iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max+ Review: Convenience, But With Performance Trade-offs

At a glance

Pros:

• Automatic mop pad washing
• Enhanced "Dirt Detect" functionality
• Improved navigation system
• Supports mop-only cleaning cycles

Cons:

• Average mopping effectiveness
• Self-emptying bin occasionally leaves behind heavier debris

Our Verdict:

While the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max+ with its AutoWash base introduces several welcome enhancements, notably the ability to automatically clean its mop pad, its vacuuming and mopping capabilities do not quite match those of its predecessors.

When iRobot first launched its Roomba Combo J7+, it pioneered a retractable mopping arm, a feature that has since become a hallmark of its 2-in-1 robot vacuums. This arm intelligently retracts onto the Roomba when carpet is detected, effectively preventing the spread of water and bacteria from hard floors to carpets—a common concern.

However, a pad-washing function was notably absent from the Clean Base of the J7+ and subsequent models. At the time, iRobot representatives indicated a desire to avoid the common issues of odors and other "ick" factors associated with self-cleaning docks, along with the extra maintenance often required for water tanks. Consequently, Roomba Combo users had to manually wash their mop pads after each use.

iRobot appears to have reconsidered this approach. The Roomba Combo 10 Max+ robot, paired with its new AutoWash dock, now offers automatic mop pad cleaning—a first for the Combo series. While this addition significantly boosts convenience, the robot's fundamental cleaning performance doesn't consistently surpass that of previous models, making its premium price point more challenging to justify.

The vacuuming and mopping performance of the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max+ were observed to lag behind earlier Roomba Combo models I have evaluated, which is somewhat disappointing given its high cost.

Design and Features:

The Roomba Combo 10 Max robot + AutoWash dock (referred to simply as the Combo 10 Max+ for brevity) has received a subtle cosmetic refresh alongside its functional upgrades. Unlike older Roomba models that incorporated bronze and silver accents on their black exteriors, this version features an entirely black finish, presenting a sleeker yet more understated aesthetic.

The robot is designed to be slender enough to navigate under most furniture, measuring 13.3 inches in diameter and a mere 3.4 inches in height. A front-mounted camera, complete with a headlight, is protected by a bumper for collision detection. The rear houses a detachable unit that cleverly integrates both the dustbin and water reservoir.

This new model also brings advancements to its cleaning technology. Its updated Dirt Detect feature is activated eight times more frequently than on the j9+, ensuring that areas with higher dirt accumulation receive intensified cleaning. iRobot has also introduced a mop-only cleaning option, complementing the existing vacuum-only and combined vacuum-and-mop modes. Navigation capabilities have also been enhanced, allowing the robot to map a home up to seven times faster than its predecessor, according to iRobot’s claims.

The Roomba Combo 10 Max+ boasts a more minimalist appearance compared to earlier Roombas.

Beyond these new additions, the Combo 10 Max+ retains several signature features from previous generations. Its Dirt Detective system (distinct from Dirt Detect) intelligently identifies rooms needing more thorough cleaning and prioritizes them accordingly. The robot also includes obstacle-avoidance technology to skillfully navigate around items such as toys or pet waste. For households with pets, the Combo 10 Max+ carries forward the Pet Owners Official Promise, established with the Combo j7+ model: iRobot guarantees a free replacement within the first year of ownership if the robot smears pet waste.

The Auto-Wash Dock measures 17.6 x 20.1 x 15.8 inches (HxWxD). It diverges from the wood-accented design of the Combo j9+, reverting to the all-black aesthetic seen in the Combo j7+ series. It maintains the beveled exterior and front-opening door from the prior generation, a practical design choice that allows users to place items on top without needing to move them to access the dock’s interior.

Convenient indicator lights on the dock's top provide essential status updates, signaling when the robot is charging, when the dust bag needs replacement, when the clean water tank requires refilling, or when the dirty water bin should be emptied.

Opening the dock's front door via its brown leather pull tab reveals a 3-liter reservoir for clean water, alongside a 2.5-liter bin for dirty water. For context, some competitors, like the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni, offer slightly larger capacities (e.g., 4 liters for clean water and 3.5 liters for dirty water).

Below the water tanks lies a compartment for the dust bag, capable of holding up to 60 days’ worth of debris under typical usage. The dock comes with one spare dust bag, and additional packs are available for purchase separately.

A front compartment within the auto-cleaning dock houses water reservoirs and a dustbag.

However, the most significant advancement for the dock is the new auto-wash function, which cleans and dries the Combo 10 Max+'s mop pad using cool water and forced air, simultaneously scrubbing and squeegeeing its internal components.

Setup:

The iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max+ Auto-Wash Dock package contains all necessary components to begin: the robot itself with a pre-attached mop pad, an additional mop pad, the base station equipped with preinstalled water tanks and a dust bag, an extra dust bag, a spare filter, the side brush, the ramp for the base station, the rubber mop-washing brush and drainage enclosure for the base, instruction manuals, and the power cord.

Setting up this device involves a few more steps than previous generations, primarily due to the installation of the mop-washing brush and drainage enclosure into the base station. Fortunately, this process is straightforward and quick.

Once docked, the robot emits an audible signal confirming power-on, and its indicator light begins to spin. The next step is to configure it within the iRobot app. New users will need to create an account before adding the device. The app typically detects the robot automatically within moments. Subsequently, users enter their Wi-Fi credentials and press a button on the robot to finalize the connection.

Room Mapping:

The app then prompts you to name your robot and provides a guided tour of its features, culminating in a mapping run during which the robot scans your home’s layout without initiating cleaning. For users who have previously utilized Roombas, an existing map can be loaded directly upon logging into the app.

The iRobot Home app offers numerous convenient features for managing your cleaning tasks.

Upon completion of your home's mapping by the Combo 10 Max+, a host of convenient features become accessible within the iRobot app. The app attempts to automatically label rooms and define boundaries on the map. Users retain the flexibility to manually adjust dividers and rename areas as needed.

Additionally, the map can be customized with various zones: keep-out zones, no-mop zones, or clean zones. Clean zones enable users to direct the robot to provide extra attention to specific areas. A useful feature carried over from the Roomba j7+ series is the ability to review images of obstacles encountered by the robot during cleaning. The app will then inquire whether these obstacles are temporary or if a permanent keep-out zone should be established, alleviating pressure to perfect the map during initial setup—the Combo 10 Max+ is intelligent enough to adapt and learn your home environment over time. In my tests, there was no need to configure no-mop zones, as the robot accurately differentiated between hard and carpeted floors during mapping and consistently avoided wetting rugs.

The app's main interface offers easy access to the map, allowing for future adjustments. It also displays the robot’s current status, such as "ready to vacuum and mop," along with visual indicators for battery level and fluid levels within the robot, as well as the clean and dirty water tanks in the base.

Through the app, users can initiate or schedule cleanings, review the robot's cleaning history, and modify settings. Each cleaning job is customizable by selecting the mode (vacuum, mop, or both), suction power, water usage, and the number of passes, with an option to activate Smart Scrub for tackling stubborn messes. For added convenience, preferred cleaning configurations can be saved for quick application later.

For voice control, the Combo 10 Max+ integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling users to start or stop cleaning with simple vocal commands.

Performance:

I utilized the Combo 10 Max+ for daily cleaning tasks in my home to thoroughly assess its performance. It generally operated smoothly, successfully completing its cleaning assignments without getting stuck. Like other high-end models, the Combo 10 Max+ gradually learns its environment, enhancing its navigation with each subsequent pass. In obstacle avoidance trials, it effectively identified and bypassed common small household items like pet food dishes and shoes. Occasionally, it might nudge or lightly run over certain objects, such as a cloth cat toy, but its overall avoidance capabilities were superior to most competitors.

On carpets, the Combo 10 Max+ performed commendably in our pickup tests, collecting approximately 95 percent of a half-cup of rice spread on my area rug. Its performance on hardwood floors was less impressive, recovering only about 75 percent of a similar quantity of rice and often scattering some out of its path. However, it demonstrated exceptional proficiency in handling pet hair, effectively clearing fur from my three cats without leaving behind clumps or experiencing tangles.

Mopping performance was adequate but not without minor imperfections. The robot efficiently removed surface dirt and restored a degree of shine to the floors. However, during our jelly test, the Combo 10 Max+ spent a considerable amount of time scrubbing a teaspoon of jam from the floor. While it successfully eliminated the visible residue, it left the area noticeably sticky.

The mop-cleaning process is efficient, though drying can take several hours. While the dustbin-emptying mechanism operates quickly, it occasionally failed to collect heavier debris, such as cat litter.

Specifications:

• Robot dimensions: 13.3 x 3.4 inches (Width x Height)
• Base dimensions: 17.6 x 20.1 x 15.8 inches (Height x Width x Depth)
• Clean water tank capacity: 3 liters
• Dirty water tank capacity: 2.5 liters
• Cleaning modes: Vacuum only, mop only, vacuum and mop simultaneously
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi
• Smart home integrations: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Should you purchase the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max+ AutoWash dock?

The new Auto-Wash dock represents a valuable enhancement to iRobot’s lineup of hybrid robot cleaners, reducing the required maintenance. However, its effectiveness doesn't quite match comparable systems offered by brands like Roborock and Ecovacs. Consistent with earlier iRobot models, the Combo 10 Max+ excels at obstacle avoidance, and its retractable mop reliably keeps carpets dry.

Nevertheless, the vacuuming and mopping capabilities of the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max+ AutoWash dock were found to be less effective than previous Roomba Combos I've reviewed. This is a considerable drawback given its premium price point. Consumers seeking to economize might consider alternatives such as the Roomba Combo j9+, which remains a top recommendation for combined robot vacuum/mop solutions.