With the Roomba Combo j5+ and i5+, iRobot continues to recycle its catalog to offer 2-in-1 robots

If he has long deplored their lack of efficiency, iRobot seems in any case convinced of the commercial potential of 2-in-1 robots and is trying to catch up on this segment. It is now launching two new models to support the Roomba Combo j7 and i8. Or almost, since they do not seem totally new. The Roomba Combo j5+ and i5+ are more like revised versions of the Roomba j7+ and i5+. To save time, the American therefore continues to recycle its existing models, as it did for the Roomba Combo i8, which should allow it to save a little in R&D to offer relatively affordable robots.

New tank for a new life

The Roomba Combo j5+ uses the chassis and features of the Roomba j7+, while adding a washing function. To do this, the robot simply comes with a new dust bin that can accommodate a mop, and water to moisten it. In return, this deprives the user of the automatic emptying available with the Clean Base charging station, the business card of the “+” robots. iRobot therefore also provides the Roomba Combo j5+ with the Roomba j7+ bin and you will have to juggle between the two as needed, as for the Roomba Combo i8+.

If you have carpets, the classic dustbin is also better for vacuuming them without getting them wet. This is all the difference with the Roomba Combo j7+, which remains the only one at iRobot to be able to raise and lower its mop on the fly. The two models are therefore not to be confused, even if they also share many features, in particular the recognition of obstacles thanks to artificial intelligence associated with a camera on the front. The latter also allows robots to map the house and both have also inherited the double brush from the Roomba j7+ and its side brush.

The Roomba Combo i5+ follows the same pattern by providing a washing function to the Roomba i5+, itself very close to the Roomba i3+. It is therefore also delivered with two interchangeable containers, one for vacuuming only, the other for vacuuming and washing, to the detriment of automatic emptying. Unlike the Roomba Combo j5+, it does not include a camera and can only rely on its gyroscope and proximity sensors to navigate and detect obstacles, but iRobot OS should still be able to use its movements to create maps. A double brush and a side brush are also provided to facilitate the suction of waste.

The Roomba Combo i5+ is already available at the recommended retail price of €699 and iRobot also offers it without the Clean Base station, for €449. The Roomba Combo j5+ should arrive in stores during the month of September. Its price has not yet been communicated, but we imagine it to be positioned between the Roomba Combo i8+ and j7+.