Roomba i3 vs 675 (2021): Which Robot Vacuum Should You Get?

With the release of the Roomba i3, iRobot has successfully launched its new midrange line of robot vacuums. With updated systems, plenty of features and more cleaning power, the Roomba i3 is arguably the best value Roomba you can get today. But what does that mean for the previous standard, the Roomba 600 series? Below we compare the Roomba i3 with one of the best-selling Roombas ever, the Roomba 675, to see how they stack up against each other.

Roomba i3 vs 675 Comparison Chart

Design

The Roomba i3 has an updated design compared to the Roomba 675.

Except for the recent S series, Roombas have managed to look fairly similar to one another, retaining the familiar puck-like design with only slight differences. The newer Roomba i3 returns to the circular design of the 600 series, and indeed you can see the obvious similarities. However, the Roomba i3 has several design updates that give it a fresher look than previous Roomba robot vacuums.

Most noticeable is the woven textured surface on the Roomba i3’s gray top. It looks a lot more appealing than the solid black of the Roomba 675. The buttons are minimalistic and also separated into three distinct buttons on the i3, whereas they were combined together in the 675.

However, there’s no longer a mini handle on the i3, which might by due to being unnecessary considering the Roombas are light enough to move easily between rooms and floors. The Roomba i3 is slightly heavier and wider than the Roomba 675, but they should have the same overall heft.

Mapping and Navigation

The Roomba i3 has improved navigation and mapping over the Roomba 675.

One of the biggest improvements on the Roomba i3 is its smarter navigation system. Unlike the older Roomba 675, which relies on bumpers and sensors to move around obstacles and find places to clean, the Roomba i3 has floor tracking sensors that lets it figure out the room’s layout so it can clean in neat, orderly rows. This makes the Roomba i3 more battery efficient and lets it reach all areas of the room while the Roomba 675 can go over the same area several times.

The advanced navigation system of the Roomba i3 also allows it to pair up with iRobot’s Braava jet m6 robot mops through the Imprint Link feature. Both devices can notify each other when vacuuming or mopping is required, and they can signal which part of the room requires attention.

The Roomba i3 also retains the Roomba 675‘s Dirt Detect technology, which tells the robot vacuum if a spot needs more cleanup so it can focus there until it’s clean. Both also have Reactive Sensors that determine whether it can fit inside tight and narrow spaces to avoid the robot getting stuck. Moreover, they can detect ledges and stairs so they won’t go falling off higher floors.

Cleaning Power

The Roomba i3 has ten times the suction power of the Roomba 675.

If you take a look at more recent Roomba models, they all indicate suction power based on how much more powerful it is compared to the Roomba 600 series. In this case, the Roomba i3 is listed as having 10x the suction of the 600 series, making it ten times more powerful than the Roomba 675. There should be no question on which one wins when comparing overall cleaning performance.

In addition, the Roomba i3 also uses the newer Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes that are more effective than the bristle-type brushrolls of the Roomba 675. They’re better able to pull in dirt, debris and pet hair in combination with its more powerful suction. Both models utilize Edge-Sweeping Brushes to reach into corners to get dust out. You can rely on either whether it’s cleaning carpets or hardwood floors since the brush rolls automatically adjust to stay in contact with the floor.

While both Roombas are good for pet hair, the Roomba i3’s high-efficiency filters are more capable in trapping allergens as well as picking up longer pet hair. And because the new rubber brushes are less likely to get tangled, it’s more recommended for homes with furry pets.

While the Roomba 675 has a beefier battery that lets it run for 90 minutes compared to the Roomba i3’s 75 minutes, the latter has a significant advantage with its Recharge and Resume feature. So even though both will find and return to their charging docks once battery runs low, only the Roomba i3 will resume cleaning and pick up where it left off if it didn’t finish cleaning the entire room.

Smart Features

The Roomba i3 has an optional feature not available on the Roomba 675.

iRobot introduced an added level of convenience with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, allowing the Roomba i3 to empty its own bin when it docks. This means you’ll need even less time for the robot’s maintenance. The feature is purely optional and the Clean Base is sold separately for the i3. It’s only included in the Roomba i3+ model. Most homes won’t need it, but it can be a big plus for busier households.

Though both Roombas have controls right on the robots themselves, you have several options in remotely controlling them. They’re both equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and are compatible with the iRobot mobile app as well as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You can either manually tell them to start cleaning or set up daily schedules, either via app or voice commands.

Combined with other smart features already mentioned, such as mapping, recharge and resume, etc., it’s easy to see that the Roomba i3 definitely has the edge in this department than the Roomba 675.

Verdict

The Roomba i3 is an improvement over the Roomba 675 in every way.

Simply put, the Roomba i3 offers upgrades in all aspects, making it the clearly more powerful robot vacuum. It has stronger cleaning power, improved navigation and mapping, as well as new smart features to make cleaning your floors even more convenient and easy. Plus, with a sufficient discount, it’s not much more expensive than the Roomba 675 at all.

Those who want a more affordable cleaning companion that takes care of floors adequately should consider the Roomba 675, especially if it’s available with big savings. It’s not as smart as more recent models, but its results speak for itself, as it continues to be a mainstay of iRobot’s lineup.

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