iRobot Vacuum and Mop Combo Review

iRobot's new Combo j7+ robotic is the first combinator vacuum and mop. It looks like the Roomba and comes with similar rug-smashing capabilities, however the mop is self-filling and compatible with more cleaning solutions.

If you ask it to mop using the iRobot Home voice assistant or app, a tiny robot arm will rise out of the base. The mops only activate when the robot is aware that it's on a hard floor and are able to avoid drag across carpets and rugs.

Features

A robot vacuum and mop combo is a handy tool to keep floors clean without the need for the use of a broom or a Swiffer. It is able to remove the sticky mess and keep grime away. This means that you don't need to worry about mess accumulating in areas that see a lot of traffic such as mudrooms or kitchens. It also does a better job of cleaning hard floors than a vacuum alone, and it can do it in a way that is automatic.

Most irobot vacuum/mop combos can be used on carpets and hard floors, which is why they are a great choice when you have multiple flooring kinds. The most effective models come with features that allow you to control how often and how powerfully the robot cleans. Some also include automatic emptying and can be controlled by voice control.

The most well-known irobot mopping and vacuum robot vacuum and mop combo is the j7 Combo+, which transforms into a fully-featured robot cleaner with just the press of a button. Its smarts include the same advanced obstacle avoidance technology as the j7 and new onboard acoustic sensors that aid in determining the type of floor. When it is in mop mode, the mop will only be activated when it detects hard flooring such as wood or tile; it never goes over carpeting or area rugs. I tried to trick the j7 Combo+ repeatedly into deploying over a carpet, but it always went back to where it left off.

It's slow to take up fine particles of dust that a vacuum might be unable to, but it's perfect for getting rid of dried milk staining. It also has a handy mopping pad that's easy to refill.

The j7 Combo+ is less expensive than some other robot mop and vacuum combos, but it's quite expensive for a basic machine. It's got a limited battery life and a water tank, which means it has to return to its dock to recharge between every cleaning session. It is also necessary to manually move the machine to a new room after each cleaning session. Its small size and absence of the ability to schedule cleaning sessions means that it can only clean 200 square feet.

Design

The app lets you plan and track cleaning tasks and also create "clean zones" and "keep out zones". You can control robots using the app or via voice activation using the smart speaker of your choice. They have a variety of power modes and can even detect obstacles to assist in navigation.

Unlike some vacuum and mop combos that aren't able to do both tasks effectively, the Combo J9+ does impressively at both, picking up embedded crumbs, fur, and dirt. It also uses SmartScrub which scrubs the floor with constant pressure and back and forth motions to get rid of difficult messes such as coffee and grime. Dirt Detective, which is able to learn from previous cleaning mission and prioritizes rooms with more dirt so that they get thorough cleaning.

In addition to the features that are available on iRobot's regular robotic vacuum that include an extension telescopic and dual rubber brushes The Combo J7+ comes with an intelligent mopping system that raises the pad when it comes into contact with carpet or area rugs. This prevents the carpets from getting wet, and makes cleaning easier. It's also the first combo robot that is able to mop and vacuum all types of floors, making it a great option for people who have an array of hard and soft floors.

The Combo j7+ is similar to the regular Roomba J7 robotic vacuum. It has a sleek black body with an aluminum top piece brushed bearing the iRobot Logo. The reservoir for water is located in the rear and the mop pad is at the bottom. The app lets you see when the tank is empty or needs to be refilled.

The Combo J9+ is compatible with your home's WiFi network. It also comes with sensors to aid in navigation and obstacles to avoid. It gathers usage data like how often the Combo j9+ travels around your home, as well as images and mapping data. However it does not sell or share this data with third parties without consent. On its website, the company's Privacy Principles can be found.

Cleaning Performance

A robot vacuum and mop combination can help you save time by keeping your floors spotless the majority of the time. It's still important to use a mop in order to take off tough stains and dirtier areas however it's less frequent than using a vacuum with a bucket of water with a brush. It's a great option for areas with a lot of traffic such as bathrooms, kitchens and the mudrooms.

You should consider a mopping machine If you're looking to get the most advanced cleaning. These typically use pads made of microfiber, a water reservoir that is filled with clean water and a scrub-like motion to wipe away dirt and dust, making your floors cleaner than a regular vacuum. Some of these models, like our upgraded pick, Braava Jet M6, even sprays detergent into the pad to give it a more thorough clean.

The biggest drawback to mop-only robots is that it's unable to perform any work on carpet or area rug. If a robot comes across these surfaces while in vacuum or mop mode it will lower the pad to prevent getting them wet. However, this also means it can't navigate around them unless you create special 'clean zones' and zones to keep out of the app.

Combination robots are more efficient at this, especially our top pick, the irobot black friday deals Braava j7+ Combo. It functions like a regular j7 vacuum, however, it comes with a built-in wet mop which it deploys when it detects hard flooring. It's more aggressive than other robots when it comes to crossing thresholds and rugs. However, it is able to back off when it encounters these obstacles instead of attempting to mop over them.

If you want to be completely hands-free you'll need a robotic cleaner that is able to learn the layout of your house and move between rooms on its own (our upgrade choice is the iRobot Jet m6) or a combination vacuum that uses lidar to navigate (like the Roborock S5 Max). You might need to create a 'clean zone and a 'keep out zone within the app to ensure that it can determine where the furniture is.

Cost

A robot vacuum with a mop can do a great job of cleaning your floors. However, it's more expensive than a standalone vacuum cleaner or a dedicated mop robot. Costs vary based on whether or not you want a high end model with mapping technology that lets it understand the design of your house and clean each room without running out battery power. This feature is essential when you have carpets or rug in your home. The newer Ecovacs Roborock S8 Pro Ultra or Deebots X2 Omni are the top models that have this feature.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of your floor as well as how many rooms must be cleaned and vacuumed. Smaller rooms require the use of a smaller robot. It is possible to get by with one that can vacuum or mop, but not both. iRobot Combo J7+, for example is a great option that includes a separate mop for robots with its most praised Roomba, and is priced at less than what a standalone robot mop such as the Braava jet M6 would cost.

The Combo j7 Plus also includes the iRobot Clean Station, which auto-empties the dirty mop water from the cleaning tank when it's full. The base is not included in the standard model of the j7 and must be purchased separately. This is partly why the combo robot is priced at $1,099, as it's not part of the standard model.

The j7+ is a sleek modern-looking hybrid vacuum and mop. It looks almost identical to Roomba's i7 vacuum. However, it is missing a few key features that other mop-only bots do. It doesn't offer the same powerful suction as iRobot vacuums. It does not come with the automatic mop pad washing feature that is becoming more commonplace on high-end mop robots. You can purchase an add-on to wash the mop pad after it is not in use. This will keep the pads from drying and becoming messy. The j7+ is a excellent value and is among our best roomba vacuum cleaner robots to clean your floors.