Since Amazon bought the maker of the Roomba, things for iRobot are about to get very interesting, but for the time being, they are still well-known for their robot vacuums and everything else they can do around the house. The availability of numerous Roomba models and the wide range in price present buyers with an additional challenge. Are you trying to decide which one is best for you or if you should think about other brands in addition to Roombas? Our overview of the most popular Roomba models, their differences, and which might be the best option for you is here to help.
The 615, 675, 690, E5, I3, I4, 960, 980, I7, S9, and the new J7+ are the latest models in the Roomba product line that will be compared in this comparison. Roomba’s products have evolved over the years.
Mid-level Options
The robots from the 900-series come next in the hierarchy. There are three options, I3, 960, and 980. The 980 is not currently available for purchase on the iRobot website; only the 960 is.
The 960 and 980 are the only robots with top-mounted cameras, while the I3 relies on a floor tracking sensor to move in straight lines. Despite this, all three robots can travel in straight lines.
The I3 (“plus” variant) offers the “Clean Base” station, which saves users time because it automatically empties the bin for you.
The main drawback of this variant is that it costs more than the non-plus version.
The I4+ is a different sub-model that is offered. Though the color scheme and accessories are different, it has features that are comparable to those of the I3+.
High-end Options
These are the top-spec Roomba options, and there are three available: I6, I7, and S9.
The most expensive but feature-rich robots are these ones.
Each has VSLAM and the “Smart Imprint” feature – it can save up to 10 map levels.
The motor, extractors, side brush, and navigation are all the same in the Roomba I6 and I7, making them comparable products. The robot is the same in both products, but they have slightly different color schemes and accessories.
The Roomba I6+ is an Amazon-only product, so you won’t find it on the iRobot website. I assume this is a marketing strategy on the company’s part.
The Roomba J9+, the most recent product from iRobot, has a front-facing camera to help it avoid obstacles.
As I have not tested the J7+, I am unable to comment on its performance or its ability to avoid obstacles, but I will update this article once I have the review.
Roomba 900 Series
The first line of Roombas with a camera onboard and the ability to remember floor layout is the 900 Series. Additionally, these robots can resume, making them appropriate for larger homes. The 900 series last received an update in June 2018. Because the most recent update was so long ago, these Roombas might not receive a software update in the future that added no-go zones or room selection.
The company has since produced other upgraded models that are superior to the Roomba 960 or 980 and more technologically advanced. Finding either model on sale is very difficult, so we advise purchasing a newer model. Any of these products may be sold in conjunction with iRobot’s Braava Jet M6 mopping robot.
Thanks to the camera that maps out the cleaning space and gives the Roomba 960 advanced navigation, the robot knows where to clean. The robot has a sensor inside that signals when the trash bin needs to be emptied. This machine is excellent for pet hair because of the silicone rollers.
Roomba 980
Similar to the Roomba 960, the Roomba 980 has a camera to create a map of the room and an advanced Gen 3 motor inside that produces more suction power when the robot is set to high settings or when it detects carpets. As soon as it recognizes carpet, the suction is increased to provide deeper cleaning.
When it was first released in 2015, the Roomba 980 was a good robot vacuum to buy, but it’s now quite pricey. Yes, it has silicone rollers, powerful suction, and a camera on top, but for the same price, there is a new Roomba i7 with more intelligent features, more sophisticated mapping, and better silicone rollers. Additionally, the Roomba 980 does not support a self-emptying charging base, but you can purchase one in the future.
Roomba 960 Versus 980 Versus 981 Vs. 985
Compared to the Roomba 980, the Roomba 960’s battery life is less (75 min as opposed to. 120 min). Moreover, the suction is weaker. The Roomba 960 is not aware of the carpeted surface, which results in weaker suction.
Once carpet is detected by the sensors, the Roomba 980’s Carpet Boost feature boosts suction power.
The only real differences between the Roomba 980 and 985 are what is included in the box and price. The Roomba 985 comes with a manual, charging dock, extra filter, and one dual virtual wall barrier. The Roomba 980 comes with all of the same features, plus an extra side brush and two dual virtual wall barriers.
Nothing distinguishes the Roomba 981 from the Roomba 980. There is no difference other than a slight modification to the color option. Despite being designed for various markets, the Roomba 981 is also available in the US.
Similarities Between Irobot Roomba Robots
1. Counter-rotating Brushes
Counter-rotating brushes are included with each and every Roomba product. Since the earlier generation 500-series robots, this feature has been a mainstay for all of their products.
The older options (600 series) have a squeegee and bristle combination, while the more recent Roomba models have bristle-free rubber extractors. In tests, it was discovered that this combination effectively cleaned carpets.
In deep cleaning tests using 100 grams of sand on mid-pile carpet, the Roomba 690 was still able to pick up roughly a respectable 85.16% despite having below-average airflow.
2. Dirt Detect
The dirt detect system in Roomba products directs the robot to concentrate on dirtier areas, which explains why they perform so well in cleaning tests.
For instance, the 690 will spiral around debris-heavy areas. The I7 and S9 are more recent models that perform an additional back-and-forth pass.
3. Single Side Brush
Currently, a single side brush is included with every Roomba robot. From the 614 to the I7, the design is the same: three prongs with white bristled tips.
However, due to the change in shape, iRobot modified the design with the S9, using a five-pronged brush with shorter bristles.
In the photo above, you can see the difference. Compared to the 980’s longer pronged version, the Roomba S9+’s side brush is smaller in diameter.
Since the side brush on the Roomba S9+ is better positioned for cleaning edges, I prefer it. Later on, you’ll see how much better it is at cleaning edges.
4. Round Shape
All Roomba products are round, with the exception of the S-series robots. Even the most recent I3 robot keeps the same shape as earlier models.
Because the Roomba S9 cleans edges better than other models, I prefer the square front. It picks up debris on corners and edges well because it has the roomiest brush of all the Roomba products.
5. Availability Of Parts
It won’t be difficult to locate parts for Roomba products. It unquestionably contributes significantly to the success of iRobot. You’ll discover not only consumables like filters and brushes but also harder-to-find parts like the battery, side brush motor, wheel assembly, and more. No matter if you’re in Asia, Europe, or North America, it applies. These parts are available from retailers like Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Lazada, and others. These robots will last a long time as long as you are diligent about cleaning and maintenance.
6. Warranty
A one-year warranty from iRobot is included with every Roomba product. You can get extended coverage if you purchase these items from merchants like Amazon.
However, I don’t believe that is necessary because these robots have a modular design that makes the majority of their components accessible, making them simple to maintain and clean.
What Roomba Model Is The Best?
The best Roombas are the s9+ and j7+, but they excel in various ways. The s9+ offers more power for carpets and is better suited for corners, whereas the j7+ is more adept at navigating around fresh obstacles.
What Variations Of Roomba Are There?
The s9, j7, and i3 are currently the three most important Roombas levels. It’s possible that older models are still available, but iRobot isn’t actively selling them. A Braava mop bot alternative is also available. With Amazon’s recent acquisition, it is currently unclear which products will endure.
My Roomba Could Fall Off The Stairs And Run Into The Furniture.
The anti-collision and cliff sensors stop people from colliding with objects and falling down stairs. The iRobot cleaners have cliff and anti-collision sensors in addition to an auto-recharging feature that sends the robot back to the dock when its battery runs out of power. Remember that the Roomba will occasionally run into objects anyway, so do not expect it to be flawless.
What Exactly Is Spot Clean Mode?
In Spot Clean, the robot moves by spiraling with a diameter of about 3 ft (1 m), ensuring thorough coverage (assisted by all Roombas).
Clean Detect Series 1 Vs. Series 2 With Persistent Pass
Patented Dirt Detect sensors prompt Roomba to work more diligently in high-traffic areas of your home where there is a concentration of dirt. When the sensors identify troublesome areas, the suction power is increased to provide deeper cleaning.
In Series 1, small particles are detected by acoustic sensors, while in Series 2, both optical and acoustic sensors are used. When the robot detects dirt in the first scenario, it will make several passes until the area is clean, whereas models from Series 2 will automatically perform concentrated cleaning (similar to spot cleaning).
How Do I Use The Full Bin Indicator?
The newest Roombas have a Full Bin Indicator that alerts when the bin is full. The Roomba 960 and 980 models have two options: “Finish Job” and “Pause immediately,” which can be managed via the iRobot Cleaning is immediately stopped in the first home app, but is temporarily stopped in the second. The Roomba will continue once the bin has been emptied.
When the container is full, the Roomba i3+, i7+, s9+, and j7+ automatically return to the charging dock, empty themselves, and then resume cleaning.
What Exactly Does The Aeroforce Cleaning System Do?
The robot has two cleaning brushes that rotate in tandem to agitate debris from the carpet and direct it into the trash. The corner and wall debris is collected by the side sweeper. To provide the best pick up, they cooperate.
The most recent models employ a stronger vacuuming system with increased suction. (In order to clean carpet more thoroughly, the Roomba 980, i7+, and s9+ automatically increase suction. The robot won’t be able to get caught in cords, carpet fringe, or tassels thanks to the anti-tangle system. If it succeeds, the system shuts off the vacuum’s side and main brushes and tries to flee.
Will My Roomba Resume Clean When It Has Finished Charging?
A Roomba comes back to the charging station once the battery is depleted. The robot starts up and picks up where it left off cleaning to complete the task. supported by the s9, i Series, and 9xx Roombas.
The Irobot Home App’s Capabilities
Using the app, you can control your Roomba’s on/off and cleaning modes as well as schedule a cleaning session right from your phone. Additionally, the app notifies you when the trash can is full.
If you are the proud owner of one of the most recent robots with a mapping feature, you can view cleaning history at the conclusion.
Different Roombas exist, the i7+ and s9+. You can create the map with different rooms on it so the robot knows where each room is. If you want the Roomba to clean your kitchen, you can select the room in the app or, if you have a Google Home or Alexa-enabled device, just say, “Roomba, clean the kitchen,” and the vacuum will do the rest. Additionally, those models allow you to interact with them by naming each room, setting keep out zones, and selecting which one you want cleaned. They also allow you to store up to 10 different maps.
With the most recent Roomba i3+, the app cleverly recommends additional cleaning during the allergy and shed season.
Maintenance
Even though iRobot takes care of everything to make floor cleaning easier than ever, you still need to perform some maintenance to extend the life of your Roomba. Remove all the dirt and dust that have accumulated in the trash can. If you want your machine to last longer, try to do it after each cleaning or as frequently as you can. The most crucial thing is to clean the bristle brushes (hello, new rubber ones), especially if you have a pet running around your house or a family member with long hair. This is pretty much it. What a waste of time, you say?
The most recent Roombas, the i7+ and s9+, require even less upkeep. It is simple to maintain these models because they do not require a dustbin to be empty after each cleaning and the silicone rollers are designed so that hair does not tangle in them.
Learn More about iRobot Vacuum
How To Program Roomba Vacuum In Easy Methods? – Pet Hair Vacuums
How to Know If Roomba Is Charging – Beginner’s Guide – Pet Hair Vacuums
How To Turn Off Roomba i7 To Save Battery With Simple Ways? – Pet Hair Vacuums
Roomba Comparison 2022 – Difference Between The Roombas – Pet Hair Vacuums
How to Connect Roomba to WiFi – Simple & Quick Guide – Pet Hair Vacuums
Roomba Not Charging: How to Fix It (2022) – Pet Hair Vacuums
How To Empty iRobot Roomba Bag – Fast & Simple Ways – Pet Hair Vacuums
Why Your Roomba Keeps Cleaning the Same Area – Possible Reasons – Pet Hair Vacuums
How to Clean Roomba Wheels – Simple Cleaning Guide – Pet Hair Vacuums
How Often To Change Roomba Filter – What You Should Know – Pet Hair Vacuums
How Do I Setup Mac Address For Roomba With Easy Steps – Pet Hair Vacuums
How to Reboot and Reset a Roomba – Simple Guide For You! – Pet Hair Vacuums
How Does a Roomba Work on Carpet – Everything You Should Know – Pet Hair Vacuums
How to Empty Roomba Vacuum – Tips to Make It Clean – Pet Hair Vacuums
How Long To Charge Roomba – Know More About Roomba’s Battery – Pet Hair Vacuums
How To Clean Your Roomba Filter With Simple Ways – Pet Hair Vacuums
Are Roombas Worth It – Should I Buy Roomba Vacuum? – Pet Hair Vacuums
How To Get Roomba To Remap a Room – Find The Simple Ways – Pet Hair Vacuums
