iRobot i4 EVO Vacuum Cleaner: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

iRobot has been a pioneer in the robotic vacuum industry ever since it introduced the Roomba, the first commercially successful robot vacuum cleaner, back in 2002. The company has come a long way since then, regularly releasing new and improved Roomba models equipped with the latest technology. The Roomba i4 EVO is among iRobot's latest generation of robot vacuums, bringing powerful cleaning and smart features in a compact and affordable package. With over 19 years of experience making robot vacuums, iRobot has fine-tuned the Roomba to be an effective automated cleaning companion around the home. While the i4 EVO lacks some of the advanced features found on the higher-end Roombas, it delivers solid performance for the price. This review will take a close look at the key strengths and limitations of the Roomba i4 EVO robot vacuum.

Design

The iRobot Roomba i4+ features a typical round disc design like most robot vacuums. It has a diameter of 13.4 inches and stands 3.5 inches tall, allowing it to fit under most furniture. The top of the vacuum has one large physical button for cleaning and a carrying handle. There are no other physical buttons on the device. Instead, users control and schedule cleanings through the iRobot app.

Sensors are located all around the vacuum to map rooms, navigate obstacles, and avoid falls. The dust bin and filter are hidden away but easy to access by lifting the top lid. Overall the design is fairly minimalist and streamlined, suiting the i4+ for most home environments. While the disc shape limits vacuum access in corners, the low profile helps the robot slide smoothly under beds, couches, and other tight spots.

The round shape and compact size of the iRobot Roomba i4+ is quite typical for robot vacuums, allowing it to maneuver easily around furniture legs and into tight spaces. Other popular robot vacuums like the Shark AV2001WD also utilize a low-profile disc design. The circular shape provides a stable base for the vacuum to roll around on, while keeping the overall height low so the robot can slip under couches and beds with ease. Of course, the round design does mean the i4+ may struggle to reach deeply into corners. Manufacturers have to balance accessibility with stability when choosing robot vacuum shapes.

While functional, the minimalist look of the i4+ helps it blend into most home decor seamlessly. Some users may prefer robot vacuums with more visual flair, but the understated appearance makes the i4+ a versatile choice suitable for any style. It focuses on efficient cleaning performance rather than eye-catching aesthetics. The top-mounted control button keeps the device interface simple and intuitive. Overall, iRobot has chosen function over flash with the tried-and-true disc shape and subtle styling.

Key Features

The iRobot Roomba i4 has several notable features that make it a versatile and user-friendly robot vacuum. With its intelligent mapping, app control, voice assistant integration and more, the i4 delivers powerful cleaning performance to keep floors looking their best day after day.

• WiFi Connectivity - The i4 can connect to your home WiFi network, allowing you to control and monitor cleaning via the iRobot app. Once connected, you can start and stop cleaning jobs, view cleaning history and maps, and more. This allows you to easily schedule and customize cleans even when you're away from home.

• App Control - The companion iRobot app enables full control from your smartphone. Schedule whole-home cleanings even when you're away, customize cleaning preferences for different rooms, and receive notifications. The app makes it simple to manage your i4's cleaning routines.

• Intelligent Mapping - Using onboard sensors, the i4 maps your home to systematically clean room-to-room. The map shows where the robot has cleaned so you can identify concentrated areas of dirt. This allows the i4 to learn the layout of your home and clean efficiently in neat rows.

• Voice Control - With Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, you can start cleaning with simple voice commands. Use your voice assistant to begin cleaning specific rooms on demand. Voice control provides a handy hands-free way to direct your i4.

With features like these, the iRobot Roomba i4 takes the effort out of vacuuming. Its smart navigation maps your home to clean thoroughly room by room, while WiFi connectivity and app control give you flexibility. And support for Alexa and Google Assistant lets you simply use your voice to start cleans.

For those looking for even more advanced features, the OKP K2-Pro is an excellent high-end option. It has laser mapping for precision cleaning, powerful 2500Pa suction, and a large 5200mAh battery for up to 150 minutes of runtime per charge. The K2-Pro can vacuum and mop in one go, with intelligent mopping pads that automatically lift over carpets. With smart zone cleaning, you can target specific areas that need extra attention. If you want cutting-edge technology and performance, the OKP K2-Pro is a robot vacuum worth considering.

Cleaning Performance

The iRobot Roomba i4 has excellent cleaning performance thanks to its powerful 3-stage cleaning system. It features dual multi-surface brushes that work together to aggressively loosen, lift and sweep dirt and debris from carpets and hard floors.

The brushes are made from durable rubber treads that provide excellent pickup on carpets, and squeegee blades that direct large particles into the vacuum's suction path on hard floors. This allows the Roomba i4 to easily lift stuck-on debris and capture it into the dust bin.

For suction power, the Roomba i4 has a patented 3-stage cleaning system. First, the dual multi-surface brushes loosen and agitate debris. Next, the high-efficiency filter traps fine dirt and dust. Finally, the vacuum sucks the debris into the bin using a powerful suction motor. Users report the suction is strong enough to thoroughly clean carpets and hard floors in a single pass.

Edge cleaning is another standout feature. The Roomba i4 uses cliff sensors to detect walls and furniture, preventing it from falling down stairs. This allows the robot to confidently clean right up to baseboards and around chair legs without missing spots. The side brushes also sweep debris away from edges and into the suction path for thorough cleaning along walls.

Overall, the powerful suction, thoughtfully designed brushes, and advanced edge cleaning make the iRobot Roomba i4 an excellent performer for vacuuming carpets, rugs, hardwood floors and more.

Battery Life

The Roomba i4 has excellent battery life that allows it to clean efficiently without frequent recharges. It has a run time of around 90 minutes which is sufficient to clean average to large sized homes on a single charge.

The robot will automatically return to its docking station when the battery gets low to recharge. A full recharge from empty takes around 3 hours. This downtime is reasonable and enables the Roomba to be ready for its next cleaning run shortly after finishing the previous one.

The battery seems very durable, maintaining consistent runtime even after many recharge cycles. Owners report the battery lasts for years with no apparent degradation. This reliability ensures the Roomba i4 can be a long-term cleaning solution.

Overall, the excellent battery performance is a major advantage of this model. The long run time coupled with the fast recharge capability makes the Roomba i4 highly capable for daily whole-home cleaning.

Maintenance

The iRobot Roomba i4 has easy maintenance requirements to keep it running smoothly.

The dust bin is located at the top of the robot and can be easily removed and emptied as needed. Many users find they only need to empty the bin after each cleaning cycle. The bin itself is small in capacity, but easy to remove and rinse clean.

The primary filter is located behind the dust bin. iRobot recommends replacing this filter every 1-2 months depending on use. Replacement filters are readily available on Amazon and easy to swap out.

The two brushes underneath the robot should be cleaned regularly to remove hair and debris buildup. The brushes can be easily popped out and cleaned with the included brush cleaning tool.

In terms of lifespan, the Roomba i4 is built to last around 2 years or more with proper maintenance. The battery is not user replaceable, so when it starts to lose charging capacity, the robot will need professional service. Overall, the maintenance needs are straightforward for this model.

Smart Home Integration

The iRobot Roomba i4+ is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant, allowing for convenient voice control. You can use your voice to start, stop, or pause a cleaning session without having to manually press the buttons on the robot or in the app.

With Alexa, you can enable the iRobot Skills in the Alexa app and then use commands like "Alexa, tell Roomba to start cleaning." The robot will respond to your voice and begin vacuuming the room. You can also ask Alexa to tell Roomba to pause or stop cleaning if needed.

The Google Assistant integration works similarly. Just link your iRobot account in the Google Home app and you'll be able to use voice commands like "Hey Google, tell Roomba to start cleaning the kitchen." The vacuum will automatically start cleaning that room.

Having voice assistant integration makes controlling the i4+ very simple and hands-free. You don't need to stop what you're doing to start up a cleaning cycle or schedule a cleaning for later. Just use your voice while cooking, working, or relaxing and the robot will respond. This smart home integration is useful for controlling the vacuum even when you aren't home.

Pros

Powerful Suction

The iRobot Roomba i4 has strong suction power, with a max suction power rating of 600 Pa. This enables it to thoroughly clean carpets and pick up embedded dirt and debris that some robot vacuums struggle with. The suction power can flex and automatically increase on carpets for deeper cleaning.

Methodical Navigation

The iRobot i4 navigates efficiently to clean your entire home. It uses floor tracking sensors to methodically clean room by room in neat rows. The navigation system helps ensure the robot vacuums all areas and doesn't get stuck or lost. This makes its cleaning coverage very thorough.

Convenient App and Voice Control

You can control the iRobot Roomba i4 via the iRobot app as well as voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant. The app lets you start, stop or schedule cleans. Voice commands offer a handy hands-free way to control your robot vacuum. This makes the i4 very convenient to use.

Cons

• The iRobot Roomba i4 has a tendency to get stuck on raised transitions between floors. It can struggle climbing over high thresholds between rooms or getting onto thick carpets. This is due to its low ground clearance.

• The battery life is shorter compared to higher-end Roomba models, averaging around 60-90 minutes per charge. For larger homes, it may not be able to finish cleaning in one session before needing to recharge.

• The i4 lacks some of the advanced smart mapping features found in more expensive Roombas. It cleans in neat rows but does not generate persistent maps to optimize cleaning. You cannot label rooms or target specific areas to clean via the app.

Verdict

The iRobot i4 EVO is an excellent choice for those looking for a smart, self-emptying robot vacuum at a mid-range price point. It delivers strong suction power and cleaning performance thanks to its Premium 3-Stage Cleaning system. The i4 EVO can handle multiple floor types including carpets, tile, wood, and more. Its dual multi-surface rubber brushes are great at picking up pet hair.

With vSLAM navigation and iAdapt 3.0 technology, the i4 EVO maps your home and intelligently cleans in efficient rows. It avoids getting stuck and trapped thanks to its cliff sensors. You can conveniently schedule and monitor cleaning jobs through the iRobot app.

The self-emptying base holds 30 bins worth of dirt and debris, so you don't have to constantly empty it yourself. Battery life is decent at around 90 minutes per charge. The i4 EVO recharges and resumes cleaning until the job is complete.

Compared to higher-end models like the iRobot s9 or j7+, the i4 EVO lacks some of the advanced smart mapping and obstacle avoidance features. However, it costs several hundred dollars less while still offering strong core performance. The i4 EVO is an impressive value for a self-emptying robot vacuum.

Overall, the iRobot i4 EVO is highly recommended for most households looking for a reliable, low-maintenance cleaning solution. It's one of the best self-emptying robot vacuums available today in its price range.