Worth buying, the iRobot Roomba i4? For my sister-in-law’s family, we purchased a Roomba i4 Wi-Fi connected robot vacuum with dirt disposal, but it wasn’t functional for them. I decided to share a Roomba i4 review because the Roomba i4 was on sale at Costco.
The iRobot Roomba i4 review: The versatile performance of the iRobot Roomba i4 robot vacuum is impressive. It can move between carpet and bare floors with ease because it automatically adjusts its height and suction power based on the surface type. It works best when cleaning high-pile carpet because it gets rid of pet hair and other debris like sand.
The Dual Virtual Barrier Device that is included with this vacuum allows you to mark areas that you want the vacuum to avoid by creating a boundary that it won’t cross. It comes with a HEPA filter that traps allergens and has a very high build quality, but it’s challenging to maintain and expensive to run on a regular basis.
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Table of Contents
The Verdict Of iRobot Roomba i4
On carpet with a high pile, the iRobot Roomba i4 performs admirably. Pet hair and bulky debris, like sand, can be removed fairly easily, but fine debris, like baking soda, is much harder to remove. Thankfully, its performance doesn’t change as the dirt compartment gets full. When cleaning high-pile carpet, it also automatically changes its suction and height off the ground. Unfortunately, it has a lot of ongoing expenses because numerous parts require regular replacement.
Pros
- automatic surface-type adjusting.
- Long battery life.
Cons
- challenging to keep up.
- Picking up fine debris from carpet is difficult.
Customers Reivews Of iRobot Roomba i4
Top Positive Review
Some software issues affect the i4. I live in a 2700 square foot, one-story home with wood and tile floors and two dogs. The cleaning process takes about 5 hours, with a few bin emptyings in between. For a couple of weeks, the i4 has been operating on alternate days. About 50% of the runs, for some reason, don’t result in the creation of the map history. Until now, the smart map function has also not worked. It mapped for hours before complaining that the area was too large.
Although my old Neato BotVac’s dust bin and filter are much smaller, the Roomba’s vacuuming technique is much better than that of the BotVac. Additionally, unlike the BotVac, the i4 doesn’t get stuck under my dining room table.
Top Critical Review
I’ve owned roombas from different generations, and this one isn’t any better than the earlier, less expensive models. This one won’t connect to the app, and no matter what I do, I can’t get it to load; as a result, its value is greatly diminished. Furthermore, I purchased virtual walls that it will not even recognize. This may be a problem with the virtual walls, but it still speaks to the caliber of the technology and the quality control at this company. If I had it to do over, I wouldn’t buy it again; instead, I’d buy an older model.
Read about Irobot Roomba I2 Reviews
Roomba i4 Features
Since theRoomba i4 is based on the i3/i3+ EVO, the majority of the comparisons made here will be between the i3 and i4 and between the i3 and i4+.
The i4+ robot vacuum is the same as the i4 base model. The addition of the Plus ” + ” means that it comes with the The Roomba can self-empty the dirt and debris with the help of the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal docking station.
It is safe to assume that any features mentioned in relation to the i4 also apply to the i4+ model.
Size Dimensions And Weight
With dimensions of 13.26 inches, the Roomba i4 is identical to the i3. wide x 3.63 in. high x 13.34 in. deep.
The 7.44 lb weight of the i4 makes it easy for you to carry it upstairs or downstairs.
Battery And Capacity
The lithium-ion battery that powers theRoomba i4 makes charging and using it easier. Up to 90 minutes of testing showed that the battery could still function.
The battery of the i4 is 20% bigger than the battery of the i3, which is a benefit. Because the i4 will be missing a crucial feature when it comes to emptying the trash, this will be helpful.
In the Clean Base section further down, I discuss the omitted feature.
Recharge and Resume are among the best features offered here. When its battery is low while cleaning, the i4 will return to the docking station automatically to recharge.
By looking at the sizable button on top or in the iRobot app, you can determine the battery’s condition. The big button serves as a battery indicator because when it changes from white to red, it means the battery is running low.
The i4 will restart cleaning from the last place it left off once it has finished charging. That’s a fantastic feature because it’s now more effective.
There is no need to be concerned that the Roomba will clean the same area twice and take up unnecessary time.
Cleaning Performance And Suction Power
The Roomba i4 has 10 times more power-lifting suction power than the base Roomba 600 series models and is outfitted with iRobot’s Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System. Thus, you now have a fantastic cleaning robot for your home.
All floor types, from hardwood to carpets, will be cleaned by the cleaning system and additional suction of dirt, debris, and pet hair. Larger debris from M&M’s to rice to sand to salt are not a problem for the i4 and its powerlifting suction performance
However, it will struggle with finer debris, such as flour, baking soda, and powder. Though most robot vacuums will have this problem.
Stubborn dirt has no chance now that iRobot’s Dirt Detect Technology has been added. Any remaining dirt will be detected by the i4 which will then circle the area repeatedly until it is cleaned.
On all surfaces, the Roomba i4 excels at removing pet and human hair. The side wheels should be checked and cleaned for any tangled hair if you have numerous pets.
In order to prevent the Roomba from overheating as it works harder to move, you don’t want them to become too tangled in a lot of hair. This can also break the wheels.
Dual Brush Rollers And Edge Sweeping Brush
Each Roomba model includes the patented dual multi-surface rubber brushes made by iRobot. These detachable rubber brushes are preferable to the 600 series’ bristle brushes.
Due to the rubber surface of rubber brushes, pet hair is less likely to become tangled. When using other robot vacuum cleaner brands with rollers that resemble bristles, you’ll frequently need to pull hair out of the bristles.
The brush rollers will change their height to maintain constant contact with carpets and other floors if your home has a variety of surfaces at different heights. No more worrying about having to manually adjust the roller height when switching from a tile floor to a hardwood floor to carpet.
The 40x suction power of the Roomba s9 or s9+ may be advantageous for homes with high-pile carpet. Most robot vacuum cleaners struggle with high-pile carpet and rugs.
Although it won’t feel like a deep clean, the i4 will still do a good job on high-pile, shaggy carpets. Finer debris on carpet will always be difficult to remove. The i4 will still pick up sand, rice, and larger debris from high-pile carpet, according to numerous cleaning tests.
Additionally, the i4 may become entangled in electrical wires or rug tassels. By moving your rug and wires, or by avoiding those areas with a Virtual Wall Barrier, as is covered below in the mapping section, you should make allowances for that.
To remove the dirt and debris from the sides and wall edges, there is also an edge sweeping brush.
Filters
99% of dirt, dust, dust mites, and allergens are captured by the High-Efficiency filters that come with Roomba i4 vacuums. With 99.7% efficiency, it’s not quite a HEPA filter, but it’s still good.
If you want the additional 0.7%, you might be able to find third-party HEPA filters on Amazon. iRobot The HEPA variant is not offered by Genuine Replacement Filters.
For households with pets, you might be aware of the pet allergens that your cats and dogs are stirring up from all the animal hairs. Due to my allergies, the Roomba High-Efficiency filters help keep things under control.
How frequently to change Roomba filters is covered in another post I wrote. It depends on a few factors, but generally speaking replacements should be made every two to three months.
Clean Base And Self-empty
One of the best features that the Plus+ All Roomba models (i3+, i4+, i6+, i7+, i8+, and s9+) have the self-emptying function that is included with the Clean Base docking station.
You won’t have to worry about emptying the Roomba dustbin for several weeks at a time because the Clean Base can hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt.
In contrast to the non-plus versions, the Roomba Plus versions excel in this area. The Roomba i3, i4, i7, and s9+ models are the available Plus versions. Even though they cost more, the headaches and concerns about whether the trash can hold any more waste are worth it.
Many people still think the more expensive robot vacuums are a better value than the non-plus models even though they come with the self-emptying feature and Clean Base unit addition. One justification for purchasing robot products is the automation of cleaning and the home.
Because the i4+ can empty the accumulated dust and debris while recharging, the Recharge and Resume feature closely relates to the self-emptying feature.
Navigation And Mapping
TheRoomba i4 uses cutting-edge floor tracking sensors in conjunction with iAdapt 3.0 Smart Navigation and Imprint Smart Mapping technology to map out your house while you’re cleaning it and for future reference.
With the smart map functionality added to the firmware, you can specifically instruct the i4/i4+ to clean a particular area. Just clean the kitchen and the bedroom, for instance.
You can now clean specific rooms and areas of your home using the iRobot Home App. To instruct the Roomba i4 to avoid certain areas, you can also mark them with keep out zones.
While the i4 can’t create Keep Out Zones, all Roomba models can use
One physical virtual wall device is included in the Roomba i4 packages. A nice feature that the i3 package is missing. The Roomba is prevented from entering a particular area by these fictitious wall barriers. There is a halo mode that forms a semicircle around an area or object, as well as a virtual wall mode.
In order to create effective cleaning routes and increase cleaning coverage, the i4 moves in orderly rows. Although the 600 series and e series lower-end models move and clean in haphazard cleaning paths, the job is still completed. It will simply take longer and be less effective.
The Roomba i4 comes with Reactive Sensor Technology as standard equipment. It informs the i4 of the areas that the robot can clean and cannot due to reach limitations. This guarantees that your i4 won’t become wedged under household items. These sensors are useful to the i4 because it lacks smart mapping, which would enable you to program areas to avoid.
Imprint Link Technology, which will pair the i4+ and Braava Jet M6 Robot Mop together for maximum effectiveness and cleanliness, is another benefit. Your Braava will be able to identify areas that have already been cleaned and vacuumed so they can be mopped.
iRobot Home App Powered By iRobot Genius
The iRobot Genius app has been updated and redesigned for TheRoomba i4. According to your cleaning habits, the new Genius app offers cleaning customizations and personalized schedules. The i4 will, in fact, also pick up on your cleaning preferences.
Additionally, the i4 will be able to detect when the pollen count in your town is high and will recommend performing an additional cleaning pass. The same advice is offered during pet-shedding season.
The i4 is perfect for you if you enjoy voice control and hands-free automation. Giving it voice commands requires the iRobot Genius app. Alternatively, you can instruct Roomba to start and stop cleaning using voice commands on Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa-enabled smart devices.
The majority of the Roomba, eufy, and Roborock robot vacuum cleaners will allow you to start building a smart home as they are frequently the first step in the process.
A smart speaker, such as the Amazon Echo Show speaker and displays, are required. Through websites like IFTTT, you can also create cleaning routines. Through WiFi, Z-Wave, or other wireless technologies, connect to other smart devices. Your smart home’s configuration will determine this.
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Compared To Other Vacuums
Though it performs better on low and high pile carpet, the iRobot Roomba i4 has a very similar design to the iRobot Roomba i3+. It also includes a Dual Virtual Barrier Device that allows you to mark areas that the vacuum will avoid. Similar to the i3+, it uses an effective cleaning method and cleans a room in sections rather than in one continuous motion. It cannot automatically empty its dirt compartment because it lacks an external dustbin that is attached to the docking station. It has a lot of ongoing costs and is quite difficult to maintain, like many robot vacuums.
Shark Iq Robot Rv1001
Depending on your needs, one of the Shark IQ Robot RV1001 or the iRobot Roomba i4 may be a better fit for you than the other. Both on bare floors and low-pile carpet, the Shark offers a larger dustbin and offers superior performance. The maximum runtime is also longer, though this can change in real-world situations. The iRobot, on the other hand, charges much more quickly, has an automatic surface type adjustment feature, feels better built, and has lower ongoing costs. Additionally, it is more effective at navigating around obstacles.
iRobot Roomba I7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is a superior vacuum to the iRobot Roomba i4. Pet hair is much more effectively removed from all surface types by the i7+, and it has a bigger dirt compartment. Additionally, it learns its surroundings as it cleans and uses the iAdapt 3.0 with Visual Navigation system to take an efficient route. It can automatically empty its dirt compartment thanks to an external trash can that is connected to the docking station. Despite this, the i4 has a longer battery life and less frequent costs because it lacks an external dirtbag.
iRobot Roomba I3+ Evo
The iRobot Roomba i4 is a superior robot vacuum to the iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO. On both low-pile and high-pile carpet, the i4 cleans more effectively. There are fewer ongoing expenses because it doesn’t have an external dirtbag. Additionally, it includes a Dual Virtual Barrier Device that enables you to mark areas that you want the vacuum to skip over when cleaning. Despite this, the i3+ has a bigger dirt compartment and cleans bare floors more effectively. Additionally, it has an external trash can that is connected to the docking station so that its dirt container can be automatically emptied.
iRobot Roomba J7+
Depending on your needs, one of the two available models, the iRobot Roomba i4 or iRobot Roomba j7+, may be a better fit for you. The iRobot j7+ does have a self-emptying feature that allows it to empty waste from its internal dustbin into an exterior dirt compartment mounted to its docking station, minimizing the need for manual maintenance. This feature is also available in the i4+, another version of the i4. However, the j7+ has a better build quality, performs better on high-pile carpet, and has a more sophisticated navigation system that enables it to detect hazards like pet waste. The i4, on the other hand, clears more debris on low-pile carpet and charges more quickly while providing comparable battery life. It also has fewer ongoing costs and requires less frequent cleaning of its parts.
What Is The Roomba i4?
The Roomba i4 is a robot vacuum similar to the Roomba i3, but the Roomba i4 is only available from Costco. It comes unassembled, but you can also purchase the version with the automatic dirt disposal.
You don’t need to empty the vacuum into the trash can because the automatic dirt disposal empties itself. It keeps the dirt in a bag at the base.
The Roomba i4 has the model number i455020.
It’s a “mid-range” iRobot, in my opinion. There are alternatives to the Roomba i4 that are both more affordable and more expensive, such as the i7.
It can also be controlled by Google Home and Alexa, but we don’t have either of them because I worry too much about being overheard.
It can also be used as a “tag team” with the iRobot Braava Jet M6 robot mop. Another $400-$500 will be spent on this mop robot; boy, do they know how to empty your wallet!
According to what I read, iRobot is developing a similar device that can also mow your lawn. Smart.
Is It Worth It To Buy A Roomba I4 Robot Vacuum?
Personally, I believe investing in a robot vacuum is worthwhile, especially if you buy it from Costco, which has an excellent return policy if you’re unhappy with your purchase.
The return policy at Costco has recently changed, and it is no longer “life long” if you are buying electronics.
Even though it is essentially an electronic, the iRobot Roomba is not included in this category, so First Quarter Finance states that their return policy is longer than three months. Despite the fact that this is in the United States., After reading the Red Flag Deal Forums, I was able to confirm that the Roomba is not covered by the 90-day electronics return policy. Therefore, the Roomba i4 is indeed a worthwhile investment.
Regarding whether it is worthwhile to spend more than $500 to $600 on a vacuum, I believe the answer is dependent upon whether you are okay with having dust on your floors despite using a stick vacuum almost every day.
It’s great how clean it “feels,” almost like the floors were just mopped. Going “back” to the previous state of affairs (a thin layer of dust on the floor) is also challenging.
When you think about it, vacuuming (to the extent that the i4 does it) would take about an hour and hiring a cleaner would cost $15 to $20 per hour. You can vacuum once a week for a year and get your money back in 30 hours.
But in my opinion, a robot vacuum is less necessary than a stick vacuum or a central vacuum. Although not “essential,” having this is still nice.
Not only is the deeper clean convenient, but it is also nice to have it. Additionally, the Motherhood Penalty is lessened by knowing that you can cross off vacuuming the house from your list of chores. Yes, we can vacuum after the kids are asleep, but, to be honest, we are frequently too exhausted.
The Bottom Line
Many thanks for reading.
