When I first got my first Roomba, I used to ask myself, how long does Roomba take to charge? So, you probably got yourself a Roomba vacuum cleaner and need to know how to handle its charging. Or your old Roomba misbehaves on the charger, and you need to gather all the charging facts. Worry not, as I got you, and I will help you answer your Roomba charging concerns. So, how long does Roomba take to charge?
Usually, the Roomba takes 2 hours to charge fully. This is when the battery is in good condition. The solid color of green or white indicates that your Roomba is fully charged. The Roomba battery lasts around 90 minutes, which is one cleaning cycle that depends on your Roomba’s runtime.
In this article, we will dive into detail to help know how long it takes Roomba to charge and tips to extend your Roombas battery life.
How Long Does Roomba Take to Charge?
Usually, Roomba takes 2 hours to charge fully. The iRobot advises that one lets their Roomba fully charge before sending it on a cleaning task.
The 2 hours charging time is when your Roomba is under normal conditions, and the battery is also healthy and at optimal performance levels.
Again, several factors will affect your Roomba charging time and speed. A faulty battery, for example, may give the impression that Roomba charges quickly. You have to ask yourself, why is my Roomba vacuum cleaner charging so fast? Indeed, something isn’t right.
Sometimes, you notice that Roomba isn’t charging or takes forever to charge. Dirty or dusty charging terminals affect the connection between your Roomba and the charging dock.
Therefore, it’s essential to occasionally clean the charging points and terminals on your Roomba and the docking station.
See also: Roomba not Charging.
How Do I Know If My Roomba Is Fully Charged?
To know if Roomba is fully charged, you observe the indicator light. If your Roomba is fully charged, the indicator light is green or white, depending on your Roomba model.
The indicator light depends on your Roomba model;
- For Roomba 900, 800, 700, and 600 series, the indicator color shows solid green when Roomba is fully charged.
- For the Roomba j, e, and I series, the indicator color shows a solid white when Roomba is fully charged.
In recent Roomba models, the indicator light is not always on. The Roomba turn them off to conserve energy. To check your Roomba charging status, press the “Clean” button and observe the indicator color.
The indicator lights commonly used to show different charging states are as follows;
- Green or white shows the Roomba battery is full
- Pulsing amber or white indicates that Roomba is charging
- Red or pulsing red shows that the battery is low
If your Roomba is one of the latest models, you can use the iRobot Home app to tell the status of your Roomba charging. Open your app and check the battery indicator at the top-right corner.
Check our article for detailed analysis: How To Know If Roomba Is Charging
How Long Does a Roomba Battery Last?
A Roomba battery can last 2 to 4 years, with more than 400 recharges. The Roomba’s lifespan high depends on your maintenance practices. Although, eventually, the battery life lapses and replacement becomes necessary.
So, how long does a Roomba charge last?
Once the battery is full, it lasts at least a cleaning cycle, ranging from 60 – 120 minutes.
How long the Roomba last on a full battery depend on the model’s runtime. Runtime is the amount of time it takes to deplete a fully charged battery while on the cleaning job.
In short, it’s how long your Roomba runs before requiring a recharge. Different Roomba models have different runtimes; check out the table below for various Roomba models charging and runtimes.
| Roomba Model | Runtime | Charging Time |
| Roomba 690, 675, and 690 | 90 minutes | 2 hours |
| Roomba 890 | 60 minutes | 2 hours |
| Roomba E5 | 90 minutes | 2 hours |
| Roomba 960 | 75 minutes | 2 hours |
| Roomba 981 and 985 | 120 minutes | 2 hours |
| Roomba j7 / j7+ | 75 minutes | 2 hours |
| Roomba i7 / i7+ | 75 minutes | 2 hours |
| Roomba s9 / s9+ | 120 minutes | 2 hours |
You are probably asking, are these runtimes enough for Roomba to clean your house? Probably not. Once the battery runs low before your Roomba is done cleaning, it will return to the charging dock, sufficiently recharge and resume the cleaning job to completion.
One should endorse some good maintenance practices to keep your Roombas battery running for longer and healthy. So, how do you take care of a Roomba battery?
How Do You Take Care of a Roomba Battery?
A Roombas’ battery lasts many cleaning cycles with good maintenance before calling for a replacement. Use these tips to extend the battery lifespan and keep your Roomba running at peak performance.
- Roomba battery can last up to two years. Always use iRobot batteries or those from certified dealers. Avoid using counterfeit batteries.
- Frequently use your Roomba. If used regularly, the rechargeable battery delivers more cleaning jobs.
- Whether through the home base or directly, keep your Roomba plugged into the mains when not in use.
- Keep your Roomba and the charging base tidy and clean. Dust and dirt accumulation on the contact points and terminals slows down charging. Also, a clogged Roomba runs slowly, hence, consuming more power.
- Recharge your battery as soon as possible. Once your Roomba has drained the battery, please don’t wait for days before recharging it. This hurts your battery’s capacity and may end up damaging it.
- When going for an extended period without using your Roomba, Store your fully charged Roomba in a cool, dry place, away from children ?. It’s advisable to fully charge the battery every six months to maintain its performance levels properly.
- If your Roomba runs on a NiMH battery, most old Roomba models do; fully charge the battery and remove it when storing it for an extended period. To get your Roomba working again, after inserting the battery and fully charge before use.
- Generally, store your charged Roomba in a cool, dry place.
Can I Leave Roomba Charging Overnight?
Yes, you can let your Roomba charge overnight. It’s a good battery maintenance practice to keep your Roomba plugged in when not in use anyway.
This ensures that your Roomba is fully charged and ready for the next cleaning task. The 16-hour refresh charge can also be a reason to keep your Roomba charging overnight.
Your Roomba automatically initiates the 16-hour refresh charge if the battery has been heavily drained. It refreshes the battery, recovers lost charge cycles and helps extend the battery life.
However, if you don’t intend to use your Roomba for a long period, longer than a few weeks, then it’s advisable to fully charge Roomba and store it in a cool, dry place.
How Long Does It Take Roomba to Charge the First Time?
Roomba manufacturers, the iRobot, recommend that Roomba’s first-time charge be at least 12 hours. You can let your Roomba first charge last overnight to ensure it’s sufficiently charged.
This keeps the battery healthy and extends its lifespan.
After the first charge, the subsequent charges should take 2 hours in all Roomba models.
Should I Leave My Roomba Plugged in All the Time?
Yes, you can leave your Roomba plugged when not in use. iRobot recommends this as a battery maintenance tip to keep it healthy.
Even if your Roomba runs once a week, it’s still advisable to keep it plugged in all the time.
Well, that’s not to say you can’t unplug your Roomba. What if you don’t intend to use it for three months or are heading for your annual bi or weekly vacation?
If that’s the case, then fully charge your Roomba and remove the battery. Then store the Roomba and the battery in a cool, dry place. For new Roomba models, those with Li-Ion batteries, you can keep them with the battery inside.
Final Thoughts
Under normal conditions, your Roomba takes 2 hours to charge fully. Various factors will affect how long your Roomba takes charges over time. Therefore, it’s advisable to employ the battery maintenance tips discussed above to help prolong your Roomba’s battery life. Usually, the battery lifespan is between 2 to 4 years.
It’s a good practice to let your Roomba stay plugged in when not in use. Therefore, Your Roomba charging overnight shouldn’t be an issue. When your Roomba isn’t going to be used for a long time, charge and store it properly.
