The Roomba 671 still works as a simple Wi-Fi robot vacuum in 2026, but it is now a legacy model and only makes sense if you already own one or can buy one very cheaply used. It can vacuum carpets and hard floors, run for up to about 90 minutes, return to its dock and be scheduled from the app, but it does not create a saved map of your home or let you choose individual rooms.
That distinction matters because the original version of this review overstated the 671’s navigation. Modern Roombas can map rooms and clean in organised rows; the 671 belongs to an older generation that uses sensors and reactive navigation instead.
| Roomba 671 | What you get |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Vacuum only; 3-stage cleaning system |
| Brushes | Dual multi-surface/bristle brushes plus edge-sweeping brush |
| Navigation | Sensor-based navigation; no saved room maps |
| Runtime | Up to about 90 minutes |
| Charging | Returns to Home Base to recharge |
| Wi-Fi/app | Yes |
| Voice control | Alexa / Google Assistant support was offered for the Wi-Fi model |
| Self-emptying | No |
| Mopping | No |
What the Roomba 671 actually does
The 671 uses the traditional round Roomba design with cliff sensors, a side brush, a central cleaning head and a charging dock. The Roomba 671 owner guide and contemporary R671020 product documentation describe the familiar 600-series cleaning system, including the central brush assembly, edge brush, cliff sensors and Dirt Detect hardware used to spend extra time on dirtier areas.
It also has Wi-Fi scheduling. iRobot still maintains setup guidance for legacy Wi-Fi-connected Roombas through the classic iRobot HOME app. Older Wi-Fi Roomba families in this generation use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so if setup fails on a modern dual-band router, connect the phone to the 2.4GHz network during pairing. See iRobot’s legacy Wi-Fi setup guide.
No, the Roomba 671 does not map your floor plan
This is the biggest correction to the old article. The 671 can find its way around furniture, detect drops and eventually cover a room, but it does not build the kind of persistent Smart Map used by newer Roombas.
That means you cannot open the app, tap “kitchen” and expect the 671 to drive straight there. It also does not systematically clean neat rows or remember keep-out zones. Its cleaning path can look random because the robot reacts to walls, furniture and sensors as it moves.
For a small, fairly uncluttered area that can be fine. In a large home, or if you want predictable room-by-room cleaning, it feels dated.
Is the Roomba 671 good for pet hair?
It can absolutely pick up everyday pet hair, especially from hard floors and low-to-medium-pile carpet, but the old bristle-style brush system needs more hands-on maintenance than newer rubber-roller designs. Long hair and fur can wrap around the brushes and end caps, so regular brush cleaning matters.
The 671 also lacks a self-emptying dock. If you have several shedding pets, expect to empty the bin frequently. That does not make it unsuitable for pet owners; it simply means the convenience level is far below a newer self-emptying robot.
Can you move it to another room?
Yes. Because the 671 does not depend on a saved map, you can carry it into another room and start a cleaning cycle. If you want it to return to the Home Base automatically, however, the dock needs to be accessible in the area where it is cleaning.
For a second floor, many owners simply carry the robot upstairs, let it clean, then return it to the dock afterward.
How long does the battery last?
Retail documentation for the 671 lists a runtime of up to roughly 90 minutes before it returns to the dock. Actual runtime depends on floor type, battery age and how hard the robot has to work.
One important limitation is that the 671 does not offer the modern “recharge and resume” behaviour where the robot charges, remembers exactly where it stopped and continues the unfinished job. On a large floor plan, that makes newer mapping models much more efficient.
How the Roomba 671 compares with a current Roomba
The gap is easiest to see beside iRobot’s current 105-series robots. The Roomba 105 Vac uses ClearView LiDAR to create maps, clean in neat rows, target specific rooms and create keep-out zones. It can also recharge and resume an unfinished cleaning task.
The 105 Combo goes further by adding mopping and automatic carpet avoidance while mopping. In other words, features that were once reserved for expensive robot vacuums have moved much further down the range.
That is why the 671 is difficult to recommend at anything close to the price of a current entry-level robot.
Is a used Roomba 671 worth buying?
Potentially, but only if the price reflects its age. Before buying one second-hand, check:
- Battery health: a badly aged battery can turn a 90-minute robot into a short-session machine.
- Docking: make sure it reliably finds and charges on the Home Base.
- Wi-Fi pairing: confirm it can still be added to the supported legacy app before money changes hands.
- Brush module: listen for grinding and inspect the rollers for damaged bearings.
- Bin and filter: replacement consumables should be easy to source.
- Wheels and caster: worn wheel tread or a jammed caster can make navigation worse.
Roomba 671 verdict for 2026
As an existing appliance, the Roomba 671 can still be useful. It vacuums automatically, works with Wi-Fi controls, handles routine dust and pet hair, and returns to charge without you carrying it back to the dock.
As a purchase in 2026, though, it is a legacy-budget option. The lack of room mapping, targeted cleaning, recharge-and-resume, mopping and self-emptying matters much more now that newer entry-level robots offer several of those features. Keep a working 671; buy one used only if it is genuinely inexpensive.
