Skip to main content

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

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ robot vacuum and mop is perfect for high-pile carpet

Robot vacuum maker iRobot recently pulled back the curtain on the Combo j5+ lineup, and today its catalog is growing yet again with the reveal of the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop. If you don’t need a mop, a standard j9+ robot vacuum is also up for grabs — featuring the same tech powering the Roomba Combo j9+, but dropping its mopping skills and gaining a reduced price tag.

Unlike most robot vacuum and mop combos, the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ uses a swinging mophead capable of retracting to the top of its chassis. Other products simply raise the mophead up a few millimeters, which is only enough clearance for low-pile carpets. This makes the Combo j9+ compelling for homes with both hardwood floors and high-pile carpets, allowing it to clean all surfaces without dragging a dirty mop across your “clean” carpets.

The iRobot j9+ cleaning a floor and retracting its mop.
iRobot

Other standout features include pressurized mop scrubbing for improved cleaning, sensors to automatically adjust suction for extra dirty floors, and impressive navigation skills that allow it to avoid obstacles such as cords, shoes, clothes, and pet toys.

The Combo j9+ robot vacuum and mop can hold up to 60 days of debris and refills liquid for up to 30 days using its large base station. And thanks to the unique Dirt Detective software available with iRobot OS 7.0, the robot will slowly learn your cleaning preferences and develop a routine that figures out which parts of your home need extra attention — passing over these areas multiple times or ramping up suction as needed.

It’s a similar story for the j9+ robot vacuum, minus the ability to mop. Consider giving it a look if you need something more affordable and don’t mind mopping your kitchen floors yourself.

The Roomba Combo j9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop is now available for preorder and costs $1,399. The Roomba j9+ is also up for preorder with a price tag of $899. Both are expected to be released later this year.

For more great products, check out our roundup of the best robot vacuums of 2023.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
The Narwal Freo X Plus is an entry-level robot vacuum loaded with premium features
The Freo X Plus vacuuming pet hair.

Narwal launched the Freo X Ultra earlier this year, and we found it to be an exceptional robot vacuum and mop combo -- though its $1,400 price tag made it a luxury item for most shoppers. Thankfully, many of the Freo X Ultra's best features can be found on the newly launched Narwal Freo X Plus, which offers an affordable alternative to the flagship vacuum and mop combo.

The Freo X Plus should be much more appealing to frugal shoppers, as it clocks in at just $400. That's a full $1,000 cheaper than the Ultra, yet it still holds up to seven weeks of dust, can lift its mopping plate when traveling on carpet, and produces up to 7,800 Pa of suction to pull out dirt and debris from your carpets. It can even apply 6 Newton units of downward pressure while mopping, allowing it to tackle tough stains with ease.

Read more
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

Read more
iRobot launches affordable robot vacuum and mop combo that costs just $275
The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential mopping a floor.

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.

Read more