A battery can be found under the hood of an iRobot Roomba that ensures that the robot vacuum cleaner can vacuum wirelessly. If the battery charge is too low while vacuuming, Roomba will return to the charging station to fully charge the battery again.
It may be interesting to consider the lifespan of this battery. Because, with a price of several hundred dollars, a Roomba is a big purchase. I've decided to do a thorough research on battery life and answer the question, “How long does a Roomba battery last?“
The battery life of a Roomba
Let's start with the battery life of a Roomba first. Most Roomba robot vacuums last about an hour. If the battery level of a robot vacuum cleaner is too low, it will automatically return to the charging station to recharge.
Charging a robot vacuum cleaner takes an average of 3 hours (180 minutes) if the battery is completely empty.
Roomba uses a Lithium-ion battery
iRobot uses Lithium-ion batteries. This type of battery is rechargeable and can often be found in consumer electronics, including robot vacuum cleaners. A lithium-ion battery is also called a li-ion battery.1Lithium-ion battery, Wikipedia.org
The big advantage of lithium-ion batteries is that they last longer than, for example, lead-acid batteries.
The average battery life of a Roomba
In addition to the battery life, it is of course also interesting to consider the lifespan of a Roomba battery. Because, how long does a Roomba battery actually last? Although replacing a Roomba battery does not require technical knowledge, it is something we would rather postpone.
I contacted iRobot to ask how long a Roomba battery lasts. An employee says the following about this: “The battery can last for years, depending on the use. The estimated time we give is about 2 to 2.5 years,” according to an employee.
“The battery can last for years depending on usage. The estimated time we give is about 2 to 2.5 years”
iRobot confirms that the batteries will wear out over time, after which the Roomba robot vacuum will take longer and longer for the same cleaning activity. The employee explains that Roomba will take more and more time for the same cleaning activity: “Let's say it takes 60 minutes to clean your living room. After a while it will be 65 minutes and then 70 minutes“. iRobot emphasizes that this is normal battery behavior.
This way you can extend the Roomba battery life
There are options to extend the Roomba battery life. For example, you may be able to buy a new battery and postpone replacement.
In each Roomba's manual, iRobot states: “Extend the battery life by recharging it after cleaning and storing your Roomba plugged in. When storing it for an extended period of time, remove and store the battery. in a dry and cool place,” said iRobot.
“Extend the battery life by recharging it after cleaning and storing your Roomba plugged in”
The employee just now emphasizes that the lifespan depends, among other things, on the use of the Roomba: “If you use it every day, it will not last 4 to 5 years, for example“.
Interesting tips to postpone battery replacement
Below are some interesting tips that may help you extend its life:
- Clean Roomba regularly
- Only use batteries from iRobot itself
- Never put the robot vacuum cleaner in direct sunlight
- Fully charge the Roomba Robotic Vacuum after cleaning activity
- Always store Roomba connected to the base station
- Keep an eye on Roomba error codes and take immediate action
- Check the Robot Health in the Roomba app regularly
Under the Robot Health heading, the iRobot app shows exactly whether specific parts need to be replaced. It is very important to keep a close eye on this.
Tip: Put Roomba in Ship mode if you're not going to use it for a long time
If you are not going to use the Roomba for a longer period of time, such as moving house or during a vacation, it is advisable to place the robot vacuum cleaner in Ship mode. You do this by holding down the CLEAN button for 10 seconds.
If you don't want to put the Roomba in Ship mode – for whatever reasons – you can also choose to temporarily remove the battery from the robot vacuum cleaner. Then keep it in a dry and cool place.
When should you replace the Roomba battery?
But, when do you know whether the battery of the robot vacuum cleaner needs to be replaced. Of course you will notice this yourself soon enough: as I just mentioned, the robot vacuum cleaner can take more and more time for the same job.
In addition, it can also take longer before the Roomba is fully charged again. The battery can also run out faster and faster, which the Roomba indicates with a red light.
If you notice that the battery is worn out, it is strongly recommended to replace it as soon as possible. A weak battery can have a strong influence on the suction performance.
You can replace the Roomba battery yourself
If your Roomba robot vacuum's battery is worn out, you'll need to replace it. Fortunately, iRobot offers separate batteries and you can replace them yourself. It is strongly recommended to only buy batteries from iRobot itself.
Fortunately, replacing the battery is not a difficult job. You can simply do this yourself: discover a complete guide to replacing the Roomba battery here or watch a video below.
Tip: longer battery life with XLife Roomba battery
For some time now, iRobot has been offering a special battery with a longer lifespan: the XLife battery. This battery lasts twice as long as the normal Roomba battery. The battery life remains the same, as does the minimum charging time.
What about the battery warranty at iRobot?
Before you just make a purchase, it is smart to check whether you are still entitled to the warranty. iRobot has a 1 year warranty2iRobot Limited Warranty, iRobot.com on batteries.
References
Robbert Tigchelaar
Robbert Tigchelaar is the founder of Vacuumtester.com and is a true vacuum cleaner guru. With more than 10 years of experience in the world of electronic devices, he knows better than anyone what is important in a vacuum cleaner. When a new vacuum cleaner appears, he is eager to test it extensively.
