There is no doubt that robotic vacuums are rapidly becoming a favorite purchase for most homeowners. As we speak, there are more than a dozen different vendors, each having a ton of robotic vacuums on display. The iRobot is one of the leading brands and serial innovators of robotic vacuums we have today.
In the quest to create some of the smartest robotic vacuums, iRobot is continuously changing technologies to come up with products that are intelligent, aesthetically appealing and have the ability to deliver outstanding performance. At the forefront of the iRobot’s line of products is the Roomba 890 Robot Vacuum. This model is the member of the Roomba 800 series family showcasing evident improvements over other 800 models in the group.
It is smarter and more intelligent than the iRobot Roomba 614 and 690, but not as smart as the iRobot Roomba 960 and 980 series models. However, it is 5 times more powerful than the iRobot Roomba 600 and 700 series. In this iRobot Roomba 890 review, we explore the features that characterize this vacuum so that you can determine if it is well suited for your cleaning needs.
Table of Contents
Who Should Get Roomba 890?
The iRobot Roomba 890 is a perfect choice for households with pets, low-medium pile carpets and hard floors to clean. This robot comes installed with a patented 3-stage cleaning mechanism alongside a power-lifting suction. It uses the AeroForce technology to get rid of embedded pet hair and dust bunnies under sofas, on carpeted surfaces, and bare surfaces like tile, vinyl, laminate, and concrete.
For enhanced pickup performance, this robotic vacuum delivers 5 times the air power to loosen, lift and suction dirt and pet hair on most types of floors. It comes packed with tangle-free dual rubber brushes and a high-efficiency filter. The former is designed to effectively pull in matted tufts of fur, while the latter helps capture over 99% of pet hair, pollens, dust, and other allergens down to 10 microns without tangling.
Standing at 3.6 inches high, the Roomba 890 is compact enough to fit under beds and appliances and cut down on in-home allergens. nevertheless, this robotic vacuum might not be a viable option for cleaning high pile or shag carpeting or rugs. Also, it isn’t a practical choice for homeowners who need a long-lasting robot that can cover a huge floor plan.
iRobot Roomba 890 - Features & Specs Reviews
Design
Regarding the designs, the Roomba 890 review looks pretty much the same as earlier Roomba models. It still follows the futuristic, round design with the same dimensions as other Roombas. Measuring 13 inches long, 13 inches wide and 3.6 inches tall, it has a compact footprint designed for cleaning tough-to-reach spots like under bed and TV stand.
The circular design is a brilliant aspect which adds functionality; since it provides a closer clean to furniture than most standard vacuums. On the perimeter of the 890 are bumper ring lines which absorb pressure when it bumps into objects or walls. Underneath the 890 are two edge-sweeping brushes and a high-efficiency filter for sweeping hard-to-reach edges and capturing 99% of particulate matter respectively.
On the underside, you’ll also find two smooth-gliding wheels which guide the robot gently while cleaning the house. On top of the 890 are three buttons: Clean, Target, and Home buttons. Finally, the vacuum has two kinds of sensors: cliff-detect sensors that run along its border to the middle, and dirt-detect sensors which notify the robot to focus on concentrated areas of dirt, such as high-traffic areas.
Premium AeroForce Three-Stage Cleaning System
The Roomba 890 combines a unique cleaning system with intelligent sensors to loosen, lift and suction debris effectively. At the core of the product’s technology is the triple-stage cleaning system involving three useful processes: agitation, extraction and suctioning of dirt, pet hair and other debris. The robot features the debris extractor, side brushes, and Gen 2 motor which handle the dirt collection on the path of the robot.
The debris extractor uses brushless tangle-free rubber extractors to agitate and grab pet hair, dirt and other debris off the floor. Being brushless, it doesn’t get tangled with dog hair the way ordinary brushes do. The advanced 3-stage cleaning system is also complete with edge-sweeping multi-surface brushes whose function is to loosen and lift the pet hair, dirt and dust on wall edges and push them under the robot vacuum to be suctioned up.
The edge-cleaning brush is specially designed at 27-degree angle so that it can engage the floors and easily sweep the debris away from corners and borders. Finally, the vacuum uses the Gen 2 motor to produce adequate airflow for pulling in the pet hair, dust and dirt and depositing the debris into the collection bin. This motor generates five times more air power than the motors used in the series 600 and 700 robots.
Navigation & Sensors
Even though the 890 lacks the visual localization technology of its more advanced counterparts, it still features a full suite of intelligent navigation sensors and iAdapt 1.0 navigation technology. With virtual wall sensors, the robot makes over 60 decisions per second to map out your floor plan and adapt to it. The Roomba 890 has no camera or laser navigation, but it stores sensor alerts in a memory chip.
Stored alerts act as some kind of map technology, with the sensor memory creating a one-dimensional map in the computer chips. Among the notable sensors include the patented dirt sensors, cliff detect sensors, infrared bump sensors, and more. Each of these sensors provides the necessary intelligence to avoid stairs and other drops.
Patented dirt sensors alert the robot to concentrate on zones with high dirt buildup and provide additional cleanup in those spots. The dirt detection technology is made up of optical and acoustic sensors which spot debris-ridden zones and clean them more frequently than others. Cliff detect sensors or drop sensors prevent the robot from falling off of ledges and tumbling over drop-offs.
The bump sensors also consist of infrared and acoustic. Acoustic sensors detect furniture, walls and other obstacles and alert the robot to slow down upon approaching. Infrared sensors inform the robot of a nearby obstacle and if it is passable, such as bedding or curtains.
Drop and infrared bump sensors have a limitation because dark-colored furniture and flooring can absorb the infrared beams. When this happens, the machine may assume that there is a ledge on the flooring or that the area is free of obstacles. In the case of flooring absorption, the robot may steer clear of darker areas of your floors – even when there is no obstacle.
Wi-Fi Support
iRobot started to equip their automatic cleaners with Wi-Fi connectivity just recently. About four models boast of this feature: higher-tier Roomba models 960 and 980, and their budget model Roomba 690. The Roomba 890 also comes equipped with Wi-Fi support under the 2.5 GHz band, and so is the perfect choice for people who want to enjoy impressive functionalities and connectivity without burning a hole in their pocket.
Wi-Fi support makes it possible to control the unit using the Home mobile app even when you are not at home. All you have to do is download the iRobot Home app on your phone, install and activate it. You’ll be able to use it to monitor and schedule the cleaning sessions from any corner of the globe.
Scheduled Cleaning
The Roomba 890 can be programmed to clean at any time of the day for up to 7 days. You can create a schedule using the iRobot Home App for Android and iPhone smart phones. Alternatively, you can use physical buttons to create your own schedule.
This smart robotic vacuum is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, making it easy to command the robot using an Amazon Echo, an Amazon Echo Show, or an Amazon Dot or any other Alexa-powered gadget. Through simple voice controls, you can command the robot to start cleaning or head back to its charging dock. With this scheduling feature, you don’t even need to be home because you can run initiate the cleaning while you are still at work.
Auto-Adjusting Cleaning Head
The Roomba 890 features an adjustable cleaning head which automatically adapts its height to maintain the multi-surface brushes in close contact with different floor types. This automatically adjusting cleaning head houses the dual, tangle-free extractors that engage both hard floors and carpets directly. By keeping the multi-surface brushes in close contact with the floors of different types, it ensures the place is left cleaner than it was before.
The robot is equally designed to automatically switch between hard floors and carpets, with little to no intervention. There is a small sensor in the cleaning head that detects the level of the flooring beneath. On hard flooring, the robot lifts the head to achieve better contact for sweeping. On carpeting, it adjusts the head downward to give room for extractors to agitate the carpet.
High-Efficiency Filtration
Due to the inclusion of the HEPA-style filter, the Roomba 890 is ideal for homes with pets. The High-Efficiency Filter can collect and retain up to 99% of dust, pollen and other allergens as small as 10 microns. Being a HEPA-quality filter, it can capture nearly all small particulate matter known to trigger allergic reactions, including dust mites, pet dander, mold and mildew.
Unfortunately, this type of filter is not washable. However, you are recommended to pull off the larger debris and tap the screen within your trash can to extend the life and make the vacuum run smoothly and effectively. The filter must be changed every 4-6 months for better performance.
Battery Runtime & Charging
The Roomba 890 draws power from an 1800mAh rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. Older models of the Roomba 800 series also use this same battery. The battery runtime is anywhere between 60 and 75 minutes depending on the surface being cleaned.
Often, larger homes or floor plans won’t get the full benefit of this cleaning machine. It is great for smaller floor plans and condos or apartments. The 890 model is an excellent option for floor sizes not exceeding 900 square feet size.
The vacuum runs for about 60 minutes on bare floors before it triggers the Home Base Charging Station function. The runtime is a little shorter on carpeted surfaces because of the need for more torque or power. As soon as the Roomba runs out of juice, it automatically goes to the charging base to get it reenergized.
And there is no need to worry about the battery running out unawares as the machine is able to intelligently detect the battery level and glide back into its home to recharge. The recharge time takes about 2-3 hours and you can monitor the battery status on the app. But unlike the Roomba 980 and 985 models, the 890 won’t resume cleaning after charging, and you have to manually reinitiate the cleaning either on the Alexa or via the physical buttons.
Usability
Using the Roomba 890 is incredibly simple. Make sure it is fully charged before starting it. Then, click the “CLEAN” button positioned on top of the unit to start a cleaning job.
You may chose to start cleaning with a Wi-Fi supported device and set up the process with utmost ease. With fewer accessories, scheduling the robot to clean at different times is really easier than you can imagine. Each of the vacuum’s controls is super easy to understand, making it one of the most usable robot vacuums of all times.
Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, the Roomba 890 is less time-consuming or vitality-devouring. With a brushless rubber roller, it is highly unlikely to get tangled with hair, and should be easier to empty and keep clean. Emptying the dust canister of this vacuum is easy, and you won’t end up touching the debris.
Based on our independent tests, it takes no more than 20 seconds to empty the canister. Also, its removable filter, brushes and wheels can take less than 5 minutes to take apart and replace. What’s more, this robotic vacuum features a Full Bin Indicator which tells you when the bin is full.
Noise Levels
The average noise an ordinary vacuum makes may range between 78 and 80 decibels of sound. The Roomba 890 is impressively quiet, with a rating of 66.2 decibels. Whether you’ve got specific medical issues or your kid is having a nap, the Roomba 890’s tolerable noise limit will get some vacuuming done with zero disturbances.
What We Loved
What Could Be Better
Final Thought
In all honesty, the iRobot Roomba 890 is a truly versatile robot vacuum with innovative and futuristic features that cannot be beat. It remains an excellent unit for all kinds of people, from senior citizens with back pains to persons suffering from allergies and asthma. This Roomba model brings onboard some intuitive controls that enhance the level of automation as well as ease of use and comfort.
It can handle almost all hard flooring types without scratching or marring the surfaces. It can also handle most carpeting except high pile and shag carpeting. Deep pile and shag carpets can get the robot tangled up and shut down.
Above all, the robot is equipped with army of sensors, assistant integration, mobile app and dual brushes which make it a useful and value-for-money product. Except for a few qualms here and there, such as the lack of remote control and failure to resume work after recharging, the Roomba 890 could be the penultimate unit. But it’s still a great product overall. After all, we can’t have it all!
