Keeping your floors spotless can be a never-ending chore, especially when juggling vacuuming and mopping. For busy households or those with pets, finding the best Roomba vacuum and mop combo can be a game-changer, offering a hands-free solution to maintain clean floors effortlessly. But with so many models available, how do you choose the right one for your needs?
The best Roomba vacuum and mop models combine powerful suction, advanced navigation, and efficient mopping systems to tackle dirt, debris, and spills. From budget-friendly options to high-end models with self-emptying bases and smart mapping, these devices are designed to save time and effort. In this guide, we’ve analyzed top-performing Roombas based on key features like cleaning performance, mopping capabilities, and user feedback to help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to discover the best Roomba vacuum and mop for your home.
Our Top Picks
| Preview | Product | Best | Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum & Mop | Best Budget Friendly | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo AutoWash | Best High End | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying | Best Overall | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo AutoWash | Best for Deep Cleaning | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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iRobot Roomba Plus 404 Combo AutoWash | Best for Smart Home | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
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iRobot Roomba Combo i5 Robot Vacuum | Best Mid Range | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
Best Roomba Vacuum And Mop Review
iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum & Mop
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Unlock a new level of effortless floor care with the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential, a versatile 2-in-1 solution designed to tackle everyday dirt. This model features a powerful 4-Stage Cleaning System that vacuums and mops simultaneously, complete with a dedicated edge brush to capture dust hiding along baseboards. Its straightforward setup and intuitive app make it incredibly easy to get started, addressing the common frustration of complex smart home device integration right out of the box.
Navigating your home is handled methodically as the Roomba Combo Essential moves in neat, efficient rows, guided by smart sensors that help it avoid obstacles and stairs. It effectively manages multi-surface cleaning, switching between vacuuming and mopping hard floors. With up to 120 minutes of runtime and automatic recharging, this robot ensures consistent cleaning coverage, though its navigation is less sophisticated than models employing LiDAR or cameras.
Positioned as an excellent entry point into robot vacuum and mop combos, the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential offers core functionality without the premium features found in higher-end models like the iRobot Roomba Combo i5. While it lacks advanced mapping features like room-specific cleaning or obstacle recognition, its simple operation and reliable combo cleaning make it ideal for users seeking basic automation. It provides solid value for its feature set compared to more expensive counterparts.
iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo AutoWash
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Experience the pinnacle of automated floor cleaning with the iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo, a powerhouse engineered for the most demanding homes. This model boasts 70x more suction than base models alongside innovative DualClean Mop Pads that extend for enhanced edge coverage and employ SmartScrub for aggressive stain removal. PrecisionVision AI and ClearView Pro LiDAR navigation work in tandem to expertly map your home and actively identify and avoid common household obstacles like cords and pet waste, providing unparalleled peace of mind.
Performance is exceptional, with the iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo intelligently adapting to different surfaces, including automatically lifting its mop pads when sensing carpet. The included AutoWash Dock is a game-changer, offering up to 75 days of automatic dustbin emptying and handling the tedious task of washing and drying the mop pads after each run for continuous readiness. While its advanced features come at a higher investment, they significantly reduce manual intervention.
Compared to models like the iRobot Roomba Combo j5+, which also avoids pet waste, the Roomba Plus 505 Combo elevates convenience with its comprehensive AutoWash Dock, eliminating the need for manual mop pad maintenance. This makes it the ultimate solution for large homes, busy families, or anyone who desires the most hands-off cleaning experience possible. Its feature set and self-sufficiency represent a significant step up in automated cleaning technology.
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Simplify your cleaning routine dramatically with the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+, a versatile 2-in-1 robot that handles both vacuuming and mopping with intelligent efficiency. Featuring a powerful 4-Stage Cleaning System with unique Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes ideal for pet hair, this robot pulls in everyday dirt and debris with ease. The standout feature is the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, allowing the robot to empty its own vacuum bin for up to 60 days, drastically reducing how often you interact with messy dustbins.
This robot learns your home to create an Imprint Smart Map, enabling targeted cleaning by room or zone, offering a level of control missing in simpler models. While it efficiently vacuums and mops hard floors by switching bins, it requires manual bin swapping to transition between vacuum-only and vacuum-and-mop modes, unlike robots that lift their pads. Dirt Detect Technology helps it focus extra effort on the grimiest areas for a more thorough clean where needed most.
Positioned as a strong contender for overall value, the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ offers the highly sought-after self-emptying feature found in premium models but at a more accessible point than the iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo. It provides smart mapping and reliable combo cleaning, making it an excellent choice for users who want automated vacuuming with self-emptying and the option for occasional mopping without the highest-end features or dock convenience of washing pads. It strikes a solid balance between automation, performance, and cost.
iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo AutoWash
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Achieve a deep clean with remarkable convenience using the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo, a robot designed to aggressively tackle tough messes while minimizing user effort. This model delivers 70x more suction and employs spinning DualClean Mop Pads with SmartScrub technology to provide 2x deeper scrubbing compared to standard mopping, applying downward pressure to lift stubborn stains. Its ClearView LiDAR navigation ensures rapid home mapping and efficient cleaning in neat rows, even in low light conditions.
Real-world performance is enhanced by the robot’s ability to vacuum, mop, or perform both tasks, with intuitive mop pads that automatically lift when sensing carpet to prevent wetting. The included AutoWash Dock is a significant convenience, offering up to 75 days of automatic dirt disposal and handling the washing and drying of the mop pads. This ensures the robot is always ready for the next cleaning session without requiring manual pad maintenance.
Targeting users prioritizing deep cleaning and convenience, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo stands out with its aggressive scrubbing action and the full AutoWash Dock, differentiating it from models like the iRobot Roomba Combo 105 Combo which uses SmartScrub but lacks the automated pad washing/drying. While it doesn’t feature the AI obstacle avoidance of the 505 series, its combination of powerful suction, effective scrubbing, LiDAR mapping, and the comprehensive dock offers exceptional deep cleaning value and automation.
iRobot Roomba Plus 404 Combo AutoWash
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Step into smart, automated cleaning with the iRobot Roomba 105 Combo, a robot engineered for efficient navigation and seamless floor transitions. Equipped with 70X more Power-Lifting Suction and a 4-Stage Cleaning System including SmartScrub for deeper mopping, this robot effectively captures dirt and leaves hard floors sparkling. Its key innovation is the ability to automatically detect and avoid carpets while mopping, eliminating the need for complex no-mop zone setup in the app, a significant convenience for homes with mixed flooring.
The iRobot Roomba 105 Combo utilizes ClearView LiDAR navigation to quickly map your home and clean methodically in neat rows, ensuring comprehensive coverage day or night. It offers flexible cleaning modes (vac only, mop only, combo) and customizable settings for suction and water flow. The included AutoEmpty Dock provides the convenience of up to 75 days of hands-free vacuuming by automatically emptying the dustbin into a sealed bag.
Positioned as a smart choice for homes with carpets and hard floors, the iRobot Roomba 105 Combo offers a crucial feature – automatic carpet avoidance during mopping – that distinguishes it from models like the iRobot Roomba Combo i5 which requires manual no-mop zones. While it shares the self-emptying capability with the i5+, its LiDAR navigation and carpet sensing make it a more intelligent option for complex layouts, offering a high level of automation and convenience without the premium price of models with advanced AI or mop pad washing docks.
iRobot Roomba Combo i5 Robot Vacuum
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Discover straightforward convenience in a 2-in-1 package with the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, a practical robot designed to handle everyday vacuuming and mopping tasks. This model features a powerful 4-Stage Cleaning System with Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes effective at capturing dirt and pet hair across different floor types. Its core strength lies in its ability to perform both wet and dry cleaning simply by swapping between the standard vacuum bin and the specialized Roomba Combo Bin.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 learns your home to create an Imprint Smart Map, allowing you to direct it to clean specific rooms or zones, providing more control than basic robots. It utilizes Dirt Detect Technology to focus extra cleaning effort on dirtier areas. While it offers the convenience of vacuuming and mopping with one machine, transitioning between modes requires manually changing the bin, and it does not automatically avoid carpets while mopping, requiring manual setup of No Mop Zones in the app.
As a mid-range option, the iRobot Roomba Combo i5 provides smart mapping and the flexibility of 2-in-1 cleaning at a more accessible point than its self-emptying counterpart, the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+. It’s an excellent choice for users who want smart navigation and the ability to vacuum and mop using the same robot, but don’t require automated bin emptying or advanced features like automatic carpet avoidance found in the iRobot Roomba 105 Combo. It offers solid performance and mapping capabilities for its class.
How to Choose the Right Roomba Vacuum & Mop
When considering a Roomba that both vacuums and mops, several key features determine how well it will meet your needs. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:
Suction Power & Cleaning System
The core of any good robot vacuum is its ability to pick up dirt. Look for models advertising strong suction – many Roomba models boast “70x more suction” compared to older models. However, pay attention to how that suction is delivered. A 4-Stage Cleaning System (found in many models) is a good indicator, as it typically includes edge-sweeping brushes, multi-surface rubber brushes (better for pet hair!), and strong suction. Higher-end models often include features like “SmartScrub” which add downward pressure for deeper cleaning, particularly useful for stuck-on messes. More suction and a better cleaning system mean a more thorough clean, reducing the need for manual vacuuming.
Mapping & Navigation Technology
How a Roomba navigates your home dramatically impacts its efficiency. Basic models use random bounce patterns, while more advanced models employ LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or similar technologies. LiDAR creates a precise map of your home, allowing the Roomba to clean in neat, methodical rows and avoid obstacles. Imprint Smart Mapping (featured in some models) takes this further, letting you designate specific rooms for cleaning, create “keep-out zones,” and even name your rooms for targeted voice commands. Better navigation means more complete coverage and less wasted time.
Mopping Functionality & Water Control
The mopping feature varies significantly between models. A simple mop pad dragging behind the vacuum is a starting point, but look for systems with more control. Features like a micro-pump controlling water flow ensure the mop pad stays consistently damp (not soaking wet) and evenly distributes cleaning solution. Some models offer adjustable water levels to suit different floor types. DualClean Mop Pads also improve coverage. Automatic pad washing and drying (found in high-end models) are huge conveniences, eliminating the chore of manual cleaning.
Smart Features & App Control
Most modern Roombas connect to Wi-Fi and are controlled through the iRobot Home App. Essential features include scheduling, the ability to start/stop cleaning remotely, and cleaning history. More advanced features include voice assistant compatibility (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri), personalized cleaning recommendations, and the ability to target specific rooms or areas. Consider your comfort level with technology and how much control you want over the cleaning process.
Automatic Dirt Disposal (Self-Emptying Base)
Some Roomba models come with a self-emptying base. This is a significant convenience, as it allows the robot to automatically empty its dustbin into a larger, sealed bag in the base. This reduces how often you need to empty the robot, and is especially helpful for pet owners or those with allergies. The capacity of the base varies, with some holding up to 60 days of debris.
Roomba Vacuum & Mop Comparison
| Feature | iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum & Mop (Budget Friendly) | iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo AutoWash (High End) | iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying (Overall) | iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo AutoWash (Deep Cleaning) | iRobot Roomba Plus 404 Combo AutoWash (Smart Home) | iRobot Roomba Combo i5 Robot Vacuum (Mid Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Budget Friendly | High End | Best Overall | Best for Deep Cleaning | Best for Smart Home | Best Mid Range |
| Suction Power | Not specified | 70x more suction (vs. Roomba 600 series) | 4-Stage Cleaning System | 70x more suction (vs. Roomba 600 series) | 70x more power-lifting suction | 4-Stage Cleaning System |
| Mopping Features | Built-in mop with micro pump, 3 water levels | DualClean Mop Pads with PerfectEdge, SmartScrub | Specialized microfiber pad | Spinning DualClean Mop Pads, SmartScrub (2x deeper scrubbing) | Automatically avoids carpets while mopping | Vacuum & Mop conversion, microfiber pad |
| Smart Mapping/Navigation | Smart navigation, sensors to avoid obstacles | ClearView Pro LiDAR, PrecisionVision AI Technology | Imprint Smart Map | ClearView LiDAR | ClearView LiDAR | Imprint Smart Map |
| Self-Emptying | No | 75 days auto-emptying | Up to 60 days (with Clean Base) | 75 days auto-emptying | No | Optional with Clean Base (up to 60 days) |
| App Control | iRobot Home App (scheduling, Clean Map) | Roomba Home App (custom cleaning, zones) | iRobot Home App (room selection, schedules) | Roomba Home App (custom routines, filter health) | iRobot Home App (custom clean, keep-out zones) | iRobot Home App (room selection, schedules) |
| Voice Assistant Compatibility | No | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant |
Data-Driven Roomba Selection: Testing & Analysis
Choosing the best Roomba vacuum and mop requires moving beyond marketing claims. Our analysis focuses on objective data and user feedback to identify top performers. We’ve analyzed thousands of customer reviews across major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, iRobot’s website) using sentiment analysis tools to gauge real-world satisfaction with suction power, mopping effectiveness, and overall reliability.
Comparative performance data, sourced from independent testing sites like RTINGS.com and Consumer Reports, is key. These sites rigorously test Roomba models for dirt pickup on various floor types (hardwood, carpet, tile), obstacle avoidance, and battery life. We prioritize models demonstrating consistently high scores in these areas.
Furthermore, we examined the prevalence of reported issues (e.g., mapping errors, software glitches) within user communities (Reddit, iRobot support forums) to assess long-term durability and potential pain points. The advanced features, like Imprint Smart Mapping and self-emptying bases, are also evaluated based on user reports regarding their functionality and convenience – weighing the cost against the perceived benefit. Correlation between features (e.g., suction power and cleaning system type) and positive user reviews helps determine the most impactful specifications for a truly effective robot vacuum and mop.
FAQs
What is Imprint Smart Mapping and why is it useful?
Imprint Smart Mapping allows your Roomba vacuum and mop to learn the layout of your home, creating a map you can use to designate specific cleaning zones, establish “keep-out” areas, and control cleaning via voice commands. This results in more targeted and efficient cleaning.
How important is suction power when choosing a Roomba?
Suction power is crucial for effective dirt and debris removal. Look for models advertising strong suction, ideally with a 4-Stage Cleaning System. Higher suction power, combined with the right brush types, means a more thorough clean and less need for manual vacuuming.
What should I look for in a Roomba’s mopping functionality?
Beyond a simple mop pad, prioritize models with controlled water flow – a micro-pump is ideal. Adjustable water levels are also beneficial for different floor types. Features like DualClean Mop Pads and automatic pad washing add convenience and improve cleaning performance for your Roomba vacuum and mop.
Are self-emptying bases worth the extra cost?
Self-emptying bases significantly reduce maintenance, as they automatically empty the robot’s dustbin into a larger bag. This is especially useful for pet owners or allergy sufferers, minimizing contact with dust and debris and extending the time between manual emptying.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, selecting the best Roomba vacuum and mop depends on your individual needs and budget. From basic models offering convenient cleaning to high-end options with advanced mapping and self-emptying capabilities, iRobot provides a diverse range of solutions to simplify floor care.
Consider your home’s layout, floor types, and cleaning priorities when making your decision. Investing in features like Imprint Smart Mapping and a robust cleaning system will deliver a consistently cleaner home with minimal effort, making a Roomba a worthwhile addition to your smart home ecosystem.