Keeping your home clean can be a never-ending task, but with the advent of smart technology, it doesn’t have to be. The iRobot Roomba i3+ promises to take over the tedious chore of vacuuming, offering features like automatic dirt disposal, smart mapping, voice control, and powerful suction. Priced at $399.99, it aims to deliver convenience and cleanliness without the hassle. Let’s dive into the details and see how this robotic vacuum performs.
What is a Smart Robotic Vacuum?
A smart robotic vacuum is a self-operating vacuum cleaner equipped with sensors, programmable schedules, and smart home integration capabilities. These devices are designed to navigate your home, avoiding obstacles while cleaning your floors. Advanced models, like the Roomba i3+, offer features such as automatic dirt disposal, smart mapping, and voice control, making home cleaning more efficient and less hands-on.
Unboxing the iRobot Roomba i3+
The iRobot Roomba i3+ arrives in a sturdy, well-designed box. Inside, you’ll find:
- The Roomba i3+ robotic vacuum
- Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit
- One Dirt Disposal Bag (pre-installed)
- Home Base charging station
- Extra filter
- Power cord
- Quick start guide and user manual
The Roomba i3+ itself has a sleek, modern design with a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. Its compact and low-profile form allows it to navigate under furniture and around obstacles with ease.
Setting Up the iRobot Roomba i3+
Setting up the Roomba i3+ is designed to be simple, even for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. Here’s how to get started:
- Unpack and Charge: Remove all components from the box, place the Clean Base in a suitable location, and plug it in. Place the Roomba i3+ on the charging station and let it charge fully.
- Download the iRobot Home App: Available on both iOS and Android, the app will guide you through the setup process.
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Open the app, create an account, and follow the on-screen instructions to connect the Roomba to your home Wi-Fi network.
- Name Your Roomba: Personalize your robot by giving it a name in the app.
- Start Cleaning: Once charged and connected, you can start your first cleaning job via the app or by pressing the clean button on the Roomba.
The entire setup process takes about 15-20 minutes, and the app provides clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure everything is configured correctly.
Features and Performance
The iRobot Roomba i3+ boasts several advanced features that make it a top contender in the robotic vacuum market:
Automatic Dirt Disposal: Hands-Free Convenience
One of the standout features of the Roomba i3+ is its Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal. After each cleaning session, the Roomba returns to the base, where it automatically empties its dustbin into an enclosed bag. This bag can hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and debris, drastically reducing the frequency with which you need to interact with the vacuum. This feature is perfect for busy households, pet owners, and anyone looking to minimize maintenance.
Smart Mapping: Intelligent Navigation
The Roomba i3+ uses advanced sensors and smart mapping technology to navigate your home efficiently. It creates an internal map of your floor plan, allowing it to clean in neat rows rather than random patterns. This ensures thorough coverage and reduces the likelihood of missed spots. While the i3+ does not offer room-specific cleaning like some higher-end models, its methodical approach to cleaning is highly effective.
Powerful Suction: Deep Cleaning
Equipped with a powerful suction system, the Roomba i3+ can handle various types of debris, from fine dust to larger crumbs and pet hair. Its multi-surface rubber brushes adjust and flex to stay in constant contact with carpets and hard floors, ensuring a deep clean across different surfaces. The high-efficiency filter captures 99% of cat and dog allergens, making it an excellent choice for pet owners.
Voice Control: Seamless Smart Home Integration
The Roomba i3+ integrates with major voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This allows you to control the vacuum with simple voice commands, such as “Alexa, ask Roomba to start cleaning,” or “Hey Google, tell Roomba to dock.” This hands-free convenience adds an extra layer of ease to your cleaning routine.
Real-World Performance
In everyday use, the iRobot Roomba i3+ delivers impressive performance:
Cleaning Efficiency: Thorough and Reliable
The Roomba i3+ excels in both suction power and navigation. Its ability to clean in straight lines rather than random patterns ensures that it covers the entire floor efficiently. It transitions smoothly between different floor types and handles obstacles like furniture legs with ease. The vacuum’s dirt detect sensors ensure that high-traffic areas receive extra attention, leaving your floors spotless.
Automatic Dirt Disposal: A Game-Changer
The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal is a significant convenience. The Roomba i3+ reliably empties its dustbin after each cleaning session, and the enclosed bag holds up to 60 days of debris. This feature virtually eliminates the need to manually empty the dustbin, making it ideal for those with busy schedules or allergies.
Smart Mapping: Effective Navigation
While the i3+ does not offer advanced room mapping or custom cleaning schedules found in higher-end models, its smart mapping capabilities are more than adequate for most homes. The vacuum’s ability to navigate methodically and return to its base for recharging and dirt disposal ensures consistent and thorough cleaning.
Voice Control: Easy and Convenient
Voice control integration works seamlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant. Commands are processed quickly, and the Roomba responds without noticeable delay. This feature is particularly useful for initiating cleaning sessions or sending the vacuum back to its base without lifting a finger.
Advanced Features: Enhancing Your Cleaning Experience
Dirt Detect Technology: Focused Cleaning
The Roomba i3+ is equipped with Dirt Detect sensors that recognize areas of your home that require more thorough cleaning. When the vacuum detects a particularly dirty spot, it will make additional passes to ensure that the area is thoroughly cleaned. This feature is especially useful in high-traffic areas and entryways.
Dual Multi-Surface Brushes: Adaptable Cleaning
The Roomba i3+ features dual multi-surface rubber brushes that adjust and flex to stay in constant contact with different floor types. These brushes are designed to prevent hair tangles, making the vacuum ideal for homes with pets. They effectively lift and remove dirt, dust, and hair from both carpets and hard floors.
High-Efficiency Filter: Allergy-Friendly
The high-efficiency filter captures 99% of cat and dog allergens, pollen, and dust particles. This makes the Roomba i3+ a great choice for households with pets or allergy sufferers. The filter ensures that the vacuum not only cleans your floors but also helps maintain better air quality in your home.
Scheduling and Customization: Flexible Cleaning
Using the iRobot Home App, you can schedule cleaning sessions to fit your lifestyle. Whether you want the Roomba to clean while you’re at work or during the night, you can set it to run at specific times. The app also allows you to customize cleaning preferences and receive notifications about your vacuum’s status and maintenance needs.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Automatic Dirt Disposal: Hands-free convenience with the Clean Base, reducing maintenance.
- Smart Mapping: Efficient navigation with methodical cleaning patterns.
- Powerful Suction: Deep cleaning across various floor types with dual multi-surface brushes.
- Voice Control: Seamless integration with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free operation.
- High-Efficiency Filter: Captures allergens and improves air quality, ideal for pet owners and allergy sufferers.
- User-Friendly App: Easy scheduling and customization through the iRobot Home App.
Cons:
- Price: At $399.99, it’s a significant investment, but it offers extensive features and convenience.
- Basic Mapping: Lacks advanced room-specific cleaning and custom mapping available in higher-end models.
- Wi-Fi Dependency: Reliable Wi-Fi is essential for optimal performance and control.
Conclusion: Is the iRobot Roomba i3+ Worth It?
The iRobot Roomba i3+ is a powerful and convenient robotic vacuum that takes automated cleaning to the next level. Its standout features, such as automatic dirt disposal, smart mapping, and powerful suction, make it a reliable choice for maintaining clean floors with minimal effort. The added convenience of voice control and high-efficiency filtering further enhances its appeal.
While the price is on the higher end, the long-term benefits and time savings it provides justify the investment. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current cleaning routine or integrate a new device into your smart home ecosystem, the Roomba i3+ is an excellent choice.
Ready to embrace the future of automated cleaning? The iRobot Roomba i3+ is here to make your life easier and your home cleaner, all with the push of a button.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site!