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Here's What You Need To Know When Comparing iLife vs Roomba
Generally speaking, iLife robot vacuums are less expensive than Roomba and most iLife vacuum models also come with mopping capabilities whereas the Roomba does not. Roomba robot vacuums are generally smarter with more in-app features, whereas the iLife models are a little more dumbed down.
According to our tests, when you do an overall comparison of iLife vs. Roomba, the clear winner is the Roomba robot vacuums.
Keep reading to find out why...
Roomba Series  | iLife Series  | |
|---|---|---|
Advanced Navigation | ||
Suction Type | AeroForce (5x Power) | Standard |
HEPA Filter | ||
Full Bin Indicator | ||
Wet/Dry Cleaning | ||
Spot Cleaning | ||
Battery Type | Lithium-Ion | Lithium-Ion |
Average Price Range | $$$ | $$ |
Self Docking | ||
Price |
Here's What You Need To Know When Comparing iLife vs Roomba
Generally speaking, iLife robot vacuums are less expensive than Roomba and most iLife vacuum models also come with mopping capabilities whereas the Roomba does not. Roomba robot vacuums are generally smarter with more in-app features, whereas the iLife models are a little more dumbed down
The Roomba includes many high-end, durable options for you to choose from. They’re higher tech and built for the modern world, but you will have to pay more for a Roomba. If you need something that reliably works without too much effort on your part, this may be your better choice.
Recent Roomba models like the famous 900 series offer top-tier navigation, suction power, and overall quality. They are best for larger home, or if you have a budget to invest for all the bells and whistles that make for a great robot vacuum cleaner.
The ILife is light and easy to use though, at a lower price point and with features like a mopping feature that cleans hardwood extremely well. If you have a smart home with lots of tile or wood, you’ll want something like the ILife to help you.
iLife is best suited if you need versatility more than you need power. Roomba do not have the ability to switch between wet and dry cleaning. Their robot vacuums only offer one or the other. If you value overall usability for wide range of cleaning tasks, rather than a vacuum that does one thing, but does it well, the iLife may be a better fit for you.
Now onto the details....
Roomba Vacuums vs. iLife Vacuums
Deciding on a robot vacuum cleaner can be confusing, so we are going to break down a few of the key features of the most popular Roomba and iLife vacuums. When comparing the iLife vs Roomba you need to consider that each brand has budget-friendly machines and more expensive options. Make sure you settle on a general budget, then decide which brand is best for your needs after you know what you're willing to invest into a robot vacuum.
Dimensions and Design
When you purchase a robot vacuum, you want something that’s small enough to get underneath most pieces of furniture, but that isn’t so small that it does nothing. Most are more or less the same, with a roundish shape, brushes, and buttons or a screen for the controls. When it comes to robot vacuum design, there isn't a whole lot that changes from brand to brand, but when comparing the iLife vs. Roomba, there are a few key things to consider.
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iRobot Roomba Design
All of Roomba’s cleaners are 3.6 inches tall, which helps them to get underneath furniture without you having to redirect it or remove it from a tight space. They sport a circular form with a diameter of fewer than 14 inches. They are a little heavier now though by a few pounds. Most Roomba models can be controlled by an app, with the exception of the discontinued/older models, as well as some entry level ones such as the Roomba 650. With these, you have controls located on the top of the Roomba which allow you to set a schedule, start a cleaning, pause a cleaning and show you key statistics such as battery life.
ILife Design
For the most part, ILife is smaller, with most of their models below 3 inches. These types are also narrower, with the longest diameter at 13.4 inches. Both the iLife and Roomba are circular though, but if you want a little more color in your life, the ILife might be your best option. It’s lighter than the Roomba too by a few pounds. The iLife robot vacuum cleaners have an LED display which can tell you stats about your robot, help you navigate the menu, and start/stop cleanings and provide troubleshooting error messages.
Shop For Robot Vacuums | |
|---|---|
High- End Roomba Model: Roomba i7 | Low- End Roomba Model: Roomba 675  |
High- End iLife Model: V8s | Low- End iLife Model: A4  |
Performance
You might be wondering: which vacuum performs better? You want to choose an option that works, regardless of what you spend or what it looks like. Even the most high-tech vacuum isn’t worth it if it doesn’t actually do its job.
We tested the Roomba and the ILife to figure out which one works better on different sorts of surfaces and how they navigate. Not only that, but we checked to make sure they could clean multiple messes, like rice, kitty litter, cereal, sugar, and flour.
Performance on Carpet
Roomba - The Roomba uses AeroVac vacuuming technology that pulls hair or of floor or carpets. The latest types use suction that is five times more powerful, picking up hair, debris, and dust from the floor. The newer options also clean dust from the floor and wall using side brushes.
ILife- ILife worked well on the carpet, but didn’t achieve as great of a clean as the Roomba when it came to carpets. It does work on the walls like the Roomba though, with powerful central brushes to help it clean.
Performance on Wood/Tile
Roomba- Since the Roomba has such powerful suction, it works well on wood or tile too. It moves easily over harder flooring types and will adjust the wall it cleans if it goes from carpet to wood by itself.
ILife- Thanks to the powerful central brushes, the ILife did a nice job on tile and wood. It was able to pick up a good amount of our test materials quickly.
Navigation
The ease-of-use is important when you purchase one of these vacuums since the whole point is to make your life simpler. Depending on the structure of your house and your own personal preferences, you may like something with more sophisticated navigation.
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Roomba Navigation
The Roomba has navigation technology called iAdapt, which uses sensors to guide your Roomba around your furniture. This is what allows it to clean more efficiently as these sensors prevent it from falling down stairs or crashing into furniture. iAdapt also allows the Roomba to switch cleaning modes from one flooring type to another automatically.
ILife Navigation
ILife navigation varies depending on what model you choose, but generally, they’re less advanced than the Roomba. They work based on pre-set modes without mapping or switching cleaning modes while they’re working. They’ll clean in a specific map depending on what you set, or depending on where you direct it with the remote control.
Price Point
Price is an important part of anything you buy. You don’t want to buy a vacuum that’s too expensive and find that it doesn’t work, or buy a cheaper version that just doesn’t get the job done. What you buy really depends on whether the price is worth it.
Roomba Price
The Roomba is definitely more expensive than the ILife, with the cheapest model at $300, and many models clocking in at over $500. If you can afford something expensive though and want something with better navigation, then you may be okay with the higher price point.
ILife Price
In the end, ILife is more affordably priced than the Roomba. Buyers especially like that it’s less than the $500 that you usually buy Roombas for, usually in around the $100 range. If a price is an issue, this may be the better option.
Shop For Robot Vacuums | |
|---|---|
High- End Roomba Model: Roomba i7 | Low- End Roomba Model: Roomba 675 |
High- End iLife Model: V8s | Low- End iLife Model: A4 |
Pros/Cons Comparison:
Even though the Roomba has a solid reputation in the industry, no product is perfect. The following are a few pros and cons to consider when pitting the iLife vs. Roomba.
Roomba
Pros:
Automatic Charge
Unlike the ILife, the Roomba is programmed to recharge itself when its battery runs out. You can also manually instruct it to charge just by pushing the “Home” button on the top. Most ILife vacuums do locate their charging docks, but they do need to be physically plugged in to charge.
Spot Cleaning
For tough areas, you can set up spot cleaning for any area that’s 3 feet in diameter. This means that if you have a tough mess, the Roomba can get it.
Remote Control
Certain Roomba models will let you use a remote control to start, stop, and move the vacuum just by pushing a few buttons. The most recent models let you complete this process right from your smartphone, so you can keep your house clean from anywhere in the world. Not all Roombas include this feature though.
HEPA Filters
Later Roomba models use HEPA filters, which will keep smaller dust particles inside the dustbin instead of in the air. This is especially helpful for people with allergies.
Cons:
Shorter Battery Life
The Roombas generally last for less time, even if they do automatically charge themselves. Even the best models last on a charge for half an hour less than the ILife when you set them to clean.
Longer Cleaning Cycle
The Roomba does take longer to get the job done, with a shorter battery life on top of that. This isn’t necessarily a big deal, but it might bother you if you’re unable to get everything in one charge.
Price Point
In the end, the Roomba is more expensive. The price can be a lot for people to handle when they pick one up, especially if you want one of the newer models with the best features.
ILife
Pros:
Longer Battery Life
The ILife uses batteries that last for long. All of their models use lithium-ion batteries that will work for about 150 minutes, with the shortest run time at 70 minutes. By comparison, the Roombas will only last for around 60 minutes, or 120 if you have a higher-end model.
Spot Cleaning
In the latest ILife models, you have the option for spot cleaning. Just like the Roomba, it will tackle tough messes in one specific spot.
Wet Mopping
Some ILife models allow you to set it to mop on hardwood floors. Just attach the cleaning cloth after getting rid of the dustbin and inserting the water tank. No Roomba has a wet mopping feature.
Cons:
Manual Charge
If you aren’t home, your ILife won’t charge. By contrast, the Roomba will charge itself and keep going, so with the smartphone option to turn it on and off, you can use the Roomba from anywhere. The ILife requires you to be there to plug it in though.
No Full Bin Indicator
The Roomba will let you know when you have to empty the bin, but the ILife will not. Instead, the ILife recommends replacing the bin after every clean, which is a small thing, but which may make a difference in your hectic schedule.
HEPA Filters
To be clear, the newer ILife models do have HEPA filters to clear the air for you. The only problem is if you have an older model, it may have a less-advanced filter that still works, but perhaps not as well.
The Verdict: iLife or Roomba?
Both of these brands have their strengths and weaknesses and are both high-quality, durable, and portable. They’ll clean your house in a short amount of time without you having to do almost anything. Thats the beauty of a robot vacuum, after all. Ultimately, your decision will come down to a handful of factors and should be a combination of features and price range. When deciding on the iLife vs. Roomba, here's what we ultimately found:
The Roomba is the winner from our tests. It cleans up better with superior suction, works with your phone, and charges by itself. It is more expensive, but it allows you to leave it to work on its own instead of always having to adjust it yourself.
The ILife does have some great features though like the wet mopping feature, which may work better for you if you have more hardwood flooring.
Now it's your turn!
Which Roomba model are you going to go with and why? Let us know what features you're looking for in the comments section below.
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