Review of the iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum (Q0120)
The iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum (Model Q0120) has become a staple for many households seeking a reliable cleaning solution. With its easy-to-use features, strong suction capabilities, and smart navigation, it is designed to simplify the cleaning process. In this review, we’ll dive into its specifications, performance, and user experiences, ultimately providing a detailed rating.
Specifications Overview
Design and Dimensions
- Color: Black
- Product Dimensions: 13″L x 13″W x 3.15″H
- Weight: 5.84 pounds
- Form Factor: Robotic
- Country of Origin: Vietnam
Performance Features
- Special Features: Edge Cleaning, Auto-Docking
- Included Components: Filter, Battery, Docking Station
- Filter Type: Cartridge
- Battery Life: Up to 120 minutes
- Power Source: Battery Powered (1 Lithium Ion battery included)
- Voltage: 110.22 Volts
- Control Method: App
- Compatible Devices: Amazon Echo
Cleaning Technology
The Roomba Vac utilizes a 3-Stage Cleaning System, which includes:
- Power-Lifting Suction: Offers three levels of suction for different surfaces—ideal for hard floors and carpets alike.
- Smart Navigation: Cleans methodically in neat rows while avoiding obstacles and potential falls.
- Edge-Sweeping Brush: Effectively cleans corners and edges, ensuring no dust is left behind.
User Experience
Easy Setup and Operation
The Roomba Vac is praised for its straightforward setup process. Many users reported being able to start cleaning within minutes of unboxing. The iRobot Home App provides additional features such as scheduled cleaning and Clean Map reports, making it a breeze to monitor cleaning sessions from anywhere.
Cleaning Efficiency
Users have noted significant improvements in home cleanliness after introducing the Roomba to their cleaning routine. With pets and children tracking in dirt, the robot vacuum’s ability to pick up fur, grass clippings, crumbs, and other debris has proven valuable.
- Pet Owners: One reviewer highlighted using the Roomba in a home with a dog and multiple cats. They noted that the vacuum helped manage pet hair and dirt, resulting in fewer dust bunnies and cleaner floors between professional cleanings.
- Busy Families: Another user, a mother of four, described the vacuum as life-changing, efficiently tackling the mess created by children and pets without constant manual intervention.
Navigation and Obstacles
While the Roomba is generally adept at navigating around furniture, some users found it occasionally getting stuck in low-clearance areas or tangled in cords. To mitigate this, they recommended blocking off problem areas and ensuring that toys and other obstacles are cleared before cleaning sessions.
Battery Life and Self-Charging
The vacuum is designed to clean for approximately 120 minutes before automatically returning to its docking station to recharge. Users appreciated this feature, as it allows for uninterrupted cleaning sessions without the need for constant supervision.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- User-Friendly: Easy setup and intuitive app control.
- Effective Cleaning: Strong suction and edge-cleaning capabilities.
- Smart Navigation: Cleans in rows and avoids obstacles efficiently.
- Self-Charging: Automatically docks for recharging.
Cons
- Occasional Stuck Issues: May get caught under low furniture or tangled in cords.
- Limited Spot-Cleaning Effectiveness: While it can target specific areas, it requires time to thoroughly clean.
- Voice Command Limitations: Some users reported issues with voice commands not recognizing custom names assigned to the vacuum.
Rating Breakdown
| Criteria | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Design and Build Quality | 5.0 |
| Features and Performance | 5.0 |
| User Experience | 4.0 |
| Smart Navigation | 4.5 |
| App and Voice Control | 4.0 |
| Overall Satisfaction | 4.5 |
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
After considering the various aspects of the iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum (Q0120), including its design, performance, and user feedback, we would assign it a rating of 4.5 out of 5. While it excels in many areas, a few minor issues regarding navigation and voice command functionality prevent it from achieving a perfect score.
Final Thoughts
The iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum (Q0120) stands out as a reliable cleaning assistant for busy households, especially those with pets or children. Its ease of use and efficient cleaning capabilities make it a worthy investment for anyone looking to reduce their cleaning workload. While it may not be without its quirks, the overall performance and thoughtful design ensure that it will make a positive impact in any home.
Angela –
I’m really pleased with this compact vacuum. With a dog in the house, it effectively manages the dog hair. It’s not flawless, but it performs well.
DF –
I use it daily; I already have the Roomba 900, which is excellent. I use both.
blahblahfoo –
The iRobot 675 has truly transformed my life. As a mother of four young children in an 1880-square-foot home surrounded by woods, my kids are always outside, bringing in dirt, mud, leaves, and grass. My husband, whom I adore, adds to the mess by tracking in sawdust from his projects without wiping his shoes. And let’s not forget the endless crumbs from meals with little ones who are still mastering the art of eating. Our floors—wood, tile, and carpet—have been a constant challenge.
Finally, I decided to give the Roomba a chance after years of dreaming about it. I used to sweep and vacuum multiple times a day with my Dyson DC33, always apologizing to guests for the state of my floors. Now, I regret not purchasing a Roomba sooner. No more apologies to visitors, and I can walk barefoot without collecting crumbs on my feet. I’ve never loved an appliance or cleaning tool as much as I love this one.
Our home has two main sections: the living, dining, and kitchen areas, and the bedrooms and bathrooms. I have a baby gate that separates the two spaces, which the Roomba can’t cross. I appreciate this barrier; otherwise, I might have opted for the 690 with the virtual wall feature, but it isn’t necessary for us. I run the Roomba every night in the living areas after tidying up, and it feels like magic. While I always wanted to keep things organized, my exhaustion often got in the way. Since getting the Roomba, we’ve been cleaning up nightly without fail. It’s fantastic! I run it in the bedrooms and bathrooms a couple of times a week. The kids are a bit afraid of it (which I encourage, as I want them to stay away from it), so I can’t run it back there as often due to nap times. However, the bedrooms don’t get nearly as dirty as the main areas.
Things I wish I had known before buying:
blahblahfoo –
I’ve been using my Roomba Q0120 for over 80 hours across three months, running it three times a week. In my home, which includes a small dog and two cats, we primarily have tile floors and a few flat area rugs. With a large yard, we often track in grass clippings and mud, whether from people not kicking off their shoes or from the dog.
The Roomba handles these challenges quite well. Our home is noticeably cleaner between visits from our cleaning service, with significantly fewer dust bunnies, fur balls, birdseed remnants, and grass clippings on the floor.
It does get stuck under low-clearance furniture, so we’ve identified a couple of areas we block off before cleaning. We also make sure to remove cat toys to prevent any issues. The Roomba typically runs for over two hours before it returns to its charging dock. Occasionally, it can get trapped near chairs where USB cables are tangled, and we’ve had to relocate a lamp cord to prevent it from pulling the lamp off the table. While it’s not quite like child-proofing a house, some Roomba-proofing is necessary.
The dustbin often fills with fur from our fluffy cats, and it’s satisfying to empty it, knowing I’ve avoided that chore. There was one unfortunate incident when our elderly dog had an accident on the dining room floor, and the Roomba smeared it before we woke up. Thank goodness for tile flooring! Now, we ensure the area is clear before starting it. Cleaning the floor was straightforward, but removing the mess from the Roomba itself was a bit more complicated and unpleasant.
I never intended for the Roomba to replace our cleaning lady; I just wanted it to help between her visits, and it accomplishes that well. There was a learning curve, but we’ve adjusted, and it has proven to be reliable. I appreciate the maintenance notifications it provides. It usually finds its way back to the charging dock, though not always, and that’s perfectly fine.
I occasionally use the Roomba for spot cleaning on our screened porch and upstairs, and it performs well. It also avoids falling down the stairs when upstairs.
I’ve owned iRobot products in the past but moved away from them due to reliability issues. However, I believe they have significantly improved since then. I have yet to try other robot vacuums.
I genuinely like the Roomba Q0120 and would buy it again without hesitation. In fact, I may consider getting one for family members who are moving into their own homes. I hope this review helps you in making your decision, just as it did for me a few months ago.
Christian Navarro –
I purchased an iRobot that was advertised as ‘New,’ but upon delivery, the box was damaged with a hole and tear on the edge. The seal on the plastic bag was broken, and there were hair strands glued to it. Dust and tangled hair were scattered throughout the brush, roller, and inside the box.
Kindle Customer –
This is a great product that offers excellent value for money. It’s very easy to use, as you can control it directly from the vacuum or through the app, which has many more features. Setting it up was straightforward, and it responds promptly. However, I did notice a minor issue with voice commands—when using Google, the iRobot app allows you to name the vacuum, but it only responds to “Google” and not the custom name you choose. Other than that, I have no complaints about the app.
Regarding its performance, the vacuum does its job well, provided you give it enough time to work. The cleaning cycles range from 15 minutes to an hour and a half. If you’re looking for a quick clean, this isn’t the best option, as it takes its time to do the job properly. My vacuum takes about an hour to clean the living room, dining room, and kitchen, but we usually let it run while we’re out, so when we come home, the floors are spotless.
Trang Tran –
For the price of this product, I could buy a different brand that does everything this one does and even mops the floor.