts up to 90 days; Just A Dad Approved saw the dock fail to fully empty the bin 5 of 5 times | Yes, bagged auto empty into the dock; iRobot says up to 3 months hands free |
| Dock features | Auto empty and charging only | 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) |
| Dustbin | Robot bin size not published | n/a |
| Height | About 4.1 in (PCWorld) | 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 | Dual rubber brushes and anti tangle edge brush (iRobot); Just A Dad Approved saw long hair wrap the rollers and side brush | 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 with schedules, rooms, no go zones, Smart Clean suggestions and iPhone Live Activities (PCWorld) | 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 by iRobot | 0.98 in (24 mm) per Just A Dad Approved; iRobot does not list a figure |
| Noise | Not measured; PCWorld found the auto empty cycle surprisingly loud | n/a |
| Weight | 7.5 lb robot (iRobot) | n/a |
| Runtime | n/a | 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 |
| Best for | carpeted homes that do not need a mop | small homes with low sofas and beds |
| Skip if | your floors are mostly hard surfaces | you need strong obstacle avoidance or have long hair at home |

## What reviewers found

### iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock

- PCWorld: Initial mapping took about 13 min. Strong on a rug but weak on hard floors at Standard suction until Deep or Smart mode. Handled furniture well but pushed through shoes and chewed up magazines. Loud auto empty. [Source](https://www.pcworld.com/article/3265229/roomba-max-715-vac-review.html)
- Just A Dad Approved (6/10): Three months of home use: carpet 8/10, clutter test 8.5/10, hair tangle 6/10. The dock failed to fully empty the bin in 5 of 5 tries and moist mess pickup failed. [Source](https://justadadapproved.com/product/irobot-roomba-max-715-pet-robot-vacuum-review/)

### 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](https://justadadapproved.com/product/irobot-roomba-plus-515-combo-review/)
- 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](https://www.lifehacker.jp/article/2606-roomba-plus-515-report/)
- Gizmodo Japan: Reports 8.4 cm height against 10.6 cm for the 505 Combo, a front 120 degree line laser, and good cat and dog hair pickup with less long hair wrap. Figures come from iRobot's launch event, and the article is labeled PR. [Source](https://www.gizmodo.jp/article/roomba-plus-515-combo/)

## Questions buyers ask

### Which is better, the iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock or the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo?

The iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo scores higher in our ranking (7.0 vs 6.9 out of 10). Pick the iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock for carpeted homes that do not need a mop. Pick the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo for small homes with low sofas and beds.

### Which is cheaper?

The iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock at $400, versus $430 for the iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo, checked Nov 12, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $400 vs $430.

### What is the difference between the Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock and the Roomba Plus 515 Combo?

Suction: 30,000 Pa (iRobot rating per PCWorld); iRobot's store says 4X the Roomba 105 on the Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock, 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 Pro LiDAR with 3D maps, up to 5 maps, about 9 min per 1,000 sq ft (iRobot)… on the Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock, ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 saved maps for multiple floors, works in the dark (iRobot)… on the Roomba Plus 515 Combo. Obstacle avoidance: PrecisionVision AI recognizes cords, socks, shoes, toys and pet waste (iRobot); PCWorld… on the Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock, Front line laser recognizes cords, shoes, pet bowls, toys, pets and people (iRobot); no… on the Roomba Plus 515 Combo.

Full reviews: [iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/irobot-roomba-max-715-vac/index.md), [iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/irobot-roomba-plus-515-combo/index.md)