iRobot Launches Budget-Friendly Self-Emptying Roombas: Combo 2 and Vac 2

Introducing the Roomba Combo 2 Essential and Vac 2 Essential

The latest addition to iRobot’s lineup are the Roomba Combo 2 Essential and Roomba Vac 2 Essential. These budget-friendly robovacs are equipped with a self-emptying dock for dirt bins, a feature that was absent in their initial releases six months ago. The Combo 2 not only vacuums but also mops, making it a versatile choice for those seeking thorough home cleaning.

Pricing and Features

The Roomba Combo 2 comes with a price tag of $424.99, while the Roomba Vac 2 is available for $399.99. The latter is specifically designed for vacuuming only, lacking the mopping feature but offering excellent suction power and cleaning capabilities.

Both models boast a self-emptying dock, impressive battery life of up to 120 minutes, and numerous cleaning routines that can be initiated through multiple channels: directly on the device, via a mobile app, or through voice commands using Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.

Self-Emptying Dock and Maintenance

When a cleaning task is completed or if the battery level gets low, the Combo 2 will autonomously navigate to its AutoEmpty dock, where its dust bin will be emptied into a bag capable of holding up to 60 days’ worth of dirt. The self-sealing bag makes replacement simple and hygienic.

Mopping Capabilities

The mopping feature of the Combo 2 does come with additional maintenance requirements. Unlike more advanced models, the charging dock cannot refill the water tank for the microfiber mop pad. Moreover, users will have to manually relocate rugs before starting a mopping session, as the Combo 2 lacks the ability to retract its mop pad, which can lead to water spills on carpets.

Performance and Navigation

iRobot claims that the Combo 2 features 100% stronger suction compared to the previous generation Roomba Combo Essential. However, the exact battery runtime may vary based on the selected suction level. Users should expect shorter runtimes at maximum power.

As for navigation, while the Combo 2 uses specialized sensors and an enhanced bumper to avoid obstacles, it may not offer the advanced mapping features seen in pricier Roomba models. The device can generate a visual cleaning map within the iRobot app, but it won’t create 3D maps to fully track its cleaning progress.

Conclusion

In summary, the Roomba Combo 2 Essential and Vac 2 Essential offer great features at competitive prices. While they excel in suction and overall cleaning capabilities, potential buyers should consider the need for additional maintenance associated with mopping tasks and the limitations in navigation technology. For those in search of a reliable, self-sufficient robovac, these models could be excellent choices.

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