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Review of the iRobot Roomba e6 6198: Everything you Need to Know

Think robot vacuums are only for homes with only hard-surface floors? Think again. The iRobot Roomba e6 6198 can thoroughly vacuum any type of floor. If you have kids who leave dirt and crumbs in their wake or pets that shed fur everywhere, the e6 can make those messes disappear.

Review of the iRobot Roomba e6 6198


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Introduction to the Roomba E6

How? One of iRobot’s newest innovations is a dual rubber brushroll system that loosens as it lifts without wrapping hair in the process, and the robot has a set of treaded wheels with impressive climbing power. An angled side brush and dirt-detect suction round out the robot’s main dirt-removing features.

You also get the benefit of Wi-Fi connectivity. Install iRobot’s smartphone app to remote start the robot or pair the e6 with an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device for voice control. As it cleans, quick-thinking sensors offer smooth navigation while the lithium-ion battery keeps the robot moving for an hour and a half. There are even two virtual wall barriers you can use to create no-cross areas.

With its ability to auto dock, the Roomba e6 6198 doesn’t have to wait for you to place it on the charger. If you’re sensitive to allergens, the high-performance filter greatly reduces pesky dust particles, animal dander, and plant pollen. Check out the full description of this affordable, intelligent robot vacuum’s features below.

iRobot Roomba e6 Specs
Suction Power 1700 Pa
Сleaning Area 1615 ft2
Dust Container500 ml
Battery Capacity 1800 mAh
Run-time 90 min
Charging Time 120 min
Noise65 db
Weight 7.43 lbs
Width 13.50 in
Height 3.70 in
ReleaseSep 2018
PriceClick here


iRobot Roomba e6 6198 Review

An Extensive Runtime

At the heart of the Roomba e6 6198’s high-quality performance, there is a lithium-ion battery. The battery’s large capacity means the robot can run for 1.5 hours on a full charge. You’ll never have to wake up or come home to a robot vacuum with a dead battery. The e6 is designed to automatically nest on the dock where it takes just 3 to 4 hours to recharge.

The iRobot Roomba e6 is available at the iRobot website. However, we favor the iRobot Roomba E5 Robot Vacuum. Same features for a lower price.

We recommend the Roomba e6 if you’re looking for:

  • Want virtual walls
  • Great cleaning results
  • Want ordinary navigation
  • Want a good price

    Unwavering Suction

    Besides a long runtime, another benefit of having a robot vacuum with a lithium-ion battery is suction that won’t fade when the battery level gets low. Equally impressive is the suction’s strength.

    A side-by-side comparison of the e6 and the 600’s suction power revealed that the Roomba e6 has five times the suction strength as its 600 Series counterpart, particularly when the e6 is in dirt-detect mode.

    What is dirt-detect mode? This is a sensor-controlled feature that iRobot calls Dirt Detect Series II. When the sensor discovers an extra-dirty spot on the floor, it tells the robot to kick up its suction power. No matter whether dirt detect is engaged, the Roomba e6’s floor plate automatically lowers and raises to maximize the robot’s 7-inch-wide suction path.

    iRobot Roomba e6 Cleaning
    Suction Power 1700 Pa
    Сleaning Area 1615 ft2
    Dust Container500 ml
    Auto Dirt Disposal no
    Wet Mopping no
    Barrier-cross Height 0.71 in
    HEPA Filtration yes
    Washable Filter no


    iRobot Roomba e6 Review

    Flexible Brushrolls

    Cleaning the brush roll is the bane of every vacuum cleaner owner’s existence. Now, you can say bye bye to that pesky chore. The two brushrolls on the Roomba e6 robot vacuum detangle hair themselves. These counter-rotating brushrolls are made of rubber, which prevents tangles from forming and provide enough flexibility to lift better than rigid brushrolls.

    On the side of the robot vacuum, there is a triple-propeller brush. This brush is bent at a 27-degree angle, so it can clean corners without leaving behind dirt. The side-sweeping brush also does a phenomenal job at dusting baseboards.

    A Smartphone App

    No more remote controls to add to your collection at home. Distance control comes in the form of a smartphone app that works with Androids and iPhones when the e6 is connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network.

    With the iRobot HOME app, you can set a vacuuming schedule on a daily or weekly basis and start a cleaning session in an instant. The app also offers a slew of alerts and statuses. You can view the battery level, cleaning history, get full-bin alerts and even name the e6.

    iRobot Roomba e6 6198 Robot Vacuum

    Alexa and Assistant

    Are you already on the road to having a smart home? You can add another appliance to the network with an Amazon Alexa or a Google Assistant device. When paired to either virtual assistant, you can tell the Roomba e6 to “start,” “stop” and “dock.”

    ISPs have downtime, and smartphones get misplaced. Therefore, you may need to control your robot vacuum with onboard buttons from time to time. On the e6 6198, the onboard controls allow you to start and pause a vacuuming session. You may also send the robot to its charging dock or engage spot mode, which spirals the robot in a 3-foot circle to clean a pile of dirt.

    The faceplate of the e6 even displays visual indicators. The battery indicator goes from amber to green when the robot vacuum is done charging, and the Wi-Fi indicator lets you know if there’s an issue with the robot’s connection to the Internet. Whenever dirt detect or detangling is in progress, indicators will also light up.

    iRobot Roomba e6 Control
    Scheduling yes
    IR Remote Control no
    App yes
    Wi-Fi Frequency Bands 2.4 GHz
    Amazon Alexayes
    Google Assistantyes
    Virtual Walls 2


    Smart Sensors

    When it comes to the responsiveness of robot vacuum sensors, iRobot typically leads the pack. The Roomba e6 boasts multiple sensors that make one navigation decision every second. There are also cliff sensors that keep the robot vacuum away from stairs and elevated landings. If you turn on the included virtual wall barriers, the robot vacuum’s room-confinement sensor will detect their presence. A weekly wipe down will maintain the sensors’ sensitivity.

    iRobot Roomba e6 Robot Vacuum

    Dual-Mode Barriers

    Pet dishes, a fireplace, a corded-up entertainment center – There are places you don’t want your robot vacuum to venture. To stop the e6 from entering a room or an area of a room, there is iRobot’s dual-mode virtual wall barrier.

    Move the barriers’ switch up and down to toggle between line mode and halo mode. With the Roomba e6, you get two barriers, which means you can put one in front of your bedroom doorway while you’re sleeping and the other one next to Fido’s water dish.

    An Adept Climber

    Some robotic vacuums have difficulty going from hardwoods to carpet while others just can’t cut it when moving across a carpeted floor. You won’t see the e6 robot vacuum experience either of these problems. Thanks to a pair of treaded wheels, the 13.6-inch-wide, 3.6-inch high robot can climb over thresholds, transition to a higher floor and plow through thick carpet.

    Wherever the robot vacuum roams, its soft-touch bumper prevents accidental damage to the robot and your furniture. At 7.2 pounds, the robotic vacuum is lightweight enough to carry, but iRobot still added a recessed handle to make the task easier.

    iRobot Roomba e6 Robotic Vacuum Review

    iRobotRoomba i3Roomba e5Roomba 675
    3 Stage-Cleaning SystemPremiumPremiumYes
    Suction power10x5xStandard
    Cleaning patternNeat RowsAdoptiveAdoptive
    RuntimeRecharge & resumeUp to 90 minutesUp to 90 minutes
    Intelligent navigation+ MappingYesYes
    Navigates obstacles & stairsYesYesYes
    Personalized cleaning recommendationsYesYesYes
    Smart home connectionYesYesYes
    Tangle resistant rubber brushesYesYesN/A
    High-Efficiency FilterYesYesN/A
    Connect to Braava jet m6 Robot MopYesN/AN/A
    PriceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

    A Rinsable Dirt Bin

    Even though the bin’s sole purpose is to hold the dirt and debris the robot collects like a garbage can’s purpose is to hold trash, you don’t want your vacuum’s bin or your home’s trash can to be filthy.

    Unlike the robot vacuums before it, you can rinse out the e6’s bin with water to keep the container clean and rid it of dirt buildup. Of course, be sure to let the bin completely dry before you push it back into its designated compartment.

    To dump the contents of the bin, simply press the release button on the robot vacuum. Then, pull out the bin. The door on the bin opens when you push its tab. Thanks to the inclusion of a door, you won’t be subjected to irritating dust and dirt flying into the air.

    iRobot Roomba e6 Battery
    Battery Capacity 1800 mAh
    Runing time 90 min
    Charging Time 120 min
    Rated Power50 W


    Comprehensive Allergen Filtration

    Dirt and debris won’t be the only things you find inside of the Roomba e6’s bin. There is also a pleated filter. This high-efficiency filter traps 99 percent of allergens as small as 0.3 microns. This means the filter captures particles like soot, dust, dander, pollen, mold spores and bacteria.

    The filter isn’t reusable, but replacement filters are cheap. If you run the e6 daily, the filter should last about two months. To save you a few bucks, iRobot throws in an extra filter when you buy the Roomba e6 6198.

    iRobot Roomba e6

    A Good Marriage of Affordability and Performance

    You don’t have to sacrifice performance to get an affordable robot vacuum. iRobot’s Roomba e6 6198 is loaded with features yet comes at the low end of the mid-price range. You’re lucky to get an hour’s worth of runtime from a robot vacuum at the e6’s price point; however, this robot vacuums for 1.5 hours straight, which is nothing short of amazing.

    The lithium-ion battery keeps the suction steady from start to finish. The robot’s dirt-detect technology packs a punch, and it’s automatic too. Another auto feature is iRobot’s detangling rubber brushroll set. Between the flexible brushrolls and the self-adjusting floor plate, no dirt gets left behind.

    We like appliances with options, and iRobot gives us plenty in terms of controls. A smartphone app, virtual assistant compatibility, onboard buttons, and two barrier towers let you control the e6 how you want when you want and where you want.

    Heavy-duty wheels ensure the robotic vacuum cleaner keeps pace no matter what type of floor it’s cleaning. The water-safe bin means you can rinse the container to keep it nice and clean, and the allergen-trapping filter improves the indoor air quality in your home.

    iRobot Roomba e6 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

    You’ll notice a few trade-offs, which are easy to live with. For instance, two side brushes are preferable to a one-brush setup, but the angling of the e6’s side-sweeping brush makes up for this omission. Like all of iRobot’s Roombas, the e6 is a little taller than we’d like. In exchange for that extra height, you get a larger bin that you have to empty less often. Overall, the Roomba e6 6198 is a won’t-let-you-down robotic vacuum that will maximize the constraints of your budget.

    Video Review of the Roomba E6

    iRobot Roomba E6 (6199) Robot Vacuum - Wi-Fi...
    • iRobot Roomba e6 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum - Wi-Fi Connected, Works with Alexa, Ideal...
    • POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND POWERFUL PICK-UP - Pulls in stubborn dirt and messes with a...

    How Does the e6 6198 Compare to Other Roombas?

    iRobot’s selection of Roomba robotic vacuums is large and varied. To find out how the e6 performs in comparison to other Roombas, we reviewed and compared it to three of the most popular Roomba models to date – the 690, the i7 and the s9+.

    Roomba e6 vs. Roomba e5

    As you’d expect with any iRobot robotic vacuum cleaners, the Roomba e6 and e5 are equipped with multiple sensors that prevent falls and collisions. For customized zoned cleaning, iRobot included two dual-mode virtual walls with the e6. Their height of 3.6 inches does limit their ability to clean under some furniture, but they are able to clear most bed frames and some couches.

    Roomba e6 vs. Roomba e5

    The silver-and-black e6 and the black-on-black e5 run on the power of a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, averaging 90 minutes’ worth of runtime. Thanks to their ability to self-dock and auto-charge, you don’t have to lift them by their integrated handle and place them on the dock when the battery dies.

    If you have pets that shed, you’ll appreciate these robot vacuums’ brushrolls. On both models, the dual brushrolls are made of rubber, which makes them unlikely to tangle. The robots also have a side-sweeping brush that’s positioned at a 27-degree angle to optimize the brush’s dust-lifting ability.

    When their dirt-detect sensors locate small areas of dirt, the robots’ suction kicks into overdrive, lifting the debris fast. However, the e5 is better able to clean up large, heavy debris as its suction system is five times the strength of the e6’s. The iRobot Roomba e5 also has a dynamic floor plate, which puts the suction inlet closer to the floor.

    Since the e6 and e5 are two of iRobot’s Wi-Fi robot vacuums, you can install the iRobot HOME app on your smartphone to set a cleaning schedule and receive performance-related push notifications. If you choose, you can further automize either model via Alexa, Assistant or IFTTT.

    Differences Between the Roomba e6 and E5

    iRobot RoombaE6E5
    Virtual WallsYes (2)No


    Roomba e5

    Roomba e6 vs. Roomba i7 (7150)

    Like the e6, the Roomba i7 was made for pet owners. Both robotic vacuums use a dual-brushroll system that simultaneously loosens and lifts hair and other stubborn debris. Since these are rubber brushrolls, tangles are a rare occurrence. To help the vacuums collect dirt and sweep baseboards, both robots also have an angled side brush.

    Roomba e6 vs. Roomba i7 (7150)

    While each robot has a sensor that detects concentrated piles of dirt and a 99-percent efficient filter, the Roomba i7 produces 10 times the amount of suction force. Their floor plates differ too with the i7 automatically adjusting its height – The e6’s plate remains immobile.

    The runtimes for both models also differ. With the Roomba e6, you get 90 minutes of working time, which is 15 minutes longer than the i7’s runtime. However, the Roomba i7 is an auto-dock/auto-resume robot, meaning it continues cleaning after it self-charges. Roomba e6 users must begin another cleaning session after the robot self-docks.

    Cliff detection sensors come standard on these robot vacuums, but the i7 has an advanced routing system. Instead of infrared collision sensors, the i7 navigates with iRobot’s iAdapt 3.0 technology and vSLAM smart mapping. Therefore, the i7 moves more intelligently and logically. Still, the e6 comes with two as opposed to one dual-mode virtual wall.

    Along with iAdapt, the i7 also uses Imprint technology to learn the layout of your home and send that data to an in-app map. This means you can not only control the robot’s cleaning functions from the app as you would with the e6 but also label rooms and change the map’s borders. While both work with Alexa and Assistant, the i7 can vacuum by room with a simple voice command.

    Differences Between the Roomba e6 and i7

    iRobot RoombaE6i7
    Suction Power 1700 Pa1700 Pa
    Сleaning Area 1615 ft21991 ft2
    Dust Container500 ml500 ml
    Battery Capacity 1800 mAh3300 mAh
    Run-time 90 min75 min
    Charging Time 120 min120 min
    Noise65 db68 db
    Weight 7.43 lbs7.28 lbs
    Width 13.50 in13.31 in
    Height 3.70 in3.62 in
    ReleaseSep 2018Sep 2018


    Roomba i7 (7150)

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    Roomba e6 vs. Roomba s9+ (9550)

    The Roomba e6 communicates with in-bumper infrared sensors to detect objects and two dual-mode virtual walls for zone cleaning. However, the iRobot Roomba s9+ takes a different approach, locating obstacles faster thanks to technologies like vSLAM and Imprint Smart Mapping.

    Roomba e6 vs. Roomba s9+ (9550)

    Although they both have a lithium-ion battery, the e6 can run for 90 minutes as opposed to the s9+’s 75-minute working time. Nevertheless, the s9+ continues to clean after it auto-docks for a recharge. This feature means the s9+ requires no involvement from you if it needs to go another round.

    iRobot chose an all-rubber brushroll pair for both robots, but the s9+’s brushroll set is wider. Therefore, it can lift dirt along a bigger path. Its side brush is equipped with two extra blades, allowing the s9+ to sweep more dust per rotation. Since iRobot added Imprint Link to the Roomba s9+, the robo vac can pair with the Braava Jet M6 to create a vacuum-mop buddy system.

    Each robot vacuum has iRobot’s automatic suction-increase function and an allergen filter, but the s9+’s suction is 40 times more powerful than the e6’s. The s9+ is D-shaped, making it a better edge-cleaner than the e6, and it has an auto-adjusting floor plate. Additionally, the s9+’s bin loads from the top instead of the side. Plus, its base has a large-capacity dirt disposal that instantly collects the bin’s debris every time the s9+ docks.

    Both Wi-Fi-enabled robots work with the iRobot HOME app, IFTTT, Assistant and Alexa. As far as how many functions are available with your smartphone or virtual assistant, the s9+ offers more. Clean-by-room voice commanding, room labeling, zone selecting and per-room scheduling are all unique to the s9+ in comparison to the e6.

    Differences Between the Roomba e6 and s9+

    iRobot RoombaE6S9+
    Suction Power 1700 Pa2200 Pa
    Сleaning Area 1615 ft22153 ft2
    Dust Container500 ml400 ml
    Battery Capacity 1800 mAh3300 mAh
    Run-time 90 min120 min
    Charging Time 120 min240 min
    Noise65 db65 db
    Weight 7.43 lbs7.43 lbs
    Width 13.50 in13.34 in
    Height 3.70 in3.63 in
    ReleaseSep 2018May, 2019


    Roomba s9+ (9550)

    Robot Vacuum Infographic


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    About the author

    Hi I’m Alex, founder of HouseholdMe.com and I’d like to say thank you for dropping by. Like most of you, the first thing I look at before buying something online is reviews or buying guides. By reading what other people say will help me gauge whether or not a product is good or not.  I am trying to help people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired.

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