Review of the iRobot Roomba 616 robot vacuum cleaner: a reasonable balance of price and quality

User manual

For the effective functioning of the robot vacuum cleaner, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for operating and caring for it, set out in the instruction manual, which is an obligatory element of the delivery set.

The instruction, published in Russian, gives a detailed overview of the functionality of this robot model and its main characteristics, and, very importantly, gives examples of possible malfunctions in the operation of the device and methods their self-elimination. It is especially necessary to carefully study the contents of the instructions and follow the recommendations of the manufacturer, reflected in it, before the first start of the automatic cleaner

Advantages and disadvantages

The iRobot Roomba 780 Robot Vacuum Cleaner includes the following benefits:

• the presence of the function of cleaning the premises according to the schedule;
• the presence of a virtual wall;
• good equipment of the robot;
• the presence of sound signals that notify of the end of work, the level of charge and so on;
• the ability to get out of the wires;
• the presence of a HEPA filter, due to which dust does not enter the air;
• the presence of a sensor for alerting the level of filling of the garbage bin.

But in addition to the advantages, this model of a robotic vacuum cleaner also has certain minor disadvantages:

• high noise level;
• no cartography;
• not controlled via smartphone;
• only dry cleaning;
• there is no way to clean until the battery is completely discharged.

You can view the video review of the iRobot Roomba 780 and testing the operating modes of this vacuum cleaner below:

Analogues:

• iClebo Arte
• Philips SmartPro Active
• Panda X5S
• Xiaomi Mi Roborock Sweep One
• Wolkinz COSMO
• Samsung VR20M7050US
• Neato Botvac Connected

Vacuum cleaner in operation (functionality, cleaning quality, navigation)

A big plus of the device, which facilitates work in difficult conditions, are idle wheel scroll sensors. They do not allow iRobot Roomba 616 to get tangled in wires, threads or wind shoelaces around the axis.

The vacuum cleaner has four modes of movement, which it uses alternately, focusing on indicators from all sensors.

1. Along the perimeter of the room and along the walls.
2. Perpendicular to walls and furniture.
3. Zigzag.
4. Spiral.

Roomba 616 uses a proprietary adaptive motion system that allows the device to learn on its own during each next cleaning. We also liked the complete turbo brush - it is made with high quality, its wear resistance also does not raise questions.

There are no flagship options like an ultraviolet lamp disinfecting the floor, rubbing the coating and integration into the smart home system.But the absence of a timer is very striking - in such a model, it should still be included in the list of functions. This also includes the lack of a dust bag full indicator: the manufacturer stubbornly refuses to implement it in medium and budget devices.

In practice, this means that with a full cassette, the device will continue to work, but will not clean. For daily cleaning, the cassette needs to be cleaned once every two or three days.

The motion algorithms of the robot vacuum cleaner are well written, although sometimes the device behaves incorrectly: the same area can be processed several times. Also, there is often a problem of searching for a base station for recharging for too long, even if it is in front of the device - this is probably due to errors in the automation. However, these cases are not permanent, and iRobot Roomba 616 demonstrates quite good stability indicators in its price segment.

Specifications

The table provides an overview of the technical specifications of the iRobot Roomba 865:

Surfaces to be cleaned

The list of coatings on which the iRobot Roomba 616 vacuum cleaner works is quite wide:

• laminate;
• parquet;
• tile;
• linoleum;
• carpets, including those with a long pile (in any case, there is no ban on them in the specification).

It is known from practice that problems can arise with them, and if there are a lot of them in the house, then models that have more clearance and a different type of suspension will be the best option. This must be taken into account when buying an iRobot Roomba 616.

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Gives more attention to heavily polluted areas

Equipped with two free running rubber brushes. Also provided: side brush and vacuum suction. Dirt Detect technology identifies heavily soiled areas and the vacuum cleaner cleans them more thoroughly.

3 reasons for the low popularity of cleaning robots:

1. Habit. People are reluctant to abandon established approaches. Especially in domestic matters.
2. Price. Cleaning robots are still expensive in 2020. It is no longer prohibitive - cheaper than flagship smartphones.
3. Technology imperfection. Models are getting better and smarter. 2020 doesn't come across as fun toys, but it doesn't come close to the idea of ​​a robot doing the work for a human.

Bottom

From below, like all robots, iRobot Roomba 616 has wheels, two of which are leading, the third (smaller diameter) is a guide. An auxiliary brush is attached to the left of it, which is necessary for cleaning difficult places.

The block with the main brush, which will appeal to those who have purchased such an assistant, is located between the wheels. For cleaning, the iRobot Roomba 616 brush is easy to remove: just press the yellow plastic tabs along the edges.

This also applies to the waste cassette, which can be removed and emptied in a matter of seconds. All you need to do is press a button that matches the color of the case.

Functional features of iRobots

The legendary iRobot brand has been around for over two decades. During this time, the company has earned an excellent reputation, which is directly reflected in the quality of each piece of equipment that goes on sale.

Therefore, having fixed your eyes on the robotic vacuum cleaners of this brand, you can not worry about the quality factor of the model you like - by default it meets the expectations of consumers.

When choosing units from iRobot, it should be taken into account that the equipment is intended for use in domestic conditions - we are not talking about cleaning construction debris and dust deposits in the garage. There is specialized equipment for this purpose.

Also, when choosing, you should pay attention to such important circumstances:

• cleaning modes - you should choose the model that best suits the planned front of tasks;
• power - the higher this indicator, the better the garbage will be absorbed;
• processed surface - not all models are universal and able to cope with washing floors and caring for fleecy coatings, for which it is recommended to purchase a model for carpets;
• duration of work - you should compare the capabilities of the brand model you like with the actual area where it has to be cleaned;
• type of control - the smarter the robot and the more control options, the higher its price tag;
• equipment - you should immediately check the availability of consumables (replaceable wipes, brushes, etc.) in the region of residence;
• dimensions - the height of the case should be 0.5-1 cm lower than the bottom of the lowest furniture in the house, including radiators, to prevent the robot from getting stuck.

The iRobot brand vacuum cleaner you like, suitable for individual requirements, must come with a user manual and a warranty.

It is important to check their presence in order to protect yourself from forgery. In terms of control, programmable models will be more expensive.

You also need to pay attention to the type of robot - not all models of AIRobot suck up dust and have a garbage bin in the design. Some dust is simply collected using a dry/wet wipe

These are floor cleaners.

The robot floor polisher is ideal for parquet, tile or laminate floor care. It will carefully collect dust, wool and other debris with a dry cloth, and if desired, it will refresh the surface with a wet one. True, he can’t cope with carpets

Also, before buying, you should provide a place to store the robot and charge the battery. This moment requires special attention - after all, some models are charged directly, others go to the base, and others have the ability to pull out the battery and charge it separately while the vacuum cleaner is standing in the closet.

The most important thing is to decide on the necessary functions so that they are really used. And do not overpay for extra

Not all owners use all the features of their model by choosing the optimal mode for daily cleaning.

Advantages and disadvantages

Summing up, we recall once again all the pros and cons of the robot considered in today's review.

Advantages of the robot vacuum cleaner:

1. Small body size, good maneuverability.
2. Traditional ergonomic design.
3. Three-stage floor cleaning system (sophisticated design of central brushes + increased suction power).
4. Improved navigation and cartography.
5. Anti-tangle system and automatic detection of the most polluted areas.
6. Adaptable to any type of flooring.
7. Several working modes.
8. Smartphone control.
9. High cleaning efficiency, including pet hair and air purification from allergens.
10. Large capacity dust collector.

As we can see, the device has a lot of advantages. Now let's look at some of the downsides. Roomba i7 Disadvantages:

1. High cost (if you buy a docking station with a garbage collector, it will be even more expensive).
2. The absence of a remote control (sometimes it is necessary on a par with control from a smartphone).
3. One side brush.

If we talk about whether the new Roomba i7 is better than the time-tested iRobot Roomba 980, it's hard to say. Firstly, the battery of the updated model is weaker, and therefore the cleaning time has been reduced from 120 minutes to 75. This is already a significant minus. Secondly, everyone's favorite 980 model passed a bunch of objective tests, gained a base of real reviews and was rightfully endowed with a high rating. The new Rumba i7 boasts only an updated navigation system and improved rollers. At the same time, the price of the new model is 57 thousand rubles.It should also be noted that the second novelty - iRobot Roomba i7 Plus is equipped with a self-cleaning base in terms of functionality. It is already becoming clear that choosing a robot that can clean the dust collector by itself, this model will be the best in 2019.

Finally, we recommend watching the iRobot Roomba i7 video review, which also demonstrates how this robot vacuum cleaner cleans:

Analogues:

• Xiaomi Mi Roborock Sweep One
• Samsung VR10M7030WW
• Philips FC8822 SmartPro Active
• Neato Botvac Connected
• iCLEBO Omega
• GUTREND SMART 300
• HOBOT Legee 668

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages :

• small sizes;
• cleans any floor coverings;
• idle wheel function to avoid entanglement in wires;
• side brush, extracting dust from narrow places;
• high-quality filtration;
• independently finds the base;
• height difference detection sensor;
• virtual wall limiting the cleaning area;
• ease of use (only three buttons on the case);
• thoughtful arrangement of the waste container, which allows you to remove it without turning the vacuum cleaner over.

Flaws:

• the package does not include a remote control and a virtual wall;
• there is no timer;
• cannot build a room map;
• there is no fill level indicator for the dust compartment;
• the battery is not Li-Ion.

Summing up, it can be noted that a well-thought-out trajectory of movement ensures a quick and thorough cleaning of the room. The price of iRobot Roomba 616 is 18 thousand rubles. For this price segment, despite the undeniable advantages, the robot cannot be considered a leader, as it has a rather poor package and few operating modes.

Functionality

The iRobot Roomba 681 robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with a patented three-level cleaning system.Such a cleaning system makes this model universal, capable of effectively cleaning rooms with any type of floor coverings. It is especially valuable for animal lovers, since the increased volume of the dust collector and the presence of scraper rollers allow the device to easily cope with the hair of their pets.

The latest iAdapt navigation system allows iRobot Roomba 681 to view the room, build its map, remembering the location of interior items, and touch sensors allow the robot vacuum cleaner to maneuver around obstacles, making cleaning more thoughtful.

Sensor operation

Height difference sensors help the robot not to fall off the stairs and roll over. Sensors mounted on the bumper of the front of the case prevent collision with objects, making cleaning the floor more delicate. The latest AntiTangle technology used in the device of the robot vacuum cleaner does not allow the device to get tangled in wires and cords.

The vacuum cleaner moves randomly, sometimes it can pass the same place several times. Due to this, the time spent on cleaning increases, but the quality remains at a high level.

With the help of the DirtDetect function Airobot Rumba 681 automatically detects places of heavy pollution and carries out their more thorough cleaning in Spot mode. The implementation of this function is based on the action of optical and acoustic sensors.

The iRobot Roomba 681 robot vacuum cleaner has another distinctive feature - it is equipped with a “Virtual Mode 2 in 1” device that operates in two modes:

• 1st mode is used to limit the cleaning area, to prohibit the passage of the device through open doors and openings;
• 2nd mode prevents the vacuum cleaner from getting close to fragile interior items or pet feeding areas.

Movement limiter

The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a useful cleaning schedule programming function. At the set time, he independently starts work and, upon completion, independently goes to the base for recharging.

Equipment

The delivery of the robot vacuum cleaner is carried out in a branded box, which shows a photo of the robot and provides an overview of its main functions and parameters.

The basic package includes:

1. Robot vacuum cleaner.
2. Li-ion battery.
3. Integrated charging base Home Base with automatic garbage extraction function.
4. Rubbish bag.
5. Additional HEPA filter.
6. Spare side brush.
7. Dual Mode Virtual Wall motion limiter.
8. User's Manual.
9. Guarantee.

Roomba i7+ Package Contents

The virtual wall can work in two different modes: creating an invisible boundary with an infrared beam, beyond which the robot cleaner cannot enter, and creating an invisible circular zone where it cannot penetrate. This is especially useful for pet owners.

All components are packed in separate cardboard boxes to prevent damage during transportation.

As we can see, the iRobot Roomba i7+ kit, unlike the i7 model, has an integrated docking station with an automatic garbage disposal system and disposable bags. How this base works, we will tell in the review below.

Functionality

The new iRobot Roomba i7 dry cleaning robot vacuum cleaner is now even smarter and more comfortable to use than previous modifications.It features a 3-stage cleaning system with two rubber rollers, one side brush and increased suction power for a variety of surfaces. This robot is great for cleaning pet hair, as well as cleaning and filtering the air from the allergic microorganisms they spread (the filter captures about 99% of allergens).

Purification technology

The new iRobot Roomba i7 Extraction Rollers are designed to create constant, intimate contact with any type of floor, be it smooth or carpeted. These brushes most effectively collect litter, the smallest particles (dirt, dust, hair) and larger debris from the floor.

Carpet cleaning

The patented iAdapt 3.0 navigation system with vSLAM technology allows you to map the space for easy and efficient cleaning of all levels of your home (relevant if there are several floors in the room). The iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuum cleaner creates visual landmarks to track the areas where it has already been and where it still has to go.

Trajectory of movement

The device first studies the room in detail and builds its map, adapting separately to each room using the Imprint Smart Mapping method. Having become acquainted with the features of the space, he is able to independently choose the best method and cleaning algorithm. In addition, it is possible to manually control the cleaning process of Roomba i7 using devices that support Alexa and Google Assistant.In the iRobot HOME App, you can control the actions and set the rooms for the robot vacuum cleaner to clean on the smart card it has built.

Smartphone control

In addition to the manual control mode, the device provides cleaning modes along the walls, along a spiral path, the "spot" mode and setting up scheduled cleaning, which is carried out only through the iRobot Home application.

Design

When reviewing the appearance of the robot vacuum cleaner, you can see that it is made in a restrained traditional style. On the front side, you can see a camera that allows the robot to scan the room, build its map and remember the location of objects in order to avoid collisions. There is also a button to turn on the device and a key to remove the dust container. The dust collector slides out from the side. Also, a plastic handle is mounted on the iRobot Roomba 981 case for easy carrying and transportation.

View from above

On the back of the robot vacuum cleaner there are two drive wheels on the sides, a front turning wheel, contacts for mounting on the charging base, a battery compartment, one side brush and a central brush consisting of two rubber rollers.

Bottom view

The robot is equipped not only with a front, but also with a lower camera, as well as many additional sensors: infrared sensors for obstacles, height difference, recognition of motion limiters and search for a docking station, sensors for filling the dust bag and dirt Dirt Detect 2, an accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope. On the side there is a protective bumper.

Appearance

Round vacuum cleaner with a diameter of 34 cm, a height of 9.5 cm and a weight of 2.1 kg. The case is made of plastic with a matte finish. The robot is made in black and gray and white and gray colors.On the top panel there are control buttons, a recessed handle that facilitates the transfer of the robot. The dust collector opens and gets from the side, after pressing the appropriate button. After removing it, you can also remove the filter for cleaning. On the side surface there are sensors, a soft bumper, a hole for blowing air. On the bottom of the vacuum cleaner:

• two leading side wheels;
• front swivel caster;
• one side brush;
• main brush;
• wide suction opening;
• sensors that record changes in altitude;
• battery compartment;
• contacts for installation on the base.

Summing up

Many are interested in what is the difference between iRobot Roomba 960 and 980. In addition to the price, which is cheaper by 6 thousand rubles (49 thousand compared to 55 thousand rubles in 2019), the 960th model has the following significant differences:

1. The absence of the Carpet Boost function, due to which the suction power of the robot increases on carpets.
2. The package comes with only one virtual wall, the new model has 2.
3. Battery life is significantly less at 75 minutes, while the Rumba 980 has a battery life of up to 120 minutes.

Comparison of 960 and 980 models

We provided an overview of the iRobot Roomba 980 in a separate article, which we referred to. Speaking in general about the advantages of the 960th model, they are as follows:

• resume work after recharging;
• main brushes are easy to clean;
• control is possible using a mobile application via Wi-fi;
• scheduled cleaning;
• the presence of a virtual wall;
• sound notifications about the state of the device;
• the robot vacuum cleaner has a special sensor that reports when the bin is full;
• high efficiency HEPA filter.

As for the shortcomings, we did not identify any particular ones.The only thing you can “find fault” with is that there is no way to turn off the sound notification, only dry cleaning, and the high price. For such money, it is better to choose one of the Xiaomi flagships, which will be much cheaper and at the same time no less functional.

Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the iRobot Roomba 960, which shows how this robot works and what is included in the package:

Analogues:

• iClebo Omega
• Panda X5S
• Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Neato Botvac D85
• iRobot Roomba 980
• Wolkinz COSMO
• Samsung VR20H9050UW