Just six months after iRobot launched its budget-friendly Essential robot vacuum, the lineup already includes two new models. The Roomba Combo 2 Essential and Roomba Vac 2 Essential offer “double the cleaning power” of their predecessors and bring self-emptying dust bins to the series for the first time.
The Roomba Combo 2 Essential ($425) combines vacuuming and mopping capabilities, while the Vac 2 Essential ($400) is a vacuuming-only model meant for those without tile or hardwood floors. Both have 100 percent more suction than the first Essential vacuum.
The latter already had 20 times more suction power than the Roomba 600 series, which it replaced at the lower end of iRobot’s product line. Both machines have self-emptying capabilities, ejecting dirt and debris into a self-sealing bag inside the docking station. The bags can hold dirt for up to 60 days, after which you’ll need to replace them. The vacuum has four levels of suction power, a multi-surface bristle brush, and an edge-sweeping brush.
The Roomba Combo 2 Essential has the same vacuuming capabilities as the cheaper model, while also offering mopping with three levels of water extraction. At just $25 more than the vacuum-only model, it seems like a clear choice, unless your home is completely carpeted.
One thing the higher-end models offer is advanced navigation with LiDAR. Instead, budget models like these go for simple (but still effective) neat rows.
The Roomba Combo 2 Essential is now available in North America for $425 on iRobot’s website and at third-party retailers. The vacuum-only Vac 2 Essential costs $400 and is sold at select retailers.
After CES and ahead of Samsung’s Unpacked, the Engadget crew had a quick chance to catch its breath this week. But we took a look at the deal machine to see which tech sales are worth your money. Right now, we’re seeing some great deals from Apple – one on the latest iPad mini and another on the new 15-inch MacBook Air – as well as a first-time discount on the Kindle Colorsoft ereader.
There are some discounts on Bluetooth trackers to help you keep track of your keys and bag. And Best Buy is still running a promotion to give away three months of Apple TV+ free so you can start watching the just-released season two of Severance. Here are this week’s best tech deals you can still find today.
That matches the price of this set for Black Friday. It’s our current favorite premium power bank, thanks to the sleek design, easy-to-read display, and fast charging capabilities. But what really makes it stand out is the charging base. Magnets align the base with the battery, so it’s easy to put down and recharge. The base also offers additional USB ports so you can charge other accessories at the same time.
All four colors are currently on sale for the latest MacBook Air at Amazon. We gave the laptop a positive review last year, finding great performance for both productive work and casual play. The keyboard and trackpad are fantastic, making the laptop fun to use. We currently recommend the M3 MacBook Air as the best MacBook for most people.