Roomba Combo Review: The 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum That Finally Gets Mopping Right
24.01.2026 - 06:40:26
You vacuum on Sunday. By Tuesday, there are crumbs under the table, pet hair along the baseboards, and a mystery sticky spot right where you step first thing in the morning. You bought a robot vacuum once, but it smeared dirt around and got stuck more than it cleaned. So you’re back to dragging out the old cordless every other day.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most people don’t actually want a robot vacuum. They want a home that magically stays clean without having to think about it. The problem? Many robovacs are noisy, dumb, and terrible at mopping. They leave corners dirty, streak your hard floors, and turn carpet edges into no-go zones.
This is exactly the frustration iRobot is aiming at with its latest generation of 2-in-1 cleaners: the Roomba Combo line.
Roomba Combo is iRobot’s family of hybrid robot vacuum and mop models designed to vacuum carpets and hard floors, then wet mop where needed, all in a single run. Instead of juggling two different devices or constantly swapping parts, you get a genuinely automated floor routine that lives quietly in the background.
Why this specific model?
Unlike generic 2-in-1 bots that drag a damp cloth around the entire house, several Roomba Combo models (particularly the Roomba Combo j7+ and higher-end Combo variants) take a far smarter approach. After checking iRobot’s official specs on irobot.com and the German product overview at irobot.de/saug-und-wischroboter, a few things stand out:
- Intelligent mopping that avoids carpets: Certain Roomba Combo models feature an advanced mop system that physically lifts the mop pad up and away when traveling over carpeted areas. That means your rugs don’t get damp or streaked, a common complaint with cheaper hybrids.
- Smart mapping and room-by-room control: Using iRobot OS and smart mapping (available on mid- to high-end Combo models), the robot learns your home layout, names rooms, and lets you choose where to vacuum, where to mop, and where to avoid entirely—all from the app.
- Powerful suction with dual multi-surface rubber brushes: iRobot’s signature dual brush roll design (listed across many Roomba Combo variants) helps pull in debris from both hard floors and carpets, while resisting hair tangles—particularly important for pet owners.
- Self-emptying options reduce maintenance: Some Roomba Combo models (marked with "+" such as Combo j7+) come with a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal that empties the robot’s bin into a sealed bag, cutting manual emptying to every few weeks instead of every few days.
- Object recognition & obstacle avoidance: Higher-end Roomba Combo models use a front-facing camera and onboard AI to recognize common household obstacles—like shoes, cords, or pet waste—and steer clear instead of plowing through them.
On paper, this combination of features isn’t just about spec sheet bragging rights. It targets real-world annoyances: soggy carpets, constant bin emptying, robots stuck on cables, and random zig-zag patterns that never seem to finish a room properly.
At a Glance: The Facts
Since the Roomba Combo line includes multiple models (like the Roomba Combo j7+ and other Combo variants), exact specs vary. But the core idea is consistent across the series. Here’s how the headline features translate into everyday benefits:
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| 2-in-1 vacuum and mop system | Handles dust, crumbs, and light spills in one automated run, so you don't need separate devices for hard floors and carpets. |
| Mop lift or retract mechanism (on select Roomba Combo models) | Keeps carpets and rugs dry by lifting the mop away from textiles when crossing or cleaning carpeted zones. |
| iRobot OS with smart mapping (model dependent) | Lets you create room maps, set no-go zones, and send the robot to specific rooms or areas via app or voice assistants. |
| Dual multi-surface rubber brushes | Improves pickup on carpets and hard floors while reducing hair tangles, making it more pet-friendly. |
| Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal on "+" models | Automatically empties the robot's dustbin into a larger bag, freeing you from frequent manual emptying. |
| Obstacle detection and avoidance (on camera-equipped models) | Reduces frustrating "stuck" incidents by recognizing and driving around shoes, cords, and other everyday clutter. |
| App and voice control integration | Start, stop, schedule, and customize cleaning via your phone or compatible voice assistants when supported by the specific model. |
What Users Are Saying
A dive into recent Reddit threads and user reviews for Roomba Combo models paints a clear picture of where this product line excels—and where expectations need managing.
The praise:
- Convenience is the #1 win. Many owners on Reddit mention that once they’ve set up maps and schedules, the robot quietly handles daily dust and crumbs without intervention. For busy households, that "always clean enough" baseline is the real value.
- Mopping that doesn't ruin carpets. Users of the Roomba Combo j7+ in particular often highlight the mop-lift design as a game-changer versus cheaper robots that drag a wet pad over everything.
- Solid navigation and avoidance. Compared with some rivals, users report fewer "lunchtime rescues" from under furniture, and appreciate that the robot tends to avoid socks, cables, and pet accidents when the model supports object recognition.
- Reliable app and software. iRobot OS is generally described as stable, intuitive, and regularly updated, with thoughtful suggestions like recommended cleaning schedules based on your patterns.
The criticism:
- Mopping is for maintenance, not deep-cleaning. Across forums, owners are clear: Roomba Combo is excellent for keeping hard floors fresh but won't replace a full-on manual scrub of dried spills or sticky messes.
- Noise and charging time are still a thing. While acceptable for most users, some point out that maximum suction modes can be loud, and full recharges can mean a longer overall cleaning cycle for large homes.
- Price at the higher end. iRobot has never been the cheapest option in the category, and several reviewers acknowledge that Roomba Combo models cost more than many budget 2-in-1 rivals.
Overall sentiment: users who understand they're buying a "maintenance companion" rather than a miracle worker tend to be very satisfied. Those expecting industrial mop pressure on dried-on stains are less impressed—but that’s a limitation of almost all robot mops, not just iRobot’s.
Behind the Roomba Combo line is iRobot Corp., a long-time leader in consumer robotics listed under ISIN: US4627261005, which gives the brand a level of maturity and long-term software support many newcomers simply don’t have.
Alternatives vs. Roomba Combo
The robot vacuum and mop market has exploded, with big names like Roborock, Ecovacs, and others pushing increasingly complex docking stations and high suction numbers. So where does Roomba Combo fit in?
- Against cheaper 2-in-1 robots: Budget models often offer higher advertised suction and big water tanks, but they commonly lack reliable carpet avoidance for mopping, robust app ecosystems, or polished obstacle recognition. Many user accounts describe them as "fine until they get stuck or soak the rug." Roomba Combo tends to win on reliability and ease-of-use rather than raw spec sheet.
- Against high-end competitors with scrubbing docks: Some rivals now include dock-based pad washing and stronger scrubbing action. These can be compelling if you prioritize mopping over vacuuming. However, they often come with even higher price tags and more complex maintenance. Roomba Combo plays to iRobot’s strengths: navigation, software, and balanced performance across both vacuuming and light mopping.
- Within iRobot's own lineup: If you already own a solid Roomba vacuum, you might consider whether pairing a separate dedicated mop robot (like a Braava) makes more sense. Roomba Combo is ideal if you're starting from scratch and want a single device to handle everyday floor care.
The bottom line: if your top priority is low-drama, high-reliability floor maintenance—with no wet carpets—Roomba Combo models are among the safest bets. If you want aggressive scrubbing of heavily soiled hard floors, you might prefer a specialist mopping system, albeit with more hands-on work.
Final Verdict
Think of Roomba Combo not as a gadget, but as a quiet habit you install in your home. Once set up, it runs, it learns, it improves, and your floors simply stop being something you constantly notice.
It won't erase the need for an occasional deep clean, and it won't perform miracles on dried-on messes. But for the daily reality—pet hair, crumbs, dust, and light spills—it dramatically cuts the amount of time you spend on the most repetitive part of housekeeping.
If you want a budget experiment, there are cheaper options. If you want a robotic housekeeper that respects your carpets, works with your phone, and quietly builds a map of your life so you don't have to think about your floors again, a Roomba Combo model belongs on your shortlist.
Set it, let it learn, and enjoy the weirdly satisfying moment when you realize you haven't pulled out your old vacuum in weeks—and you haven't missed it at all.
