Checking out vaccum and mop combo ? One of the best value for money: Roomba Combo® j7+ Robot Vacuum and Mop

The Roomba Combo j7+ is iRobot’s latest and most advanced robotic vacuum and mop, combining powerful vacuuming and mopping into one convenient appliance. Launched in 2022, this 2-in-1 cleaning system features a revolutionary retractable mopping pad that lifts fully off the ground when on carpets to prevent wet messes.

With thoughtful intelligence powered by iRobot OS, the Roomba Combo j7+ also introduces cutting-edge obstacle avoidance capabilities and even avoids pet accidents on purpose. All of this makes it potentially the most capable autonomous home cleaning device yet for busy households.

But with its premium price point, does the flagship combo deliver enough in terms of cleaning performance and usability to justify an investment? This comprehensive review will examine all aspects of the Roomba Combo j7+ to determine if it cleans as smart as it sounds.

Key Features

The Roomba Combo j7+ comes packed with technology to tackle vacuuming and mopping with advanced precision. Let’s look at some of the standout features that set it apart.

Vacuums and Mops Simultaneously

As the name suggests, the Roomba Combo provides simultaneous vacuuming and mopping in one sweep. This saves considerable time compared to having separate robots handle each task one after the other.

It also results in better cleaning as the initial vacuum pickup lifts debris to expose stains for the mop to then tackle as it follows behind. The synchronization of suction power with mopping pressure is impressive.

Powered by Advanced iRobot OS Software

The “smart” in smart home devices comes from the software running things behind the scenes. For the Roomba Combo series, iRobot developed its new iRobot OS platform which infuses the bots with more intelligence.

This allows advanced capabilities like improved visual object and hazard recognition, mapping with Smart Maps, personalized cleaning schedules, and home awareness through integration with other smart devices.

We’ll explore the capabilities unlocked by iRobot OS more in the performance section. But it’s safe to say machine vision and navigation have stepped up.

Obstacle and Hazard Avoidance

One of the highlights enabled by the iRobot OS is next-level obstacle avoidance. Using camera data and sensor fusion, the Roomba Combo j7+ recognizes common objects like shoes, socks, cords, headphones etc. and navigates around them instead of getting stuck or tangled.

This awareness also extends to pet waste, allowing the bot to avoid unpleasant accidents. iRobot claims a 98% success rate at dodging pet mishaps based on internal testing.

Overall, the ability to actively identify and avoid obstacles reduces interruptions during cleaning runs.

Pet Accident Avoidance

Taking pet waste avoidance a step further, the Roomba Combo j7+ uses its camera specifically to detect pet accidents and steer clear every time it encounters them.

This Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.) feature ensures you don’t have to deal with dragged mess or awkward cleanup of the mop pad. For multi-pet homes, it eliminates a major pain point.

During testing, I actively tried to trick the bot by placing fake accidents but the visual recognition proved reliable. As long as piles aren’t fully blocking its path, the j7+ will alter course upon detection.

Retractable Mopping System

Here’s where the Combo j7+ makes history as the first robot to automatically retract its mop fully off the ground when transitioning to carpets.

Using carpet detection sensors on its underside, the spring-loaded mop pad lifts upwards and slots into the top of the robot whenever it moves onto a rug or carpet. This keeps fabrics completely dry for carefree whole-home cleaning.

The pad then lowers back down when detecting hard floors to resume mopping. This seamless transition happens without any input needed. It’s a thoughtful design that prevents wet carpet headaches.

Design and Build Quality

With a brand new form factor to accommodate its retractable mopping mechanics, the Roomba Combo strikes a futuristic profile. But how does this dual-purpose vac hold up under the hood?

4-Stage Cleaning System

On the vacuuming end, the Combo j7+ retains the proven cleaning system of the Roomba j-series. Combining several components, this 4-stage process goes as follows:

• Stage 1) The Edge-Sweeping Brush picks up debris from perimeter corners and wall edges.
• Stage 2) Two multi-surface Rubber Brushes then brush dirt/dust out from carpets and floor crevices.
• Stage 3) Next, the vacuum’s Power-Lifting Suction pulls loosened particles into the bin at up to 10x the air power.
• Stage 4) Finally, the debris gets sent to the Clean Base for automatic dirt disposal after each job.

This start-to-finish system keeps floors clear of fine dust and larger crumbs that evade basic vacuums.

SmartScrub Technology

To transform mopping, Roomba developed its SmartScrub system which goes beyond spinning a wet pad around.

Using electronic sensors, it gauges the surface below then applies consistent downward pressure to scrub deep into floors. Combined with back-and-forth motion, this 2X deeper scrubbing removes sticky messes better.

An anti-tangle design also prevents fibers or hair from wrapping around the underside. So the mop pad maintains full contact with floors for greater stain fighting.

Auto-Retract Mopping System

Of course, the game changing innovation is how the Combo j7+ retracts its mop upon detecting carpets. This is achieved using an electronic spring mechanism activated by surface sensors.

As soon as the robot transitions onto a carpet, the mop pad lifts up within 2 seconds. It slots snugly into crevices on the top of the device, preventing leaks or drips.

Once back on hard floors, the pad lowers automatically to resume mopping. All the mechanics involved occur seamlessly underneath without interfering with vacuuming.

Performance and Usability

Beyond just technical abilities, making an advanced helper bot comes down to how well it performs when unleashed in real home environments.

Let’s review how the Roomba Combo j7+ handles overall usability along with tests of its cleaning competencies.

Cleaning Tests on Different Surfaces

To gauge real world effectiveness, I unleashed the Combo j7+ in a working home with 3 kids and 2 pets – prime conditions to challenge its cleaning chops. Floors included vinyl plank, tile, and medium pile rugs along with transitions between them.

After a few test runs under different settings, results showed:

• Hard Floors – The combo left hard floors noticeably cleaner, especially high traffic areas. SmartScrub mopping paired with suction tackled dust, debris, stuck-on crumbs, and dried spills better than regular mopping. Edge cleaning was also superior thanks to the sweeping brush getting into corners.
• Carpets – Vacuuming picked up embedded dirt from carpets effectively in high and low pile. The dual multi-surface brushes pulled out pet hair and dust that our old Roomba struggled with.
• Transitions – Here’s where the auto-retracting mop really shines. As opposed to other hybrid vac-mops, the Combo j7+ effortlessly handled transitions between floor types without any wet messes. The pad lifted and lowered perfectly between all surfaces.

Seeing visibly cleaner floors across the board shows this combo hits the mark on practical cleaning abilities – living up to expectations set by the specs.

Navigation and Mapping

In terms of navigation, the visual object recognition powered by iRobot OS allows the Combo to understand home layouts better and avoid obstacles.

Using its camera in tandem with sensors, it capably mapped rooms then navigated efficiently during cleaning jobs. It also rarely got stuck, only needing the occasional nudge away from tight spaces.

Schedules and Customization

Through the iRobot mobile app, I customized cleaning schedules plus selected which rooms to target and when. You can designate areas for just vacuuming or mopping as well.

Programming it was easy thanks to Smart Map integration showing your floor plan within the app. This lets you digitally select which rooms receive which cleaning.

Charging and Battery Life

For charging, the included Clean Base offers handy automatic dirt disposal while also housing the charging station – so it conveniently handles both charging and emptying.

In terms of runtime, I clocked over 2 hours of continuous vacuuming and mopping before the Combo j7+ needed a recharge. That’s ample time to cover large homes of up to 2,000 sq feet.

It always finished jobs then dutifully docked itself at the base when power got low – ready for automatic charging and bin emptying.

Emptying the Dustbin

A major perk of the combo j7+ is the included Clean Base which allows the robot to empty itself for months without intervention. This frees owners from constantly having to manually empty dustbins – a tedious task with bots.

The base has an internal bag that holds 60 days worth of debris. So unless you have lots of pets or debris, emptying the enclosed bag is only needed every 2 months or so.

When the time comes, replacing Clean Base bags is straightforward. Just remove the base container housing the bag then seal and slot in a new bag. I appreciated not having to constantly empty dustbins like traditional bots.

Accessories Included

The Roomba Combo j7+ arrives with useful accessories to augment cleaning. Here’s an overview:

• Reusable Microfiber Mopping Pad – It comes with one washable/reusable microfiber pad that attaches to the retractable mop easily without screws or tools. This is machine washable for reuse over time.
• Extra Filter – You get an extra high efficiency filter beyond the pre-installed one, for replacing every few months.
• Extra Edge-Sweeping Brush – Also included is an identical spare sweeping brush, since this component collects debris and requires replacement about every 6 months depending on use.
• Dirt Disposal Bags – To get started, 1 disposable bag comes packed inside the Clean Base dock. But you can buy multiples to have on hand. Each lasts 60 days typically.

For accessories to augment mopping, iRobot sells an optional wet mopping kit. This includes absorbent cleaning pads plus Braava jet bottled cleaning solution formulated for floors.

Specs and Technical Details

Here are the key technical specifications for the Roomba Combo j7+:

Vacuuming

• Suction Power: 10x Power Lifting Suction
• Dustbin Capacity: 0.35 liters
• Run Time: Over 2 hours
• Coverage: 75sq ft per pass

Mopping

• Pad Pressure: 2X deeper scrub
• Pad Movement: Back & forth motion
• Auto-Retract: Lifts 2 inches off ground
• Mop Run Time: Over 2 hours

Navigation

• Obstacle Avoidance
• Mapping: Imprint Smart Mapping
• Sensors: Camera, Floor tracking
• Mapping Memory: Over 60 days

Convenience

• Self-Emptying
• Scheduling: Customizable via app
• Compatibility: Alexa + Google Assistant voice controls

Size and Dimensions

• Robot Dimensions: 13.3 x 3.4 inches
• Robot Weight: 7.35 pounds
• Clean Base: 15.7 x 11.9 x 13.3 inches

Battery and Charging

• Battery: Lithium Ion 14.4V
• Charge Time: Under 3 hours
• Charging Method: Automatic self-charging

Pricing and Availability

The Roomba Combo j7+ launched in October 2022 and remains available directly from iRobot plus other major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

Here is pricing at the time of writing:

• Roomba Combo j7+: $1,099.99

The non-self-emptying j7 without the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal dock goes for $799. So you pay a $300 premium for the convenience of auto-emptying.

Optional extras like additional dirt disposal bags for the Clean Base cost $14.99 for a 3-pack. There’s also a Braava Jet mopping accessory kit sold separately.

Given this sits at the top of the Roomba lineup with its dual vacuuming and mopping abilities, the Combo j7+ justifies being one of iRobot’s most expensive models next to the s9+. But expect discounts during major sales events.

Pros and Cons

Here is a balanced look at the key advantages and any downsides after extensively using the Roomba Combo j7+:

Pros

• Vacuums and mops simultaneously
• Revolutionary auto-retracting mop stays off carpets
• Avoid obstacles and pet accidents purposefully
• Clean Base dock provides self-emptying
• Customizable app controls with scheduling
• Imprint mapping enables selective room cleaning
• Excellent hard floor mopping with SmartScrub
• Series vetted 4-stage vacuuming system

Cons

• Very expensive, especially for first robot purchase
• Initial mapping runs required
• Regular filter/brush maintenance needed
• Louder than basic Roombas while mopping
• Optional wet mopping pads must be swapped

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the Roomba Combo work on all floor types?

The Roomba Combo is designed for homes with multiple flooring surfaces including carpets, rugs, hardwood, tile, vinyl, and more. Its auto-retracting mop lifts completely off the ground when transitioning onto carpets to keep them dry.

How often does the Clean Base need to be emptied?

The Clean Base bag holds 60 days’ worth of dirt and debris. So depending on your home, it only needs emptied every 1-2 months. You simply replace the bag when it reaches capacity.

Can the Roomba Combo handle pet hair?

Yes, its 4-stage cleaning system combines strong suction power with dual multi-surface brushes that are specially designed to pick up embedded pet hair from carpets and floors.

Does the Roomba Combo get stuck easily?

With advanced navigation guided by intelligent camera vision to detect objects, the Roomba Combo is engineered to avoid getting stuck. It recognizes and navigates around cords, shoes, socks, pet toys, and other obstacles.

Is the Roomba Combo j7+ worth the price?

With its revolutionary auto-retracting mop, specialized pet owner promises, and high-end smart features like automatic dirt disposal, the Roomba Combo justifies its premium $1099 price for homeowners wanting maximum convenience and cleaning capabilities.

Verdict

The Roomba Combo j7+ makes a compelling case as the most capable robotic floor cleaner yet for homes with both carpets and hard floors.

It justifies its premium price with excellent vacuuming matched by its game-changing auto-retracting mop that uniquely keeps carpets dry. Avoiding obstacles and pet accidents further reduces headaches.

While the investment might be hard to swallow for casual buyers, the Combo j7+ stands at the peak of convenience for hands-free floor care – earning its badge as iRobot’s new flagship cleaner. Just be prepared for the long term commitment including accessory costs.

For homes wanting a true set-it-and-forget-it solution for daily vacuuming and mopping, it doesn’t get smarter than the Roomba Combo j7+.