The former emerges as the superior product when comparing the Roborock Q5 vs Roomba I3. Both have the same navigation technology, similar app connectivity, and comparable performance. However, the overall winner is still Roborock Q5.
First and foremost, the Roborock Q5 is a vacuum cleaner with excellent cleaning performance and navigation capabilities. Plus, it connects to your smartphone, opening up many exciting features for you to experience.
Coming in second place, the Roomba I3 also has advantages that make it a suitable choice for certain users. Read on to discover each model’s specific strengths and weaknesses.
Roborock Q5 vs Roomba I3: Comparison Chart
Roborock Q5 vs Roomba I3: Differences
Roborock Q5 won against Roomba I3 with a score of 2-0 and drew twice. There are a lot of details to dig into, so read on!
Cleaning performance
The winner: Roborock Q5
Hardwood floor
When cleaning hardwood floors, the Roborock Q5 vs Roomba i3 excel, providing top-notch performance that ensures your floors are left spotless. In tests evaluating their ability to pick up both large, fine debris and smaller, heavier particles such as sand and cat litter, both vacuums scored impressively high, with an effectiveness rate of 99.7%.
This demonstrates their ability to handle a range of debris types, making them versatile cleaning tools for any hardwood floor. For both vacuums, the optimal suction power setting for cleaning hard floors is the Balanced mode, which provides a perfect blend of suction strength and efficiency to effectively clean the floor without causing any damage.
Carpet
Regarding carpet cleaning performance, I tested the Roborock Q5 vs Roomba i3 on medium-thick carpets using Maximum Power mode. I assessed their suction performance by examining how well they picked up large debris, such as oats and grains, as well as small, fine debris, like sand and powder.
The results of the tests indicated that both vacuum robots can effectively clean carpets. However, the Roborock Q5 stood out as the slightly better performer, which could be attributed to its new brush roll design, which seems to provide more effective surface agitation. This allows the Q5 to lift and remove dirt and debris from carpets more efficiently, making it the preferred choice for those with carpeted floors.
Hair test
The Roborock Q5 stands out with its impressive airflow and roller design. In my tests, the Q5 easily handled both 5- and 10-inch filaments, showcasing its ability to manage varying lengths of hair without any trouble. The Roomba i3, on the other hand, handled 5-inch filaments well but struggled a bit when it came to 10-inch filaments.
A notable advantage of both vacuums is their roller design, which effectively removes hair wraps without the need for scissors or additional tools. This feature is a significant plus, especially for pet owners or households with individuals with long hair, as it reduces maintenance efforts and keeps the vacuum running smoothly.
Design & Usually
The winner: Roborock Q5
Dimension
Both vacuum cleaners have a round shape, a common design for robotic vacuum cleaners. The Roborock Q5 has a lower-profile design as it does not include the LIDAR housing. This gives the Q5 an advantage as it can easily slide under low-hanging furniture like beds, sofas, and kickstands, ensuring a more thorough cleaning.
Extractor & Side Brush
The Q5 utilizes a single main brush that combines bristle and rubber fins to prevent tangles and effectively lift debris from hardwood floors. Additionally, its secondary 5-prong brush assists in capturing dirt and debris along edges and corners.
Conversely, the Roomba I3 is equipped with iRobot’s patented multi-surface rubber suction brush set. This design specifically aims to adapt to various floor types, capturing everything from fine dust to larger debris.
Navigation
The navigation technologies the Roborock Q5 and Roomba I3 utilize highlight significantly different cleaning approaches. The Q5 uses a top-mounted laser dome, known as LiDAR, to map out and navigate its cleaning area, while the I3 employs vSLAM technology for similar purposes.
In my experience, I have found the LiDAR navigation of the Q5 to be more efficient. The use of laser beams for mapping means the Q5 doesn’t need to search for nooks and crannies as extensively as the I3, resulting in quicker cleaning times. Furthermore, because LiDAR doesn’t rely on light, the Q5 can operate effectively in the dark.
One notable feature of the Roborock models is their wall-mounted sensor, which guides the robot along walls without the risk of collisions. This, combined with their advanced cliff sensors, ensures the Q5 avoids potential stair hazards, improving both safety and reliability during operation.
Battery life
The Roborock Q5 undoubtedly has the upper hand when it comes to battery life, boasting a substantial 5200 mAh Li-ion battery compared to the Roomba I3’s 1800 mAh Li-ion battery. This stark difference means the Q5 can handle larger areas and longer cleaning sessions without needing to recharge as frequently as the I3.
However, it’s worth noting that both vacuum cleaners are equipped with a convenient “Recharge & Resume” feature. This functionality allows the robots to autonomously return to their charging stations with low battery levels. Once fully recharged, they resume cleaning from exactly where they left off. This seamless transition ensures that your floors are thoroughly cleaned without requiring any manual intervention, ultimately providing a hassle-free cleaning experience for users of both the Roomba I3 and Roborock Q5.
Control
Tie!
Both the Roborock Q5 and Roomba I3 offer a convenient set of physical buttons located on the robot itself. This set includes a button to start or pause cleaning, another to send the bot back to its home base, and a third button for spot cleaning. These manual controls are handy when your smartphone is out of reach or if there’s an issue with your WiFi network.
For a more advanced and customizable cleaning experience, users can download the respective apps for each vacuum. The Roomba I3 is compatible with the iRobot app, while the Q5 can be paired with your smartphone via the Roomba Home App. Both apps are compatible with smart home assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing for voice control of your robot vacuum.
A notable feature of both apps is the ability to set no-go zones by drawing rectangular or square boxes on the virtual map. This signals to the robot which areas to avoid, ensuring that your vacuum stays clear of specific rooms or delicate items like pet bowls and cables. This level of control and customization enhances the user experience and ensures that your robot vacuum works in harmony with your home environment.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Tie!
Both the Roomba I3 and Roborock Q5 are designed to make the process as seamless as possible. The I3 features a HEPA filter that traps fine particles and allergens, and it can be easily cleaned with a gentle tap on the side of your trash can once or twice a month. The Q5, on the other hand, is equipped with an E11-rated filter that should be washed under running water every two weeks.
It’s worth noting that the Q5’s filter is completely washable, making it a more eco-friendly option compared to the I3’s HEPA filter, which is not washable. This added convenience of the Q5’s filter might be a significant consideration for users who prefer a hassle-free maintenance routine.
Quick Rundown Of Roborock Q5:
- 【Deeper Cleaning with Powerful 2700Pa Suction】: Roborock Q5 is the upgraded version of S4 Max.With powerful 2700Pa suction, the Roborock Q5 easily picks up pet hair, dust and finer dirts from floors or carpets. When a carpet is detected, it will automatically increase its suction to the maximum for deep cleaning.
- 【Convenient App Control】: Control every element of Q5 through the Roborock app, including viewing the exact vacuuming route, setting cleaning schedules, adjusting the suction power, creating No-Go Zones, Invisible Walls, and much more. All from anywhere you have internet.
- 【Precision Mapping with PreciSense LiDAR】: LiDAR navigation creates accurate maps, and Q5 can save up to 4 maps. Use 3D Mapping to view your home in 3D and add furniture and floor materials to recreate your home virtually.
- 【Handle Large Homes Easily】: 180mins runtime using a large onboard battery means up to 3230 sqft of cleaning on a single charge. A Large dustbin (470ml) means less emptying so you can tackle a large home without pause.
- 【Close to Floors】: The multi-directional floating rubber brush stays close to the ground, ensuring effective cleanup even on uneven surfaces.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba I3:
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND POWERFUL PICK-UP - Pulls in stubborn dirt and messes with a Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System and 10X the Power-Lifting Suction. Control how you clean with the iRobot HOME app or your voice assistant.
- SMART NAVIGATION GETS THE JOB DONE - The i3 navigates and maps your home in neat rows using state-of-the-art floor tracking sensors to vacuum hardwood and carpet.
- GOES WHERE IT'S NEEDED, AVOIDS WHERE IT'S NOT - Reactive Sensor Technology tells the robot where it can and cannot reach, which means less getting stuck on furniture and more knowing where to go. Dirt Detect sensors focus cleaning where it’s needed most.
- THE ULTIMATE ROBOT MOP - The Braava jet m6 robot mops like you would. You can tell it where and when to clean, and Precision Jet Spray helps tackle sticky messes and kitchen grease
- MOPPING THAT FITS SEAMLESSLY INTO YOUR LIFE - Ideal for multiple rooms & larger spaces. Navigates around objects & under furniture. Cleans finished hard floors including hardwood, tile & stone
Product Videos
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References:
- Roborock Q5: https://us.roborock.com/products/roborock-q5
- Roomba I3: https://irobotmy.com/product/roomba-i3-robot-vacuum/#:~:text=iRobot%20Roomba%20i3%20Robot%20Vacuum,the%20Power%2DLifting%20Suction*.
Richard B. Schmidt is a prominent figure in the vacuum cleaner industry, boasting over 15 years of expertise. Armed with a Robotics Engineering degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Consumer Science from Harvard, his unique blend of technical knowledge and consumer insights positions him as a sought-after authority in vacuum cleaner evaluation. Richard’s career began at Dyson, where he contributed to the development of innovative vacuum models. Transitioning to advocacy and reviews, he co-founded the first Vacuum-focused blog in 2008, offering comprehensive analysis and user guides for various vacuum cleaners. In 2020, he founded RoboMop.net, providing ongoing insights through columns and buyer’s guides.