When I’m buying a rechargeable electronic device, I always consider the battery capacity and the lifespan of the battery. A long-serving battery enables you to get the most out of your device. The Roomba vacuum cleaner runs on a rechargeable battery, ultimately affecting its performance. So, how long do Roomba batteries last?
The Roomba battery averagely lasts between 2 – 4 years. The exact lifespan of your battery depends on your maintenance practices. With proper care, you will make your Roomba battery run for as long as possible before eventually replacing it.
In this article, we shall cover how exactly to extend the Roomba battery lifespan and how long it last. Let’s dive into it.
How Long Do Roomba Batteries Last?
Typically, the Roomba battery is meant to last between 2 and 4 years, with over 400 recharges. With good maintenance practices, the Roomba battery lasts longer before replacing. To extend the battery lifespan, employ good maintenance practices like keeping the Roomba plugged in when not used.
The better you maintain your Roomba robot vacuum, the longer you extend its lifespan. As some Roomba vac models aren’t cheap, we all want to get the most from the purchase. Thus, doing your due diligence and taking care of your Roomba ensures you receive a high Return on Investment.
Now that we have established that the Roomba battery can last between 2 – 4 years, how about how long a Roomba last on a single charge? Once the Roomba is fully charged and you send it on a cleaning task, it takes about 60 – 120 minutes to deplete the charge. This varies from one model to another as different models have different run times. In this article, you can check your Roomba model runtime and charge time; how long does Roomba take to charge?
In different online reviews, some say that their Roomba batteries run over 1.5 years before replacement; on the other side, some claim that the battery could function after barely six months.
Employing good maintenance practices, as stated, greatly improves your Roomba battery lifespan. I bet that’s all we want, to get the most out of the vacuum cleaner and continue enjoying the convenient home vacuuming experience.
How do I extend my Roomba battery life?
As you might have already seen, I have emphasized good maintenance practices several times. Well, this underlines the importance. Proper care will take you ages before replacing the Roomba battery.
To extend your Roomba battery life, consider the following good maintenance practices;
1. Use The Roomba Frequently and Keep It Plugged in When Not in Use
You might think that frequently running your Roomba exposes the battery to tear and wear. Well, that is not precisely the case with Roomba batteries. The Roomba vacuum contains a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that flourishes under regular use.
The Roomba NiMH batteries are made so that the cells crystalize if left unused for a long time. The crystallization, in turn, lowers the charge holding capacity. Hence, eventually affecting your Roomba performance levels or damaging the battery ultimately.
The iRobot Roomba recommends keeping your Roomba plugged in the power outlet when not in use. For example, say you run your Roomba once or twice a week; keep it connected even when you don’t have a cleaning schedule. There is an exception to this, though, like when you aren’t planning to use the Roomba for a while.
Therefore, ensure you regularly send your Roomba on cleaning errands and keep it plugged in when unused. This improves your Roomba battery lifespan and keeps your robot vacuum running longer.
Also, when your Roomba exhausts its charge, don’t keep it waiting before recharging. The iRobot advises that you recharge your Roomba as soon as possible.
2. Occasionally Exhaust the Roomba Battery
Once in a while, keep the Roomba running until it depletes the battery. The Roomba robot vacuum has the 16-hour refresh charge feature. This is usually activated if the Roomba senses the battery has been completely drained.
When your Roomba enters the 16-hour refresh charge cycle, let it charge for the entire 16-hour duration. The charge cycle refreshes your Roomba battery and recovers lost charge cycles. Hence, extending your Roomba battery lifespan.
If your Roomba initiates the 16-hour refresh charging, you will notice a quickly flashing orange color on the indicator. Don’t interrupt it, once done; your Roomba will be good to go with the indicator color turning green or white, depending on your Roomba model.
3. Keep The Roomba Clean (Especially the Brushes)
There is the famous phrase “the hunter becomes the hunted.” Well, as the Roomba has to help you with the cleaning task, you have to clean it from time to time. The Roomba accumulates dirt, dust, and debris over time.
Therefore, cleaning the Roomba internals and the charging contacts improves the Roomba’s performance levels. You should primarily ensure that you clean the brushes. You are probably wondering why you should clean your Roomba brushes.
The brushes accumulate dirt and debris over time and end up clogged up. When jammed up, the Roomba uses more power to run those brushes, draining the battery quicker. Keeping your robot vacuum saves the power consumption as it runs faster and offers optimal performance levels.
4. Use The Vacation Mode Storing When Not Using Roomba for Extended Periods
The older Roomba models came with NiMH batteries, while the newer ones are fitted with Lithium-ion batteries. If you don’t know your Roomba’s battery type, check it out here. When you are heading on your vacation or are sure you won’t need the Roomba services for a while, you need to employ the “Vacation mode.”
For the NiMH Roombas, the iRobot recommends charging up your battery, removing it from the unit, and storing it in a cool, dry place. Once back, charge up your Roomba battery to capacity before sending your Roomba on cleaning errands. This type of battery naturally degrades on its own; thus, the need to recharge before using.
On the other hand, for the Lithium-ion battery Roomba models, you don’t have to remove the battery from the Roomba. Fully charge your Roomba and store it in a cool, dry place. This keeps the Roomba intact and extends the lifespan of the Roomba battery. Check your Roomba battery type.
5. Keep The Roomba in a Cool Place
The most significant harm you could unknowingly bring to your Roomba is storing it in a hot place or direct sunlight. When choosing your home base location, among the other factors, you should consider whether the site is away from direct sunlight.
It should be a cool place to help the Roomba cool down after heating up during the cleaning tasks. Excessive overheating leads to quick battery degradation and short battery life. Most electronic devices are always stored in a cool and dry place.
Again, when storing your Roomba for extended periods, you should recharge it every six months to maintain the battery life at optimal levels.
How Do I Know If My Roomba Needs a New Battery?
The Roomba battery can last 2 – 4 years, with over 400 recharge cycles. However, eventually, the battery runs its course and needs replacing. Luckily the Roomba batteries are readily available in the market and don’t cost as much as a new Roomba robot vacuum unit.
Always use iRobot Roomba batteries or purchase from certified dealers to avoid voiding your warranty when replacing your Roomba battery.
When your Roomba battery trips, tell-tale signs suggest you probably need a new battery. These are some of the signs;
- The Roomba battery drains abnormally quick (10 – 15 minutes into a task)
- The battery depletes the charge quickly even after the 16-hour refresh charge
- The power indicator light doesn’t show
- Poor Roomba performance even after cleaning and replacing the Roomba parts
- Resetting the battery doesn’t improve the performance levels
- When your battery is old enough, even you know that a replacement is due
Final Thoughts
I am sure that you now know how long the Roomba batteries last. Generally, the Roomba battery lasts between two and four years, with over 400 recharge cycles. This lifespan is hugely affected by how well you maintain your Roomba robot vacuum.
To improve your Roomba battery life, ensure that you frequently use the Roomba, occasionally deplete the battery to initiate the 16-hour refresh charge, properly store your Roomba when in and not in use, and recharge your Roomba as soon as it drains the charge.
These maintenance tips will improve the lifespan of your Roomba battery and that of your Roomba in general.
