Cleaning takes time, so make your life easier by buying a robot vacuum cleaner. The ultimate in this regard is iRobot through its Roomba line. So whether you're looking to clean carpet or a hard floor to remove dust, food crumbs and pet hair, we'll help you find the right iRobot Roomba for you. Follow the guide.
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This is the twin of the iRobot Roomba e5. It has the same components with a slightly different look on the outside. The cleaning performance and the price are great!
274 £ on AmazonThe iRobot Roomba e6 is the updated version of the iRobot Roomba e5: same power, same runtime and same specifications. However, it adds two virtual walls and an additional filter. Note the Wi-Fi connectivity, wireless control, scheduled cleanings and up to 90 min of battery life. Despite the low and sometimes random navigation, the cleaning performance matches the excellent results of the Roomba e5.
The charging base included with the Roomba e6 remains the same as other iRobot Roomba's. It has two charging pins that line up with the pins on the bottom of the vacuum. Once the e6 completes its cleaning cycle, it will automatically return to the charging station and recharge before the next cleaning cycle. And finally, the iRobot Roomba e6 comes with two virtual walls.
The iRobot Roomba 692 is a robot vacuum cleaner designed for people on a tight budget who want good cleaning performance at the same time.
232 £ on AmazonThe iRobot Roomba 692 is an Amazon exclusive version of the iRobot Roomba 690, and has an all-black body with a simple silver Roomba logo on top and softened rounded edges. You can control it remotely from a smartphone via the iRobot Home app. You can also opt for voice commands with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. In addition to the digital controls, there are a few physical controls located on the body of the vacuum cleaner.
The iRobot Roomba 692 has a bit more basic navigation compared to digital mapping models. There is no memory mapping feature or ability to store maps in any way. Instead of using an onboard camera for guided navigation, the Roomba 692 uses the V-SLAM system. As it travels through a room to be cleaned, it will gently bump into walls, furniture and other obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is one of the most popular models of the brand, one of the most expensive too. Smart mapping and digital assistant justify such a price.
719 £ on AmazonThe iRobot Roomba i7+ is a robot vacuum cleaner with a unique automatic dirt removal feature built into its charging station. That way, you won't need to empty the dust compartment as often as other models. Its companion app provides access to various features such as setting up virtual walls and scheduling cleaning times. Plus, it automatically adjusts its head based on your floor type And it can focus on cleaning particularly dirty areas more thoroughly.
Unfortunately, the iRobot Roomba i7+ has trouble cleaning large debris on bare floors and small debris on carpets. There are several parts that require regular maintenance and replacement, which makes it expensive to use in the long run. But the iRobot Roomba i7+ benefits from excellent build quality, with a hard plastic body while and non-skid rubber wheels.
The iRobot Roomba 981 is another Amazon exclusive model. Its features and functionality are very similar to the original model, the iRobot Roomba 980.
448 £ on AmazonThe iRobot Roomba 981 is a well-built robot vacuum cleaner with exceptional performance on bare floors. It proves effective at cleaning pet hair on most surfaces. It also has excellent battery life, good automation features and cleans rooms in an organized back-and-forth pattern. Unfortunately, it has trouble removing debris from carpets, especially shaggy ones. And like other robot vacuums, it has high operating costs and requires regular maintenance.
Like all iRobot 900 series vacuums, Roomba 981 uses iAdapt 2.0 Navigation technology in combination with VSLAM to help the robot vacuum navigate the entire area and plan a systematic cleaning. It also has a top mounted camera. The disadvantage of using a camera for navigation is that it might not work properly when there is not enough light, unlike the LiDAR navigation system which uses infrared sensors that work well even in dark rooms.
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The best iRobot Roomba in 2021
The best entry-level iRobot Roomba
The best high-end iRobot Roomba
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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iRobot Roomba e6
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iRobot Roomba 692
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iRobot Roomba i7+
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iRobot Roomba 981
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This is the twin of the iRobot Roomba e5. It has the same components with a slightly different look on the outside. The cleaning performance and the price are great!
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The iRobot Roomba 692 is a robot vacuum cleaner designed for people on a tight budget who want good cleaning performance at the same time.
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The iRobot Roomba i7+ is one of the most popular models of the brand, one of the most expensive too. Smart mapping and digital assistant justify such a price.
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The iRobot Roomba 981 is another Amazon exclusive model. Its features and functionality are very similar to the original model, the iRobot Roomba 980.
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Dimensions (L x W x H)
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34 x 34 x 9.2 cm
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34 x 34 x 9.5 cm
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34.2 x 34 x 9.3 cm
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35.1 x 35.1 x 9.2 cm
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Dust pan capacity
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0.5 L
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0.3 L
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2.65 L
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0.6 L
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Cleaning performance
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Digital mapping
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Autonomy
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90 min
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60 min
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75 min
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120 min
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iRobot claims to have invented the first truly intelligent robot vacuum cleaner. The brand has a production facility in Bedford, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1990 by three MIT students who had worked on robots for space exploration and military defense. Like almost all exciting consumer inventions (the television, the microwave oven, etc.), government gadgets eventually find their way into the consumer product market.
iRobot focuses on consumer robot vacuums and offers a wide range of vacuum cleaners (Roomba) and mops (Braava). Roomba remains iRobot's flagship line. The first Roomba robot vacuum cleaner was released in 2002. Over the years, many models have followed. Currently, Roomba has 5 flagship models, listed below:
The iRobot Roomba S9+ is the most advanced robot vacuum cleaner in the brand's catalog. The self-draining dust pan with Recharge and Resume technology allows you to vacuum and continue cleaning until the job is done. It also saves you from manually emptying the dust pan after each cycle. Smart features of the top-of-the-line Roomba models include:
Roomba is the only robot vacuum cleaner line to offer an automatic emptying dust bin. The S9+ and i7+ models have this advanced feature and in our testing with the Roomba i7+, we were impressed. But how does it work? Roomba cleans the area as usual. When finished (or sooner if it detects a full dust bin), the vacuum will return to the charging station and empty the dust bin into a separate waste bag. The vacuum bag on the charging base can hold a volume of dust representing 30 round trips of the robot vacuum cleaner.
The latest additions to the iRobot Roomba series also feature the Genius Home Intelligence system. This is the latest update to iRobot's platform that is designed to provide more control over where, when and how your robot vacuum cleans. The Genius program can take into account unique schedules in your home, cleaning preferences and smart home integrations. This allows you to:
If you're looking for great value, it's hard to overlook the Roomba e6. The Roomba e6 is a bit more economical, but that also means it has fewer features. So the iRobot Roomba catalog caters to all needs and especially to all budgets. And the price range is very wide.
Roomba vacuums from iRobot use a camera to map your home and clean row by row. They have a higher suction power that you may prefer if you have thick carpet or just need a deep clean. This is great if you have pets, children or perhaps if you wear shoes inside the house.
Roomba's higher end models (6+, 7+ and 9+) have an automatic emptying feature where the robot empties the bin itself into bags. Even though you don't have to do the emptying on the higher end models, you still have to replace the bag 1-2 times a year, which really isn't much.
Roborock designs 2-in-1 vacuum cleaners and floor cleaners simultaneously. Its devices have exceptional navigation and cost less than the iRobot Roomba. Roborock has two main lines of robot vacuums, S and E. The S series offers a wide range of models at different price points and performance. The E series is intended to be a collection of economical robot vacuums offered at lower prices and more basic features.
For navigation, Roborock models use sensors to map your home and LIDAR technology is more nuanced than a camera. Roborock vacuums all have a dual cleaning function. Their smart robots can both vacuum and clean and are slightly more affordable. The main drawback with Roborock robot vacuums is that you have to manually empty the dust collector after each cleaning session.
Very little separates these two brands. If the cleaning performances are almost the same, your decision will have to be made taking into account the ease of maintenance. Indeed, the iRobot Roomba models require very little regular maintenance unlike the Roborock models.
Clearly, the cleaning ability of a robot vacuum cleaner is its most important attribute. While some vacuums provide numerical measurements to indicate suction power, iRobot does not. Instead, it relies on vague terms such as "5x cleaning power". Still, knowing how each model compares to the others can help you determine which one is best for your level of clutter, as well as other cleaning features such as brushless rollers or allergen filters.
The more affordable iRobot Roomba vacuums will clean more randomly, rolling across the floor and flipping over every time they hit a wall. This works decently well and might work for you, but the higher-end models have built-in intelligence that allows for a more methodical approach, even being able to clean specific rooms on command and learn to avoid certain areas.
iRobot doesn't list decibel levels for each of its robot vacuums, but if you plan to stay home when the vacuum is running, check out previous customer reviews to help you assess whether noise will be an issue for a given model.
iRobot Roomba's often come with a smart dock, so when the unit needs charging, it automatically returns to the dock. Charging time for iRobot Roomba's ranges from 3 to 4 hours, a bit long in some people's eyes. Opt for a device that has a long battery life in case you want the cleaning process to be completed quickly and efficiently.
With a scheduler, you can set specific days during the week for your iRobot Roomba to clean. The machine automatically starts and begins cleaning on the day and time you specify. You can even leave the house during the process. The latest iRobot Roomba's have Wi-Fi, allowing you to schedule the cleaning via your smartphone. The device will notify you when the cleaning is complete. Notifications of errors or problems can also be accessed via your phone.
Most robot vacuums consist of one or two rotating brushes and one or two rolling brushes. These work together to bring large and small debris to the center of the unit, where the suction mechanism sucks it into the unit's trash can.
Dirt, pet hair, food, hair and anything else the vacuum cleaner collects is stored in a removable section. Once this is full, the owner will usually have to remove the bin and dispose of everything in the trash. On higher-end iRobot Roomba models, the unit itself does this emptying.
The best autonomous robot vacuums also include different types of sensors. Downward-facing sensors are the most common and help the device get over a ledge such as a staircase. More expensive models have top-facing sensors that can map rooms as they clean.
Basic robot vacuums can be programmed to operate on a schedule using controls on the unit itself. You can control the higher-end models with smartphone apps or even voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Whatever device you have, you can be sure that it will pick up debris throughout your home. Because these vacuums can be programmed to run when you're not home, you can come home to a clean house every day of the week.
Before we start thinking of the robot vacuum cleaner as the secret ingredient to a squeaky clean house, we need to review its limitations. Let's just say that the robot won't be replacing your upright vacuum anytime soon.
First, robot vacuums don't have the same cleaning power and maneuverability as a traditional upright unit. While most units have a variable amount of suction, most designs don't allow the vacuum to reach every inch of your home's floor.
Second, robot vacuums have sensors to make sure they don't roll down stairs, but there's nothing to stop them from vacuuming small objects in cluttered environments. While most robot vacuums will go over thicker cords, USB-C and Lightning cables can be destroyed.
There are also day-to-day issues with robot vacuums. For one thing, the smaller design doesn't allow for a large collection bin. While it may take a few days to fill if used regularly, in homes with pets, the bin will need to be emptied much more often, which can be a pain in the long run.
Repairability
As the most popular brand of robot vacuums, it's generally easier to find replacement parts for iRoot Roomba vacuums, which allows you to keep it running longer and go well beyond the warranty. Plus, this brand has excellent build quality.
Remote control
In addition to smart cleaning cycles, some Roomba models allow you to monitor and control the vacuum cleaner from your smartphone. This way, you can check its status when you're not at home, start a cleaning with Amazon Alexa or another smart assistant when you leave the house, or receive notifications when it's stuck somewhere in the house.
High efficiency filter
You might think that the filter on a robot vacuum cleaner is a trivial thing. It's not! A good robot vacuum cleaner can capture 99% of pollen, allergens and particles as small as 10 microns. The Roomba i7+, Roomba S9+ and Roomba 980 models have high efficiency filters.
Detection surface detection
iRobot Roomba robot vacuums are smart enough to detect the surfaces they walk over. They can automatically detect stairs and walls using various built-in sensors.
Easy to maintain
The maintenance cost of an iRobot Roomba robot vacuum cleaner is not huge if you know how to treat it properly. You need to clean the filter, replace the dust bag whenever necessary. This will not take much time.
We believe these are the best alternative brands to the iRobot Roomba:
Roborock was founded in 2014 and produces appliances for home automation. Today, the brand makes some of the best vacuum cleaners on the market. Roborock also offers the most technologically advanced robot vacuums. Of course, you're going to have to pay for it!
Eufy, a subsidiary of Anker Innovations, is an emerging company in the home security industry. Its catalog includes household appliances such as vacuum cleaners. The brand also makes robot vacuums that have decent suction power and versatility.
Ecovacs Robotics is a pioneer in smart home robotics innovation. The brand's two main products are the Deebot (robot vacuum cleaner) and the Winbot (window cleaning robot). The versatility of the Deebot vacuum cleaners and their long battery life are no longer in evidence.
No, we're not talking about Nintendo console figures but a brand of robot vacuum cleaners! Launched in 2013, the French brand Amibot is known for the high quality of its robot vacuums. Choose this brand for quality, but also for innovation.
Naeto landed on the robot vacuum cleaner market in 2010. It offers affordable, cordless, bagless, and lightweight automatic vacuums that are effective for all cleaning needs, including pet hair removal. If you are looking for a high quality model at an affordable price, don't hesitate.
Tilt the chairs
If you've had an iRobot Roomba or other robot vacuum cleaner for a while, you've probably seen it stuck under a chair. For some reason, robot vacuums have a hard time getting out from under chairs and it can mess up your entire cleaning schedule if you're not there to rescue the vacuum. One of the easiest tips for Roomba and other robot vacuums is to lean your chairs against the wall so that only two legs touch the floor. This tip will allow your robot vacuum to easily get around chairs without ever getting stuck again.
Keep the load base clean
The charging base is an often overlooked area of the robot vacuum. Yet it's one of the most critical parts of this type of device, including iRobot Roomba models. Roomba and other robot vacuums use a non-plug-in metal contact to charge the device. And, if these metal contacts become dusty or dirty, it can affect the vacuum's ability to receive and hold a charge. If you find that your vacuum cleaner is taking longer and longer to charge, it may be due to a dirty charging station. So, quickly wipe this contact area with a dry cloth from time to time to keep it clean.
Clean the sensors
The individual sensors that control the machine's movements are another overlooked area of robot vacuums. If any of the sensors get covered with dust or dirt, it can have a significant impact on the quality of cleaning. So, after a few uses, take a minute to clean the individual sensors with a dry cloth.
Extend cleaning times by closing the doors
If you want to expand the area cleaned with a full charge, the best tip is to place the machine in a room and close the door. Then the robot vacuum cleaner can clean a room in isolation without wasting time wandering around other areas. Once the robot vacuum is done cleaning that particular room, move it to another room to start over.
Turn on the lights
Most robot vacuums use sensors to control where the device goes. And because of this, these machines don't work very well in the dark. An iRobot Roomba that cleans in a room with the lights off can't sense its surroundings as well as one that's in a brightly lit area. So, turn on the lights in the room the robot vacuum is cleaning for maximum performance.
Follow these three simple steps to set up your iRobot Roomba. First, download the iRobot Home app from Google Play or the App Store. Next, turn on the Roomba's Wi-Fi signal. Finally, start the cleaning cycle. You can tap "Clean" in the app or tap "Clean" once on the device itself to turn it back on, then tap "Clean" a second time to start a cleaning cycle.
Believe it or not, your robot vacuum needs regular cleaning too. Some iRobot Roomba's come with surprisingly small bins (some less than 400 mL), so unless you're lucky enough to own a self-draining model, these will need to be emptied after each run. It is also recommended that you cut, not pull, any bristles that have become tangled in the rotating brush and clean the filters. After several uses, you should refer to your iRobot manual to know how often to replace them.
Not all iRobot Roomba robot vacuums come with a virtual wall. However, you can still get the same effect using multiple pairs. All you have to do is set up a row of shoes to block off an area of your home where you don't want Roomba to go. It's that simple. And it's free!
All iRobot Roomba owners are looking for ways to extend the life of their vacuum's battery. Here are some tips:
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