TechRadar Verdict
The Roomba Combo j5+ is a convenient way to clean hard floors and carpets.
Its size and design make it suitable for diverse spaces, and the app control adds flexibility.
The packaging is mostly cardboard, making components easy to identify.
Flour and crushed biscuits on a kitchen floor to be cleaned by the iRobot Roomba Combo j5+(Image credit: Future)
Setting it up involves unboxing, downloading the iRobot app, and mapping your home.
Its sleek design measures 13.8 by 3.6 inches and includes additional parts such as mopping cloths.
It features an integrated light and camera for navigation.
Due to its single-brush design, it performs well on rugs but less so on hardwood floors.
The vacuum also struggled with larger particles during our tests.
Smaller boxes neatly contain additional parts, including mopping cloths.
This makes it easy to identify each component, which is particularly helpful for robot vacuum beginners.
It can also be integrated with any smart home system, allowing automated routines.
The top panel features a single clear button to avoid confusion.
Flour and crushed biscuits on a kitchen floor to be cleaned by the iRobot Roomba Combo j5+(Image credit: Future)
The underside features bright green rubber brushes and a single-side sweeper.
There’s also an integrated light and camera that help the vacuum intelligently navigate and avoid obstacles.
The dustbin accounts for much of the footprint, but the unit is also heavy.
iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ cleaning flour and crushed biscuits off a kitchen floor(Image credit: Future)
The weight contributes to noise levels as the vacuum moves across rooms, particularly in homes like mine.
These homes have lots of furniture, corners, and raised wooden dividers between rooms.
Fill the tank with your chosen solution and attach the mopping cloth.
Results of the iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ cleaning up flour and crushed biscuits(Image credit: Future)
The Roomba was tested in the household of a black cat who sheds hair absolutely everywhere.
I’d consider this one of thebest robot vacuums for pet hair.
Notably, it can return to its charging dock automatically when its battery is low and resume cleaning afterward.
One useful feature of Roomba vacuums is the audio error messages.
Interestingly, the vacuum works more consistently on rugs than hardwood floors.
This is mainly because robot vacuum brushes sometimes scatter loose dirt around the room, potentially missing some debris.
However, rug cleaning performance remains stellar.
Its obstacle avoidance feature is generally successful but not flawless.
To be safe, you’ll still need to pick up various items before letting the Roomba loose.
The Roomba Combo j5+’s mopping functionality is adequate for surface-level dirt cleaning of hard floors.
However, it doesn’t match traditional mopping thoroughness, especially for more stubborn or ingrained dirt.
In testing, the Roomba Combo j5+ struggled with fine dust while performing well with larger debris.
For instance, it picked up biscuit particles easily but struggled with finer particles like flour.
After extended use, though, the Roomba Combo j5+ needs minimal maintenance.
This included removing the main rubber brushes to clear them of hair and ensuring the side brush was obstructed.
Occasionally, it should also be wiped down to keep its sensors clean.
Users can schedule cleaning sessions, view their cleaning history, and customize cleaning preferences in one place.
The j5+ is compatible with Amazon Alexa andGoogleAssistant, offering voice-activated control for hands-free operation.
The mapping feature accurately rendered the layout of my home.
I regularly played with features like customizable room dividers and real-time updates on the vacuum’s progress.
The app also allows for specific room cleaning and virtual barriers.
The app works remarkably well, providing an estimated time frame for task completion.
For example, if you command it to clean the kitchen, it will complete the task swiftly.
It will send a push notification to your gear and then return to its charging base.
Should you buy the Roomba Combo j5 Plus?
The vacuum successfully picked up the biscuit particles but struggled with the flour, leaving some behind.
I also spread rice on hard floors and carpets to simulate larger debris.
Read we test
First reviewed August 2024
