09/15/2025
Roomba buying tips: (2025)
For most of the (older) roombas the model nr is next to the wheel.
Turn the robot over: Flip your Roomba so the bottom is facing up.
Locate the label: Look for a label printed near the left wheel.
Read the model number: The label will contain the model number, such as “565"
Roombas up to 670: Bad batteries, very high time, not really worth your time, prices should be below $50
675 and up: These have wifi, a little better, but not ‘smart’ No mapping, but start/stop/etc is possible via the app.
700 series same as up to 670.
800-979 series a bit too old too, but at least these have rubber rollers. Check the clip for the filter door, they break easily.
The 980-999 has carpet boost, I like that :-) but if the clip breaks on the filter door, there is only one place that I know that has the correct door.
They are located in Sechelt. The door size difference between 979 and down, and the 980 and up is 5mm. The smaller one is plentiful.
The batteries from all of these are all the same. (available on Amazon. They generally work well)
The 900 series cleaning pattern is linear, the others, include e5/e6, are random.
The 800 and up are 5x the suction, incl the e’s; 980 and up has a 10x carpet boost.
None of these I would pay more than $80.
The e5/e6 have the new battery and suction. The bin does not contain the motor any more and can be hand washed.
Cleaning is a random pattern, vs the i1 and i2 which are linear. The i1 and i2 can also be self emptying.
All of the models with wifi: You can check the lifetime hours via the app, so you can ask the seller for a screen shot of the history.
If this is not available I would find it suspicious, especially in the i series and up as the wifi programming and mapping options make those models valuable.
The roomba essential also have a combo model. I kind of like them. Big waste bin and fairly quiet.
Prices vary, but generally around 100$ for a low hour one is not bad.
The i series have a lot more possibilities from the i3 and up which generally make them more useful.
i3/4/5 pretty well the same. i4 usually has a bigger battery and was sold by Costco.
i5 can be a combo, all can be self emptying.
These can map rooms and be sent to clean different part of the house on command.
i6/7/8 are the same machines with improved mapping, keep out zones, extra cleaning zone, etc. and programming. Personally best bang for your buck I think.
i6 was sold by amazon, i7 everywhere else except Costco, which sold the i8.
These can be self emptying also. I would price the i3-8 up to $150 for the regular and up to $250 for the self emptying
The J series are again a little better and are supposed to avoid pet waste and take pictures of obstacles. The hardware is fairly equal (plus camera), but the software is a bit more advanced.
The older the roomba, the higher the hours, but 1000 hrs for a well maintained machine is not bad, We have a 700hr machine on our middle floor and it is doing very well.
The newer ones you can check on the iRobot page. Happy shopping.
