iRobot Roomba 650 Review PROS & CONS – Vacuum Cleaning Robot
The iRobot Roomba 650 vacuum cleaner is a lower cost, robot vacuum designed to make vacuuming your floors more convenient. As one of the less expensive options offered by iRobot, the Roomba 650 is designed as a value robot coming equipped with the essentials, but lacking fancier bells and whistles.
The iRobot 650 offers a sleek design with modern robot features. The Roomba 65 includes a handle on top for easy pick up, a simple user interface along the top of the robot, and durable walls that are built to give as they bump into objects during cleaning. Additionally, this vacuum offers a circular aesthetic with a black and gray color scheme.
Unlike most of the Roomba’s, the 650 does not have a memory feature. Instead, this iRobot vacuum uses a dirt detection system to analyze where dirt and debris is in the house.
That said, the vacuum cleaner does bump into things (walls, chairs, etc.), but by scanning the room frequently, it tends to avoid those items after hitting them a time or two.
While trekking through your home, the Roomba 650 vacuum uses a three-stage cleaning process: agitate, brush, and suck. This process makes for a quick cleaning process as the vacuum moves throughout your home.
Refurbished iRobot Roomba 650 Robot Vacuum, Grey
Important Features of the Roomba 650
1. The 3 Stage Cleaning System: This product features a three stage cleaning system. It is able to pick up dirt, pet hair, and debris that other robotic devices leave behind. The stages work by loosening the materials, using high power suction to remove them, and ensuring every area of the floor is clean before it moves on to the next.
2. Advanced Sensors: The sensoring system is able to target the dirtier areas of flooring. As a result, they get more time and they will be very clean. Every section of the flooring gets clean so you aren’t going to have to go back and clean up missed locations. Since more time is spent on the heavier debris areas, this eliminates them not being as clean as the rest of the flooring.
3. Auto-Scheduled Cleaning: It is easy to program and can be schedule for up to 7 cleaning sessions. Just use the buttons to pick the date and the time. That is all there is to the programming so it isn’t intimidating or complex at all.
4. Simple Push Button Control: There aren’t complicated buttons or settings that can be confusion like with some similar products. Instead, there is a large button on the top for cleaning. When turned on, it will be green to indicate it is ready. When the battery is getting low it will turn yellow and when the battery is dead it will turn red.
5. Return to Base Charging: The dock button can be pressed to get it to return to the dock, which is the home base, where it will be stored and where it will recharge when not in use. You can also select the spot button so that it will only clean in the proximity of an area you have selected. This is perfect for small clean up jobs.
6. Powerful Clean for the Size: The cleaning brushes are very powerful and able to successfully pull debris and hair from the flooring. The design of these brushes is better than other similar products. It is this very design that enables the iRobot Roomba 650 to be able to successfully lift up the dirt, debris, and pet hair that other products would leave behind.
7. Best in Class Suction: The patented AreoVac offers spinning brushes along the sides of the device. While the brushes loosen things, the powerful suction pick them up.
8. Maintenance Accessories: There are some tools that come with this device to help allow the features to work like they should. Over time, the brushes can get debris stuck to them and it can be removed easily with the brush cleaning kit.
This will ensure your device is able to continue working at its optimum level. It is a good idea to perform such maintenance on a regular basis, depending on how large your home is.
iRobot Roomba 650 Vacuum Cleaning Robot for Pets REVIEW
Irobot Roomba 650
iRobot Roomba 650 Review
The Roomba 500 is no longer in production and 650 is a direct replacement. Improvements include a better agitating motorized brush and smoother airflow.
Both variants will have the same dimension and use the same IR sensors. Over the past few years, iRobot also has launched newer variants such as the 800 and 900 series. These newer variants both use rubber extractors that will require less maintenance.
White some reviews say that it has strong suction, the Roomba has a three-stage system that relies on suction, agitation from the side brush and the counter-rotating brushes to clean floors.
First, the side brushes fling dirt in front or side of the robot towards the counter-rotating brushes that then sweep dirt up.
Suction is then used to dump debris into the bin. The latest Roomba 980 and 960 also has more efficient navigation that can navigate through multiple rooms without getting lost.
Controlling Roomba
The controls on 600-series Roombas are pretty basic. A large Clean button on top is used to kick off the fun; it lights up green, yellow or red to indicate charge and ready status.
The Clean button is flanked by Dock and Spot-clean buttons. The Dock button tells the ‘bot to go find and mount the included charging dock (an amusing little dance to watch), while the Spot button makes it run a tight deep-cleaning circle around the vacuum’s current location.
The higher-end 650 model also includes scheduler buttons and a date/time display to allow for basic delayed operation.
The scheduler and the black top-plate seem to be the only differences between the Roomba 630 and 650 models, so if you don’t mind hitting Clean yourself on a silver-topped vac, you can save a bit of cash with a lower-end 630 ‘bot. An optional remote control is also available, for the truly lazy.
Scheduled Cleaning
The local control buttons on the iRobot Roomba 650 series robotic vacuum cleaner allow you to set the time and date. Once you have set the date, you can then proceed to create a 7-day schedule. Using the buttons, you will scroll through the days of the week and set a time you want the robot to clean the floors. You can schedule up to 7 days at a time.
When the seventh day scheduled cleaning is complete, you will need to create a new schedule for the next week. It should be noted that if the battery dies without being able to recharge or you have to reboot the robot, the date, time, and any scheduled cleanings will be lost.
iAdapt Technology
iAdapt cleaning technology allows the robot to navigate the home using a series of sensors. In the iRobot Roomba 650 vacuum, the iAdapt technology is still using version one of the firmware and software. The sensors are basic and use a mixture of infrared, acoustic, and touch to avoid obstacles, falls and damaging itself or your furniture.
The navigation system doesn’t use cameras or lasers to guide, so you won’t have a robot that can map your home or understand its location. As a result, the cleaning pattern appears random and often crazy.
Each cleaning session is a new venture, and while the first run may miss a spot or two, those spots will be covered on the second cleaning session. It is paramount to run the robot daily to ensure complete coverage of your floors.
3-Stage Cleaning System
The AeroVac system uses a patented 3-stage cleaning system to deliver results on all floor types. The side brush sweeps along edges, in corners and in hard to reach places, pushing dirt into the path of the robot.
The counter-rotating brush rolls agitate carpets, loosen dirt and debris, and lift it into the air chamber. The suction pulls the dirt into the dust bin and filters the exhaust air.
AeroVac is the predecessor to the more advanced AeroForce technology and is the bar the newer models are compared against. With an average of 900pa airflow, dirt is removed from low and medium-pile carpeting and all types of hardwood floors.
AeroVac Filter
The AeroVac filter is a standard filter that has two jobs. The first job is to maintain the cleanliness of the motor area, preventing dust and dirt build-up, which can cause overheating.
The second job is to filter the exhaust air and capture particles down to 10 microns in size. This isn’t a HEPA quality filter, though and won’t reduce the number of allergens in your carpeting. The filters are not washable and will require periodic replacement. On average, you can expect to change the filter every 4 to 6 months, depending on maintenance and use.
Automatic Virtual Wall
The iRobot Roomba 650 vacuum cleaner comes with one automatic virtual wall. This device is used as a containment option for preventing access to rooms or areas of your home. The device is always-on and activated when the robot comes near it. When activated it produces an infrared beam detected by the robot’s RCON sensor.
When the robot nears the infrared light, it will act as though it has encountered a solid wall, changing direction and avoiding the area. The virtual wall requires two C sized batteries that are not included.
Self-Charging & Docking
Like all 600 series and newer robots, the iRobot Roomba 650 vacuum cleaning robot for pets will monitor the battery charge level. When the charge drops below a certain percentage (generally between 10 and 15% remaining), the robot will stop the cleaning session.
The 650 will attempt to return to the charging station on its own, using the RCON sensor to detect the Home Base charging dock’s infrared beacon. The robot will dock and begin the charging process, which takes about three hours.
When the charge is complete, you are required to restart the cleaning session or wait until the next scheduled session. The 650 will not resume cleaning after a battery charge automatically.
Dual Counter-Rotating Brushes
For sweeping, carpet agitation, and debris extraction, the Roomba 650 uses two brush rolls. These two rollers rotate in opposite directions to loosen dirt, separate larger debris and lift it to the air chamber.
The bristles are soft so they won’t scratch most surfaces. However, care should be taken on softwood flooring as scratches have been reported. This isn’t a common occurrence, though you should check in a small, confined area before letting the robot loose all over the floor.
Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head
The auto-adjust cleaning head detects the distance from the bottom of the robot to the floor and pivots accordingly. This pivoting action keeps the brush rolls in firm and constant contact with the floor without applying too much pressure.
The cleaning head maintains a constant angle for the brush rolls to be more productive regardless of the floor type underneath.
Cliff/Dirt Detect Sensors
The cliff detect sensors, located around the bottom of the machine, alert when there is a drop greater than an inch and a half. These sensors keep the robot moving on solid ground and prevent falls off ledges or down a flight of stairs.
The cliff detect sensors also double as dirt detection sensors, using infrared light to determine when an area the robot has passed still contains dirt. When alerted to this, the robot will make a u-turn style loop and go over the dirty area once again.
Edge Sweeping Brush
Roomba’s edge sweeping brush, also called a side brush, sweeps out beyond the body of the robot. It directs dirt to the front of the machine, into the path of the robot. It also has the job of reaching into corners and along edges or baseboards to keep those areas clean.
You will note that the round shape of the Roomba doesn’t allow for thorough corner cleaning, and there will be some debris left in the corner of your home. This design flaw wasn’t addressed until the recent release of the Roomba s9.
iRobot Roomba 650 Performance
How does the Roomba 650 perform on various floor types and in certain situations? Let’s have a look.
Carpets
The 650 model is designed for all floor types, but on carpet, that isn’t completely honest. It will clean carpet, though high pile carpeting will be snagged, cause clogs and may prevent the robot from moving well, if at all. On low and medium-pile carpeting, the 650 does a decent job.
It will agitate the carpet fibers and clean well enough, though you may find it isn’t as good as you expected. Still, as a floor maintenance robot, it does its job and rarely complains about it.
Hardwood Floors
On most hardwood floors the iRobot Roomba 650 does an excellent job. It will sweep debris out of corners and along edges while keeping the entire surface clean and dust-free. Those of you that have softwood flooring or sealant covered surfaces will need to keep a close eye on the robot, though.
It has been reported that the brush rolls on these surfaces can leave scratches. It isn’t a typical report, though and many disagree with the statements. However, it is wise to test a small area of the floor first, just in case.
Pet Hair Removal
Removing pet hair is important in many homes. If you have shedding pets, you know how much trouble it can be to get the pet hair out of carpet or the large balls of fur that accumulate along the edges of your rooms.
The Roomba 650 will collect pet hair. However, because the machine uses a bristle brush roll, the hair will find itself wrapped around the rollers, and little will make it to the bin. You will need to do some extra maintenance to keep the brush roll clean.
If you do have pets, it is advised you find a Roomba model that doesn’t use the brush rollers. Models like the Roomba 880, for example, or the Roomba 960 use tangle-free rubber extractors that perform much better with pet hair.
Area Size
Another common area of concern is the size of your home or floor plan. Since the 650 will not recharge and resume cleaning, larger floor sizes will need multiple daily outings, which can take up a lot of time.
If your home is under 1000 square feet, you won’t have any problems getting the coverage you need form the Roomba 650. Anything over that though, and you should look for a model that can recharge and resume cleaning, with mapping functionality to get every square foot possible. The Roomba 980, for example, is an ideal choice.
Roomba 650 Pros
- It is a small, compact product that weighs about 12 pounds.
- The iRobot Roomba 650 works on any type or height of carpeting. It is able to adjust automatically as it goes from one room to the next. It can also be used on tile, hardwood, and linoleum flooring.
- The bin is larger than in other models of the Roomba so it doesn’t have to be emptied as frequently.
- Very simple to program. One touch start.
- Able to detect furniture, cords, and stairs.
- It is very quiet so you can clean your floors while you engage in other activities or even while you are sleeping.
- The suction power is better than many of the other similar products on the market.
- In addition to the dock for charging, there is also a cord that can be plugged into the device and then into an electrical socket at the other end.
- Scheduled cleaning seven times a week.
- Transitions well from one type of surface to another.
- Improved cleaning brushes compared to the 500-series.
- According to reviews, side brush works well in cleaning edges.
- Easy to empty and maintain.
Roomba 650 Cons
- The iRobot Roomba 650 isn’t the cheapest robot out there. However, it is one of the cheapest Roomba’s out there (and the the cheapest model which still has auto scheduling, for example).
- It is a round shape so that can make it harder for it to remove all dirt, pet hair, and debris in corners.
- It does take a long time for the battery to become fully charged once it has died. It is a good idea to return it to the charging dock when not in use so that it can replenish what has been used of the batter life rather than allowing it to completely run down.
- It can take 45 minutes to 1 hour to fully clean an averaged sized floor. This is due to the in depth cleaning that it offers.
- Some owner’s complain that this device leaves patterns in their carpeting that are hard to disguise. It depends on the type of material and the height of the carpeting. To remove such patterns, you can quickly go over them with a regular vacuum cleaner.
- The 650 does not have “memorize” the floor patterns like the newer versions due. Instead, it uses the “dirt detect” system to seek out problem areas. Sometimes this can lead to longer or varied cleaning times. The end result is the same, just a different slightly less efficient process to get there.
- Sometimes, the iRobot Roomba 650 can become stuck or hung up going from carpet to another flooring surface. It is believed the sensors believe it is a drop off area and can’t distinguish that it is only a flooring transition. If that occurs, it may have to be programmed to only clean one room at a time
- Not very good at cleaning multiple rooms, best utilized to clean on a per room basis.
- The motorized brush needs frequent cleaning.
- No Remote.
- Dirt bin not sealed so dirt can seep through the crevices.
- No HEPA filtration.
- Constantly bumps into objects so if you have expensive furniture, get it out of the way.
- No battery meter on unit.
- Only works well in clearly defined spaces.
Is Roomba 650 Good Value For The Money?
The Roomba 650 is quite basic and there aren’t brand new options available at the moment. I would go with the newer models over the 650, to be honest, such as the Roomba 690 which is equipped with a Li-Ion battery and have Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility so if you have these devices, it’s a better fit.
Aside from that, these robots will have the same results. It’s not efficient, but the counter-rotating brushes will get the job done.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on the newer Roomba robots, this is a good less expensive alternative.
Reasons To Buy Roomba 650
- Want something basic: The Roomba 650 is as basic as they come. It’s not efficient but the random cleaning pattern is very thorough if you let it clean one room at a time.
- Don’t want to spend more than $300: It’s easily one of the cheapest Roomba options available.
- Live in a small home: The random pattern is less of an issue for folks living in a small home.
Roomba 650 Alternatives
It’s helpful to get a sense of other competing robots in the same price range. Below you will find a few suggestions to help you make a decision:
- Roomba 630: Cheaper but doesn’t come with auto-scheduling.
- Roomba 761: If you are willing to spend a bit more, the 761 is a nice step up in terms of cleaning technology. It comes with HEPA filters (big improvement over the 600 series) and an upgraded cleaning system.
- Neato XV-21: This is one of the older competitors from Neato, but it’s comparable in many ways to the Roomba 650. It’s also usually available for a slightly better price. One of things people like is that it has an organized cleaning pattern (no random zig-zags like Roomba) and is better at getting into corners (due to the “D” shaped design). It also has auto-scheduling, making it a better choice than the 630 as an alternative.
- Roomba 690: Just recently iRobot released the Roomba 690 which comes with on-board WiFi which effectively makes it the least expensive Roomba with WiFi capability. Of course, if you don’t need WiFi, it’s still a better deal to stick to the 650.
Roomba 650 vs Roomba 630 vs Roomba 595 vs Roomba 585
iRobot Roomba 650 Review – Who Should Buy The Roomba 650?
Being able to save time is important, as no one wants to spend lots of time cleaning their home. Clean floors is an essential part of removing allergens, dirt, dust, and debris. Not only will your floors look clean when you use the iRobot Roomba, but you can feel great knowing they are deep down clean thanks to the powerful system it offers.
For pet owner’s, one of the difficulties is successfully removing pet hair from carpets. Many other similar devices can’t remove it as well as this one can. They don’t have the same brush system to loosen it up or the same suction power to remove it. Even a regular vacuum cleaner can have a hard time tackling pet hair.
The iRobot Roomba 650 is simple to use and it can be set automatically or it can be programmed to clean at particular times. The ability to automatically schedule cleaning is one of the key features separating the 650 from its predecessors.
It is a compact device that can easily get underneath items in your home. Even though it is small, it is very powerful and worth the investment. It is going to be nice to come home to clean floors all the time!
With it is more expensive than other traditional vacuum products out there; it is still more affordable than the 700, 800 and 900 series right now.
The additional cleaning power over the 500 series means you aren’t going to have to go behind the robot and clean the floors on your own. This is a household tool that you will really appreciate, and you will wish you had invested in the iRobot Roomba 650 a long time ago.