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Best overall: Roomba Combo j9+. Choose the s9+ for carpet and pet hair, the j7+ for obstacle avoidance around pets and clutter, the Combo i5+ for a lower-cost self-emptying vacuum-and-mop, or the j7 for j7 navigation without an auto-empty dock. These are recommendations for the U.S. lineup in June 2024; sale prices and availability varied by retailer, and no single model is best for every home.
Quick comparison: which Roomba should you choose?
| Model | Vacuum and mop | Auto-empty | Carpet handling | Obstacle avoidance | Best fit | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combo j9+ | Both | Yes | Retractable mop design | Advanced navigation; check exact SKU | Premium all-in-one automation | Dock refills water but does not wash or dry the mop pad |
| s9+ | Vacuum only | Yes, in the Plus configuration | Strong carpet and pet-hair candidate | Older than j7/j9 obstacle-recognition systems | Carpet and pet-hair pickup | Older design, without integrated mopping or newer object recognition |
| j7+ | Vacuum only | Yes | Vacuum only; no mop to manage | Recognizes and avoids some common objects | Pet homes and cluttered floors | Not the strongest carpet-focused choice in the cited tests |
| Combo j7+ | Both | Yes | Mop lifts to help protect carpet | Object recognition | Mixed flooring with integrated mopping | Less complete water automation than the Combo j9+ |
| Combo i5+ | Both | Yes | Cannot lift its mop; remove or exclude carpets while mopping | Do not assume j7-level object avoidance | Value-oriented mopping, especially on hard floors | Requires swapping bins and managing rugs |
| j7 | Vacuum only | No | Vacuum only | Same j7 object-recognition approach | Lower upfront cost with j7 navigation | Manual bin emptying |
The “+” generally identifies a self-emptying version, while “Combo” means the robot can vacuum and wet-mop. Neither label guarantees mop washing, drying, or automatic carpet protection. Hardware can differ by SKU, so confirm the precise package before buying. Vacuum Wars’ model comparison explains the Plus designation.
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Best overall: Roomba Combo j9+
The Combo j9+ is the strongest June 2024 pick for a household that wants one robot to vacuum and mop, empty its dirt bin, and reduce water-refilling chores. Its dock automatically refills the robot’s water tank, and its retractable mop design is intended to keep the mop clear of carpet while vacuuming. It also supports room mapping, room labeling, targeted cleaning, and voice assistants. iRobot describes its mapping and room-labeling performance with manufacturer claims, including up to 90% room-label accuracy; that figure is not an independent benchmark. See iRobot’s Combo j9+ product details.
The important limitation is that the dock does not wash or dry the mop pad. You still need to remove and clean the pad and maintain the water system. “Auto-fill” is not the same as a complete mop-maintenance station, and wet mopping is not equivalent to manual scrubbing or a robot with an automated pad-washing dock.
#1 Best Overall
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION*. 3-Stage Cleaning includes 70X more power-lifting suction*, a Multi-Surface brush, and Edge-Sweeping brush to devour dirt and dust bunnies and leave floors barefoot clean. *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and provide a precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- FULLY CUSTOM AND TARGETED CLEANING. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes and levels of suction power.
- EASY-TO-USE ROOMBA HOME APP. Simply tap to set a custom clean, get time estimates, check on the filter life, or create keep-out zones to avoid specific areas.
- EXTRA DIRT- SPOT CLEANING IS ON IT. Easily target the places where your floors need extra attention, with spot cleaning, your robot repeatedly cleans in one area for up to 5 minutes.
Pick the j9+ vacuum-only model instead if you want the premium vacuum platform but do not need a mop. Consider the j7+ if pet-waste and clutter avoidance matters more than mopping, or the s9+ if carpet pickup is your priority.
Best for carpet and pet hair: Roomba s9+
The s9+ remains worth considering in 2024 if your main job is vacuuming carpet and collecting pet hair. Its D-shaped body is designed to reach along edges and into corners, and it is a vacuum-only choice for buyers who do not need an integrated mop.
In Tom’s Guide testing, the s9+ picked up 97% of the tested hair on carpet and 99% on hardwood. Those results describe that reviewer’s test, not a guaranteed result in every home. See Tom’s Guide’s s9 review.
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It is an older design and lacks the j7/j9 family’s object-recognition approach. Its shape may also make maneuvering and docking more demanding in some layouts. Availability and pricing can vary as retailers clear older stock, so judge a discounted unit against your need for carpet performance rather than its original flagship status.
Rank #2
- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. Dirt and dust stay gone because it empties into the AutoEmpty dock with a bag that traps 99% of allergens as small as 0.7 microns- That means no mess or cloud of dust when you empty it- Just drop the used bag into the trash and put a new one in the base.
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION. 3-Stage Cleaning includes 70X more power-lifting suction*, a Multi-Surface brush, and Edge-Sweeping brush to devour dirt and dust bunnies and leave floors barefoot clean *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and provide a precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- FULLY CUSTOM & TARGETED CLEANING. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes and levels of suction power.
- EASY-TO-USE ROOMBA HOME APP. Simply tap to set a custom clean, get time estimates, check on the filter life, or create keep-out zones to avoid specific areas.
Best for pets, cords, and clutter: Roomba j7+
The j7+ is the safer fit when the bigger daily problem is what the robot might run into, rather than maximum carpet pickup. iRobot’s PrecisionVision Navigation is designed to recognize and avoid objects including cords, pet waste, socks, and shoes. The j7+ adds the Clean Base auto-empty dock; the j7 has the same core navigation approach but requires manual bin emptying. Product features are listed on iRobot’s j7 page.
Object recognition is a risk reducer, not a guarantee. Keep wet hazards and unusually dangerous items off the floor, and supervise early cleaning runs. Camera-based navigation can also struggle with some dark, transparent, or unusual objects.
The j7+ supports room-specific cleaning and mapping features such as Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones. Its obstacle avoidance should not be mistaken for superior carpet cleaning: Tom’s Guide recorded 94.45% overall pickup in its j7+ test and noted weaker pet-hair performance on carpet than some rivals. Tom’s Guide’s j7+ review and RTINGS’ j7 review discuss the trade-off between navigation and cleaning performance.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBest value self-emptying Combo: Roomba Combo i5+
The Combo i5+ brings mapping, room-specific cleaning, vacuuming and wet mopping, Dirt Detect, recharge-and-resume behavior, and an auto-empty dock to a less premium tier than the j9+. It is most compelling in a mostly hard-floor home or for a buyer willing to manage the mopping routine.
Rank #3
- DEEP DOWN AND WALL-TO-WALL. Advanced DualClean Mop Pads with PerfectEdge extend floor-mopping coverage by 18%* and SmartScrub adds 2x deeper scrubbing** to wipe out tough messes. *Compared to unextended DualClean Mop Pad**Compared to standard vacuum & mop mode on coffee & grime
- STRONG SUCTION SERIOUS MOPPING. Devours messes from crumbs to pawprints with 70x more suction*, DualClean Mop Pads with PerfectEdge, SmartScrub, a multi-surface rubber brush, and edge-sweeping brush. *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- CLEARVIEW PRO LIDAR. Expertly maps your home to maximize coverage and clean thoroughly, day or night- Plus, specialized sensors ensure Roomba robot won't take a tumble down stairs.
- PRECISIONVISION AI TECHNOLOGY. Immediately recognizes cords, socks, even pet waste, and swiftly navigates around them. Identifies wet & dry messes ahead and repeats cleaning passes for a more thorough clean.
- AUTOWASH DOCK DOES IT ALL. 75 days of auto-emptying, 4 weeks of mopping and pad washing*, continuous pad refreshing, and heated pad drying ensure an ultra-effective clean day after day. *Based on 1 mopping run per week
Its central compromise is the bin and mop arrangement. The robot uses separate dry-vacuum and Combo bins. With the Combo bin installed, it vacuums and mops at the same time; it cannot lift the wet mop clear of carpet. Remove or roll up rugs, or exclude carpeted rooms while mopping. The i5+ also requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for setup and operation. iRobot states the dock can hold up to 60 days of debris under specified conditions; actual time depends on household dirt and usage. Details are on iRobot’s Combo i5+ page.
Choose a Combo j7+ or j9+ for mixed floors where a lifting or retracting mop is more convenient. Choose the j7 if you would rather skip mopping and the auto-empty dock.
How to choose between the closest alternatives
j7+ versus s9+
- Choose the j7+ for pet-waste avoidance, cords, clutter, mapping, and room-specific cleaning.
- Choose the s9+ for a carpet- and hair-focused vacuuming case, especially if a good discount makes its older design worthwhile.
Combo j9+ versus Combo j7+
Both provide vacuuming and mopping with carpet-conscious mop mechanisms. The j9+ adds automatic water refilling and is the more complete premium package, but its dock still leaves pad washing and drying to you. The j7+ can be a better-value fit if you want an integrated mop and lifting pad without prioritizing the j9+’s water-refill convenience.
Combo i5+ versus j7
Choose the i5+ if you want occasional wet mopping and self-emptying, and are comfortable swapping bins and protecting rugs manually. Choose the j7 if you value object avoidance and want a vacuum-only robot at a lower upfront cost than a Plus configuration, accepting manual emptying.
Rank #4
- CLEAN FLOORS EVERY DAY—WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT. The Roomba Plus 415X vacuums and mops in one run, stopping crumbs, dust, and spills before they turn into stuck‑on messes. With 20,000 Pa and DualClean mop pads, your floors stay visibly clean from morning and night.
- NO MORE SCRUBBING DRIED‑ON MESSES. SmartScrub applies extra pressure exactly where messes are stubborn—breaking down dried food, muddy paw prints, and kitchen splatter, so you never have to scrub by hand again.
- REACHES THE PLACES DIRT USUALLY HIDES. A 46% slimmer design* fits under more furniture, while extending brushes pull debris from edges and corners—so dust doesn’t collect where traditional robots miss. *Compared to Roomba 105
- GREAT FOR HOMES WITH PETS. Tangle‑free rubber brushes capture pet fur without clogging, eliminating constant stops to cut hair off the brush.
- EVERY CLEAN STARTS WITH A FRESH MOP—NOT YESTERDAY’S DIRT. The AutoWash Dock washes and heat‑dries mop pads at 113°F after every run, preventing odors and buildup so floors aren’t cleaned with yesterday’s dirt.
One Combo robot versus a Roomba and Braava
A j7 or j7+ can be paired with a Braava jet m6 through iRobot’s Imprint Link workflow for a separate vacuum-then-mop sequence. That means another device, dock, and maintenance routine. A Combo model is simpler in equipment count, but its mopping mechanism and pad care still matter; neither approach turns routine wet wiping into deep scrubbing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose by home and floor plan
- Mostly carpet: Start with the s9+ if you can find it at a sensible price and do not need mopping. For a newer navigation and automation balance, compare the j9+ vacuum-only model.
- Mostly hard floors: The Combo i5+ can be a value-oriented way to add routine wet mopping, while the Combo j9+ reduces water-refill work.
- Pets and frequent floor clutter: Prefer the j7+ for its designed object recognition; do not rely on any robot to avoid every accident.
- Mixed floors and rugs: Favor Combo j7+ or Combo j9+ over i5+ if you want a mop that lifts or retracts. Check rug fringe, thresholds, and high-pile carpet in your home.
- Several floors: A robot cannot climb stairs. Even when multiple maps are supported, expect to carry it between levels and manage docking as needed.
- Want mopping but dislike maintenance: The j9+ reduces water-filling work but still requires mop-pad care. If washing and drying the pad automatically is essential, compare other robot-mop systems rather than assuming a Roomba Combo dock does it.
What ownership still requires
Self-emptying reduces how often you handle the onboard dustbin; it does not make the robot maintenance-free. Expect to replace dock bags and filters as needed, remove hair from rollers, clean sensors and the dock, and correct maps occasionally. Combo owners also need to wash mop pads and manage water. The i5+ adds the practical task of changing bins when switching between dry vacuuming and Combo use.
Set the dock on a level, stable surface with the clearance specified in that model’s owner’s guide; do not assume one clearance measurement applies to every Roomba. Features and app labels can change with iRobot OS updates, so use the June 2024 model capabilities above as the comparison, not as a promise about later app menus.
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June 2024 pricing and availability
Prices in this category moved with promotions, and the available evidence does not establish a consistent June 2024 price for every model. Treat sale figures in contemporary coverage as temporary U.S. promotions, not standard prices: BGR, for example, reported June 2024 sale prices of $599 for the vacuum-only j9+, $699 for the Combo j7+, and $379.99 for the j7. Check the retailer and exact bundle before comparing, since docks and included accessories affect value. See BGR’s June 2024 Roomba recommendations.
Consumer Reports’ 2024 buying guide listed the s9+ at $1,000, the j7+ at $800, and the i4+ Evo at $520. Those are guide-listed prices, not confirmed June street prices. The same guide gave the s9+ an overall score of 83, the j7+ 71, and the i4+ Evo 76; that comparison is useful context, but the i4+ Evo is not the Combo i5+ and should not be treated as its score. Consumer Reports’ 2024 buying guide.
Quick Recap
Bottom-line decision path
- Need vacuuming and mopping in one premium machine? Pick Combo j9+ if water refilling matters and manual pad care is acceptable.
- Mostly carpet and pet hair, with no need to mop? Consider s9+ if its age and availability are acceptable.
- Need to reduce encounters with pet waste, cords, or clutter? Pick j7+ for the self-empty dock, or j7 if manual emptying is fine.
- Want lower-tier Combo features and can manage rugs and bin swaps? Pick Combo i5+.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
