Roombas were first produced by the iRobot company in 2002 and have become one of the most widely recognized brands of autonomous vacuum cleaners on the market. They are battery-operated, with the battery being recharged in a docking station located in the home.
But as with all rechargeable batteries, they have a finite life and will eventually need to be replaced. This article will help find the best battery for your Roomba when it needs to be replaced.
Which battery does my Roomba use?
Your Roomba will use either a NiMH or Lithium-Ion battery, and it is essential to get the correct battery. You can check which type of battery you need by removing the old battery to see what type it is or searching by the model number.
In general, a Roomba Series, comprising various models, will all use the same battery type. However, there are some exceptions, and specific models in a series may use a different battery, so you need to check carefully.
| Roomba Model | Battery Type |
| 400 Series | NiMH |
| 500 Series | NiMH |
| 600 Series | NiMH |
| 700 Series | NiMH |
| 880 Model | NiMH |
| 870 Model | NiMH |
| Roomba Model | Battery Type |
| 770 Model | NiMH |
| 650 Model | NiMH |
| 900 Series | Lithium-Ion |
| 890 Model | Lithium-Ion |
| 860 Model | Lithium-Ion |
| 690 Model | Lithium-Ion |
Review of Best Roomba replacement batteries
Best Lithium-Ion Batteries for Roomba 900 series, 890, 860, 890, 690
 Lithium Power 4400mAh |  iRobot Authentic 1800mAh |
|
|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating |  |  |
| Price |  | |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion battery | Lithium Ion battery |
| Capacity | 4400mAh | 1800mAh |
| Running Hours | 2 - 3 hours | ~ 1 hours |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Power Inc Roomba Lithium 4400mAh
The Power Inc lithium-ion battery can be used to replace any OEM lithium-ion Roomba battery. However, despite the claim in the advert, this battery cannot be used in place of the OEM NiMH battery. Although this battery will fit NiMH models, it won’t work well or last very long.
The Power Inc has an increased battery capacity, up from the OEM 3300 mAh to 4400 mAh, giving approximately 30% more battery life for extended cleaning. Another advantage of the Power Inc is the built-in cell balancing while charging. This is not available on cheaper batteries and helps to ensure an even charge across all the battery cells.
At just $65, the Power Inc battery is good value compared to an OEM Roomba battery that is almost double the price, at $120. Both the Power Inc and OEM batteries offer a one-year warranty.
Check Price at AmazoniRobot 1800mAh OEM Roomba Battery
The lower power 1800 mAh Roomba battery from iRobot is compatible with all the 900 series except the 980 and selected models in the 800 and 600 series. However, with less than half the power on offer from the Power Inc 4400 mAh version, and at around $20 more, it makes little sense to buy this version.
With the much lower power, the 1800 mAh will only last for half the time compared to the much more powerful Power Inc version. The battery has the OEM one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
The main advantage of buying OEM batteries is that the internal components tend to be of higher quality than their cheaper aftermarket alternatives. This should mean an extended battery useable life, and the power output should remain more constant, even as the battery gets old.
Check Price at AmazonBest battery replacement for Roomba 500, 600, 700, and 800 Series
 TATTU 4500mAh XLife |  Tenergy 5200mAh iRobot |  iRobot XLife Extended |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | | |  |
| Price | | | |
| Battery Type | NiMH | Lithium Ion | NiMH |
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5200mAh | 300mAh |
| Running Hours | 2 - 3 hours | 1.5 - 2 hours | 2-3 hours |
| Warranty | 90 days | 1 year | 1 year |
TATTU 4500mAh XLife Extended Life
The TATTU 4500 mAh replacement battery is ideal for any iRobot model that uses a NiMH-type battery, and at just $22, it’s fantastic value. The equivalent OEM battery is the Extended Life Battery from iRobot that will set you back around $100. It’s even better value if you buy two packs, as they will give you free shipping.
The powerful 4500 mAh battery will give the battery a two-hour running time between charges, similar to the OEM battery, but at a quarter of the price.
One downside of the TATTU is that you only have a 90 day warranty period, which will deter some from buying.
Tenergy 5200mAh iRobot
The Tenergy 5200 mAh Roomba battery is compatible with most of the iRobot range but is expressly not compatible with the 690, 890, 960, and 980 models.
Under test, this battery pack gave around 1.5 hours of run time but sometimes managed a little longer. Considering the price is half that of the OEM, the run time represents good value.
Another positive of the Tenergy is the one-year warranty, giving you peace of mind. An additional bonus is that the battery is supplied with replacement vacuum brushes and a brush cleaning tool.
Check Price at AmazoniRobot Extended Life Battery
This is the official OEM NiMH battery from iRobot. It is compatible with Roomba 500, 600, and 700 series and selected 800 series models. But it is not suitable for the Roomba 690 or 890 models.
With an output of 3000 mAh, Extended Life Battery should give you around two hours of cleaning before a recharge is required. In addition, the quality internal materials should ensure that it continues to provide good power throughout its working life.
The downside, of course, is that as an OEM product, it is more expensive than the aftermarket alternatives and will cost you around $56. On the plus side, there is a one-year warranty.
Check Price at AmazonPowerextra 3.8Ah Roomba Battery
The Powerextra is another cheap alternative to the OEM battery, selling at around $24. It is a NiMH battery compatible with most 500/600/700 series Roomba’s and a few selected 800 series models.
The manufacturer claims it gives 3800 mAh of power, which will easily give you at least two hours of run time before the battery requires a charge.
As we mentioned, the price is just $24, so it is surprising that they give a one-year warranty and supply four new brushes with the battery.
Best battery replacements for the i series & E series
 iRobot Roomba e and i |  Miady lithium |
|
|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating |  |  |
| Price | | |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion battery |
| Capacity | 1800mAh | 2600mAh |
| Running Hours | Up to 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
The i and e series Roomba models have a different battery shape, making them completely incompatible with the other series discussed.
iRobot Roomba e and i Series Replacement Lithium-Ion
As you would expect from the manufacturer, the standard iRobot OEM battery is 100% compatible with the i and e series models. The standard power output is 1800 mAh, and with high-quality internal components, it should last for up to two hours.
As the OEM version, you do, of course, pay a premium price, and at almost $100, this battery is $35 more expensive than the aftermarket version below.
As usual with iRobot products, you get a one-year warranty in case of any issues. Bear in mind that most of the iRobot batteries have a useful life of between one and two years, so the warranty is good to have.
Check Price at AmazonMiady i and e Series Roomba Replacement
The Miady aftermarket battery is compatible with both the i and e series Roomba vacuums, and offers a healthy increase in power over the OEM version.
With 2600 mAh of power, the Miady should last a while longer than the iRobot version, but the quality of the internal components will always affect this. Expect the Miady to last for two hours, which is good value when you consider it is $35 cheaper than the OEM version.
Despite the lower cost, Miady still manages to offer a one-year warranty, giving you security should anything go wrong.
Why will my Roomba not charge after replacing a new battery?
There could be several reasons why your Roomba will not charge after replacing the battery, and we will discuss the two most common causes here.
- Dirty contacts. Not surprisingly, the Roomba gets dirty as it trundles around vacuuming your floor. A build-up of dirt on the charging port contacts will prevent the battery from charging.
- Castor Wheel. Remove the castor wheel and make sure that any build of dirt is removed. It is possible that your Roomba cannot reach the charging contacts if there is too much dirt around the castor wheel.
How can I improve my Roomba battery life?
There are four main ways to help make your Roomba battery last as long as possible before you need to replace it.
- Maintain your Roomba by following the advice in the owner’s manual, paying particular attention to the brushes and rollers.
- Regularly use the Roomba until the battery is fully drained and then fully recharge it.
- Charge the battery after every use, even if you only used the Roomba for a few minutes.
- Keep your Roomba and charging station in a cool place. Heat is the enemy of batteries and will drain more quickly if they overheat.
FAQs
Why is my Roomba blinking orange?
The orange flashing light is used to show that your Roomba battery is charging. The light will flash at different speeds, depending on the condition of your battery. For standard charging, it will flash once every two seconds.
However, if the battery has become very discharged, the charging circuits enter a recovery mode, and the orange light will flash rapidly. The recovery mode can take up to 16 hours to complete.
To avoid your battery discharging too far, it is advisable to charge your Roomba battery regularly.
How long does a Roomba battery last before replacement?
The life of your Roomba battery will depend on how well you maintain the vacuum cleaner. With good maintenance, you can expect your Roomba battery to last up to two years.
However, if you do not clean the brushes and rollers regularly, your Roomba will have to work harder to do its job, draining the battery faster.
Why is my Roomba dying so fast?
First, check that the brushes and rollers of your Roomba are clean and move easily. If they are clogged up with dirt, the battery will be working harder to turn them and move the vacuum around.
If the brushes and rollers are good, it is most likely that your battery is coming to the end of its working life.
