Key options
- Kind: Vacuuming and mopping
- Docking: Auto-empty dock
- Navigation system: PrecisionVision Navigation with digital camera
Robotic vacuum cleaners that mop are sensible for sustaining arduous flooring however can battle when there’s additionally carpet concerned.
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is right here to resolve that with a mop that lifts off the ground and tucks itself away on high of the robotic. That makes this probably the most versatile robotic vacuum cleaners I’ve reviewed.
The machine is successfully the 2-in-1 sibling to the usual Roomba j7+, distinguishable by its retractable mopping arm that permits it to carry out each key features directly.
Regardless of it wanting a bit like an invention designed for noughties BBC cult hit Robotic Wars, the Combo j7+ is ready to make the most of this motorized arm to cope with arduous surfaces and raise up out of the way in which on carpets and rugs.
The results of this Auto-Retract Mopping System, is a simplified cleansing cycle – one that does not contain you manually separating the vacuuming and mopping parts.
Add in its smart object avoidance, auto-empty dock and really intelligent app, and this is a wonderful robotic vacuum cleaner.
Nevertheless, its mopping high quality does lag behind the competitors’s a bit; each the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni and the Roborock S8 Professional Extremely are higher moppers and all-rounders, however each are additionally much more costly too.
Learn our full iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ to seek out out extra.
Design and elements
- Out there with and with out the auto-empty dock
- Anti-tangle brush
- Mixed water tank and dirt bin
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is on the market in two variations. The ‘plus’ model that I’ve on assessment comes with an auto-empty dock, and there’s a regular model that comes with a daily dock.
It’s principally a selection about house, because the self-empty dock is kind of tall, so received’t match underneath a cupboard.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
There’s additionally the matter of value. Not solely is the dock dearer, however the baggage value round $25 / £22 for a pack of three, every lasting between one and two months, relying on how a lot grime the robotic picks up.
I want the self-empty station, as I’m too lazy to empty a robotic, however there’s no bodily distinction in cleansing high quality and options between the 2 fashions, so choose the one which most accurately fits your home.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Externally, the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is similar to the iRobot Roomba j7+. Each are spherical vacuum cleaners, which have a digital camera on the entrance, which is used for navigation and smart object avoidance.
Flip the Combo j7+ over, and it’s very related beneath, too. I’m an enormous fan of the contra-rotating rubber brushes, as these forestall hairs from getting caught.
Working my robotic in a home with pets and ladies with lengthy hair, the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ prevented any tangles.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
A single facet sweeper brush is there to brush grime from the sides of the room into the primary suction path.
The large distinction between this mannequin and the usual j7+ is that the mopping pad begins life on high of the robotic vacuum cleaner.
When the robotic detects it’s on arduous flooring, the mop slides again and drops onto the ground; when carpet is detected, the mop lifts up out of the way in which, making the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ a regular vacuum-only robotic.
This intelligent mechanism implies that the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is totally protected to make use of on any carpet, because the mop is out of the way in which.
With the Roborock S8 Professional Extremely and the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni, they will solely raise their mopping pads off the bottom a small distance, so are higher suited to properties with shortpile carpets.
There’s a mixture bin and water tank on the rear. Holding solely 210ml of water, the tank is small, so wants refilling after each clear, if not in the midst of one.
It’s good to see that this tank can take cleansing resolution, with a pattern offered within the field and official replacements costing round $15 / £15 for a 473ml bottle.
Options
- Intelligent impediment avoidance
- First rate suction energy
- Auto-Retract Mopping System
For a robotic vacuum cleaner to achieve success it wants to have the ability to navigate easily. Thankfully, the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+is without doubt one of the finest.
Not solely does it discover its means round your home, however the digital camera on the entrance can spot and keep away from widespread obstacles, equivalent to cables, footwear and pet messes.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
In truth, iRobot is so assured of its mess-detecting powers that it provides the Pet Proprietor Official Promise (P.O.O.P). Ought to the robotic run over a pet’s accident in your first yr of possession, you’ll get a brand-new robotic.
Cleansing energy is great. I discovered that this robotic picked up mess from my carpets with ease, though it did take two passes to get greater spills. Nonetheless, for normal mess, this robotic is a good upkeep cleaner.
Shifting to arduous flooring, the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ did brilliantly, selecting up all of my take a look at spills. Edge efficiency was good, too, though greater messes will want some guide intervention.
Mopping operate
- Spectacular mop lifting
- Fundamental mopping for lighter stains
How the mop lifts out of the way in which is massively spectacular, letting the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ transfer from arduous flooring to carpet after which again once more. That’s nice information for rooms with rugs in, or for letting the robotic transfer over carpet to get to a tough flooring space.
Mopping energy is slightly extra primary than with the primary rivals, such because the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni. With no scrubbing choice to agitate grime, the Combo j7+ simply drags its mop alongside. I discovered that it dealt nicely with floor stains, however more durable ingrained messes couldn’t be lifted.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
App and digital assistants
- Intelligent app with Jobs
- Helps a number of maps
Utilizing a robotic vacuum cleaner must be easy, and iRobot makes positive its app lives as much as that promise. A number of maps might be created, letting the cope with multi-floor properties with ease.
After a map has been created, it may be zoned to separate it into completely different rooms. That’s value doing, because it offers extra management over cleansing, say telling the Combo j7+ to deal with only one room.
Every map can have zones added to regulate the robotic’s behaviour. Hold Out Zones cease the robotic from coming into a location, which might be helpful if it at all times get caught in a single place or you might have delicate flooring; the
No Mop Zone prevents the robotic from mopping. Given the lift-up mop, the latter characteristic might appear to be it’s not wanted, however it’s helpful when you’ve obtained delicate flooring that you simply don’t need to get moist.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
There are additionally Clear Zones. These are small areas you mark on the map for devoted spot cleansing. For instance, I’ve one the place my eating desk is, in order that the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ can rapidly tidy up after we’ve eaten.
Somewhat than simply pciking the settings you need, the iRobot app works with Jobs. For every Job, you’ll be able to outline which rooms and/or zones you need to clear, the cleansing mode (vacuum or vacuum and mop), the quantity of liquid to make use of for mopping, and the variety of cleansing passes.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Every Job generally is a one-off, however it’s helpful to avoid wasting those you’ll use most frequently, as you’ll be able to recall them with a faucet from the display screen.
There are additionally some intelligent choices. In addition to scheduling, the Combo j7+ will also be set to begin a Job when the app detects you’ve left the home.
That’s nice, as you’ll be able to exit and are available again to a clear home, with out manually having to recollect to place the robotic on.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
In addition to utilizing Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to begin the robotic, each voice assistants can be utilized to begin a selected Job.
Battery life and upkeep
- Lengthy battery life
- Straightforward to wash, notably with the self-empty station
Actual-life battery life is excellent, and the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ can clear a big space.
It managed to deal with your entire floor flooring of my home, together with mopping, with out operating out of cost, and there was sufficient energy left to deal with some spot cleanings.
Total, there’s greater than sufficient battery life for any job.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
There’s not an excessive amount of upkeep that must be executed, notably with the j7+ mannequin: when the bin bag is full, it must be eliminated and emptied.
In any other case, the mopping fabric will should be eliminated and washed often to take care of cleansing efficiency, and the water tank must be stuffed when emptied.
It’s additionally value washing the filter within the bin as soon as a month to take care of suction efficiency.
Last ideas
Concerning flexibility, there’s nothing fairly just like the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+. With its lifting mop, this robotic can transfer from arduous flooring to carpets and again, performing as a mop when wanted and a real vacuum-only robotic the place there’s carpet. Mixed with its highly effective navigation and high-quality suction, that might make this the appropriate selection for properties with blended flooring.
When you’ve got principally arduous flooring, and notably in the event that they get very soiled, then a robotic with an agitating mop could be a more sensible choice. And, in case you have carpets principally, then there’s no want for the mop in any respect.
You need to keep in mind {that a} new flagship from iRobot is incoming although. The Roomba Combo j9+ takes all the things we love from the Combo j7+ and provides a few nifty options to the combination, which ought to make mopping each simpler and higher. It is about 25% pricier although, so the j7+ might nicely nonetheless be the machine for you.
How we take a look at
After we publish our opinions, you’ll be able to relaxation assured that they’re the results of “residing with” long run checks.
Robotic cleaners normally reside inside an ecosystem, or a variety of merchandise that – supposedly – all work in concord. And they’re designed to supply a variety of various cleansing choices. Subsequently, it’s unimaginable to make use of a robo cleaner for per week and ship a verdict.
As a result of we’re testing smart home package all day, on a regular basis, we all know what issues and the way a selected smart cleansing machine compares to alternate options that you may also be contemplating.
Our opinions are complete, goal and truthful and, in fact, we’re by no means paid on to assessment a tool.
Learn our information on how we take a look at robotic vacuum cleaners to study extra.