Robot Roomba i3 and i8 plus are vacuum cleaners. These robots have some similar features as well as some differences. Moreover, they have some functional differences based on their specific features. Read this article to find more contrast and similarities between these robots.
iRobot Roomba i8+
If you are interested, you can find the iRobot Roomba i8+ here.
Features
- HEPA filters. These are filters that can trap the finest particles and allergens.
- Has a camera mapping sensor.
- Supports voice control.
- Support WIFI connection.
- Can be controlled using a smartphone App.
- Optical Virtual walls. This enables zoning hence the robot will avoid restricted areas.
- The battery capacity of 2210 mAh can last for 90 minutes and takes 120 minutes to fully charge.
- Automatic dirt disposal technology.
- The suction power of 1800 pa.
Pros
- Has a large battery capacity.
- Can clean a wide area.
- Can store the maps in its memory for future use.
- Automated dirt disposal.
- Supports voice control.
- Can clean carpet, has sensors that detect carpet hence clean it efficiently.
- Multi-floor maps (10 floors)
Cons
- Expensive.
- Takes longer to charge.
- Cannot be tracked when vacuuming.
iRobot Roomba i3
If interested, you can find the iRobot Roomba i3 here.
Features
- Dustbin capacity of 400 ml.
- The battery capacity of 1800 mAh.
- Supports voice control.
- Weighs 9.58 pounds.
Pros
- It is not expensive.
- It has a large suction power of 1800 pa.
- It has mapping technology.
- Can be controlled using voice.
Cons
- Small battery capacity that works for 75 minutes when fully charged.
- It is heavy.
- Does not support multi-floor maps.
- Cannot keep the maps in its memory for future use.
- Cannot be tracked while vacuuming.
Comparing iRobot Roomba i3 And i8+
The following comparisons include some feature and functional comparisons.
Differences
Cleaning Area
The robots have different abilities based on the area coverage when cleaning.
iRobot Roomba i8+ is superior to i3 when it comes to the cleaning area. Roomba i8+ cleans 200 meters square when the batteries are fully charged.
On the other hand, Roomba i3 can only clean 170 square meters when fully charged before the battery dies. This is the case since the batteries are not similar (look at battery compassion below).
Carpet Detection
Again, based on the carpet recognition feature, Roomba i8+ is superior to i3.
Roomba i8+ is built with a sensor that detects whenever you want to clean a carpet. Whenever the robot is on a carpet, the sensor will prompt the robot to increase the suction power to optimum and hence clean the carpet effectively.
Roomba i3 on the other hand does not have sensors that detect carpet and therefore will not clean the carpet effectively. You may put the vacuum cleaner on the carpet but will not generate the optimum suction power to deep clean the carpet.
Battery
Roomba i8+ cleans a larger area than i3. This is because it has a more powerful battery.
Both batteries are Lithium-Ion. However, Roomba i3 has a capacity of 1800 mAh. The robot will take 90 minutes to fully charge. With a capacity of 1800 mAh, it can clean constantly for 75 minutes before the battery dies off.
On the other, the battery capacity of Roomba i8+ is 2210 mAh. This battery is bigger and will take 120 minutes to fully charge. When fully charged, the battery will serve you for 90 minutes when working continuously before it dies off.
The bottom line is that both robots will take more time when charging than when working.
Work Scheduling
Roomba i8+ has more features when it comes to scheduling. You can schedule your i8+ robot to clean specific areas and schedule it not to clean some areas. The robot is built with a technology (virtual wall creation) that allows it to clean zoned areas. You can therefore schedule it to clean very specific areas.
Scheduling the robot to clean different rooms is enabled when you divide the rooms and give them specifically after mapping. You can do this using your mobile Roomba App. Once you give rooms names on the map, it is, therefore, possible to establish the no-go areas and restrict the robot to clean only the specified areas on the map.
You can use this mapping and schedule plan for as long as you wish.
Roomba i3 on the other hand, unlike i8+, does not support the many features I have mentioned above. Scheduling is not advanced. The robot tends to work on a daily schedule. You will program it to clean a certain room for that day since it does not have permanent storage of the map.
Mapping Technology
Both robots can map whenever they are cleaning. However, the sensors used for mapping are not the same.
Roomba i8+ uses camera sensors when mapping the floor layout of your rooms. One major disadvantage of camera sensors is that they may not work effectively where there is insufficient lighting. Cameras work where there is light, these camera sensors are not built with night vision (well, that sounds like too much feature for a vacuum cleaner). However, you can ensure that there is enough lighting in all the rooms that your robot is mapping.
On the other hand, Roomba i3 achieved mapping using optic motion tracking and gyroscope tracking sensors.
The Roomba i8+ will store the maps of up to 10 different rooms and keep them in its memory. This feature tends to make it superior to i3 which cannot keep the memory of these maps. Roomba i3 will map the room each time you want it to clean. You will therefore need to supervise/program it whenever you are cleaning a new room or the same room on a different day.
Similarities
The Type Of Filters
These robots use HEPA filters. This is good news to allergic people. HEPA filters tend to filter all the allergen particles that may affect you. These filters are placed at the under lids of the robots’ dustbins.
However, unlike many other robots, these Roomba models do not provide an option of removing the filters and washing them. Therefore, every 3 months, you will be forced to replace the HEPA filters with new ones.
Side Brush And Cleaning Brush
The robots are built with rubber side brushes. This will help achieve efficient cleaning.
Additionally, each robot is built with a cleaning brush. This will be making your cleaning experience better.
Unlike the HEPA filters on these robots, the cleaning brush can be removed. You can therefore clean the brush and remove all the clogs and foreign particles on the brush, especially hair.
Controlling Using Remote Controls
These robot models can be controlled using their remote control (Roomba app remote). When we talk about control, we are looking at the aspect of the robot moving from one location to the other. The remotes aid in moving the robot to wherever location you want within your rooms.
Using a remote is the basic control feature of these robots if you fancy the traditional way of controlling devices.
Other controls
Other than using the remote to control your robot within the house, both of these Roomba models support voice controls using voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Using your voice, you can easily control these vacuum cleaners unlike the remote which will require manual pressing of the buttons to achieve command on your robot.
Moreover, vacuum cleaners have provided another way of controlling them. Using the map generated by the robot, you can click on the map to send the robot to the location that you want within the map. This is called Target Point.
Recharging Technology
Like iRobot Braava M6, these vacuum cleaners can recharge on their own. They can detect that the battery power is low and move to the charging dock to recharge.
Noise And Suction Power
The robots have different battery capacities. However, the suction power is the same for both models, 1800 Pa. Moreover, their noise levels are equal to 68 dba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can The Robots Mop?
No. They are vacuum cleaners and are designed to suck and sweep only. However, adding another mopping device will enable you to achieve mopping. You can use Braava Jet M6.
Does Roomba i3 Have Automatic Dirt Disposal?
No. Currently, the model does not support this technology. However, if you fancy this feature, then Roomba i8+ is the best option for you.
Does iRobot Roomba i8+ Have Larger Bin Capacity?
No. The bin capacity for i3 and i8+ are the same, 400ml. However, i8+ has the automatic dirt disposal technology and will dispose of all dirt once full hence serving more.
Bottom line is that the capacity is the same.
What Devices Are Compatible With iRobot Home App?
The app can be used on the robots that we have described above. It can be used on android devices of 7.0 and above. For iOS users, a device of OS 13 and above are suitable for the app. However, the app cannot be used on Windows Mobile OS and Kindle tablets with Fire OS.
