iRobot Models

Robots like Roomba, for instance. Roomba that are fitted with powerful sensors and hardware can collect a huge amount of data. Their privacy policies hide the fact that other people will be viewing these data.

A policy for the vacuum and mop combo Combo J9+, for example it states that human eyes are looking at images of rugs or other obstacles. These images are used to improve the algorithm used by the device to avoid obstacles.

Roomba i3 EVO

The i3 EVO is a top robot vacuum for floors that are not clean, as it does an excellent job cleaning small particles and crumbs from bare floors. It is also good in picking up pet hair. However, it struggles to pick large clumps on carpeting. Its biggest negative is its high-recurring cost.

The Roomba i3 EVO is comparable to the i1 but comes with one major improvement: imprint smart mapping. This technology enables your robot to effectively clean by storing certain rooms within your home. You can even mark rooms using the i3 EVO's buttons or use the irobot application to set virtual boundary lines that can stop the robot from cleaning areas that you do not want it to. The i3 EVO also has one of the largest dustbins we saw among the robots we tested, at 0.5 milliliters.

The i3 EVO, as most robots requires regular maintenance to function properly. iRobot suggests cleaning its brushes at least once per week -- or every two weeks if you have pets. Turn the robot over, and press the green button to let the brushes go. Then, pull out the brushes and gently wipe them down with microfiber cloth. Also, you should clean the six sensors spanning the bottom of the robot.

Another aspect to be aware of when buying a new Roomba is that the manufacturer's filters and brushes should be replaced regularly. The Product Health tab of the irobot 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 exclusive Dirt Detect Technology uses sensors to detect dirtier areas and boost suction power in those zones. This feature is especially useful in homes with a lot of furniture as it prevents the robot from getting stuck under objects and makes sure all the surfaces are cleaned. The i3 EVO is also compatible with Alexa, allowing you to control the robot via voice commands. It does not have the same features to avoid obstacles that other models have like the i8+, j7+ and s9+.

Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 robot vacuum is a fantastic entry-level robot. It's small enough to fit under the majority of furniture and is very thorough when it comes to cleaning. It is a great choice for bare flooring and Robotvacuummops removes pet hair well (though not as efficiently as higher-end models). It's limited in terms of automation and is not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant.

The 694 is powered by a user-replaceable lithium-ion battery that can take about two hours to fully charge when the bot is docked at Home Base. After charging, it is able to return to where it was in its last cleaning session, or start a new one. It also includes an infrared sensor, as well as an RCON sensor that keeps the robot from climbing steps and other stairs, which is a great feature to have when you reside in a multi-story house.

This Roomba is a high-end design and is available in black, white and red. Its ninja-like shaped round shape is accentuated by matte black plastic on the sides and an iRobot logo on the top. A large button with green text that says "Clean" sits in the center, while home and spot cleaning buttons create a ring around it. A light on top indicates the battery's status and level The green outline indicates that it's fully charged, and the red light ring indicates that it is not charging.

The Roomba 694 does not include a self-emptying feature like some of the more expensive models, but it is a great performer at emptying its internal bin each time it returns home. The bin can hold about 60 days worth of debris. It's easy to empty it manually. Just press the release button, pull it out, and then dump it in the garbage.

The iRobot App is required to use the 694. It lets you customize cleaning schedules, and track the record of previous cleaning sessions. You can also set up virtual boundary markers to assist the robot in avoiding certain areas of your house and schedule cleanings ahead. The app will even recommend extra cleaning during pollen season or if you know your pets shed many pounds.

Roomba 980

The 980 is one of the newest robots from iRobot, and like the rest, it's mostly controlled via an official app on iPhone or Android that links it to your home's WiFi. The 980 is able to be controlled from any location no matter if you're in the middle of town, on the street, or even some thousand miles away.

The app allows you to do some other interesting things, like scheduling multiple cleaning sessions a day and changing settings like the surface it will focus on during a specific time. You can also set it up to automatically return to the charging station once it's fully charged. This feature will be especially useful when the 980 is frequently left to clean while you are getting ready for work.

The 980, like other Roomba models in the past, makes use of sensors to navigate your home. The iAdapt 2.0 navigation system uses the iAdapt 2.0 to map your home as it moves, recognizing distinct visual features and creating a picture-based map that allows the robot to navigate more efficiently. This lets the 980 skip spots that it has already cleaned and it's a lot smarter at avoiding furniture and other obstacles.

A variety of cutting-edge cleaning sensors can assist the 980 in getting the job done. The two multi-surface brushes are designed to pick up large amounts of dirt and debris, while the smart Power Boost feature increases the vacuuming power when the bot is cleaning carpets. The robot can also be operated with the included remote, or voice commands, thanks to integration with Google Assistant and Alexa.

The 980 isn't cheap; but it's well worth the cost since it does a fantastic job at picking up dust and other particles. The latest battery technology allows it to stay cleaner longer than previous versions. It also has an application that makes it simple to plan cleaning sessions. The only thing wrong with the 980, is that it does not come with an extra battery. If the battery you have is dead it is necessary purchase a replacement.

Roomba 960

iRobot 960 is the latest flagship model and is a great option for those looking to purchase a powerful robot vacuum with lots of intelligent features. The robot can be launched by pressing a button through the app, or even using voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant. It can be scheduled to clean at a specific time.

The 960 works well on carpeted floors as well as bare floors. Its iAdapt sensors adjust to the surface and its dual rubber brush is able to pick up pet hair and does not tangle. It also includes a bin sensor that informs the user when the bin is getting close to being full. It utilizes the irobot floor cleaner Home App to control the robot, and set cleaning schedules.

Its navigation is excellent, and it can navigate a large single-story house with carpeted and unfinished floors. In our tests it was able to locate its way back to the docking station following the cleaning process. The ability to map dirt and dirt-detection are also impressive. It can remember patterns and find debris on the floor. It can also get under and around obstacles, such as table legs and seat seats.

The downside to the 960 is that it doesn't have the carpet boost technology found on the 980 and its carpet cleaning performance isn't quite as good as the standard that other models have in the series. It is still a good choice for homes of all sizes and comes at a reasonable price.

The 960, as with all robot vacuums, will require maintenance parts at some point. The iRobot App keeps track of how often you should replace your dust bin, filter and spinning brush. In general you can expect to spend around $35 a year on these replacements. You can purchase replacement parts directly through iRobot, or via third-party sellers.