Is it worth it?
Anyone juggling separate vacuuming and mopping chores knows how time-consuming floor care can be. The Roomba Combo Essential steps in to fulfill that need by combining both functions into one compact machine, ideal for busy professionals, pet owners, and families with hard floors. This review offers an in-depth, hands-on analysis—from unboxing to months of use—so you can decide if it fits your lifestyle.
We tested the Roomba Combo Essential across wood, tile, and low-pile carpet, and I can already tell you: if you don’t require both vacuuming and mopping in one pass or you prefer advanced mapping, this might not be the robot for you.
Specifications
| Brand | iRobot |
| Model | Combo Essential (Y0140) |
| Battery Life | 120 min |
| Dimensions | 13 x 13 x 3.15 in |
| Weight | 9.04 lbs |
| Suction Levels | 3-stage |
| Mop Function | simultaneous |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. |
| User Score | 4 ⭐ (32650 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 220$ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
2-in-1 Vacuum and Mop
This robot uses a four-stage cleaning system to vacuum and mop in a single pass, integrating a specialized main brush with a damp mop pad. It removes debris and then wipes floors, saving you from running two machines. In practice, it handles everyday dust, crumbs, and light spills without manual intervention.
Intelligent Row-by-Row Navigation
Equipped with smart sensors and iRobot OS, the Combo Essential cleans in neat, parallel lines rather than random zigzags. This methodical approach ensures complete coverage and repeats stubborn areas automatically. For example, in an open living room, it backtracks once it reaches walls, guaranteeing no spot is skipped.
Edge Sweeping Brush
A dedicated side brush reaches into corners and along baseboards, sweeping dirt toward the main intake. This matters because many robots leave a thin dust line near walls—here, the edge brush clears those areas thoroughly. Homeowners with skirting boards or tight furniture gaps will notice visibly cleaner edges.
App Control with Clean Map
The iRobot Home app provides live maps of cleaned areas, scheduling options, and status updates. You can start cleaning remotely, set routines like “Clean While I’m Away,” and receive push notifications on completion. During travel, I checked the map to confirm my floors were spotless before returning.
Auto Recharge and Resume
When the battery level dips below 20%, the Combo Essential returns to its dock, charges, and resumes the unfinished job. This feature ensures large areas get cleaned without manual reactivation. In a 1,200 sq ft. home, I never had to babysit its charge cycle.
Firsthand Experience
Unboxing the Roomba Combo Essential felt like opening a premium gadget—solid packaging revealed the robot, its docking station, mop pad, and base filter within minutes. The build quality impressed at first sight, with matte black finishes and neatly labeled compartments.
Setting up via the iRobot Home app took under five minutes: download, press two buttons, connect to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and assign cleaning schedules. Unlike many Wi-Fi devices, it insisted on 2.4GHz, so I had to adjust my phone hotspot temporarily. Once online, the app pushed a firmware update almost instantly.
On its first cleaning cycle, the robot followed systematic rows across my cherry-wood floors, collecting dust and crumbs with the main brush before laying down the damp mop pad. Transition to low-pile carpet triggered suction-only mode, demonstrating intelligent surface detection. I watched it draw straight lines under the sofa where I rarely vacuum.
After a week of daily 30-minute sessions in my kitchen and living room, the battery level never dropped below 40%—the 120-minute runtime seems more than sufficient for medium-sized homes. Noise peaked at 70 dB during maximum suction but was pleasantly muted in eco mode. My cat, initially curious, now ignores it.
Maintenance proved straightforward: empty the dual-purpose bin, rinse the mop pad under warm water, and tap out the cartridge filter. iRobot recommends filter changes every two months, which aligns with my five-day-a-week schedule.
Two months in, I’ve only had it stall once—caught under a low bench—but a quick tap on the back freed it. The cliff sensors never let it tumble down stairs, and the bump sensors cushion collisions against furniture elegantly.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
User sentiment for the Combo Essential ranges from delighted experiences with pet hair control to mild frustration over occasional stalls and Wi-Fi limitations. Most praise its dual cleaning action, while a minority note setup quirks and edge-case navigation hiccups.
Our floors have never looked better, and this robot enforces tidiness around cables and toys
Setup was effortless, and the clean-map feature gives real peace of mind even when I’m away
It cleans well but can get stuck on rug edges and demands 2.4GHz only
It stopped working almost immediately and had to be returned
Excellent vacuum and mop combo that’s simplified my weekly chores to just pushing a button.
Comparison
Compared to the Roomba 692, the Combo Essential adds mopping and systematic navigation at a modest price uptick. The 692 vacuums reliably but leaves spills untouched, so if you only need suction, the 692 is simpler and cheaper.
Against the Roborock S7, which uses sonic vibration to scrub floors and supports both 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, the Combo Essential feels more user-friendly and pet-safe but lacks carpet-avoidance mopping and advanced zone editing. Roborock S7 demands more setup but offers deeper mop scrubbing.
Versus the eufy RoboVac L70 Hybrid, the Combo Essential is lighter and fits under lower furniture, though the L70 Hybrid has LiDAR mapping and 5GHz support. If you prize robust mapping over slim design, the eufy may edge out here, but the iRobot’s reliability and brand support remain strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can it avoid carpets while mopping?
- Yes. It senses carpet fibers and automatically lifts the mop pad before entering ruged areas.
- Does it work with 5GHz Wi-Fi?
- No. It requires a 2.4GHz network for setup and operation.
- How often should I clean the brush and filter?
- Routine cleaning is recommended weekly, and the filter should be replaced every two months for peak performance.
- Is there voice control support?
- Yes. It integrates with Amazon Echo and Google Assistant for voice-activated cleaning.
Conclusion
The Roomba Combo Essential excels at delivering a two-in-one cleaning solution for busy households, combining reliable suction, methodical navigation, and effective mopping into a mid-range package. It’s slim enough to tackle under-sofa debris and simple enough for anyone to operate with a smartphone.
However, if you lack Wi-Fi or live in a home with very low furniture clearance, look elsewhere. Pet owners and busy families who need both vacuuming and mopping without switching devices will appreciate its value. Priced in the moderate segment of robot cleaners, it offers good quality for the cost, although occasional stalls and 2.4GHz limitations keep it from perfection. Check current deals to see if it’s on sale—when discounted, it becomes a particularly compelling pick.
