iRobot Roomba 618 Robotic Vacuum (Complete 2022 Review and Buying Guide) 

If you're looking for a vacuum that can 'drive' itself to make your cleaning easier and faster, this article will be talking about theiRobot Roomba 618 robotic vacuum, its features, functions, and why they are a favorite. 

What Is the iRobot Roomba 618 Robotic Vacuum?

Theirobot Roomba 618 robotic vacuum is a user-friendly and simple-to-use vacuum that provides a good clean with a click of a button. With this robot vacuum, you don't need to bother spending hours cleaning around the house, and it does it for you by itself.  

This robotic vacuum performs the function of cleaning any type of dirt on both carpet and hardwood floors. If you have two kinds of floors, the auto-adjust head changes the height of the vacuum to suit the type of floor for maximum cleaning. 

Design and Features 

• Cleaning begins with a push of a button
• There is a three-stage cleaning system to pick up large debris, pet hair, or dust via a very powerful suction
• Due to its build, it can reach under the furniture to get rid of dirt
• It features an intelligent sensor that guides the robot around furniture, so it doesn't bump into things
• It has a cliff detector sensor that is able to prevent the robot from falling down the stairs 
• It docks and recharges automatically when the battery is low
• Edge-sweeping brushes designed to reach every wall corner and edges
• It features a Dual-Multi surface brush that can pick up even the tiniest dirt
• Auto-adjust cleaning head
• Xlife extends the battery life providing 4x the runtime

Pros 

• Three-stage cleaning
• Cliff detector sensor
• Easy to use
• Edge-sweeping brush
• Dual-multi surface brushes
• Not very expensive
• Small and easy to store
• XLife extended battery

Cons

• No mobile app or voice commands
• It doesn't take into account areas that have been cleaned or not
• The product uses an aeroVac filter that doesn't catch allergens such as dander, or dust mites

Specifications

Who Should Buy The iRobot Roomba 618 Robotic Vacuum? 

• If you live in a small house that doesn't require long hours of cleaning, this product is the best for you. 

• Buy this product if you want a simple vacuum without too many features. 

• The vacuum isn't too expensive, so people on a budget can afford it.

• If you have pets, this product will help you eliminate pet-related problems, cleaning-wise.

On the other hand, if you have a bigger home with lots of furniture, steer clear of this product. If you are also looking for something grand which offers you limitless features (like remote control, WiFi connection, an app, cleaning schedules), do not buy the product. 

Review of The iRobot Roomba 618 Robotic Vacuum

The vacuum is relatively cheap for a self-cleaning device. It doesn't mean that the vacuum is inferior to other similar brands and models. Its low price is due to the fact that it doesn't feature a lot of technical stuff like having to use a voice recognition feature or voice assistance. 

Its features and controls are easy to understand and use. There are three buttons on the surface of the machine—the big central button is labeled 'clean.' When you press it for the first time, it puts the vacuum on (so you can also say it serves as an 'on' button). The second time you press the button will begin the cleaning process. 

Just below the central button is the 'dock button.' To activate this mode, press the 'clean' button to pause the cleaning once, then press the 'dock' button. The button will send the device to the charging station to begin recharging. The device is powered by a 1800mAh lithium-ion battery. It can last up to an hour, and once the battery gets below 15%, the vacuum stops cleaning and goes to recharge automatically. The battery will take up to three hours to fully recharge. 

The last button is above the 'clean' button. It is the 'spot' button meant to clean a particular area of dirt. You have to carry the vacuum to the spot and then press the button for it to clean. The robot will clean the place plus three feet away from where you had originally intended. 

There's a downside to the simplicity of the vacuum, and not everyone can use it. For example, people with back pain or older people will have difficulty bending to press the buttons and lifting the vacuum to spots that need cleaning. 

For people without these issues, this could be the perfect vacuum. It does not need navigation because it has three sensors, one of which can detect bumps.

The bump sensor is a combination of infrared (alerts and nudges the robot from obstacles) and acoustic sensors (slows down the robot when it observes a blockage)  that prevent the robot from crashing into barriers (walls, furniture, etc.). The robot will be able to determine if the obstacle is solid, like a wall or if it can be maneuvered, like a cushion. 

You can find the drop sensor at the bottom of the vacuum. It determines how far the floor is from the body of the vacuum by sending out an infrared beam. If the distance is too wide, the robot changes direction. This function is what prevents it from falling off stairs and thresholds. 

The final sensor is the infrared dirt detection sensor. It works hand in hand with the brush rolls to tackle any dirt until it is gone.

The iRobot Roomba 618 is designed to fit any type of floor but it's most suitable for hard floors. Rugs or carpets with long shaggy hair might get caught in the vacuum and you will have to remove them manually. The vacuum cleans dirt in the carpet/rug, not the rug itself. It doesn't have a high volume and you will need to inspect the area it's cleaning and also carry it to places you want to deeply clean unless it's going to spend a lot of time cleaning just one room/area. 

iRobot Roomba 618 Robotic Vacuum Vs. NOISZ by ILIFE S5 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Vs. Tikom G6000 Robot Vacuum

Questions About The iRobot Roomba 618 Robotic Vacuum

Is it wiFi compatible?

No, it isn't. 

Does it come with a docking station or do I need to get one myself?

The Roomba 618 comes with a home base charging station and line cord. 

Does it come with a virtual wall?

No, it doesn't. You will have to purchase one by yourself. There are compatible virtual walls available to pair with the Roomba 618. 

How many brushes does it have?

It has one brush and a rubber roller. 

Does it come with accessories?

No, it doesn't come with any accessories but you can purchase other accessories separately. 

Can I replace the battery? 

Yes, the battery can be replaced. You buy another Roomba 1800 lithium-ion battery for a low price. 

How good is it at cleaning up after pets?

It has a powerful suction that can take a pet's hair and cat litter quite easily. 

How good is the Roomba 618 at cleaning rugged floors?

It is very good at picking up dirt from any type of floor. The only complication that may arise is when the rug is very thick and it has to switch from a hard floor. It is going to take time going up to the rug and it might just bump around it until you will have to place the vacuum on the rug yourself.

How near to the docking station does the robot have to be to dock itself?

About three to four feet away from the docking station. After you press the button, it goes to the station.

Can I use another docking station for the vacuum?

No, you can't. The docking station is specific to the unit you have.

How good is the unit at cleaning edges and corners?

It is very great. Although, there are times when you might still need to go over their edge with a regular vacuum. 

Video of iRobot Roomba 618 Robotic Vacuum Review

Conclusion

The irobot Roomba 618 is very convenient to use. It doesn't require a lot of flashy tech features and it still does a very decent job at cleaning the home.