Robot vacuums used to be kinda dumb. You’d find them stuck on a stray sock or spinning helplessly against a rug edge until the battery died. Then iRobot dropped the Roomba Combo j9+, and suddenly the conversation changed from "why is my vacuum stupid?" to "can this thing actually think?"
Honestly, there is a lot of noise out there about whether high-end robots are worth the four-digit price tag. You’ve probably seen the ads. They promise a pristine home while you sip lattes. But if you’ve actually owned one of these, you know the reality is usually more about untangling hair from rollers and rescue missions under the sofa.
The j9+ tries to break that cycle. It’s not just a vacuum; it’s a mop that actually stays off your carpet. No, really.
The Mop That Doesn’t Ruin Your Rugs
Most "combo" robots have a major flaw. They drag a damp, dirty rag across your expensive Persian rug because they can only lift the mop a few millimeters. The Roomba Combo j9+ robot vacuum and mop solves this with a mechanical arm. When it hits carpet, the mop lifts up and flips completely onto the top of the robot.
It looks like a little transformer.
This "Auto-Retract" system is basically the gold standard if you have a mix of hardwood and high-pile rugs. You don't have to worry about "damp edges" or salt stains on the carpet. It’s either on the floor scrubbing or tucked away safely on the roof.
Why SmartScrub Changes the Game
Standard robot mopping is usually just "wiping." It’s a wet cloth gliding over a surface. If you have dried coffee or muddy paw prints, wiping does nothing.
The j9+ uses something called SmartScrub. Instead of just dragging the pad, the robot moves back and forth with consistent downward pressure. It mimics how you’d actually scrub a floor by hand. According to iRobot’s testing, it provides 2x deeper scrubbing compared to their standard modes.
Is it as good as a person with a bucket and a brush? Probably not for a deep spring clean. But for daily maintenance in a kitchen? It’s surprisingly capable.
Dirt Detective: The Brains Behind the Brushes
We need to talk about iRobot OS 7.0. This is the software that runs the show. It includes a feature called Dirt Detective, which is essentially a ranking system for your rooms.
The robot tracks where the most "dirt events" happen.
It remembers.
It learns.
If your kitchen is always a disaster after breakfast, the j9+ knows to prioritize that room first. It’ll also turn up the suction power automatically when it enters a room it knows is traditionally filthy. It’s not just blindly following a path; it’s making decisions based on history.
That "Beautiful" Auto-Fill Dock
The Clean Base for the j9+ is... weirdly stylish? Most docks look like industrial trash cans. This one has a wood-grain top and a shorter, wider profile. It doesn't scream "appliance" as much as previous models.
But the real value is the Auto-Fill tech.
- The dock holds up to 60 days of dry debris in a sealed bag.
- It holds 30 days of water or cleaning solution.
When the robot docks, it doesn't just empty its bin; it sucks in fresh water. This is a huge leap over the older j7+ which required you to refill the tiny internal tank every single time it mopped. Now, you basically ignore it for a month.
The Elephant in the Room: Maintenance
Don't be fooled by the "60 days of hands-free" marketing.
You still have to wash the mop pad.
Manually.
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Unlike some competitors from Roborock or Dreame that wash and dry the pads at the base station, the j9+ requires you to pull that pad off and throw it in the laundry. If you forget, it will start to smell. iRobot made a trade-off here: they focused on a more compact, attractive dock and a better lifting mechanism rather than a bulky pad-washing station.
Suction Power vs. The Legend of the s9+
For years, the Roomba s9+ was the king of raw power. It had that "D" shape for corners and massive suction. The j9+ is a "j" series, which usually meant it was smarter but slightly weaker.
Not anymore.
The Roomba Combo j9+ has 100% more "Power-Lifting Suction" than the i-series. In real-world testing (shoutout to the folks at Vacuum Wars and various Reddit stress-testers), the j9+ actually rivals the s9+ on carpets. It uses those signature dual multi-surface rubber brushes that don't get tangled with pet hair nearly as easily as bristled brushes do.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that because this robot uses a camera (PrecisionVision Navigation), it’s "watching" you.
Actually, the processing happens locally. It’s looking for specific objects—cables, shoes, pet waste, socks. iRobot even has their "P.O.O.P." guarantee (Pet Owner Official Promise). If the robot fails to avoid solid pet waste, they replace the unit for free. That’s confidence.
However, the camera-based navigation means it needs some light to work perfectly. It has a small headlight, but it’s not as "blind-friendly" as LiDAR robots that can navigate in total pitch-black darkness without missing a beat.
Is it worth $1,400?
That's the big question. Honestly, it depends on your house.
If you have a studio apartment with all hardwood, this is overkill. You’re paying for the lifting arm and the heavy-duty carpet suction you don't need.
But if you have a 2,500-square-foot home with kids, a Golden Retriever, and a mix of expensive rugs and tile? The Roomba Combo j9+ robot vacuum and mop is arguably the most reliable "set it and forget it" option on the market right now. It won't soak your rugs, it won't smear dog poop, and it'll actually scrub the mud off the floor instead of just moving it around.
Actionable Next Steps for New Owners
- Run a Mapping Pass First: Don't try to vacuum and mop on day one. Run a "mapping-only" run. The j9+ maps up to 7x faster than older models, and a clean map is the foundation for everything else.
- Check the "Keep Out" Zones: Even with great obstacle avoidance, the robot might struggle with floor-length curtains or very shaggy "shag" rugs. Draw those boxes in the app immediately.
- Buy Extra Pads: Since the dock doesn't wash the mop for you, buy a 3-pack of extra pads. Swap them every 2-3 days and toss the dirty ones in the wash. It's the only way to keep the "fresh" smell.
- Use the Right Solution: Don't just pour Pine-Sol in there. Use the official iRobot Bona solution or just plain water. Harsh chemicals can degrade the seals in the auto-fill dock over time.
The j9+ isn't perfect—no robot is—but it's the closest iRobot has ever gotten to a truly autonomous floor cleaner. It handles the "thinking" so you don't have to.