A significant early Black Friday price cut has made a top-tier cleaning gadget much more affordable for UK households. The iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo, a advanced robot that vacuums and mops floors, has received a substantial £250 discount, slashing its price from £699 to just £449.
Putting The Next-Generation Cleaner To The Test
As a shopping editor who has tested numerous devices, our reviewer found the Roomba Plus 505 Combo to be a potential replacement for traditional cleaning. The appeal lies in its dual functionality and autonomous features, which handle the tedious parts of floor care. The central component is its smart dock, which performs several key tasks automatically.
The AutoWash Dock empties the dustbin, cleans the reusable mop pads, and then heat-dries them, effectively managing the messiest aspects of the job. Setting up the device was reported to be straightforward, with the iRobot Home app providing clear guidance for mapping a home's layout and establishing no-mop zones to protect sensitive areas.
Performance and Practicality in a Home Setting
When active, the robot's performance impressed. Its dual spinning mop pads employ a SmartScrub technology that actively scrubs the floor rather than just wiping it. A feature called PerfectEdge allows one mop head to extend slightly, enabling it to reach into corners often missed by other devices.
Paired with suction power advertised as 70 times more advanced than basic models, it effectively dealt with common debris like crumbs and stray hairs. The device is also smart enough to adapt to different floor types; it automatically retracts the mop pad when it transitions from hard flooring onto carpet, preventing unwanted dampness.
Weighing The Pros and Cons
Like any gadget, the Roomba Plus 505 Combo comes with a list of advantages and considerations.
Pros:
- Powerful suction and a specialised rubber brush that handles hair without tangling.
- Mopping pads that scrub effectively and can reach into corners.
- Precise home mapping using AI, helping it avoid obstacles like cables.
- A versatile AutoWash dock that empties, cleans, and dries.
- Multiple cleaning modes (vacuum, mop, or combined) eliminate the need for separate machines.
Cons:
- The AutoWash cycle can be quite loud during its filling, heating, and drying phases.
- Some users report the accompanying app can be slow or clunky at times.
- If over-loaded with liquid, it can leave behind excess moisture.
- It carries a premium price tag, though it frequently appears in seasonal sales.
- The dock unit is sizable and requires dedicated floor space, which may be challenging in smaller homes.
For those considering alternatives, other models are also on sale. The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch 2-in-1 is now £399 (down from £699), and eufy's Robot Vacuum Omni C20 has a £280 discount. This Black Friday period presents a compelling opportunity to invest in home automation and reclaim valuable time usually spent on cleaning.
