Table of Contents
Dog And Roomba In The Same Home, It Works!
Roomba i3 Review – Roomba i3+ and i3 vacuum models launched in 2020. It's a smart robot vacuum that has a self-emptying dust bin base. In this Roomba i3+ review of the self-emptying robot, I will cover various aspects, features, and accessories and compare other robots. The iRobot Roomba i3 is ideal for a home with pets and kids. The unique design of the dual multi-surface double rubber brushes means they don't get tangled with pet hair. Not only is dog hair on couches, clothes, beds, and floors, but getting rid of pet odor and dog stains is not easy, especially naturally.
This post contains affiliate links. Also, we participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and may earn a commission if you use these links to buy something.
I have four short-haired and long-haired dogs, so I am always looking for a Roomba for dog hair. Needless to say, there are always a lot of hairballs on my beautiful wood floors. I own several hand-held minis, small and large, corded and cordless, multi-surface cleaning vacuums, and a few robot vacuums, including the Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro Multi-Surface. Therefore, I always look for excellent vacuums to pick up dog hair. The unique CrossWave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Wet Dry vacuum allows you to vacuum and wash your floors simultaneously.
For Christmas, I bought myself the Roomba i3+, and let me tell you. It is an excellent robot with great deals during the holidays. I named her Ms. Betty, and then we had Ms. Matty and the older robot.
You should read about its cleaning performance, pros, cons, features, and specs.
iRobot Roomba i3+ Evo
Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Ideal For Pet Hair
The Roomba i3+EVO takes the cutting-edge capability of the self-emptying dust bin. It is paired with an affordable robot vacuum, with a value-packed combination of performance, usability, and cost.
It boasts digital mapping, smartphone integration, and excellent cleaning performance. Although you will have to skip out on the zoned cleaning and physical, virtual walls, these may be a minor issue to most. As expected, it cleaned exceptionally well, removing 99% – by weight of all debris and dog hair on four different floor types, including hardwood floors, area rugs, carpet, and tile. I have found it the best Roomba for dog hair and wood floors, and it doesn't push the hair around or scratch my floors; it's fantastic. Roomba's i-series line impresses us with the most recent i3+ addition.
Highly Rated On Amazon:
Pros and Cons of Roomba i3+
Pros
- Comes with or without the self-emptying dust bin
- Excellent performance
- Offers lower price than the iRobot Roomba S9+ and i7+
- Same suction as the i7+
- Systematic navigation – cleans in straight lines
Cons
- No keep-out zones
- No direct room cleaning, including can't map floor plan and send it to clean selected room
BISSELL® CrossWave® Pet Pro Performance Exclusive Bundle
Rated 4.5 Stars 35529 Reviews On Bissell
Are Robot Vacuums Worth It With Dogs?
If you are in the market for a high-end robot vacuum, iRobot makes the best robot vacuum for pet hair; if the iRobot Roomba i3 is excellent at picking up dog hair, then the iRobot Roomba S9 may be the way for you to go. That's because a high-end robot vacuum does a fantastic job of removing pet hair on low and high-pile carpets, not to mention other surfaces. Also, It boasts an onboard HEPA filter to help trap all those fine allergens as it cleans. Plus, Bissell gives back by supporting the Bissell Pet Foundation, its purpose of helping pet homelessness. You can use your robot vacuum with your smart robot mop to clean up pet messes off the floor. p save homeless pets.
Roomba i3+ Design
The i3 is compatible with the self-emptying dust bin, a top selling point and the most attractive feature of the i3+. The new look of the i3+ is also different and more appealing from other Roombas we've seen to date. The iRobot Roomba i3+ is one of the first models to have the look of fabric texture on the top face. The outer perimeter material on the Room i3 robot has a textured look like fabric and a smooth center.
It is made of aluminum. The “CLEAN” button is located on the top and in the center of the robot with a white LED ring around it. The ‘Spot Clean' and ‘Home' buttons are on either side, left or right of the central Clean button.
Designed As Best Robot Vacuum For Dog Hair
What does the bottom look like? The underside of the Roomba i3+ seems very similar to Roomba's newer e, i, and S series robots. It utilizes dual-rubberized brush rolls with a single-side rotating brush, keeping pet hairs from getting tangled in rollers. It has three navigational wheels: two larger ones for transitioning from different floor types and a smaller one for steering, maneuvering, or making 360° turns.
Cleaning Performance
Overall, the performance is nearly flawless on all floor types. The vacuum navigates in clean, straight lines and has the best suction and cleaning power of any vacuum I've owned.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning
It works flawlessly on my hardwood floors and cleans 99% of their debris. It transitions easily onto my thick plush area rugs and across transition boards on the floor. My other robots either skip the rug or get stuck.
Low Pile Carpet Cleaning
The performance on a low-pile carpet was no different; it worked fantastically. Like hardwood floors, debris, and dog hair removal rate was excellent on low pile carpets. When the vacuum encountered dog hair bunnies, I noticed it sucked them right up instead of scattering them around. The suction works so well the Roomba is constantly going to its Base to dump its contents.
High Pile Carpet Cleaning
The outcome was the same on high pile carpets as low pile. The i3+ Roomba collects at least 99% of all debris. The Roomba's brush roll, suction power, and overall cleaning system are above my previous Roombas, especially with high pile carpet and when transitioning from one floor type to the next.
Roomba side by side i3+ vs. i3 – What's the difference?
What are the main differences between the i3+ and i3? The i3+ includes a clean Base, which offers a self-empty dust bin, and the i3 does not; it only contains the standard charger. The physical robot on the i3+ and i3 is precisely the same. Therefore, you can purchase the i3 and buy a standalone clean base separately if you want to add the self-empty dust bin. Even though the i3+ is more convenient due to the self-empty dust bin, the actual cleaning performance, navigation, suction, run time, and other functional characteristics are identical on the i3+ and i3.
Roomba i3+ Auto Dirt And Debris Disposal Slot
iRobot - Roomba i3+ EVO (3550) Wi-Fi Connected Self Emptying Robot Vacuum
- Cleaning Path Width: 7 inches
- Pet: Yes
- Vacuum Type: Robotic vacuums
- Bin Capacity: 0.1 gallons
- Product Weight: 7.44 pounds
- Bagless: Yes
- Compatible Floor Type: All floors
- Corded/Cordless: Cordless
- Filter Type: Other
- Multi Surface: Yes
- Auto Docking and Recharging: Yes
- Room-by-Room Navigation: No
- App Compatible: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
iRobot - Roomba i7+ (7550) Wi-Fi Connected Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Key Specs
- Cleaning Path Width: 7 inches
- Pet: Yes
- Vacuum Type: Robotic vacuums
- Bin Capacity: 0.1 gallons
- Product Weight: 7.44 pounds
- Bagless: Yes
- Compatible Floor Type: All floors
- Corded/Cordless: Cordless
- Filter Type: Other
- Multi Surface: Yes
- Auto Docking and Recharging: Yes
- Room-by-Room Navigation: Yes
- Works With: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
There is little difference between the Roomba i7+ and Roomba i3+, and it comes down to a few minor characteristics—custom cleaning control via the app and virtual walls. The i7 offers better customizable cleaning, keep-out zones, and the ability to clean specific rooms.
The i3 can display digital map floor plans but cannot interact with the maps like the i7+. Therefore, with the i3, you cannot customize cleaning routines, recommendations, and specific room cleaning.
Features that the i7 has that i3 is lacking:
- Custom cleaning control;
- Keep out zones and Clean zones;
- Selective room cleaning and
- Visual navigation
But remember, they both have the same suction power, smartphone integration, scheduled cleaning, and the capability to use it with the Braava mops. How does this technology work? When the vacuum finishes cleaning the floors, it communicates with the Braava mop to start a new mopping cycle.
Size & Dimensions
Roomba i3+ and i3 are almost identical in size and weight to the i7. It's relatively wide compared to other models and slightly tall, yet well under 4″.
Therefore, it is an excellent balance between power, dustbin capacity, and ability to maneuver under furniture.
How big is the vacuum?
Roomba i3 dimensions and size:
- 13.26″ diameter;
- 3.63″ tall; and
- 7.44 lbs
How big and tall is the charging base?
Two charging base options for the Roomba i3+ model are available: the standard charging base or the self-emptying charging base.
When you buy the i3, which includes the advanced charging base, the i3 package is known as the i3+. You also have the option to buy the Clean Base charger separately.
The Self-Charging Base is also known as a Clean Base.
The self-emptying Base dirt disposal is relatively larger than the standard Base.
Exact dimensions of the Clean Base:
- Height: 19″
- Depth: 15.1″
- Width: 12.2″
Roomba i3 and i3+ clean base size
When the i3+ Roomba completes a vacuum job or its dust bin is full, the Roomba docks into the charging base, and the system sucks debris from the dust bin and deposits it into the cavity of the charging base. If the Roomba still needs to finish its vacuum job, it will resume where it left off.
Roomba i3 and i3+ Out Of The Box
Opt for the standard charging base if you don't need a self-emptying dust bin. This Base is large enough to engage with the charging contact strips and provide a sensor beacon for the Roomba to navigate and locate the charger when the cleaning cycle completes.
Accessories & Parts
The Roomba i3+ parts and accessories:
- Roomba i3 robot vacuum
- Charging Base – i3 comes with standard Base or i3+ with Clean Base
- Spinning side brush
- Filter – 2 pieces
- Dirt disposal bags – i3+ only comes with two
The parts and accessories enclosed with the i3 are nearly identical to those in the i7+ and S9+ models.
Virtual walls are not included with the i3, though you can buy them standalone here, similar to the Roomba e5. Since the virtual walls are not included, it makes the i3 more affordable. The Roomba i3+ comes with a spinning side brush, too.
iRobot Roomba i3+
iRobot Roomba i3+
- CHARGING BASE – As previously mentioned, the i3+ comes with a self-emptying charging base, while the i3 comes equipped with the standard charging base.
- SPINNING BRUSH – The spinning brush snaps into the edge of the i3 on its underside. The rotating bristles catch dirt and debris along corners and edges.
- FILTER – The filter included with the i3, i7, and e5 models is the same, and it's a bit smaller in size than older Roomba filters and is more efficient.
- CLEAN BASE DISPOSABLE BAG – The Clean Base charger is designed to hold approximately 30 loads of debris from the vacuum. The bags are “disposable,” but I found they are high quality, and I emptied them and reused them multiple times before replacing them; the debris is mostly dirt and dog hair. I minimize my carbon footprint whenever possible and try to make sustainable changes. It would be nice if the bags were washable to reuse.
You can find and buy replacement Clean Base disposable bags when it's time to replace clean base bags.
Features
There are various great features on the new Roomba i3+.
- Quick best features list on the i3+.
- Self-Emptying
- My favorite feature, one of the best features I must mention and highlight, is the self-emptying dust bin. This feature is so convenient and efficient.
- Roomba i3+ clean Base with the self-empty dust bin
- The same system is available with the Roomba S9+ and Roomba i7+, although the design and finishes may differ slightly.
Digital Mapping
The Roomba i3+ has Systematic Navigation with digital-enabled maps. With this advanced technology, you can view the cleaning path of the Roomba within the smartphone app.
Roomba i3+ Digital Mapping
Although you can view the cleaning paths, they are not interactive after the fact to create a custom cleaning routine, keep out zones, or clean specific rooms, although it still cleans in systematic straight lines.
Scheduling
Like multiple other Roomba, the i3+ offers scheduled cleaning. You can schedule recurring days and times or one-time cleanings in advance. Setup is easy and takes just a few minutes using the iRobot app.
NOTE: One thing the i3+ lacks is allowing for Selective Room Cleaning. For instance, you cannot send to clean a specific room by name like you can with the i7+ and S9+.
Usability
The usability of this vacuum is excellent, primarily due to its self-empty dustbin and the app integration.
The Best Roomba For Dog Hair
I love this feature. Suppose, for some reason, your vacuum only finishes the cleaning job after the battery runs down. In that case, it will recharge mid-cycle and return to the location that it left to continue cleaning after the battery recharges.
Setup
I love that the setup on the newer Roomba models is straightforward.
The process:
- Empty all parts from the box.
- Plug the charging base into the wall outlet.
- Place the Roomba on its charging base.
- All Roombas come with a reasonable charge, but fully charge the robot vacuum before using it the first time. For better battery longevity, fully charge and drain the battery right away.
Starting a Cleaning Cycle
Start a cleaning cycle for your i3+ with any of the methods below, and your Roomba will work immediately.
There are a couple of different techniques to start a cleaning cycle:
- Press clean on top of the robot itself.
- Use the Roomba app for creating, starting, pausing, or scheduling a cleaning.
- Use voice control capability with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Roomba i3+ Cleaning
The Roomba will navigate your home, mapping each room and vacuuming your floors. Once it has reached max capacity within the dustbin or runs out of battery charge, the i3+ will return to its charging base, empty the debris and dirt from the dustbin, charge up if needed, and return to the location it left off, cleaning previously.
Update: 09/11/2023
Recently, I had to contact Roomba's customer support because my Roomba was not working. My experience with customer support was superb. They quickly assisted me and sent me replacement parts.
Using the App
The Roomba app is a very intuitive and easy-to-use robot vacuum app we've tested. After opening the app, you can place the robot in automatic cleaning mode by clicking ” Clean. You have the option to view your cleaning history.
iRobot Roomba i3+ Cleaning History
Is the Roomba i3+ a Good Value? The Roomba i3+ – is one of the best buys of any Roomba released to date. It is a self-emptying robot vacuum at an affordable price compared to other models.
Roomba i3+ Cleaning Carpet
While the i3+ price tag is affordable, you forgo some features.
The features you do not get with the i3 include:
- It uses Systematic Navigation instead of iAdapt 3.0 (as the i7+ and S9+ do)
- No physical, virtual walls, but is compatible with them (buy standalone walls here)
- No keep-out zones
- Roomba i3 Specifications
- Specifications list for the Roomba i3+
Specifications iRobot Roomba i3+
- Model Roomba i3+
- Length: 13.26″
- Width: 13.26″
- Height: 3.63″
- Weight: 7.44 lbs.
- Floor Type: All indoor floor types
- Battery: 1,800 mAh
- Dust Bin Capacity: ~0.5 L
- Navigation: Systematic Navigation
- Imprint Smart Mapping: Yes
- Self-Emptying (Advanced Base) Yes; smart Base included
- Washable Dust Bin (on-board) Yes
- Virtual wall No, though it is compatible with virtual walls. buy here
- Returns Yes, Check with your retailer
- Warranty 1-Year limited Price Check Price
Roomba® s9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
SPECS
What's in the Box:
- iRobot® Roomba® s9+ Robot Vacuum
- 1 Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal
- 2 Dirt Disposal Bags
- 1 North American Line Cord
- 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter
- 1 Extra Corner Brush
Specifications:
Retail box Dimensions: 16.52 x 19.63 x 15.75
Box Weight: 26.5 lbs.
Robot Weight: 8.15 lbs.
Robot Dimensions: 12.25 inches width x 3.5 inches high
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal Dimensions: 11.49″ W x 14.93″ D x 19.02″ H
Roomba® j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
SPECS
What's in the box:
- 1 Roomba® j7+ Robot Vacuum
- 1 Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal
- 2 Dirt Disposal Bags
- 1 North American Line Cord
- 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter
- 1 Extra Corner Brush (black)
Specifications:
- Retail box Dimensions: 14.4 x 17.4 x 13.9
- Robot Weight: 7.49 lbs.
- Robot Dimensions: 13.3 inches width x 3.4 inches high
- Battery Type: Lithium Ion
- Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal
- Dimensions: 15.7″ W x 11.9″ D x 13.3″ H
Who Should Buy the Roomba i3+?
If you're looking for an affordable yet excellent functioning Roomba, self-emptying robot vacuum, the i3+ is a great option.
My Final Thoughts: I would recommend the Roomba i3+ if you:
Want a look for great value? The Roomba i3+ is fantastic if you want advanced digital mapping, excellent performance, and a self-emptying dust bin. It's not the least expensive Roomba available, but it is the best value if you're primarily looking for the mentioned top-of-the-line features.
Need a self-emptying dust bin: The self-emptying dust bin is the best feature that separates the i3+ from other more basic vacuum models, like the Roomba e5. The Clean Base charger holds up to 60 loads of debris, so there's no need to empty it as often.
Excellent cleaning performance: The cleaning performance of the i3+ is impressive. It removes about 99% of all debris across different floor types. In terms of raw cleaning power, it can only get a little better.
For more information or to buy the Roomba i3+, see here.
Summary
The Roomba i3+ is a robot vacuum cleaner with features like digital mapping, app control, and a self-empty dust bin. The i3+ is the most affordable model on the Roomba's lineup and can be used with a self-empty dust bin. It uses iRobot's systematic navigation technology to map your home, allowing serviceable digital navigation.
It doesn't have on-room-named cleaning and keep-out zone features, although it is one of the features of the more expensive Roomba models, the S9+ and i7+. Nonetheless, the i3+ packs a lot of value for its price point, the most noteworthy of which is the self-emptying dust bin.
