This $20 Kit Saved My Old Roomba: An Honest Review
Author Byline: By David Miller / Last updated on August 4, 2025
Introduction
Meet "Rosie," my trusty iRobot Roomba 675. For three years, she's been a key member of our household, bravely battling the endless tide of fur from our golden retriever, Max. But lately, Rosie’s been struggling. She was leaving clumps of fur behind, making a worrying rattling sound, and her once-methodical cleaning runs felt… tired.
I found myself staring at new robot vacuums online, with price tags of $400, $500, even more. A part of me just wanted the problem solved, but another part—the part that hates waste—wondered if there was another way. Could I bring Rosie back from the brink without breaking the bank? That’s when I stumbled upon this all-in-one replacement kit from 'i clean' for about twenty bucks. The mission was clear: could this cheap little box of parts save me from a major purchase?
This review is the story of that experiment. If your own robotic sidekick is showing its age, stick with me. I’m confident this will be the only guide you need to decide if this is the refresh your Roomba has been begging for.
This $20 Kit Saved My Old Roomba: An Honest Review
Is your Roomba 600 series struggling? Before you buy a new one, read my review of the i clean replacement kit. See if it can save you hundreds.
The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
- Who Should Buy This: Anyone with a compatible Roomba 600 series vacuum (especially pet owners) whose performance has noticeably declined. If you want to restore its original cleaning power for a fraction of the cost of a new machine, this is a no-brainer.
- Who Should Skip This: If you only trust official iRobot-branded parts (OEM), or if you demand absolute perfection in fit and finish. Also, double-check your model number—this is not for other Roomba series.
My Final Score: 8.5/10✨✨✨✨✨✨
What Real Users Love (The Pros)
- Incredible Value for Money: You get a full set of brushes, filters, and even a cleaning tool for less than the price of a single OEM part.
- Why this matters to you: This is the most cost-effective way to give your aging robot vacuum a new lease on life, saving you hundreds compared to buying a new one.
- Comprehensive, All-in-One Kit: It includes everything needed for a complete overhaul: bristle brush, beater brush, side brushes, HEPA filters, and a cleaning tool.
- Why this matters to you: No need to waste time and money hunting down individual parts. It’s a one-click solution.
- Significant Performance Boost: After analyzing hundreds of user reviews and my own testing, the consensus is clear: this kit drastically improves suction and pickup ability.
- Why this matters to you: It brings back that "like new" cleaning power, tackling embedded dirt and pet hair much more effectively. In my own testing, Rosie went from leaving fur-bunnies behind to leaving clean lines on the carpet again. The difference was immediate and honestly, shocking.
Common Complaints & Potential Deal-Breakers (The Cons)
- Noticeably Not OEM Quality: The plastic and bristles don't feel quite as dense or premium as the original iRobot parts.
- Why this matters to you: While it performs well now, there's a question mark over its long-term durability compared to the original parts.
- The Side Brush Screw Can Be Fussy: A common thread in user feedback is that the provided screws for the 3-arm side brushes sometimes don't fit perfectly.
- Why this matters to you: It's a minor annoyance, but be prepared to reuse your old, original screw, which almost always solves the problem. Honestly, the included screw didn't work for me either. I just used the old one and it was fine, but it’s something you should know before you start the five-minute installation.
- Filter Fit is Very Snug: The filters work well, but they can be a tight fit in the dustbin compartment.
- Why this matters to you: You might need to apply a bit of firm, even pressure to get it to click into place. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it lacks the perfect fit of the original.
Feature Deep Dive: The Brushes & Filters
The two components that truly resurrect your Roomba are the main brushes and the filter.
The main roller brushes (one bristle, one beater) are the heart of the operation. The old ones on my Rosie were caked in compressed hair and the bristles were frayed. Installing the new ones took less than two minutes. The immediate result was a quieter, smoother-running machine. The new, firm bristles could once again dig into the carpet fibers, pulling up the embedded pet hair that the old set was just skimming over.
But the unsung hero is the HEPA filter. My old filter looked clean enough, but swapping it for the new one from the kit clearly improved suction. You could actually hear the difference in the motor's pitch. For pet owners or allergy sufferers, this is huge. It means more dust, dander, and allergens are being trapped in the bin instead of being recirculated into the air.
Best Alternatives (The Competition)
- Official iRobot Replenishment Kit: If you're a stickler for brand names and want the guaranteed quality and fit of OEM parts, this is your choice. It's significantly more expensive, but it offers peace of mind.
- KEEPOW or Other Third-Party Kits: There are dozens of similar kits on Amazon. Brands like KEEPOW are also highly rated and often priced competitively. The main difference is usually a slight variation in the number of included filters or side brushes. If this kit is out of stock, they are a solid Plan B.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How often should I replace these parts?
iRobot recommends replacing filters every 2 months and brushes every 6-12 months, depending on use. With a pet, I'd lean towards the shorter end of that timeframe. - Are these parts difficult to install?
Not at all. It's a 5-10 minute job. You'll only need a small Phillips head screwdriver for the side brush. The main brushes and filter snap in and out without tools. - Will using third-party parts void my Roomba's warranty?
This is a gray area. Technically, if a third-party part causes a failure, iRobot could deny a warranty claim. However, for most of us with a 600-series model, the standard 1-year warranty has long since expired, making this a non-issue. - Is this kit compatible with my Roomba 980 or i7?
No. This kit is specifically designed for the iRobot Roomba 600 series (e.g., 690, 675, 650, etc.). Always check your model number before purchasing.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
So, did this twenty-dollar box of plastic parts save my beloved Rosie from the recycling bin and save me from a $400 purchase? Absolutely. Yes.
The transformation was nothing short of remarkable. My Roomba, which I was ready to give up on, is now buzzing around the house with renewed purpose, leaving spotless floors in its wake. Max's fur is once again being vanquished.
While the parts aren't a 1-for-1 match in quality with the originals, the performance gain you get for the price is simply unbeatable. If you're standing at the same crossroads I was—frustrated with your Roomba's declining performance and dreading the cost of a new one—I can't recommend this kit enough. It’s the smartest, most satisfying twenty bucks I’ve spent all year.
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We hope this in-depth review helps you make a confident choice! To continue your research, check out some of our other popular guides:
- I Tested 5 Robot Vacuums on Pet Hair, and Only One Didn't Choke
- The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining Your Robot Vacuum (And Making It Last Twice as Long)
- Is the Roomba j7+ Worth the Upgrade? A Brutally Honest Review from a 5-Year User
Now I'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions I didn't cover. I read every single one.
