iRobot Roomba 860 Review 2022: Really Worth Buying?

Through this guide, you’ll know much about this little fellow. Whether you are a Roomba veteran or a newbie to the robotic vacuum, picking out a new vacuum cleaner is kind of a tough task.

If you are having any interest in the iRobot Roomba 860 vacuum cleaning robot, then you’re among the savviest of shoppers. 

It’s reasonably priced and contains all the core features of expensive Roombas in the 800 series. For the rate, it seems like a bargain, though.

However, how does it compare to every other model in the same series? This article will make sure you’re armed with all the correct information before you make your purchase on any Roomba model.

If you do not have time to read the whole article, then just know that the Roomba 860 is a perfect solid robot vacuum that is worth the purchase.

Also read: Know something new about Roomba 670 and 690

Review of iRobot Roomba 860

Specifications Chart

This table will show you all of the available functions that the iRobot Roomba 860 vacuum cleaning robot has, or is lacking. You‘ll be able to find the functions you want, and you can also see if this model fits your requirements.

Credit: RealReviews

For What iRobot Roomba 860 Vacuum Cleaner Is For?

the main motto behind narrating iRobot Roomba 860 Review is to let you know whether the 860 is suitable for you or not. It is a modern robotic vacuum manufactured with everyone in mind. While it will not be perfect for everyone, it’s a good fit for those that:

• Do not need a ton of extraneous control features.
• Having multiple floor types and wanting a single robot to clean them all.
• Having allergies and requires high-efficiency filters to help control all allergens.

For What It is Not Recommended?

Sometimes you might find yourself needing to expand your budget to get some updates you really require. This might be one such instance if you:

• Have a huge floor space that requires constant cleaning.
• Require mobile app or voice controls.
• Want a robot with as many whistles and  bells as you could afford.

Also read: What did we find superb about Roomba 665?

Most Thrilling Features of iRobot Roomba 860

1. AeroForce Technology

The 860 features an exciting three-stage technology that gives for up to five times more suction than the 700 and 600 series models.

This process starts with a rotating brush on the side of the Roomba that pushes all debris and dirt into the path of the Roomba’s under suction and brushes. In the 2nd stage, the brushes underneath the robot vacuum rotate in opposite directions, so there is nothing left in the way.

Dirt and Hair alike are forced upward inside the vacuum’s suction to make sure that nothing is missed. Besides that, The brushes work to loosen dirt from hard floors and carpet so that they get a thorough scrubbing as well.

For the 3rd stage, the vacuum cleaner itself sucks all the kinds of materials brought into its way and passes them through a modern filtration system. Huge particles and Hair will be caught in the Roomba’s bin collector, which could be easily emptied when it’s full.

In addition to all of this, the 860 provides a Frobot that breaks down what is gathered so that there won’t be any clogging. This max suction makes sure that suction is not lost and gathers every last bit of debris, dirt, and Hair which comes across its way.

Now, let’s move ahead n our iRobot Roomba 860 Review and know about the filteration system (something that we call “excellent”)

2. HEPA Filter

After a Roomba has sent everything through this 3-stage process, it’s recirculated inside the air through a HEPA, which stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance filter.

HEPA is a government certified standard that removes 99.97% of all particles which are larger than 0.3 micrometers. Top of that, These filters are best for those with breathing problems or other allergies because they could remove almost all irritants from the environment.

If you are having these kinds of conditions or are concerned about the purity of your home’s environment, the HEPA filter is included in the 860, an excellent feature.

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3. iAdapt Technology

All iRobot vacuums include iRobot’s iAdapt technology. This tech uses optical and acoustic sensors to guide them around your home or apartment. This permits the robot to maneuver around your big to small furniture, avoid steps, and then run along walls.

You’ll notice that the 860 won’t follow a direct path when you are vacuuming your room. Instead, the iAdapt technology surveys your room in a somewhat zigzag pattern, which will appear random.

When the 860 is zipping around the room, the sensors would be detecting the presence of dust. As it does so, it’ll go over those same places multiple times until it no longer observes anything on the floor.

So, while it might look like your Roomba is just tripping around your rooms randomly, however in reality, it’s efficiently removing the dust from your carpets.

Also read: These testing results of iRobot Roomba 550 will shock you!

4. Virtual Compatibilities

The 860 is eligible with 3 add-on functions that you could buy to customize your vacuuming: lighthouses, virtual walls, and barriers. These are used to restrict it from tripping into places you don’t want it to go. In this way, you could ensure that the robot focuses only on those places you want to clean.

Pros of Roomba Robotic 860 Vacuum Cleaner

Now that we have seen the main functions of 860 let’s take a look at some of the things customers love and some of those things that customers aren’t so happy about when it comes to the 860.

1. Long-Lasting Battery

This model comes with a lithium-ion battery. These batteries are much lightweight (deducting the power required to drive the vacuum around) and also hold a HUGE charge. The batteries could be recharged several times and are also known for their reliability.

2. It Cleans All Over

The 860 has much power and techs to thoroughly clean any room or any small apartment. It’ll get right up against your walls and ensure there is no dust or dirt left behind. This provides you the peace of mind that your house is clean. Compare the cleaning performance of Roomba 690 vs 960 as well as Roomba E5 vs E6.

3. No-Hassle Charging

One best plus for the 860 is that when the batteries are getting low, it will automatically go to its docking station in order to charge itself. You don’t have to worry about plugging in the vacuum cleaner or making sure it’s charged before you begin it to work. It takes care of everything for you!

4. You Could Schedule Cleaning

The iRobot Roomba 860 vacuuming robot comes with the accessibility to schedule while it turns on and starts cleanings. You could set it to clean up to seven 7 times per week at any set time you desire. This provides you great versatility of usage, which doesn’t come with all Roomba models.

5. It Tells You When It Is Full

This model includes a “full bin” light indicator that lets you know when the gathering bin is required to be emptied. This way, you don’t have to keep checking to see if it is full. This is the best convenience, which will save you a ton of time and effort.

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6. Cleaning System

The 860 contains a three-Stage Cleaning System, totally made up of the airflow accelerator, brushless extractors, and HEPA vacuum:

Brushless extractors – The 800 series Roombas have taken the rotating brushes of the previous generations and converted them in two rubber rollers. The rollers have tiny “feet” and spin much fastly, using this fast motion to shake and then bounce the dust off your floors and into the way of the suction power. The shaking helps break up the dust particles, making them smoother to suck up. This is the solo most ideal improvement since the intro of Roomba in 2002.

The “brushless-ness” makes maintaining the Roomba so much easier.

You used to have to cut and pick hair out of the brushes on the previous generation Roombas. They came with little hair extractors with the box. We are so joyful that the 800 series do away with these completely. And also the maintenance is truly a breeze.

2. Airflow Accelerator – Fancy name for a series of air ducts which channels the vacuum cleaner suction from the motor to the particular surfaces of the floors.
3. Vacuum with HEPA filters – The 860 comes with an extra and incredible HEPA filter, and you could purchase more easily. They take about thirty seconds to change.

7. Navigation

Without the use of an onboard navigation system, the Roomba wouldn’t be capable of vacuuming your floor or carpet much efficiently. Although it’s supposed to be smart, it doesn’t always seem that way to us. It manages to cover every centimeter of the house, however, in a less-than-elegant, seemingly random manner.

For instance, it will vacuum the floor behind our standing mirror over again, leave your room to vacuum another part of the home, then come back to the vacuum behind the mirror again.

We were half expecting it to get stuck; however, in the two months that our experts have tested the 860, it has yet to get trapped, though. There is a corner of the kitchen which has specific trouble with.

The area underneath the cabinet is just short enough for our Roomba to barely squeeze in. This makes it individually hard for it to get out of there. However, it has been capable of doing so every solo time. 

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We thought every time it vacuums. However, it has managed to not get trapped; that’s a great thing!

8. Spinning Side Brush

All advanced Roombas have a spinning side brush that permits them to sweep the dirt in corners and wall edges in the way of the vacuum.

9. Battery

This is one place where the 860 outperforms its more expensive sisters and brothers. Whereas the 880 and 870 have NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries, although the 860 is equipped with a long-lasting Li-Ion (Lithium Ion) battery.

This is the kind of battery that is used in virtually all smartphones. (And for an appropriate reason: Li-Ion stores approx 30% more power than NiMH)

10. Virtual Wall Halo

The 860 includes this accessory. In Virtual Wall mode, it communicates to the Roomba just to make it aware of not going beyond the wall. In Halo mode, it says. This particular unit is useful if you have places you really do not want the Roomba to go or pet bowls you do not want the Roomba to knock over. Or else, it’s not all that necessary.

Also read: If iRobot Roomba 890 worth your money?

FAQs

1. How Well Does It Clean?

Very well. The Roomba is intelligent. When it’s vacuuming along a wall, it is totally aware of pointing the spinning brush against the wall so it could sweep any dirt out away from the wall.

After getting the Roomba, we never manually vacuumed our floor anymore. Maybe our standards are just low. Some people who own this vacuum say they still vacuum only once a month; however, in our lab, we have yet to see the requirement to do so.

2. Is the iRobot Roomba 860 Vacuuming Robot Good for Hard Surfaces or Carpet Like Tile and Hardwood?

It cleans both of them very well. Having to run it on a battery, the suction isn’t as powerful as a corded vacuum. However, the iRobot Roomba 860 vacuuming robot would make many more passes over your carpet or hard floor than you might be vacuuming manually. 

Also, the dust sensor tells it to focus on places that need more attention. This outputs on a very clean floor, whether it is a hard surface or carpet.

3. How Noisy Is the iRobot Roomba 860 Vacuuming Robot?

The Roomba produced approx. 61 decibels while vacuuming the hardwood floor in our lab. It’s much quieter than any other traditional vacuum, however still a bit sound it makes in our expert’s opinion.

We guess suction comes at a rate. It’s much quieter on the carpets, measuring approx. 58 dB.

4. How Much Maintenance Is Required?

It takes about one minute to clean the Roomba when its bin gets full. We empty the dustbin afterward each time because it’s so easy.

Once a month, we unscrew the spinning side brush and then pop out the rubber rollers so we can clean out the hair. This particular process sounds tedious; however, it is actually much easier to do.

It takes a total of about five minutes to do this particular task. This is a more pleasant experience than the previous older model Roombas, where you gotta have to pull out all the hair in the bristles with the hair extractor they provide you.

Let’s Conclude

Also read: What’s so fabulous about iRobot Roomba 805?

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