Roomba i2 vs. i3 Comparison Review

Just like the rest of the Roombas, except the S9 and S9+, the Roomba i2 is round-shaped. It comes in a low-profile design, allowing it to go under low-profile furniture such as coffee tables, sofas, beds, kickstands, etc. Its width allows it to pass between tight spaces such as dining chair legs. The dimensions are 13.4 x 13.5 x 3.6 inches, while the weight is 7lbs.

Regarding the appearance, it has a sleek design with 3 buttons at the top interface complemented by the iRobot logo. The finish is gray.

Roomba i2 is a versatile robot vacuum that uses a 3-stage cleaning system (AeroForce) to sweep and vacuum dirt and debris from all surfaces.

You can rely on it to vacuum all hard floors, including hardwood, tile, linoleum, ceramic, vinyl, and so on. Besides hard floors, it’s powerful enough to vacuum thin carpets with low pile.

However, when it gets to the thick carpets, the performance dips. This Roomba is also ideal for homes with furry friends. The i2 is among the best Roombas for pet hair. It picks up pet hair and kitty litter. What’s more? It has a filtration system that purifies the atmosphere.

Roomba i2, a new model in the mid-range category, comes with average suction. It can’t match the likes of Roomba S9 which have advanced 3rd Gen motors. Instead, iRobot equipped it with a 2nd Gen motor that delivers an average of 850-900pa.

For the record, there are no suction level adjustments as it runs on a single-speed motor. Worth mentioning is that the i2 is much more powerful than the 600 series. It offers 10× the lifting power of models such as Roomba 692, 694, 675, and 690.

While the likes of Roborock, iLIFE, and Deebot have robot vacuums with integrated mopping function, iRobot has held on to its idea of separate robots for vacuuming and mopping. The Roomba i2 doesn’t have a mopping function; it only sweeps and vacuums.

That said, you will have to get a separate robot mop which means digging deeper into your pockets. But the good thing is that the company has a Braava M6 robot mop that can sync with the Roomba i2 such that the robot automatically starts mopping after the Roomba finishes vacuuming. The teamwork is courtesy of Imprint Link Technology.

Roomba i2 is a step above the Roomba 600 series vacuums in terms of navigation. It still uses the exact iAdapt 1.0 SLAM Navigation System that comes with the entry-level Roombas, for example, Roomba 692, 694, and 690. There are sensors that detect obstacles and tell the Roomba to turn.

In case of a collision, the retractable bumper absorbs impact. There are also anti-drop sensors that prevent the Roomba from falling off the stairs. But while the i2 comes with an old navigation system, it performs exceptionally well courtesy of Reactive Sensor Technology, an innovation that enables the robot to identify obstacles and other clutter on the floor more precisely and accurately.

Last, this robot vacuum features Dirt Detect Series II, which uses sensors to spot areas with high dirt concentration.

While it’s a new Roomba, the i2 disappoints when it comes to mapping. Unlike other top-of-the-range models that feature Imprint Smart Mapping Technology, the Roomba i2 doesn’t have smart mapping, so it can’t create or store maps. But at least it is a step ahead of the old models that clean randomly, leaving lots of untouched spots.

The i2 cleans in neat rows for efficiency. In rooms with average traffic, you can be sure the i2 will cover 95% of the surface that needs to be cleaned, while in traffic rooms, it covers an average of 90%.

Regarding boundary marking, the Roomba i2 doesn’t have Keep Out Zones (digital boundaries). Instead, it works with Virtual Walls (bought separately).

It seems iRobot is not shifting to true-HEPA filters anytime soon as its latest kid on the block, the i2 comes with AeroForce high-efficiency filters. While high-efficiency filters capture 99% of allergens and other particulates that cause bad odor, they filter down to just 0.6 microns, while true-HEPA filters filter down to 0.3 microns.

All the same, Roomba’s high-efficiency filters go a long way in keeping your home fresh as they vacuum.

Like the other models in the Roomba I series, the i2 comes with an updated brush dubbed AeroForce Dual Multisurface Brushroll with Anti Tangle Technology. For the record, there are two brushes: the primary brush and the secondary brush. The primary brush does all the heavy lifting.

It is highly specialized for all surfaces. It’s gentle and effective in agitating and lifting dirt. As the name suggests, the primary brush system consists of two brushes, one for agitation and another for dirt lifting.

Also worth mentioning is the anti-tangle technology that reduces the chances of the brushroll getting jammed by long hairs. On the other hand, the secondary brush is a side-sweeping spinning brush that reaches the edges and deep corners.

Roomba i2 comes with a large 0.5L bin that has to be emptied frequently to prevent the buildup of bad odor. You also don’t want allergens to leak back into the atmosphere.

Luckily, the i2 has a full bin indicator, so you won’t miss an emptying schedule. Interestingly, the Roomba i2 can empty itself automatically.

It is compatible with the iRobot Clean Base unit but note that the unit is not provided, so you have to purchase it separately or buy the Roomba i2 and Clean Base bundle.

The Roomba i2 comes with a lithium-ion battery which is preferred because it holds more charge and doesn’t fade quickly. It has a 1800mAh capacity which holds enough charge to power the Roomba for 75 minutes.

While it’s an entry-level Roomba, we are glad it has intelligent power management. The Roomba i2 will recharge and resume cleaning from where it left. You don’t have to remind it that it hasn’t finished cleaning. The recharge time is around 2-3 hours.

Roomba i2, as one of the latest Roombas, comes with plenty of automation and smart features courtesy of iRobot OS, the latest release from the American brand. iRobot OS takes cleaning a notch higher by offering personalized suggestions. The robot allows you to schedule it to clean every day of the week, specific days of the week, specific times, or specific rooms.

As you may be aware, this is a smart robot vacuum compatible with 2.4Ghz WiFi for smartphone app operation and voice assistant compatibility. On the smartphone app, you get full control of the Roomba even while you are away.

Besides the iRobot Home app, you can just give Alexa or Google Assistant commands, and it will take care of the rest.

Roomba i2 comes with a 1-year warranty, so you are covered if the robot develops any manufacturing defects. But remember, you have to abide by the warranty’s terms and conditions. Regarding aftersales, Roomba i2 has plenty of tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and other resources.

There are also plenty of affordable supplies such as filters and brushes at affordable prices. You can also get replacement parts easily.

Roomba i2 comes with an anti-tangle brush that prevents hair tangling, but it is not invincible. From time to time, lift the robot and inspect the condition of the brush. Is it spinning freely? Is it worn out? Clear any tangles or stuck on dirt. Replace the brushroll after 6-8 months, depending on wear and tear. The side brush should also be inspected to clear tangles and a replacement installed after 6-8 months.

The Roomba i2’s filter is a critical component that requires frequent cleaning. At least twice a month, pop out the filter, remove the excess dirt and dust, rinse it, dry it, and put it back. A replacement should be made every 2-3 months.

As mentioned earlier, the Roomba i2’s bin requires emptying. For a fresh atmosphere, empty the bin at least daily. But if you have the iRobot Clean Base unit, you can forget about manual emptying for up to 30 days.