iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop Review
IS THE IROBOT ROOMBA PLUS 505 COMBO WORTH IT?
✓ Why Dad Likes It
Excellent obstacle avoidance
LiDAR navigation
Avoids clutter very well
AutoWash dock washes the mop pads
− What To Know
No onboard water tank to keep mop pads wet
Auto-empty suction is low
Single brush roller gets hair wrap
Cold-water pad washing
BOTTOM LINE: Is the iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo Just a Dad Approved?
It is NOT Just a Dad Approved. The Roomba Plus 505 Combo has one genuinely excellent feature — obstacle avoidance scored a 9 and is among the best I've tested at avoiding clutter. But a single great feature can't carry the robot. It vacuums and mops, and the AutoWash dock washes the pads, but there's no onboard water tank to keep pads wet while cleaning, so mopping performance is weak — and it washes with cold water. Auto-empty suction is low, causing dustbin clogs. The single brush roller wraps hair, and the app lacks features. Skip it and get the MOVA V50 or MOVA P10 Pro instead.
Watch the Real-World Testing
From My YouTube Channel
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🏆3-Month Real World Test Score6.2/10
Hassle Free
6/10
Mop Performance
5/10
Carpet Cleaning
6/10
Hair Tangle Test
5/10
Obstacle Avoidance/ Clutter Test
9/10
Score Summary6.2
Real World Testing Results
🐾
HAIR & PET TEST
It uses a single brush roller that gets hair wrap — a real weak point for homes with pets or long hair.
💧
MOPPING TEST
It mops, and the dock washes the pads, but there's no onboard water tank to keep the pads wet while cleaning.
⚠️
OBSTACLE / CLUTTER TEST
The obstacle sensor is one of the best in the Roomba family.
⚙️
MAINTENANCE REALITY
The auto-empty suction is low, so the dustbin can clog.
Product Specifications
Full Technical Breakdown
Robot
Model
iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo
Price
Mid-Range
Suction Power
NA
Side Brush
Basic — 1 brush
Main Brush
Single brush roller
Water Tank On Board
No — key weakness for mopping
Video Camera
No
Obstacle Avoidance
Amazing — the robot's standout feature (PrecisionVision AI)
Chassis Lift
No
Threshold Climb
No
Dock
Water Temp / Air Temp
Cold
Air Temp
Hot
Dirt Detect
No
Solution Tank
No
Tray Removal
No
Other
AutoWash dock — auto-empty + washes/heat-dries pads (auto-empty suction is low)
Who Is It For?
Buyer Fit
Buy It If
You specifically need only best-in-class obstacle avoidance
You're already committed to the Roomba ecosystem
Skip It If
You want strong mopping
You have pets / long hair
You want reliable auto-empty that doesn't clog
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First, the model situation: the Roomba Plus 505 and the Roomba Plus 505X are the exact same robot vacuum. The only difference is that the 505X is the version sold on Amazon — there is no functional difference between them, and this review covers both.
These are vacuum-and-mop combo robots that can clean your house with a base station that auto-washes the mop pads. After three months of testing, the verdict is a Skip It at 6.2 out of 10. The robot has one excellent trick, but the rest of the experience doesn't justify a premium-priced purchase.
What's in the Box and First Setup
Setup can be harder than it should be, and the app lacks features once you're in. That's what kept the hassle-free score to a 6 out of 10.
Cleaning Performance: What It Actually Picks Up
Mopping Performance
Mopping scored a 5, and there's a specific reason. The robot has no onboard water tank to keep the mop pads wet while it cleans. The AutoWash dock does wash the pads between runs, but without onboard water feeding them during the clean — and with cold-water washing — it just doesn't mop very well.
Carpet and Pet Hair
Carpet cleaning scored a 6. Hair tangle scored a 5, dragged down by a single brush roller that gets hair wrap. For homes with pets or long hair, that's a meaningful problem.
Obstacle Avoidance
This is where the 505 shines. The obstacle-avoidance sensor scored a 9 — it's one of the best robots for avoiding stuff and clutter, with lighter LiDAR navigation backing it up. If there's a reason to look at this robot at all, this is it.
The Dock and Maintenance
The AutoWash dock auto-empties the robot and washes and heat-dries the mop pads, which sounds great on paper. The catch is the auto-empty suction is low, so the dustbin can clog — undercutting the convenience. Combined with cold-water pad washing and no onboard water tank, the cleaning hardware doesn't live up to the price.
App Experience
The app is a weak point: it lacks features, and getting the robot set up can be a hassle. For a premium robot, that's a tough miss.
What I'd Change About the iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo
Add an onboard water tank so the pads stay wet and it actually mops well.
Boost the auto-empty suction so the dustbin stops clogging.
Switch to a dual/anti-tangle roller to fix the hair wrap, and add app features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Buyer Questions
Is the Roomba Plus 505 Combo worth buying?+
No — it's a Skip It. The obstacle-avoidance sensor is excellent, but no onboard water tank means weak mopping, the auto-empty suction is low so the dustbin clogs, the single roller gets hair wrap, and the app lacks features. I recommend the Mova V50 or Mova P10 Pro instead.
What's the difference between the Roomba Plus 505 and the 505X?+
Nothing functional — they're the exact same robot. The 505X is simply the version sold on Amazon. Everything in this review applies to both.
Why doesn't the Roomba Plus 505 mop well?+
It has no onboard water tank to keep the mop pads wet while it cleans, and it washes the pads with cold water. The AutoWash dock washes the pads between runs, but the lack of onboard water during cleaning is why mopping only scored a 5.
What's the best thing about it?+
Obstacle avoidance. The sensor scored a 9 and is one of the best at avoiding stuff and clutter. It's the one area where this robot clearly stands out.
What should I buy instead of the Roomba Plus 505?+
I recommend the Mova V50 or the Mova P10 Pro — better all-around vacuum-and-mop robots at this tier, with stronger mopping and fewer compromises.
About Tom Shelton
Tom Shelton
Tom Shelton is the creator of Just A Dad Approved. He tests robot vacuums, home products, and everyday gear in real homes so shoppers can see what actually works before spending money.
