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If you’re struggling to work out which Roomba to buy, you’ve come to the right place.
Not least because they don’t have the most logical or the most memorable naming system.
Sometimes this is via manual swapping of onboard bins/tanks, or sometimes it can do both simultaneously.
Most brands provide specific suction in Pascals (Pa).
We’re in the process of reviewing it.
So what’s the difference with the Combo 10 Max?
It’s all in the dock.
It also has automatic detergent dispensing (also included with the j9+).
A benefit over the 10 Max is that it’s available in more configurations.
It also comes with ‘SmartScrub’, for double the scrubbing power.
Because it’s newer, the j9 series tends to have better availability than the j7.
Like the j9, it launched in 2023, but it’s more basic and cheaper.
It only includes combo models:
It offers ‘Standard’ suction power, alongside the usual dual rubber rollers.
There’s your standard scrubbing (the j7 and 10 Max models promise double scrubbing power).
There’s the usual dual rubber rollers plus edge brush.
It’s one of the more basic models in the iRobot lineup.
you might send it to clean a particular room, but it won’t clean by zone or object.
Roomba j7 series
The j7 launched in 2021.
It vacuums and mops simultaneously, rather than requiring you to manually swap out the bins.
It offers three suction levels and three water levels, alongside basic navigation and object avoidance.
It doesn’t have 5GHz Wi-Fi compatibility.
All of these are features you’ll find in pricier models.
Note that the US dock may look different to the UK dock pictured below.
This basic robovac has two multi-surface rubbery brushrolls, and a side brush.
There’sGoogleAssistant and Alexa integration, if you want to use voice control, and 5GHz Wi-Fi compatibility.
There are a couple of more advanced cleaning features.
We’re not expecting it to stick around much longer.
Like the j5 and i5 models, the mop part is separate and must be manually swapped in.
This is one of the more basic models, with no obstacle avoidance.
you might set it to clean a specific room, and there’s basic navigation.
If you opt for a dock, it’s a simple self-empty setup.
Overall, it’s slightly more advanced than the i5 series.
iRobot Braava robot mop
The Braava is a robot mop designed for hard floor cleaning.
This line was originally developed by a separate company Evolution Robotics which was acquired by iRobot.
There’s no obstacle avoidance, although it can recognize and avoid mopping carpet.
The dock is charge-only, with no auto-empty or self-cleaning options.
it’s possible for you to clean by room, zone or object.
