iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop

A Premium Robot Cleaner That Plays It Safe

The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ sits squarely in premium territory at £799.99, promising to handle both vacuuming and mopping duties with the sort of refined intelligence we've come to expect from the brand that essentially invented robot vacuums. After living with this machine for several weeks, it's clear iRobot has prioritised reliability and user experience over flashy specifications – but that approach comes with trade-offs.

Design and Build Quality

The j9+ feels reassuringly solid, with that distinctive iRobot build quality that suggests it'll survive years of daily bumps and scrapes. The matte black finish resists fingerprints better than glossy alternatives, though it's hardly what you'd call exciting to look at.

The real design triumph here is the retractable mopping system. Unlike cheaper combo units that drag soggy pads across your carpets, the j9+ automatically lifts its mopping pad onto the robot's top when it detects carpet. This seemingly simple feature works brilliantly in practice – I've watched it transition seamlessly from mopping kitchen tiles to vacuuming the adjacent living room rug without missing a beat.

The Clean Base Auto-Empty dock is substantial but not obnoxiously large. The 60-day debris capacity claim holds true for average-sized homes, though pet owners with shedding dogs might find themselves changing bags more frequently.

Performance: Solid Rather Than Spectacular

Vacuuming performance is competent across all surface types. The 3-stage cleaning system handles everyday debris well, from cereal crumbs to pet hair, though it's not quite as aggressive as some competitors. On thick carpets, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra noticeably outperforms it for deep cleaning, despite costing £300 more.

The 65dB noise level is mercifully quiet – you can easily hold conversations while it's running, unlike some cheaper alternatives that sound like jet engines.

Where the j9+ really shines is mopping. The Smart Scrub mode genuinely works on dried coffee spills and muddy paw prints, applying enough pressure and back-and-forth motion to tackle stuck-on mess. The 210ml water tank provides enough capacity for my 80-square-meter ground floor without refilling.

Battery life of 120 minutes is adequate but unremarkable. Larger homes will require multiple cleaning sessions, though the robot intelligently returns to base for charging before resuming where it left off.

Navigation and Intelligence

PrecisionVision Navigation combined with iAdapt 3.0 creates impressively detailed floor maps. The j9+ navigates methodically in neat rows rather than the seemingly random patterns of cheaper models. Obstacle avoidance is genuinely excellent – it successfully identified and avoided charging cables, shoes, and yes, pet waste (though thankfully we didn't test that particular feature extensively).

The iRobot OS learns your home's layout and cleaning preferences over time. After a fortnight, it started suggesting optimal cleaning schedules based on our usage patterns. These personalised recommendations feel genuinely useful rather than gimmicky.

App control through the iRobot Home app is intuitive, with detailed cleaning maps, customisable room-by-room cleaning, and reliable scheduling. Integration with Alexa and Google Assistant works flawlessly – "Hey Google, clean the kitchen" just works.

Value Against the Competition

This is where things get tricky for the j9+. At £799.99, you're paying a premium for the iRobot brand and proven reliability. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T30S Combo offers similar functionality for £150 less, while the Eufy X10 Pro Omni costs £250 less and includes features like heated air drying that the j9+ lacks entirely.

Conversely, spending £300 more on the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra nets you superior suction power, self-cleaning mop pads, and a more comprehensive base station. The j9+ occupies an awkward middle ground where it's neither the budget-conscious choice nor the feature-packed flagship.

The 60-day auto-empty capacity is genuinely convenient, though it's become standard at this price point. What sets iRobot apart is software refinement and long-term support – this robot will likely receive firmware updates for years, unlike some Chinese competitors that abandon products after 18 months.

Final Verdict

The Roomba Combo j9+ executes its core functions well without any major flaws. The retractable mopping system works brilliantly, navigation is precise, and build quality inspires confidence. However, at £800, it feels like you're paying a significant premium for the reassurance of the iRobot name rather than cutting-edge features.

If you value proven reliability, excellent customer support, and software that actually improves over time, the j9+ justifies its price. But if you want the latest bells and whistles or simply the best cleaning performance per pound, competitors offer better value.

This is a safe, sensible choice that will serve most households well for years – just don't expect to be wowed by innovation at this price point.