Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

iRobot launches affordable robot vacuum and mop combo that costs just $275

By Jon Bitner April 4, 2024

The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential mopping a floor. — iRobot

iRobot is one of the most popular manufacturers of robot vacuums, but much of its lineup is locked behind hefty price tags. One of our favorite robot vacuums, the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+, for example, clocks in at $1,400 — making it a pricey proposition for most households. That’s changing today, however, as the brand has officially launched the Roomba Combo Essential, which costs just $250 and offers many of the same features found in its expensive siblings.

The Roomba Combo Essential Robot is a robot vacuum and mop that’s billed as an upgrade to the old Roomba 600 Series. It uses a V-shaped roller brush to minimize tangles while vacuuming, offers three different suction levels for customized performance, and uses an edge sweeping brush to better clean baseboards and crevices. It’s a similar story for mopping, as you can choose between three different water levels for cleaning hard floors.

As you’d expect, the robot is powered by the same iRobot app as more expensive models, giving you a simple way to modify its settings or set up scheduled cleanings.

Some big compromises had to be made to hit this price point, and it’s the autonomous functions that largely took a hit. For one, the docking station won’t empty the dustbin or wash its dirty mopping pads. That means you’ll likely need to get your hands dirty after each cleaning cycle as you clean its mop and empty its dustbin.

If you don’t need the mopping skills of the Roomba Combo Essential, you’ll find the Roomba Vac Essential available for $250 — offering many of the same features minus a mopping pad. The Roomba Combo Essential is now available, while the Roomba Vac Essential will launch on April 7.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…

Smart Home

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ vs. iRobot Roomba Combo Essential: Which is better for you?

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ with auto fill dock for Black Friday

The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is one of the most versatile robots of 2024, making it easy to keep all types of floors clean without getting your hands dirty. Along with the ability to vacuum and mop in a single run, it can automatically empty its dustbin, which makes it a shockingly autonomous addition to any home. However, some of those same skills can be found in the affordable Roomba Combo Essential Robot, which carries a much more agreeable price tag.

That begs the question -- should you opt for the cheaper Roomba Combo Essential, or is the Roomba Combo j9+ a worthwhile investment? From vacuuming and mopping performance to additional features and more, here's a look at these two unique robot vacuums to help you decide which is better for your needs.
Pricing and availability

Smart Home

How to clean the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo

Ecovacs X2 Combo under a bed.

While the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo handles most of its own maintenance, there are still a few tasks you'll have to perform manually. Thankfully, these tasks only take up a few minutes of your time, and they don't need to be carried out frequently. From checking that the robot's sensors aren't blocked to cleaning roller brushes and the dirty water tank, here's a look at how to clean the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo.
Wipe down the robot vacuum sensors

The robot vacuum that comes with your X2 Combo works best when its external sensors are clean. After scurrying around a dirty house, there's a good chance dust has accumulated on the clear cover that houses all its sensors. Check this after each cleaning cycle and wipe it down with a dry cloth. If it's really dirty, a slightly damp rag can be used before drying it with a towel.
Give a thorough rinse to the dirty water tank
Emptying the dirty water tank is arguably the worst part of owning a robot vacuum. But if you're staying on top of things, it should never get too funky. Consider emptying the dirty water tank before it's full and giving its interior walls a good scrubbing to remove buildup. If you don’t do this, your dirty water tank will get remarkably smelly and slowly accumulate more gunk.

Smart Home

Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo vs. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni: what’s new on the X2 Combo?

Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni AIO robot vacuum and mop with dock sponsored

The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo is the latest product to join the Deebot lineup. It's fairly unique compared to other robot vacuums in the family, as it bundles a cordless vacuum with the docking station and robot vacuum -- making it an all-in-one bundle for keeping your floors clean.

But aside from the inclusion of a cordless vacuum, what exactly is different between the new X2 Combo and the old X2 Omni? More importantly, should X2 Omni owners feel the need to upgrade? Here's a closer look at the X2 Combo and X2 Omni to help you decide which is best for your smart home.
Pricing and availability