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iRobot Roomba 630 Review PROS & CONS

iRobot Roomba 630 vacuum cleaning robot is a fully functional robot vacuum equipped with various features for better cleaning.

As robotic vacuums continue to improve with technology, the iRobot Roomba 630 is one vacuum that continues to be a popular despite the fact that newer models have been released by iRobot.

iRobot is one of the most respected names in the robot vacuum industry and has been considered the innovators of robot vacuum systems. With newer models, is it worth your money to stick with this model?

Roomba 630 Vacuum Robot
Roomba 630 Vacuum Robot
It can be used to clean the hard to reach areas including under beds, dressers, closet, couches, work benches and basically any area imaginable. Never again will you have to move furniture simply to clean beneath it, which for older owners, is an extremely important factor.

 

Roomba 630 vs Roomba 650 vs Roomba 585 vs Roomba 595


  • Overview
  • Description
  • Brand/Store
  • Availability
  • User Rating
  • Review
  • Specification
  • Dimensions
  • Weight
  • Charging Base
  • Hardwood, Tile & Linoleum
  • Carpet
  • Multi-Room Navigation
  • Operating Pattern
  • Return to Charging Base
  • Scheduled Cleaning
  • Virtual Walls
  • Charge Time (hours)
  • Operating Time (hours)
  • Remote Control
  • HEPA Filter
  • Cliff Sensor
  • Height Adjustment
  • Boundary Markers
  • Full Bin Indicator
  • Battery Indicator
  • Bumper
  • Dirt Sensor
  • Price
  • Spot Mode
  • Infrared Sensor

 

Roomba 630 Review

The Roomba 630 much like the 760 up to the latest 790 model, is designed to clean various types of debris such as pet hair, dust and other types of pollutants.

But unlike newer models it doesn’t have a HEPA filter nor can it be scheduled to clean.

Like all Roomba units, the 630 is round and low to the ground. It measures a modest 13.4 inches in diameter and just 3.6 inches high. It weighs only 7.9 lbs.

This is my fourth iRobot and they never seem to die. The first three are still going strong after several years of use, without any problems or any repairs aside from a yearly new battery.

Just make sure to leave these plugged into the wall, sitting in their docks, all the time to keep the battery from dying prematurely. – Buyer

Looks aside, the Roomba 630 has most of the features that have made iRobot one of the leaders in robot vacuum technology. That includes a three stage cleaning system, the company’s AeroVac technology and the intelligent iAdapt algorithms.

Three stage cleaning consists of spinning side brushes, counter rotating rollers and powerful vacuum. Motorized brush found in the newer models have been redesigned so that less hair is wrapped around it.

roomba 630 cleaning system

Spinning side brushes let the Roomba travel along a wall and brush all the hair and dust into the intake path. Counter-rotating rollers push debris as the robot moves forward.

A powerful vacuum draws it all in, including removing most of the hair caught on the rollers. These brushes work equally well in picking up dust and because it has a corner brush, it’ll clean dirt all the way to the edge.

None of these mechanisms is perfect. In fact, they’re not as powerful or effective as an upright vacuum model. But for day-to-day maintenance they save a lot of effort.

iRobot-Roomba-630-Vacuum-avoiding-obstacles

The way the ducting is shaped and the motor assembly are designed, AeroVac helps pull the hair off the rollers and stuff it into a bin in the back. That keeps the bristles working reasonably well and minimizes the frequency of emptying the container.

It’s not perfect either. String and thread is often beyond its ability, so you will have to clean off the rollers by hand from time to time.

Virtual Wall is a tiny tower that looks like a desk computer speaker. It sends a signal that the iRobot 630 can detect to prevent it entering a room.

That keeps the iRobot Roomba 630 vacuum in, for example, the living room instead of wandering off into a kitchen. It helps avoid wasting battery. Better to clean one room well than two rooms poorly. You can shut it off with a click.

The Virtual Lighthouses included in higher-end models like the 780 or 790 are a little more useful. They are dual-mode, blocking entry like a Virtual Wall or guiding the robot intelligently into the other room.

Roomba 630 vacuum cleaning robot comes with a charger/Home Base like most other iRobot models. The robot will return to home base after cleaning cycle is over or if battery is running low.

The battery itself will last for about an hour and can clean a large room, up to 450 square feet, very thoroughly in that time.

 

iRobot Roomba 630 Vacuum Cleaning Robot

Though an older model minus the premium features, it still is a good floor cleaner. This product would be great for busy folks like parents who would like some help in doing menial tasks like vacuuming and focus more on taking care of their kids.

 

iRobot 630 vacuum cleaning robot is made for all floor types. It vacuums carpets, tile, laminate and hardwood floors for you automatically adjusting to different floor surfaces as it moves through home.

One thing to take note about iRobot vacuums is they move in a random pattern. If you’re planning to watch it vacuum, it can be frustrating.

Since it has only one virtual wall and can’t be scheduled, your best bet here would be to let it clean one room at a time.

I recently purchased the iRobot 630 for Pets and it has gone above and beyond my expectations. I was skeptical of how this vacuum would handle all of the animal hair and dirt. I have to say this vacuum does a better job than I do manually vacuuming with my Dyson! – Buyer

Use the virtual wall on the door so it cleans the whole room thoroughly and not get lost.

 

iRobot Roomba 630 Features

  • Counter rotating brushes capable of picking up pet hair from carpet and hard floors
  • Dirt detect technology allows the robot to detect dirtier areas and spend more time cleaning these sections
  • Uses the iAdapt software to reach all areas of your home
  • Includes one virtual wall that blocks off areas that are off-limits
  • Wall following technology cleans along the edges and corners

 

iRobot Roomba 630 Vacuum Cleaning Robot Performance

Though it can clean more than one room without assistance, it may miss some spots doing so.

Some buyers reported that it tends to bump into furniture repeatedly and cause some damage on them. One workaround for this is to put some padding around the sides to act as a cushion.

It doesn’t clean black rugs because of the cliff detection sensor. It thinks that it’s an open air space or a cliff (e.g. on stairs).

Before running iRobot Roomba 630 vacuum cleaning robot for pets, always clear the area of possible road blocks like wires, scattered toys or litter boxes so it doesn’t bump into them and possibly creates more mess.

Also leave a 3-foot radius around the charging base so the robot won’t have trouble re-docking. It really does a great job on hard floors picking up dust and pet hair, but it will struggle with certain types of debris like sand or large bits of paper.

On short and medium pile carpet, it does a fairly decent job for maintenance clean-ups, but it tends to struggle on thick ones. As usual, use an upright or canister vacuum for deep cleaning on occasion.

It can struggle on transitioning from hard floor to very thick rugs.  Sometimes it gets stuck trying to go over it or it just goes around it.

Some consumers have reported of it getting stuck transitioning on half-inch rugs. So if you have thick rugs, better visually check if the robot can successfully transition without getting stuck before letting it clean on its own.

If your rugs have tassels, I suggest vacuuming it separately as those tassels can get stuck between the 2 brushes.

Numerous pet owners are satisfied with its pet hair cleaning capabilities so it scores high marks in this area. They were happy because it helped them keep up the amount of hair shed especially during shedding season.

Unfortunately, Roomba model 630 doesnt support scheduled cleaning. The manual doesn’t specify charge times but it does say that you have to charge it 24-hours on its first use.

iRobot recommends to empty the dirt bin and clean its filter after every use. Filters can be washed. There are no official run times specified in the manual, but according to consumer reviews it lasts around 90 minutes.

This vacuum was surprisingly effective in what it is meant to do, and I would rate this as a very useful daily vacuum, but one that does not completely replace the need for a standard human-controlled unit for periodic deeper cleaning and for cleaning areas where this unit cannot get to. – Buyer

 

Roomba 630 Vacuum Specifications

Features
iRobot Roomba 630
Battery type

 

Not specified
Charger type

 

Charging Station
Charge time

 

Not specified in manual
Run Time

 

60-90 minutes
based on reviews
Net weight (with battery)

 

7.9 pounds
Shipping weight

 

12 pounds
Diameter

 

13.39 inches
Height

 

3.62 inches
Multi Room

 

YES
Self docking

 

YES
Remote control

 

NO
Hepa filtration

 

NO
Cliff detection

 

YES
Self adjusting

 

YES
Edge cleaning

 

YES
Full bin indicator

 

NO
Stair Cleaning

 

NO
Cleaning sessions per week

 

NO
Extra Filter

 

1
Containment

 

2 virtual lighthouses
Brush cleaning tools

 

1
Accessories included

 

Charging base,A/C adapter,1 virtual wall (needs 2 C batteries that are not included),1 extra aerovac filter,Brush cleaning tool
Voltage

 

220v
Manufactured in

 

China
Warranty

 

1-year on robot
6-months on battery

 

iRobot Roomba 630 Pros & Cons

One of the best features about 630 Roomba robotic vacuum is ability to clean hard to reach areas including under beds, dressers, closet, couches, work benches and basically any area imaginable.

Never again will you have to move furniture simply to clean beneath it, which for older owners, is an extremely important factor.

For pet owners that are tired of having to sweep their floors three times a day to keep it somewhat clean, the iRobot 630 Roomba robotic vacuum is one of the best tools in the fight to keep your home clean.

It works directly alongside your baseboard, eliminating all the pet hair and dirt that usually remains when cleaning with an upright vacuum.

iRobot Roomba 630 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner virtual walls

One feature about the iRobot series that makes their vacuums the best, is that they use a zig-zag motion to clean. When you use an upright vacuum, most people operate it in a straight line back and forth motion.

If a robot vacuum uses this motion to clean, it will miss important debris. By using the zig-zag motion, it is going over the same area several times, ensuring it picks up everything in its path.

The battery life of this vacuum is about two hours per full charge, which is industry average. That is still enough time to clean most homes. When the unit starts to lost its battery charge, it will automatically dock itself for a recharge.

The first negative that comes to mind about the iRobot Roomba 630 robotic vacuum cleaner is that it only has one virtual wall to keep it from going into areas it shouldn’t be.

You can find a way around that limitation by closing doors to areas you don’t want Roomba 630 to go At first, it may get caught on certain items including rug tassels and curtains.

While previous models would have tried to suck up electrical wires and other cables, the Roomba 630 has been programmed to bypass wires.

The battery of the unit is supposed to have a two-hour battery life. Those with larger homes will see this unit run out of charge before cleaning their home.

If you own a runner or other carpets with shag material, you may notice something interesting when the iRobot Roomba 630 is operating.  When it comes up to these surfaces, instead of cleaning the rug, it will treat it like an obstacle.

Just like with any obstacle this means the vacuum will move on to the next dirty area. With many robot vacuums, one of the greatest perks is the ability to schedule it to clean while you’re sleeping, working or in another room.

I would not order something like this on my own, but having seen one in action at my daughter’s home, we decided to get one. We use it primarily on the hardwood floor, about 2/3 of our home. We have a couple of short hair dogs and they shed hair by the bunches.

This works fantastic for anything dry like hair, dust and tracked in liter from the yard. It does on occasion hang up on the air vents in the floor. – Buyer

Many might automatically assume the Roomba 630 features scheduling mode to allow you to do this, but it doesn’t.

While the instruction manual does tell you how to schedule the vacuum to operate, the unit itself doesn’t contain the buttons that are needed for this feature.

 

PROS:

  • The side brush reaches hard to get areas
  • Decent battery life
  • Can clean underneath furniture
  • Great for cleaning pet hair
  • Easy to disassemble and replace components
  • Easy to clean and empty
  • Filters can be washed

CONS:

  • Can’t be scheduled to clean on its own
  • Only one virtual wall included
  • No persistent pass feature available in newer
  • Small dirt bin
  • Does get lost aT times
  • Occasionally gets stuck
  • No HEPA filter
  • No remote controller

 

Roomba Models Comparison

Name

 

iRobot Roomba 630 iRobot Roomba 650 iRobot Roomba 770 iRobot Roomba 780 iRobot Roomba 790 iRobot Roomba 880
Maintenance

 

Some Maintenance Some Maintenance Limited Maintenance Limited Maintenance Limited Maintenance Virtually Maintenance Free
Cleaning System

 

AeroVac Series I AeroVac Series I AeroVac Series II AeroVac Series II AeroVac Series II AeroForce Performance Cleaning System
Life Extended Life

Battery

Filtration

 

AeroVac Filter AeroVac Filter HEPA Filter HEPA Filter HEPA Filter HEPA Filter
iAdapt Responsive

Navigation Technology

Dirt Detect

 

Series I Series I Series II w/Persistent Pass Cleaning Series II w/Persistent Pass Cleaning Series II w/Persistent Pass Cleaning Series II w/Persistent Pass Cleaning
Scheduling

 

Full Bin

Indicator

Accessories

Included

 

 

1 Virtual Wall, Flat Brush Cleaning Tool 1 Virtual Wall, Flat Brush Cleaning Tool 2 Virtual Walls, Round Brush Cleaning Tool, Flat Brush Cleaning Tool 2 Virtual Wall Lighthouses, Extra Brush Set, Extra Filter Set, Round Brush Cleaning Tool, Flat Brush Cleaning Tool 3 Virtual Wall Lighthouses, Extra Brush Set, Extra Filter Set, Round Brush Cleaning Tool, Flat Brush Cleaning Tool 2 Virtual Wall Lighthouses, Extra Large HEPA Filter
Remote

Control

Wireless Command Center

 

 

iRobot Roomba 630 FAQ

Does it pick up kitty litter?

Yes it does.

Will it scratch hardwood or laminate floors?

No, it will not scratch floors.

How well does the Roomba transition between hardwood floors and rugs?

Roomba transitions from any surface type to the other without issue.

Do I need to order any accessories or parts?

Roomba 630 comes with extra set of brushes. You may buy additional virtual wall if needed. And eventually you will need to replace filter.

Does it automatically dock and charge?

Yes, it will automatically return to home base or to charge.

Is it programmable?

No, it has sensors that guide it around obstacles.

How do you empty the bin?

Easy. No screwdriver required. There is a button you push and the bin slides out.

Is it loud compared to a regular vacuum?

It’s quieter than a traditional vacuum.

How much dirt can it hold?

t holds about 3 to 4 cups of dirt.

Does this unit starts vacuuming at random times?

No, it is user initiated.

Does it charge on 220V AC?

It uses a DC20V charger. You can get adapter in order to work on 110V.

Can it actually clean in corners, since it is round?

It does a pretty good job in the corners.

 

Roomba Model 630 Summary

Though an older model minus the premium features, it still is a good floor cleaner. This product would be great for busy folks like parents who would like some help in doing menial tasks like vacuuming and focus more on taking care of their kids.

People with disabilities would also benefit from this as it they don’t need lug a heavy vacuum around to clean their floors.

It doesn’t have any HEPA filtration so allergy sufferers may want to invest in a few hundred dollars more on a robot with this feature.

I was skeptical….I really was. I mean how good could it be? I have a large German Shepherd and cat and a very small Chihuahua. Fur is constantly everywhere. This thing is awesome. It picks all the fur up. – Buyer

iRobot Roomba 630 robotic vacuum cleaner cannot be scheduled which isn’t a big deal because all you have to do is press the clean button and it’ll do its thing.

Since it is an older model, it costs less than the newer Roomba models. You still get a great robot vacuum cleaner minus the remote, HEPA filtration and scheduling.

That remote control is another feature the 630 lacks and it can be important for some buyers. I’m not just referring to couch freaks like me, but the elderly or handicapped. There is great benefit from being able to start/stop or direct the robot from a small handheld.

7.4 Total Score
Great

The Roomba 630 much like the 760 up to the latest 790 model, is designed to clean various types of debris such as pet hair, dust and other types of pollutants. But unlike newer models it doesn’t have a HEPA filter nor can it be scheduled to clean.

Bare Floor Performance
8.5
Carpet Performance
7.8
Pet Hair Removal
8
Price
8
Overall Quality
8.5
PROS
  • The side brush reaches hard to get areas
  • Decent battery life
  • Can clean underneath furniture
  • Great for cleaning pet hair
  • Easy to disassemble and replace components
  • Easy to clean and empty
  • Filters can be washed
CONS
  • Can’t be scheduled to clean on its own
  • Only one virtual wall included
  • No persistent pass feature available in newer
  • Small dirt bin
  • Does get lost aT times
  • Occasionally gets stuck
  • No HEPA filter
  • No remote controller
User Rating: 3.33 (3 votes)
  1. I really like products from iRobot. They have affordable price and quality.

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