iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Review

Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to vacuum the house? Well, as it turns out, you don’t have to—you can just get a robot that’ll do the job for you! What’s more, is that they’re extremely easy to use. All you have to do is press a button and it’ll begin to clean. It’ll definitely save you some time, that’s for sure.

Other Benefits of Robot Cleaners:

– Their low profile allows them to clean under sofas, tables, and other furniture
– Many allow you to schedule cleanings ahead of time
– Some robot vacuums also operate as robot mops
– They can be used on a variety of surfaces including tiles, hardwood, carpet, laminate, etc.

The only thing is that they aren’t cheap. Depending on what you get, it can easily set you back a few hundred dollars. Most would agree that the convenience of not having to clean the house yourself is worth it, though.

Are you thinking of investing in a robot vacuum? How about the iRobot Roomba i5? Because that’s what we’ll be discussing today. How well does it clean? Does it come with any spare parts? What are some of its drawbacks? Find out by reading this post!

The iRobot Roomba e5 (5150)

iRobot is a tech company that sells autonomous robots. More specifically, they specialize in those that clean inside and outside the home. Currently, they offer two types of robots—Roombas, which are meant for vacuuming, and Braavas, which are designed for mopping. For the purposes of this article, however, we will be focusing on the former.

Product Description

The Roomba e5 is a robot vacuum that’s ideal for pet owners. For one thing, it’s equipped with multi-surface rubber brushes, which don’t get tangled with hair. Not only that, but it comes with a HEPA filter that traps ~99% of all allergens. And like most iRobot products, you can control it via a mobile app. If you want, you can even sync it with Alexa or Google Assistant.

What’s In the Box?

Here’s a list of everything that you’ll get with the iRobot Roomba e5:

• 1 Robot Cleaner
• 1 Charging Station
• 1 Power Cord
• 1 Instruction Manual

The back of the robot holds the dustbin and HEPA filter. And if you flip the whole thing over, you’ll see the green multi-surface roller brushes, brush caps, side brush, caster wheel, and charging contacts, the last of which you’ll be using the charge the device.

Then there’s the home base, which acts as a charging station. Placement-wise, it should be placed against the wall. Make sure that there’s at least 1.5 feet of space on each side and at least 4 feet of space in front; you do not want it to be in a cluttered area. Ideally, it should also be in an area with consistent WiFi coverage as it’ll need to receive information via the mobile app.

Last but not least, there’s an instruction manual that you can refer to in terms of how to use the machine.

Note: The iRobot Roomba e5 does not come with any extra accessories. It does come with everything that you need (e.g. side brush, rubber brushes, etc) to use it, though.

Smart Features

Let’s take a look at some of the e5’s smart features.

Automatic Top-Up

The iRobot can run for up to 90 minutes per charge. Once the battery runs low, it will automatically return to the dock for recharging. Unlike the 960/980 or S series, however, it doesn’t have a resume feature (i.e. it won’t continue its previous job).

Can Be Controlled With the iRobot Home App

The e5 can be controlled with the newly updated iRobot Home App. You can use it to schedule cleanings, send the robot home, start the robot, locate the robot, etc. The app will also alert you if the device is stuck and needs attention.

Compatible With Alexa and Google Assistant 

Do you like using voice commands? If so, you’ll be happy to know that the e5 can be used with both Google Assistant and Alexa. For example, you can verbally tell it to start cleaning or stop cleaning. If you want, you can also use your voice to schedule cleanings.

Adaptive Navigation 

The robot is equipped with a full suite of advanced sensors that allows it to navigate the house. Not only will it clean under and around furniture, but its cliff defect feature will also keep it from falling down stairs.

Patented Dirt Detect Technology 

The e5 comes with patented dirt detection technology that allows it to find and clean dirtier areas of the home (e.g. high-traffic spots).

Disadvantages of the iRobot Roomba e5

The iRobot does have a few drawbacks, which we’ll be going over below.

No Mapping Feature

The iRobot e5 does not come with a mapping feature. Instead of cleaning in an organized pattern, it’ll “adapt” as it goes. As such, it can miss spots if the area is too large and it can be hard to tell where it has already cleaned.

No Way to Set Up Invisible Barriers 

The app doesn’t allow you to set up invisible barriers. If you want to keep the robot out of an area, you’ll have to use their virtual barriers, which are sold separately.

The Dustbin Is Small

Like most robot vacuums, the dustbin isn’t very big  (it has to fit into the body, after all). Because of this, it can get full very fast. That is, you’ll have to stop it periodically to empty out the contents—this is especially true if you have pets. Also, it won’t tell you when the dustbin is full so you’ll have to keep an eye on it while it’s running.

It Doesn’t Work As Well On Carpets

The e5 can be used on carpets and rugs but generally speaking, it won’t do as great of a job compared to if it was on a hard floor. For example, it can get stuck, especially if it’s a thick-pile carpet. In some cases, it can also have trouble transitioning onto new surfaces.

It Tends to Get Lost

The e5 isn’t the smartest when it comes to navigating the house (due to the lack of mapping feature). As a result, it can get lost sometimes. For example, it might have trouble returning to the docking station if you tell it to go home.

It’s Not That Great At Detecting Objects 

The e5 isn’t that great at detecting objects despite its array of sensors. If you let it, it will ram into chairs, tables, cords, etc. Given that, it’s probably a good idea to clear the area of obstacles before letting it run.

Lack of Accessories

We mentioned this earlier already but the robot does not come with any extra accessories. If you want more, you’ll have to pay for them, which is disappointing considering its price tag.

It’s Not That Great For Pet Hair 

The robot doesn’t do that well with pet hair. It’ll pick it up, but not all of it so you’ll end up with hairballs on the ground. Also, due to the size of the bin, not all of the hair that it picks up will go inside. You’ll have to manually pick it out by taking off the bin.

How to Use the iRobot Roomba e5

The first step is to install the Home Base charging station. Place it in an open, uncluttered area against the wall and make sure that there isn’t anything in front of or to the sides of it.

Next, download the iRobot HOME App. Follow the on-screen prompts and you’ll be able to sync it with your e5. From there, you’ll be able to set up a cleaning schedule. If you want, you can also use it to customize your cleaning preferences.

Once the robot is charged, you can begin cleaning by pressing the CLEAN button on the unit. Alternatively, you can use the mobile app. To send it back to its Home Base during a cleaning cycle, press the Home button on the robot.

Regular Maintenance

Dust Bin: Has to be emptied after each use

Filter: Clean by shaking off the debris (you’ll have to remove it from the bin first) every 1-2 week. Replace every 2 months.

Front Caster Wheel: Clean every 2 weeks.

Side Brush: Clean every month. You’ll have to use a small screwdriver to remove the screw that’s holding it in place.

Sensors: Wipe down with a cloth once every month.

Pricing and Cost Information

The Roomba e5 is relatively affordable as far as robot vacuums go with a price tag of $249.99. Keep in mind, however, that it is one of iRobot’s lower end models. And for those who are wondering, you won’t have to pay for shipping if you’re buying it online—it’s free with most retailers including Amazon.

In terms of accessories, everything is available from their shop. For instance, you can get replacement filters and brushes. If you want, you can also save some money by getting third-party parts. Just make sure to check the reviews first.