In my tests the robot didn’t get lost or stuck, despite tackling a range of spaces and obstacles that have trapped rivals in the past. It builds its map very quickly and accurately, and it constantly adapts and updates it, so shifting furniture around has very little effect on the robot’s navigation skills. The vacuum’s iRobot Genius app creates personalized cleaning suggestions, and can be used to control and schedule which rooms are cleaned and when. The device automatically empties itself into enclosed bags via its so-called “Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal” system.
Nothing feels like living in the future than telling a robotic vacuum to clean your carpet. While not particularly complicated, saying ‘Alexa, tell Roomba to clean the room’ — and hearing the motors whirr to life — is quite pleasing. Longer cleaning a room than most of us would care to spend with a conventional vacuum cleaner dyson robot vacuum and drives over each area several times. Generally, it does a much better job than you might suppose, but it has its pros and cons, as you’d expect. The Roomba j7 robot vacuum uses iRobot Genius Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation to recognize and avoid common objects in its way like cords, pet waste, socks and shoes.
On the top are four buttons and a handle, with a big central “clean” power button and four other buttons with which to set the clock, cleaning schedule, return the robot to its dock, or concentrate on a single, troublesome spot. But we wonder if our love is of the flagship 980 itself — or of just having a robotic vacuum cleaner. We’ll soon be trying out a cheaper Roomba to test that theory, but for now we can say — if you have the money — the 980 does everything you could ask a robotic vacuum cleaner to do. The vacuum also struggles to clean thoroughly in the small crevice between carpet and skirting board, but then this is the case with most regular vacuum cleaners too. Roomba will definitely not fall down the stairs, you’ll be pleased to know, thanks to its cliff sensor.
But it should grant you the greater level of control you get with other smart-mapping models, like the Roborock S4 Max . Whatever the mess, Roomba® robot vacuum has been cleaning it all for over 30 years. A better option if you want to vacuum multiple floors is the AEG RX9.2. This doesn’t have the mopping or self-emptying features, but it can be used on multiple storeys.
And, even though the warranty states explicitly these accidents aren’t covered, they still provided me with a replacement unit for free. I plugged in the dock to charge the vacuum, connected the app, updated the firmware, and set a schedule for cleaning. After two cleanings, the vac created a map of my layout so I could set no-go zones to keep the T8 AIVI away from sensitive areas. The 240mL water tank was large enough to complete at least two passes over the 500-square-foot test floor. With the app, you can choose from four water-flow levels to reach a balance of moistness and quick drying and two mopping patterns.
This is an annoying oversight in an otherwise capable and sophisticated app. If you live in a single storey flat or apartment then you could overlook this, but few people will want to fork out for a second robot to manage upstairs. It isn’t quite as fast as the Eufy G30 Edge, which knocked another five minutes off that time but it’s still faster than most. The only blot on its navigation record card is its inability to store more than one map. The other problem is that you’re advised to empty and air-dry the water tank after use.