The Roomba Combo j7+ is fairly good at cleansing and actually good at not consuming telephone chargers

UPDATE: Mar. 8, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EST This evaluation has been up to date with a piece providing specifics on the unique Roomba j7+, which is the nearly-identical model of this robotic vacuum and not using a mopping pad and water tank.

The chokehold that iRobot has had on the robotic vacuum market because the early 2000s all the time makes it laborious for me to imagine {that a} Roomba that additionally mops was nonetheless nonexistent 20 years later.

It is not that iRobot had by no means dabbled in robotic mopping in any respect. There have been a handful of iterations of the Braava Jet, iRobot’s devoted robotic mop. However whereas the Braava Jet was able to extraordinarily mild dry sweeping, it isn’t an precise robotic vacuum — therefore not getting the Roomba title. (iRobot confirms the separation by bundling the Braava Jet m6 with precise robotic vacuums just like the Roomba i3, s9, and j7.)

And also you had been most likely immediately years previous if you discovered that the alleged first mainstream robotic mop ever, the Scooba “flooring washer,” was additionally a member of the iRobot fam.

Nevertheless it wasn’t till 2022 — years after opponents like Roborock, Eufy, and Shark had launched a number of hybrid robotic vacuum mops — that iRobot dropped its first true 2-in-1 robotic vacuum and mop. The Roomba Combo j7+ hasn’t been the neatest or strongest mopping Roomba since iRobot debuted the Combo j9+ in Sept. 2023, nevertheless it’ll all the time be probably the most groundbreaking Roombas.

So, what is the tea? How does the Roomba Combo j7+ maintain up in a sea of 2-in-1 robotic vacuums?

One of many smartest Roombas, now with an non-compulsory mop

The Roomba Combo j7+ is the mopping model of the Roomba j7+. On the time of launch, the Roomba j7 sequence was iRobot’s smartest vacuum thus far, and has since solely been proven up by the j9+ and Combo j9+. Nevertheless, all of them share one important declare to fame: the PrecisionVision system that provides j sequence Roombas the power to detect and keep away from small obstacles which might be usually blind spots, like pet waste, socks, and cords or chargers.

iRobot moved the digital camera that historically sits atop robotic vacuums (that may’t see objects under their three-ish-inch lid) to the entrance of the vacuum, increasing the viewing angle. This vigilant eye can be assisted by a front-facing LED mild that illuminates the trail in entrance of the j7 that helps it higher understand the ground in entrance of it. If the j7 scoots as much as an object it senses as a problem-causer, it will go round it.

As a refresher, the “+” tacked on the top of any Roomba signifies automated emptying. The Clear Base (self-emptying dock) that comes with the j7+ and Combo j7+ is shorter than the older ones included with the i7+ and s9+, however the official 60-day capability hasn’t modified. Come to think about it, I’ve solely needed to swap the baggage in my Clear Base as soon as previously six months, so it is much more hands-off than marketed.

Must you get the Roomba j7+ as a substitute of the Combo j7+?

One other essential section of our Roomba taxonomy lesson is the distinction between the Roomba j7+ and the Roomba Combo j7+ reviewed right here.

“Combo” within the title denotes mopping capabilities, with the mopping mechanism on the Combo j7+ being iRobot’s distinctive retractable mop that’s fully lifted over the physique of the vacuum when the acoustic flooring sort sensors detect a carpet or a rug. This additional lessens the prospect of a rug or carpet getting soggy in comparison with a hybrid robotic vacuum that lifts the mopping pad however nonetheless lets it hover intently to the bottom, or would not carry it in any respect. (The newer Roomba Combo j9+ takes on that very same retractable mechanism, whereas the extra fundamental Roomba Combo i5+ and Roomba Combo j6+ have water tanks and mopping pads that should be manually swapped out earlier than occurring a mopping run.)

Exterior of mopping, clearly, the Roomba Combo j7+ primarily gives the identical expertise that the common Roomba j7+ would: identical suction energy, identical twin rubber brushroll system, identical good room mapping, identical impediment avoidance, and identical automated grime disposal dock. Except for a refined crack on the highest of the Combo j7+ that enables the mopping pad (which is flush with the highest of the vacuum when not in use) to maneuver, you actually would not be capable of inform the 2 vacuums aside.

Any distinction in battery life between the 2 could fluctuate relying on how soiled the Roomba discovered your area that day. The Combo j7+ can be typically doing double the work on laborious flooring and might want to return to the bottom to cost sooner than the common j7+ would (that’s if the present cleansing queue takes longer than an hour-ish).

Deciding between the 2 is fairly simple: Does your private home have sufficient laborious flooring to justify spending round $300 extra to get the j7+ that mops? For me, I discovered the Combo j7+ wickedly handy in my present three-bed, three-bath residence that’s totally hardwood or tile (minus the rugs we have put down), however most likely would not have wanted such a high-end mopper in any of my flats that had been totally carpeted outdoors of the small kitchen and toilet. Even in a house with principally carpeting, although, I may see the Combo j7+ being worthwhile if in case you have a big kitchen that sees quite a lot of foot site visitors or spills.

For reference in case your finances is high of thoughts, the Roomba j7+ initially retailed for $799.99 and has been on sale for as little as $455 whereas the Roomba Combo j7+ initially retailed for $1,099.99 and has been on sale for as little as $799.99.

Impediment avoidance is a non-negotiable for me now

Folks have been having fun with automated cleansing through robotic vacuums for years earlier than small object avoidance was a factor. They simply merely accepted the pre-cleaning ritual of clearing cords, socks, pet toys, and such off the ground earlier than sending the vacuum out. It is not that huge of a deal, proper?

False. I should not have to wash earlier than the factor I purchased particularly to do to my cleansing for me does its job.

The comfort of a robotic vacuum actually begins to dwindle if you really feel like you’ll be able to’t belief it to cowl the entire residence with out consuming one thing or getting caught on a shower mat, which is very annoying if you’re not residence to set it free. The clutchness of the j7+’s impediment avoidance significantly set itself aside after I started concurrently testing a robotic vacuum missing that expertise — and felt my nervousness skyrocket when forcing myself to present the less-advanced vacuum a shot. When you’ve ever needed to pry a valuable telephone charger from the jaws of a bumbling robotic vacuum, you perceive.

After being certain the ground was clear whereas the j7 mapped my residence with impediment avoidance off, I am going to admit that ignoring the urge to pre-clean to check the true competence of PrecisionVision made me nervous. I settle for that there needs to be some room for error with any perceptive tech function of this nature — however I used to be going to be pissed if my quick charging cable was eaten.

I am proud to report that, within the six months I’ve spent with the Combo j7+, that it has by no means as soon as not appropriately recognized a charger or the HDMI twine that is all the time mendacity in the lounge. I am equally proud to current you with my very first video-turned-GIF, which reveals the j7 gently approaching and turning away from a charger in its path on my bed room flooring.

Although PrecisionVision is spectacular as hell, it isn’t good. It is nonetheless essential to handle expectations and keep in mind that even a front-facing digital camera bodily cannot decide up on objects that principally lie flat on the ground. After doing my nails whereas watching TV, I fully forgot that I left my steel nail file on the lounge flooring. The j7+ tried its damndest to select it up earlier than I heard the clatter and rescued it.

Whereas a lot of my cat, Sansa’s, toys (like her mini stuffed mouse) received a cross, extra ambiguous small obstacles like faux snow from our vacation decor and feathery wand toys had been devoured up. Truly, the primary time I noticed the ring mild on high of the j7 mild up crimson was as a result of a blockage between the on-board dustbin and dock dustbin brought on by — watch for it — a rattling feather. The app pinpointed the issue and a Youtube video confirmed me how you can repair it, however Sansa says iRobot can be listening to from her lawyer.

Bathtub mats are additionally a perpetual downside for robotic vacs, and even the j7 is not fully immune. Whereas it often was in a position to efficiently scale and clear my tub mats whereas solely leaving a nook overturned, there was one occasion the place the j7 scrambled my tub mat to the purpose of getting fully caught.

Mapping is correct and flooring protection is (fairly) thorough

PrecisionVision builds on iRobot’s already-great broad navigation talents and good mapping of rooms and particular areas of your private home. Just like the Roomba s sequence, the j sequence makes use of vSlam (optical-based navigation) to create a map of your private home. You may label it and tweak the map to your liking, together with drawing particular zones inside a room that the Roomba can both go on to or keep out of fully.

Of the robotic vacs with good mapping that I’ve examined, I believe this Roomba produced the fullest and most correct map on the primary run. Barring a number of tweaks to dividers for bedrooms, the j7+ was principally in a position to regurgitate the final setup of partitions in my 1,500-ish-square-foot residence after its first journey round, together with noting massive items of furnishings just like the island. It even marked the place our front room rug and kitchen runner sit as a notice to extend suction on these areas.

In fact, I nonetheless needed to tweak the map to maneuver dividers round and label the rooms, in addition to create zones. The iRobot OS app is tremendous simple to make use of, although, so modifying the map is not a ache.

Like impediment avoidance, iRobot’s good mapping was tremendous dependable the entire time. The j7 made it to the proper room or zone upon command (and again to its dock) and by no means received misplaced. Possibly this may be attributed to the quantity of pausing and pondering it stops to do mid-sweeping. As soon as, it stopped in entrance of the the massive floor-length mirror in our front room — dealing with ahead — and I believe I witnessed an existential disaster. The vacuum resumed its job afterward, although.

The j7’s cleansing is not intolerably loud by any means, and is definitely quieter on rugs than on laborious flooring. However I nonetheless discover myself making the most of zone cleansing reasonably than hitting “clear in every single place” simply to maintain the incessant hum shorter. I might argue that good mapping and digital boundaries (that really work) are additionally must-have options since there are a number of spots that I really feel want extra frequent consideration, like the realm close to the entrance door the place all the footwear step and in my lavatory the place the litter field is.

The kitchen is an apparent staple zone, too, and never simply to select up after consuming a crumby meal or tidying after some meals prep remnants made their approach to the ground. I additionally found the genius hack that’s cleansing the countertop by merely pushing the crumbs or shredded cheese onto the ground and calling the j7 over to hoover by the counter. The j7’s laborious flooring cleansing is kind of profitable on particles starting from spilled parsley flakes to kibble, and the aspect brush does a fairly good job of pushing peripheral particles into the cleansing path.

Furnishings-wise, the j7 is kind of good at getting proper up towards the sides of huge obstacles with out truly working into them. Our espresso desk is a spherical half sphere (it is giving acorn) and the j7 was in a position to delicately element the perimeter by backing up and making small changes to go across the bend. It additionally wasn’t afraid to go between kitchen desk chair legs and the legs of a desk within the hallway, and was in a position to information itself out with out getting caught.

I did discover the j7 randomly skipping a number of toes of flooring on the occasional zone cleansing that I know it coated the final time it cleaned that space. Annoying, however simple to forestall by opting to double up on passes within the app. (This additionally helped to make sure any particles that was missed the primary time was grabbed.)

The mop would not present a lot elbow grease, nevertheless it’s higher than nothing

A robotic vacuum that mops is essential for anybody whose eye twitches when a visitor forgets to take off their footwear on the door. And after the Dyson V12 Detect Slim’s laser confirmed me simply how dusty my flooring get even after each day vacuuming, I used to be much more bought on the premise of a moist mop to wipe my flooring of what a vacuum would not all the time decide up.

The mopping pads on these hybrid fashions just about fall below one among two classes: They both scrub or they do not. Usually referred to as “sonic mopping,” the scrubbing ones use some type of forceful mechanism to push the mopping pad into the ground and vibrate to go after more durable, dried-on stains and footprints. The vacs with out that mechanism simply drag a moist pad throughout the ground, principally tackling moist spills or free surface-level gunk.

I used to be shocked to study that the Combo j7+ was solely in between these after seeing the value tag. (It exerts drive between the pad within the flooring, however would not vibrate backwards and forwards like different hybrids.) iRobot’s entire factor with the Combo j7+ is flexing the retractable mopping pad as “the world’s solely 2-in-1 robotic vacuum and mop that senses carpet then totally retracts to the highest of the robotic.” The retractable mop is not not cool, however to me, this assertion form of implies that the Combo j7+ is the one robotic vac that senses carpet and lifts the mop — and that is not the case. I examined the Roborock S7 over a yr in the past and it additionally lifted the mop on mushy flooring, simply not fully on high of the vacuum physique just like the j7. (And FWIW, I by no means skilled soggy rugs with that strategy.)

So I do want that iRobot would have coated some type of sonic scrubbing component in its premium debut 2-in-1. That apart, the mop’s efficiency was passable for each day brown sock prevention. I discovered it significantly useful for normal repairs of the realm close to the entrance door and in my lavatory, which made me really feel higher about stepping out of the bathe in naked toes onto the identical tile that my cat steps on after exiting the litter field. The pad additionally lapped up assorted dried stains within the kitchen and did an OK job of creating the hardwood close to the door look much less grey with shoe prints. At any charge, the j7 does seal the deal after dry cleansing, and I like that it is a uncommon hybrid possibility that may clear with water or one among iRobot’s Bona laborious floor cleansing options.

Downsides: Carpet cleansing ought to most likely be extra thorough at this value

FWIW, iRobot would not declare that the j7 is a deep carpet cleaner just like the s9. The listings on iRobot’s web site formally state that the j sequence delivers 10 occasions the power-lifting suction of the baseline 600 sequence Roombas whereas the s sequence delivers 40 occasions that. So I am not saying it is deceptive advertising and marketing, however I nonetheless form of anticipated the j7+ to be more durable on carpet and rugs.

Needing multiple cross to place the ending touches on a carpet or rug job is comprehensible. Carpet fibers can act like velcro for particles, particularly something with tough edges that would latch on (like crunchy meals crumbs) or pet hair that is been stepped on and matted into the ground. However on a number of events, even after the 2 passes that the app permits you to schedule directly, I discovered myself beginning a very new job for a 3rd (or fourth) cross as a result of the j7 nonetheless hadn’t fairly completed the job.

The j7+’s automated emptying noise is brief however so, so removed from candy

My audiologist associates would spiral in the event that they knew that individuals stand close to this factor mid-emptying and do not have earplugs in. I assumed I used to be being dramatic till the Decibel X sound meter app clocked the height of the Clear Base’s cycle at round 85 db, which the CDC says is equal to metropolis site visitors (contained in the automotive) or a leaf blower. (The j7’s precise cleansing usually stayed below 60 db, which is like regular dialog or an air conditioner.)

it is dangerous when you end up opting to do the job your self with a stick vacuum over working the Roomba simply to keep away from enduring the automated emptying noise on the finish. The very particular sound of the j7+ locking in on its dock and pulling in to cost sends shivers down my backbone as a result of I do know the longest 5 seconds of my life are coming. Plugging my ears and warning my roommates of the upcoming airplane takeover are unconscious reflexes at this level.

However no, the sound of the Clear Base (or any loud self-emptying dock) is not dangerous sufficient for me to think about going with out automated emptying. That is simply one other a type of robotic vacuum options that, as soon as you reside with it, you will not be capable of dwell with out it. Not having to empty the botvac’s mud bin and probably contact that gross grey ball of filth after each few cleansing runs significantly ups the benefit of automated cleansing.

I am going to simply say that the j7 being so self-sufficient saved me when it got here to this noise problem. As a result of if you are going to financial institution on a robotic vacuum cleansing if you’re not residence to keep away from the noise, that is the robotic vacuum with built-in babysitting to do it with.

In contrast to LG’s All-In-One cordless stick vacuum, which may be set to solely empty the vacuum into the dock if you inform it to, the iRobot app would not have an possibility to modify automated self-emptying off. That leads me to my final bone to select.

The iRobot app is so intuitive aside from one factor

iRobot OS might be the smoothest expertise I’ve had with a robotic vacuum app. From WiFi setup and room labeling to each day scheduling and tweaking of particular cleansing runs, every little thing is simple — to the purpose the place it would not even be a ache for somebody who hates messing with apps to make use of. I actually like the choice to bump to 2 passes as a substitute of 1, to regulate the water degree for more durable messes, or to choose out of mopping all collectively.

So the truth that the app would not enable a queue of jobs as soon as one job is in progress — such a non-intuitive hill to die on — is wild to me. If I ship the j7 out to wash the kitchen and suppose “truly, let’s do the entry approach whereas we’re at it,” I’ve to let the j7 end the kitchen, return to the dock, empty and harm my ears, after which drive again to the zone one foot over from the place it was initially cleansing. Be aware you can line up a listing of a number of rooms or zones to be cleaned in row, however after one job has began, you are screwed.

Talking of zones, it’s important to create one any time you wish to spot clear, which is an actual buzzkill if you simply wish to rapidly assign a random spot. I might love to have the ability to draw a tiny goal on a whim and have the bot go there with out having to call the spot that’ll by no means most likely by no means should be particularly cleaned once more.

The competitors

First, it is apparent to pit the Combo j7+ towards iRobot’s devoted robotic mop, the Braava Jet M6. However contemplating the Braava Jet M6 would not have impediment avoidance and is so not an precise vacuum that it typically comes bundled with Roombas just like the i3+ and s9+, there isn’t any query in regards to the Combo j7+ being the winner there.

Fiercer competitors comes from Roborock and Ecovacs. Roborock not too long ago one-upped its personal spectacular S7 MaxV Extremely with the S8 Professional Extremely — each of which have phenomenal suction, sonic mopping, small impediment avoidance, automated emptying, and auto-washing mopping pads. The S8 Professional Extremely additionally dries the clear mopping pads to keep away from that soggy washer odor — one function iRobot skipped when designing the Combo j7+. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni additionally does every little thing that the S8 Professional Extremely does, however is an effective reminder that expertise and a premium value level on paper do not all the time translate to a very good expertise. (Bear in mind when the X1 Omni dragged my hair straightener all the best way to the dock?) Each of those go for $1,599.99 at full value, whereas the X1 Omni goes on sale for as little as $999.99.

For $649.40 or $449.40 on sale, Shark’s latest AI Extremely mannequin omits small impediment avoidance however nonetheless empties itself and scrubs. For simply over $600 on sale, the slightly-older Samsung Jet Bot AI+ omits mopping however has respectable small object recognition and, just like the X1 Omni, additionally acts as a dwell pet digital camera.

Is the Roomba Combo j7+ price it?

As the most costly Roomba and probably the most costly self-emptying hybrids, the Combo j7+ may seem like overkill upon first look. However after evaluating the options it packs to the value of fashions that supply essentially the most comparable function lineup, the Combo j7+ is definitely a stable buy. The one factor it lacks is the power to scrub its personal mopping pads — nevertheless it’s additionally a number of hundred {dollars} cheaper than the fashions that do this, even once they’re all on sale.

The factor in regards to the Combo j7+ is that it isn’t a stellar sweeper or a stellar mopper, nevertheless it all comes collectively to make a fairly stellar total cleaner. When each moist and dry points of cleansing efficiency are nonetheless passable and supplemented by such dependable impediment avoidance and residential navigation, iRobot strikes a critical hands-off ranking that finally is the entire level of getting a robotic vacuum within the first place.

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