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Robot Autonomy, Classified
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ROBOVATIONS/CLASSIFICATION RECORD/ROBOT VACUUMSRELEASED 2020REASSESSED 2026.06.11
iRobot

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

iRobot's mid-market play: self-empty dock at half the s9+ price, mapping unlocked via update, positioned between the budget i4 and the flagship s9+. The surprise is that capability grew post-launch through firmware.

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
FIT CHECK

Will the iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO work in your home?

Describe your home using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Home size

Primary floors

Mopping needs

You want to…

A classification of fit for the conditions you set — not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced below the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

13.3 in diaTOP3.6 inSIDEDimensional drawing
Key specificationsManufacturer-published
Footprint
13.3 in dia · 3.6 in tall✓
Weight
7.4 lbs✓
Battery
60 Wh · Li-ion
Wi-Fi
2.4 GHz only
Voice
Alexa, Google Home
Mapping & navigation

vSLAM camera + smart mapping up to 10 floors (via 2023 firmware update)

Where it lands · ranked across 184 robot vacuumsThis robotMedianTypical range
Suction20,000Pa
600 Pa36,000 Pa
Above median
Runtime75min
40 min360 min
Below median
Price$251.99
$120$2,599
Bottom of range
Noise71dB
43 dB80 dB
Above median
Charge time180min
90 min420 min
Near median
Weight7.4lbs
1.5 lbs36.4 lbs
Near median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category — not a quality judgment.

Official referencesManufacturer support
OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

Smart mapping arrived via 2023 update and stabilized; dock is simpler than s9+ generation.

Owner reports document reliable vSLAM performance post-mapping update. Dock failures are less frequent than i7+ generation but more common than current s9+ designs. Firmware updates from 2022 through 2026 have addressed corner-case navigation issues.

Owner effort~50 minhands-on per month
Consumables$120replaceable parts / yr
Reliability trend Improvingowner-reported arc
What goes wrong · 3 documented · 1 self-recover
Occasional
Dock bag seal occasionally loosens during emptyingDust escape into dock interior
Owner fixBag reseat or replacement; dock cavity wipe-down
Occasional
Main brush tangles on carpet transitionsReduced cleaning, motor strain
Owner fixManual brush removal every 2-4 weeks
Rare
WiFi reconnection lag after power lossRobot goes offline temporarily; resumes operation after reconnect
Self-recoversPower cycle dock or reconnect via app
Upkeep routine
Weekly52×/yr
Empty dust bin and check main brush for hair tangles and debris.
Monthly12×/yr
Check dock bag seal integrity; replace if loose or degraded (~$8-12 per bag). · Wipe dock interior and charging contacts for dust accumulation.
Yearly1×/yr
Replace main brush (~$35-40) and HEPA filter (~$20-25).
As neededno fixed schedule
Remove main brush and side brush to clean matted hair and carpet fibers. · Replace side brush (~$20-25).
Cost over time · past the sticker
PurchaseRunning cost
Year 1
$371
Year 3
$611
Year 5
$851

$251 to buy, then about $120 a year for the replaceable parts below. Over three years that is roughly $360 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

What you replace
  • Dust bagMonthly$8–12
  • Side brushEvery 6-8 months$20–25
  • Main brushAnnually$35–40

Replacement cadence from the maintenance schedule; prices shown where the source documents them.

Safety notes

CautionDock electrical hazard if wet: Standard outlet power; water spillage near dock risks shock. Keep area dry.

NoteBrush motor runs when powered on: Main brush rotates during operation and manual cleaning if robot is powered. Disconnect dock power before servicing.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon
Just launched
Active updates
Settled
Discontinued
  1. Feb 2024 · UpdateiRobot Imprint Smart Mapping Arrives on i3+ EVO via Firmware
  2. Sep 2024 · Assessment changeOwner Reports Surface Consistent Brush-Jam Pattern on High-Pile Carpet
  3. Jan 2025 · NewsiRobot Discontinues Several Roomba Lines; i3+ EVO Repositioned as Mid-Tier Anchor
  4. Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 70 of 100
  5. Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 70 → 72
Common questions

What people actually ask.

6 answered
CompatibilityDoes the i3+ EVO include smart mapping, or is it just the updated name?
Smart mapping came via 2023 firmware update. Robots shipped in 2022 originally had bump-like navigation; the 2023 update added vSLAM mapping. Early buyers paid for Imprint; later purchases sometimes included it free.
OperationWhat is the EVO suffix, and how does the i3+ EVO differ from the standard i3+?
EVO appears to signify the post-update version with mapping and dock enhancements. Functionally, an i3+ updated to current firmware is equivalent to an i3+ EVO.
OperationCan the i3+ EVO do multi-floor mapping like the i7+ or s9+?
Yes, Imprint mapping stores up to 10 unique floor maps. The dock stays on one floor; the robot can navigate to other floors via stairs but cannot dock away from its home floor.
CompatibilityIs smart mapping free on the i3+ EVO, or does iRobot still charge a subscription?
Imprint smart mapping is free on current i3+ EVO units. Earlier buyers in some regions were initially charged a subscription; iRobot later made it free to all. Check your app to confirm feature status.
ComparisonHow does the dock size or bag cost compare to the s9+ or i7+?
All iRobot Clean Base docks use the same disposable bags, ~$8-12 per bag good for 30 days of daily use. Dock footprint is similar across the s9+, i7+, and i3+.
CompatibilityWhat happens if I turn off the WiFi or unsubscribe from the app service?
WiFi loss disables app-scheduled cleaning and smart mapping. You can still run the robot by pressing the Clean button on the dock, but the robot reverts to basic navigation without room selection.

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Availability

Where it's sold

We may earn commission from qualifying purchases. This does not influence classification.

Amazon Checked Aug 1, 2026 $222In stock
Cite / Embed

Reference the iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO classification.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark links back to this assessment and updates if the classification changes.

RobovationsAutonomy Ladder™Level IIIConditional AutonomyIndependent classification
Citation
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By RobovationsUpdated: Jun 19, 2026
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