Roomba i5 vs. J7: Best Roomba Combo Comparison Review
Combo i5+
Combo J7+
Combo i5+
- Dimensions 13.4 inches in width x 3.6 inches high
- Weight 7 lbs
- Available colors 1 (Black/Silver)
Combo J7+
- Dimensions 13.3 inches in width x 3.4 inches high
- Weight 7.35 lbs
- Available colors 1 (Black/Silver)
Roomba Combo i5 vs. j7, how do the two Roombas compare? What are the similarities and differences? Which is the best Roomba vacuum and mop combo? If you are unsure which model to go for, this Roomba comparison review will be worthwhile.
Roomba i5 and j7 are two best-selling robot vacuums right now. The two are affordable and pack excellent cleaning performance and features. They are both hard floor cleaners that can double up as Roombas for pet hair. However, there are several differences that should inform your choice.
The main difference between Roomba Combo i5 and j7 is the mopping mechanism and autonomy. Roomba Combo j7 has an advanced mopping system and offers better mopping performance, as seen in the cleaning test results. The Combo J7 is also better in terms of navigation and mapping.
For more regarding how they compare, read along.
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The Ultimate Roomba i5 vs. j7: Similarities and Differences Explained
Roomba iCombo i5 maintains the original design of Roomba i5. It is still a round-shaped robot vacuum with a clever low-profile design.
It can pass between tight spaces easily and go under low-profile furniture such as sofas, coffee tables, beds, and the rest. The dimensions are 13.4 inches in diameter x 3.6 in height while the weight is 7 lbs.
The build quality is excellent courtesy of the premium-grade materials. We also like the aesthetic appeal of black and woven textured grey. The dock is black and boasts a minimalistic design.
Roomba j7 is not different in terms of shape and design. It is also a round-shaped robot vacuum with a compact design to allow it to pass between tight spaces such as chair legs.
It is also thin, so it can pass under low-profile furniture unrestricted. The dimensions of the Combo j7 are 13.3 inches in width x 3.4 inches high, while the weight is 7.35 lbs.
The Combo j7 can also take some abuse courtesy of the robust design. It is also visually appealing and has been finished in black and silver. The dock has a space-saving design and is black as well.
There is no winner in this round as bot robot vacuums have a round shape, compact and low profile design. The build quality and aesthetic appeal are also excellent.
Roomba Combo i5 is such a versatile robot cleaner with 2-in-1 cleaning ability. It can vacuum and mop, so you don’t need a separate mop, for example, the Braava M6.
When it comes to specialization, you can rely on it as an all-round hard floor cleaner, so whether you have hardwood, tile, vinyl, linoleum, or marble, the Combo i5 has got you covered. It is also suitable for vacuuming carpets, but the average suction limits it to light vacuuming on low and medium-pile carpets, not thick carpets and rugs.
Last, the Roomba Combo i5 is also a fantastic robot vacuum for pet hair and other pet messes, including urine stains.
There is no difference between the Roomba Combo i5 and j7 in terms of cleaning orientation. The Combo j7 is also a 2-in-1 cleaner that vacuums and mops simultaneously.
Regarding specialization, the j7 is also a good robot vacuum for hard floors, including tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, etc. You can also rely on Roomba j7 for vacuuming carpets, but like the i5, it is only good on thin carpets.
On thick carpets and rugs, the suction is not enough for a thorough vacuuming. Roomba j6 has also been specialized for pet hair and pet messes in general, including urine stains.
As far as cleaning orientation is concerned, the Roomba Combo i5 and j7 are the same. They are vacuum and mop combos for hard floors, carpets, and pet hair, so the round ends in a draw.
Under the hood, the Roomba i5+ Combo packs a 2nd Gen motor, the same one used in the other Roomba i series models. It is a single-speed motor that delivers an average of 850-950 Pa, which is 10x the power-lifting suction of the Roomba Gen 1 models.
Considering it is not a multispeed motor, don’t expect suction adjustment. When it comes to operation noise, the Roomba i5 produces an average of 65 dB.
The Roomba j7 Combo is the same as the Roomba i5 Combo in terms of vacuuming performance. It is equipped with the same 2nd Gen motor the i5 packs. The j7 delivers 850-900Pa, which is still 10x the power-lifting suction of the likes of Roomba 675 and 690, 1st Gen models.
There is no carpet boost or any form of suction adjustment, as we have seen in some models, including the Roomba S9. Operation noise averages 65 dB.
There is no winner in this round as the Roomba i5+ and j7+ pack the same motor and, consequently, deliver the same vacuuming performance as witnessed in the vacuuming test results below.
The Roomba Combo i5, as mentioned earlier, can vacuum and mop. It comes with two bins: the Standard bin for vacuuming and the Interchangeable Roomba Combo™ Bin for mopping. You will need to swap in the Interchangeable Roomba Combo™ Bin and fill it with clean water and probably a cleaning solution to mop.
Under this Interchangeable Roomba Combo™ Bin, we have a mopping pad that is responsible for scrubbing stains and embedded dirt and wiping out messes.
Unfortunately, the Roomba i5+ doesn’t detect and avoid carpets, so your only option for preventing it from wetting carpets is removing the Interchangeable Roomba Combo™ Bin and switching to the Standard bin. For the record, there is no Keep Out Zones function.
One of the differences between Roomba Combo i5 and j7 is the mopping performance. Roomba takes a totally different approach, but you can always use water and a cleaning formula.
Instead of the two bins like in the i5, there is an Auto-Retract Mopping System where the mopping pad retracts to the top when on carpets and to the bottom when on hard floors. The mopping head exerts a 1.16 lbs force, ensuring proper contact and effective mopping.
One thing we like is the Dry Rug Intelligence (DRI), a feature that detects carpets and retracts the mopping pad. You can also use Keep Out Zones to contain the robot.
Well, the Roomba Combo j7 is the winner here courtesy of the upgraded mopping mechanism and Keep Out Zones, which enable users to prevent the robot from wetting carpets. As for performance, the j7 is still ahead, as shown in the mopping test results below.
Roomba Combo i5+ is an intelligent robot vacuum guided by a SLAM navigation system dubbed iAdapt. This is the 1st Gen navigation system. It relies on sensors for obstacle and stair avoidance.
There is also a retractable bumper that absorbs impact in case it bumps into objects. For the record, the Roomba Combo i5 doesn’t have a camera.
There is also no advanced obstacle detection of containment mechanism, for example, Keep Out Zones. It does navigate accurately in low-traffic rooms, but in large high-traffic rooms, expect it to hit obstacles here and there.
Roomba Combo j7, on the other hand, deploys the latest navigation system from iRobot, iAdapot 3.0 VSLAM navigation.
It has a set of sensors for obstacle detection and preventing falls off the stairs. There is also a retractable bumper for absorbing impact. One thing we like about the j7 over the i5 is the enhanced obstacle avoidance.
The j7 comes with a real-time camera and an LED alongside PrecisionVision Technology and Reactive Sensor Technology, which make it the perfect fit for rooms with high traffic.
The Roomba Combo j7 is better than the Roomba Combo i5 in terms of navigation. The Combo j7 has a real-time camera and advanced systems for better obstacle avoidance.
The Roomba i5 may have an average navigation system, but we are glad it is a smart robot vacuum powered by Imprint Smart Mapping.
It can learn, map, and adapt to your home’s layout. It knows the kitchen, bedroom, and living room and allows you to decide where to clean and when. However, it doesn’t have features such as Targeted Zone or Object Cleaning, Keep Out Zones, and No Mop Zones.
The i5 is also an iRobot OS-powered robot vacuum, meaning personalized cleaning suggestions, Clean While I’m Away, Cleaning Time Estimates, Smart Map Coaching and Room Name Suggestions, and Quiet Drive are available.
Another difference between Roomba i5 and j7 is the mapping system. The Combo j7 is a smart mapping robot vacuum that can create and save up to 10 maps, making it ideal for homes with more than one level.
The robot follows systematic and efficient cleaning paths, ensuring that no spot is missed. Customizing cleaning is pretty easy with features such as Targeted Room Cleaning, where you can clean specific rooms, and Targeted Area Cleaning, which allows you to clean or not clean specific spots.
This is where Keep Out Zones comes in. We also have iRobot OS that leverages AI to personalize your cleaning and adds features such as Clean While I’m Away, Cleaning Time Estimates, Smart Map Coaching and Room Name Suggestions, and Quiet Drive.
Here, the Roomba Combo j7 is the ultimate deal. It comes with a smart navigation system plus a whole lot of extras for custom cleaning.
The Roomba Combo i5 is not just for vacuuming and mopping. You can also keep at bay pet-related allergens, dust mites, pollen, and other elements that can make the ambiance uncomfortable.
It is equipped with an AeroForce high-efficiency filter with 99% efficiency. This is a washable filter, so maintenance costs are lower.
Nothing is different in the Roomba Combo j7 in terms of filtration. It is also equipped with an AeroForce high-efficiency filter with a 99% efficiency.
It captures allergens, dust mites, pollen, and other elements that can trigger allergies or cause bad odor. This is also a washable filter.
There is no winner in this round. The two robot vacuums come with the same AeroForce high-efficiency filter.
The Roomba i5 Combo comes with an AeroForce Dual Multisurface Brushroll with Tangle-Free Technology. There is one brushroll for agitating dirt and another that lifts dirt ready for suctioning.
The brush effectively picks up all kinds of debris, including fine and large debris. There is also an antitangle technology that prevents the brushroll from getting jammed.
In addition to the main brush, there is a spinning side brush that extends to the wall edges and deep corners.
There is no difference between the Roomba j7 Combo and i5 Combo in terms of the brush system. The Combo j7 also comes with an AeroForce Dual Multisurface Brushroll with Tangle-Free Technology.
It is gentle on fragile floors and tough on dirt and stains. There are two brushes, one for agitation and the other for dirt liftup. If you have the long-haired breeds, don’t worry, as this is a tangle-free brush, so brushroll jamming is a thing of the past.
The main brush is assisted by a spinning side brush that reaches the deep corners and wall edges.
This round ends in a tie as the Roomba Combo i5 and Combo j7 have the same AeroForce Dual Multisurface Brushroll with Tangle-Free Technology and a spinning side brush. They offer the same performance.
Roomba Combo i5+ comes with a large onboard bin and a full bin indicator. Besides, it is a self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner that comes with the Roomba Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit. The onboard bin is emptied into the larger disposable dustbag that can hold dirt for 60 days.
Roomba j7+ Combo also comes with two bin systems. There is an onboard bin with a full bin indicator and a Roomba Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal where dirt from the onboard bin is emptied into the dustbag that can hold up to 60 days of dirt.
There is no winner here as both Roombas have an onboard bin and are self-emptying robot vacuums. They also feature the same Roomba Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal.
Roomba i5 Combo comes with a Roomba 1800mAh lithium-ion battery that offers up to 75 minutes of runtime. This is an intelligent robot vacuum that detects when power is low and recharges automatically.
Courtesy of the Auto-Recharge+ Resume function, the robot will, after recharging, complete the job from where it left off. Recharge time is 2-3 hours.
Roomba Combo j7, on the other hand, comes with the Roomba® i8 Denali 2210mAh battery that offers slightly higher runtime, 90 minutes to be precise.
The robot also comes with the AutoRecharge+Resume function, where the robot automatically recharges and resumes cleaning thereafter. The recharge time is 2-3 hours on average.
Roomba j7 Combo is the ultimate choice here. Even though both models have auto-recharge and resume capabilities, the Roomba j7 offers slightly longer runtime courtesy of the bigger battery.
Roomba Combo i5 allows for automation. You can schedule the robot to clean throughout the week. Cleaning by room is also available, as well as iRobot OS, which offers personalized cleaning suggestions plus a host of other features.
In addition, it is a smart robot vacuum powered by 2.4GHz WiFi for mobile app operation via the iRobot Home app. On the app, you have access to all the controls. Besides app operation, this Roomba syncs with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant.
Romba Combo j7 is also a smart robot vacuum. You can schedule it to clean at specific times throughout the week, and besides, there are plenty of automation features, including Targeted Room Cleaning, Targeted Cleaning Zones, and personalized cleaning suggestions courtesy of iRobot OS and features such as Clean While I’m Away.
The j7 also works with 2.4GHz WiFi for mobile app operation via the iRobot Home app and Alexa / Google Assistant compatibility.
There is no winner here, as both robot vacuums allow for automation and remote operation via the iRobot Home app or voice assistants.
Roomba Combo i5 guarantees durability, and furthermore, the company offers a standard 1 year Roomba warranty, so you are covered in the event the robot develops a problem within the first year of purchase.
But make sure to abide by the terms and conditions. You can also get help via the company’s live chat or leverage the tutorials and troubleshooting guides. Roomba Combo replacement parts and supplies are readily available on Amazon, both original and generic.
Roomba Combo j7 is also an excellent choice here as it is durable and has been covered by a 1-year warranty as well. You can get repair or replacement within the first year of purchase.
Support is also available on the company website’s live chat and help center. Last, on Roomba Combo j7 parts and supplies, you can get them at affordable prices on Amazon.
This round ends in a draw as both models are from the same brand, so the warranty and aftersales service are standard across the board.
The Roomba Combo i5+ package comes with the following items:
- Roomba Combo™ i5 Robot Vacuum and Mop
- Home Base Charging Station
- Interchangeable Roomba Combo™ Bin
- 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter
- 1 Microfiber Mopping Pad
- Drip Tray
- Line Cord
The Roomba Combo j7+ package includes the following:
- Roomba Combo™ j7+ Robot Vacuum and Mop
- Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal
- 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter
- 1 Extra Edge-Sweeping Brush
- Interchangeable Roomba Combo™ Bin
- 1 Microfiber Mopping Pad
- 1 Extra Dirt Disposal Bag
- Line Cord
There is no winner here, as both Roombas are well-equipped.
Cleaning Tests:
Vacuuming Test on Hardwood Floor
Vacuuming Test on Hardwood Floor
- Pet Hair
- 98%
- 98%
- Sand Pebbles
- 99%
- 99%
- Flour
- 98%
- 98%
- Sugar
- 99%
- 99%
- Rice
- 99%
- 99%
- Coffee
- 98%
- 98%
- Popcorn
- 99%
- 99%
- Cheerios
- 99%
- 99%
- Kitty Litter
- 99%
- 99%
Vacuuming Test on High Pile Carpet
Vacuuming Test on High Pile Carpet
- Pet Hair
- 97%
- 97%
- Sand Pebbles
- 98%
- 98%
- Flour
- 95%
- 95%
- Sugar
- 97%
- 97%
- Rice
- 98%
- 98%
- Coffee
- 96%
- 96%
- Popcorn
- 98%
- 98%
- Cheerios
- 98%
- 98%
- Kitty Litter
- 97%
- 97%
Mopping Test
Mopping Test
- Porridge
- 94%
- 95%
- Margarine
- 93%
- 94%
- Wine
- 98%
- 99%
- Soda
- 98%
- 99%
- Yogurt
- 94%
- 95%
- Milk
- 97%
- 98%
- Raw Eggs
- 93%
- 94%
- Honey
- 93%
- 94%
- Urine Stains
- 95%
- 96%
- Paw Marks
- 99%
- 99%
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Roomba i5 have a camera?
2. When was Roomba i5 released?
3. Can you add a cleaning solution to Roomba Combo j7?
4. Which is better, the Roomba i5 Combo or the j7?
Wrapping Up
That’s the end of this Roomba Combo i5 vs. j7 comparison review. As you have seen, the two are quite similar. They are both vacuum and mop combos for hard floors and can also handle carpets and pet hair. However, the Roomba Combo j7 is the best bang for the buck as it comes with a much-advanced mopping system and guarantees that carpets will remain dry. Besides, its smart camera-based navigation, enhanced obstacle detection, smart mapping, and longer runtime make it the ultimate robot vacuum cleaner. But still, the Combo i5 is a worthy bargain if you are on a budget and have a small to medium-sized apartment with less traffic. Check out the best Roomba vacuum combo deals and discounts on Amazon!
