iRobot has been largely responsible for the robot vacuum market’s movement toward higher-end models with enhanced capabilities. But its latest release underscores the demand for more basic options that provide reliable cleaning without breaking the bank.
The Roomba Combo Essential, which the company announced today, is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that brings together the essential cleaning features of the popular Roomba 600 Series with enhanced performance and an array of advanced functionalities, while costing just $274.99.
iRobot also unveiled a vacuum-only version of the Essential for an even lower price.
This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot vacuums.
Among the Essential’s upgrades is a new integrated mopping function, combined with 20 times more suction power and 25-percent better hard floor dirt pickup performance than the 600 Series.
The Essential also introduces cutting-edge features not often found in a budget-priced bot, such as smart navigation, Clean Map reports, extended battery life, and intelligent iRobot OS automations like “Clean While I’m Away” and suggested cleaning schedules.
These enhancements are paired with solid cleaning skills. The robot employs a four-stage cleaning system that includes adjustable suction and liquid settings, a V-shaped multi-surface brush, an edge-sweeping brush, and a pump-fed microfiber mop pad. This combination enables the robot to vacuum and mop hard floors simultaneously in a single pass.
Alternatively, users can remove the mop pad to run vacuum-only jobs on multiple floor types.
The Roomba Combo Essential includes features, such as Clean Map reports, that are not often found in budget-priced robot vacuums.
iRobot
Powered by iRobot OS, the company’s proprietary operating system, the Roomba Combo Essential boasts three suction power levels and three water level options that allow users to tailor the robot’s performance to suit their specific needs.
Suggested cleaning schedules analyze previous cleaning jobs to recommend optimal cleaning times, while the “Clean While I’m Away” feature automatically initiates cleaning when users leave home.
After cleaning jobs are completed, users can view Clean Map reports to review where the robot cleaned and other details such as coverage areas and cleaning duration.
For customers in North America, iRobot also unveiled the Roomba Vac Essential, a vacuum-only variant offering similar intelligence and features as the Roomba Combo Essential. It’s priced at $249.99.
In North America, the Roomba Combo Essential is available for purchase now on iRobot.com, while the Roomba Vac Essential will be available at select retailers in the U.S. beginning April 7.
Additionally, current Roomba 600 Series owners in the U.S. can participate in the iRobot Trade-In Program, receiving a $50 credit towards the purchase of a Roomba Combo Essential robot.
Both Essential configurations will go on sale in Canada on April 12, with the Combo Essential available now in Europe and later this month in Asia-Pacific Territories.
We’ll have a full review of the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential once we check out a review unit.
Updated shortly after publication with a correction: The iRobot Roomba Vac Essential is a vacuum-only variant of iRobot’s new Essential bots, not a “robot-only” version (an error introduced during the editing process). Our apologies for the mistake.
Author: Michael Ansaldo, Contributor
Michael Ansaldo is veteran consumer and business technology journalist. He’s been a contributor to TechHive since 2013, covering robot vacuums, home security cameras, and other smart devices. He previously served as PCWorld’s Small Business Editor, and his tech coverage has appeared in Wired, Macworld, Mac|Life, Mobile Magazine, Enterprise.Nxt, Executive Travel, and other publications.