iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum vs iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop is the better buy for most people thanks to its Clean Base® that holds up to 60 days of debris. In contrast, the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum offers 120 minutes of runtime but lacks the auto-empty feature, making maintenance more hands-on. After testing both, the trade-offs are clear: you get a more advanced cleaning experience with the i5+, but for those looking for a straightforward, budget-friendly option, the Vac Essential is still a solid choice. However, the mopping function of the i5+ can be cumbersome since it requires a manual bin swap, which is something to consider if you want a seamless clean without extra effort.
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iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
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 Vac Essential Robot Vacuum vs iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
| Criterion | iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum | iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(51,777)Amazon | ★3.9(2,363)Amazon |
Navigation | Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs. | Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows). |
Mapping | Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping). | Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones). |
Obstacle Avoidance | Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition). | Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste). |
Suction Pa | Not specified (3 suction power levels) | Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series). |
Brush System | 3-Stage Cleaning System with Multi-Surface V-shaped main brush + Edge-Sweeping brush. | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Patented design adjusts to floor type and resists hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush. |
Mopping | No | Interchangeable Roomba Combo® Bin (Passive gravity-fed wicking system; requires manual bin swap to switch modes). |
Mop Lift | N/A (No mopping) | No (Mop pad stays in contact with floor; must manually skip carpeted rooms in app when Mopping Bin is installed). |
Carpet Boost | No automatic boost (Manual control: 3 suction levels). | No |
Battery | Lithium-ion (2600 mAh) | Lithium-ion (Approx. 1800-2210 mAh) |
Runtime | Up to 120 min | Up to 90 min (Supports Recharge and Resume to finish the job). |
Charging Time | Approx. 4 hours | Approx. 3 hours |
Dustbin | 0.10 gal (approx. 400 mL) | 0.10 gal (360 mL) with Vacuum Bin / 0.07 gal (276 mL) with Combo Bin. |
Water Tank | N/A (No mopping) | 0.05 gal (210 mL) — Integrated into Combo Bin |
Auto Empty | No | Yes (Clean Base® holds up to 60 days of debris; Note: Auto-empty works ONLY with Vacuum Bin, not Combo Bin). |
Dock Type | Charging Dock (Standard Home Base) | Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal (12.2" W x 15.8" D x 13.3" H). |
Mop Wash | N/A (No mopping) | No |
Mop Dry | N/A (No mopping) | No |
Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter | High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens) |
Noise Level | Not specified | Approx. 68-70 dB |
App Features | iRobot Home App: Clean While I'm Away, suggested schedules, Clean Map® report, spot cleaning. | iRobot Home App (Clean by Room, Schedules, Favorites, Seasonal Recommendations). |
Voice Assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri. |
Multi Floor | No (Does not store maps) | Yes (Stores one Smart Map for room cleaning). |
Threshold Climb | 0.625" (5/8 in) | 0.63" (1.6 cm) |
Height | 3.15" | 3.60" (92 mm) |
Dimensions | 13" (L) x 13" (W) x 3.15" (H) | 13.40" (L) x 13.47" (W) x 3.60" (H) |
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iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
✓ 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
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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 i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop is the better buy for most people - its auto-empty feature that holds up to 60 days of debris crushes the Roomba Vac Essential. That said, grab the Roomba Vac Essential if you want longer battery life at 120 minutes - it's a no-brainer for those who prioritize runtime.
Who should buy each?
Choose the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum if: you want longer battery life with up to 120 minutes, prefer a straightforward cleaning process, or are looking to save money.
Choose the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop if: you want a self-emptying feature for weeks of hands-free maintenance, need both vacuuming and mopping capabilities, or want room-specific cleaning with Imprint® Smart Mapping. (112.17 oz weight)
Conclusion
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum and iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum excels if you value methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation. 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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