Robot vacuum cleaners have brought greater convenience to millions of people when it comes to keeping their homes clean, and from the leader of the segment comes the Roomba Combo i8+, a quality, effective and complete model that combines effectiveness with a high degree of comfort.
Roomba Combo i8+ | |
Navigation technology | Camera |
Autonomy (min) | 75 |
Noise (decibels) | 68 |
Diameter (cm) | 34 |
Height (cm) | 9,3 |
Programmable | Yes |
High efficiency filter | Yes |
Dry/wet deposits (ml) | 313 / 210 |
Control by app | Yes |
Self-emptying | Yes |
Scrub | Yes |
Assessment | 97 |
Roomba is synonymous with robot vacuum cleaner in many countries, and not by chance. The brand created by iRobot —a company founded by three roboticists from MIT—began creating robots for space exploration and the military field, and in 2002 it would also focus on the domestic field with the launch of its first robot vacuum cleaner, the Roomba.
Thanks to their capacity for innovation, Roombas quickly became the reference in that segment., with features such as dirt detection, a privileged position that it has maintained until exceeding 30 million units sold.
The launch of its very successful robot on the market i7 + was another milestone, beginning a new era, that of self-emptying robots, a section in which the brand has different proposals, such as s9 + (D-shaped), the affordable i3 +, the clever j7 + and the versatile Combo i8+ that stars in this review (which you will also see as Roomba Combo i8 Plus), of which we tell you all the details below.
Table of contents (click to show/hide)
Roomba Combo i8+: our review
The Roomba Combo i8+ has obtained a rating of 97 points out of 100. Maintaining the basis of the successful i7+, this model offers a robust design and high construction quality, combining black and different shades of gray to offer an unmistakable look, “very Roomba”.
Includes advanced navigation and combine a high suction power with the AeroForce brush and scrubbing capacity to achieve greater cleaning effectiveness; In addition, its handling is simple and intuitive, and maintenance is very reduced, resulting in a complete and effective assistant.
Box contents
As usual with the brand, There are two versions of this model, the Combo i8+, which we will talk about in this analysis, and the Combo i8, which differs in that it includes a normal charging base instead of the self-emptying station.
The price difference between both models is between 100 and 200 euros (depending on the offers at any given time); In our opinion, to take advantage of all its advantages, the i8+ is more interesting and it is worth paying that difference, but it is up to each one to value it; You know, we analyze, you choose.
Start up
As usual, the robot comes partially loaded, but It is advisable to fully charge the battery before putting it to work for the first time..
The base will preferably be located in a central location in the house, with good Wi-Fi coverage and where the robot has room to maneuver, leaving free – as a guide – 0,5 meters to the sides and 1,2 meters forward.
The charging time is about 2 hours, and its battery provides autonomy for about 75 minutes of working time; in any case, It has charge and continue, so if it doesn't finish, it returns to the base to charge and then resumes cleaning where it left off.
The robot can be operated using the buttons on the top (to clean the entire house or perform local cleaning), through voice commands and through the application, The app being the best way to take advantage of all its features.
The voice command system is compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri, and allows a wide variety of orders, even very specific ones (e.g., “Roomba, clean under the kitchen table.”)
Installing the app
The iRobot app It is available free of charge for iOS and Android, and is characterized by its simplicity of use., something that has even further strengthened the brand in the latest versions, making it even more friendly.
Once the app is installed, we will create an account and We will follow step by step the instructions provided by the application itself, in a simple and precise way.
Once connected, we can operate the robot whenever we want and wherever we are, which provides great comfort and versatility.; We can start it from work, the street, a cafeteria, etc., and when we get home we will always find it clean (of course, we can also program it if we wish).
For some advanced functions it is necessary to have a plan of the home, so the first thing we will do is map the home, starting the task with the robot in the charging base and leaving the doors open for it to access the rooms.
Unlike robots with laser navigation, the Roomba Combo i8+ may require several passes to have a complete map of the home (depending on its size). It is advisable to make your work easier by clearing the floor of obstacles and for the robot to carry out this work in good lighting conditions, since it uses a camera to navigate.
Once the mapping cycle is finished, we can save the map (up to 10 different ones can be stored, making it compatible with duplexes and other homes with multiple floors, as well as for cleaning different houses).
We can also customize the map, editing the names and layout of the rooms, so that it adapts exactly to the layout of our home.
Operation of the Roomba Combo i8+
The Roomba Combo i8+ offers the quality and ease of use typical of the American brand, with improvements in the software to make it smarter and easier to controlr, and aspects such as automatic emptying and the possibility of scrubbing make it even more functional, making it ideal for those who seek to combine quality and performance and want a device from a leading brand.
effective cleaning
By simply changing the normal tank for the Combo tank, we can enjoy this functionality, which allows us to clean the house more completely and in less time.
Roomba Combo i8+ mopping
The water tank capacity is 210 milliliters, which allows you to clean large surfaces with a single charge; The robot vacuums from the front and mops with its microfiber mop from the back, so that it does a good job together..
Placing the water tank
Self-emptying
Another notable quality of the Roomba Combo i8+ is the self-emptying tank. Instead of the "normal" charging base that the Comba i8 comes with, This Plus version comes equipped with the famous Clean Base automatic station, which makes maintenance of the device much easier.
The operation of the self-emptying base is similar to that of a conventional vacuum cleaner; when the device returns to the base, automatically empties the contents of its internal tank into a bag at the base; In fact, for a few seconds we will hear a noise similar to that of a conventional vacuum cleaner.
The self-emptying system provides great convenience and maximum hygiene, since The clouds of dust generated when emptying a tank are avoided, making it ideal for allergy sufferers..
The bags are of high quality, filtering dust with 99,9% effectiveness and with a self-sealing system to avoid secondary contamination, and They last about 60 days. In addition to the brand's official bags, you can find compatible bags on the market at a more affordable price.
Suction power
iRobot does not offer suction power in Pascals, like other manufacturers, but The Roomba Combo i8+ has a good absorption capacity, 10 times greater than that of the brand's 600 series models., achieving high effectiveness in a wide variety of situations.
Dirt Detect Technology
Brushes
Like other high-end robots, the Roomba Combo i8+ only has a side brush, since thanks to its advanced navigation system, it always knows where it is and how it is oriented, so you don't need two brushes; Its studied angle and length allow it to act effectively in corners, collecting the dirt that usually accumulates in those areas.
Cleaning corners
Another outstanding quality of this model, which it shares with others from the brand, is its AeroForce brushes, which combine efficiency and comfort in maintenance.
The AeroForce brush combines two rollers with a ridged design that complement each other perfectly, performing a joint action to trap dirt, while avoiding the dreaded tangles.
Navigation system
The protagonist of this analysis has a advanced camera-based navigation system, allowing you to map the home and clean with precision and efficiency.
The Roomba Combo i8+'s vSLAM technology captures more than 230.000 points per second, allowing you to create a detailed map of its environment, in which it sets references that allow the robot to know where it is, where it has passed and where it has not, and what is the best route.
This navigation system offers good precision, although not as much as the laser used by other robots (nor does it allow, like these, to move in dark conditions); If you are interested in a model with these characteristics, at the end of the article we give you some alternatives.
The application, now friendlier and with more features
The iRobot app is one of the easiest to use, and in the latest versions its manageability has been improved even more, so that it is not only simple and intuitive, but also offers the user various possibilities to get the most out of this machine.
The application offers personalized cleaning suggestions, based on the use of the robot and the time of year we are in. (recommending, for example, additional cleanings during allergy season or during times when pets shed their hair)
Advantages of the Roomba Combo i8 Plus
It's a Roomba
The American firm is the world leader in robotic vacuuming, it has a track record of more than 30 years and more than 30 million units sold, the result of the quality and functionality of its products.
Vacuum and scrub
The Roomba Combo i8+ is a multifunction robot, capable of vacuuming and mopping at the same time, so it offers a more complete and effective cleaning with a single device, saving time, money and space in the home.
effective cleaning
Su 4-phase cleaning system, made up of the side brush, the two AeroForce extractor brushes, the machine suction and the mop, eliminates dirt with high effectiveness in any situation.
automatic emptying
Thanks to its Clean Base, You won't have to worry about dirt for months and you will do it in a much more hygienic way, since it is automatically emptied into bags with a self-sealing system.
For homes with pets
His remarkable Absorption capacity, the technology Dirt Detect, the capacity of filtered out and the system automatic emptying in bags make it very interesting for homes with animals.
Easy to handle and maintain
Simple operation via voice commands and through the iRobot app combine with the high comfort provided by the self-emptying or its AeroForce brushes, which avoid tangles.
Why buy a Roomba Combo i8+
If you're looking for quality, powerful robot, with scrubbing capacity and intelligent navigation, to obtain a complete, effective and efficient cleaning of your home.
If you wish to great comfort in handling, thanks to its complete voice command system and the brand's friendly and intuitive app, with which you can define exactly what you want to clean and what not.
If you want or need maximum hygiene, there are animals and/or small children in your home, and you prefer to have a self-emptying system, to forget about dirt for months; And if, in addition, you prefer to opt for the leading brand in the segment, the Roomba Combo i8+ may be the model you have been waiting for.
Do you want to know robots with laser navigation, scrubbing and self-emptying? Visit our reviews:
