iRobot makes three distinct products worth considering right now: a budget combo unit with washing dock, a premium mopping robot, and a discounted self-emptying flagship. The best choice depends entirely on your floor type, home size, and whether you want automation or just affordability.
Why iRobot?
iRobot invented the robot vacuum category in 2002 and still dominates it. They specialise in autonomous floor cleaning—both vacuuming and mopping—and their Roomba and Braava ranges are the market standard. What sets them apart: their self-emptying docks (available on higher-end models) reduce manual maintenance to roughly once a month, and their mapping technology learns your home layout to avoid repeated path confusion. They've been refining this for over two decades, which shows in reliability and app integration.
Top Picks
iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot + Autowash Dock — £549
Best for budget-conscious buyers who want both vacuuming and mopping without spending over £600. This is the entry point to iRobot's combo range. It vacuums hard floors and carpets, then automatically cleans its mop pads in the dock between runs. The trade-off: no self-emptying bin, so you'll empty it weekly if you have a typical 2-3 bedroom home. The autowash dock is the real value here—it saves you from manually rinsing mop pads.
iRobot M613800 Braava Jet M6 Robot Mop — £2,999
Best for homes with primarily hard floors where mopping is the priority. This is iRobot's premium mopping-only robot. It doesn't vacuum; it uses precision water jets to clean grout lines and stubborn marks on tile, laminate, and vinyl. At nearly £3,000, it's positioned as a specialist tool for people with large hard-floored homes (800+ sq ft) who mop frequently. Only consider this if you have minimal carpeting.
iRobot Roomba J9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum — £276.24 (Open-Box)
Best value if you're willing to buy open-box. This is normally a £700+ flagship model discounted to £276 because it's a returned or display unit. It self-empties into its dock, reducing hands-on maintenance to monthly. The "Good" condition rating suggests cosmetic marks only. However: it's vacuuming-only (no mopping), and buying open-box means no factory warranty—only retailer returns within 14-30 days typically.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Roomba Plus 505 Combo + Dock | £549 | Budget combo buyers | Autowash mop dock | | Braava Jet M6 | £2,999 | Hard-floor-focused homes | Precision water jets for grout | | Roomba J9+ (Open-Box) | £276.24 | Value hunters | Self-emptying bin (factory sealed) |
What to Look For
- Bin capacity and maintenance: The J9+ self-empties (reduces weekly chores), but the 505 doesn't. If you have pets or a large home, self-emptying saves roughly 5-10 minutes weekly. Budget models require manual emptying every 7-10 days.
- Floor type coverage: The 505 and J9+ handle both carpet and hard floors. The Braava M6 only handles hard floors. If you have mixed flooring, a combo or vacuum-only model beats a mop-only robot.
- Dock features: The 505's autowash dock cleans mop pads automatically (saves manual rinsing). The J9+ dock is self-emptying only. The Braava M6 has no dock automation.
- Mapping and app control: All three connect to iRobot's app and learn your home layout within 2-3 runs. Budget models (505) map just as well as premium ones (J9+), but the J9+ offers faster processing and more detailed room-level controls.
The Bottom Line
For most homes, the Roomba Plus 505 Combo at £549 is the sweet spot: it handles both vacuuming and mopping, the autowash dock eliminates a daily chore, and you avoid the premium price of self-emptying. If you find a trustworthy open-box Roomba J9+ at £276.24, grab it—that's exceptional value for a self-emptying flagship, but verify the 14-30 day return window first. Skip the Braava M6 unless your home is 80%+ hard floors and you mop weekly; at £2,999, it's too specialist for most buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iRobot worth the money compared to cheaper robot vacuums?
iRobot charges a premium—typically 30-50% more than budget brands—but justifies it with reliability and features. Their self-emptying docks and autowash tech genuinely save time. If you vacuum and mop regularly, the time savings add up. If you're a renter or replace appliances frequently, a £200 budget model may make more sense. For permanence, iRobot's durability tends to outlast cheaper options by 2-3 years.
Do I need both a vacuum and a mop robot, or will a combo do?
A combo like the 505 works well if you want one device handling both jobs. However, dedicated robots outperform combos at their specialist tasks: a vacuum-only robot cleans deeper into carpet pile, and a mop-only robot (like the Braava M6) applies more water pressure for grout cleaning. Combos are compromises for convenience—they're ideal if you prefer simplicity over peak performance.
What's the difference between the 505 Combo and the self-emptying J9+?
The 505 is combo (vacuum + mop) with an autowash mop dock—you still empty the vacuum bin manually. The J9+ is vacuum-only with a self-emptying dock—you almost never touch the bin. Choose the 505 if you mop frequently; choose the J9+ if vacuuming is 90% of the work and manual emptying annoys you. The 505 is newer; the J9+ is older but still capable.
Are open-box iRobot products safe to buy?
Open-box units are generally safe if the retailer guarantees a return window (usually 14-30 days). Check for physical damage, verify the dock powers on, and confirm the app syncs. You lose manufacturer warranty (typically 1 year), so you're relying on retailer returns only. At £276 for a J9+ normally worth £700+, the risk is low—worst case, you return it. Just confirm the return policy before checkout.
