‘Half the size, twice the clean’ — iRobot promises its new Roomba Mini packs a punch despite being its ‘smallest Roomba robot ever’

• The Roomba Mini debuted in the UK
• It's iRobot's “smallest Roomba robot ever”
• The Roomba Mini comes in four colors, and costs £379

When we spoke to iRobot CEO Gary Cohen last year — shortly after his company had been bought by contract manufacturing company Picea — he promised us smaller robot vacuums for smaller spaces like apartments. And now iRobot is delivering on that promise in the UK and Europe.

It just launched Roomba Mini, which it says is the “smallest Roomba robot ever.” According to iRobot it’s perfect for cleaning smaller homes with tight spaces and boasts “half the size, twice the clean” of the Roomba 105.

It debuts today (March 10) for £379 in the UK at iRobot's official store. There’s no word yet on a US or Australia launch.

Small doesn’t equate to less-capable, according to iRobot. This robot vac comes with “full-strength” vacuum cleaning, mopping capabilities, and an auto-empty dock – using iRobot’s AllergenLock tech, its auto-empty dock bags can store up to three months' worth of dirt, and keep allergens trapped inside.

I love my Roomba vacuum — it’s smart, capable and delivers a solid clean — but it is perhaps a little large for my apartment. I have a few tight furniture corners it can struggle with, and if I forget to completely clear my floors it’s possible for me to accidentally block my vacuum from a space with a table leg or errant cushion. The Roomba Mini might be precisely what I need for my home, then.

I also love its more fun range of colours, another first for iRobot’s Roombas. There are classic Black and White options as well as Mint and Pink, both of which are vibrant but not overbearing — just note that the Black model sold out fast in Japan when it launched there last month.

Roomba owners have understandably been concerned about the company following its recent financial woes, but this launch suggests it’s still as committed to its hardware as ever, and that the brand is still keen to keep innovating in the floorcare market.

Will it be able to reclaim its place at the top of the robot cleaning ladder in our picks for the best robot vacuums? That’s yet to be seen, but this small but seemingly mighty new robot gives me hope.

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