3 trends shaping 2027's robot vacuums

Robot vacuum makers are pursuing three clear directions for their 2027 flagship models, based on a preview of the new fleet at IFA 2026: better threshold climbing, wet pre-treatment and stronger pickup without simply increasing suction.

Threshold clearance is rising quickly. Dreame's new robot can cross single steps up to 5cm and double steps up to 10cm. DJI's Romo 2 handles a single 4cm step and double steps up to 8.5cm, while Roborock's Saros 20 Flow Complete can manage double-layer thresholds up to 8.8cm.

For dried-on stains, Dreame's Aqua20 Pro Ultra Roller X Complete uses steam at 180°C, though steam cleaning is limited to zones and can require a recharge afterwards. Ecovacs' DEEBOT X12S OmniCyclone sprays stains before mopping with its “FocusJet stain spray” function. iRobot's Roomba Max 875 uses a “heated mist”, which has minimal battery impact because the robot has no active heating element.

Brands are also using seals and moving parts to improve pickup. Romo 2 has a lowering “pressure plate”, while iRobot's new flagship uses a lowering frame. Dyson's R1 and R2 Nurovi robots use a “Twin-capture system”, separating an open brush area for larger debris from a sealed fine-dust area.