IRobot launched its flagship robot vacuum Roomba 980 last year, but not many people can accept it for the high price (About 900USD) . Recently iRobot in order to save such a decline, launched the Roomba 960 sweeping robot as the entry level flagship.
Roomba 960 is equipped with vacuum cleaning system like Roomba 600 and Roomba 700 series, the suction is more powerful, clean more quickly. The key motor just like Roomba 800 series. According to iRobot said, Roomba 960 is also a combination all advanced features as Roomba 800 and Roomba 900 series. Just like Roomba 980, Roomba 960 supports wireless connection. When the machine is connected to the iRobot family App, through the iRobot artificial intelligent navigation system, Roomba 960 can automatically draw the map to clean. Other includes non winding debris processing system, automatic return charging function, Detect Series II and other high-end features.
So, what is the different between Roomba 960 and Roomba 980?
First, price, much cheaper, almost 200USD.
Second, an old motor and not support carpet boost. The suction is only 5X AeroForce 3-stage clean system.
Third, less battery life, only 75 minutes, but Roomba 980 supports 120 minutes.
Comparison of iRobot Roomba 960 and Roomba 980:
| iRobot Roomba 960 | iRobot Roomba 980 | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 13.8 inches in diameter x 3.6 inches tall | 13.8 inches in diameter x 3.6 inches tall |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs | 8.7 lbs |
| Lithium-ion Battery Life | 75 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Recharge and Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Dirt Detect Concentrated Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Soft Touch | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-room Navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Tangle-free Debris Extractors | Yes | Yes |
| Bin Full Inidicator | Yes | Yes |
| iRobot HOME App | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Cleaning Preferences | Yes | Yes |
| 3-Stage Cleaning System | Yes | Yes |
| AeroForce 3-Stage Cleaning System | 5X | 10X |
| AeroForce High-Efficiency Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Carpet Boost | No | Yes |
The official introduce Roomba 960 as the video:
Actually the Carpet Boost is not good at all, too noise while it works. And 5X AeroForce 3-Stage Clean System is enough for most of carpet. Like the other robot vacuum, it is quite important of automatic recharging, so a little shorten of battery life maybe is accepted. The other flagship features of iRobot is amazing… So most reviews is 5 star in amazon.com.
“This vacuum runs every day. It takes two to three cycles, but cleans the whole house; even places we never do, like under the beds. We had a robot before, but this is an upgrade in several ways. This one really does the whole house. We had to physically take our older model to the back rooms. Left on its own it mostly cleaned two rooms. This one also has rubber rollers instead of brushes. It seems to pick up more than the older model, but I don’t have to clean tangled hair out of the brushes every time I run it. Some hair gathers at the ends of the rollers, but it’s easy to remove and much less… disgusting.”
The score of robot vacuum capacity:
| iRobot Roomba 960 | |
| clean capacity | 9 |
| filter capacity | 9 |
| durable | 9 |
| navigation | 9 |
| dirt detect | 9 |
| cliff detect | 10 |
| pattern | 9 |
| dust bin | 8 |
| run time | 7 |
| smart level | 9.5 |
| noise level | 6 |
| price | 9 |
| total score | 103.5 |
*Every item has the best score 10, total score is 120.
Pros:
Cleans Effectively
Cleans Under Furniture
Easy To Use
Hassle Free Operation
Much Cheaper than Roomba 980
Cons:
Short Battery Life
