If you want better Obstacle Avoidance (Robot)
Choose iRobot Roomba J5+ Combo Vacuum & Mop. It scores 4.7 vs 1.3 for Obstacle Avoidance (Robot), with a 3.7 overall score.
Roomba i5+ Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Roomba i5+ for self-emptying convenience, strong carpet cleaning, and easy app setup. Skip it if mopping, obstacle avoidance, reliable wet-bin detection, or no-go-zone control matters more than routine vacuum automation.
Best for
Best for households that want routine vacuum automation, self-emptying convenience, easy app setup, and mostly carpet or hard-floor maintenance. It especially fits users who value reduced mental load over deep mopping.
Not for
Not for people expecting advanced obstacle avoidance, reliable no-go zones, automated mop lifting, or deep wet cleaning. It is also a poor fit if rugs and carpets cannot be blocked off during mopping.
Verdict
The Roomba i5+ Combo lands as a convenience-first robot with a sharp split between vacuuming and mopping. Reviewers praised the self-empty base, room-by-room control, easy app pairing, carpet cleaning, and hair-friendly rubber rollers, and some found the sale pricing compelling. The tradeoff is that its smart navigation is basic beside J-series or lidar competitors, with weak obstacle avoidance and no no-go zones in several accounts. Mopping is the bigger compromise: reviewers described it as light maintenance, damp-paper-towel level cleaning, or in one case a failed wet-bin experience that soaked the dock bag. Overall, the evidence supports it as a useful routine vacuum, not a polished all-floor cleaning system.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
54 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.012 (22%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.418 (33%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.412 (22%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.49 (17%)
-
Very negative below 1.53 (6%)
Pros highlights
-
Overall opinion was mixed: reviewers ranged from enthusiastic convert to hesitant or disappointed, with the main split around mopping and smart-feature limits.
-
Emptying and mess control ranged from poor dense-debris clearing in one test to strong self-emptying convenience in everyday use.
-
Controls and UI were sharply mixed: several reviewers found the app easy and enjoyable, but one found the Roomba app buggy and map-forgetting.
-
Hard-floor fine-dust pickup was mixed: some reviews reported strong dust pickup, while one hard-floor experience stayed dirty after cleaning.
-
Reviewers praised the iRobot cleaning system and reported strong deep-cleaning or suction results, including easy handling of fine dust and larger debris.
-
Large hard-floor debris pickup was generally positive, including 97.2% test pickup and praise for handling fine-to-large debris.
Cons highlights
-
Smart features were polarizing: reviewers liked routines, mapping, and app use, but also criticized missing AI detection, no-go zones, and wet-bin detection failures.
-
Mopping was the main weak spot: reviewers called it basic, carpet-risky, or failed in one case, though one saw it as useful light maintenance.
-
Mapping and path efficiency were highly mixed, from useful room learning to basic, limited, or worse path planning with no no-go zones.
-
Auto-empty reliability was mixed: one comparison found debris left behind, while other reviews praised the base as a time saver; one wet-bin case created a serious failure.
-
The liquid system was a repeated weakness due to leaking risk, wet-bin failure, and lack of water-flow controls.
-
Comparative performance was mostly unfavorable, with the i5+ described as worse in a budget roundup, very similar to the I3, or behind Narwal overall.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Robotic Vacuums, this product is above average in Cord management, Filtration / Dust Containment, Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries), near average in Emptying and Mess Control, Aesthetic design and finish, below average in Odor control, Mop lifting system, Obstacle Avoidance (Robot).
Comparison summary
54 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher8 (15%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts17 (31%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower29 (54%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor control | 1.0 | 3.9 | -2.9 |
| Mop lifting system | 1.3 | 4.0 | -2.7 |
| Obstacle Avoidance (Robot) | 1.3 | 3.6 | -2.4 |
| Innovation compared to competitors | 2.0 | 4.3 | -2.3 |
| Maneuverability and Handling | 2.0 | 4.2 | -2.2 |
| Comparative performance | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Build quality and durability | 2.2 | 4.1 | -1.9 |
| Solution / Liquid system | 1.7 | 3.6 | -1.9 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Build quality and durability
Choose Eureka e10s Robot Vacuum. It scores 4.8 vs 2.2 for Build quality and durability, with a 3.7 overall score.
If you want better Hair Pickup — Carpets
Choose Dreametech D10 plus Robot Vacuum and Mop. It scores 5.0 vs 2.8 for Hair Pickup — Carpets, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Dried-On Stain Removal
Choose Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop. It scores 4.7 vs 2.0 for Dried-On Stain Removal, with a 4.2 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
j7
- Better: navigation system The j7 is grouped with J-series models that have advanced camera-based navigation not found on the i5+.
- Similar: motor and suction platform The reviewer says the i5 uses the same motor as the j7, suggesting comparable core suction hardware.
J5
- Better: no-mop zones The J5 can use Precision Vision navigation for no-mop zones, a mapping advantage over the i5+.
- Better: navigation system The J5 is grouped with higher J-series robots that use a more advanced navigation system than the i5+.
combo j7 plus
- Better: mop lifting system The combo j7 plus uses the retracting mop design while the i5+ relies on interchangeable bins.
FAQ
Is the Roomba i5+ good on carpet?
The evidence is mixed but leans positive outside the budget roundup. One reviewer said it cleaned carpet quickly and to perfection, while a comparison test put its carpet pickup near the bottom.
Does the self-emptying base work well?
Everyday convenience reviews were strong, with one reviewer saying they had not touched the dustbin for weeks. A comparison test, however, found debris left in the bin, and one wet-bin failure caused a dock-bag mess.
Can it replace regular mopping?
No. Reviewers described the mop as light maintenance, not deep cleaning, and one reviewer could not use wet cleaning because bin detection failed.
Does it avoid obstacles and pet messes?
Not well in the reviewed evidence. Reviewers repeatedly noted that the i5+ lacks the camera-based obstacle avoidance found on higher J-series models.
Is the app easy to use?
Some reviewers found pairing and app controls very easy, and one liked room-by-room cleaning. Another found the Roomba app limited, buggy, and prone to forgetting the map.
Is it a good choice for pet hair?
It can be good for pet and human hair because reviewers praised the rubber rollers and pet-hair hard-floor pickup. In one carpet hair test, though, the Roomba left the most hair behind.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 2.6
Article Reviews
zdnet.com
- Review score
- 2.3
hometheaterreview.com
- Review score
- 4.3
Top Robotic Vacuums to Consider
Best for excellent carpet pickup, strong suction, low-clearance reach, and highly automated daily cleaning. Skip it if sticky spills, stubborn wet messes, flawless small-object avoidance, or a compact dock matter...
Pros: Suction and Airflow, Obstacle Avoidance (Robot)
Cons: Streaking / Residue, Solution / Liquid system
Choose the Eureka J15 Ultra for hands-free vacuuming/mopping, strong suction, edge coverage, and value. Skip it if you need the most advanced obstacle avoidance, compact dock, detergent dispensing, or quieter...
Pros: Obstacle Avoidance (Robot), Maintenance requirements
Best for excellent vacuuming, mapping, pet-hair handling, and low-touch daily upkeep. Skip it if you expect deep mop scrubbing, quiet auto-emptying, or premium value in a small or multi-story home.
Pros: Overall opinion, Map and Path Efficiency (Robot Vacuums)
Cons: Dock noise, Price and Value
Best for excellent hard-floor mopping, sustained suction and nearly tangle-free hair handling. Skip it if precise edge cleaning, quiet maximum-power operation or flagship value matters more.
Pros: Overall opinion, Mopping performance
Cons: Support and Reliability, Price and Value