Mapping, too, is basic I’d politely describe the general behavior as “erratic”.
You’re also limited in what it’s possible for you to achieve remotely.
(Note: the newer, similar Roomba Combo 2 Essential does have an auto-empty dock).
This is the only Roomba to have a single bristle brushroll rather than two rubbery ones
Alternatively, read on for my full Roomba Combo Essential review.
Flip the bot over, and you’ll find a V-shaped bristle brush.
It’s described as “multi-surface”, so presumably built for use on both hard floors and carpet.
This is the only Roomba to have a single bristle brushroll rather than two rubbery ones
This is the only Roomba to not feature iRobot’s patented dual rubber rollers.
There’s the usual triple-pronged edge brush, designed for tackling dirt at the edges of rooms.
The inlet for the water reservoir is found beneath the rubber stopper bearing a water droplet icon.
This section houses the filter, dust bin and water tank, plus a handy cleaning brush and hair-cutting tool
The mop is a D-shaped microfiber pad.
It clips on easily, on top of where the bin and water tank sit.
The dock is a minimalist unit that simply charges the bot.
The D-shaped mop pad clips on and off
In fact, it’s teeny-tiny compared to other robovacs I’ve come across.
One minor complaint is that I found the cable a little short (41in / 105cm long).
After that, you’re free to switch back to 5GHz, if you have it.
The dock is very compact
This is a more basic model, so don’t expect a long list of smart features.
It’s powered by iRobot OS, promises up to two hours of cleaning on a single charge.
This did not go very smoothly.
The Combo Essential came with clear setup instructions
A second attempt at a full-flat clean yielded slightly better results, but still far from perfect.
I started on carpet, using the Spot Clean function and the medium vacuuming setting.
On hard floors the bot’s performance was a little better.
The bot’s first (center) and second (right) attempts at mapping my apartment
In fact, the issue on hard floor wasn’t so much with suction but navigation.
However, on my lino floor, for seemingly no reason, it decided to adopt an arc-based route.
As a result, it was tricky to get it to even pass over the debris.
Before embarking on the vacuuming test on carpet(Image credit: Future)
Since there’s no auto-empty, you’ll need to manually empty the onboard dustbin.
This mechanism is straightforward, and feels well designed, with chunky clips to detach the bin.
When you want to mop, you’ll need to attach the mop plate onto the bot.
During the first pass(Image credit: Future)
This is simply a case of clicking it into place.
iRobot suggests dampening the mop pad before attaching it, for best mopping results.
You’ll also need to fill up the onboard water tank before you launch any “combo” job.
Results after the first pass, on medium suction(Image credit: Future)
I had low expectations for the Roomba Combo Essential’s mopping skills, but I was pleasantly surprised.
It’s machine-washable for occasional deeper cleaning.
Roomba Combo Essential review: app
iRobot’s companion app is well designed and intuitive.
After a second spot clean pass, in maximum suction mode (note the spiral pattern in the carpet)(Image credit: Future)
Pricier models offer far more control over what they clean and how they do it.
There are limits to what you’re free to achieve remotely.
you’re able to start and pause cleaning, but there’s no return to dock button.
Before the suction test on hard floor(Image credit: Future)
Finally, the app offers suggested schedules based on previous jobs.
This is very similar to the Combo Essential, but without any of the mopping capabilities.
However, it isn’t available direct from iRobot and can be hard to find elsewhere now, too.
After a single pass on hard floor, medium suction mode(Image credit: Future)
Combo 2 Essential
In October 2024, iRobot added theRoomba Combo 2 Essential robot + AutoEmpty dock.
It also apparently has “2x the cleaning power of the original Essential series”.
It also has an improved bumper design, and the ability to recharge and resume during cleaning missions.
In short, a better choice for bigger homes and higher dirt levels.
Should you buy the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential?
It delivers decent value for money, too.
Spillages before the test(Image credit: Future)
You want mopping capabilitiesThe mop here is surprisingly good for the price.
You want full control over your clean
This model is best suited to basic, whole-home cleans.
I also noted how well it coped with my collarbone-length hair on its travels.
During the mopping test(Image credit: Future)
I tested the spot clean function, mapping, and general usability.
Read we test robot vacuum cleaners.
After a single pass(Image credit: Future)
