The iRobot Roomba E5 is a smart robot vacuum that works with Wi-Fi connectivity for effective house clean-ups. The goal of the machine is to automate or reduce human intervention in cleaning surfaces to save important time for any house owner.
The Roomba E5 uses adaptive navigation and is ideal if you have pets in your home. In this guide, we will help you look at its important aspect to help you decide whether or not it is a worthy addition to your home.
*The product links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. Please see our disclosure page for more information.
You may also enjoy:
Quick Comparison
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1-Minute irobot Roomba E5 5150 Review
The iRobot Roomba E5 is a vacuum built for busy people who struggle to find time for cleaning their house. It has good hardware capable of powerful suction, but it lacks a bit in the software side of things.
The sensors embedded in the device help in masterful cleanups, but the program sometimes follows illogical processes which can make it repeat unnecessary movements. The native application which can be used together with the robot helps in scheduling, starting, and stopping cleaning sessions wherever you may be, as long as you have an internet connection.
The robot can operate for up to 90 minutes. Afterward, it will engage in its self-docking protocol. However, users reported problems regarding the self-recharging process. It is highly capable of dealing with carpet, rugs, and other hard-to-clean surfaces.
Not only that, but it also does well in picking up fur and even small stones. The combination of Dual Brushes installed on the robot provides great value as they can adjust to stay in contact with any floor elevation.
On the flip side, the dust bin is a little small and it isn’t the quiet robot around. This can be attributed to the fact that it is an inexpensive Roomba model.
If you are willing to give up advanced features such as smart mapping or self disposal for the sake of saving up, then this device might be perfect for you.
- Easy set-up
- Effective cleaning thanks to the great suction
- Can clean under furniture
- Hassle-free operation
- Misses some crucial spots
- Small dust and debris bin
- Generates noise on hard floors
- Can clog quickly
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Full Review
How does it work?
The iRobot Roomba E5 works through a combination of visual sensors and powerful suction hardware. The device navigates a specified unit or house and sucks all the particles in its path. Once it detects a nearby wall or obstruction, it changes direction thanks to sensors attached to it.
It can also adjust its brush height to deal with various surfaces such as carpets and rugs. Unfortunately, unlike more advanced models such as the Roomba s9 and i7, it does not have Neat Row-based Cleaning. Instead, it makes use of an adaptive cleaning pattern.
The robot also claims to locate dirt using the Dirt Detect system. This can help in determining critical areas which require more focused cleaning. While using the device, falling through high places such as stairs is avoided thanks to the Cliff Detect technology.
When the Roomba E5 depletes its battery, it goes back to its dock to charge. This way, there is no need for a user to pick-up the robot manually and plug it into a wall socket, since the system does this automatically.
Overall, the goal of the Roomba E5 is to be an efficient vacuum cleaner that reduces manual labor. The only time that you will need to interfere with the device is if it faces an obstruction, or if the dust or debris bin is full and needs to be disposed of.
Performance
In terms of cleaning performance, the Roomba E5 makes use of its powerful suction system properly. As the model suggests, it is great to use when there are pets in the house since it picks up fur efficiently. It also works well on hardwood floors, and it does not scratch the surface in any way. The sensors also work well in detecting walls to avoid them during cleaning.
A major problem that is reported by many users is the small dust bin that the robot has. This causes the need for frequent disposal of debris and dirt, as clogging may happen if the bin does not get emptied. Even for a one-bedroom apartment, the bin may be full with just a day’s worth of operation.
The Roomba E5 does well when it comes to cleaning spots that your hands can not reach. Its vertical clearance allows it to go under chairs and sofas for an extra dose of suction under those parts.
When it comes to battery life, a total operating time of 90 minutes might be a bit low for consumers. However, it still depends on the floor area of your house, as well as the existence of rugs and carpets. Remember that the Roomba E5 does not have Charge-and-resume capabilities, meaning that it will not go back to where it left off after fully charging.
Ease of set-up and use
Before using the Roomba E5 for the first time, you must check the contents of the package. It must include the robot, the charging dock, the instruction manual, high-efficiency filters, and a power cord. Make sure that all of the parts are present to proceed with the set-up.
Remove the scratch-resistant plastics on the dock as well as on the robot. From then on, you can proceed to use the robot immediately or choose to install the app that comes with it. Also, remember to find a nice place to plug in the dock, which can be anywhere that is not near a staircase.
To install the app, download the iRobot App in your Apple App Store or PlayStore. Then, connect your device to a WiFi connection. You should see the “Add” option on the screen, and click it according to your selected model. You must also click the integration button on your vacuum and see if the “signal” light blinks. This should automatically connect your robot to the WiFi router to enable commands using your smartphone.
Once you press the clean button on the screen of your phone, the Roomba will start the cleaning process. Using the app, you can configure specific schedules for the automatic cleaning of your unit.
All-in-all, the setup and use of the Roomba E5 is very easy. Even those who do not have experience in dealing with robot vacuums will be able to utilize it right out of the box. Additionally, the app provides better control of the robot wherever you are.
Reliability
As an entry-level robot vacuum, one should not expect the Roomba E5 to have the same reliability as the Roomba i3, i7, or s9 models. The 90 minutes of uninterrupted run time might be enough for some owners, but for larger units, it may take several recharges to complete a specific area.
The robot may also miss some crucial parts as it is not capable of smart mapping. The cleaning pattern is a bit randomized compared to the i5 and s9 which cleans in a row-based fashion. The lack of logical vacuuming caused some users to complain regarding the E5 missing some spots in their homes.
There are also reports regarding the robot’s tendency to repeatedly clean a certain area even if it was already finished. Its inconsistency is one of its weak points, and this might cause hassles especially for busybodies.
The docking system is good. However, some users stated that there are times in which the robot is not able to find the charging station. In such cases, there is a need to bring the robot to the dock by yourself for it to continue operating.
There were also some issues regarding difficulties in navigating through chair legs, as they can get stuck easily. However, this is a case-to-case basis as others did not experience the same thing.
While the robot’s hardware can not be questioned, it has still some areas that need to be improved with regards to programming.
Ongoing Maintenance
The iRobot Roomba E5’s maintenance can be divided into five major parts. These are the caster wheel, the dust bin, the cliff sensors, the contacts, and the multi-surface brushes.
Caster Wheel
The main caster wheel might get clogged or ridden with debris, fur, and hair. This can cause scratching to your floor surface, so there is a great need to clean this part. To maintain the caster wheel, pull it firmly so that you can remove it.
Then, remove any trace of dirt inside the wheel’s placeholder. Try to spin the wheel, and if you notice any bumps during the process, remove it from its housing and clear any debris wrapped around it. Make sure that the wheel clicks once you return it.
Dust Bin
The vacuum includes a washable dust bin where debris and dirt are kept in place. In case of clogging, you can easily remove the bin from the robot and wash it with running water. Remember to not use any type of cleaning solution as it may cause harm to the device.
Brushes
The Roomba E5 has two brushes: the edge-sweeping brush and the multi-surface brush. To maintain the edge-sweeping brush, use a coin or screwdriver to remove it. And then, remove any type of hair, fur, or dirt stuck in it.
To maintain the multi-surface brush, open the head module by pushing the gray lever on the side. And then, remove any debris under the bearings. You can even choose to replace them if you see any deterioration that may affect the vacuum’s performance.
Cliff Sensors
Sensors can be lightly wiped with any type of soft cloth.
Charging contacts
The contacts can be wiped with a dampened melamine foam. Make sure to dry the part after cleaning to avoid electrical hazards.
Maintenance of the Roomba E5 is not a hard task. If you follow the instructions religiously, you should have no problem. If your Roomba lasts for a long time, you can choose to replace parts such as the filters and brushes. They can be readily purchased on Amazon or iRobot’s main site.
Key Features
Dirt Detection
The Roomba E5 can detect and locate dirty using its sensors which allows for more focused cleansing. It identifies high-traffic regions in your house and cleans such places more thoroughly. This way, you will be ensured that the dirtiest parts of your home are always spotless and neat.
Powerful Pick-up
The Roomba E5 uses very powerful vacuums to suck particles that it comes in contact with. The Power-Lifting Suction system is 5x more powerful than previous models, and it guarantees that no dirt escapes the grasp of the device. Also, the robot is capable of trapping and blocking allergens thanks to its High-Efficiency Filters. It even has a 3-stage cleaning system that helps untangle hair and fur stuck on its brushes. No need to worry about carpets, hard-floors, or tiles: as the Roomba E5 will adapt easily when facing such surfaces.
Pet-friendly
One of the Roomba E5’s best-selling features is that it is pet-safe and pet-friendly. The robot’s Multi-Surface Brushes will always pick fur in a hassle-free manner, and it can even be scheduled to do extra cleanings during pet-shedding seasons. It even cleans fur and particles that can not be seen with the naked eye, thanks to its smart cleaning system.
The Roomba E5 uses an array of visual sensors to move around the house. It can even function under furniture such as chairs, sofas, and tables. Furthermore, the device has increased protection against falling hazards, as it can prevent high-falls thanks to the Cliff Detect technology. It does not matter whether you are cleaning the first or second floor. The Roomba E5 will still do its job of cleaning your house efficiently.
Customizable Schedules with Automatic Charging
The Roomba E5 can be built to clean according to your lifestyle and working times. It has an adaptive algorithm through the smartphone application, meaning that the more you use it, the more it can suggest customized schedules. It does not matter whether you are in your workplace or a restaurant, you can still command the device to clean if you have a readily available internet connection. Also, there will be no need to worry about interrupted processes, as the self-charging system has you covered. With the Roomba E5, you are only a click away from unblemished surfaces.
Extra Purchases and Ongoing Costs
Extra purchases for the Roomba E5 include the replenishment kit and virtual barriers. The replenishment kit includes a set of 3 edge-sweeping brushes, 2 multi-surface brushes, and 3 high-efficiency filters. On the other hand, the virtual barrier serves as an obstruction for the device in case you want to restrict specific areas.
There is a need to watch out for the availability of these add-ons as they are sometimes out-of-stock.
Additional ongoing costs for the device might come in the form of electrical bills due to the self-charging system of the Roomba E5. Keep in mind that everything that is needed to start the device is included in the package, so the extra purchases are always a choice.
FAQs
What is the E5’s advantage compared to upright vacuums?
Upright vacuums can not reach places that the E5 can such as under the furniture, chairs, or sofas. The Roomba E5 has also the capability for automatic cleaning schedules which upright vacuums do not have.
Is the Roomba E5 good on the carpet?
Yes, the Roomba E5 is good on the carpet. It is good for all types of surfaces! The E5 can handle rugs, tiles, woods, and even laminate floors thanks to its efficient cleaning system.
Will the Roomba E5 work without WiFi?
Yes, the Roomba E5 will work without WiFi. All it takes is a simple click on the robot’s buttons. However, connection to WiFi adds better features to the robot, so it is a good idea to make use of it.
How often do you need to replace the filter?
The high-efficiency filter needs to be replaced every two to three months.
Is it quiet enough to use for nighttime operation?
The device’s noise generation highly depends on your floor type. For hard floors such as stone, it can get a bit noisy. However, softer materials such as rugs and rubber floors generate a quieter sound.
Final thoughts
The iRobot Roomba E5, despite its fair share of shortcomings, is still a valuable addition to your home. The hardware is great, and it does a great job of sucking up dirt especially if you have pets in your house.
The software issues of random area awareness can be attributed to the fact that it is an entry-level robot vacuum that is priced low. If you are not too concerned about more advanced cleaning software features such as Smart Mapping and Row-based Cleaning, then this could be a great device for you, however, there are plenty of other Roomba alternatives to consider at this price point.
Emma Marie is a valued writer at the Little Robot Shop. She studied robotics and deeply understands technology, which shows in her writing. She consistently produces high-quality content, making her a perfect fit for the Little Robot Shop team.
While not writing, Emma works in a popular electronics retail chain. Emma also enjoys running and has two dogs with whom she loves spending time.
