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“Leave your workout for the gym – iRobot has your home covered” – has to be one of the best email subject lines to hit my inbox in recent times. It certainly had me intrigued. Read on for my full review of the iRobot Roomba i5+ Robot Vacuum, and to see if Roomba lived up to the email subject line!
Now, getting a robot vacuum was something I had been considering for a while. However, when it comes to tech purchases, I like getting a review from someone I know who has the item and can vouch for the brand. Also, does anyone check Amazon to check if a brand is real/decent/trustworthy (*delete as appropriate)?
Why do you need a robot vacuum cleaner?
A robot vacuum is a great option for anyone who wants to keep their home clean without having to lift a finger. Adulthood doesn’t stop, so something that relieves me of a chore or two is more than welcome. This is a gift I wouldn’t mind getting for Christmas or a birthday!
These machines are designed to work autonomously, so you won’t have to worry about them getting lost or breaking down. They also come with a variety of features that make them more efficient than traditional vacuum cleaners.
What features does the iRobot Roomba i5+ have?
One of the main reasons people choose a robot vacuum is for its ability to clean hard floors. This feature makes it ideal for homes with carpets, rugs, and other floor coverings. My apartment is mostly hard floors with rugs, rugs and a carpeted bedroom.
The iRobot Roomba i5+ can navigate and learn to move through space, creating maps as it goes. Clean in neat rows, bumping into things to figure out where to stop or turn.
With the app, you can create your favorite routines; currently mine are ‘vacuum everywhere’, ‘clean kitchen’ and ‘vacuum living room’. You can also create schedules for the vacuum to be done when needed.
Plus, the Roomba i5+:
- connects to Alexa or Google Home to allow you to use with voice commands
- automatically updates with new features via WiFi connection
How does the Roomba i5+ work? Your questions answered.
The Roomba works by using sensors to detect obstacles and then move around them. It uses two motors to move forward and backward. One motor moves the unit back and forth while the other spins the brush roll. Roomba has an internal map of its surroundings so it knows where to go next.
It was quite fascinating to watch the first time I released it on my floor. It’s a lot smarter than you think it will be… Once you’ve placed the base in its permanent position, the Roomba i5+ knows where to find it to return to after it’s done its job.
I posted a story on Instagram to find out what everyone wanted to know about robot vacuums. Here are some of the most common questions I’ve been asked:
What types of floors does it work on and does it really clean well?
As mentioned, it covers all types of flooring. In my open plan living room I have hard floors, a large rug and a large indoor cycling mat under my turbo trainer and bike. Navigate through all of these with ease.
And yes, I was surprised at how well it cleans. He is definitely more complete than me….
How well does it clean corners? How good is it to get into nooks and crannies?
This is a great question actually. Mine has learned where everything is, and if he can fit through the hole, he does. As you can see in the pictures below, it circles around my indoor cycling training table. It also goes over my dining room chairs, under the couch, and around my legs…basically vacuuming up places I can’t really reach.
It’s hard to articulate how he gets into the corners, but he does. The fact that it works in straight lines helps and also the way it turns around the corner allowing the brushes to get through.
The less stuff you have on the floor (I have a habit of hoarding stuff), the better job it can do.
Is it good for pet hair?
I don’t have any pets to test this on, but the iRobot site says it works well on pet hair. If you have a pet, I would make sure to choose a robot vacuum that specifically says it works for pet hair.
Does it get stuck behind things?
I thought it would, and sometimes I still think it will, but to date, it hasn’t. It rolls pretty well on my laptop table and once it knows there’s an obstacle it goes around it.
How often do you have to empty it?
The model I have comes with the Clean Base® automatic dirt remover (sold separately for the i-series), which allows the Roomba i5+ robot vacuum to empty itself for up to 60 days. The bag goes in the base, and when it’s time to change it, you take it out and slide in a new one.
I haven’t had to change the bag yet, probably closer to 60 days, but I guess this will vary depending on the size of the area the vacuum covers, how much dust and dirt it picks up, and how often you vacuum. .
How much does it cost?
You have two options for this model, the Roomba i5+ or the Roomba i5 (without the base and automatic emptying function). As of this writing, the Roomba i5 is £399 direct from iRobot, while the i5+ is £589.
The Roomba i5+ is not currently available on Amazon, but other models are.
Also in terms of cost, I checked the price of new bags and replacement parts and they are quite reasonable. I don’t anticipate having to make a purchase more than once a year.
What score would you give out of 10?
The last question on my Instagram story is this; how would you rate the Roomba i5+ out of 10. Well, so far, I would give it an 8/10.
I have yet to give him a chance to learn my entire floor map so that it covers the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom. It’s partly my fault that I haven’t fixed enough to do that, but when I do, I’m pretty sure it’ll be a solid 9/10 (… add a robot mop to my smart home ecosystem and it’ll be a 10).
The Roomba vacuum has been around for some time now and seems to be one of the most popular robotic vacuums on the market.
The iRobot Roomba i5+ is easy to use, affordable, and quite effective at cleaning floors; dare I say, better than me!
Is a robot vacuum on your wish list? Or do you already have one?
elle
