Roomba Without WiFi | Does it Work? Which Ones are Best?

Martin

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Household chores still take up a lot of time today. If you are one of those people who are very busy at work, you will certainly be happy to use modern technical aids. Is your free time important to you? Then simply free yourself from tedious tasks like vacuuming. The Roomba Robot Vacuum Cleaner will do the job for you. While you read a good book or cook dinner, the Roomba robot vacuum cleans your floors. It does this even when you’re not home. 

But doesn’t the Roomba vacuum robot need Wi-Fi? This is a question that many people ask themselves when they want to buy a Roomba. The Roomba comes in several models. Some of them work without Wi-Fi – these are our favorites:

  1. Roomba 615
  2. Roomba 980*
  3. Roomba i7*

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Roomba without Wi-Fi: Advantages & Disadvantages

PRO:

  • Cheaper to buy than digitized models;
  • easy to operate via buttons or remote control (remote control not available for all models);
  • Protection of privacy (of your personal data) remains guaranteed;
  • no special technical infrastructure in your premises is necessary;
  • The most important cleaning components of Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners work without Wi-Fi.

CON:

  • Efficient routing and cleaning procedures are not in place. Places are approached more frequently for cleaning (higher power requirement).
  • Only limited possibilities for individualization (difficult with no-go areas);
  • Control is only possible from close range.

Can I use a Roomba Robot Vacuum Cleaner without Wi-Fi?

Most Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners require a Wi-Fi connection for optimal functionality. But sometimes Roomba robots without a Wi-Fi connection are just a better solution. I’m sure you have your reasons for getting a Roomba that doesn’t require a Wi-Fi connection or app. Too much electronic gadgetry can take your focus away from what’s important. 

Do you want your vacuum cleaner to start right away? You don’t want to establish a WLAN connection and also use an app on your mobile phone? Then you are in good company. Because robotic vacuum cleaners without Wi-Fi also vacuum well. It’s all about the cleaning power and performance of your Roomba Robot Vacuum Cleaner.

Top reasons to buy a Roomba robot vacuum without Wi-Fi:

  • Data protection (the most important decision criterion for most users)
  • Technical infrastructure
  • price-performance ratio
  • Ease of use

A Roomba without Wi-Fi is great for people who don’t like technical gadgets. But also for older people who are less familiar with modern technology, a Roomba without Wi-Fi is an optimal household aid. The inhibition threshold towards complex technology can thus be eliminated.

Which Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners work without Wi-Fi?

Roomba robotic vacuums are available in a variety of styles. There are those with a lot of technical and digital bells and whistles and those that work as soon as they are switched on. Simpler and older models of the Roomba robot vacuum have an on/off switch and cleaning mode settings. The Roomba brand offers three robotic vacuum cleaners that don’t require a Wi-Fi or app:

  1. Roomba 615
  2. Roomba 980*
  3. Roomba i7*

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All three devices focus on the essentials. Even if the vacuum robots without Wi-Fi do not work at the highest level of possibility, at the end of the day only two factors are decisive: the cleaning result and your satisfaction. Here’s an overview of the most important factors that make a good Roomba robot vacuum without Wi-Fi:

  • The robotic vacuum cleaners are flat and therefore fit under a lot of furniture.
  • The suction power is high enough to remove all dirt.
  • You access different cleaning modes.
  • Battery life is one of the key factors in choosing a wireless Roomba robot vacuum. The battery life should be at least 1.5 hours up to 2.5 hours.
  • The three Roomba devices differ in volume. Pay attention to the decibel number.
  • Brush attachments for carpets, hard floors and parquet are important for the cleaning result.
  • When it comes to safety features like collision and anti-fall sensors, the three Roomba vacuum robots differ without Wi-Fi.
  • Dust tank with high or at least sufficient capacity;
  • modern filter technologies such as HEPA are particularly allergy-friendly.

The WLAN-free Roomba vacuum robots and their functions for you at a glance

The Roomba 615, Roomba 980 and Roomba i7 non-Wi-Fi vacuum robots have received positive reviews from those in the know. But they are also different. Before you decide on a Roomba without Wi-Fi, here are some key facts to help you out.

Roomba 980 and Roomba i7

Both the Roomba 980 and Roomba i7 allow you to use these robotic vacuum cleaners with or without the internet. For use without Wi-Fi and Internet, you simply start cleaning manually using the buttons. It’s easy to use. These Wi-Fi-free Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners only have three buttons:

  1. Dock button
  2. Clean button
  3. Spot button

The Dock Button easily directs iRobot to return to its Docking Station. The Clean button is a simple way to start cleaning. The Spot Button gives you the advantage of cleaning individual spots or specific areas in your rooms that you define. The best way to use the Spot button is as follows:

You carry your Roomba i7 or Roomba 980 to the specific area in your room you want to clean. Then press the Spot button. The Spot button activates the iRobot to start spiraling around the area you want to clean over a one-meter diameter area. It will sweep this area both outward and inward.

How does the Roomba i7 or 980 navigate your rooms without Internet or Wi-Fi?

In principle, all Roomba vacuum robots need a map to navigate through your rooms. This map is stored on a cloud server. However, an internet connection is required to connect to it. If you don’t want to use this, the Roomba i7 and 980 vacuum robots will still clean your rooms accurately. The problem is that without a navigation map, your Roomba will move through your rooms in a disorganized fashion. As a result, some areas of the room may be cleaned multiple times, while others may be cleaned poorly or not at all. You would then have to manually place the Roomba again.

For the best cleaning results without Wi-Fi, position your Roomba i7 and Roomba 980 right in the middle of the room. You’ll also want to remove any potential obstacles. For example, you could put up chairs. From the center of your room, your Roomba has the largest possible area to clean. That means it can move freely around the room without a navigation map. So even without the Internet, you can reach your best cleaning destination.

Another way to prevent Roomba from navigating the room in a disorganized manner is to use Virtual Walls to define specific areas. These are small barriers that you place around the room. They help Roomba find its way around without using Wi-Fi, cleaning all the areas you want almost as effectively one by one as a navigation map.

Both the i7 and Roomba 980 are highly effective without Wi-Fi and app control. The most important results you can expect from both Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners without Wi-Fi use:

  • keeps the most important areas of your rooms clean;
  • the removal of crumbs can be adjusted.
  • The i7 removes even the most stubborn dirt with its integrated suction station.
  • Thanks to advanced dirt-detect technology, both Roomba models instantly detect the severity of debris and remove it accordingly.
  • Clean Base will save you the tedious task of vacuuming for many years.

And how is the Roomba 615 doing without Wi-Fi?

While you can decide for yourself whether you want to use Wi-Fi or not with the two iRobots i7 or Roomba 980, the Roomba 615 is a highly effective entry-level model for which Wi-Fi and app use are not even planned. This makes this robot vacuum a very affordable model that anyone can afford.

The Roomba 615 is powerful enough to turn your rooms into a nice clean area. A mopping function is not available on this affordable Roomba model from iRobot. A few important facts about this Roomba robot vacuum for you:

  • Running time: 1 hour
  • Dust container capacity: 0.6 liters
  • Height: 9.2 cm
  • Model year: 2015
  • Volume: 59 dB

Roomba 615 gives you great cleaning results on a variety of floor surfaces. The noise level is variable and varies depending on the room situation or floor covering. This Roomba robot vacuum is particularly well suited for small rooms. Occasionally, the Roomba 615 gets caught under furniture due to its slightly higher height. However, this can be easily corrected. This Roomba model does not have a callback button.

What are the key benefits of the Roomba 615?

Although the Roomba 615 without Wi-Fi function is a very simple version of a vacuum robot, the advantages are still impressive. The most important advantages of the Roomba 615 at a glance:

  • Very good cleaning results on many different floor coverings;
  • due to the easy operability best suitable as a beginner model;
  • well-developed obstacle detection;
  • adjusts its suction power to the amount of dirt on the floor.

What else is there to say about a Roomba robot vacuum without Wi-Fi?

The reasons to choose a Roomba robot vacuum without Wi-Fi are as varied as the Roomba models themselves.

Although everyone could afford a vacuum robot nowadays, many people still vacuum their floors laboriously themselves. The reason is often the lack of infrastructure.

Data protection and infrastructure

Justifiably, many people have concerns about connecting their devices to WLAN at home. It is known that even robotic vacuum cleaners can spy on people in this way. However, there is hardly any reason for concern, as most devices, such as the Roomba models, are equipped with security functions. But residual doubts remain. Are you one of those people who want to play it safe? Then the Roomba vacuum robots, which achieve good results even without Wi-Fi, are just right for you.

These Roomba models hardly lose anything in terms of quality. Nevertheless, there are data giants like Amazon, Google and Co. By mapping your home, companies like these know exactly what is where in your home. If your privacy is important to you, there are many reasons to choose a Roomba robot vacuum without Wi-Fi.

Features and costs

Roomba robotic vacuums without Wi-Fi and an app offer you solid basic functionality without any extra intelligence. What’s missing here are mapping, navigation or learning capabilities of your robot vacuum. Just think about whether you actually need these features. Your rooms will also be clean with a Roomba Robot Vacuum Cleaner without Wi-Fi, which then simply takes over the function of a high-quality vacuum cleaner, but without any effort or work for you. 

Keep in mind that all additional features also mean additional costs. All the important features like cleaning modes, timers and collision protection are available on most Roomba robots without Wi-Fi.

Roomba without Wi-Fi: How do our favorites perform?

Roomba i7

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The Roomba i7 impressed with its two sturdy yet gentle rubber brushes. With 10 times the suction power and a 3-stage cleaning system, the Roomba i7 tackles even the most stubborn dirt. The fact that iRobot has more than 30 years of experience in the field of suction technology was also taken into account in the positive evaluation. 

Robotic technologies and constant innovation are the hallmarks of the Roomba manufacturer. With the Roomba i7 your floor coverings are not only clean. Through a special suction process, they get a well-groomed shine. Another plus point that was included in the very positive test result for the Roomba i7: crumbs are completely removed.

Roomba 615

The Roomba 615 entry-level robot vacuum without Wi-Fi has a lot to live up to with its performance. Equipped with 30 watts, it cleans both carpets and smooth floor surfaces. Some reasons could convince of this device in particular: You do not need bags. The device comes with a fixed container. Cleaning your floors with the Roomba 615 is as easy as cleaning the bin. You can simply rinse it out.

The automatic return to the charging station after work is done or when the battery capacity is exhausted is just one highlight of this vacuum cleaner. It always recharges itself automatically. You start this robot vacuum from iRobot by simply pressing the clean button. Press the Dock button and the Roomba 615 immediately stops vacuuming. The easy handling is also convincing. 

The Roomba 615 also earned some points for preventing collisions due to its fine sensors. A small drop of bitterness: The robot vacuum recognizes dark objects on the floor only very poorly or not at all. However, due to its stable construction, the device does not take any damage in case of a collision. The Roomba 615’s stable construction also earned it a special test result.

This robot vacuum cleaner rarely knows straight paths. It orients itself to the obstacles like a billiard ball. It jumps from obstacle to obstacle until all surfaces in between are cleaned. This well-functioning system also contributes to the positive test result. The price/performance ratio of the Roomba 615 is convincing. The reasonable cleaning result at the end is quite respectable.

Another positive effect with small pitfalls:

The device is very very fast on the go. It therefore requires very little time for cleaning. Small children and pets should therefore not be in the room during the cleaning process. They could otherwise be hit. For allergy sufferers, the Roomba 615 is rather less suitable. It does not have a HEPA filter.

Roomba 980

If the Roomba 980 runs out of juice during the vacuuming process, it will continue to vacuum automatically after recharging until all the dirt has been completely removed from your floors. It’s this advantageous feature that makes the Roomba 980 so popular. The Roomba 980 travels in relatively straight lines, even without navigation maps.

Even the toughest dirt is no problem for it thanks to the 3-stage cleaning system and 10 times the suction power of many other models. Roomba 980 detects heavily soiled areas with advanced Dirt Detect technology. Immediately, it powerfully tackles the heavily soiled areas, cleaning up any mess extremely thoroughly. You can choose between the colors black or blue for this robot vacuum, just the way you like it.

Conclusion

Robot vacuum cleaners without Wi-Fi also vacuum well. That’s what the research proves. You don’t really need Wi-Fi to make your floors shine clean. The company iRobot shows with its three robot vacuum models, which manage without Wi-Fi, what really matters. The robotic vacuum cleaners offer modern technologies and functions that make cleaning your floors easier. 

Another significant advantage is that your data is safe. The test results also reflect the positive performance of the three Roomba 615, Roomba 980 and i7 vacuum robots, which are quite respectable, and without artificial intelligence. You don’t have to do without good cleaning quality here. What’s more, you won’t have to spend time dealing with the digital complexity of a robot vacuum.

You don’t have to carry out any complex programming. The robotic vacuum without Wi-Fi works autonomously at the touch of a button. The advantages of a Roomba without Wi-Fi outweigh the disadvantages. What’s missing here is the individualization of certain areas to be cleaned. You can counteract this in an elegant way with virtual walls. These are small, intentionally placed obstacles in your rooms. Your Roomba will drive around them to define the zones you want your Roomba to clean.


Attention: When installing electronic equipment, please be sure to observe the manufacturer’s safety instructions. You have to take care of your own safety. The information on this site only helps you to learn.
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