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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufactureriRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop vs iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Time to compare iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop with iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum. We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 3.9★ vs 4★
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iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
★3.9
(2,363)•Amazon
Navigation:Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows).
Mapping:Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones).
Obstacle Avoidance:Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste).
Suction Pa:Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series).
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iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
★4
(51,777)•Amazon
Navigation:Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs.
Mapping:Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping).
Obstacle Avoidance:Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition).
Suction Pa:Not specified (3 suction power levels)
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Comparison: iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop vs iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
★3.9(2,363)Amazon
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
★4(51,777)Amazon
| Criterion | iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop | iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★3.9(2,363)Amazon | ★4(51,777)Amazon |
Navigation | Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows). | Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs. |
Mapping | Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones). | Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping). |
Obstacle Avoidance | Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste). | Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition). |
Suction Pa | Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series). | Not specified (3 suction power levels) |
Brush System | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Patented design adjusts to floor type and resists hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush. | 3-Stage Cleaning System with Multi-Surface V-shaped main brush + Edge-Sweeping brush. |
Mopping | Interchangeable Roomba Combo® Bin (Passive gravity-fed wicking system; requires manual bin swap to switch modes). | No |
Mop Lift | No (Mop pad stays in contact with floor; must manually skip carpeted rooms in app when Mopping Bin is installed). | N/A (No mopping) |
Carpet Boost | No | No automatic boost (Manual control: 3 suction levels). |
Battery | Lithium-ion (Approx. 1800-2210 mAh) | Lithium-ion (2600 mAh) |
Runtime | Up to 90 min (Supports Recharge and Resume to finish the job). | Up to 120 min |
Charging Time | Approx. 3 hours | Approx. 4 hours |
Dustbin | 0.10 gal (360 mL) with Vacuum Bin / 0.07 gal (276 mL) with Combo Bin. | 0.10 gal (approx. 400 mL) |
Water Tank | 0.05 gal (210 mL) — Integrated into Combo Bin | N/A (No mopping) |
Auto Empty | Yes (Clean Base® holds up to 60 days of debris; Note: Auto-empty works ONLY with Vacuum Bin, not Combo Bin). | No |
Dock Type | Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal (12.2" W x 15.8" D x 13.3" H). | Charging Dock (Standard Home Base) |
Mop Wash | No | N/A (No mopping) |
Mop Dry | No | N/A (No mopping) |
Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens) | High-Efficiency Filter |
Noise Level | Approx. 68-70 dB | Not specified |
App Features | iRobot Home App (Clean by Room, Schedules, Favorites, Seasonal Recommendations). | iRobot Home App: Clean While I'm Away, suggested schedules, Clean Map® report, spot cleaning. |
Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri. | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri |
Multi Floor | Yes (Stores one Smart Map for room cleaning). | No (Does not store maps) |
Threshold Climb | 0.63" (1.6 cm) | 0.625" (5/8 in) |
Height | 3.60" (92 mm) | 3.15" |
Dimensions | 13.40" (L) x 13.47" (W) x 3.60" (H) | 13" (L) x 13" (W) x 3.15" (H) |
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iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
Rating:★3.9(2,363)Amazon
Navigation:Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows).
Mapping:Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones).
Obstacle Avoidance:Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste).
Suction Pa:Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series).
Brush System:Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Patented design adjusts to floor type and resists hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush.
Mopping:Interchangeable Roomba Combo® Bin (Passive gravity-fed wicking system; requires manual bin swap to switch modes).
Mop Lift:No (Mop pad stays in contact with floor; must manually skip carpeted rooms in app when Mopping Bin is installed).
Carpet Boost:No
Battery:Lithium-ion (Approx. 1800-2210 mAh)
Runtime:Up to 90 min (Supports Recharge and Resume to finish the job).
Charging Time:Approx. 3 hours
Dustbin:0.10 gal (360 mL) with Vacuum Bin / 0.07 gal (276 mL) with Combo Bin.
Water Tank:0.05 gal (210 mL) — Integrated into Combo Bin
Auto Empty:Yes (Clean Base® holds up to 60 days of debris; Note: Auto-empty works ONLY with Vacuum Bin, not Combo Bin).
Dock Type:Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal (12.2" W x 15.8" D x 13.3" H).
Mop Wash:No
Mop Dry:No
Filtration:High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens)
Noise Level:Approx. 68-70 dB
App Features:iRobot Home App (Clean by Room, Schedules, Favorites, Seasonal Recommendations).
Voice Assistants:Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri.
Multi Floor:Yes (Stores one Smart Map for room cleaning).
Threshold Climb:0.63" (1.6 cm)
Height:3.60" (92 mm)
Dimensions:13.40" (L) x 13.47" (W) x 3.60" (H)
✓ Pros:
- • Clean Base® provides weeks of hands-free vacuum maintenance
- • Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes are industry-leading for hair and carpet agitation
- • Imprint® Smart Mapping allows you to command the robot to clean specific rooms (e.g., 'Clean the Kitchen')
- • Interchangeable bin system ensures the robot is lighter and has a larger dustbin when just vacuuming
✗ Cons:
- • Must manually swap the dustbin to switch between vacuuming and mopping modes
- • No Keep-Out Zones or No-Go Zones supported (unlike j7/j9 series)
- • Auto-empty does not function when the Mopping Bin is installed
- • Navigation is less efficient and prone to bumping compared to camera/LiDAR-based models
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Rating:★4(51,777)Amazon
Navigation:Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs.
Mapping:Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping).
Obstacle Avoidance:Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition).
Suction Pa:Not specified (3 suction power levels)
Brush System:3-Stage Cleaning System with Multi-Surface V-shaped main brush + Edge-Sweeping brush.
Mopping:No
Mop Lift:N/A (No mopping)
Carpet Boost:No automatic boost (Manual control: 3 suction levels).
Battery:Lithium-ion (2600 mAh)
Runtime:Up to 120 min
Charging Time:Approx. 4 hours
Dustbin:0.10 gal (approx. 400 mL)
Water Tank:N/A (No mopping)
Auto Empty:No
Dock Type:Charging Dock (Standard Home Base)
Mop Wash:N/A (No mopping)
Mop Dry:N/A (No mopping)
Filtration:High-Efficiency Filter
Noise Level:Not specified
App Features:iRobot Home App: Clean While I'm Away, suggested schedules, Clean Map® report, spot cleaning.
Voice Assistants:Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Multi Floor:No (Does not store maps)
Threshold Climb:0.625" (5/8 in)
Height:3.15"
Dimensions:13" (L) x 13" (W) x 3.15" (H)
✓ Pros:
- • Methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation
- • Up to 120 minutes runtime with auto-docking recharge
- • iRobot Home App scheduling + Clean Map® report; voice assistant support
- • 3-stage cleaning with V-shaped brush + edge-sweeping brush and 3 suction levels
✗ Cons:
- • No mopping capability
- • No auto-empty dock (standard charging dock only)
- • No advanced AI obstacle avoidance (no camera/LiDAR object detection)
- • Lacks persistent mapping features like Keep Out Zones or Room Select
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Overall, iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum delivers better satisfaction. iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop is still a quality option with specific strengths worth considering.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop suits buyers who need Clean Base® provides weeks of hands-free vacuum maintenance, Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes are industry-leading for hair and carpet agitation
- iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum suits buyers who want Methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation, Up to 120 minutes runtime with auto-docking recharge
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop excels if you value clean base® provides weeks of hands-free vacuum maintenance. iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum is better if you prioritize methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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