iRobot Roomba J5+ Combo Vacuum & Mop
Verdict
The Roomba Combo j5+ is a strong midrange choice if you want camera-based navigation, obstacle avoidance, and app features like keep out and no-mop zones at a lower price than the top flagship models. It is best for homes with mixed hard floors and rugs where you do not mind swapping the mopping bin and accepting basic, maintenance-level mopping.
Pros
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Emptying & Mess Control ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5Self-emptying base automatically transfers dust and debris from the robot into a disposable bag, reducing how often owners need to handle the bin and keeping cleanup relatively tidy.
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Obstacle Avoidance (Robot) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5Camera-based system recognizes and avoids common household objects and is backed by iRobot’s pet waste avoidance guarantee.
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Pet-Ready Features ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5Camera-based obstacle avoidance is backed by iRobot’s guarantee that the robot will recognize and avoid pet waste, making it appealing for pet households.
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Suction & Airflow ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5Shares the same four-stage cleaning system and dual brush design as other Roomba combos, giving it strong everyday suction on mixed floors.
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Map & Path Efficiency (Robot Vacuums) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3Uses precision vision navigation with a front camera to map rooms in straight lines, support keep out zones, and efficiently cover typical floor plans.
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AI, Smart & App / Automation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0Runs on the Genius app with room-level cleaning, recharge and resume, suggested schedules, no-mop zones, and a front camera with AI-style detection for smarter mapping, though its dirt-detect boost passes only apply when the vacuum-only bin is installed.
Cons
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Mopping performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.3Capable of mopping while vacuuming, but it lacks sonic scrubbing, rotating pads, or a wash-and-dry station and is best for basic maintenance cleans on hard floors where no-mop zones keep it off carpets.
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Price & Value ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Offers extra camera-based navigation and smart mapping over the i5, but its higher price mainly buys convenience rather than a big jump in mopping performance.
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Mop lifting system ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.3No automatic mop lifting; the j7 combo offers that convenience if needed.
