
It’s the era of practical automated vacuum cleaners called the Roomba. And many will perhaps nod in agreement to the phrase:
“Behind every great Roomba is a Home Base.”
We’re talking about your Roomba’s main charging station.
But what if I tell you that you don’t need a Home Base to charge your Roomba?
Continue reading to discover:
- How to charge your Roomba without a Home Base.
- Whether you can use a Roomba without a Home Base.
- How to properly maintain your Roomba Home Base so it lasts longer.
- And this is just the beginning…
How to charge my Roomba without a Home Base?
You can charge your Roomba without a Home Base by plugging it into the charger directly. You can find the dedicated charging port on its side. The Roomba will also stop charging on its own when the battery is already full.
Can I use Roomba without a Home Base?
You can use the Roomba without a Home Base. The Roomba has its own charging port that you can use if the charging dock isn’t available.
Though, this requires a little manual effort on your end. Plus, it defeats the whole purpose of Roombas being independent (sort of).
Note: The Roomba won’t clean unless disconnected from the power supply. With that said, you need to unplug the Roomba first.
What’s more, those who want to own a Roomba find this preferable. It’s great for saving space.
Even without a charging dock, your robot buddy will return to where it started cleaning.
Excellent, right?
“Then what’s the point of having a Home Base?”
The main purpose of a Home Base is so your Roomba can dock and charge on its own after it completes a cleaning cycle.
Using a Home Base holds a lot of benefits, such as:
- Safe storage for your Roomba.
- Ease of use and less supervision.
- Strictly follow a pre-set cleaning schedule.
- Easy dock, recharge, and clean again cycle.
- Eliminates the need for manually charging your robot vacuum.
Advanced Roomba models like the i-series or 900 series have a “charge and resume” feature.
This allows the Roomba to return to the charging dock when the battery runs low. And resume cleaning after the battery is full-charged.
Check out this video and learn how to charge a Roomba without the Home Base:
Do all Roombas have a docking station?
All Roombas have a docking station, whether they’re old or new. The docking/charging station (or Home Base) comes together with your Roomba.
What’s even more interesting is that a Roomba is compatible with working on multiple Home Bases.
If you’ve got 2 or more Roombas, it wouldn’t be surprising to find one docked on another’s charging base.
Your Roomba will go home without fail if there are no obstructions. And also if the charger is working.
“What models have compatible Home Bases?”
For instance, the Home Bases for Roomba i7, i3, e5, and 675 series are interchangeable.
Because of this, it’s easy to buy a separate Roomba docking station.
You can even find Home Base replacements online.
But to avoid the need to buy a new docking station, it’s better to keep your current Home Base in top shape.
Roomba maintenance is important. After all, they aren’t cheap.
To keep your Home Base working smoothly, you should:
- Store and keep in a cool, dry place.
- Clean the unit at least once a week.
- Unplug the Home Base if not in use.
- Wipe the charging contacts with a soft, dry cloth.
- Keep out of children’s reach to prevent damage and electrical mishaps.
“What do I do if my Roomba doesn’t dock?”
Sometimes, this problem occurs, but no need to worry. I got you.
Follow these troubleshooting steps:

- Unplug the Home Bases’s power cord.
- Plug it back in and check firm contact with the outlet.
- Check if the power indicator blinks for about 4 seconds.
- Inspect for blockage and other barriers within 8 feet (2.5 meters).
- Wipe the charging points on the Roomba and the Home base.
- Press and hold the “CLEAN” button for about 3 seconds
- Place the facing Roomba to the Home Base and press the “Dock” button.
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