The iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO is a decent entry into the smart vacuum market, but it falls short in several key areas, making it hard to recommend unless it's on sale.Setup and UsabilityThe setup process was very simple, and the app is intuitive and user-friendly. However, I have not used the Alexa integration and would personally prefer it if the device didn't include Alexa compatibility at all. For me, it's an unnecessary feature that feels intrusive.Smart Mapping and NavigationThe smart mapping feature works most of the time, but it's far from perfect. It struggles to accurately map certain areas of my apartment, particularly around doors, doorposts, couches, and chairs. Although it’s easy to designate rooms, I’ve noticed the map sometimes "forgets" rooms and labels them as unidentified. I've stopped trying to update the map because it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Additionally, the Roomba has difficulty avoiding obstacles and seems to lack the intelligence of other models I’ve used. It constantly bumps into walls, eats cords, and gets stuck on furniture legs or loose items. It would be great if it could learn to avoid problem areas over time, but unfortunately, it doesn’t.Cleaning PerformanceThe vacuum does a decent job of picking up pet hair, which is my primary use case, but it requires daily operation to maintain cleanliness. It struggles with various surfaces and often gets caught on desk legs or loose objects. While it’s not the worst cleaner I’ve used, the lack of advanced obstacle detection is a real drawback.Self-Emptying and MaintenanceThe self-emptying feature is a standout highlight. It’s convenient and works well, though I wish the device would notify me when the bag is full. I highly recommend investing in reusable bags, as the disposable ones sold separately can become an unnecessary ongoing cost. One minor issue is that the bags can be tricky to load, but the snug fit ensures everything stays in place.Battery Life and DurabilityI live in a small apartment, and the battery is usually quite low by the time it finishes its daily cleaning routine. While this hasn’t caused any issues yet, I anticipate potential battery problems within a year or two. On the bright side, the vacuum reliably finds its base 99% of the time. A small quirk is that it doesn’t clean the area around its base, so placement is important.Noise and OperationThe Roomba is quite noisy during operation, which can be especially frustrating since it takes about an hour to clean my space. Over time, I’ve learned to tune out the noise, but it can still be disruptive during meetings or when watching something. The frequent bumping into objects adds to the noise and highlights its lack of refinement compared to other smart vacuums I’ve owned.Overall ValueI would only recommend this vacuum if it’s on sale—preferably during events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday—and only if the discount is significant. Even then, I think you can find better value with other brands, such as Eufy. The self-emptying feature is the main selling point, but the lack of features like remote control, spot cleaning, and advanced obstacle avoidance makes it hard to justify the price. While Alexa integration might appeal to some, I find it unnecessary and would prefer it not be included.Final ThoughtsOverall, the iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO has its merits, particularly in its self-emptying capability, but its flaws outweigh the benefits. It’s not a bad vacuum, but it’s far from the best. If you’re in the market for a smart vacuum, I’d suggest exploring alternatives that offer better value and more advanced features.