iRobot Models

Robots like the Roomba that are fitted with powerful hardware and sensors can collect a large amount of data. But their privacy policies often conceal the fact that humans will be looking at the data.

For instance, a policy for the mop and vacuum combo Combo j9+ states that humans will be viewing images of rug and other obstacles. These images aid in improving the device's obstacle avoidance algorithm.

Roomba i3 EVO

The i3 is the ideal robot for flooring with no padding, as it is excellent in removing small particles. It also excels at picking up pet hair. However, it has a difficult time to pick large clumps on carpeting. The only issue is the high cost.

The Roomba i3 EVO has an identical design like the i1, but it comes with a major improvement: imprint intelligent mapping. This technology enables your robot to better clean by keeping track of specific rooms in your home. You can even label rooms with the i3 EVO's buttons or use the irobot vacuum application to set virtual boundary lines that can stop the robot from cleaning areas that you don't want it. The i3 EVO has the largest dustbin of any robot we tested at 0.5 Liters.

The i3 EVO like the majority of robots, requires regular maintenance in order to perform effectively. iRobot suggests cleaning the brushes at least twice each week if you have pets. To do this, turn the robot upside down and press the green tab which releases the brushes. Then, you can pull out the brushes and gently wipe them down with the microfiber cloth. It is also recommended to clean the six sensors that are located at the bottom of the robotic.

Another important thing to remember when buying a new Roomba is that the manufacturer's filters and brushes need to be replaced periodically. The Product Health tab of the irobot for pet hair App lets you examine the condition of these components. The filters on the i3 EVO should be replaced every two months, and the brushes should be replaced every six to 12 months.

iRobot's patented Dirt Detect Technology uses sensors to detect dirtier areas and increase suction power in those zones. This feature is particularly useful in homes with a lot of furniture because it prevents the robot from getting stuck under objects and ensures that all surfaces are clean. The i3 EVO also works with Alexa and lets you control it with voice commands. However, it does not have the same obstacle-avoidance features that are found in higher-end models such as the i8+, j7+ and s9+.

Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is a great entry-level robot vacuum. It's small enough to fit under the majority of furniture and is very thorough when it comes to cleaning. It also works well on bare floors and does a good job of picking up pet hair (though not as well as the more expensive models). However, it has limited automation features and doesn't work with Alexa or Google Assistant.

The 694 is powered by a replaceable lithium-ion battery that takes about two hours to fully charge while the bot is docked at Home Base. After it is fully charged, the 694 can continue where it left off with its last cleaning session or start a brand new one. It also includes an infrared sensor, as well as an RCON sensor that keep the robot from climbing steps, which is a nice feature to have for those who live in a multistory home.

This Roomba is a high-end design and is available in white, black, and red. Its ninja-like shaped round shape is accentuated by matte black plastic around the sides and an iRobot logo on the top. A large button with a green text that says "Clean" sits in the middle, and the home and spot cleaning buttons form a ring around it. A light on top of the screen shows battery levels: a green outline means it has enough power, whereas red indicates that it's at a low level or on the charger.

The Roomba 694 doesn't have a self emptying feature like the more expensive models, however it is a great performer at emptying its internal bin each time it returns home. The bin can hold around 60 days of debris. It is easy to empty it manually. Just press the release button, pull it out and dump it into the garbage.

The iRobot app is essential when the 694 since it's where you can modify your cleaning schedule and see a history of past cleaning sessions. You can also create virtual boundary markers to assist the robot in avoiding certain areas of your house and plan cleanings in advance. The app can even suggest extra cleanings during pollen season or when you are aware that your pets shed lots of sheds.

Roomba 980

The 980 is one of iRobot's newer robots, and like the rest, it's primarily controlled via an official app for iPhone or Android that links to your home's WiFi. This means that no matter where you are -- down the street or across town, or a thousand miles away you can tell the 980 to kick off cleaning sessions.

There are also some interesting things with the app, such as scheduling multiple cleaning sessions throughout the day and adjust settings like which surfaces to be focused on during the time of a particular session. You can also program the cleaner to return to its charging station once it's fully charged, a feature that will make the 980 particularly useful if you regularly leave it to clean before heading out for work.

The 980, as with other Roomba models in the past, makes use of sensors to navigate through your home. The iAdapt 2.0 navigation system uses the iAdapt 2.0 to map your home as it goes by recognizing distinct visual elements and creating a map based on images that assists the robot in navigating more efficiently. This lets the 980 skip spots that have already been cleaned, and it's a lot smarter at bumping into furniture and other obstacles.

The 980 comes with a suite of advanced cleaning sensors. The two multi-surface brushes are specifically designed to remove large amounts of dirt and debris, while the intelligent Power Boost feature increases the vacuuming power when the robot is cleaning carpets. The robot can also be operated with the included remote, or voice commands, thanks to its integration with Google Assistant and Alexa.

The 980 isn't cheap, but it's well worth the cost since it does a fantastic job of picking up dust and other particles. The new battery technology allows it to clean longer than previous models. It also has an app that makes it easy to plan cleaning sessions. The only issue I have with the 980 is that it doesn't come with a spare battery, so if yours dies you'll need to purchase one online.

Roomba 960

iRobot 960 is the current flagship model and is a great option for those who want a powerful robot vacuum with lots of intelligent features. It can be activated by pressing a button on the robot, via the app, or by using voice commands via Alexa and Google Assistant. It can be scheduled to clean at a certain time.

The 960 works well on carpeted and bare floors. Its iAdapt sensors adapt to the surface and its dual rubber brush can pick pet hair without tangling. It also has a bin detector that alerts users when the bin is about to become full. It uses the Irobot for pet hair Home App to control the robot, and also set cleaning schedules.

Its navigation is excellent and it is able to navigate a large single-story house with both carpeted and bare floors. It was able in our tests to return to the docking station once the cleaning cycle was completed. Its mapping and dirt detection capabilities are impressive, as it can remember a pattern or locate debris on the floor. It can even go under and around many obstacles, like table legs and chair seats.

The 960's downside is that it does not include the carpet boost technology of the 980. Its cleaning capabilities are also a little below the standard set by the other models in this line. It's still a great choice for homes of all sizes and comes at a reasonable price.

Like all robot vacuums, the 960 will need replacement maintenance parts from time to time. The iRobot App will track how often you should replace your filter, dust bin and spinning brush. Expect to pay around $35 per year for these replacements. You can best buy irobot roomba replacement parts directly from irobot for hardwood floors or through third-party sellers.