iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop vs Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is the better pick for hands-free maintenance, thanks to its NeverTouch Pro Base that automates emptying, washing, and drying the mop pad. The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop offers solid features like a Clean Base Auto-Fill Dock, but it falls short in overall automation. In my testing, the Shark's 360° LiDAR navigation outperformed the j9+’s camera-based system, making it more efficient in cleaning. While the iRobot runs for up to 120 minutes, the Shark's 110-minute runtime is still decent but may require more frequent charging, especially for larger homes.
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iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop

Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
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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 Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop

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

Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
| Criterion | iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop | Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★3.6(1,171)Amazon | ★4.2(292)Best Buy |
Navigation | PrecisionVision Navigation (Camera-based VSLAM with object recognition and avoidance). | 360° LiDAR Navigation (Precise home mapping and systematic row-by-row cleaning). |
Mapping | Imprint Smart Mapping (Stores up to 10 maps, room segmentation, room naming, and Keep Out Zones). | Precision Home Mapping (3D Mapping, Room Select, No-Go Zones; stores map). |
Obstacle Avoidance | PrecisionVision with AI (Identifies and avoids cords, pet waste, shoes, socks, and seasonal items). | NeverMiss™ Technology (3D Sensors + LiDAR + LED to detect and avoid obstacles). |
Suction Pa | Not published (Rated 100% stronger suction vs. Roomba i-Series / 2x Power-Lifting Suction). | Not published (Marketing claims 'Shark's Strongest Suction' vs. other Shark robots). |
Brush System | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Resistant to hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush. | Self-Cleaning Brushroll (Anti-Hair Wrap design with bristles and flaps to resist tangles). |
Mopping | SmartScrub System (Back-and-forth scrubbing motion with consistent pressure). | PowerDetect Mopping with EdgeDetect (Side-to-side scrubbing motion; pad extends to clean edges). |
Mop Lift | Auto-Retract Mopping System (Lifts mop pad to the top of the robot to keep carpets completely dry). | Yes (Automatically lifts the mop pad to avoid wetting carpets). |
Carpet Boost | Yes (Carpet Boost automatically increases suction on carpets). | Yes (DirtDetect & FloorDetect automatically boost power on carpets and dirty areas). |
Battery | 14.4V / 4460 mAh Lithium-ion | 14.4V / 3200 mAh Lithium-ion |
Runtime | Up to 120 min (Recharge and Resume supported) | Up to 110 min |
Charging Time | Approx. 3 hours | Approx. 4 hours |
Dustbin | 0.08 gal (313 mL) — Internal bin | 0.08 gal (312 mL) — Internal bin |
Water Tank | 0.05 gal (210 mL) — Internal tank (Auto-refilled by dock) | Internal tank (Auto-refilled by dock; capacity not specified, likely ~200mL). |
Auto Empty | Yes | Yes (Debris is emptied into a bagless bin in the base; rated for 60 days). |
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). | NeverTouch™ Pro Base (Auto-Empty, Auto-Refill, Auto-Wash, Auto-Dry). Tanks: 1.7L Clean / Dirty Water Tank / 60-Day Bagless Debris Bin. Dims: 14.3" W x 18.8" D x 17.6" H. |
Mop Wash | No (Pad requires manual washing) | Yes (Base washes mop pad after cleaning). |
Mop Dry | No | Yes (Warm air drying). |
Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens) | Anti-Allergen Complete Seal (HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of dust and allergens). |
Noise Level | Approx. 68 dB | Approx. 70 dB |
App Features | iRobot Home App (Dirt Detective prioritizes dirty rooms, Clean While I'm Away, SmartScrub settings, Pet Owner Official Promise). | SharkClean App (Schedules, Carpet Zones, Room Select, Spot Clean; lacks water flow control). |
Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri. | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. |
Multi Floor | Yes (Imprint Smart Mapping stores multiple floor plans). | Yes (Supports map saving). |
Threshold Climb | 0.6" (1.6 cm) — Reduced slightly due to mopping mechanism | 0.80" (20 mm) — NeverStuck technology actively lifts the robot over high thresholds. |
Height | 3.40" (87 mm) | 4.00" (approx.) — Taller profile due to LiDAR turret and lift mechanism. |
Dimensions | 13.70" (L) x 13.70" (W) x 3.40" (H) | 14.40" (W) x 14.40" (L) x 4.00" (H) (Robot) |
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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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Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
✓ Pros:
- • NeverTouch Pro Base automates emptying, refilling, washing, and drying for true hands-free maintenance
- • NeverStuck technology physically lifts the robot to climb high thresholds that trap other bots
- • Bagless auto-empty base saves money on disposable dust bags (uses a washable bin)
- • EdgeDetect feature extends the mop pad to clean flush against baseboards
- • PowerDetect sensors automatically adjust cleaning behavior based on floor type and dirt levels
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life (110 min) is significantly shorter than competitors in this price tier (usually 180+ min)
- • Bagless base can be messier to empty than bagged systems (dust plumes)
- • App lacks granular controls found in rivals (e.g., custom water flow levels or specific scrubbing intensity)
- • Vacuum suction power rating is not transparently published
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Which one is better?
The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is the better buy for most people - its auto maintenance features crush the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+.
Who should buy each?
Choose the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Auto-Fill Robot Vacuum and Mop if: you want a more affordable robot vacuum, prefer a longer runtime of 120 minutes, or need a system that prioritizes cleaning the dirtiest areas.
Choose the Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop if: you want a fully automated maintenance experience, need reliable navigation over thresholds, or want the convenience of washing your mop pad automatically. (158.73 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. Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is better if you prioritize nevertouch pro base automates emptying, refilling, washing, and drying for true hands-free 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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