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With iRobot’s naming scheme in mind, the iRobot Combo j5+ is a midrange, self-emptying vacuum/mop that is part of the company’s high-end “j” series. It doesn’t sound unique on paper but all it takes is a simple unboxing to discover what makes this hybrid vacuum unique.
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What’s in the box?
In addition to the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal docking system, the iRobot Combo j5+ box includes the robot vacuum unit itself with a high-efficiency filter and edge-sweeping brush pre-installed. The rear of the vacuum is the usual Roomba dust bin with no water tank in sight. This means in order to mop, you must swap this dust bin with the included Roomba Combo Bin which has a water tank and smaller dust bin. Also included is an extra filter and brush along with a microfiber mopping pad which you can slide underneath the Combo Bin for mopping.
Midrange and its Limits
Determining whether the iRobot Combo j5+ is a good fit for your household involves identifying the vacuum’s limits. There is a reason why the pricier Roomba j7+ and j9+ models exist after all. Think of the Combo j5+ as a robot vacuum which you’ll primarily use as a vacuum with the mopping feature as something you could use if you don’t mind the sacrifices that come with it.
iRobot makes this obvious with its “swap and mop” system because why have a dedicated dust bin when you can use the included Combo Bin for both mopping and vacuuming? Unfortunately, the Combo Bin removes the vacuum’s ability to automatically empty its contents to the docking station because the water tank within the bin blocks it. iRobot’s Dirt Detect technology which causes the vacuum to work harder in dirtier areas also doesn’t work with the Combo Bin. Keep those caveats in mind before buying as iRobot advertises the self-emptying capability as a core feature. On the upside, having swappable bins is quite neat as you can choose between having more space for longer vacuuming sessions or sacrificing some space to do a little bit of mopping.
Overall Review: iRobot Combo j5+
The iRobot Combo j5+ is a solid robot vacuum with rudimentary mopping features tacked on. Swapping a dustbin with a mop equipped with a water tank sounds like an easy act but it also comes with conditioning your mind to accept some loss in automation functionality. Of course, you do save quite a bit with this approach but if you are seeking a more balanced vacuum/mop hybrid, iRobot has you covered with the iRobot Combo j7+. That vacuum lacks most of the mopping handicaps while sporting a cool retractable mop design.