Best Roombas 2024: A guide to the difference between the Roomba j9+, j7+, i5, and more

Read our full review of the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+.

Why we picked this:

The Combo j7+ was the very first true vacuum and mop hybrid from iRobot. Though it’s since been upstaged by the 2023 Combo j9+, the 2022 Combo j7+ will always be pivotal for iRobot’s legacy — and because it’s not the newest 2-in-1 anymore, it’s also usually on sale.

Its original retail price of over $1,000 was actually many folks’ only big gripe with this model. But if you can find it at its new düzgüsel sale price of $799, you’ll be scoring one of the smartest robot vacuums on the market for a pretty digestible cost. With PrecisionVision cameras for small obstacle detection and a mop that lifts over the vacuum itself, the Combo j7+ can be trusted to not eat your phone charger and not soak your carpet.

Compared to the Combo j9+, the j7+ özgü less powerful suction power, less forceful scrubbing, and doesn’t automatically refill the water tank aboard the vacuum through a bigger tank in the dock. Compared to the j6+, the j7+ özgü more meticulous obstacle detection and can pinpoint hurdles like socks, towels, and pet bowls on top of cords and pet waste.

Who it’s for:

If you’ve confirmed that you definitely want a Roomba that mops, the next question is whether you’d like to be able to send your Roomba to mop when you’re not home. The Combo j7+ is the cheapest Roomba that özgü the retractable mop on board, meaning you don’t need to be home to manually swap out the dry dust bin like you do with the Combo i5. Even on sale, $799 is a pretty hefty investment — but unless you have multiple pets that shed onto thick carpet and hard floors with heavy foot traffic, the Combo j7+ provides a nearly-identical hands off experience to the Combo j9+ for much less money.