If you have small to medium-sized apartments, this Roomba will be a great deal. Thanks for sharing! Do you have a longer-charge-storage battery for S+? It also has fewer recurring costs. If you can wait, survey used listings, vacuums are starting to get cheap, quick. It’s also ideal when it comes to cleaning bare floors and pet messes. Regarding the price, the 880 is a great deal because you won’t have to spend any more money to get another Virtual Walls node. With Neato, the brush is not at the very edge, so it still struggles with corners, but Roomba S9’s brush is at the very edge. This is called a 3-stage cleaning system, and all robot vacuums work on the same principle. At 13.26 inches, the iRobot Roomba i3 sits right between the 13-inch Roomba 675 and the 13.3-inch Roomba i7. Worth to mention, that the i8+ has a larger battery (2,210mAh) than the i7+ model.. Roomba i3 vs. i4. When this feature is activated, suction power is stepped up to 1670 pa, and this is something that makes it one of the best Roombas for carpets, from the low pile to high pile carpets. Like mentioned earlier, robot vacuums are autonomous, and the autonomy doesn’t end at power, the navigation plays a critical part. They use a 2nd Gen motor and a 3-stage AeroForce cleaning system. Regarding the accessories supplied, you get a round brush, cleaning tool, flat brush, and 2 Virtual Walls nodes. But unfortunately, it lacks some features such as scheduling function, meaning you can’t program it to clean automatically like most robot vacuums. iRobot has released several new robots over the last few years, including the i7 … (iAdapt 2.0). Its closest competition is the 675, but then, the inclusion of the Virtual Walls node is a big boost. The CleanBase unit can store up to 30 full bins, which means you can go for a whole month without worrying about bin emptying. It comes with the same features as the Roomba 614 only that this one has been optimized to offer longer runtime. As a head start, these two refer to the specific filtration system and brush system. Despite the stiff competition and pressure that the Chinese brands have mounted on iRobot, Roombas still call the shots in the robot vacuums industry. Roomba i3 vs. i4 Robot Vacuums. I cant really tell a difference between them besides the camera on the 960. Regarding the runtime, it has a 1800mAh battery that runs for 75 minutes. Another reason for the adoption of Li-ion batteries is the fact that they run much longer and have shorter recharge times. While the 614 and 640 use the same 1800mAh battery pack, the latter offers 90 minutes runtime compared to the former that offers an average of 60 minutes. I am a tech enthusiast with a flair for home robotics and Smart Home technology. Another difference is the accessories included: Roomba 890 comes with Virtual Walls. Another big difference is that the 790 doesn’t work with an IR remote, and instead, it has been made compatible with the Roomba Wireless Command Center. When it comes to performance, the S series uses the same 3-stage AeroForce cleaning system but boasts a powerful motor that delivers 2200pa, making it the best Roomba for carpets. Just like Roomba i3/i3+ vacuum became a continuation of the i7/i7+ series, Roomba i6/i6+ is a more affordable analog of Roomba S9/S9+. Finally, in the third stage, the dirt is lifted and sucked up into the bin. The 690 comes with all the bells and whistles for a budget Roomba, including the Virtual Walls node. While Neato may be the first company to adopt the D-shape design, iRobot was already experimenting on different brush designs, and they finally got it right, better than Neato. This model also comes with iAdapt 3.0 with Imprint Smart Mapping. I've decided writing this blog about smart technologies which help us everyday and I hope you will like my reviews. But if you are not interested in the CleanBase unit, the S9 works just fine, and more so, it’s compatible with the self-emptying technology so you can buy the CleanBase unit later on. The later models, including the 800 series, and e series, have much-advanced software, so the iAdapt navigation system works much more accurately. That’s all we had for you in this Roomba 2020 comparison, where we have compared Roomba s9+ vs. i7+ vs. e5 vs. 980 vs. 960 vs. 890 vs. 690 vs. 614. I can't be certain of what, if any, benefits the camera offers, since I don't have an i3 to do a side-by-side comparison. The Roomba 690 is the best model in the 600 series, and interestingly, the best selling Roomba on Amazon. But then, you can’t rely on it to vacuum medium and high pile carpets, and large apartments with multi-levels. However, users cannot interact with the map to create room labels, keep out zones, and other custom cleaning control. The only difference in the Roombas that have the iAdapt 1.0 navigation is the software updates. There was a shift from the bristle style brushes to rubber extractors. Roomba® i3+ Robot Vacuum & Braava jet® m6 Robot Mop Bundle. Roomba i7 has more powerful suctions. These Roombas are very much similar to the previous 600 series in terms of cleaning performance. Also, this is not a smart robot vacuum, so you will have to rely on the IR remote controller for remote control. I can say, having used the 960 for two month now, that it does a very thorough job cleaning. they claim it does better at knowing where it can't fit, so it shouldn't get stuck, but I haven't seen that tested anywhere. 3. Checking in way after this post, as I got an i3+ today, and have had a 960 for a few months. It has all the core features and includes iRobot Genius which is an intelligent system that learns from your cleaning patterns and offers cleaning suggestions. The only difference between the two, apart from the … On balance, I decided that the above three features gave the 960 a slight edge over the i3, despite the higher suction rating of the i3. Last is voice assistant, and here, Roombas sync with the popular voice assistant speakers, for example. The icing on the cake is the affordable pricing. The navigation system is all about how the robot finds its way around your home but then, it’s the floor mapping technology that determines whether the robot will clean the entire floor area or not. I am looking at purchasing a roomba and cant decide between the i3 and 960. The 980, though a discontinued model, is the best affordable Roomba for carpets. iRobot used NiMH batteries in the older generation models, including the 500 series, 700 series and some 800 series models. The Roomba 880 has been designed to handle small to medium-sized apartments. On the other hand, speed allows you to set the power levels depending on your cleaning needs. the costco version i4 is pretty close, $349. In this section, we will look at the different battery technologies used in Roombas, and the various innovations from the Massachusetts-based brand. The first model to be introduced with this technology is the i7 and i7+, but there is a slight difference in that the i7 doesn’t include the CleanBase unit, which is why it is cheaper. In this section, we will assess all the available remote control options for Roombas before highlighting what remote control method is available for the models in this Roomba comparison review. One of the iRobot technologies that no other robot vacuum brand has been able to replicate is Dirt Detect. The 640 is not a very popular Roomba and is very much similar to the 614. However, if you are interested in containment, go for the Roomba E6. Also, all the models in this series are smart home ready courtesy of 2.4GHz WiFi except for the 850. On the other hand, the iRobot is better-built and has an automatic dirt disposal feature. Roombas deploy two types of sensors: obstacle detection sensors and cliff detection sensors. The old models, talk of 600 and 700 series, have Dirt Detect Series I, while the newer models have Series II. While they can all run for 120 minutes when in low power mode, the S9 has shorter runtime in high power mode as it delivers higher suction power – 2200pa compared to the 980’s 1670pa. The real-time camera identifies all the landmarks in real-time, and together with the sensor data, the robot can find its position more accurately. For the i7/i7+ and S9/S9+, the mapping feature dubbed Imprint Smart Mapping allows you to partition the maps, and name the different rooms. One thing you need to be aware of is that the capacity of a battery doesn’t determine its runtime across the board. how important is the camera that the i3 lacks? Indeed, Roombas are expensive, but there are several affordable models. One area iRobot was beaten by other brands is the digital boundaries that don’t require any physical accessories to set up. The i7 has a larger battery than the 960. For the record, there are replacement batteries for the newer models that use NiMH technology, and a good example is the iRobot® XLife™ Extended Life Battery. That’s why the Roomba 890 works better than Roomba 690 in high traffic rooms and large apartments. I am looking at purchasing a roomba and cant decide between the i3 and 960. For the record, the 760 doesn’t come with the full bin indicator. In this section, find out what Dirt Detect is, how it works, and the variations. The Roomba i4 … According to iRobot, the i3 is supposed to have stronger suction than the 960. To understand Imprint Smart Mapping, it’s essential that you first understand how the Roomba floor mapping has evolved. Best Model Recommendations. The Roomba 790 might sound as the premium model in this series, but then, it isn’t. The first advanced feature is CleanMap reports, a mapping feature that lets you see where the Roomba has vacuumed and is available on the Roomba 960, 980, I series, and S series. The only difference is the accessories, so if you want a Roomba that comes with the CleanBase unit, the i7+ is the best choice, but you have to pay more. The i3+ joins the i7 and i7+ in iRobot’s i-Series and is the most affordable option. The i3+ is the best affordable Roomba with self-emptying bin. It has all the core Roomba features and works with an IR remote. Dirt Detect, as the name suggests, is a technology that enables Roombas to locate where there is concentrated dirt. Our Recommendation: iRobot Roomba i3. The i7 cleans in straight lines and remembers the layout of your home (iAdapt 3.0). Are there any other features to consider between them? I'd expect that the camera in the 960 must serve some function; otherwise, they would not have included it in the 960 (or in the i7 and s9, both of which also have a camera). The runtime is 90 minutes, and both are smart home ready. So what’s the difference between these two in terms of performance? However, the reviews that I have read online seem to indicate that the difference doesn't have a dramatic effect on the cleaning abilities of the two robots. Moreso, the pricing is almost the same. Such a difference between these two motors means the suction power is ultimately stronger in the Roomba i7. The main difference between them is the Smart Mapping functionality. That said, these are just my theories as to what function the camera may serve. Find products from iRobot with the lowest prices. Read the Roomba i3 vs i7 and i3+ vs i7+ full comparison review article here. Both the Shark IQ Robot R101AE and Roomba 960 belong to the mid-tier range of robot vacuums. The Roomba 770, on the other hand, is very much similar to the Roomba 760. When it comes to robotic navigation, there are two approaches in all fields, not just in the robot vacuums market: SLAM and VSLAM navigation. The E5 is the cheaper model, but it doesn’t come with Virtual Walls, so if you are not into containment, it is the best choice. While the 880 comes with a NiMH battery, the 890 has a Li-ion battery. In terms of accessories, you get 1 extra set of HEPA filters and 2 Virtual Walls nodes. The 6th Generation Roombas took a leap from AeroVac cleaning technology to the new AeroForce system. In the first stage, the Roomba agitates the dirt, before the dirt is lifted in the second stage. Find out which is the best model for cleaning bare floors, carpets, pet hair, and so on. But there’s something unique with Roomba’s 3-stage cleaning system, the dual multi-surface brush system. The technology relies on a new dock called an iRobot CleanBase® unit, which empties the bin’s contents into the larger bin in the CleanBase unit via a suction outlet. This Roomba 614 vs. 675 vs. 690 vs. 890 vs. 960 vs. 980 vs. E5 vs. i7 vs. S9 vs. i3 vs. i8 comparison review will come in handy if you are on the market for the best Roomba. The Shark picks up more pet hair from bare floors and has a better overall performance on low and high-pile carpets. Yields is all about the maximum suction power it can put out. The Roomba 7th Generation robot vacuums came with a new navigation system dubbed iAdapt 2.0, a VSLAM navigation system with smart mapping. Talking of suction power, only one component comets to mind – motor. While there is no smart mapping, at least the software updates ensure some level of entire level cleaning courtesy of the semi-random cleaning pattern. Here, the Roomba 890 is the best deal because it packs all the bells and whistles. Finally, like you, I figured the camera in the 960 probably offers some navigation benefit. It’s essential to know what each entails to make the best purchase decision. (The i3 has an added option of a self-emptying docking station, which is not available for the 960; however, I knew I would not want the self-emptying dock, because it's quite large and I wanted to be able to fit the dock somewhere discrete, like under a bed. Roomba i3 vs i7 Final Thoughts. The Roomba i3 Plus also uses a high-efficiency filter that can capture up to 99% of pollen, mold, dust mites, and other types of allergens. This makes Roombas more efficient than the rest of the robot vacuums that have just one primary brushroll for agitation and dirt pickup. For example, the Roomba 600 series with a 1800mAh, runs for 60 minutes maximum, while the Roomba i7 and E5 with the same 1800mAh battery have been optimized to run for 75 minutes. It also handles bare floors and pet messes efficiently. It is basically the same model like the 980, but then, it comes with 1 Virtual Walls node, whereas the 980 comes with 2. Advantages: More affordable, won’t get scuffed Disadvantages: Weaker smart features Ideal buyer: People who live in small homes or apartments. If you want the convenience of self-emptying, go for the Roomba S9+. Here again, it’s a matter of the accessories included. Talking of Spot mode, this makes the Roomba clean spirally on the spot until the dirt is cleared. The Roomba i3 and i4 are basically the … I cant really tell a difference between them besides the camera on the 960. When I was buying my first robot cleaner, I had a hard time making a choice on what to go for because there was very little information about them. iRobot Canada (EN) ... i3 Series. iRobot Brazil. iRobot Belgium (FR) iRobot Belgium (NL) iRobot Bolivia. This is a very convenient containment method that requires you to set up digital boundaries on the app – as simple as that. 960 vs i3. 600 Series. The only competition is 891 but considering the 891 doesn’t include a Virtual Walls node, it’s not up for a contest. Our house is 3100 SF, so not that big. This is the only difference between these two models. While the 690 comes with a Virtual Walls node, the 675 doesn’t include any Virtual Walls device, but it is compatible with the containment technology. The Massachusetts based brand has managed to stay afloat with its wide range of robot vacuums. So, which one is the best deal, and what battery technology has been included in the models in this review. Dirt Detect Series I Roombas relies on acoustic sensors only to detect concentrated dirt. From the 600 series, the company shifted to Li-ion batteries as the stock battery for one main reason – weight. How Does the Roomba 3-Stage Cleaning System Work? On the other hand, cliff detection sensors, also known as anti-drop sensors, will detect any drop areas such as stairs and change direction. For customers, it’s all about the efficiency, and not about who introduced what, and that places Roomba ahead of Neato. I just figured the camera must offer some benefit. That’s what this segment is all about. All the new models, from Roomba 600 series to the latest models, have Li-ion batteries, but then, the biggest difference is the capacity. Below are the highlights of the popular models in the series available for purchase. There are tons of 20% off coupons which brings it down to $319. The Shark IQ Robot is a better-performing vacuum than the iRobot Roomba i3+. the i3 is very similar to the i7, except all the mapping features. While Roomba 960 use iAdapt 2.0, Roomba i7 is equipped with iAdapt 3.0; In terms of suction, it seems that Roomba i7 has more comparative one compared to Roomba 960. All rights reserved. On the other hand, the much-advanced Dirt Detect Series II uses acoustic and optical sensors to locate such areas making it more efficient. Your email address will not be published. I also like fishing and mountaineering. 1. Roomba model comparison chart (2021) - i3 vs i4 vs e5 vs i6 vs i7 and more Written by Petteri Pyyny @ 21 Jan 2021 6:50 User comments (2) iRobot is the world's largest manufacturer of robotic vacuums. Copyright © 2020 Robotbox. These send a laser beam that marks the boundary. Is the camera on the 960 important? i3 has the same suction as the i7, so that's better than the 960. i3 can work with an autoemptying bin (bought separately unless you buy the i3+ package). The dust bin on the 960 is larger than the dust bin on the i3, which can be helpful, especially for larger cleaning jobs. If I’m not in my office, you will find me testing gadgets and writing reviews. It wasn't hard for us to name the Roomba i3 as the better robot vacuum.