iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo Review: A Strong Vacuum With a Self-Washing Dock and a So-So Mop
The Roomba Plus 515 Combo is a mid-range robot vacuum and mop whose vacuuming is the clear strength: 22,000 Pa of suction and LiDAR navigation pick up crumbs and pet hair well, and its 84 mm body slips under beds. The AutoWash Dock empties the bin and washes and dries the mop pads, but the mopping itself is only decent, the dirty water tank has to be emptied often, and cords on the floor trip up the pads. Setup requires a 2.4 GHz network, which is where most early frustration comes from. It is a good value for pet homes that mostly want strong, hands-off vacuuming; buyers who want a first-rate mop should look higher up.
- Pet owners
- Mostly hard floors with a few rugs
- Uncluttered homes
- Alexa and Google Home households
Pros
- Strong 22,000 Pa suction that handles pet hair well
- Accurate LiDAR mapping with no-go zones and multi-room maps
- Dock empties the bin and washes and heat-dries the mop pads
- Low 84 mm body reaches under beds and furniture
- Battery easily covers a full floor, rated up to 200 minutes
- Mop pads lift on carpet so rugs stay dry
- Works with Alexa and Google Home
Cons
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, which complicates setup on dual-band routers
- Mopping is only decent, and the pads can snag on cords
- No automatic detergent dispenser
- Dirty water tank must be emptied often to avoid odors
- Loud self-emptying and a large dock
- No Apple Home, SmartThings or Matter support
Who is the Roomba Plus 515 Combo for?
It fits a home with dogs or cats, mostly hard floors and a few low rugs, where the floor is kept reasonably clear. Owners with pets describe it as a daily answer to shedding, and its low 84 mm profile gets under beds and furniture that are awkward to reach with an upright. Several buyers single it out as a mid-range pick rather than a flagship: it has LiDAR mapping and a full-service dock, but not the camera-based object recognition that helps pricier robots dodge cables and toys, so busy floors with kids' clutter are a weaker match.
What buyers love
Vacuuming earns the most praise. Owners call the suction very good on wood, tile, vinyl and low rugs, and pet hair is a recurring success story. The LiDAR map comes out accurate for most buyers, the robot avoids stairs and moves smoothly between rooms, and the battery comfortably covers a full floor before it returns to recharge. The dock is appreciated for doing the chores that usually make a robot feel less automatic: it empties the bin into a bag, washes the mop pads and dries them with heat so they do not stay damp. The app gets credit for its range of controls, from room selection and no-go zones to suction and water levels, and the pads lift on carpet so rugs stay dry.
What to know before you buy
The robot only connects to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and routers that broadcast both bands under one name are the most common setup headache; one buyer returned it over the connection alone. Mopping is the weak half: owners rate it okay on lightly soiled floors, the round pads can pop off or snag on cords, and without a clear floor a run can stop early. The dock does not dispense cleaning solution automatically, so any detergent is added by hand, and several owners warn that the dirty water tank needs emptying promptly or it starts to smell. Other recurring notes are a loud self-emptying cycle, a large dock that needs its own spot, ongoing costs for dust bags and pads, and runs that take longer because the robot returns to wash its pads. Recharging takes about 6 hours. For smart homes it works with Alexa and Google Home only: Apple Home, SmartThings and Matter are not supported.
Is the Roomba Plus 515 Combo worth it?
As a vacuum with a genuinely hands-off dock, yes: owners who mainly want strong daily pickup, good pet hair performance and a self-cleaning base find it good value for a mid-range price. The mop is a convenience rather than a replacement for hand mopping, and it rewards a floor free of cords. If mopping is the main reason to buy, or the home has a lot of floor clutter, a higher-tier model with better obstacle recognition is the safer choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Roomba Plus 515 Combo work with 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No. It connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. If the router combines both bands under one network name, setting up a separate 2.4 GHz network usually makes pairing easier.
Does the AutoWash Dock add cleaning solution automatically?
No. The dock empties the bin and washes and dries the mop pads, but it has no automatic detergent dispenser. A compatible cleaning solution can be added to the tank by hand.
Will the Roomba Plus 515 Combo mop my rugs?
No. It detects carpet and lifts its mop pads, so rugs are vacuumed without getting wet.
Does it work with Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home?
It works with Alexa and Google Home. Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings and Matter are not supported.
How long does the battery last?
It is rated for up to 200 minutes per charge and returns to the dock on its own to recharge, which takes about 6 hours.
What warranty does it come with?
It carries a one year manufacturer warranty.
