iRobot Models

Robots such as the Roomba that are fitted with powerful sensors and hardware can collect a large amount of data. But their privacy policies often cover the fact that humans will be watching this data.

A policy for the mop and vacuum combo Combo J9+, for instance says that human viewers are watching images of rug or other obstacles. These images can help improve the device's obstacle avoidance techniques.

Roomba i3 EVO

The i3 EVO is a top robot vacuum for floors with no carpet and excels at picking up small debris and crumbs from bare floors. It is also good in removing pet hair. However, it has a difficult time to remove large clumps of carpeting. Its biggest disadvantage is its high recurring cost.

The Roomba I3 EVO is similar to the i1 but comes with one major upgrade that is imprint smart mapping. This technology lets the robot keep track of specific rooms in your home and to clean them more efficiently. You can even label rooms using the i3 EVO's buttons or use the irobot app to set virtual boundary lines, which help prevent the robot from cleaning areas you do not want it to. The i3 EVO also has one of the largest dustbins among the robots we tested at 0.5 liters.

Like many robots, the i3 EVO requires regular maintenance to work efficiently. iRobot recommends cleaning its brushes at least once a week -- or twice in the case of pets. Flip the robot over and press the green button to release the brushes. Then, you can pull out the brushes and gently wipe them clean with microfiber cloth. You should also clean the six sensors on the bottom of the robotic.

When purchasing a new Roomba you must also keep in mind that the brushes and filters provided by the manufacturer have to be changed periodically. You can track the status of these components by navigating to the Product Health tab in the Irobot app. The filters of the i3 EVO must be replaced every two months, and the brushes every six to 12 months.

The trademarked Dirt Detect Technology utilizes sensors to detect areas of dirt and improve suction in the areas. This feature is particularly useful in homes with a lot of furniture as it helps the robot avoid getting stuck under things and ensures that all surfaces are cleaned. The i3 EVO is also compatible with Alexa which allows you to control the robot with voice commands. It doesn't come with the same features to avoid obstacles as other models, such as 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 it's 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 with the Li-ion battery, which is replaceable by users. It takes about two hours for the battery charge to be completely while the bot is docked into Home Base. After charging, it is able to continue where it left off during the last cleaning session, or even start a new one. It is equipped with an RCON and an infrared sensor to keep it from stepping on the stairs.

This Roomba has a premium design and is available in black, white, and red. Its round ninja-like shape is highlighted by matte black plastic on the sides and an iRobot logo on the top. A large button with a green text that reads "Clean" sits in the center, while home and spot cleaning buttons form a ring around it. A light at the top indicates the battery's level and status A green outline signifies that it is fully charged, whereas an arc of red lights means it is low or charging.

Although the Roomba 694 doesn't have a self-emptying feature as the higher-end models, it does an admirable job of emptying its dust bin every time it goes back to Home Base. The bin can hold about 60 days' worth of trash. It is easy to empty it manually. Just press the release button, then slide it out, and then dump it into the garbage.

The irobot roomba App is required to use the 694. It lets you alter cleaning schedules and see a past history of cleaning sessions. You can also create virtual boundary markers to assist the robot in avoiding certain areas of your home and schedule cleanings ahead. The app will even suggest additional cleaning during pollen season or when you know your pets shed lots of sheds.

Roomba 980

The 980, one of iRobot’s modern robots, is controlled through an official app for iPhone or Android. This app links it with your home’s WiFi. This means that no matter where you are -- on the street or across town, or a thousand miles away you can tell the 980 to kick off an exercise in cleaning.

The app allows you to do some other interesting things, like scheduling multiple cleaning sessions throughout the day and changing settings such as the surface it will focus on during a particular time. You can also set the cleaner to automatically return to its charging station once it's empty this feature will make the 980 particularly useful if you often leave it to clean while you go to work.

The 980, just like other Roomba models in the past, makes use of a set of sensors to navigate around your home. The iAdapt 2.0 navigational system will map your home as you go by recognizing specific features and creating a map based on pictures that helps the robot to navigate more efficiently. The 980 is now able avoid areas have been cleaned before and is more sophisticated when it comes to crashing into furniture or other obstacles.

The 980 also comes with a variety of the latest cleaning sensor. The robot's two multi-surface brushes are designed to pick up large debris and dirt, while the intelligent Power Boost feature increases the vacuuming power when the bot is cleaning carpets. The robot can also be controlled using the included remote or voice commands due to its integration with Google Assistant and Alexa.

The 980 isn't cheap, however it's capable of getting rid of dirt and other debris which is why it's worth the money. The new battery technology will last for longer during cleaning sessions than previous versions, and the app makes it easy to schedule a specific time for running a session. The only real niggle 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 most popular model currently available and is a great choice for those looking to purchase an effective robot vacuum that has plenty of Efficient Smart Mapping Robot Vacuum - IRobot Roomba i4 EVO features. It can be started with the push of a button on the robot, through the app or via voice commands using Alexa and Google Assistant. It can also be scheduled to clean at a particular time.

The 960 performs well on carpeted and un-floored flooring. Its iAdapt sensors adapt to the floor and its two rubber brushes work together to pick up pet hair without getting tangled. It also has a full bin sensor that warns the user when the bin is getting close to being full. It uses the iRobot Home App to control the robot, and set cleaning schedules.

Its navigation is superb and it is able to navigate a large single-story house with both bare and carpeted floors. In our tests, it was able to return to the docking station after having completed a cleaning cycle. The ability to map dirt and dirt-detection are also impressive. It is able to remember patterns and find debris on the flooring. It can even go under and around various obstacles, like table legs and chair seats.

The downside of the 960 is that it doesn't come with the carpet boost technology found in the 980. Its cleaning performance is slightly below the standard set by the other models in this class. It's still a great option for homes with a lot of space and is priced at a fair price.

The 960, as with all robot vacuums will require maintenance parts at some point. The iRobot app monitors the frequency at which you need to replace the dust bin, filter and the spinning brush. You can expect to pay around $35 per year for these replacements. You can buy replacement parts directly from iRobot or through third-party sellers.