iRobot Roomba i3 + robotic vacuum cleaner
"Thanks to the automatic dirt disposal system, cleaning takes place efficiently and without intervention."
-
Excellent cleaning performance
-
Cleans efficiently to save time
-
Car dirt disposal system
-
Great for avoiding obstacles
-
Virtual boundaries cannot be created
-
Sounds disgustingly loud empty
You never have to have owned or used a Roomba to know the reputation that preceded the robotic vacuum cleaner. Much like Apple in the world of smartphones and DJI with aerial drones, iRobot has an immense, established presence that gives consumers a sense of trust.
The latest robotic vacuum cleaner, the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, borrows a useful feature from its premium siblings – and at the same time bears significantly lower costs. This combination seems to be a direct response to the various units that have hit the market over the last year that have offered premium features at mid-range prices. Shark's IQ robot is one of them and offers the convenience of a self-draining system. However, the iRobot offer is an equally convincing argument in itself.
Smart cleaning without advanced sensors
I've never owned or used a Roomba, but I'm familiar with the various technologies implemented by today's sophisticated robotic vacuums that make them efficient cleaners. LiDAR, laser navigation and cameras have proven effective in turning today's robotic vacuums into efficient cleaners – the best models that still use the routine of navigating with bumps and movements. You don't get any of these fancy features with the Roomba i3 Plus, but I was still shocked by its performance.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Instead, floor sensors are used on the underside for navigation. In this way, it can effectively track its movement in rooms, so that cleaning doesn't just happen in random formations. In many cases, when there are clear, wide open spaces, cleaning is carried out in straight lines. Additionally, I'm impressed that it can handle clutter with ease. Even with some charging cables on the floor and shoes lying around, the Roomba i3 Plus didn't need fancy sensors to navigate around them.
All of this brings me to its incredible cleaning performance which sweetens its value as an efficient cleaner. The double, multi-surface rubber brushes pull in dirt and debris perfectly – without getting tangled by animal hair and other long fibers. While it only has a single edge brush that helps it wick away debris, the powerful suction helps reduce the spread of debris throughout the funnel. Nooks and crannies are handled well, although they do tend to readjust their position.
I am impressed that it can handle clutter with ease.
Overall, for a robot vacuum cleaner based on floor sensors, the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus is a highly efficient and competent cleaner that meets all of my cleaning needs.
Convenience of automatic disposal
Automatic disposal robots are still few and far between, and even iRobot's own offerings, the Roomba i7 Plus and the s9 Plus, cost $ 800 and $ 1,100, respectively. They're not cheap, which is why the Shark IQ Robot's price tag under $ 600 was so attractive to many. Fortunately, the Roomba i3 Plus gets the same convenience with the iRobot Clean Base automatic debris removal system – all at almost the same cost as the Shark for under $ 600.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
The convenience of setting the robot to clean on its own and then return to base when it has self-emptied is a benefit that means one less thing on my to-do list. I don't really mind emptying the robot myself as this is all I've experienced before, but I fully understand the inclusion in the robot's automation. However, it sounds like a jet engine is starting at top speed – it's so deafening – albeit less than a minute. The disposal unit can absorb dirt and debris for up to 60 days. However, I wish there was a more accurate way to know about the app. If you're wondering, a 3-pack of the disposal bags is $ 20.
If the trash can on the robotic vacuum cleaner gets filled while it is cleaning, it will automatically stop and return to the base to dispose of it – and then return to where it left off to complete the cleaning. Again, it is this type of automation that reduces the need for intervention at my level. The battery life is also excellent as my apartment can be cleaned for an hour without any problems.
No restricted areas
Although I am delighted with the efficient cleaning of the Roomba i3 Plus, it lacks a feature that I can rely on – and that sets up the restricted areas in my apartment. With other bots, this is achieved in two ways: using magnetic stripes to set these boundaries, or placing them on a map via the app. Unfortunately, there is also no option for the Roomba i3 Plus. Quite simply, it gets clean everywhere and everywhere as soon as it starts.
If you have areas in the house that you do not want to be disturbed by a robot vacuum, the ability to set up virtual boundaries / restricted areas is vital. In addition, the robot vacuum cleaner cannot assign any rooms. I think I am spoiled by the way other vacuum cleaners can recognize and define rooms. This is very helpful when you just want a specific room to be cleaned instead of everything. Even so, there are options in the iRobot App that you can use to set schedules for cleaning and connect them to other devices and services. For example, you can set up Roomba i3 Plus to start a cleaning session when you are not at home.
The Roomba i3 Plus is a remarkable cleaner that made me worry less about cleaning it.
Let's call it a compromise, but its inability to accurately map rooms and set virtual boundaries exactly sets this model apart from iRobot's other premium robotic vacuums.
Our opinion
I first met an iRobot Roomba and was impressed with how well it cleans – both picking up dirt from floors and carpets and cleaning it efficiently. The idea of being even more independent and automated is made even clearer by the automatic dirt disposal system. For a mid-ranger, the Roomba i3 Plus is a remarkable cleaner that leaves me less worrying about cleaning.
How long it will take?
Interestingly, the deliberate choice of tough, matt plastic with a dark gray fabric upper part makes the Roomba i3 Plus less prone to dirt and dust after every cleaning. I prefer it to the shiny glass panels I see in many other bots.
The construction feels solid for the most part, but a little maintenance will extend the life of this bot. In particular, long strands of hair can collect around the edge brush, so cleaning it after each use is helpful.
If something goes wrong internally due to a defect, a 1 year limited warranty applies with purchase.
Is there a better alternative?
Yes, if you are ready to lose the money. The older iRobot Roomba i7 Plus is the logical alternative, although it is already a few years old. It has the same automatic dirt disposal system and benefits from room allocation functions that can be used to identify rooms.
My personal all-round favorite recommendation is the Roborock S6 MaxV, partly because of its intelligent obstacle avoidance, the built-in security camera and the ability to mop floors. You pay more, but it's a 2-in-1 combo that gets your job done. If not, there are several more bots to consider covering the price range and features.
Should you buy it?
Thanks to its efficient cleaning and disposal system, you rarely have to interact with the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus. It is a powerful robot that can do the cleaning on its own. So it's definitely worth buying.
Editor's recommendations