Main points
- The $275 Roomba Combo Essential has 18 times the suction power and can be cleaned in sequence.
- iRobot’s affordable vacuum cleaner comes with adjustable suction and a microfiber mop pad.
- Available April 4, the package is priced at $275 and the Essential vacuum cleaner is priced at $250.
The Roomba 600 Series is loved for its sub-$300 price tag, but this budget robot vacuum’s random bounce pattern doesn’t produce the most effective cleaning results. However, iRobot’s latest budget vacuum cleaner can vacuum and mop in order. The Roomba Combo Essential, released on April 4, has 18 times the suction power of the earlier affordable series, but still costs $275. Carpet-only homes can save $25 on the pure vacuum Roomba Vac Essential released today.
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The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential comes with four different cleaning tools: adjustable suction, V-shaped brush, edge brush, and microfiber mop pad. While households will need to shell out the big bucks for Roomba’s pricier models to get the auto-fill and auto-empty features, the mop pads are still pump-style to keep them moist without human intervention.
I am a robot
In addition to increased suction power, iRobot’s cheapest vacuum now cleans even smarter. The company says the robot vacuums can now work in neat rows while still being able to navigate around furniture and avoid stairs. It’s also compatible with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant for using voice commands. The company says a feature called “Clean Map” will show where and when the vacuum has been cleaning. Like some earlier models, it can also use geofencing to automatically start cleaning when it detects the owner’s smartphone is no longer home.
The iRobot app allows users to choose between different cleaning modes to prioritize quietness or power saving. It comes with three different suction levels; the mop can also be customized with three different water levels for different types of hard floors.
I am a robot
Pure vacuum models also available
The iRobot Roomba Essential (sans the Combo in the name) has similar smarts and specs, but omits the mopping feature.
iRobots’ previous budget series, the 600 Series, and models like the Roomba 694 were popular with price points under $300. However, low suction levels and a lack of room mapping don’t show buyers on a budget all the possibilities this technology can offer. The lack of an automatic emptying station will still prevent some families from opting for pricier models, but choosing a robot that doesn’t mess around without spending more than a few hundred dollars will undoubtedly have some appeal. Since most robot vacuums are intended for maintenance cleaning rather than as a replacement for good manual cleaning, budget vacuums remain a popular choice.
The combo will be available in the US on April 4 for $275, and the Essential vacuum cleaner will be available on April 7 for $250. US customers can also get a $50 discount when they trade in their Roomba 600 series for a new model. Both will be available in Canada starting April 12. For Europe, the Middle East and Africa, availability will also begin at launch, while VAC will launch in Asia Pacific later this month.
