The iRobot Roomba i4 is a robot vacuum with a versatile performance. It automatically adjusts its height and suction power depending on the surface type, so it can easily move between carpet and bare floors. It's best suited to cleaning high-pile carpet, where it clears pet hair and debris like sand. This vacuum also comes with a Dual Virtual Barrier Device, which lets you mark areas for the vacuum to avoid by setting up a boundary that it won't cross. It has a very good build quality and comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, but it's difficult to maintain and incurs a lot of recurring costs.
Our Verdict
The iRobot Roomba i4's performance on bare floors is alright. It has no problem picking up small and bulky debris like rice and cereal. Its cleaning performance may also decrease slightly as the dirt compartment fills up. This vacuum follows an efficient path, and you can even use the Dual Virtual Barrier Device to keep it out of certain areas. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to maintain since quite a few parts need regular servicing.
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Easily picks up small and bulky debris on bare floors.
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Sturdy build.
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Many recurring costs.
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Doesn't pick up pet hair too easily on bare floors.
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Sturdy build.
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Automatic surface-type adjustment.
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Many recurring costs.
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Struggles to pick up fine debris on carpet.
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Automatic surface-type adjustment.
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Long battery life.
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Difficult to maintain.
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Struggles to pick up fine debris on carpet.
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Comes with a HEPA filter.
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Long battery life.
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Difficult to maintain.
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Doesn't pick up pet hair too easily on bare floors.
- 6.5 Bare Floor
- 6.6 Low-Pile Carpet
- 6.8 High-Pile Carpet
- 6.1 Pets
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've updated the scores in the Hard Floor Pick-Up, High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, and Pet-Hair Pick-Up tests to align with a broader data set. For more information about the reasoning for this update, you can look at our forum post.
- Updated Aug 13, 2024: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 0.7 and Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated Jul 30, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated May 24, 2024: We've added a link to the Shark Matrix Plus in the 'Physical Automation' section of the review to provide an alternative with a self-emptying station.
- Updated Dec 14, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.7.
- Updated Aug 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.6.
- Updated Jul 28, 2022: We've corrected an input error in the 'Navigation Control Buttons' field of the 'Physical Automation' section and adjusted the score for the 'Companion App Automation' section to maintain consistency with other iRobot models. All relevant text has been updated.
- Updated Apr 13, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.5.
- Updated Apr 26, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 20, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 13, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 08, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Mar 28, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The iRobot Roomba i4 comes in one color variant: Black. You can see the label for the model we tested here. Another variant of this vacuum, the iRobot Roomba i4+, comes with an external dirt bin/charging station for automatic debris disposal. We can't confirm that this model performs similarly, as its automatic dirt emptying capabilities could impact performance.
If you come across another variant not listed here, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Robot Vacuums
The iRobot Roomba i4 has a very similar design to the iRobot Roomba i3+, though it has a better performance on low and high-pile carpet. It also comes with a Dual Virtual Barrier Device, which lets you mark areas that the vacuum will avoid. Like the i3+, It follows an efficient cleaning route and cleans a room by sections, rather than following the same pattern for the entire area. However, it doesn't have an external dustbin attached to the docking station, so it can't empty its dirt compartment automatically. Like many robot vacuums, it's quite difficult to maintain and has a lot of recurring costs.
If you want to see more options, check out our recommendations for the best robot vacuums, the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors, and the best robot vacuums for pet hair.
The iRobot Roomba i4 and iRobot Roomba j7 each have advantages, meaning one might suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. Both vacuums are compatible with self-emptying stations. That said, the j7 does feel better built, delivers better performance on high-pile carpet, and has a more advanced navigation system that allows it to identify hazards like pet waste. Meanwhile, the i4 charges faster while offering similar battery life, incurs lower recurring costs, has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, and clears more debris on low-pile carpet.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba i4. The i7 does a much better job of clearing pet hair from all surface types, and it has a larger dirt compartment. Also, it uses the iAdapt 3.0 with Visual Navigation system to follow an efficient route, and it learns its environment as it cleans. There's an external dustbin attached to the docking station, so it can automatically empty its dirt compartment. That said, the i4 doesn't have an external dirtbag, which results in fewer recurring costs, and it has a longer battery life.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is a better robot vacuum than the iRobot Roomba i3. The i4 has a better cleaning performance on low and high-pile carpet. Since it doesn't have an external dirtbag, it has fewer recurring costs. Also, it comes with a Dual Virtual Barrier Device, which lets you mark areas for the vacuum to avoid while cleaning. That said, the i3 does a better job of cleaning bare floors, and it has a larger dirt compartment. Also, it comes with an external dustbin attached to the docking station, so it can automatically empty its dirt compartment.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is a slightly better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba E5. The i4 does a better job of cleaning bare floors and high-pile carpet, and its suction performance doesn't decrease as much as the dirt compartment fills up. It also follows an efficient cleaning route, whereas the E5 follows a random path. However, the E5 doesn't get caught on rug tassels or electrical cords as easily.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The i4 has fewer parts that require regular cleaning and a smart-pathing navigational system, which yields superior maneuverability. The i4 does a better job cleaning debris on low and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the 694 clears more debris on bare floors, has a bigger dirt compartment, and lasts longer on a single charge, though this can vary in the real world.
The iRobot Roomba i4 and eufy RoboVac X8 have different strengths, meaning one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The eufy has a longer maximum runtime and performs notably better on bare floors. Conversely, the iRobot is better-built, charges much faster, maneuvers itself more effectively, and has fewer parts that need regular cleaning.
The Shark IQ Robot and iRobot Roomba i4 each have their own advantages, so one may suit you better than the other depending on your needs. The Shark has a bigger dustbin and performs better on both bare floors and low-pile carpet. It also has a longer maximum runtime, though this can vary in the real world. Meanwhile, the iRobot charges much faster, has an automatic surface type adjustment feature, feels better-built, and incurs fewer recurring costs. It also does a better job of maneuvering around obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is better than the eufy RoboVac G30. The iRobot is better-built, recharges much faster, has an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, does a better job of maneuvering itself, and delivers better performance across all floor types.
The iRobot Roomba S9 is better than the iRobot Roomba i4. The S9 is better built, easier to maintain, has a larger dustbin, and delivers superior performance on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpeting. It also does a better job of maneuvering itself around obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba i4 and Wyze Robot Vacuum each have advantages, so one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The iRobot has a larger dirt compartment, requires less time to charge, and delivers better performance on high-pile carpets. Conversely, the Wyze is less demanding in terms of maintenance requirements, incurs fewer recurring costs, has a longer runtime in its least powerful suction mode, and cleans debris more effectively on bare floors.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is a better robot vacuum than the eufy RoboVac 15C. The iRobot has a better cleaning performance on all surface types, especially low and high-pile carpets. It's also better-built and comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter. It follows an efficient cleaning route, whereas the eufy follows a random cleaning path. That said, the eufy has a slightly larger dirt compartment, and its battery lasts a bit longer when used in its default mode.
The Roborock S6 is better for more use cases than the iRobot Roomba i4. The Roborock feels better-built, incurs fewer recurring costs, has a larger dirt compartment, maneuvers more effectively, and delivers superior performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet. It also comes with a mopping attachment, though we don't currently test that function. Meanwhile, the iRobot does a much better job of sucking up larger debris, such as sand, from high-pile carpets.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is better than the iRobot Roomba 675. The i4 delivers better cleaning performance on bare floors, low-pile carpet, and high-pile carpet. It also maneuvers more effectively thanks to its smart-pathing navigation system and has a far more advanced suite of automation features. Meanwhile, the 675 is slightly easier to pick up and carry to another room, incurs fewer recurring costs, and has a slightly longer runtime, though it takes longer to recharge.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is better for most purposes than the Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series. The iRobot delivers much better performance on bare floors is somewhat better on high-pile carpets as well. It automatically adjusts its head height and suction power depending on what surface type it's cleaning. On the other hand, you can set the Shark's suction power manually, unlike the iRobot.
Test Results
The iRobot Roomba i4 has a very good build quality. Its design is similar to that of the iRobot Roomba i3+, and it's mostly made of hard plastic with rubber wheels and brushrolls. Although it feels sturdy overall, the dustbin feels like it could break if you drop it. There are three buttons on the top to start a cleaning cycle, spot-clean an area, or return to the dock. The vacuum comes assembled, so you just need to set up the docking station.
The iRobot Roomba i4 requires quite a bit of maintenance. Several parts need regular servicing, but fortunately, most of them are easy to access.
- Dirt compartment: The dirt compartment can be easily removed by pressing the button on the side of the vacuum. Once you empty it, you can clean it with water. It must be dry before you use it again.
- Brushrolls: The rubber brushrolls are easy to take out since you only need to remove the brushroll guard. You can remove any tangled hair, but they're somewhat difficult to put back as you need to carefully align them. iRobot suggests that you clean the brushrolls once a month or twice if you have pets.
- Filter: The filter is located inside the dirt compartment. To clean it, you have to gently tap it on the side of a garbage can since you shouldn't wash it. It needs cleaning once a week or twice a week if you have pets.
- Side brush: The side brush can be difficult to remove since you need a screwdriver to take it out. You should clean it once a month, or twice if you have pets.
- Wheels: The omnidirectional wheel in front can be removed. It needs cleaning every two weeks.
- Sensors: The sensors on the vacuum should be cleaned once a month with a dry cloth.
The iRobot Roomba i4 has a lot of recurring costs. Although it's bagless, quite a few parts need to be replaced periodically.
- HEPA Filter: The HEPA filter should be replaced every two months.
- Rubber Brushrolls: The brushrolls should be replaced every 12 months.
- Side Brush: The manufacturer recommends replacing the side brush every 12 months.
- Front Wheel: The front wheel should be replaced every 12 months.
Thankfully, iRobot sells a 'Replenishment Kit' on its website that includes brushrolls, three side brushes, and three HEPA filters. You can also purchase these parts individually.
The iRobot Roomba i4 has pretty small dimensions. The absence of a LIDAR hump allows it to fit under most couches and chairs, and it has a marginally smaller overall footprint than many other robot vacuums. It comes with a low-profile docking station, which it can return to on its own. The vacuum itself is fairly small, so it shouldn't take up too much space in storage.
This vacuum's internal dustbin is on the smaller side. It's a little larger than that of some other iRobot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba i3, but not by much, and you'll need to empty it at the end of the cleaning session.
The standard iRobot i4 only has a simple charging dock. You'll have to upgrade to the pricier i4+ model if you want a vacuum bundled with a self-empty station, which is the same as the one bundled with other models '+' models in the manufacturer's lineup, like the iRobot Roomba i3. Like those other models, its self-empty docking station contains a 2.4L dustbag, advertised as being large enough to hold 60 days' worth of debris.
- iRobot Roomba i4 robot vacuum
- Docking station
- Charging cable
- 3x HEPA filter
- Dirt compartment
- 2x Multi-surface rubber brushrolls
- Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier + 2x batteries
- User guide
The iRobot Roomba i4 has an incredible battery performance. It provides around 100 minutes of continuous runtime, and it takes roughly an hour and a half to recharge. The vacuum automatically adjusts its suction power while in use, so its battery life may vary depending on your floor type. When the battery is low, the large button on top of the vacuum changes from white to red, and there's also a battery indicator in its companion app.
The iRobot Roomba i4 4150 has a few extra features. It senses how much dirt there is around it and concentrates on those areas. Also, it automatically adjusts its power and height setting based on the surface it's cleaning. However, you can't adjust either of these settings manually.
This vacuum does an impressive job of cleaning hard floors. It's capable of dealing with bulky and medium-sized debris like cereal or rice. That said, it does struggle a little bit with smaller materials like sand that's piled up against walls and corners.
This vacuum delivers good performance on high-pile carpets. It's very effective when it comes to dealing with medium-sized and large debris on this surface type like rice or cereal. That said, you'll probably have to clean along walls and in corners with a conventional vacuum to fully clear away finer debris like sand.
This vacuum's performance on low-pile carpets is decent. As with its performance on high-pile carpets, it has little trouble dealing with large and medium-sized debris like cereal pieces or rice, but you'll probably have to clean up any finer debris left along walls and in corners yourself.
This vacuum does an excellent job of dealing with pet hair on low-pile carpets. Within a single cleaning cycle, it can clear away the majority of strands, with barely anything remaining.
The iRobot i4's suction force isn't very strong, though this isn't unusual for a robot vacuum; its suction inlet is positioned too high above the contact surface to generate a tight seal on bare surfaces, resulting in low suction power measurements.
This vacuum's airflow performance is pretty low, even for a robovac. It's noticeably less powerful than higher-end models, like the iRobot Roomba S9, and will have a slightly harder time dealing with especially heavy debris.
This vacuum is remarkably quiet. Even with the vacuum running nearby in its most powerful setting, you won't have to raise your voice too much to be heard by someone standing nearby.
The iRobot Roomba i4 has good maneuverability. It automatically adjusts the height of its head, making it easier to clean a room with different surface types. Similar to the iRobot Roomba i3+, it follows a smart path and cleans a room by sections, rather than using the same pattern for the whole area. It also produces a map of its cleaning coverage, which you can see in the companion app. This vacuum is small enough to fit under most couches, but it may occasionally get stuck on a rug tassel or drag an electric cord. If you're looking for a robot vacuum that does a better job of maneuvering itself, try the Roborock S6 MaxV.
This vacuum does a good job of sealing in fine particles, thanks to its on-board HEPA filter.
This vacuum has poor crack-cleaning performance. It struggles with drawing up fine debris wedged deep within crevices, but at the very least, its side brush doesn't spread around debris.
This vacuum isn't designed to clear away liquid spills.
The iRobot Roomba i4 has decent physical automation features. It comes with a Dual Virtual Barrier device, which lets you mark boundaries for the vacuum not to cross. You can use the physical buttons on the vacuum itself to start cleaning, spot-clean, or have it return to the dock. Unfortunately, unlike alternatives like the Shark Matrix Plus, it isn't bundled with a self-empty docking station that would cut down on maintenance requirements.
The iRobot HOME app is good. With it, you can schedule cleaning times, view the battery status, or return the vacuum to its docking station. The app is compatible with Alexa and Google Home for voice commands, though we don't currently test for this.