iRobot, one of the oldest names in the consumer-grade cleaning robot sector, made headlines in 2022 when Amazon announced that it will acquire it, subject to regulatory approvals. With that plan appearing to be on track, iRobot continues to move forward with its plans all around the world, most notably in India, where it has now introduced its latest and most competent device yet. The Roomba Combo j7+, billed as the first iRobot product to combine vacuuming and wet-mopping capabilities, is now available for INR 89,900.
So far, the company’s product line has been divided into two functions. Roomba devices are vacuum cleaners, whilst Braava devices are wet mopping machines. It is expected that you will purchase both and have them work together to clean your home. However, this raises the price significantly, and competitor vendors have long provided goods that combine the two functionalities. What does the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ have to offer, and how well does it work? Learn more in this review.
Design
As previously stated, the concept of a robot that can hoover and mop at the same time is not novel. Much of iRobot’s competition has offered this for some time now, although iRobot has kept their range divided; Roomba devices such as the standard j7+ are vacuum cleaners, while Braava devices such as the Jet M6 are mopping robots.
iRobot has introduced the Roomba Combo series, which combines vacuuming and mopping in a single device. However, as the name ‘Roomba’ suggests, this is primarily a hoover cleaner with mopping added as a secondary function, as opposed to the Braava series, which places a greater emphasis on the quality and capabilities of the mopping capability. Users with a large budget and a keen eye for detail may prefer the split range, but the Roomba Combo j7+ may appeal to those seeking a more efficient and cost-effective one device solution.
In terms of design, the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is similar to the Roomba j7+. The general design and button at the top, the camera and ‘headlight’ in the front, and the flexible bumper to protect the robot from the light impacts that occur regularly while it is working are all commonalities.
Mapping and Navigation
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ comes with an extra sweeping brush and dust filter (in addition to the ones already attached to the device), 2 mop cloths designed especially for use with this device, a single bottle of the recommended cleaning fluid to be mixed with water in the tank, and the Clean Base docking station, which comes with two disposal dirt bags. Notably, the iRobot Roomba Combo j7 model is also available, which includes the conventional, non-self-emptying charging dock.
The Combo gadget, like the Roomba j7+, uses vSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) navigation technology, working with its front-facing camera to not only produce a map for basic navigation, but also spot and avoid obstacles.
iRobot App
Another handy feature not found on other products in this category is the option to log in with the same profile on various devices, allowing family members to control the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+. In most other ways, it’s a simple and uncomplicated user experience that generally works without any issues like server delays or connection errors.
You can also empty the dust bin, modify or add new maps, develop cleaning schedules, view cleaning history and view the estimated ‘health’ of the Roomba Combo j7+‘s consumable components, such as the vacuum filter and brushes. While custom preferences allow you to quickly start new jobs, you may prefer to create favourites, which allow you to complete most cleaning tasks with a single tap.
Cleaning
Most other brands’ cleaning robots are more customizable, with the ability to change parameters like suction power and so on. In comparison, iRobot maintains a simplified approach to cleaning in which the device decides how much suction power to use based on its own systems and algorithms. However, you can choose how many cleaning passes the robot makes (one or two) and the water flow level when mopping.
The highest level, of course, will release the most water, but it will also empty the water tank faster. Depending on the flooring in your home and other factors, you may prefer a medium or low setting. I discovered that the ‘Standard’ setting was ideal for my home’s mostly granite floors. The ‘Eco’ gave the impression of a barely effective mopping run, while the ‘Ultra’ was far too wet and emptied the tank before the device could even finish the run in my roughly 900-square-foot home.
Battery Life
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ automatically drives onto the docking station for charging after completing the task or if the battery runs low while cleaning. In the first case, it will remain docked and charged until it is needed again, whereas in the second case, it will charge to a reasonable level before automatically heading out to finish the job.
Since the app does not display specific battery levels, it is difficult to determine how long the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ can run on a single charge. In my experience, the device’s battery level would drop to around 25% after a full vacuum-mop cleaning run of my home, so you could expect it to run for about 90 minutes before needing to be charged.
Verdict
It took a while, but iRobot has finally developed a single product that can hoover and mop at the same time. Although the previous approach of dedicated products for each function provides better cleaning and functionality, it is likely to be too expensive and impractical for many. This is where this product levels the playing field and reintroduces iRobot into the competition.
However, at INR 89,900, the Roomba Combo j7+ remains one of the more expensive products in the segment right now, even before you factor in the higher cost of consumable spare parts. If you go with the iRobot device, you can expect a very good overall experience with a good app, the self-cleaning station, decent battery life, and very effective cleaning throughout both vacuuming and mopping functions.
