The iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 are both robot vacuums with value in mind. As a result, these machines are equipped with multiple useful features.
But they don’t have extra features that some modern iRobot Roomba robot vacuums have. It is to keep the price low. Therefore, these two robot vacuums are pretty popular and among the best sellers by the brand.
But of course, you will not buy both of them, so which one to choose? In this guide, we will compare both these machines and see which one comes out on top.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Roomba i3/i3+ vs. e5 Comparison Table
The below table shows some key differences between Roomba i3 vs. e5,
Roomba i3/i3+ vs. e5 - What Is The Difference
Have a look at the comparison table. There are some similarities and differences between iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5.
The only difference between the Roomba i3 and Roomba i3+ is that the latter has a self-emptying bin. This feature is not found in both Roomba i3 and Roomba e5.
However, both Roomba i3 and i3+ come with more dual suction power than the Roomba e5 has. They both have navigation, straight-line cleaning. Plus, they can recharge and resume their job.
Roomba e5 does not feature mapping. Instead, it comes with more basic navigation features. Moreover, it can not recharge and resume its job. But if you test them all in terms of cleaning performance, you will see that they all perform pretty well.
Cleaning performance
Features and specs have a significant role to play in the performance of any robot vacuum. But nothing can beat natural cleaning capabilities. So for testing these robot vacuums, we set these cleaners loose in a room. Then, we measured how they were effective in their respective cleaning sessions.
We tried these cleaners with four different types of debris. These include kitty litter, cereal, sugar, and rice. Apart from that, we tested these cleaners on three different types of surfaces. These include hard floors, high pile carpets, and low pile carpets. And their floor tracking sensors were pretty impressive. Their performance on hard floors is much better.
Both the units have different cleaning modes. These cleaning modes work with various surfaces. Plus, these cleaning modes will help you clean different types of debris. There are 12 different cleaning modes effectively in both these Roombas.
All the Roomba e5 and Roomba i3, along with i3+, have almost identical cleaning performances. They can collect debris effectively and on all surfaces. But the difference lies within the process that they use to navigate. Moreover, they both come equipped with dirt detect technology. This technology is incredibly versatile and practical.
- 3 Edge-Sweeping Brushes.
- 3 High-Efficiency Filters.
- Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes.
- Compatible with Roomba e, i, and j Series Robot...
- iRobot does not certify the quality or...
The Roomba i3 and i3+ are more intelligent as they use digital mapping for systematic navigation. On the other hand, the Roomba e5 only has iAdaptive 1.0 technology. It is just a fancy name for the feature that this robot vacuum has. All it can do is bump into obstacles and carry on with its cleaning job by going in the opposite direction. So there is no digital mapping on iRobot Roomba e5.
With systematic navigation, the iRobot Roomba i3 and i3+ can plot the route. As a result, it can follow the cleaning path more effectively than the Roomba e5. Therefore, systemic navigation allows these Roomba models to navigate in a straight line. As a result, obstacle detection improves. And there is less zig-zagging throughout the room. As a result, these units are excellent for deeper cleaning.
Roomba e5 has that conventional iAdaptive 1.0 navigational technology. Therefore, it ends up bouncing from obstacles. It does this throughout the room in a star-shaped zig-zag pattern. This movement feels random. But according to our tests, it is as effective as the systematic navigation of Roomba i3 and i3+.
Design
In terms of aesthetics, both Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 are different. The iRobot Roomba i3 has morse silver in its body and has a black trim, while the iRobot Roomba e5 features a black body.
Both these vacuums have a classic bumper right at the front to guarantee neat rows. And they both have their controls on the top. The Roomba e5 comes with a carrying handle, while the Roomba i3 does not have one. Both these machines have wifi connectivity. Both the devices have physical buttons for the following functions,
- Spot clean
- Automatic clean
- Docking station
On the underside, both iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 are identical. They have multiple similar parts. These include,
- 3-arm spinning brush
- Dual brush roll
- Wheels
- Floor tracking sensors
- Contact sensor
- Filter access
- Edge sweeping brush for the Edge cleaning mode and sensors
The vacuum cleaners use the same filter. It was developed for all the iRobot vacuums in the iSeries lineup. But you will find it in Roomba e5 too. This new iSeries filter is about half the size of the older filters that are much more efficient.
Higher efficiency means that it will not take much space and allow more room for a larger dust bin. The Roomba i3+ has no issues whatsoever when it comes to the self-emptying dust bin. But this feature is not there in the Roomba i3 and Roomba e5.
Charging dock
- iRobot Roomba Docking/Charging Base
- Compatible with iRobot model series 500, 600, 700...
- Country of origin: China
- Product Dimension: 6.26"L x 5.87"W x 4.49"H
There are a couple of differences in charging docks that are used in these models. And you will notice the difference comes only with the Roomba i3+ model here. So in this aspect, both Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 are similar, and they do not come with these features.
The self-emptying base feature is available in Roomba i3+ only. But the Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 are both standards, not self-emptying models. The self-emptying base charging dock of Roomba i3+ features an onboard dist bin. It also has suction power that can pull debris from the vacuum when the cleaning cycle is complete.
There is a debris bag present in this charging dock, and it fills when the cleaner is done with the neat rows. This self-emptying base can conveniently hold up to thirty loads of debris from the Roomba i3 dust bin.
On the other hand, both Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 come with a standard dock. However, it only serves the purpose of being a navigation beacon. Hence, it assists the robot vacuum in finding its way home after a cleaning job.
However, if you have the iRobot Roomba i3, you can upgrade. Purchase the self-emptying base for it separately. So this model is upgradeable. But the same cannot be said for the Roomba e5 because it is not compatible with the clean base.
Size comparison
When you look at the size of iRobot Roomba i3 and e5, you will see that it is identical. It is because they have plenty of similar parts. The primary size difference is only the charging base. They both have the same dirt sensor in them.
If you want to buy i3+, you will need more space as it comes with a charging dock to sit on. However, this is not big of an issue and is pretty much manageable.
Accessories and parts
If you compare the iRobot Roomba i3 with Roomba e5, again, there is not much difference. Both the models come with rubberized brush rolls. In addition, they both have a pinning brush and an auto-adjust cleaning head.
Both the models come with two iSeries filters, an identical battery, and a cleaning tool. Furthermore, they have standard chargers.
But the Roomba i3 is compatible with the clean base, and Roomba e5 is not. The Roomba i3+ comes with a clean base. These accessories can handle different types of stubborn dirt effectively.
Some versions of Roomba e5 might also have a virtual wall. For example, you can use it to help block off sensitive areas where you do not want your Roomba to go. Plus, it means you can keep your cleaners in a specific cleaning area.
Usability
Apart from the dirt sensor and suction power, as far as usability is concerned, you need to consider four primary factors. These factors work in tendon to make our robot vac intuitive and user-friendly. These factors are set up, runtime, app control, and maintenance.
Setup:
The initial setup for iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 is pretty similar. Both these vacuum cleaners come with some charge in them. Therefore, you can unbox them and start a cleaning cycle.
But it is better to fully charge your robot vacuum before running it to get the maximum performance. Then, you can either press CLEAN or schedule a cleaning job. You can also tell your vacuum cleaner to spot clean using spot cleaning mode or give it a voice command using Google Assistant.
Using it with Google Assistant makes it even easier. Just connect it with the Home app. It will sync with your Google Assistant routines and tackle any stubborn dirt.
App control:
App control is available on both iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5. Moreover, they both work with the same iRobot Home app.
Using this application, you can start/stop a cleaning job. Plus, you can schedule your cleaning and view battery indicators. You can also receive firmware upgrades and get maintenance alerts. This app allows you to receive full bin indicator alerts and name/register your vacuum cleaner.
But there are two other things that the iRobot Roomba i3 can do, but the Roomba e5 cannot. These two features are digital mapping and iRobot Genius.
Digital mapping
Digital mapping on Roomba i3 and i3+ can show a detailed view of the cleaning area that the vacuum can cover and has cleaned. But with the app, you cannot name any rooms or set up zoned cleaning for them. However, the visual representation of the cleaning area can be pretty valuable. For example, it can tell you where your Roomba i3 has been while handling stubborn dirt throughout the cleaning area.
iRobot Genius
It is a newer IA technology that iRobot has integrated into the iRobot Home App. The technology makes these Roombas more innovative and user-friendly. You can get new features such as keep put zones, targeted cleaning cycles, and event-based automation.
Run time
Here is another point of difference between iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5. The runtime of Romba i3 is around 75 minutes, while Roomba e5 has 90 minutes run time. But Roomba i3 comes with a recharge and resume feature, too, which is not there in Roomba e5. With this recharge and resume feature.
It means that your Roomba i3 can carry on with the cleaning job till its battery is entirely depleted. After that, it will return to its charging docks. Then, when fully recharged, it will return to its cleaning duties to finish the job.
Maintenance
Both iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 come with various maintenance tasks, but they are all similar. You will have to empty the dust bin for your Roomba i3 and Roomba e5, but this is not required for your Roomba i3+. You can clean or replace the filter and clear out any tangles from the brush roll as needed.
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What Is The Difference Between Roomba i3 And i3+?
The only difference between the Roomba i3 and Roomba i3+ is that the latter features automatic dirt disposal. This feature is not there in the Roomba i3 model. Apart from that, both these robotic vacuum cleaners are identical.
If you think that automatic dirt disposal is unimportant, you can save money and buy a Roomba i3. You will have the option of going for the cleaning after your initial purchase if you have decided to go for it later. Both models use the same dirt sensor too.
When you buy it separately, you will get a clean base and a new dust bin. This dust bin features a debris release door. It allows debris to suck in from the onboard dust into the clean base.
Which of These Models Is Better For Pet Hair?
Both iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 are excellent when it comes to pet hair. They will take some time on low or high pile carpets but will get the job done efficiently. Roomba i3+ is the only one that comes with automatic dirt disposal.
So it will allow you to handle the cleaning job much more conveniently. With the i3 and e5 Roombas, you will have to empty the dustbin yourself. But all three of them are petty good in cleaning pet hair
Roomba i3/i3+ vs. e5 - Winner of the Battle
iRobot Roomba i3 and Roomba e5 are both suitable for various types of debris and surfaces. They are highly effective in handling a range of cleaning jobs. You might not feel any difference in the results. All three of these models can produce in terms of cleaning performance. They both come with a similar dirt sensor and similar other features.
The difference comes with the clean base and self-emptying bin features. The Roomba i3 comes compatible with this clean base charging dock, and you can upgrade if you want. But this is something you cannot do if you have a Roomba e5.
If you can afford it, you can go for the Roomba i3+. But if you want to save a few bucks, the Roomba e5 is a better option for you to consider. Surprisingly the suction power of Roomba i3 and i3+ is double the suction power of Roomba e5.
But even with more suction power, both robot cleaners produce the same results. Therefore, for budget shoppers, the Roomba e5 is a better option. But if it has features you are after, the Roomba i3 or i3+ is the way to go.
Wrap-Up
The iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaners add convenience to your home. These vacuums are perfect for you if you have kids and pets in your home. You can conveniently handle all other chores. Let your Roomba take the cleaning jobs for you.
And with the latest technology, these robotic cleaners are becoming even more efficient. In addition, they align well with your cleaning habits. So go on, make your home bright and bring in the best iRobot Roomba.