Introducing iRobot’s latest additions to their robot mop line.
The Roomba Combo j5 Plus and Roomba Combo i5 Plus. These innovative cleaning bots offer a combination of sweeping and mopping capabilities, all with the convenience of an automatic dustbin emptying charging dock. Unlike their previous model, the Combo j7 Plus, these new combo robots do away with the robotic arm for maneuvering around carpets. Instead, they feature swappable modules that allow you to easily switch between vacuuming and mopping. iRobot claims that the downward pressure and movement of the robots are sufficient for effective mopping.
One standout feature of these models is their generous water capacity. With 210mL mopping reservoirs and 360mL dustbins, they offer ample capacity for efficient cleaning. In comparison, other models like Roborock have larger water and bin capacities.
One limitation of the Combo j5 and Combo i5 is that they don’t automatically avoid carpets or rugs. Users will need to remember to switch out the modules when switching between vacuuming and mopping. However, the Combo j5 does allow users to set no-mopping zones through the app, making it a better choice for rooms with rugs.
Both models come with an auto-empty charging dock, known as the Clean Base, which takes care of dustbin emptying. However, users will need to manually handle the water side of things.
The Combo j5 is positioned as a high-end option, while the Combo i5 falls into the midrange series. The release of the Combo i5 may lead to significant price drops for the current i3 Evo, iRobot’s best budget vacuum.
Both models feature iRobot’s operating system, offering scheduling, room-specific cleaning, shared maps, and more. They utilize iRobot’s vSLAM navigation for efficient cleaning. The Combo j5 also boasts AI obstacle detection, able to recognize and navigate around household clutter.
In addition, the Combo j5 has the ability to identify specific objects and deploy custom cleaning around them. It also has a dirt detect mode for more thorough cleaning. These features are not available on the Combo i5.
While both robots can map your home and clean specific rooms, only the Combo j5 allows for setting no-go and no-mop zones. The Combo i5 can go anywhere it can physically reach unless virtual walls are purchased separately.
These new Roombas are compatible with voice control through assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Preorders are available on iRobot.com for North America, with shipping starting in September. They will also be available at other retailers from September 3rd. The Combo i5 Plus is currently available for order in Europe, while the Combo j5 Plus will be released in September.