TL;DR: iRobot has announced a mopping version of its smartest robot vacuum. Pre-order the Roomba Combo j7+(opens in a new tab) for $1,099 starting Sept. 27 with shipping starting Oct. 4.
The last major remaining gap in iRobot’s product line has officially closed.
On Sept. 27, the robot vacuum company finally announced the first Roomba that’s a true robot vacuum and mop hybrid(opens in a new tab). (Not another dedicated robot mop like the m6, not another bundle deal that requires the purchase of two separate cleaners — this is the real deal.) The Roomba Combo j7+ can be pre-ordered for $1,099 through Oct. 4, when shipping and mainstream online availability kicks off.
As evidenced by its name, the Combo j7+ is essentially a water tank-equipped spinoff of iRobot’s smartest robot vacuum, the j7+. It not only sets itself apart from the rest of the iRobot family but also from competing hybrids, which create a soggy mess or refuse to cross carpeted areas all together. Instead, when the Combo j7+ senses a rug or carpet, two fully-retracting arms lift the mop on top of the robot (rather than just letting the pads hover, like the Roborock S7+).
Internally, the Combo j7+ gets smarter over time, continuing to step away from the guessing game played by basic older bots. Its ever-expanding capabilities come in the form of automatic software updates when iRobot releases something new and customized improvements as the j7+ continuously learns about your home’s needs (like pine needle fallout areas during the holidays), tweaking Clean Zone recommendations accordingly.
iRobot OS knows to avoid small obstacles that other vacs might eat.
Credit: iRobot
These zones are also getting more precise. The Combo’s mental notes of furniture or other permanent barriers to work around, like tables or kitchen counters, now include obstacles that require more intricate swerving during cleaning, like around the toilet.
Like the original j7+, the Combo self empties and automatically avoids pesky obstacles like phone chargers, pet toys, and rogue socks. Other new features include the ability to enact a one-time room skip during a repeating cleaning schedule without manually selecting every room.
