Over the past three weeks, I have tested the Roomba 105 Combo Robot in my 40m² apartment, consisting of a living room and a bedroom. Overall, I am satisfied: the device is a stylish and practical helper in the home, especially if you have little time or want to clean quickly in between.
It took some getting used to at first, because the robot did not immediately understand all the places in my apartment. For example, it always missed one specific corner. After several cleaning rounds, it eventually managed to go almost everywhere.
The suction power is good: dust, crumbs and other dirt are picked up without any problem. The device works carefully and picks up edges and corners well. However, places such as behind the couch, near plant pots and under standing lamps are difficult for the robot to reach. You still have to use the vacuum cleaner yourself for this.
I found it a big plus that the Roomba drove over the small threshold between my living room and bedroom without any problems. It got stuck at the higher threshold to the bathroom, but I don't mind that too much because I prefer to vacuum that space manually. On carpets, it automatically adjusts its suction power, which is clearly audible because it then switches to a more powerful setting.
The SmartScrub mopping function is a pleasant, surprisingly effective addition. Although I didn't necessarily need to mop, the robot does this neatly. Every now and then it leaves a small wet streak, but that doesn't bother me. It is mainly useful for effortlessly keeping the floor clean.
What I also find very useful is the app. With it you can easily set up zones, so that you determine which parts of the apartment should or should not be cleaned. The app shows where the robot has cleaned, gives the battery percentage and provides information about the lifespan of parts such as the filters, mop and brushes. Sometimes I got an error message in the app, but after restarting everything worked smoothly again.
The sensors work well and help to neatly avoid obstacles. However, the robot has some difficulty with low objects where depth estimation is important. It occasionally got stuck on my bar stools with a low connecting piece between the legs. Fortunately, it usually managed to unplug itself, although it did come with a bit more noise and time.
One of the features that I personally found very useful is that it automatically empties itself at the charging station. Charging is easy and with a full battery, I estimate it can clean my entire apartment about three times.
I also liked the design. The Roomba 105 Combo has a sleek and modern look that fits perfectly into a contemporary interior. It doesn't look bulky or cheap, like some other robot vacuums.
I give the Roomba 105 Combo Robot a 7.0. It's a great choice for smaller homes or apartments. Although you still need a regular vacuum cleaner every now and then for hard-to-reach places, this robot vacuum offers a lot of convenience. Especially if you have pets, are short on time or just want to clean more efficiently, this is a great solution. As someone who works 5 to 6 days a week, I find it ideal to turn it on while I'm doing something else.
