iRobot Roomba I6+ Review

One of the Recent Developments Unveiled by iRobot is the automatic unloading system they’ve unveiled, the Roomba I7+.

In this review, we are going to take a look at the Roomba I6+ – A sub-variable of iRobot In the I-Series line. I’m not sure how different this model is from the i7, but it seems to be selling for a lower cost. I’ve read comments about the I6+ being exclusive to Amazon and the I8 to COSTCO.

According to iRobot, it has similar specs to the i7+ — the same auto-discharge system, extractors, side brush, and battery.

Positives

• No need to empty the trash manually
• Access to advanced navigation features such as protection zones
• Saves up to 10 map levels
• Upgraded hoods resist tangles better than Roomba 960
• Decent in cleaning surface and embedded dirt
• Not too noisy (below 65dB)

Negatives

• Poor airflow (less than 9CFM)
• small litter box
• The automatic emptying dock is high if the robot trash bin is empty

Introduction to Roomba I6 +

iRobot has revealed a game-changing technology for home automation with the Roomba I7 – it’s First with automatic unloading system.

Soon, other brands followed suit – Shark, Neabot and many more, but iRobot is still the gold standard because it has pretty much perfected the technology.

The Roomba I6+ is another variant in the I-Series and has similar specs as the I7, only in a light gray colour.

It has the same top-mounted camera and iAdapt 3.0 navigation system, unlocking map saving features not found in Older Roomba variants such as 960 and 980.

Then there’s the clean base station that empties the robot’s box every time it docks with a bag inside that it can carry up to 30 times Dust container capacity.

Design

The I6+ retains the round bezel you see on most Roomba products. But it has a more premium look with a touch screen feel to the buttons.

It retains the same button layout as the older Roomba 675, 690, and E5. I doubt you will use these buttons a lot because this robot is compatible with the iRobot app.

Underneath it, it has the same brush and position as Roomba E5using advanced hoods with deep grooves.

Dustbin

Dirt size shouldn’t be a concern for I6+ users because of the clean base station, but I’m sharing the specs for your information.

The I6+ trash can is rear-loaded with a capacity of 400ml. If you look closely, you will find the same E5 enclosure design with a HEPA filter on the side.

However, you will see a slit inside, which is for the clean base station to suck up the contents. This is a penalty of 100ml, but the auto emptying feature eliminates it because it empties the container after each run.

Inside the clean base station is a bag that can hold up to 30 full containers, increasing the capacity to about 1.2 liters.

So there is no need to touch the robot for weeks to empty the container if all goes well.

Application Features

One of the things pets often dislike with older Roomba models is the lack of app features. It’s no longer the case with the I6+ (or any other I-Series robot) as iRobot has added more customization features. I’ll go through them one by one.

Save the map

Perhaps the I6+’s biggest upgrade is Imprint Smart Mapping, or the ability to save maps. i6 . application Up to ten maps can be savedwhich is six more than Roborock. Within each map level, users can name rooms, and set as many blocking and zone zones as needed.

Unfortunately, it does not have an invisible wall feature. So users are limited to using boxes or rectangles for containment.

Selective room cleaning

Imprint Smart Mapping app unlocks another convenience feature – selective room cleaning, allowing users Select a specific room or area Inside the map they want to clean up.

The iRobot version is different, as you will have to scan all the rooms you want to clean. With Roborock, you will click on the room on the map.

Choosing between the two would be a matter of preference.

You can use this feature in conjunction with the scheduling feature, which I will talk about next.

scheduling

On older Roomba models, the scheduling feature is very limited. You can schedule only one run per day max. But with the I-Series, that is no longer the case. Users can Schedule multiple runs a day with a A gap of at least three hours per run.

This upgrade is useful in different ways. For example, you can schedule the bot to clean unoccupied rooms on specific time frames. Clean up the master bedroom at 10 AM and the dining area at 2 PM after lunch and clean up.

The ability to Distressed cleaning times Priceless, in my opinion.

Make sure the doors are open to prevent any error codes from being fired and the robot doesn’t end up running. It’s a whim that I hope will fix iRobot.

Selective room cleaning

Another improvement with the i6 app is the ability to Choose specific rooms to clean. You can do this by clicking on the “New Job” icon at the top right, then selecting the room or area.

There is an option to save it as a favorite for faster access in the main interface.

Stay out of the areas

here they are Rectangular or square boxes These are areas for robotics.

To put it simply, these prevent the bot from entering these areas that you have set on the map.

You can draw as many of these as needed. It’s the iRobot version of Roborock’s Restricted Areas.

clean area

The clean area has the opposite function of the confined areas. Rather than obscuring the robot, it is an area designated for “cleaning”.

It is similar to Spot clean function on older Roomba variants But more accurate. There is no need to physically move the robot into the area. For example, you could draw a box around the living room and maybe schedule more tours of it because it’s a high-traffic area.

I like that iRobot enables users to save them, so there is no need to manually draw the box every time the need arises.

Play maps

This is a special mode for creating maps. When this feature is toggled, the robot goes through with the vacuum motor turned off to save battery so that it can cover a larger area.

Two things to remember. First you need to turn on all the lights. Since this robot uses a camera, it needs a light source to “see” and set the room correctly.

If you turn on Maps with the lights off, it won’t finish the process, and advanced features like protection zones won’t work. Believe me. I learned the hard way.

Second, open the doors for the bot to create a map of the entire area.

After running, the app automatically creates partitions from rooms, but I would suggest you to override this and create your own as it will not be accurate.

Date

iRobot Records previous cleaning cycles In its database, you can access it by clicking on the “History” tab. Shows previous runs, corresponding maps, area size, whether the playback was successful or not, and more.

Error codes

Another benefit of the iRobot app is reading the error code. Rather than just spitting out a number, it tells the user exactly what’s wrong and takes the guesswork out of what’s going on, helping diagnose and resolve any problems.

base station cleaning

The clean base station is one of the most innovative designs I’ve seen. Eliminates the menial task of emptying the trash after each run; Once the robot returns to the dock, a second vacuum is released and Empty the contents of the trash Through the hatch under the container.

It’s sturdy enough to pick up the contents inside the trash, but if there’s debris around the lip area, you’ll have to clean it up manually.

I tested it with Big Mess, and it’s very effective at vacuuming up dirt.

Inside is a bag that can hold up to 30 full containers. Once you take it off, it shuts off on its own, so there is no direct exposure to dust or allergens.

How does the Roomba I6+ navigate?

Like the Roomba 900-Series, the i6 navigates in straight lines. iRobot He calls these “stylish rows”.

Unlike previous models such as the 614, 675, 690, and E5, it’s more efficient and navigates well even in tight spaces.

iRobot improves the navigation of the Roomba 900-Series in the I-Series line with iAdapt 3.0. The most significant improvement over iAdapt 2.0 is Intelligent Fingerprint Mapping. In the ordinary person, it is the ability to Save maps (up to 10).

This feature unlocks many other features such as exclusion zones and selective room cleaning.

Confined areas are rectangular or square areas Unlimited points for robots. Selective room cleaning is the option of choosing the exact location where the robot will clean.

These navigation features help improve the usability of the app over the 900 series which didn’t offer much.

Unfortunately, the iRobot Home app does not support invisible walls like other brands like Roborock or Dreame.

There is an invisible wall above the protection zones feature which is the option to draw diagonal lines on the map. It also adds flexibility in the areas that users can block. We hope Roomba can address this in future updates.

Will the Roomba I6 dent the furniture?

I’ve never had an I6 hit any of our home furnishings hard enough to empty it. The algorithm is smart enough that the robot only slows down and pushes it.

Now there will be cases where you will hit the doors with some force. One example is that the door is locked halfway, which the bot did not calculate because it was fully open when it ran the maps.

Once you “relearn” the layout, it recognizes the changes and will avoid them in subsequent runs.

How much power does the Roomba I6+ have?

I use an anemometer to measure the airflow in the nozzle. It is a useful device for checking air flow. The Roomba I6+ has 8.2 CFM For airflow in single power mode, lower than the Roomba 960 with 9.33 CFM.

cleaning performance

Next, we’ll look at how well Roomba I6 cleans different types of debris like Quaker oats, quinoa, pet droppings, sand, coffee grounds, and hair on different types of surfaces.

First, here are the overall results

• Total: 93.97%
• Solid ground: 97.57%
• Sand on the hard floor: 98.26%
• Carpet (surface): 97.55%
• deep cleaning: 82.5%

The i6 has good overall scores but is slightly lower than the Roomba 980 I previously tested with higher airflow. You can see the effect of the reduced airflow on the test results because it didn’t pick up all the debris, which I’ll explain below.

hard floor results

• Quaker Oats: 97.6%
• Cafe floors: 100%
• pet litter: 97.8%
• Quinoa: 94.2%

It has struggled the most with quinoa, up 94.2%. Capture is not an issue here as the dual extractors pick up everything you touch.

The problem is with the fast-spinning side brush that’s scattered around. This is the same problem with Quaker oats and pet litter, hence the lower grades.

sand on hard floor

Another side effect of insufficient airflow is cleaning up heavy debris such as sand. still i6 Got a high score – 98.26%but left traces on launchers and assembly.

It wasn’t a clean sweep to run. Given that it contains only 8 CFM, the ratio is encouraging and evidence that the newer extracts with deep grooves shake well.

hair wrap test

The i6 did well in the hair wrap test, especially with strands shorter at five inches in length. Check out the results below.

• 5 inch braids: 100% inside the trash, 0% around the brush
• 7 inch threads: 54% inside the trash, 46% around the brush

However, it didn’t do well with strands longer than seven inches, getting only 54%. Still a good grade, considering the low suction power.

The good news is that it is easier to remove hair from these rollers than with a bristle brush Roomba 675 and 690.

Edge cleaning

Another surprise is how well the i6 cleans the edges. This is a before and after picture.

It’s an excellent result for a well-rounded robot that picks up most of the debris in this area.

Carpet cleaning

Next, we’ll take a look at how well the i6+ cleans carpets. I used the same debris set on a low to medium pile rug.

Low stack results

• Quaker Oats: 96.6%
• Cafe floors: 93.2%
• pet litter: 98.4%
• Quinoa: 99.8%

These are slightly lower grades than hardwood floors. It struggled a lot with finely ground coffee, which is no surprise with the lower suction power. Scattering is not a problem because the carpet fibers provide more friction, but the lack of airflow hinders their capture on this surface.

Mid-stack results

• Quaker Oats: 100%
• Cafe floors: 95.2%
• pet litter: 97.8%
• Quinoa: 99.4%

Unexpectedly, the i6 engine picked up more debris on the mid-pile carpet. I’ve picked 100% Quaker oats and a higher percentage of ground coffee than low-pile carpeting, but the difference isn’t much – I wouldn’t put too much weight on it.

deep cleaning

Another downstream effect of low airflow is the cleaning of built-in dirt. I tested the I6 on 100g of sand and rubbed it on a medium pile rug. picked up a file 82.5% in four tests. It’s the lowest score ever Roomba products I have tested so far.

How noisy is the Roomba I6+?

One of the positive aspects of having lower airflow is lower noise output. I used a sound meter for the test, and I6 . was recorded About 64.5 dB In single power mode. However, the clean base station is loud – with close to 80 (79.6 to be exact) dB when emptying the container. Fortunately, it doesn’t last long.

How long is the Roomba I6+ uptime?

Roomba I6 + Uses 1800 mAh Li-ion battery It lasts up to 75 minutes. Not as long as 120 Minutes Roomba 980 Runtimebut with Recharge and Resume, it doesn’t matter because Recharge and Resume are done.

One thing to note is that the I6+ (and all I-Series bots) will not dock when the container is full. It will stop mid-playback, firing and error code. You will have to empty the container manually to continue running.

What comes in the box?

1. Roomba I6 robotic vacuum cleaner with brush included
2. Clean the base station with one bag
3. power rope
4. Manual and Warranty Card

Parts Availability

One of the reasons I like Roomba products is the availability of spare parts. Components such as filter and bags are widely available, not only from iRobot but also from other manufacturers, due to their popularity.

Hard to find parts like the batterytrash bin assembly, side brush motor are even available in online stores like Amazon.

maintenance

All vacuums will require some level of maintenance to operate at their peak over the long term. With robotic vacuums, regular maintenance is vital as they rely on different sensors to move around and clean.

Any buildup will clog components like the side brush motor, increasing friction and wear. So it is necessary to clean it regularly.

I’m going to enumerate some of the components that will need to be cleaned and/or replaced.

1. main brush: The i6 has anti-rotation straws that require less maintenance, according to iRobot. No matter what they say, it’s not completely maintenance-free. Longer strands of hair will wrap around the barrel and hub. Check these areas regularly and remove any buildup to prevent unnecessary friction.
2. Side brush: Check for tangles of hair on the arms or base.
3. Dust basket and filter: The auto-discharge feature means you don’t need to touch it for weeks. But do a visual examination to see if there is buildup inside. Wash the container as needed and replace the filter every two to three months.
4. fall sensors: The i6 has six of these sensors on the bottom to keep it from falling over cliff points like stairs. Use a clean, dry microfiber towel to wipe it down at least twice a month.
5. Wheels: This robot has three wheels (two side wheels and one swivel wheel). Wipe it with a clean towel to remove accumulated dirt.
6. the body: Wipe the entire body with a microfiber towel to clean any fingerprints or dust stuck to the surface.
7. Clean base station: Make sure the opening is clear (where debris will flow through). Check the bag inside if it is full. It does not have a sensor, so you will have to do it manually.

Product Spec.

Model	Roomba I6+
Manufacturer	iRobot
Battery	1800 mAh Li-ion
Run time	75 mins.
Dirt Capacity (dry)	400 ml.
Diameter	13.34″ inches
Height	3.63 inches
Auto Empty	Yes
Smart Navigation	Yes
Recharge and Resume	Yes
HEPA Filtration	Yes
Side Brush	Yes
Extra Filter	No
Power voltage	110-volts
Warranty	1 year
Price	Check Price

Where can I buy the Roomba I6+?

The Roomba I6+ is an Amazon exclusive, so it’s the only place you can buy it.

BUY NOW FROM Amazon

I’ll earn a commission if you buy through the link above, but at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win for us!

Does Roomba I6+ offer excellent value?

Despite the high cost, the Roomba I6+ offers good value, in my opinion. Application upgrades, mobility and automatic discharging system make this product A truly autonomous robot.

Yes, you will have to do your part and prepare the area by removing any wires or small obstructions to increase the effectiveness of this robot.

Depending on the season, it could be a little cheaper or a lot cheaper than the I7+, but it only comes with Only one bag, no other extras.

It absorbs low airflow, so don’t rely on this robot for heavy-duty cleaning. It won’t be as good as Roomba airflow monsters like 980 and S9 for the big mess. But for everyday tasks it will be good enough.

6 Reasons to Buy Roomba I6 +

1. Automatic unloading: A clean base station empties the robot’s trash after each run, freeing you from doing the job.
2. Enhanced app experience: Imprint Smart Mapping unlocks other features like blocking zones, clean zones, and selective room cleaning – all of which enhance the user experience.
3. Better Mobility: I’ve tested this robot a lot, and it seems to be getting more efficient as it learns the layout of your house. Make sure to keep the lights on while the maps are on.
4. Scheduling several sessions per day: Users can now schedule multiple runs per day, giving consumers more options on how to use this bot.
5. Containment Features: The iRobot app now has no-go zones that prevent the robot from entering restricted areas.
6. Cheaper than S9: while the Roomba S9 Offering better cleaning performance, being more expensive, the i6 is an affordable, albeit lower-powered alternative.

Verdict: The automatic discharge feature is a game changing

One of the features that I tested with Roomba I6 is How to empty the trash wellAnd it was excellent – with enough suction to clean a container full of dust, which is what you’ll clean most days.

It won’t collect everything, but it gets most of it out.

You have pretty much mastered Roomba Automatic discharging system Which is a big reason for its popularity.

However, it will not be as effective as the Roomba 980 or the S9, nor will it be as effective at cleaning large dirt.

If you don’t mind it and want a file Spine robot vacuum that requires minimal babysittingCheck out this robot vacuum cleaner.