Roombas are increasingly becoming popular and are a top consideration for most homeowners looking for a cleaning solution. However, they have steep price points, and many people can’t help but wonder if they are worth the cost, especially in terms of longevity. How long does a Roomba last?
A genuine Roomba can last between four and six years, depending on how you care for it. The batteries may not last that long, but they can go for hundreds of cleaning cycles before needing replacement.
Proper maintenance can help extend your Roomba’s lifespan. You have to keep it clean, charged, and use it frequently. This article has everything you need to know about Roomba’s longevity, including how long the batteries last before they finally die. Read on for tips on how to extend your Roomba’s battery life and how to deal with its common troubles.
According to an article by CNET Trusted Source How to maximize your Roomba's battery life - CNET Avoid replacing your Roomba’s expensive battery and keep it vacuuming longer with these handy tips. www.cnet.com , a Roomba battery will work at its optimal capacity for the first one or two years, which equates to about 200 to 400 charging cycles. Afterward, it begins to deteriorate and eventually stops to function. Your Roomba battery’s lifespan is highly dependent on how you use and manage the machine.
The newer advanced Roomba models tend to last longer than the old models, but on average most batteries go for two years.
A Roomba battery comprises 12 NiMH batteries that combine to form one massive nickel-based cell. The battery offers up to 400 charges, which, as previously mentioned, is about two to four years of service, depending on how frequently you use the machine.
You will likely need a battery replacement every two to four years if you practice proper maintenance.
Different Roomba models have different cleaning cycle lengths. The 900 and s9 series have the longest cleaning cycles. They can go for up to two hours when fully charged. Other models, like the e series, last up to 90 minutes, and others, like the 700 series, only go for an hour. If you are unsure of your Roomba’s cleaning cycle length, check the iRobot website for a full breakdown of different vacuums and their respective battery lives.
Over the past two decades, we have seen advancements in the build quality and specs of newer Roomba models. Roomba robot vacuums have different specs that make them last longer. Although they have different features, most Roomba robot vacuums will last between four and six years. The lifespan varies depending on how well you care for the machine. Some users have reported that their Roomba only lasted six months, while others claim to have enjoyed a long service of up to six years. Regular maintenance that involves cleaning, replacing the brush and filter often, and replacing the battery once every two years will significantly boost your Roomba’s lifespan.
The quality of the robot vacuum also determines its longevity. Do not expect the cheapest models to last as long as their higher-end counterparts. According to iRobot, the cheaper versions of the robot vacuums are of lower quality than their pricier counterparts.
iRobot offers a limited warranty on all Roomba vacuum cleaners and other products. The warranty covers all parts of the Roomba, including the battery. Accessories and other consumable items like brushes, filters, cleaning pads, and dirt disposal bags are not covered. Essentially, it covers all manufacturing defects in materials and any quality issues that may occur when using the vacuum. Defects that arise from the improper use of the machine are not covered.
The limited lifetime warranty for Roomba robot vacuums begins from the date of purchase, and the security depends on where you buy the machine. Before you get any service, you will be required to produce proof of purchase with a receipt.
Roomba, like other machines have a troubleshooting guide for various common issues. Some of the issues you may encounter while using the robot vacuum include the following.
A Roomba can fail to charge because of several issues like dirty charging contacts, faulty batteries, dirty docks, and faulty batteries. Dirty charging contacts are usually the main cause of failure to charge. When the charging contacts are dirty, they cannot connect with the contacts on the charging dock, hence a failure to charge. You can easily fix this by cleaning the charging contacts with a soft cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Roombas can fail to dock after completing a charging cycle because of obstacles like foreign objects in its path. Ensure your Roomba dock is positioned in a clear, uncluttered area. Virtual walls meant to determine the Roomba’s operating area can also be an obstacle, if they are within eight feet of the dock as they may interfere with the infrared sensors that Roomba uses to locate the dock.
If your Roomba is not holding a charge, your battery is to blame. Batteries lose capacity over time and may not be able to supply enough power after a couple of charges. The only solution for this would be to get a new battery.
Some functions on Roomba are only available if you connect to the Wi-Fi. If you try to connect to Wi-Fi and it fails, check your Wi-Fi connection first. You can unplug and re-plug your router then try to switch to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection. Reboot your Roomba then force stop the iRobot Home app. All these options should remedy the issue.
Here are top Roomba maintenance tips that will extend battery and overall lifespan significantly.
According to a research article by the University of Michigan Trusted Source Tips for extending the lifetime of lithium-ion batteries | University of Michigan News news.umich.edu on tips for extending the lifetime of Lithium-ion batteries, electronic batteries last longer if used regularly. If you use your Roomba regularly, its battery will stay in great health for a longer time.
Charge your Roomba fully before using it. Plug it in when not in use, but do not keep it docked for multiple days without using it as it may cause overheating and damage the battery.
Before putting the Roomba on the dock to recharge, ensure it is discharged completely. According to iRobot, your robot’s batteries will have a longer lifespan if they get a normal charge/recharge cycle which involves complete charging and discharging.
As with any other electronic gadget, dust and dirt are a fierce enemy of a Roomba. Keep your Roomba parts like the brush, brush bearings, dirt bin, motor, and filters free of dirt, dust, hair and fluff. It will consume less power, making the battery last long. A clean dock and connectors eliminate charging issues. Follow manufacturer’s instructions on the iRobot Roomba manual Trusted Source www.irobotweb.com for the right cleaning steps.
This is a general rule for all electronics. Your Roomba battery and dock should be in a cool dry place to avoid overheating and damage caused by direct heat from the sun or wetness. Also, ensure they are in an open area for proper ventilation.
If your Roomba has NiMH batteries, charge them fully, then remove and store in a cool dry place when you go on vacation. Since NiMH batteries deplete even when removed from the device, charge the batteries fully before using the Roomba when you come back from your vacation.
If your Roomba has a Lithium-ion battery, keep it installed in the Roomba and store in a cool dry place until you come back.
You may be tempted to get cheaper batteries from other brands but they may not have a warranty and could damage your Roomba. Stick with batteries made by iRobot only for the safety of your Roomba.
If you are in the market for a robot vacuum for your hardwood floors or pet hair and have no idea where or what to look for, read our articles on the best robot vacuums for pet hair, best robot vacuums for hardwood floors and best robot vacuums under $300 for the best informed choice.
According to popular reviews, the Roomba s9 self-emptying robot vacuum is one of the best Roombas that money can buy. It packs a punch with incredible features like 40x powerlifting suction and 30% wider dual multi-surface rubber brushes.
The Roomba j7+ self-emptying robot vacuum is another highly-acclaimed option. It is popularly known for its ability to avoid pet accidents on purpose.
The video guide below shows how to maximize your Roomba battery life.
If you have thought about getting a Roomba, you have probably seen their hefty price tag which has left you wondering; how long does a Roomba last? You should expect four to six years of service from your Roomba if you take good care of it. Proper maintenance is key to prolonging the robot vacuum’s lifespan.
If your Roomba serves you for more than four years and its performance deteriorates, it makes no economic sense to repair it because its useful life is about to elapse. Save that money and get yourself a brand-new Roomba that will serve you well for another four to six years. All considered Roombas are worth every penny they cost, and they last long enough.
