Using virtual cleaning areas, you'll be able to keep the robot in the rooms you want to be cleaned and out of those you don’t. Plus, equipped with a Halo Mode, it keeps itself away from items you want the robot to avoid.
It takes a few days for the device to memorise the layout of your home and start working optimally.
The iRobot Roomba 981 is everything a robot vacuum cleaner is cracked up to be. Building on the foundation of its predecessors, the model is virtually devoid of the usual robot vacuum's shortcomings. With its help, you'll be able to keep every and any part of your home clean without putting in any effort at all.
Use with iRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Deeper cleaning on carpets, multi-room coverage. The powerful cleaning system automatically increases air power up to 10x on carpets, where it’s needed most
iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with Visual Localization helps Roomba seamlessly and efficiently navigate an entire level of your home and keep track of its location. Incorporates a full suite of smart sensors and a low 3.6" profile design
Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere with the iRobot HOME App
Around 100 square metres
120 minutes
High-efficiency filter captures 99% of all allergens, pollen, and particles as small as 10 microns
Home Base charging station, 2 x Dual-Mode Virtual Wall Barriers (4 AA batteries Included), 1 x extra filter, 1 x extra side brush, Manufacturer's warranty, Owner's guide, Documentation package
2-year limited warranty on the robot, 1-year limited warranty on the battery
The vSLAM® tech, using the updated iAdapt 2.0 module, will be creating detailed maps, identifying the robot's surroundings so that the robotic vacuum knows where it's been, where it is, and where it should move next. The Cliff Detect sensors will prevent the robot from falling.
The run time seldom matches the advertised.
The iRobot Roomba 971 will be cleaning hard floors as easily as carpets. Spinning at 10,000 RPM, this mobile machine can handle the toughest debris. Between the company's app and voice control modules, the robot enables seamless remote management.
Use with iRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
3-stage cleaning system with 5X the suction, multi-surface rubber brushes, edge-sweeping brush
Wi-Fi connected, iAdapt 2.0 navigation with vSLAM technology, Dirt Detect™ sensors, Cliff Detect sensors, Auto return to the Home Base® charging station
Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere with the iRobot HOME App
Around 100 square metres
75 minutes
High-efficiency filter
Home Base charger, Lead with plug, Operating instructions
2 years
The flexible rubber brushes hug different floor surfaces. The brushes stay in close contact with wood and carpet, thoroughly cleaning the floors. The new high-efficiency filter is able to capture 99% of mould, dust mite, pollen, as well as dog and cat allergens.
It occasionally takes the model some time to find the charging station.
The iRobot Roomba e5154 might be the most efficient mid-range robot vacuum cleaner. The model is practical, functional, and easy to maintain. It will be able to keep the whole house clean without damaging household objects. The robot does not require pretty much any effort on your part.
Use with iRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
AeroForce 3-stage cleaning system with 5x suction, dual multi-surface rubber brushes, edge-sweeping brush
Wi-Fi connected, iAdapt navigation, Dirt Detect™ sensors, Cliff Detect sensors, Auto-adjust cleaning head, Auto-return to the Home Base® charging station
Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere with the iRobot HOME App
Around 60 square metres
90 minutes
High-efficiency filter
Home Base charger, Lead with a 13-amp plug, Extra filter, Virtual wall barrier, Operating instructions
2 years
The built-in handle lets you grab the device with ease and comfort when necessary and carry the robot. The Dirt Detect technology ensures the vac is able to detect and trap the smallest particles of dust.
Doesn't cope with wires and cables well.
The Robot Roomba 671 is almost too precise for a robot vacuum cleaner. It does a really thorough cleaning job. On top of everything else, we liked the iRobot HOME app, mostly for the reports and its ability to visualise the cleaning process.
Use with iRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Patented 3-stage cleaning system uses dual multi-surface brushes, a specially designed edge-sweeping brush, and strong vacuum suction
Wi-Fi connected, iAdapt navigation, Cliff Detect sensors, Auto-adjust cleaning head, Auto return to the Home Base® charging station
Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere with the iRobot HOME App
Around 50 square metres
60 minutes
Extra filter
Home Base charging station, Lead with a 13-amp plug, Operating instructions
2-year limited warranty on the robot, 1-year limited warranty on the battery
The innovative edge-sweeping brush has a special design at an angle of 27 degrees to effectively sweep away debris from the corners of rooms, lines along walls and doors, pushing it towards the central brushes and power-lifting suction.
The instructions are minimal.
The iRobot Roomba 960 is a practical robot vacuum cleaner with a highly efficient filter that captures not only dust but also mites and allergens. It's great for pet owners, as well as for all who care about their health. Thanks to iAdapt 2.0, Navigation with vSLAM technology, it creates its own route.
Use with iRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant + Clean Map reports
AeroForce® 3-stage cleaning system (tangle-free dual multi-surface brushes, edge-sweeping brush, and power-lifting suction with 5x the air power)
Dirt Detect™ technology, Cliff Detect sensors, Auto return to the Home Base® charging station, Full Bin indicator, iAdapt Navigation with a full suite of sensors + Visual Navigation for entire level coverage, Auto-adjust cleaning head
Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere with the iRobot HOME App
Around 100 square metres
75 minutes
High-efficiency filter captures 99% of all allergens, pollen, and particles as small as 10 microns
Home Base charging station, 1 x North American line cord, 1 x Virtual wall, Manufacturer's warranty, Owner's guide, Documentation package
2-year limited warranty on the robot, 1-year limited warranty on the battery
Amp up the Suction Power
The iRobot Roomba 981 isn't the most affordable option on the market right now, far from it, really. But that price tag that the model comes with is justified. It incorporates just about every feature in the book and we will get to those features in just a moment. But first, let's talk about some of the things here that you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. For one, you'll be able to amp up the suction power tenfold, all with but a single press of a button.
Of course, one of the biggest parts of the robot vacuums' appeal is that you do not need to interfere and a good robot cleaner will be able to do a great cleaning job without your help. Needless to say, that is the case here as well. You won't have to up the suction power by yourself. The model's powerful cleaning system will automatically increase the air power up to 10x on carpets, the spots where it’s needed most. By the way, despite its power, the cleaner is surprisingly quiet. Sure, you'll still have to set the vacuum up, and that may take some time. You'll still have to make occasional adjustments to its operation.
But it won't be difficult. Equipped with a Wi-Fi module, the model is compatible with an iRobot Home application. Using Clean Map reports, you'll be able to find the spots where your robot cleaned, input different cleaning preferences, study maintenance videos, and, as it is always the case, receive automatic robot software updates.
Everything It's Cracked up to Be
You don't go looking for a vacuum cleaner expecting health benefits. But it is always a nice surprise when they're there. Not dissimilar to its predecessor, the model incorporates a high-efficiency filter. Capable of capturing 99% of all allergens, pollen, and particles as small as 10 microns, this filter will prove a catch for people with pets and allergies.
As far as performance is concerned, this robot vacuum cleaner mostly builds on the legacy of its predecessors. Thanks to the dual multi-surface rubber brushes, the model effortlessly pulls in dog hair, dirt, dust, and large debris from carpets and hard floors.
Though brushes like that aren't exclusive to the 981 model, the ones that are in question incorporate a durable rubber tread, a nice little component that works wonders grabbing and removing pet hair from floors and accelerating it into the vacuum bin. That, in turn, leaves you with no more of those annoying brush tangles.
Other than that, there isn't much to say about this model that we haven't seen before in other iRobot Roomba robot vacuums. Most people are probably already familiar with the iAdapt 2.0 Navigation technology and its Visual Localization partner.
That said, those other robot vacuums do not come with virtual cleaning areas. Thanks to the latter, you will have extra control over where the robot cleans. You'll be able to keep it in the rooms you want to be cleaned and out of those you don’t. Plus, equipped with a Halo Mode, the robot keeps itself away from items you want the robot to avoid.
Without boring you any further with the details, iRobot Roomba 981 is everything a robot vacuum cleaner is cracked up to be. Building on the foundation of its predecessors, the model is virtually devoid of the usual robot vacuum's shortcomings. With its help, you'll be able to keep every and any part of your home clean without putting in any effort at all.
| Last updated price | £699.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07D7MXCXT |
Over 230,400 Data Points per Second
The iRobot Roomba 971 is a significant improvement compared to its predecessors. Sure, to some extent, this is the same robotic vacuum that we have seen countless times before but, when you look at the details, noticeable differences arise between this model and its less impressive contemporaries. To name one, the 3-stage cleaning system has been remastered, offering 5x times the suction that the previous version was offering. Seamlessly navigating entire levels, the system tracks its location and automatically recharges 'til the job's done.
Before that though, the robot incorporates the vSLAM® technology that its predecessors were not equipped with. Using optical sensors that are capturing more than 230,400 data points/second, the model creates the most detailed map, learning the surroundings and knowing where it is, where it has been, and where the robot needs to clean. This tech is the biggest change that the 900 series has seen.
Setting this technology aside, the model features primarily small-time improvements. First, employing rubberised treads, the multi-surface brushes are able to hug different floors, removing small dust and large debris from carpets and tiles alike. Pertaining to the robot's 3-stage cleaning system, these brushes all but terrorise dirt, adding an edge-sweeping brush to the mix so that no crumb can feel safe. Of course, the aforementioned 5x suction also means that even the toughest debris gets easily eliminated.
Cleaning High-Traffic Spots First
When we're talking about the 900 series, run time around 75 minutes and above goes without saying. Nevertheless, when push comes to shove, this model can seldom match the advertised 75-minute run time, which's unfortunate considering everything else that the robot is offering.
As always, everything else includes the company's staple Dirt Detect™ sensors, automatically identifying and locating high-traffic spots and displaying extra attention toward these spots. Needless to say, the model is also compatible with the iRobot HOME app, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, so you can manage the robot using voice commands as well as the app that enables seamless mapping, easy scheduling, and more.
All things considered, the iRobot Roomba 971 is a versatile machine even by the company's high standards. Producing above 10,000 revolutions per minute, the robot easily picks up debris from all surfaces, including carpets and hard floors, as well as easily capturing and absorbing pet hairs.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £243.15 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B084PTH81P |
5 Times the Suction Power
The iRobot Roomba e5154 doesn't necessarily do anything differently from the company's other Roomba models. As far as we can tell, the cleaner incorporates the usual tech. However, there are no gimmicky features here nor too many technologies with questionable value. Everything is there for a good reason, making the model surprisingly cost-effective.
As it is usually the case, it all starts with the company's trademark AeroForce® 3-stage cleaning system. Here, it is able to deliver 5 times the suction compared to your average robot vacuum cleaner. With so much suction power, the model works wonders pulling in embedded dirt, debris, and pet hair from wherever it hides. The system is able to effectively attack everything, from small particles to large debris on your carpets and hard floors.
The company's intelligent sensors seldom fail to deliver and the sensors here are no exception. They do an excellent job guiding the robot under and around the furniture to help the device thoroughly clean your floors.
As far as we can tell, there hasn't been any improvements to the Dirt Detect technology. We do not have any issues with it though. More often than not, the technology will be able to recognise high-traffic dirt areas and focus on these areas where dirt usually collects in excess.
An Improved Filter
The model's additional tools and accessories don't differ that much from the usual iRobot Roomba package too. Where most companies supply bristles that will bend and miss dirt, the flexible rubber brushes here hug different floor surfaces. This way, the brushes stay in close contact with wood and carpet, thoroughly cleaning the floors with very little effort involved.
The company's edge-sweeping brush is an always welcome addition to the package. Designed at a 27-degree angle, the brush works wonders sweeping debris away from edges and corners to be suctioned off your floors.
At the same time, these dual multi-surface rubber brushes are able to effectively pull in pet hair, dirt, dust, and large debris without hair getting tangled.
Other than that, we really like the new high-efficiency filter. A little different from the usual HEPA filter, it is able to capture 99% of mould, dust mite, pollen, as well as dog and cat allergens.
In closing, the iRobot Roomba e5154 might be the most efficient mid-range robot vacuum cleaner. The model is practical, functional, and easy to maintain. It will be able to keep the whole house clean without damaging household objects. The robot does not require pretty much any effort on your part.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07H15X1V7 |
Precise and Thorough
The iRobot Roomba 671 is a pretty well-rounded product. But we believe that the model owes most of its success to its precision. After all, robot vacuums are still considered to be more of a complementary piece to your regular vacuum as they simply aren't as good at cleaning. The technology has come a long way but a human being with a vacuum cleaner still beats a robot vacuum any day of the week. And while we can't say that the model in question will be able to change this paradigm, it comes pretty darn close.
First, there's the Dirt Detect technology, a technology that, as you would infer from the name, excels at detecting dirt and grime, so you get a much more thorough cleaning job. Of course, it's one thing to detect the dirt and the grime, but dealing with it is a whole different animal. That is where the company's very own 3-stage cleaning system comes in. It incorporates a dual multi-surface cleaning brush, an edge-sweeping brush, and vacuum suction. The system essentially attacks everything in its way, from some of the smaller particles to large debris. It works equally well with carpets and hard floors.
All in all, the iRobot Roomba 671 incorporates a full suite of intelligent sensors. These sensors guide the vacuum around and under your furniture. With their help, the Roomba 671 cleans your floors without getting stuck between the furniture.
All of the Sensors
The robot vacuum's sensors are its bread and butter. On top of everything we've mentioned above, there's also the auto-adjust cleaning head. The feature allows the said cleaning head to automatically adapt its height. It may not sound like much but the function makes the model much more effective at cleaning carpets.
The cliff sensors aren't too shabby either. They help the device avoid stairs and other potential drop-off areas, so you won't have to worry about your vacuum cleaner's safety.
The only issue we have with it, and we don't quite know whether it is the sensors or the construction, but the model isn't particularly great at dealing with wires and cables. It's not a huge issue but you might want to hide some of them to prevent the robot from getting stuck.
It isn't a game changer by any stretch of the imagination but we would still like to point out the convenient built-in handle of this device. It's a small thing but it really helps pick the robot vacuum up and carry it around the house.
Other than that, just like the majority of its peers, the model is Wi-Fi connected and can be operated via Alexa or Google Assistant.
In short, the iRobot Roomba 671 is almost too precise for a robot vacuum cleaner. It does a really thorough job. On top of everything else, we liked the iRobot HOME app, mostly for the reports and its ability to visualise the cleaning process.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £189.52 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07D89P2D6 |
Ideal for Homes with Pets
Pets are found in most households in the UK, and for a good reason. They are fun, lovable, and can brighten everyone's lives. However, there are some downsides to having pets, mainly in that some of them, especially dogs and cats, make a mess on the floor, leaving hair all over it. As any dog or cat owner can tell you, pet hair can be quite tricky to remove, especially with a vacuum cleaner. Although vacuum cleaners exist that specialise in removing pet hair, there are very few options for those who want an automated vacuum cleaner.
Removes Allergens and Pollens
This powerful automated vacuum cleaner works great not only on pet hair, but on removing other allergens and pollen as well. The high-efficiency filter ensures that up to 99% of all allergens, pollen, and dust is captured, including those as small as 10 microns. This makes this model perfect for those who suffer from allergies of any kind, and will help keep your home smelling fresh and without either odours or allergens. The patented Dirt Detector technology will also ensure that your vacuum spends extra time cleaning areas with higher concentrations of dirt, dust, and pet hair, giving your entire floor a great cleaning.
Many of the high tech features of Roomba vacuum cleaners are present on this model. The iAdapt 2.0 Navigation system lets the vacuum map the entirety of your floor while cleaning, letting it ensure total coverage throughout your home. The intelligent sensors let it work around and under any obstacles, seamlessly going through doorways and under furniture without getting stuck. The vacuum can be scheduled for regular cleanings at a specific date and time, which can be set through the enhanced iRobot Home App. With these and plenty of other features that come with Roomba vacuums, this model remains a great choice for anyone.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £426.44 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07D7QRZJC |
What Is an iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum?
Want to keep your home spotless without having to crawl on your hands and knees to get to the fur or pet hair stuck under your couch or armchair? Here's the solution - an iRobot Roomba robot vacuum, a smart cleaner that will do the cleaning job for you. Many robotic cleaners can be programmed to switch on at a specific time on certain days of the week, in order to do the cleaning automatically without your supervision. Some of them have Wi-Fi connectivity and can be paired with a smartphone, allowing you to control the cleaner remotely and to view the cleaning progress.
Compact and lightweight, Roomba cleaners can get into all those nooks and crannies of your house to keep it sparklingly clean. You will no longer need to spend your time on scrubbing carpets and dusting. The iRobot Roomba robot vacuum will keep dust and allergies at bay. It works for all floors and carpets and it won't miss a thing.
If you think you need an appliance for wet cleaning too, our steam mops reviews should come in handy. And if you plan a spring cleaning in your yard, consider purchasing a robotic lawn mower.
What Features to Compare
Compatibility with Apps and Gadgets
Thanks to numerous technological advancements, now it's become possible to guide a vacuum cleaner around the living room or any other room, set up a weekly schedule, and watch the progress of cleaning on the screen of a smartphone or any other digital gadget you use. For that, you will only need to download a Google Assistant or an Amazon Alexa, depending on the software that your gadget is compatible with. Older models, though, would come with remote controls and more basic setup options.
Cleaning Efficiency
Check what kind of brushes the chosen model of iRobot vac cleaner comes fitted with, to see whether it meets your cleaning needs. Some models are best suited for carpets, some are designed to be used on hardwood floors, while there are also those that could be used on all types of flooring, making them a universal solution. Many newer models can prioritize cleaning and detect even the tiniest specks of dirt and dust. And if you have a pet, we'd recommend you to look towards Roomba vacs that boast a strong aeroforce system giving them enough power to suck up fur clumps and dander.
Sensors
Good sensors are crucial since they not only allow the cleaner to accurately avoid obstacles on the way but also enable it to create a detailed map of your house to optimise every cleanup. Some newer vacs are able to detect those zones of your house that tend to get dirty more often than the rest and focus on them. On top of that, they are able to scan the room in order to detect tiny hair and dust that could have got caught in furniture or carpets. If there aren't enough sensors in the vac or they are weak, a vacuum cleaner will struggle to handle a large area and will most likely drive continuously over the same route until it runs out of power.
Programming
As you've made a decision to buy a Roomba, it makes sense to opt for a model that requires little to no programming, making your cleanups a breeze. Some of the newer models will only require you to set up when to power them on, while others might need you to set up some other parameters such as a flooring type, the size of your house, the preferable time (day, week etc) of cleanup.
Runtime
Even though most modern models are programmed to recharge automatically, the process still takes some time. Which is why it makes sense to check the time required for recharging right away, in order to make sure that you won't need to wait a whole day. Also, before buying the vacuum cleaner with the longest runtime, we'd recommend you to take into account the size of your house. If it's not that big, there's no real reason to overpay for a more expensive model. Most iRobot vacuum cleaners can provide 2 hours of continuous operation and this should be enough for most average households.
Did you know?
The way a robotic vacuum detects and removes dirt is smart.
A lot of people wonder how it is possible that a machine can detect dirt and remove it without human help. With modern technologies, impossible is nothing. Moreover, the operation principle of these appliances is quite simple. The thing is that they are equipped with acoustic sensors that catch vibrations when dirt is on a vacuum’s way. The more dirt there is, the more vibrations a device senses, thus, provides better cleaning results. Besides dirt sensors, a lot of iRobot vacuums are equipped with cliff sensors that recognise stairs and other obstacles to avoid them and, as a result, prevent damage of a vacuum and furniture.
All iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaners come with accessories.
Actually, not only robotic vacuums come with accessories included in the box. Many manufacturers supply their products with accessories in an endeavour to make their customers' lives easier. On unpacking the box, along with a Roomba vac, you’ll often find a few cleaning brushes (main and side ones), extra filters to replace, a charging base, a charger, and a battery. Most iRobot appliances also include virtual walls that help set up borders of an area you want your robot vacuum to clean, while blocking off other areas or objects.
iRobot vacuums need some maintenance to ensure their long service life.
Just like any other electrical appliances that are used several times a week (or even every day), a robotic vacuum needs to be taken care of if you want it to serve you reliably for years. Luckily, the maintenance isn’t troublesome and there are only a few things to keep in mind, which are:
- Remember to empty a dustbin after every cleaning cycle.
- Remember to clean filters after several clean-ups and replace them twice-four times a year.
- Remember to check the main and side brushes. They need to be cleaned regularly to prevent them from clogging with dust, hair, pet fur, etc.
Of course, since different models have different features, the recommendations might differ a bit, which is why all robot cleaners come with manuals from which you can find out how to maintain and service this or that part of the bot.
The advantages of robotic vacuums over conventional vacuum cleaners and why you might need one.
The obvious advantage of iRobot vacuums is that they do all cleaning without human control. You can run it from your smartphone, if it's compatible with apps control, or press a single button on its body. Even though robotic vacuums are two or even three times more expensive than handheld or upright models, you still might want to have one because of the following reasons:
- you don’t have enough time or have more important chores than cleaning floors on your own;
- you (or your relative) have mobility issues but want to take care of home;
- these smart devices need minimal maintenance and it doesn’t take you much time to control them;
- one appliance fits all floor types and provides great cleaning performance.
Sources:
1. Roomba, Wikipedia. March 6, 2018.
2. Roomba Robot Vacuum, iRobot.
3. Will Knight The Roomba Now Sees and Maps a Home, MIT Technology Review. September 16, 2015.
4. Julia Layton Roomba Navigation, HowStuffWorks.
5. Brett Martin 10 Carpet-Cleaning Secrets From the Pros, Popular Mechanics. June 20, 2017.
6. Katie Jakes Tips On Buying The Right Robot Vacuum Cleaner, Lifehack.
7. 10 Advantages of Using a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, DoItYourself.com.