iRobot Roomba i6+ (6550) Robot Vacuum Review [Automatic Dirt Disposal]

The Roomba i6+ is at the top of its class, with great features and smart integration. Voice and app control allows you to manage this vacuum from wherever you are and digital mapping allows for better navigation around your spaces to provide the most efficient cleaning possible. Read on below for more details on its amazing capabilities!

After reviewing the Roomba i3+ and i7+ models, we were expecting something that sat in the sweet spot when the i6+ model dropped. What we got instead was a more basic version of the i7+. It still does a great job at cleaning and it has a very handy app to go along with it. But, it does not include the extra features of the i7+, like the spare side brush, the spare filter, and the extra dust bags.

These features give a great added value, but even without them the i7+ and i6+ models are selling for the same price. The new iRobot Roomba i6+ is available exclusively on Amazon, and that means that you can (and should) wait for a significant sale before you invest any money into buying one. If it drops below $600, that’s a good value, since it is a good vacuum with some attributes that we really liked.

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Design, Accessories, and Operational Features of the Roomba i6+

The Roomba i6+ has a similar design, size, and weight as other models such as the Roomba i3+ and i7+. Its round body has a silver top with a matte black trim. The control, which can be found on top, is wrapped by a black glossy faceplate. Additional control features can be found on the Roomba app.

Run Time

Coming right out of the box, the Roomba i6+ has enough battery power to run a cleaning cycle, although it is recommended to fully charge the vacuum before its first use. This helps it generate an accurate map of your space.

During its run time, it will make use of its Recharge & Resume feature when the battery is depleted before it has cleaned all mapped spaces. This will allow it to return to charge and then resume cleaning where it stopped. This process will be repeated until all spaces have been cleaned, which improves the overall run time of this vacuum.

Dust Bin

The Roomba i6+ has an auto-emptying dustbin which is a really unique feature. This works in conjunction with the Clean Base charging station.

When the i6+ has run a full cleaning cycle, it will return to the charger for a recharge. While there, the charger base will use its onboard suction function to remove the collected debris from the vacuum body. This will be stored into a separate debris bag which can hold up to 30 full cycles worth of debris. The debris bag is located inside the charging base and will require manual cleaning once full. It can take 1-3 months for the bin to become full, depending on how much cleaning your area requires.

Clean Base

Due to its ability to store debris, the Clean Base of the i6+ model is larger, wider, and deeper than that of a standard Roomba charger. It also has a ramp-like design instead of the typical flat design. This provides space for proper emptying of the dustbin and the larger size also allows for more suction power to remove the debris from the dustbin.

Smart Mapping

This feature makes the i6+ smarter, more efficient, and an overall better cleaner for different spaces. It’s similar to memory mapping but allows you to create different cleaning zones. Like with memory mapping, the i6+ can still navigate the space and remember which fixed obstacles to avoid. Imprint smart mapping additionally allows you to create different zones, see digital map reports, and partner with a Braava Jet mopping robot.

Zoned Cleaning

After creating a digital map of your cleaning spaces, zoned cleaning can be used to assign names to certain spaces. This is a great feature to use when certain areas in your home need additional or more frequent cleaning. Schedules can be set up to correlate with your digitally created map to allow cleaning based on traffic and usage patterns.

Scheduled Cleaning

There’s a lot of options with the i6+ when it comes to cleaning schedules. Cleaning schedules can be set up to 7 days in advance either as a one-time schedule or a repeating cycle. Multiple cycles can be set up to create cleaning schedules for different cleaning zones. A generic set up allows for cleaning of all accessible spaces.

Smart Cleaning

When you don’t want to use the physical button on the vacuum or the smartphone app controls, the smart cleaning feature on the i6+ offers voice control through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This works together with zoned setups where specific rooms have been assigned names.

Using phrases such as “Alexa, vacuum the kitchen” will program the Roomba i6+ to clean that specific area.

Restricted Zones

You can set up restricted zones through the Roomba app if there are certain areas that you don’t want the vacuum to enter.

Vacuum + Mop

When paired with a Braava m6, the Roomba i6+ can initiate a mop feature. Smart integration allows for the i6+ to run its cleaning cycle, and once returned to the dock, it can send a signal to the Braava to start its mopping cycle.

Performance and Usability of the Roomba i6+

The cleaning performance of the i6+ is fantastic and the robot vacuum is extremely user-friendly. Setup is easy and controls on top of the vacuum are simple to understand. More advanced controls are accessed through the Roomba app, but following in-app prompts, this is also easy to set up. 

i6+ Pros

Cleaning schedules customizable to fit your schedule
Suggestions offered based on personalized information
Fully Smart Home compatible
Pet friendly with 10x suction power for pesky hair
Ten floor plans worth of floor-plan mapping
Recharge and Resume features, including a self-emptying dustbin
Clean Base holds 60 days worth of debris

i6+ Cons

The model isn’t much different than the i7+
Doesn’t come with bonus accessories such as extra filters
The iRobot Roomba i6+ is exclusive to Amazon, so it’s less available

What’s in the box?

1 x Roomba i6+ Robot Vacuum (with a spinning brush, main brush roll, and filter installed)
1 x Clean Base
1 x Dirt Disposal Bag

How are the Reviews?

Many reviewers have pointed out that the i6+ is actually more expensive than the i7+ when you account for the lack of extra parts. However, the i6+ has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating that users are generally satisfied with the vacuum’s performance. Reviewers positively reacted to the time-saving capabilities of the app, as well as how well the brushes cleaned while avoiding getting tangled up in hair or pet fur.

Roomba i6+ vs. Roomba i7+

There is basically no difference between the Roomba i6+ and the Roomba i7+, except for the fact that no replacement parts or virtual wall are included when purchasing the i6+. These can however be bought separately. When it comes to specs, performance, software, hardware, functionality and features, both robots are practically identical.

Is the Roomba i6+ Worth Purchasing?

Depending on what exactly it is that you want from a robot vacuum, the iRobot Roomba i6+ Robot Vacuum can be really good value.

The Roomba i6+ is specifically designed for people looking for an autonomous system that includes advanced features. Its extended run time, self-recharging feature, and automatic dustbin emptying ability makes it the perfect fit for an autonomous description. Besides that, it also offers smart integration which offers the ultimate level of ease.

If you’re looking for a smart robot with excellent performance, then the Roomba i6+ is a great match. It has additional features that other models don’t have which allow for more customized cleaning and an extended run time. The i6+ is a solid contender if you’re looking for an autonomous system with a reasonable purchase price. 

Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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