The judicial confirmation of a decline: iRobot has officially declared bankruptcy following years of diminishing revenue. Existing Roomba users, who once thought they owned the finest robot vacuums, likely have one urgent question: Will my Roomba continue to operate?

The brief response is yes, but with the caveat of “for now.”

Fears about app performance, future updates, and customer support surfaced in the fall when it became known that Roomba’s parent company was encountering difficulties due to a lack of buyout interest. An acquisition was essential for iRobot’s continuation, but ultimately, iRobot had to hand over ownership to Picea, the present manufacturer of Roombas. Nevertheless, in its Dec. 15 press release, iRobot promised that the restructuring is not anticipated to interfere with app functionality, customer programs, or ongoing product assistance.

Still, I remain doubtful about the risk of unexpected obsolescence for the existing Roombas.

Will they stop producing Roombas?

No, iRobot’s bankruptcy does not imply that Roombas will halt production. iRobot is no longer the exclusive entity overseeing Roomba manufacturing. “iRobot expects to be better positioned to execute on its long-term innovation strategy under Picea’s ownership,” the press release indicates. It’s business as usual on iRobot’s website, where the complete Roomba selection is significantly discounted for the holiday sale.

While you can still acquire a Roomba, it doesn’t mean you should. The latest Roombas haven’t performed well since their launch in March 2025, when iRobot refreshed the lineup in an effort to rekindle interest. I tested several and encountered no significant problems, but superior robot vacuums are available at more attractive prices. For example, I would suggest the economical 3i G10+ robot vacuum over any inexpensive Roomba. 3i is also a subsidiary of Picea.

This fierce competition is why I recommended caution before purchasing a Roomba on Black Friday and why giving a Roomba as a gift this year may not be prudent.

That said, iRobot intends to “innovate” under Picea, which could result in more appealing iRobot vacuums in the future. For a Roomba revival, iRobot and Picea must concentrate on pricing. Roombas have been too costly given their features, with rivals like Roborock and Eufy providing better value, and recent U.S. tariffs on Chinese products haven’t helped. Until new products from Picea and iRobot are introduced, Roombas are not a worthwhile investment.