iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop vs iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop is the premium option here, offering a unique Clean Base Auto-Fill Dock that empties debris and refills water automatically for up to 30 days. In real-world use, this means you can set it and forget it, while the j9+ tackles both vacuuming and mopping without you lifting a finger. The iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop has a lower battery capacity of 1800-2210 mAh, providing just 90 minutes of runtime. This can be a deal-breaker if you have a larger home; however, it does offer a larger dustbin, holding up to 0.10 gallons, making it suitable for quick clean-ups between deeper cleans.
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iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop

iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop vs iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop

iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
| Criterion | iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop | iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★3.6(1,171)Amazon | ★3.9(2,363)Amazon |
Navigation | PrecisionVision Navigation (Camera-based VSLAM with object recognition and avoidance). | Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows). |
Mapping | Imprint Smart Mapping (Stores up to 10 maps, room segmentation, room naming, and Keep Out Zones). | Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones). |
Obstacle Avoidance | PrecisionVision with AI (Identifies and avoids cords, pet waste, shoes, socks, and seasonal items). | Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste). |
Suction Pa | Not published (Rated 100% stronger suction vs. Roomba i-Series / 2x Power-Lifting Suction). | Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series). |
Brush System | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Resistant to hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush. | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Patented design adjusts to floor type and resists hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush. |
Mopping | SmartScrub System (Back-and-forth scrubbing motion with consistent pressure). | Interchangeable Roomba Combo® Bin (Passive gravity-fed wicking system; requires manual bin swap to switch modes). |
Mop Lift | Auto-Retract Mopping System (Lifts mop pad to the top of the robot to keep carpets completely dry). | No (Mop pad stays in contact with floor; must manually skip carpeted rooms in app when Mopping Bin is installed). |
Carpet Boost | Yes (Carpet Boost automatically increases suction on carpets). | No |
Battery | 14.4V / 4460 mAh Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion (Approx. 1800-2210 mAh) |
Runtime | Up to 120 min (Recharge and Resume supported) | Up to 90 min (Supports Recharge and Resume to finish the job). |
Charging Time | Approx. 3 hours | Approx. 3 hours |
Dustbin | 0.08 gal (313 mL) — Internal bin | 0.10 gal (360 mL) with Vacuum Bin / 0.07 gal (276 mL) with Combo Bin. |
Water Tank | 0.05 gal (210 mL) — Internal tank (Auto-refilled by dock) | 0.05 gal (210 mL) — Integrated into Combo Bin |
Auto Empty | Yes | 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 Auto-Fill Dock (Empties debris for up to 60 days, refills water for up to 30 days; 15.8" W x 16.4" D x 16.3" H). | Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal (12.2" W x 15.8" D x 13.3" H). |
Mop Wash | No (Pad requires manual washing) | No |
Mop Dry | No | No |
Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens) | High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens) |
Noise Level | Approx. 68 dB | Approx. 68-70 dB |
App Features | iRobot Home App (Dirt Detective prioritizes dirty rooms, Clean While I'm Away, SmartScrub settings, Pet Owner Official Promise). | iRobot Home App (Clean by Room, Schedules, Favorites, Seasonal Recommendations). |
Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri. | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri. |
Multi Floor | Yes (Imprint Smart Mapping stores multiple floor plans). | Yes (Stores one Smart Map for room cleaning). |
Threshold Climb | 0.6" (1.6 cm) — Reduced slightly due to mopping mechanism | 0.63" (1.6 cm) |
Height | 3.40" (87 mm) | 3.60" (92 mm) |
Dimensions | 13.70" (L) x 13.70" (W) x 3.40" (H) | 13.40" (L) x 13.47" (W) x 3.60" (H) |
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iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop
✓ Pros:
- • Clean Base Auto-Fill Dock automates both dust emptying and water refilling
- • Auto-Retract Mopping System is the industry standard for keeping high-pile carpets dry
- • Dirt Detective (iRobot OS) automatically prioritizes the dirtiest rooms
- • Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes are excellent for pet hair and carpets
- • Elegant dock design with a wood-like surface top
✗ Cons:
- • Dock does not wash or dry the mop pad (requires manual maintenance)
- • Navigation and mapping are slower than LiDAR-based competitors
- • Lacks live video monitoring despite having a camera (privacy-focused)
- • Small onboard dustbin relies heavily on frequent auto-emptying
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iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
✓ 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
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Which one is better?
The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop is the better buy for most people - its 120-minute runtime crushes the i5+, which only lasts 90 minutes.
Who should buy each?
Choose the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop if: you want maximum automation with auto-refilling capabilities, an industry-leading mopping system, or need up to 120 minutes of vacuuming.
Choose the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop if: you prefer a larger dustbin, want a lighter robot for easy handling, or are on a tighter budget. (112.17 oz weight)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop excels if you value clean base auto-fill dock automates both dust emptying and water refilling. iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop is better if you prioritize clean base® provides weeks of hands-free vacuum maintenance. 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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