Where should I place the charging station or dock?
How to optimally place your Home Base, Clean Base or AutoWash™ Dock.
Choosing the right location for your charging station
Correct placement is essential for your robot to dock and charge reliably. The following rules apply to all dock types: Home Base, Clean Base™ and AutoWash™ Dock.
General placement rules
- Solid, level floor: Place the dock on a hard, level surface. Avoid carpets directly under the dock.
- Side clearance: At least 0.5 m on both sides.
- Front clearance: At least 1.2 m (older models) or 1.5 m (new 100/200/400/500/700 series).
- Distance from stairs: At least 1.2 m or 1.5 m from a stair edge.
- Good Wi-Fi signal: Ensure a stable Wi-Fi signal at the chosen location.
- No direct sunlight: IR sensors may be disturbed.
- Clear floor: Remove loose items around the dock.
Plug in the dock
- Plug the power cable into an outlet.
- Wind up excess cable at the back of the dock.
- Keep the dock plugged in at all times.
Specifics by dock type
- Home Base (e.g. Roomba 600, i3, i5, e5, e6): Compact charging station to be placed against a wall.
- Clean Base™ (e.g. i7, s9, j series, 105 + AutoEmpty™ Dock): Allow 0.3 m clearance above.
- AutoWash™ Dock (e.g. Plus 405, Plus 505, Max 705): Ensure easy access to the water tanks.
Applicable models
This article applies to all iRobot Roomba and Braava models that are used with a charging station or dock.