iRobot Roomba Combo j5 Robot Vacuum and Mop - Graphite

The Roomba Combo j5 is the next evolution in robot vacuum technology. While it definitely looks and feels like a sidegrade or maybe even a step backwards aesthetically compared to the older i or s series vacuums, there’s a few key improvements on the j series that bring Roomba to the next level of home robot vacuum technology. First off, the biggest difference is that the j5 now has a combo vacuum and mop functionality. I bought the Braava jet m6 to pair with my s9+ a few years ago and honestly it was a huge disappointment. Not only did it do just an average job of “mopping”, it struggled mightily with thresholds. The Roomba j5 does a much better job of handling thresholds by placing the mop component on the back of the unit so the wheels pull it and raise up so the unit doesn’t get stuck on a threshold. There’s also a different combo tank that needs to be used for wet/dry functionality. Overall the mop function works pretty well, but it’s not as good as a dedicated floor mop that you push around obviously. Another major update is that the j5 no longer does the “random” pattern when it cleans, it more reliably cleans in an organized row and grid fashion which I know was a common complaint on previous Roombas. It still got things clean, but I guess people were just put-off by the unpredictability of the pattern in which older Roombas like my s9+ would clean. In that same vein, the j5 uses different technology for collision and object detection. It seems to be much more reliant on its camera, requiring lights to work properly, where older Roombas would just bump into stuff to map out a floor and then remember and go from there. It does seem to negotiate objects and furniture better, and also seems to use some kind of AI for image/collision recognition over time. The iRobot Home app has always been stellar and it’s been updated and still stands out as industry leading. I was able to detect and set-up my j5 quickly, although it failed 2x the default method it was able to use the 3rd “Let’s try another way” and quickly connected using my iPhone 15 Pro Max. After that, it asked to import my existing floor maps and I was off and running with at least a starting layout for the j5. As for the j5 itself, I do wish I got the cleaning/filling base so I don’t have to deal with cleaning the unit myself. I really love the self-emptying base on all the various vacuums I have that have it and also with my s9+. Also, the higher-end j units also have the ability to fully retract the mop head to get them out of the way to transition between hard surfaces and rugs/carpets, so that is something to consider. Lastly, like I mentioned, the unit doesn’t feel as premium as my s9+ but maybe because it’s only the mid-line j5. For someone who wants the best, consider getting the j9+ with emptying base. The cleaning features of these Roombas are great if you run them consistently and clean up big messes as they happen. They’re great if you have kids and pets and help keep your spaces tidy, as long as you maintain them and replace the parts out as needed.

I am delighted to share my review of this Romba Combo j5 Robot Vacuum and Mop in graphite color. To start with, the looks are elegant and are on a similar line as the previous ones. What's in the box 1 Roomba Robot Vacuum 1 Home Base Charging Station 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter 1 Extra side brush 1 Roomba Combo Bin 1 Mopping Pad 1 Drip Tray It took some time to charge, I think it was ready to use while being charged overnight. My first-floor living area is about 900 sq feet and it took about 90 mins to vacuum the entire space which included some halts. The cleaning bins and drip tray are small but given the size of the Romba, I do not expect it to be bigger than what these are at the moment. So as a result, these needs to take care of frequently. This is designed to operate both as a vacuum and a mopping solution with a simple switch of a bin. It is easy to switch and just takes a few seconds to change over. So this not only picks up the dirt and debris but can easily clean the footprints or dust while being used as a mop. Its AI feature is quite advanced and can easily identify what needs to be cleaned and what things to avoid. This navigates through items like cords, backpacks, pet toys, pet bowls, kitty litter boxes, clothes, towels, pet waste, socks, shoes, cats, and dogs. As it advertises, it is worry-free cleaning! Not just these, it can stay clear of the pet waste. My kids' school bags and stuff like shoes, and lunch bags are generally all around the living area but this doesn't bump into those. It gently touches the items and bounces back to get back what it does best which is cleaning. Although I do not have a pet it offers to replace it with a new Romba in case it doesn't stay clear of the pet waste. Coming to creating the map zones, once I did the mapping all it did was stay true to it. It cleaned the areas that were in scope and avoided the ones that were not mapped. The app lets me schedule the cleaning based on the room names, or by number of times I need it to vacuum. The impressive thing is its integration with voice operating devices like Alexa. This is a game changer as I do not need to go to the vacuum to turn it on or use the app to initiate the cleaning, a simple voice command is enough. Overall, this is certainly an upgrade on top of earlier models and is quite impressive with the included features.

The IRobot works great! It was easy to assemble and the mapping was very simple. I had an issue with it not charging one day but I read the directions on the app on troubleshooting, and I was able to get it going again. It was a simple fix! It cleans well, sometimes it will leave stuff behind but for the most part it does good job. It does a good job mopping, I am pretty satisfied with that. I would definitely recommend it.

I have tested several robot vacuums from varying manufacturers in the last few years, and the iRobot vacuums continue to be the gold standard for me. They work right out of the box with virtually no software or mechanical issues. The J5 is a step up from my I6 adding vacuum/mopping capability. Set-up was as easy as unboxing, set-up the base/charging station and set vacuum on base to charge. Since I already had the I6 the app was already installed on my phone, so I selected adding another vacuum and it walked me through connecting it to wifi, naming vacuum, etc. An unexpected option popped up asking if I wanted to import the map the I6 had been using, which I decided to do (hoping to save time not having to map the house - again). After adding the J5 the app gave me the option to run either the I6 or J5, using drop down menu – each with its own map and settings. I went to edit the J5 map to add no mop zones and noticed a couple of issues that I had forgotten about with the I6 mapping. So, I decided to map the house using J5 –in the hope it might resolve those issues. I was not disappointed as it did indeed map the house more accurately and was easier to edit as well. After mapping the house you should edit the map to set no go zones, change/add/delete room dividers and especially to name the rooms. As far as using just the vacuum, the J5 design allows it to fit nicely under all my furniture. While cleaning it has no wasted motion, has a simple to empty dustbin, good run times (about 90 minutes) and reasonable charge times (about 90 minutes). It doesn’t get stuck nor flip over small area rugs, etc. My I6 completes the job 99% of the time and I expect nothing less from the J5. Before trying the vacuum/mopping function I needed to edit the house map to add no mop zones. I only needed to add the large area rug in the living room as well as circular rug in entryway. Any room with carpet I just don’t select to be mopped. Mopping is easy just fill mop bin with water/cleaning solution, attach pad, insert into vacuum and you are ready to select area(s) to mop using app. There is no way to set water usage, nor does it monitor when empty, so you have to guess. As far as mopping it did a creditable job getting rid of footprints and any non-sticky areas and not having to vacuum before running is very nice. I found having it run twice over area helped a lot. But you will still need to do spot checks after it completes. Also make sure you remove mop bin after completion, empty it and allow mop pad to dry. Another nice function is if you move the base to another area in the house the map will update the base’s new position – you don’t have to remap the entire house. After each run you get an alert that it has completed. The history option in app gives detailed account of each run – such as total run time, highlights areas cleaned (green), charging time, sq ft cleaned as well as pictures of “obstacles” it encountered during run. It is very useful to determine what rooms you have or have not cleaned recently when not cleaning all rooms. It also keeps a history of number of jobs, total run time and footage cleaned. I know from using I6 that it will also alert you to any components needing replaced (side brush, rollers, etc.). You can create a schedule for robot to run. By using “favorites” you can name and set up multiple schedules. I manually clean certain rooms I don’t use a schedule. Noise while running is comparable to other robots I have used. I did have to turn up the volume of the TV while it was cleaning that room. Remote access works well. I have started it from car (wife driving) and from sons home across town. To help check that it was cleaning room specified I selected room that had a security camera that I could monitor live. 1-year warranty. It comes with an extra side brush and filter. Would have been nice to have another mop pad included as well. Cannot set suction level. Can only set room size or have it do 1 or 2 runs. For carpeted areas I do 2 runs and as mentioned I would recommend doing 2 when mopping as seems to help clean much better. Can’t set flow of water when mopping nor can you tell if water is out. Overall, another winner from iRobot. This is my 3rd robot to test from them and each has worked well and each one has gotten better over previous model(s). If you are looking for a low maintenance robot that you can feel comfortable leaving running knowing that it will complete the job – this is one you will want to consider. I recommend it.

This is review of Roomba Combo j5 Robot Vacuum & Mop in Graphite color. At glance at core of the vacuum’s purpose, it does clean well. Its robot aspect does good support to map, avoid objects while cleaning, returning to the base. The package includes: 1. The vacuum itself 2. Base Charging Station 3. Filter 4. Sweeping Brush (1 extra) 5. Combo Bin 6. Drip Tray 7. Microfiber Mopping Pad 8. Line Cord. How long take to charge the battery to full: I couldn’t find information of how long take, but from the usage, it took 1hr 24 min to fully charged. How long take to vacuum (data from the usage and from the App): A) With Bin for Sweeping Only: 1 Hour 6 Min to cover area of 822 ft2 B) With Mopping Bin: 1 Hour 55 Min with 47 Min and covered 769 ft2 C) With Bin for Sweeping Only: 25 Min to cover area of 191 ft2. As side note, in some cases, it has Pause time that I couldn’t notice how it work but it add to the total time. How often the bin need to be emptied: The Bin is small that depending on how dirt is the space, it can fill very fast needing manually empty. From the application can set the option to continue working or stop and return to the base. Using the combo bin to mop and vacuum, does it stop if it run out of water: No. The vacuum using combo bin, it mop and vacuum. As it continue picking up on dirt, if the water bin is empty, it does following: 1. It continue and from the Application doesn’t have any option to control either to pause and return to the base 2. From the application can’t have visibility to the level of water either how much remain or if it has emptied such manually to pause and fill the tank. What type of functionality includes via App: 1. Scheduling by Time, By Room and frequency 2. Map First Only function which allow to perform mapping only which is faster process. 3. Map while Vacuum 4. Edit label of the mapped rooms. 5. History 6. Add specific room names to Favorite dashboard allowing to Start from main screen What does well from short time of usage: 1. Avoiding obstacle does work but sometime sort of not. In some cases, observed the vacuum avoided a doll on the floor. But it didn’t a shopping bag in the square shape. It did what does when approach a wall that is softly touch and bounce back. 2. Touching the wall or furniture: as mentioned above it touch sort of soft way and bounce back. Compared to other brand that sort of crash and damage furniture, j5 does bit better. 3. Human input to improve object recognition. Once it complete, via application checking the result, it ask to confirm either objects found during the process are temporary, or object to avoid then update to the database as optional. 4. Emptying the bin is bit easier compared to other brand. As it place for charging, the bin side stay at front opposed to the charging center. This help not having remove the entire vacuum in order remove the bin and place back. 5. Easy to set from app to start the vacuum a specific area. It does cover only that specified room name and return to the base. 6. Easy to specify which part of area not to vacuum or not to mop. This only work if the room name is well defined from the mapped area. What doesn’t work well: 1. The bin is too small hence it is for short space or space with not much of dirt to pick up, small space to mop. Hence if use case is opposite or largely bigger, j5 is not for those who leave the house for work and comeback at night, as the vacuum wouldn’t have completed covering entire area. 2. The mapping doesn’t work well in the beginning or first couple of run. In the completed work, it include map option to see covered area. But it is not shown until after several run. 3. A bit noisy, but after having used two different brands with same issue, it seems universal subject. But this affect for those if work from home that require online meeting and attempt to clean the house. To conclude, it does well vacuuming as robot. It has power for pickup dirts and mop well directed via App. It does recognize obstacles reasonably ok. But for being a vacuum without self emptying base, it is not for every use case and limit to users with small space or who reasonably maintain clean such doesn’t need to pick up too much dirt that full the bin fast. Then the human input to improve object recognition, depending on preference might not be helpful as require to monitor constantly the result and manually intervene which is bit opposite to the idea of robot and automation. So it is recommendable but for specific users base space and cleaning habit.

The iRobot j5 vacuum and mop works better than other robotic mopping devices that I have owned. It is designed with two interchangeable bins, one for when you want to vacuum only and the other for when you wish to vacuum and mop. The robot is sophisticated enough that it seems to learn quickly, and it has been designed with reactive sensors that tell it to avoid stairs, a ‘dirt detect’ sensor that directs it to give more intensive cleaning to dirtier areas, and ‘precision vision navigation’ that directs it away from pet accidents, electrical cords, etc. It starts by mapping out neat rows, going around furniture, and creating various maps of the different spaces with your home. It avoids electrical outlets but navigates thresholds well. It has a camera on board that helps it detect, learn, and store the information of all areas for which it will be directed to perform vacuum and mopping tasks. The camera and sensors tell the iRobot to give more attention to the dirties areas, and when the battery runs down it will navigate itself back to the docking station and recharge. A full recharge takes about 2 hours and lasts approximately 75 minutes. The vacuum is designed with 4-stage cleaning that works primarily by starting with the built-in edge brush which pulls the dirt underneath the device and toward the roller brushes where the suction, especially over carpeted areas, takes over and deep cleans the carpet pile. These four stages are the edge-sweeping brush, dual multi-surface rubber brushes, powerful suction, and mopping. It is also designed with a high-efficiency filter that can capture and trap 99% of cat and dog allergens. If hardwoods or tiles need moping, then the alternate bin can vacuum and mop at the same time. This bin has the capability of being filled with various cleaning floor products depending on whether your floor is tile, porcelain, wood, etc. There is another attachment that can be purchased separately or packaged with the product and sold as J5+ Combo. This extra attachment is really a different docking station that Roomba refers to as a Clean Base. The Clean Base is designed to automatically empty the dust bin by sucking it clean when the iRobot docks. It does not work with the Combo Bin, but it works with the Vacuum Bin and can handle up to 60 days’ worth of dirt in a dust free manner. There is a much bigger financial saving when the Clean Base is purchased with the iRobot J5 unit than there is when it is purchased separately, especially when the items are on sale. The vacuum robot automatically downloads new software and with the interchangeable Combo Bin, it will vacuum and mop. The app helps you designate certain areas or through the app you can command a whole house cleaning. It can also be controlled vocally by using either Alexa or Google Assistant. With the app, schedules can be created, keep-out zones established, and complete mapped areas of the whole house, or designated areas that are room by room are created. I would recommend the iRobot J5 Combo if you were looking for a robotic vacuum because it has this additional mopping feature. If you can afford the clean dock station and purchase the iRobot j5 Combo as the iRobot J5+ Combo, then I would probably do so. The self-dumping of the vacuum bin is an appealing feature, especially since it can store up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and eliminates dust over having to manually dump the vacuum bin. There is a 1-year warranty on the product.

There is a lot of good things to say about this Robot vacuum-cleaner Romba J5 combo (vacuum+mop). Mop put aside this is a very inteligent vacuum robot! Sensors, camera and sensors again. It even has an adjustable flashlight! So the robot it's self it's well built with a nice graphite finish and surprisingly light weight. Suction power it's not the strongest out there but the V shaped roller makes up for it and i'm telling you this picks up dirt like a champ! The mop part of it well i find it still in it's inception so not much to say about it. While i like the fact that you can attach the mop bin and the robot will do both Vacuum + Mop in the same time i wouldn't use it too much for the mop part. It's ok to wipe the floor but you have to find a way to really mop your floors. On the App/Ai/obstacle avoidance and Auto-detection this Romba j5 it does shine bright! I think it's the best robot cleaner i ever encountered so far! It's fast and does an excelent job at detecting objects returning to base etc! Make sure BEFORE you start cleaning to commence a full charge on it (aprox.1 hr /20min in my case) then attaching the vacuum bin(it does it faster this way) RUN A MAPPING on your area (2 TIMES) it will bang and be a little chaotic till it registers everything but then when you send it to actual clean, it's the only way to get the most out of it! It will automatically define your rooms but you can change that and i recomand you do so and draw the lines where you have hallways, rooms, kitchen etc. and you will enjoy it much more. The App it's very user friendly and i recommend you explore it, it has a lot of customizations and they all help for a better experience!

The iRobot Roomba Combo j5 Robot Vacuum & Mop is the first time I have tried this type of vacuum and I am so glad I got to experience the difference it makes. In the past I had always looked for great rated vacuum cleaners that were dependable and easy to use. I viewed having to vacuum the whole house as a major chore instead of an easy automated process that a robot vacuum could do instead. When I received the iRobot Roomba J5 I was surprised at the size of the machine since I expected it to be smaller than a frisbee by the online photos I had viewed. In person when I unboxed it, I was impressed with the bigger size and the high-quality materials that were seen on the device. It only took a few minutes to do the initial setup for the J5 so that it could start charging and gave me time to download the iRobot Home App for my phone. I was then able to scan the QR code on the device and it walked me through the steps needed after it was activated. The unit I received did not come with a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal so I had to install the drip tray under the charging station to catch any water as the machine would come and go to do any mopping runs. I liked the fact that the J5 combo came with a mopping bin and a regular vacuum bin so you could have more space for liquid on mopping chores and for debris on the vacuum only runs. The most time-consuming part of the setup process was taking the time out to allow the iRobot Roomba J5 to do mapping runs to be able to setup the areas you wanted to personalize for the vacuum to focus on for mopping, create no mopping zones, and even name the different zones in your home to your own liking. I later had more time and started creating some favorite programs which gave me the option to have the vacuum work on certain areas that had the most traffic and to leave other areas alone to save more time. I also liked the fact that I was able to use Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant for voice commands, and made the verbal shortcuts that worked best for my home. The best part of the whole experience of having Roomba J5 up and working was being shocked at how many times it filled up the bin with lint and debris. The whole home had been totally vacuumed with the prior upright vacuum a couple weeks prior and had no expectation of the new one finding so much debris. I then realized how powerful the suction was on the J5 and was very happy to have it cleaning all areas that I thought were still clean. The not as great part of the whole process was the mopping feature since it was able to disperse water or cleaning fluid, but it does not have the ability to remove tougher stains since it is just a microfiber pad that it on the unit and does not continue to run over a bad area until it is clean. I was hoping the app on my phone would alert me if it was low on fluid or if it encountered an area, it could not clean easily, but it is not that good yet. Overall, the J5 does a great job of keeping the floors in the house clean and I liked being able to schedule the cleaning that was convenient for me. Now that I have made the change to a robot vacuum there is no going back to traditional vacuums.

I've been using this robot for a few months it's working very well. First vacuum robot with map so I'm very happy with my purchase