Do Roomba Batteries Need To Be Replaced?

The Roomba by iRobot makes life a lot easier for its users. That’s especially true as their vacuums have no wires and rely on onboard batteries instead. But do those batteries ever need to be replaced? And if so, how often do you have to do that?

Yes, Roomba batteries need to be replaced eventually. Each battery typically lasts between 1-2 years or 400 charging cycles, whichever comes first. Unfortunately, when the battery wears out, it can no longer hold or deliver power as effectively as before, which prevents the Roomba from cleaning efficiently. Thankfully, replacing the battery only requires removing the bottom panel and sliding the used battery out.

Understanding the battery in your Roomba isn’t as confusing as it might seem at first. Don’t worry! This guide will walk you through all there is to know about Roomba batteries, how long they last, and how you’ll know a replacement is needed.

How Often Does A Roomba Battery Need To Be Replaced?

You’ll typically have to replace a Roomba battery every 1 or 2 years.

Like any other rechargeable battery, the one in your Roomba will experience hundreds of charge and discharge cycles throughout its lifetime. A standard Roomba battery can perform well for 400 of those cycles. 

For the average user, that number of cycles equals 1 or 2 years of regular use.

Still, that lifespan is only an estimate. For example, if your Roomba works extra hard every day and more often than usual, you’ll have to replace the battery much sooner. On the other hand, a Roomba battery that’s rarely used will last a lot longer if you store it correctly.

But what happens after those 400 cycles? Does the battery simply fail, causing your Roomba to stop working?

No, that’s not the case. You can still use the same Roomba battery even though it’s due for a replacement. However, you must understand that the battery will gradually lose its performance the longer you use it.

A worn-out Roomba battery won’t hold as much electrical charge as a new one. In more practical terms, that means the robot vacuum won’t have enough power to clean for as long as it usually does.

Eventually, you’ll start to notice a few other changes in your Roomba. For instance, you’ll find that the robot vacuum will return to its home base to recharge sooner and more frequently than usual.

Read: Why Roomba Vacuum Side Brush Is Not Spinning? – Troubleshooting Guide

How Do I Know If My Roomba Needs A New Battery?

Your Roomba will continue to spin its brushes and move around your home, even though the battery is in need of replacing. Thankfully, there are several tell-tale signs that you can look for which will tell you the battery’s becoming less efficient.

Here are a few of the most notable signs that your Roomba needs a new battery:

#1 The Roomba Or Its Battery Is Old

The first indicators that you need to get a new battery are the age of your Roomba or the battery inside.

You don’t necessarily have to wait for a drop in performance to know that it’s time to get a new battery. Instead, if you’ve had your Roomba for 2 years or more with the same battery inside, it’s a safe bet that you’ll need to purchase a replacement soon.

The same is also true if you’ve replaced the battery in the past. When you find that the battery is 2 years old or more, you can preemptively replace it before it fails.

Read: Why Roomba Brushes Is Not Spinning? Troubleshooting Guide

#2 Roomba’s Running Time Is Reduced

As your Roomba battery ages and experiences lots of wear, it will steadily drop its ability to hold a charge. That will cause your Roomba’s running time to reduce gradually over an extended period.

There are two ways you might notice this drop in runtime. Firstly, you might see that your Roomba takes longer than usual to clean the floors in your home.

Alternatively, you might also notice the Roomba returning to its base station to recharge more frequently every day.

#3 Overall Poor Performance

Besides runtime and age, you should also pay attention to the Roomba’s cleaning performance.

Remember: a Roomba needs battery power to generate suction and spin its main and side brushes to remove dirt from your floor. The vacuum can only do that if it receives power from a battery in excellent working condition.

Let’s suppose your Roomba’s battery is getting old and worn out. In that case, you’ll start to notice the vacuum struggling to work. Its brushes might not turn as fast or as strongly as they used to, and the unit might lack the suction it needs.

Overall, the Roomba will not remove dirt as effectively as before.

Read: Roomba Vacuum Cleaner Troubleshooting Guide

#4 Power Light Stays Off

Finally, if your Roomba battery has worn out to the point it can’t hold any charge, the device’s power light will stay off. At this point, you have to buy a new battery immediately as the Roomba will no longer function at all.

Read: Roomba Robot Vacuum Battery Troubleshooting

How Can I Maximize My Roomba’s Battery Life?

Sooner or later, you’ll have to replace the battery in your Roomba. Unfortunately, that’s not something that you can avoid.

However, there are several steps you can take to maximize the Roomba’s battery life. By taking steps to do so, you’ll lengthen the time it takes before you have to invest in a new battery.

Here are a few ways you can maximize your Roomba’s battery life:

• Recharge immediately after use: Firstly, you should recharge your Roomba immediately after you use it. Yes, the Roomba is meant to automatically return to the base station when its battery is weak. However, obstacles can prevent this from happening. Recharging a weak Roomba battery immediately after use will lengthen its lifespan.
• Store and charge correctly: Whether you’re charging the Roomba’s battery or storing it away, the manufacturer, iRobot, recommends doing so in a cool, dry location. Storing the Roomba battery incorrectly, like in hot places or under direct sunlight, will damage the battery.
• Use the Roomba regularly: Rechargeable Roomba batteries will last longer if you charge and discharge them regularly. So, be sure to use your Roomba regularly to keep the battery healthy for as long as possible before needing a replacement.
• Clean your Roomba often: Cleaning your Roomba’s brushes, and the bin will also maximize its battery’s lifespan. When your Roomba’s brushes get clogged and the bin gets full, the multiple motors onboard will work harder than usual. As a result, that will draw more energy from the battery and cause it to wear out quicker. Cleaning your Roomba prevents that from happening.
• Use a genuine Roomba battery: Getting an original replacement battery made by Roomba will guarantee you a long battery lifespan. While the market does offer third-party batteries, their lifespan is not guaranteed. That means you’ll have to replace it with a new one sooner. So, always invest in an authentic battery to enjoy the maximum battery lifespan available.

Read: Why Is My Roomba’s Battery Not Charging?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few additional questions and answers you’ll find helpful about your Roomba and its battery:

How Long Should I Charge A New Roomba Battery?

When you purchase a new Roomba battery, you should remove the battery pull tab and charge it for at least 12 hours. You mustn’t interrupt this first-time charge under any circumstance. This initial charge is crucial to ensure the battery performs well and lasts as long as possible.

How Do You Replace A Roomba Battery?

To replace the battery in your Roomba, you must first place the unit upside down. Then, begin by removing the side brushes and placing them aside. Next, unthread the screws holding the bottom panel and take the panel off. From there, you can pull the existing battery out before sliding the new one in. Lastly, replace the bottom panel and side brushes.

How Many Years Does A Roomba Battery Last?

You can expect a Roomba battery to last at least 1-2 years. Of course, the exact lifespan will depend on how heavily the Roomba is used and how well it’s maintained. Regular cleaning of the Roomba’s brushes and emptying of its bin will help to maximize its overall lifespan.

How Much Is A Battery For A Roomba?

Original Roomba batteries by iRobot can cost anywhere from $89.99 or more, depending on your model. Of course, it’s always best to purchase original Roomba batteries from the manufacturer to ensure that you enjoy a long battery lifespan.

How Do I Reset My Roomba?

If you suspect your Roomba is experiencing battery problems, you can try resetting the unit through power cycling. You can do that by removing its battery for 5 minutes. Once that time passes, replace the battery and continue using the Roomba as you usually would.