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After 35 years in business, iRobot, the maker of the ever-popular Roomba robotic vacuums, has filed for bankruptcy. However, this news is not expected to affect current owners’ apps and services with the company, and new products will continue to be available for purchase.
Founded in 1990 by three Massachusetts Institute of Technology roboticists, iRobot initially focused on defense and space work before launching the Roomba robotic vacuum in 2002. Since then, the company has released dozens of Roomba models, selling more than 50 million units globally, including to many American households.
Yet financial struggles became evident after a failed merger with Amazon 2 years ago, in addition to difficulties keeping up with rivals and managing a large debt and new tariff costs. The company will be taken over by its main manufacturer based in China, Picea Robotics, assuring customers that its devices will keep running as usual. As stated in the official news release by iRobot Corporation, “During the chapter 11 process, iRobot will continue operating in the ordinary course with no anticipated disruption to its app functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply chain relationships, or ongoing product support.”
The iconic Roomba is sought after for its hands-free home cleaning capabilities, helping people avoid having to mop the floor, push around a handheld vacuum, or lift pet hair from the carpet themselves. Here are some of our favorite Roomba models to tackle household cleaning jobs using smart features such as household mapping, as well as control integrations through the app, Wi-Fi, and voice.
Compared to earlier models, the Roomba i7+ has 10 times the suction power and it can hold up to 60 days’ worth of contents. The smart navigation system learns the layout of a home, coordinates no-go zones, and builds smart maps so users can create and automate their cleaning schedule. It’s easy to input programming preferences through the iRobot Home app and through voice prompts with Alexa or Google Assistant. A recharge-and-resume feature automatically activates this Roomba i7+ after about 90 minutes of battery use. It comes loaded with filters and dust bags for the base, plus replacements for each. It also has extra brushes.
Though the Roomba 694 has lower suction than more advanced models, it is one of the most affordable robot vacuums. Its three-stage cleaning system and multisurface brush lift dirt efficiently, while an edge-sweeping brush tackles corners and edges. This model is ideal for smaller areas and works best in rooms without clutter. An auto-adjust cleaning head helps the unit transition easily between low-pile carpet, medium-pile carpet, hardwood floors, and bare floors. It can run for up to 90 minutes before automatically recharging, but it will need to be reset before its next run.
Best for Pets
iRobot Roomba j5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
Photo: amazon.com
The Roomba j5+ is a vacuum-and-mop combination model with a self-emptying bin with bags for dust collection. It comes with a vacuum-only bin and a combo vacuum-and-mop bin that users can swap out depending on their cleaning needs. The j5+ vacuum features sensors that detect and avoid pet waste, power cords, and other obstacles.
