⚡️ Quick Verdict - IROBOT Roomba i3+ EVO (2022)
- Best For: Pet owners, those prioritizing automatic emptying, and systematic cleaning.
- Strengths: Excellent automatic dirt disposal, strong suction for pet hair, systematic navigation.
- Drawbacks: Lacks advanced interactive mapping, can be noisy during self-emptying, requires proprietary bags.
- Verdict: A solid, reliable mid-range robot vacuum with superb self-emptying convenience.
⚖️ Pros & Cons Explained
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Disposal | Empties itself for up to 60 days, significantly reduces direct dust exposure and cleaning frequency. | The Clean Base can be quite noisy when emptying, and it requires proprietary replacement bags. |
| Navigation | Uses vSLAM technology for systematic, organized cleaning paths, covering entire areas efficiently. | Lacks advanced interactive mapping features like live view or multi-floor mapping, which some users prefer for specific room cleaning. |
| Suction Power | Delivers strong suction, effectively capturing pet hair, dust, and debris from various floor types, supported by dual rubber brushes. | While strong, it might occasionally miss very fine particles on a single pass, especially on hard floors. |
| App Features | The iRobot Home app provides convenient scheduling, cleaning history, and the ability to set 'Keep Out Zones' and clean specific rooms (with updated mapping). | The map generated isn't interactive or real-time for precise manual control during a cleaning cycle. |
🔧 What’s Included? & Why It Matters
| Component | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO Robot Vacuum | The core cleaning unit, featuring smart navigation and strong suction. |
| Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal | Allows the robot to empty its bin automatically for up to 60 days, significantly reducing user intervention. |
| Extra Dirt Disposal Bag | Provides an immediate replacement for the bag inside the Clean Base, ensuring continuous hands-free operation. |
| Line Cord | Powers the Clean Base, which also serves as the charging dock for the robot. |
| Side Brush | Sweeps debris from edges and corners into the robot's cleaning path. |
| High-Efficiency Filter | Captures 99% of cat and dog dander allergens, helping to improve air quality. |
| Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | Flex and conform to different floor types, preventing pet hair tangles and effectively lifting debris. |
| Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery | Powers the robot, allowing it to clean for extended periods and return to its base to recharge and resume. |
💰 Is It Worth It? – Value & Cost Efficiency
| Aspect | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | The inclusion of the Clean Base means you get a complete self-emptying solution, which can save a considerable amount of time on manual bin emptying. | The upfront cost is higher than Roomba models without the automatic disposal unit. |
| Maintenance Costs | Replacement parts like brushes and filters are readily available, extending the product's lifespan. | The proprietary disposal bags for the Clean Base add recurring expenses over the product's lifetime. |
| Time Savings | The robot's automated cleaning and particularly the self-emptying feature drastically reduce the time users spend on vacuuming chores. | While highly automated, it's not entirely maintenance-free; brushes and filters still need periodic cleaning or replacement, and disposal bags need changing. |
🔁 iRobot Comparison – How This Version Improves Over Previous Models
| Aspect | Roomba i3+ (2020) | Roomba i3+ EVO (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Mapping & Navigation | Imprint Smart Mapping (basic). | Imprint Smart Mapping with Keep Out Zones & Room-by-Room Cleaning (via software update). |
| Smart Features | Basic scheduling, voice assistant compatibility. | Adds 'Keep Out Zones' and 'Clean by Room' functionality through app updates, enhancing control. |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | Clean Base compatible (included in '+' models). | Clean Base included, holds up to 60 days of debris, no change in capacity. |
| Design | Textured gray finish. | Identical design to the i3+. |
| Performance | Same suction, dual multi-surface rubber brushes. | Same core cleaning performance, including suction power and brush system. |
⚔️ Alternatives vs Roomba i3+ EVO (2022)
| Aspect | Roborock S7 | Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+ | Roomba i3+ EVO (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | Auto-Empty Dock is an optional add-on, not standard with all models. | Auto-Empty Station included in the '+' version. | Clean Base included as standard in this model. |
| Navigation & Mapping | LIDAR navigation, multi-floor mapping, highly interactive app map, selective room cleaning. | LIDAR-based TrueMapping, virtual boundaries, precise navigation. | vSLAM navigation, Imprint Smart Mapping, Keep Out Zones. |
| Mopping Functionality | Sonic vibrating mop with automatic mop lift, simultaneous vacuuming and mopping. | Ozmo mopping system, simultaneous vacuuming and mopping. | No mopping function. |
| Object Avoidance | Basic obstacle avoidance. | TrueDetect 3D technology for highly accurate obstacle avoidance. | Reactive Sensor Technology. |
💡 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Does the Roomba i3+ EVO map my house? Yes, it uses vSLAM navigation to learn your home's layout and create an Imprint Smart Map, allowing for systematic cleaning. This map enables features like 'Keep Out Zones' and 'Clean by Room' through the iRobot Home app, though it's not a live, interactive map.
- How often do I need to replace the dirt disposal bag? The Clean Base can hold up to 60 days of dirt and debris. The actual replacement frequency depends on factors like household size, presence of pets, and overall dirt level in your home.
- Can it clean specific rooms? Yes, thanks to its Imprint Smart Mapping feature (which often requires a software update), you can use the iRobot Home app to send the robot to clean specific rooms or areas, and also define 'Keep Out Zones' where it should avoid.
- Is it good for pet hair? Yes, the Roomba i3+ EVO is well-regarded for its pet hair performance. It features dual multi-surface rubber brushes that are designed to prevent tangles from pet hair, and its strong suction power effectively captures fur and dander.
👍 Positive Reviews - What Users Love
- The automatic emptying feature is a game-changer; I rarely have to think about vacuuming for weeks.
- It handles pet hair remarkably well, even with multiple shedding animals, and the rubber brushes don't get tangled.
- The systematic cleaning pattern is a significant improvement over older random-bouncing models, ensuring thorough coverage.
- The app is intuitive for scheduling and setting up 'Keep Out Zones' where I don't want it to go.
- It's surprisingly good at navigating around furniture and doesn't get stuck nearly as often as previous robot vacuums I've owned.
👎 Negative Reviews - What Could Be Better
- The Clean Base is quite noisy when it empties itself, which can be disruptive if it runs early in the morning or late at night.
- It lacks advanced mapping features like real-time mapping or the ability to draw custom zones on a live map, which some competitors offer.
- Sometimes struggles with very dark-colored carpets or rugs, occasionally mistaking them for cliffs and avoiding them.
- Replacement bags for the Clean Base can be an ongoing expense, and some users wish it had a bagless auto-empty option.
- While generally good, it doesn't always pick up every last speck of fine dust on hard floors, occasionally requiring a secondary pass or manual wipe-down.
📋 Key Details & Specifications
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO |
| Release Year | 2022 |
| Navigation Type | vSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) |
| Mapping Capability | Imprint Smart Mapping (with Keep Out Zones & Clean by Room) |
| Dirt Disposal | Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal (up to 60 days capacity) |
| Brushes | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes |
| Filter Type | High-Efficiency Filter |
| Suction Power | 10x the power-lifting suction compared to Roomba 600 series |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) |
| App Control | iRobot Home App |
| Voice Assistant Compatible | Yes (Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa) |
| Runtime | Up to 75 minutes (recharges and resumes cleaning) |
| Robot Dimensions | 13.34 inches (Diameter) x 3.63 inches (Height) |
| Bin Capacity | Self-emptying into Clean Base (robot's internal bin is small) |
🔚 Summary – Is This the Right Choice for You?
- The Roomba i3+ EVO (2022) is an excellent choice for individuals or families seeking a reliable and largely hands-off robot vacuuming experience, particularly benefiting those with pets.
- Its systematic navigation, robust suction power, and the standout Clean Base automatic dirt disposal system deliver significant convenience and effective cleaning.
- While it doesn't offer the most advanced, interactive mapping features found in some premium models, the addition of 'Keep Out Zones' and 'Clean by Room' functionality via software updates significantly enhances its utility.
- Be mindful of the noise during the auto-emptying process and the recurring cost of disposal bags.
- Ultimately, if you prioritize strong cleaning performance, especially for pet hair, and desire the ultimate convenience of not emptying the dustbin for weeks, the i3+ EVO offers compelling value in the mid-range robot vacuum market.
