iRobot Roomba 890

iRobot Roomba 890 Review

We chose the iRobot Roomba 890 due to its charming performance on both bare floors and low and medium-pile carpets. The Roomba 890 is recommended for small rooms such as offices and cubicles. It is a one-of-a-kind technology that features everything you would expect to find in a simple and affordable Roomba. In this iRobot Roomba 890 review, we shall go over the main features and benefits.

Want to know more? Read our iRobot Roomba 890 review to find out more about this cleaning device.

The iRobot Roomba 890 robot vacuum features multiple sensors that make navigation easier. It doesn’t feature house mapping, however, the navigation is spot on. It has a suction power of 1000 Pascals, allowing it to work on even medium-pile carpeted floors.

Side and edge cleaning are made easier with the side cleaning brushes. Moreover, compatibility with virtual wall barriers makes it ideal for edge cleaning. The bin of the Roomba can hold up to 300 ml of debris. And the full bin indicator will make things easier for you.

A three-stage HEPA filtration system is used. The HEPA filter is not washable, but it comes with a spare filter just in case.

What’s more? The iRobot Roomba 890 is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. Now all your home assistants come together to make life easier. Smartphone connectivity makes manual control and mode changing easier. The smart app keeps track of your robot’s status and allows you to remote control it. The unit even has voice prompts built-in into the system.

All in all, the iRobot Roomba 890 robot vacuum is a great companion for everyday cleaning. Let’s explore its capabilities in more detail.

Design and composition

The first thing you’d notice about the iRobot Roomba 890 is the bold design. The Roomba is completely black from all sides and makes an elegant collection to your classy interior. The unit feels lightweight, weighing just 8.4 pounds. It has a height of just 3.6 inches, which lets it crawl under furniture and tables.

Apart from that, the internal side brushes and main brush help clean the room faster. The vacuuming function allows you to suction 5 times more dirt and debris. The Roomba is small enough to fit in between furniture and swivel about table legs.

It’s made for hardwood and tile floors, as well as carpets with low and medium pile. One part of the composition that sticks out is the sensors. They are everywhere on this device. The unit features front sensors that detect drops and bumps as well as obstacles.

iRobot recommends changing the spinning brush once every 6 months. The front wheel and debris extractor should be changed every 12 months. And the HEPA filter needs to be replaced every 2 months or so, depending on use.

Related: iRobot Roomba i7+ review

Side and edge cleaning

Cleaning the main floor is no difficult task for robotic vacuums. Cleaning from the edges is the actual challenge. The iRobot Roomba 890 is able to clean the edges effectively well. It features one side cleaning brush that sweeps along the perimeter of the walls. It also features virtual wall barriers. These barriers guide the Roomba along the walls of the room and help it clean the edge.

We found that the side and edge cleaning performance of the Roomba 890 was way better than older models. It has 5 times more suction power than previous versions. And it features virtual wall compatibility. Many older models, such as Roomba 614, don’t feature this.

The Roomba 890, unfortunately, does not feature an edge cleaning mode. As in, there isn’t one specialized mode made for edge cleaning. But the virtual walls feature definitely makes it much better at edge cleaning than its predecessors.

Cleaning Modes

The iRobot Roomba 890 has two cleaning modes: automatic and spot cleaning.

Automatic mode is the default mode, where the Roomba cleans the area automatically. It avoids obstacles, climbs over bumps, and cleans along the edges. Carpets are given special attention, although there is no carpet boost feature.

Whereas, the spot cleaning mode cleans around one single spot in circles. This is for the stains that are harder to get rid of. It works well on tangled pet hair and food crumbs.

Unlike other robotic vacuums, this Roomba doesn’t have many modes. Even among other Roombas, the customizability options are minimal. The 890 features two cleaning modes, which are enough to get you by. But there is no special edge cleaning feature included, which is a bit of a let-down.

Battery and runtime

You’ll get a powerful 1800 mAh battery inside the Roomba 890. This battery is enough to keep the machine running for over 90 minutes. The single lithium-ion battery that is required is included in the package, along with the docking station. 90 minutes of battery time, when compared to other models, is slightly less.

There are some models that stay on for up to 2 hours. But keep in mind that the Roomba 890 is meant for small rooms and houses. So a longer runtime won’t be needed in the coverage that this robot provides.

As for charging, that can take up to 120 minutes. If your battery runs out while cleaning a room, you’ll have to wait a while before you can clean the rest. With regards to battery life, the Roomba 890 isn’t a strong candidate. Of course, there are some robots that provide not even 45 minutes of runtime. So the Roomba 890’s runtime is just satisfactory.

Dustbin capacity

Roombas are known for their dustbin capacity. For a small Roomba like the 890, a larger capacity isn’t necessary. This robotic vacuum offers a max capacity of about 300 ml. That is voluminous enough to clean two to three small rooms. The Roomba isn’t meant for larger spaces.

What’s good? The dustbin is washable and reusable. We recommend cleaning out the dustbin after every use. Or once in one or two weeks is enough.

The bin is easy to load and remove. The washable feature makes the dustbin reusable. Another new feature in the Roomba 890 is the full bin indicator. You won’t have to constantly check up on the bin to see if it’s full. If the trash in the bin reaches above a certain level, the indicator will inform you. Then you can safely remove the bin and clean it out.

Manual movement control

Apart from the automatic cleaning mode, you can also manually control the iRobot Roomba 890. This is done through your smartphone via the Roomba app. You can manually set paths and control it like a remote control toy car. In this way, you can make the Roomba clean edges and corners, and even make spot cleaning a breeze.

Automatic cleaning is much more efficient and takes lesser effort. But some people prefer the manual movement control feature. We find that this feature is helpful if your Roomba isn’t cleaning the edges. It also comes in handy when you want to guide the Roomba from room to room.

Cleaning area and features

The iRobot Roomba 890 robot vacuum has a cleaning area of about 969 square feet. This is optimal for small rooms and offices. The cleaning area shows the amount of area that can be covered in one full battery discharge cycle. A cleaning area of 969 square feet should cover several small size rooms or a few medium-sized rooms.

The navigation system of the Roomba 890 may not work properly in larger rooms though. So be careful when taking on a more spacious floor. Manual cleaning mode becomes a great companion when cleaning larger rooms.  You don’t even have to look at Roomba 890 reviews to understand how well it performs. Just do a simple cleaning test yourself and find out.

HEPA filter technology

Almost every robotic vacuum nowadays has a HEPA filter. HEPA isn’t a mechanism or type. Rather it’s a standard for air filters worldwide. Filters that meet the HEPA standard are used in over 57% of air vacuums and robots. Most of Roomba’s filters are of HEPA standard.

HEPA filters use microscopic fiberglass shreds to capture even the tiniest of dust particles. These filters are so finely made that they even capture bacteria and viruses. Air molecules, which are larger, are allowed to pass through. In this way, HEPA filters are able to filtrate over 99.99% of all impurities from the air.

Unfortunately, the filter used in the Roomba 890 isn’t washable. But in comparison to others, it is relatively more durable. iRobot recommends changing the HEPA filter every 2 months.

Tactlessly, these can be expensive. Once every 6 months with moderate use should be enough if you’re tight on the budget. However, it is suggested to replace the filter earlier if it is used in a commercial building.

You may also be interested in the Shark ION 720 robot vacuum with a HEPA filter.

Automatic redocking

The automatic redocking feature allows your Roomba to automatically recharge itself. Once the battery is running low, the robot will rush to the charging dock. Automatic redocking isn’t a new or unique feature, but it’s a useful feature and we’re glad the 890 have this feature.

Especially considering that its battery life isn’t the longest. With automatic redocking, you can make sure that your Roomba will be fully charged on the next use.

Low noise

Traditional vacuums used to produce a lot of noise. This would hinder sleep, disturb pets and infants, and in general be an inconvenience. The most major distinction between traditional and robotic vacuums is the lower noise level. The iRobot 890 operates at a noise level of just 68 dB. In comparison, most canister vacuum operates at noise levels above 80 dB.

The lesser the noise, the better the performance. More noise means a lesser efficient motor. Lesser noise means your motor is making the most of its power output. Lower noise will keep pets and babies calm and let you sleep. You can also use it overnight or during the day hours for cleaning.

Floor types and carpet boost

Roombas are diverse and work on both bare floors and carpets. The Roomba 890 has a suction power of 1000 Pascals. This makes it the perfect candidate for both low and medium-pile carpets. Carpeted floors are harder to vacuum because the dirt is deeply embedded in the fibers.

On bare floors, the iRobot Roomba 890 works on tiled, laminated, and linoleum floors. Its performance on hardwood floors is stunning. We did a test where we kept a pile of pet hair and food crumbs on different floors. All substances were instantly sucked up from hardwood bare floors. On low pile carpets, the 890 didn’t perform as well. It took a few swipes to get rid of dirt. As for high and medium-pile carpets, the performance couldn’t get better.

The Roomba 890 doesn’t feature a carpet boost. This would’ve allowed it to boost suction when transitioning onto a carpet.

Bump and cliff sensors

Robotic vacuums feature a ton of different sensors. Two very important sensors are the bump and cliff sensors. The bump sensor allows it to either avoid obstacles or to climb over them if they are low profile. The iRobot Roomba 890 can climb over bumps with a maximum height of 0.63 inches. It will avoid higher obstacles and navigate smoothly through a crowded room.

As for the drop sensors, these sensors help the Roomba to avoid falling down the stairs. Special sensors at the bottom of the 890 keep it from falling into ditches and down staircases.

For this iRobot 890 review, we did a drop test and found that the Roomba detected the drop. It didn’t fall down the stairs or high ledges.

Wi-Fi connectivity

This is by far the most distinct feature of the iRobot Roomba 890. You may think it’s a basic feature, but not every vacuum has Wi-Fi connectivity. The 890 has its own app that monitors bin capacity, scheduling, charging status, and much more. It is through this app that you can manually control the Roomba from the comfort of your living room.

Internet connectivity means a lot in terms of accessibility. Scheduling becomes a breeze, and you can monitor your Roomba’s status. Moreover, you can control it manually through the app. This also makes the Roomba compatible with home assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant.

Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant connectivity

Home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant connect everything in your home together. This iRobot vacuum features home assistant support. Now you can use Alexa and Google Assistant to control the Roomba and make nifty schedules. The scheduling feature is also a helpful way to customize your experience.

Other than that, the robot itself has some built-in voice prompts for easier accessibility. With home assistant compatibility and the smart app, your devices remain connected. You can also use your home assistants to manually control the Roomba. However, the smart app already features manual movement control.

Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier

Virtual walls are used to guide your robot along the perimeter of the room. Many robots have built-in sensors to detect walls and clean alongside them. But these can go faulty or have limitations. There are two types of virtual walls: magnetic tape and blocks. The iRobot Roomba 890 works with both modes. It follows the magnetic tape or blocks along the perimeter of the room and sweeps the edges.

This Roomba model includes dual-mode virtual wall barriers that can be used with the robot. Keep in mind that the virtual wall feature isn’t present in every robotic vacuum. And many don’t include barriers in the package. The performance of the Roomba 890 with virtual wall barriers was astonishing. It was able to detect the tape and adhere to it while cleaning the edges.

Dirt Detect and other sensors

iRobot’s patented Dirt Detect technology is a one-of-a-kind innovation. This technology lets the Roomba 890 detect the areas with more dirt and dust. The Roomba will then prioritize those areas over the cleaner ones. In this way, you waste minimal battery on clean spaces and maximize power in dirtier places. Dirt Detect is a great technology that makes your vacuum more customizable and efficient.

Apart from Dirt Detect, this robot features sensors in the front to detect drops and bumps. It navigates effortlessly around furniture and toys. And it uses special high tech sensors to detect virtual wall barriers. All of these come together to give you an incomparable experience. We did find that these sensors can weaken over time, especially since they’re camera sensors. However, with proper maintenance, they can go a long way.

Accessories

Of course, in the iRobot Roomba 890 review, one can not but say a few words about the accessories that come with this robot vacuum cleaner. Accessories are what make products more loveable. The iRobot Roomba 890 comes with some great accessories to get you started. First up, you have the side brushes that you can easily clip on to the main unit. These are optional brushes and work best with virtual wall barriers. Speaking of barriers, the package comes with dual-mode barriers included. There is no need to spend extra on virtual walls.

The package also includes a spare HEPA filter. If you’re low on a budget, you can use this spare filter after about 6 months. Other than that, the docking station and the instruction manual is given. A single lithium-ion battery of 1800 mAh is provided. This is all you need to get started with the iRobot Roomba 890.

Warranty

Warranties can take your purchase to a whole new level. Not only do you get the Roomba 890 at an affordable price, but you get free replacements and repairs. The iRobot company offers a warranty period of 12 months for this robot vacuum cleaner. Most faults in Roombas tend to become apparent within 6 months. So, the warranty period won’t expire right when you need it. There are certain limitations to the warranty though. For example, unauthorized resale and repair of the product will void the warranty.

At the moment, the warranty claim will only repair, replace, or exchange with refurbished models. We’ve seen some unauthentic sellers that don’t provide an official manufactures’s warranty. So, this feature is definitely a plus.

Final thoughts

We can highlight a number of reasons to buy the Roomba 890. Firstly, it features Wi-Fi connectivity and home assistant support. This is something that is absent from some other vacuum brands. Secondly, it works with virtual wall barriers and comes with a set of barriers included. The accessibility on this is beyond ideal. Thirdly, the patented Dirt Detect function is hard to find on the market.

The main drawbacks are the lack of a mopping function, low runtime, and frequent maintenance. The lack of a carpet boost feature is also a letdown. But overall, the iRobot Roomba 890 has more reasons to buy than cons.

We hope you enjoyed our iRobot Roomba 890 review. Feel free to tell us about your own experiences with the Roomba 890.