Roomba 960 vs. 980 - A comprehensive comparison

Anyone who’s even remotely interested in technology should know, or at least have heard of the Roomba. The Roomba is a robotic vacuum cleaner produced by the company iRobot. It’s been very popular with fans of the latest hi-tech trends, or those who just hate doing menial chores.

With years of development under their belt, they’ve advanced the capabilities of their robotic vacuums to an astounding degree. Highly efficient, and very accessible, these automatic vacuum cleaners allow their users to free up time usually spent cleaning. If you’ve ever wanted the convenience of having one of the most tedious parts of housework done for you automatically, then a Roomba might just be for you.

If you’ve ever wondered whether or not you’d benefit from owning a Roomba, then check out some of the advantages of having one around.

Because Roombas use advanced software to calculate the floor space of the rooms that they clean, they perform their jobs thoroughly and efficiently. The newer models can pick up all the dirt that they come across, dump all the trash that they collect, then return to their charging docks all on their own.

With the systematic way that Roombas approach cleaning, they’re able to maximize the amount of work they do. This means that they don’t consume more energy than necessary when they do their task. Roomba’s trait of not sacrificing performance with energy efficiency is why it attracts so many gadget lovers.

Another aspect that makes the Roomba a very popular device is that it frees up the time you’d normally spend on chores for other activities. Other than the initial programming and the regular maintenance, the Roomba is fully automatic. This means that you can just turn the Roomba on then go about your busy day, leaving all the cleaning to your robotic vacuum cleaner. The latest models even include a scheduling feature that lets you set the cleaning times for each day of the week.

Accessibility and Ease of Use

Although getting a Roomba may seem a bit daunting for those who aren’t overly familiar with technology, it has been designed with accessibility in mind. The programming features of this automatic vacuum are intuitive and simple to understand. Even without using the scheduling option, all it takes is a push of a button to operate a Roomba. As long as your device has been set up properly it can operate on its own with the minimum of fuss.

The Roomba has been made to adapt to a variety of floor types, ensuring that it can clean efficiently, no matter the surface. The high-end versions of the Roomba don’t even require you to adjust the settings manually for each floor type. Some models are also able to navigate multiple rooms even if they have various floor surfaces. This adaptability is what gives the Roomba the ability to clean more thoroughly.

This reason is pretty much on the top of many buyer’s lists as to why they purchase a robotic vacuum. The ability to leave the cleaning to a programmable device is the epitome of convenience. Having a Roomba around allows you to concentrate on more important things without having to worry about trivial chores.

With all the advantages that a Roomba offers, it’s no surprise that the popularity of this handy gadget is increasing. If even one of the reasons above sounds appealing to you, it may be time to consider getting yourself a Roomba too.

Members of the Seventh Generation of the Roomba family, the Roomba 960 and 980 may not be the latest, but are still top of the line models. Still widely considered as some of the best robotic vacuums around, both the 960 and 980 offer great features without being too much of a budget breaker. Below is a feature by feature comparison of the Roomba 960 and 980 that gives you a quick idea of the differences of each model.

With a quick glance at the comparison list, the differences between the Roomba 960 and 980 are immediately apparent. Although they share a majority of features, there are still a few distinctions that anyone who’s trying to choose between the two may find important. Here’s a quick summary:

• The 980 has a more powerful motor – The Roomba 980 is equipped with a Gen 3 motor, while the 960’s motor is only Gen 2. Although the Gen 2 is still quite capable in its own right, there’s no denying the added power of the more advanced motor. The only real advantage that the Gen 2 motor has is that it runs quieter than the Gen 3 motor. If you have pets that are easily startled by loud noises, the Roomba 960 may be a better option, otherwise the Roomba 980 provides more power output.
• The Roomba 980 has twice the suction power – because of the more advanced motor, the Roomba 980 provides twice the amount of suction power than the 960. The Roomba 960 provides AeroForce 5x suction power, while the 980 has AeroForce 10x. If you have smooth floors like hardwood or stone this difference may not be too important, but if you have carpets, it can be a game changer.
• The Roomba 980 has a Carpet Boost Option – Speaking of carpets, the Roomba 980 is equipped with the Carpet Boost Feature, while this isn’t available in the 960.
• The Roomba 980 has longer battery life – Although both Roomba models come with Lithium Ion batteries, the 980 has a longer run time. Although both models will recharge automatically when they’re low on battery, a longer runtime means faster cleaning time.
• The Roomba 960 is less expensive – With the differences between the models, it’s easy to see why the Roomba 980 is pricier than the 960. The price differences between the two can sometimes range to about $200 give or take. Sales and promotions can change that, of course, but in general the Roomba 960 costs less than the 980.

Below is an in-depth view of the features of both the Roomba 960 and 980, along with comparisons where applicable.

• Battery Type and Battery Life – Both Roomba models are outfitted with a Lithium Ion battery, though the capacity of each is different. The Roomba 980 comes with a 3,000 mAh battery while the Roomba 960 only has 2130 mAh. The 980 has an estimated battery life of about 120 minutes, while the 960 has about 75 minutes of battery life.
  
  For small- to medium-sized homes, 75 minutes should be enough to cover most of the floor area of the house. Larger homes will benefit from the longer operating time of the Roomba 980, although both models will return to the charging dock when they’re running low on battery life. Depending on the cleaning schedule you set your Roomba, it may or may not be a defining factor between the models.

• Anti-Tangle Technology – Both Roomba models are equipped with Anti-Tangle capabilities, allowing them to clean even with cables and carpet fringes around. This feature releases the cleaning brush when it becomes stalled by fibers or cables that get stuck inside it. Although it would be ideal not to have loose cables lying around while the Roomba is cleaning, this feature reduces potential problems.

• Carpet Boost Technology – Carpet Boost Technology is a feature that automatically increases the power of the motor whenever it detects carpeting. This feature is only available to the Roomba 980, and is one of the more significant differences between the models. If your home has plenty of carpeting, then this may be quite the deal maker. Carpets gather dirt rather easily, and can be harder to remove as they get stuck into the fibers. The Carpet Boost Feature makes cleaning carpets much easier.

• Cliff Detection – All Roomba models are equipped with sensors that detect when they’re heading near a significant drop. A lot of potential buyers may be concerned if their home has a good number of open stairs around. This technology turns the Roomba away whenever they approach the stairs so that they avoid falling. Although the Virtual wall accessories can form a barrier for the Roomba, this provides added protection for your device.

• Edges & Corners – Although Roombas are round, they’re equipped with side brushes that allow them to clean edges and corners effectively. Both the Roomba 980 and 960 are equipped with this feature. The spinning side brushes and advanced dual brushrolls of both the Roomba 980 and 960 picks up dirt and debris which sweeps them up into the central brush.

• HEPA Filter – HEPA, or high efficiency particulate absorber filters, trap small particulates and fine debris. They’re an effective solution against molds, bacteria, fine dust, and pet hair and dander, minimizing potential allergic reactions.
  
  This works in tandem with the Roomba’s AeroForce suction technology to remove the particulates that often get stirred up during cleaning. The Roomba’s HEPA filters traps allergens while allowing clean air to easily pass through. Both models have HEPA filters equipped.

• Motor Type – The Roomba 980 is equipped with a more powerful Gen 3 motor. This allows it to produce a lot more suction power when it comes to cleaning carpeted floors. The Roomba 960 has the Gen 2 motor that is also used by older models. It’s still rather powerful in its own right, but the Gen 3 has practically double the suction power of the previous generation.
  
  Homes that have a lot of carpeting will benefit from the more powerful motor of the Roomba 980. Combined with the Roomba 980’s Carpet Boost Technology, this makes a rather significant advantage compared to the 960. Homes with hard flooring will still see the same cleaning performance from the 960 though.

• Multi Room Cleaning – The Roomba 900 series are designed to clean up to 2,000 square feet per level, and are fully capable of cleaning multiple rooms at once. The mapping software allows it to effectively plan the paths it needs to take in order to get the rooms clean. Both models also automatically adjust their cleaning functions depending on the type of floors that they can detect.

• Navigation – Both the Roomba 980 and 960 come with more advanced navigation capabilities as compared to the older models. Equipped with onboard cameras and the iAdapt 2.0 software, it allows the Roomba 900 series to better maneuver around even the most cluttered rooms.
  
  Older models used sensors to try and avoid obstacles and traverse the floors. The Roomba 980 and 960 uses their cameras to actually see where they are and compare it to their mapping software. This not only prevents the Roomba from getting stuck between the furniture, it allows the device to plan an effective cleaning path to get the job done quicker.

• Recharge Resume – The Recharge Resume feature allows the Roomba to return to its docking station whenever it detects that it’s running low on battery. Once it has sufficiently charged itself, the device will then return to where it left off, and continue cleaning as planned.
  
  The longer battery life of the Roomba 980 reduces the amount of times that it needs to return to the docking station, but this isn’t much of a factor for smaller homes.

• Remote Control – iRobot has apps available for both iOS and Android that allows the user to control the robot vacuum remotely. You can program the Roomba using the app, and set schedules and user preferences as you see fit. There’s even an option to order the Roomba to vacuum the floors more than once per cleaning session. As the device has a mapping feature, it will only pass through a particular area once, if the app allows you to change that.

• Vacuum Suction Strength – Roomba vacuums are equipped with what is known as the AeroForce suction feature. This is a combination of three advanced cleaning technologies, the Airflow Accelerator, the Tangle Free Debris Extractor, and the High-Efficiency vacuum.
  
  The Airflow accelerator increases the force of the vacuum’s suction, allowing it to pick up dirt more effectively. The Tangle Free Debris Extractor allows the Roomba to easily pull out the dust and debris that are stuck within carpeting, and the High Efficiency Vacuum is the core of the device’s cleaning capabilities.
  
  With its more powerful motor, the Roomba 980 is rated at AeroForce 10x, while the Roomba 960 is rated at AeroForce 5x. While on paper, this means that the 980 has twice the suction power of the 960, it’s still a powerful motor regardless. Unless your home builds up dense amount of debris or has very thick carpeting the extra power may or may not be needed.

• Wi-Fi Connectivity – Although the Roomba can operate just as easily without a Wi-Fi connection, it does take advantage of it when it’s present. Many of the more advanced features such as user preference customization, cleaning reports, scheduling, and multiple passes can be accessed with a Wi-Fi connection. The Roomba also integrates well with both Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant to remotely control your gadget along with the mobile app.

• Accessories – Both Roomba models come with a charging base, an extra HEPA filter, and a spinning brush. The difference between them is the additional virtual wall included with the Roomba 980 which has two, compared to the 960 which only has one. Virtual walls create invisible barriers that the Roomba will avoid while cleaning. This is handy to keep the device away from pet food trays or other spots that you don’t want the device to traverse.

If you’re still undecided on which Roomba model to buy, below we’ll provide you with an in-depth review of each product along with pros and cons.

The Roomba 960

Although at the lower end of the Roomba 900 series, the Roomba 960 is still considered as one of the best robotic vacuums around. With its patented AeroForce suction technology and the iAdapt mapping software, it’s sure to handle the toughest of cleaning jobs.

Roomba 960 Review

Released almost a year after the Roomba 980, the 960 was designed to balance both the high-end features of the Roomba 900 series with relative affordability. Although still rather expensive in its own right, the Roomba 960 does come with a very extensive feature set that makes the price worthwhile.

Its on board camera allows the 960 to traverse obstacle-filled rooms with ease, allowing a hands-free cleaning process. Its Wi-Fi capabilities partnered with the very useful mobile app gives the user very precise controls and provides a whole lot of customization.

Its 2,130 mAh Lithium Ion battery gives it about an hour and 15 minutes of operating time, easily handling small- and mid-sized homes in one charge. Made with a Recharge Resume function that allows it to pick up where it left off further increases its cleaning capabilities.

The Roomba 960 performs very well for all types of flooring, cleaning hardwood floors and low carpets with relative ease. It may struggle a bit with high carpets, but it can be said that a lot of robotic vacuums don’t handle high carpeting that well.

Even with its touted programmability, the Roomba 960 can be easily operated without the need for extra customization. It has an auto mapping feature that allows you to just push the big ‘Clean’ button at the top of the device and let it do its job.

Although not as powerful as the Roomba 980, the 960 still comes with a majority of the Roomba 900 series features that set them apart from most robotic vacuums. Pair this with a relatively more affordable price tag, then the Roomba 960 is a device that you really shouldn’t miss out on.

Pros:

• Comes with most of the Roomba 900 series features
• Less expensive than the Roomba 980 model
• Runs quieter than the Roomba 980
• Operates on the same mobile app software
• Performs just as well as the 980 on most floor types

Cons:

• No carpet boost feature
• Shorter operation time
• Includes only one virtual wall barrier

Considered as the high-end of the already impressive Roomba 900 series, the Roomba 980 is a powerhouse in a small package. Made to handle even tough surfaces, it’s a great buy for those that want optimum performance in their robotic vacuums.

Roomba 980 Review

There’s no doubt that in comparison to the Roomba 960, the 980 is objectively the better machine. Made with the more powerful Gen 3 motor, it provides twice the suction power of the Roomba 960 being rated at AeroForce 10x in comparison to Roomba 960’s Aeroforce 5x.

The Roomba 980 also comes with Carpet Boost Technology. This feature kicks the motor up a notch whenever it encounters carpeting. This means that this vacuum knows how to efficiently use its energy. It works harder when it needs to, promptly returning to normal operation when it goes back to hardwood flooring.

The Roomba 980’s 3,000 mAh Lithium Ion battery gives it a very long two-hour operating time, allowing it to clean all but the largest of homes in one charge. Also equipped with the Restore Resume feature, it can easily finish whatever job it left off before running low on battery.

The Roomba 980 comes with two Virtual Wall barriers as compared to only one for the Roomba 960. This means that out of the box, the Roomba 980 can be set to avoid more sensitive areas without the need to adjust its mapping feature.

The most obvious disadvantage of the Roomba 980 to the 960 is its price. There’s no denying that the 980 is a lot more expensive, usually ranging to about a $200 difference from the other model. Also, as the motor is a lot more powerful, it operates a lot louder, running at around 70 decibels as compared to Roomba 960’s 65 decibels. It may not be a big variation, but if you have pets that are sensitive to sound, it does make a big difference.

Pros:

• More powerful motor
• Carpet Boost Technology
• Longer operating time
• Twice the suction power of the Roomba 960
• Comes with two Virtual Wall Barriers

Cons:

• Much more expensive
• Louder motor

If you’ve decided to buy a Roomba but still haven’t locked down the model to get, then here are a few things to take note of before considering which to buy.

This is pretty much the deal maker when it comes to the choosing between the two models. Both Roombas are quite expensive as the 900 series, though not the latest models from iRobot, are still considered as top of the line picks. The price difference between the 960 and 980 can be as much as $200, if sales and promotions can swing the prices either way.

Robotic vacuums are quite the investment and, as with most gadgets, going for the high-end model usually pays off in the long-term. If you can afford the Roomba 980 then it’s objectively the better pick, but if your budget doesn’t accommodate it, then the 960 is still a good choice.

Both the Roomba 980 and 960 come with a lot of very similar features. They share the same mobile app, have the same Wi-Fi connectivity, and have the same mapping software. The only features that you’ll be missing if you choose the Roomba 960 would be the Carpet Boost technology, along with a longer operating time. If your house doesn’t have heavy carpeting, and isn’t too large, then these advantages don’t really make that much of a difference.

Decide whether or not the features that aren’t included with the Roomba 960 are things that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. If you believe that the missing options aren’t that big of a deal, then maybe the Roomba 960 makes a better purchase.

This is a combination of the prior two factors. The Roomba 980’s features may be much better than the 960’s but you should take note on whether or not they’re worth the price. The Carpet Boost option is great, but if you don’t own carpeting, then it’s useless.

If you run your Roomba whenever you’re out of the house, does it really matter whether or not it runs for two hours or just 75 minutes? On paper, the Roomba 980 is the better machine, but depending on the environment it works in, the two models may have the same performance. There’s no point in paying for features you may never use.

OVERALL WINNER

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Roombas:

How often should you use a Roomba?

The answer to this really depends on how quickly your home builds up dirt and debris. There really isn’t a point in running a Roomba more than once a day, and clutter can easily build up in just a week. By this measure, one can easily judge that a Roomba can be run between once to seven times per week.

The frequency may increase depending on whether or not you have children or pets, both of which are a constant source of dirt. It’s a good thing that the mobile app that controls the Roomba can be scheduled daily from Monday to Sunday. To have a more concrete idea of how much you need to operate the Roomba, check on the debris bag. If it’s less than half full after each cleaning run, then decrease cleaning frequency. Otherwise, run it daily.

Will a Roomba automatically turn off when finished cleaning?

Roomba operates on a cleaning cycle in which it maps out the shape of your room then proceeds to give the entire floor surface one pass. The Recharge Resume feature allows the Roomba to pick up where it left off if it runs out of battery charge during cleaning.

Once the Roomba finishes a cleaning cycle it will return to the charging dock to wait for the next cycle. The only time that this can change is when the user programs the Roomba to make more than one pass during a cleaning cycle. After performing the additional passes, the Roomba then returns to the dock.

Can I program my Roomba? If Yes, how?

The Roomba is highly programmable, and a cleaning cycle can be easily scheduled either through the Roomba itself or by using the mobile app. Your Roomba can also be voice activated through the use of either Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant. Refer to your user’s manual to see all the programming features available for your device.

Do I need a Wi-Fi Connection to run a Roomba?

No. Although the Roomba would ideally be run with a Wi-Fi connection, you don’t need Wi-Fi to use a Roomba. It can be set up using the panels on the top of the device, and the mapping software is built into the vacuum itself.

It would, of course, be more ideal to take advantage of all the features of the Roomba using a Wi-Fi connection, like customizable scheduling, extra cleaning passes, and cleaning logs. These features are more of a bonus rather than a necessity though.

Does my floor type matter when using a Roomba?

The Roomba 980 and 960 were designed to automatically detect changes in the surface of the floor that they clean. This means that you don’t need to worry about your floor type whenever you use your Roomba. In fact, the Roomba can go through multiple rooms each with different types of flooring without ever having to manually change a setting.

One should note that high carpets can be an issue, but this is true no matter the type of robotic vacuum. Compared to other products, the Roomba 900 series will still give some of the best cleaning results.

Does the amount of light in a room affect Roomba’s functionality?

Although the Roomba is equipped with sensors that allow it to operate even in very low light conditions, it can’t operate in total darkness. The Roomba 900 series uses on-board cameras to map the room, so it will function slower when there isn’t sufficient light to work with. Normal daylight or one ambient room light is enough for the iAdapt to map out a room, but it’s better to have your Roomba work in brightly lit conditions.

Can I physically move the Roomba from one room to another?

Yes. You can pick up a Roomba 980 or 960 then place it in an entirely new room and let it get to work. The 900 series Roombas map new rooms automatically and remember rooms that they’ve already visited. As long as they have an unobstructed path back to their charging dock, then you won’t have much trouble placing a Roomba in another room.

Do note though that if you’re changing floors, it would be prudent to bring the charging dock along. The Cliff detection feature prevents the Roomba from going down the stairs, not that you want it to tumble down in the first place. If you leave the charging dock behind you run the risk of running out of battery charge.

If you do decide to get a Roomba, whether it’s the 980 or 960, then it would be wise to ensure that your investment is well taken care of. On that note, here are some maintenance tips that you should take note of for either models in the 900 series:

• 1. 1. 1. Clean the dust bin and filters regularly. Making sure that both are cleared up before the Roomba performs a cleaning cycle will ultimately prolong the life of your Roomba. The mobile app will give a warning whenever the bin and filter needs cleaning, but it’s better to take care of this before it happens.
        2. Check the brushes at least once a week to see if hair or fibers have gotten tangled in. Although the Roomba is equipped with Anti-Tangle features, it can still pick up long dirt strands inadvertently. A tangled-up brush or roller decreases performance and may cause overheating if left unattended. Check the rollers and brush regularly to make sure this doesn’t happen.
        3. Remove unnecessary obstacles in the path of your Roomba. Although these devices are designed to avoid clutter on their own, the mapping features do still take time to adjust. To reduce operating time and speed up cleaning, clear out any furniture and other objects that can get in the way of your Roomba.
        4. Replace parts at the recommended frequencies. Filters, brushes and even the battery will eventually need to be replaced to maintain proper operation. Although you don’t need to strictly follow the given timeframe, it’s always a good idea to keep them in mind. The recommended replacement frequency of the parts are as follows:
• HEPA filters – once every two months
• Spinning brushes – once every six months
• Front Wheel – once a year
• Debris extractor – once a year
• Batteries – once every 18 to 36 months