Source-checked buying decisions
Roomba 105 AutoEmpty vs 505 AutoWash: choose the chore you want to automate
Choose the 105 AutoEmpty for help with dust disposal. Consider the 505 AutoWash when pad washing and drying are central to your decision.
Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-21 · Manufacturer specifications and editorial analysis
For less dust-bin handling
Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty Dock
Choose this when dust emptying is the chore you want to reduce.
The AutoEmpty bundle adds dust collection to the 105’s microfiber-pad setup.
Trade-off: AutoEmpty is not an automatic mop-washing system.
Skip if: Your mopping route must cross carpet to reach another hard-floor area; the 105 avoids carpet in mopping modes.
$299.00Checked 2026-10-26 23:24 UTC. Price and availability may change.
Paid link. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
For less mop maintenance
Roomba Plus 505 Combo + AutoWash Dock
Choose this when repeated mopping and pad care drive your decision.
Spinning pads and an AutoWash dock change both the mopping hardware and the maintenance workflow.
Trade-off: A washing dock still needs care; automation does not make ownership maintenance-free.
Skip if: You rarely mop and mainly want help emptying dust; paying for pad washing may add little value.
$709.99Checked 2026-10-26 19:45 UTC. Price and availability may change.
Paid link. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The differences that matter
| Feature | Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty Dock | Roomba Plus 505 Combo + AutoWash Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Dock workflow | AutoEmpty dust collection | AutoWash: dust emptying, pad washing and heated drying |
| Mopping hardware | Microfiber pad | Dual spinning pads |
| Mixed-floor routine | Avoids carpets while mopping | Lifts mop pads on carpet |
Dock workflow: Start with the chore you want to remove: charging, dust disposal, or pad care. These dock types solve different problems.
Mopping hardware: A microfiber pad and spinning pads are different mechanisms. Specifications alone cannot establish which removes more dirt in your home.
Mixed-floor routine: Carpet avoidance and pad lifting imply different routes during a mopping run. Check your floor layout before choosing.
When the upgrade makes sense
The reason to move to the 505 is the changed mop-and-dock workflow. If you seldom mop, those additions may contribute little to your routine. Do not treat a higher model number as proof of better pickup.
How to judge value today
Use the current retailer prices below the picks to judge the premium. Decide how much reducing pad care is worth to you; if that benefit is small, keep the 105 on your shortlist. A temporary discount should not decide which workflow you need.
Our recommendation
Our default split is by maintenance: 105 AutoEmpty for dust collection, 505 AutoWash for a more automated mopping routine. Choose based on those differences, then check current bundle pricing.
Community discussions
Questions and individual experiences add context, not controlled-test results, failure rates, or owner consensus.
105 AutoEmpty: convenience, bags and emptying noise
In a mixed-brand discussion, one commenter describes a refurbished 105 Combo with an auto-emptying dock as convenient, while noting bag purchases and loud emptying. The original poster owns a different robot; this is a single comment about the 105, not a noise measurement.
Reddit discussion · Applies to Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty Dock · Checked 2026-09-21 08:27 UTC
105 Combo: rugs and mopping-mode questions
A 105 Combo owner reports trouble crossing rugs and returning to the dock. A reply asks whether mopping mode is involved. The dock configuration is unspecified and the captured discussion does not establish a fix; use the official carpet-routing guidance when planning your rooms.
Reddit discussion · Applies to Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty Dock · Checked 2026-09-21 08:27 UTC
505 Combo: several months of mixed ownership experience
A 505 Combo owner remains positive overall after several months but describes app-state, notification and loose-part issues. This is one experience with an unspecified regional bundle, not a reliability rate or proof that current software has the same behavior.
Reddit discussion · Applies to Roomba Plus 505 Combo + AutoWash Dock · Checked 2026-09-21 08:27 UTC
Does the 105 in this comparison include a self-emptying dock?
Yes. This comparison uses the 105 Combo AutoEmpty bundle, Y354020 / B0DWFZ8Q7M, not the charge-only 105 or the vacuum-only 105. Check the exact bundle before ordering.
Will the 105 cross a rug during a mopping job?
iRobot documents carpet avoidance during 105 Combo mopping. If a rug separates hard-floor rooms, consider the route as well as the floor area. The 505 instead documents lifting its pads on carpet; that is not a guarantee for every rug height or layout.
Does AutoEmpty also wash the mop pad?
No. AutoEmpty handles dust collection. The 505 AutoWash bundle adds pad washing and heated drying, which is the main reason to consider it when repeated mopping and pad care matter.
Methodology & sources
We matched US bundle names to iRobot product pages, recorded the cited specifications, and used those differences to map buying scenarios. Recommendations are editorial interpretations of documented features. Affiliate links do not determine the feature comparison.
This is a focused comparison of selected Roomba configurations, not a ranking of the entire market. We have not measured pickup, navigation reliability, noise, or long-term durability. Newer models and other brands may suit you better. Verify the exact bundle and retailer listing before ordering. iRobot product pages and owner guides use mop-only wording, while its 100/1000 Combo support article says the family cannot mop only. Confirm the current app, firmware and exact Y354020 support guidance if standalone mopping is essential.
Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty Dock
- Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty Dock — official specifications · checked 2026-09-10
Roomba Plus 505 Combo + AutoWash Dock
- Roomba Plus 505 Combo + AutoWash Dock — official specifications · checked 2026-09-10
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