iRobot was founded 20 years ago and became the most significant and innovative player in the robot vacuum cleaners market. If you plan to buy a Roomba, it might be hard to decide which model would cover your needs. To understand better the important features of each device, let's take a look at the comparison chart below.
Those are the budget model lines that use random navigation and bump into things, and they are good for small homes overall. That's about it.
Roomba self-emptying models comparison chart
| Features |  Roomba i5+ |
 Roomba S9+ |
 Roomba j6+ |
 Roomba j7+ |
 Roomba j9+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon price | $484 | $1047.0 | $580.0 | $599.0 | $895 |
| Suction power Compared to Roomba 600 Series |
10x the air power | 10x air power | 10x the air power | 10x the air power | 20x the air power |
| Run Time (min) | 75 | 120 | 75 | 75 | 110 |
| Cleaning Technology | 3-Stage Cleaning System | 3-Stage Cleaning System | 3-Stage Cleaning System | 3-Stage Cleaning System | 3-Stage Cleaning System |
| Navigation Technology | iAdapt 2.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping) | Imprint and PerfectEdge Technology, 3D sensor + Mapping | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation) | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation) | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation) |
| Object recognition | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Mopping Function | no | no | no | no | no |
| Keep Out Zones | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Clean & Schedule By Room | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Zone Cleaning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Filter | HEPA | HEPA | HEPA | HEPA | HEPA |
| Auto Recharge | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dirt Detect | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Scheduling | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Smartphone App | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tangle-Free Brush | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Recharge and Resume | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Carpet Boost | no | yes | no | no | yes |
| Full Bin Indicator | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Built-in Camera | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dimensions (dxh) | 13.26 in x 3.6 in / 33.68 x 9.14 cm | 12.25 x 3.5 in / 31.75 x 8.89 cm | 13.3 x 3.4 in / 33.7 x 8.6 cm | 13.3 x 3.4 in / 33.7 x 8.6 cm | 13.3 x 3.4 in / 33.7 x 8.6 cm |
| Weight (lbs/kg) | 7.44 / 3/26 | 8.15 / 3.69 | 7.49 / 3.4 | 7.49 / 3.4 | 7.49 / 3.4 |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
Those are the robots with a camera, which means they are efficient at navigation. The premium models are good at recognizing pet waste, cords, socks, etc. But if you are looking at a robot with mopping, the Combo series list is down below.
Roomba Combo Series (with mopping)
| Features |  Roomba Essential Y0140 |
 Roomba Combo i3+ |
Roomba Combo i5+ |
 Roomba Combo j5+ |
 Roomba Combo j7+ |
 Roomba Combo j9+ |
Roomba Combo 10 Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning mechanics | |||||||
| Suction power Compared to Roomba 600 Series |
10x the air power | 10x the air power | 10x the air power | 10x air power | 10x the air power | 20x the air power | 20x the air power |
| Run Time (min) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 110 | 120 |
| Brush type | single bristle brush | dual rubber brush | dual rubber brush | dual rubber brush | dual rubber brush | dual rubber brush | |
| Carpet Boost | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Dirt Detect | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Full Bin Indicator | N/A | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dirt Detective | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Navigation & Mapping | |||||||
| Object recognition | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Navigation Technology | N/A | iAdapt 2.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping) | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping) | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation) | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation) | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation) | iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation) |
| AutoWash dock | |||||||
| Automatical water refill | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Deep Scrubing with SmartScrub | - | - | - | - | yes | yes | yes |
| Automatic Solution Refill | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Auto washes & dries the pad | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Dock self-cleans | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Mopping | |||||||
| Mopping Technology | replaceable mop pad | interchangeable bin | interchangeable bin | interchangeable bin | retractable mop arm | retractable mop arm | retractable mop arm |
| Vacuums and mops simultaneously | yes | requires bin change | requires bin change | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Auto mop lifting | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Avoids Carpet In Mopping Mode | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| App | |||||||
| Keep Out Zones | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Clean & Schedule By Room | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Room Cleaning | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| No-Mop Zones | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Automatically cleans the dirtiest room first | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Filter | N/A | HEPA | HEPA | HEPA | HEPA | HEPA | |
| Auto Recharge | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Scheduling | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Recharge and Resume | N/A | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Other | |||||||
| Dimensions (dxh) | 14.01 x 3.2 in / 35.6 x 8.2 cm | 13.26 in x 3.6 in / 33.68 x 9.14 cm | 13.34 x 3.63 in / 33.88 x 9.22 cm | 12.25 x 3.5 in / 31.75 x 8.89 cm | 13.3 x 3.4 in / 33.7 x 8.6 cm | 13.3 x 3.4 in / 33.7 x 8.6 cm | 13.3 x 3.4 in / 33.7 x 8.6 cm |
| Weight (lbs/kg) | 7.07 / 3.32 | 7.44 / 3/26 | 7.44 / 3.37 | 8.15 / 3.69 | 7.49 / 3.4 | 7.49 / 3.4 | 7.49 / 3.4 |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Amazon price | $249.99 | $329.0 | $479.99 | $556.0 | $899 | $767.0 | $1,395 |
| Video Review | -- | Watch | Watch | Watch | coming soon | Watch | |
The Roomba Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo (Y0140) is the first robot vacuum in the lineup that can do mopping and vacuuming. The robot comes with two microfiber cloths and 2 extra filters.
A basic robot vacuum with a mopping feature that is good enough to clean surfaces, but is not for you if you want less maintenance and a more hands-free experience.
Roomba i series
Those support a self-emptying base and have the same cleaning mechanics, bristle rollers, and filtration system. The Roomba i3+ and i5+ have a Combo modification, which has mopping.
The Roomba i3+ is the cheapest model in the lineup that is equipped with an auto-empty base. It has the same motor as the Roomba i7+, which makes it as powerful as the high-end model.
The Roomba i3+ is affordable and has a self-emptying bin
It does not have a built-in camera but has other sensors that help it navigate around and map your house.
The robot is ideal for those who want a cleaner with a self-emptying base but don’t want to spend more.
Roomba i3 Review and tests
Roomba i3+ vs. Combo i3+: What is the difference
The Combo means that the robot comes with an interchangeable bin for mopping and also an upgraded self-emptying base.
Roomba s9+
Roomba s9+
The most powerful robot vacuum cleaner in the lineup
The Roomba s9 has a D-shape and new brushless rollers that are 30% wider (compared to the Roomba 600 Series).
Who is the Roomba s9+ for?
The Roomba s9+ is powerful yet has a D-shape that is good and as good especially for cluttered homes. Great for homes with carpets and pets, but gets stuck more or less often, so better for minimalist homes.
Roomba j Series
The j series is the most-featured lineup that includes Combo modifications (with mopping), the newest mopping pad system, advanced object recognition (and the first among the Roombas), and an upgraded self-emptying station.
The series (except for the j6+) has a Combo modification.
SmartScrubbing is the new feature presented in the Roomba Combo j7+ and Combo j9+ that makes the robot go forth and back when it sees dirty areas like stubborn stains in mopping mode.
Roomba j7+
Roomba Combo j7+
Lifts the mopping pad when detecting carpet
The newer Roombas generation does two things at once: mopping and vacuuming. It lifts the mopping pad when the sensors detect carpets. In short, the Roomba Combo j7+ has all the same things as the standard j7+, yet additionally mops the floors and is not syncing with the Braava jet.
The only downside is a small battery, the robot only lasts for up to 75 minutes.
Dirt Detective
Dirt Detective creates a cleaning plan based on how often each room is cleaned and how frequently dirt is detected in each room. The current state of cleaning will be visualized in the iRobot Home App. Selecting Dirt Detective to start cleaning will enable your robot to automatically prioritize the dirtiest rooms and use the most optimal cleaning settings for each.
Supported by Roomba j9+ & Roomba Combo j9+, and Roomba Combo 10 Max.
Roomba Combo j9+
The Roomba Combo j9+ also has a standard j9+ modification.
Roomba Combo j9+
The only one that fills the water tank automatically
The Roomba Combo j9+ refills the water tank, automatically adds detergent, and has a longer battery life.
The robot intelligently cleans the dirtiest rooms first and boosts suction on a carpet.
Roomba Combo 10 Max
The Roomba Combo 10 Max is a perfect option for a smooth mopping experience with an upgraded AutoWash Dock.
The new docking station:
- self-empties;
- refills liquid for up to 30 days;
- washes and dries the pad;
- washes itself automatically after every mopping.
This Roomba is a company's fresh start, made for the best cleaning experience.
Who is the Roomba Combo j9+ best for?
It is the only robot with water auto-fill, so it is good for homes with lots of hard floors. Since it has more power than the previous j7+, this one is good for pet owners and homes covered with carpets.
Roomba Combo j5+ vs. Combo j7+ vs. Combo j9+
The Roomba Combo j5+ has a basic mopping system with an interchangeable bin. Perfect if you are looking for a smart robot but don't want to spend more on a Combo j7+.
The Roomba Combo j7+ comes with a retractable mop arm, but the station doesn't fill the water bin or add detergent.
The Roomba Combo j9+ has all these things, efficient on carpet, and is the best as a mopping robot solution if you are looking for something with mopping but don't want to maintain the robot a lot.
Maintenance
Even though iRobot does everything for you to make floor cleaning more manageable than ever before, you still need to do some maintenance to make your Roomba work longer. Clean the dustbin from all the dirt and dust collected. Try to do it after every cleaning or as often as possible if you want your machine to last longer. The most important point is to clean the bristle brushes (hello to the newest rubber ones), especially if there is a pet running around your home or your family member has long hair. This is pretty much it. Not much effort to spend on, huh?
The newest Roomba i, j, and s series are even easier to maintain. They do not need a dustbin to be emptied after every cleaning and the silicone rollers are made in a way that does not get hair tangled so it’s convenient to maintain these models.
What does the "+" mean?
The + only stands for a self-emptying base in the box. That is the only difference.
What is Spot Clean Mode?
In Spot Clean, the robot moves by spiraling about 3 ft (1 m) in diameter, ensuring intense coverage (supported by all Roombas).
What is the AeroForce Cleaning System?
The robot has two cleaning brushes that rotate by agitating dust and dirt off the carpet channeling it right into the dustbin. The side sweeper catches debris along the walls and in the corners.
The latest models use a powerful vacuuming system with more suction.
Will my Roomba return to cleaning after recharging automatically?
Once the battery runs out of energy, a Roomba returns to the charging dock, and after powering up, the robot resumes cleaning from the spot it left off to finish the job. Supported by the I, j Series, and s9.
How can I keep the Roomba off certain areas?
iRobot is the first manufacturer to introduce digitally restricted areas to camera-guided robots. In the map, you can set zones you don’t want the robot to clean.
Can I make my Roomba work only in the bedroom and kitchen?
The Roomba i series, j7+, and s9+ have a new option that allows cleaning a separate room or two instead of the whole house. Some rooms get dirtier sooner than others like a kitchen or living room, so there are times when you need to clean only one room. By simply tapping on the map, you can make the Roomba clean a certain room and schedule the robot to clean the room at a specific time.
These are the first models that are compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home in a way that allows them to command to work within a particular room. By saying: «Roomba, clean the living room,» you let the cleaner know what to do.
Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal / Empty the bin once a month
The latest Roombas come with a self-cleaning base. It has a disposable bag that holds up to 30 Roombas bins. When the robot’s container gets full, or it has finished the job, the Roomba returns to the base where the dirt gets sucked up into the bag. The base sets you free from emptying the dustbin for about a month, depending on usage.
The self-emptying base is a perfect solution for pet owners
What is Imprint Link Technology?
If you have a Roomba i or s series and the Braava jet m series robot mop, you can order the latest mop to mop after the Roomba has finished vacuuming.
What is Imprint Mapping?
Imprint mapping or Imprint Smart Map is a technology that creates a map that learns and adapts to your home layout as a Roomba cleans and remembers this map for future cleaning jobs. With this, you can order the Roomba to clean a particular room or multiple rooms or make it clean a second level.
Roomba j series vs. Combo j series
The Combo modification additionally has mopping accessories. It is a two-in-one robot vacuum.
The whole Roomba i series has a Combo modification, except for the Roomba i7+.