The Roomba 800 series isn’t without options. There are over a dozen models to choose from, not to mention the other series models as well as other brands of robotic vacuums. The Roomba 805 is a wallet-friendly, mid-tier option that provides a decent clean for a reasonable price.
Is the Roomba 805 right for you? This iRobot Roomba 805 review aims to find out. We will look at the features, options, and details of the robot and determine if it is a good fit for you and your flooring.
When it comes to performance and functionality, the Roomba 805 has some interesting features. Like a lot of the odd-numbered 800 series robots, the 805 is a hodge-podge of pieces from the 600 and 900 series models. Let’s see how it all works.
The first generation motor creates the suction and powers the wheels. It is the lowest powered motor that Roomba makes, producing 5x and 10x less power than the 890 and 980 (respectively). However, it does spin the rubber extractors, allowing it to agitate carpet and lift pet hair better than the models in the 600 series that use the same motor.
When it comes to the battery, the 805 self-monitors, and notes when the battery falls below a certain threshold. When this happens, the robot will stop the cleaning run and return to the charging dock to recharge.
There aren’t any cameras or lasers to provide visual mapping or navigation. The 805, instead, relies on touch and drop sensors to keep it on the floor and moving where it needs to go.
One notable feature missing is wireless communications. You won’t be able to control the robot with the iRobot Home App or voice commands. You can try out the remote control if you wish, which is a separate purchase.
- -iAdapt Navigation uses a full suite of sensors to...
- -Tangle-free extractors help prevent hair and...
- -Conveniently schedule up to 7x per week, or just...
- -Avoids stairs and other drop-offs -Automatically...
Benefits of Robotic Vacuums
Robotic vacuums have many benefits to everyday life. Convenience is the primary benefit. You can create a daily cleaning schedule for the Roomba 805, so it helps maintain your floor’s cleanliness. By doing so, you won’t have to pull out the large, heavy upright vacuum quite as often, freeing you up to get other tasks done.
With the 805, you also won’t have to spend as much time doing maintenance. The tangle-free rubber extractors take less than a minute to remove, clean off and reattach. The rest of the maintenance will take up another 5 minutes. It takes less time to maintain the robot as a whole than it does to clean your upright’s brush roll.
You will also be able to clean your floors at any time. Once you create a schedule, you don’t even have to be home to have your floors swept and vacuumed. The robot will clean your floors while you are at work, with minimal set up on your part.
Cleaning Time/Runtime | Up to 60 minutes |
Charging Time | 3 hours |
Robot Weight | 8.4 Pounds |
Robot Dimensions | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6 in. |
Coverage Area | Up to 800 Square Feet |
Warranty | 1-year limited warranty for robot and battery |
Features of Roomba 805
Roomba 805 comes with enough features to make the price worthwhile. You won’t find a lot of fancy bells and whistles, but what you will find is a robot that simply does its job.
AeroForce 3 Stage Cleaning
iRobot’s 3-stage cleaning system has continued to impress. The second generation, known as AeroForce, uses better filtration and suction to help keep your home cleaner. The side brush represents the first stage, sweeping the floors and placing the debris in the path of the robot.
In the second stage, collection, the rubber extractors lift and separate debris into the air chamber. The final step, filtration, uses HEPA style filters (with few exceptions) to collect allergen causing particles such as pet dander and dust mites.
One of those exceptions, though, is the Roomba 805. It uses the standard filter (an effort to lower the cost) and is not shipped with a HEPA style filter.
iAdapt Navigation
The Roomba 805 utilizes the first generation of navigation sensors. While you won’t have a camera-based navigation system, you will get a lot of infrared and acoustic sensors to help the robot move around.
The drop sensors located on the bottom side of the 805 serve two purposes. The first, as their name implies, keep the robot from falling off stairs. Secondly, they also act as dirt detection sensors to alert the robot that an area isn’t clean enough.
There are also touch sensors that tell the robot it is nearing an obstacle and needs to slow the approach. It will then use a pressure sensor after making contact to see if the obstacle is passable or solid, needing to be avoided.
Tangle Free Extractors
The extractor bars do not have any bristles or brushes. Instead, the counter-rotating bars use rubber paddles to agitate carpet, lift and separate debris and sweep hard flooring. Because there aren’t any bristles, you will find that clean up is a snap. Just remove the bars and wipe with your hand to remove anything that may have been wrapped around them.
They are called tangle-free extractors because the robot can free itself from snags. If, for example, it runs over a power cord, the robot will stop, reverse the extractors and attempt to free itself before moving on.
Scheduled Cleaning
Even without the wireless communications and mobile app usage, you can still create cleaning schedules with the Roomba 805. By using the controls found on the top of the robot body, you can set the date and time, which then allows you to make a schedule.
You can set one cleaning schedule, per day, for up to seven days. Once the week is over, you will have to create a new schedule, though it doesn’t take very long. Doing so will make the robot clean at a specific time each day. Even if you aren’t home, the robot will go about its job maintaining your floors.
Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier
When it comes to containment options, the Roomba line has arguably the most reliable and easy to use methods. The Roomba 805 comes with a dual-mode virtual wall barrier.
This small, battery-operated tower gives you two options: linear or halo. If linear is selected, the tower will produce an infrared beam that will extend past doorways or entrances, preventing the robot from passing through.
In halo mode, the infrared beam becomes a ring, encircling the tower outwards to four feet.
Auto Dock and Recharge
The Roomba 805 monitors its battery and continuously checks the remaining charge. When the battery charge gets too low, the robot will pause the cleaning and begin making its way back to the charging station.
To aid in this, the infrared sensor on top of the robot (called the RCON sensor) detects the beam from the Home Base charging dock, like a homing beacon. Once docked, the robot will recharge its battery. This is a process that takes about three hours.
The robot will not resume cleaning after a battery charge, unless it is time for the next scheduled clean or you manually restart it.
Performance of the iRobot Roomba 805
Where does the Roomba 805 perform the best? Where does it fall a little short? Let’s look at various scenarios to find out.
Carpets
The Roomba line will clean low and medium pile carpeting. Even the older 600 series. However, the power of the motor and brush rolls of the 600 series prevent cleaning high pile carpeting efficiently. The 805 has the same motor but uses the newer style rubber rollers.
While it can clean high pile carpeting, it won’t clean as well as the 900 series robots, specifically the Roomba 980 or 960. If you have a lot of square feet worth of high pile carpeting, you might want to avoid the Roomba 805.
Hardwood Flooring
For hard flooring surfaces such as vinyl, tile, hardwood, softwood, or granite, the Roomba 805 will become your new favorite machine.
With the tangle-free rubber extractors, the robot will sweep the floors clean without fear of scratches.
The rubber rollers work well on hard flooring surfaces to collect, lift, and separate debris making the Roomba 805 an exceptional value to hard floors.
Pet Hair Removal
When it comes to pet hair, the Roomba 805 is about the middle of the road. It will collect most, if not all, of it that accumulates on your hard flooring surfaces and along baseboards. However, on carpet, the motor just doesn’t have enough power to lift out all the individual hairs.
The Roomba 805 will collect more pet hair on carpet than you can see, but there will be plenty left behind. If you have a lot of carpeting and shedding pets, you may want to opt for the Roomba 890 or a model from the 900 series with a more powerful motor.
Area Size
The 1800mAH battery pack will provide the Roomba 805 with about one hour of charge. Without camera-based navigation, the 805 won’t be as efficient in cleaning. Using sporadic patterns that seem to go in any direction at any time do cut down on the amount of space it travels.
You can expect a single charge to cover about 800 square feet. If you live in a smaller home or apartment, this might be just right for you. However, larger homes may need a more robust option.
Multiple Rooms
Since the Roomba 805 comes with the dual-mode virtual wall barrier instead of the virtual lighthouse, there isn’t multi-room navigation. To get the same effect, you would have to physically block the Roomba in a room and then wait for it to clean the entire space before removing the blockade.
The other option, of course, is to purchase a virtual lighthouse to allow the tower to do the timing and unblocking for you.
iRobot Roomba 805
- -iAdapt Navigation uses a full suite of sensors to...
- -Tangle-free extractors help prevent hair and...
- -Conveniently schedule up to 7x per week, or just...
- -Avoids stairs and other drop-offs -Automatically...
Comparison with Other Roomba Models
If you are interested in other Roomba models or doing your due diligence for research, you might be interested to know how the Roomba 805 stacks up to other models. Find out below.
Roomba 805 Vs. 880
There are two primary differences between these two models. The first is the filtration. The Roomba 880 uses the AerForce HEPA style filter, while the 805 utilizes the standard filter. If you have allergies or need high-quality filtration, the 880 may be worth looking into.
Secondly, the Roomba 880 has multi-room capabilities thanks to the inclusion of the virtual lighthouse. The Roomba 805 comes with a dual-mode barrier instead, making it incapable (out of the box) to use this feature.
For further comparison, check out this guide.
Roomba 805 Vs. 860
Like the Roomba 880, the Roomba 860 uses HEPA filtration and will be the primary difference between itself and the Roomba 805. However, aside from this difference, there is little else.
They both come with a dual-mode virtual wall barrier instead of a virtual lighthouse. Containment, collection, and maintenance are identical, otherwise. Once again, if you require HEPA filtration, the Roomba 860 is the model to look into, while those looking to save a few extra dollars can opt for the 805.
Our in-depth comparison of the Roomba 805 vs. the Roomba 860 can be found here.
Roomba 805 Vs. 650
Most of the 600 series robots are no longer for sale or being produced. The Roomba 650 is one of the few that are still available. Aside from the size and weight, there is little difference between the 650 model and the 805.
The Roomba 805 uses AeroForce technology for suction and filtration, while the 650 uses the original AeroVac technology. However, because the 805 still utilizes the standard filter instead of the HEPA style filter, the differences end there.
Your choice comes down to how the robots clean. The Roomba 650 still has the bristle brush rollers that get tangled with hair and string easily and are more difficult to clean. Also, because of the rubber extractors found on the 805 model robot, you will receive a better clean on carpeting over the 650.
You can view our side-by-side comparison of these Roomba models by clicking here.
Roomba 805 Vs. 690
If you are looking for more features while still saving money, the Roomba 690 might be of interest to you. There are two primary differences between the 690 and the iRobot Roomba 805. First, the 690, like the 650, uses bristle brush rollers where the 805 has the rubber extractors.
The tangle-free extractors allow the Roomba 805 to clean low and medium-pile carpeting better than the 690.
The 690, though, comes with wireless communications. You will be able to make use of the iRobot Home app and voice commands that aren’t available on the 805. If you are looking for a better clean on carpets, the 805 is your choice. If you want more control options and have little to no carpeting, the 690 is a viable choice.
Roomba 805 Vs. Shark Ion
Shark Ion robots have come a long way, and the more modern models are impressive in their own right. The new models come with laser-guided navigation, recharge and resume, and wireless communications.
They still use combination bristle brush rollers for extraction, though, which can get tangled and are challenging to clean. If a 20 to 30-minute maintenance routine once a week or more is too much, the Shark Ion robots may not be suited for you.
On the other hand, the Roomba 805 has a maintenance routine that averages about 5 minutes and will clean the same carpeting that the Shark Ions will (Shark Ion doesn’t fair well on high-pile carpet, either.). The Roomba 805 is also less expensive, saving you money while performing decent enough to make the cost worthwhile.
Roomba 805 Accessories
The Roomba 805 doesn’t have a lot of optional accessories to brag about. You can purchase a remote control from either the iRobot store or Amazon. This purchase comes with a bit of hesitation, though.
The infrared remote allows you to run a cleaning session, pause or resume, and send the robot back to the charging station. You also get three arrow keys to direct the robot to specific spots of your floor.
The main problem with the remote, though, is that it may or may not work. Most reports and reviews that come in, state that the remote control only works if you are within 18 to 24 inches from the robot, making it almost pointless to use. Other reports claim it doesn’t work at all, regardless of distance.
You also have the opportunity to purchase more containment options. You can buy more dual-mode virtual wall barriers, or you can buy the virtual lighthouse. Both options (as well as the third, virtual wall) work with all Roomba models, including the 805.
How to Charge this Roomba Model
Charging the Roomba 805 is a simple process. As long as the Home Base charging station is set up correctly (see below), the robot will charge itself. When the battery level falls below a specific charge, usually between 10 and 15% charge remaining, the 805 will return to the Home Base on its own. The recharge cycle lasts about three hours.
The only times you will need to be involved are during the initial charge and if the robot cannot find the charging station and dies in the middle of your floor. In both instances, you simply place the robot on the charging dock manually, and the battery will begin to recharge.
Positioning the Roomba Home Base
To ensure proper charging and that the Roomba 805 can find the Home Base, you must follow the instructions for placement.
Tips for Using a Roomba 805
There are things you can do to help the Roomba 805 accomplish its tasks better and more efficiently. This list is by no means exhaustive but will help in getting you on the right track.
How to Extend the Battery Life
The Roomba 805 comes installed with an 1800 mAh battery pack. The lithium-ion battery should give you up to 3000 charging cycles, or about 3 to 5 years worth of service. The battery is warrantied for 12 months from the date of purchase in case there is a defect.
To prolong the battery life, you should make sure that charging cycles are completed often. It is recommended to run the robot daily but no less than once a week to keep the battery charged and ready to use.
Once every 4 to 6 weeks, you should also prevent the battery from recharging before it is completely dead. This will clean out any “battery charge memory” and ensure you are using the full capacity of the cells.
Keep the battery (and the robot) in a cool, dry place when not in use, out of sunlight and without anything covering or resting on the robot to allow it to cool off properly.
Cleaning, Care & Maintenance
Having a regular cleaning and maintenance routine will keep your Roomba 805 performing at its best. The entire routine should be done at least weekly (except in the case of as-needed replacements) and shouldn’t require more than 5 minutes of your time.
The collection bin will hold about 0.6L of dirt and should be emptied after every cleaning cycle. You may find that you can go a few cycles between cleanings, though it should be checked often. You will also need to use a dry cloth to wipe off the body and sensors from dust and debris build-up.
Remove the rubber extractors and end caps to clean off any hair or string that has becomes wrapped around them. While the extractors are out, check the air chamber for clogs and debris. Then, visually inspect the filter, side brush and wheels for excessive build-up, wear and tear and replace as needed.
People also Ask (FAQs)
We will answer some of the most common questions associated with the Roomba 805 here.
Does Roomba 805 remember a home’s layout?
No. The Roomba 805 is a sensor-based navigating robot and does not map or mark the home’s layout. Each cleaning session is a new run and will not be recorded or remembered. Models with camera-based navigation, such as the Roomba 960 or Roomba 980, will map and remember the layout of your home.
How loud is the Roomba 805?
The average decibel output of the Roomba 805 is about 67 dB. This is equivalent to using a hairdryer or city traffic outside your window.
How do I reset a Roomba 805 unit?
To perform a factory reset of the Roomba 805, you will first need to remove it from the charging station and then press and hold the Clean button for about 10 seconds. The display will read – rSt – to show you that the reset has been completed.
How do I contact iRobot Roomba customer support?
Contacting iRobot customer support is as simple as a phone call, email, or live chat session. You can initiate any of these by visiting the customer support contact page on the iRobot website. There you will see the correct address, phone number, or chat session to use depending on your needs. There are different numbers for pre-sales and technical support listed.
Where are the best places to buy a Roomba 805?
The Roomba 805 was initially released as a particular unit for sale at specific vendors. Because of the age of the robot, most of these vendors no longer sell the 805 to make room for newer models. The best place to purchase a new Roomba 805 is through Amazon, a verified and approved iRobot vendor.
- -iAdapt Navigation uses a full suite of sensors to...
- -Tangle-free extractors help prevent hair and...
- -Conveniently schedule up to 7x per week, or just...
- -Avoids stairs and other drop-offs -Automatically...
What do iRobot Roomba warranties include?
Every new Roomba purchase comes with a 30-day trial period. After this trial, the purchase is protected by a 12-month limited warranty. The warranty covers the robot from defects in manufacturing or craftsmanship. The warranty also covers the battery. What is not included are replaceable items such as filters, wheels, side brushed, or rubber extractors.
Conclusion
The Roomba 805 is a budget-friendly model designed to help you maintain the cleanliness of your floors. Without wireless communications, your control options are limited. However, you can still program and schedule the robot for seven days at a time.
The Roomba 805 is ideal for homes with smaller square footage and that are primarily hardwood flooring or low pile carpeting. It is also a good purchase as a second robot that may be used on a second floor or in a finished basement to prevent you from having to carry a robot up and downstairs.
If you have pets, the rubber extractors will maintain their collection, but some more powerful models also include HEPA filtration to help keep allergens and pet hair accumulation to a minimum. Overall the Roomba 805 does exactly what it says it will, but makes no effort to do more.