For the last couple of years, iRobot company has released several robot vacuums. All these models can be called flagships of the brand since they significantly differ from the previous cleaners and offer several innovative technologies.
So, the list of these flagships includes Roomba 960, Roomba 980, Roomba i7, and Roomba s9. In this review, we will highlight all cons and pros of each robot to compare them and find the best model.
Roomba 960
Apart from the WiFi connection, app, and voice control support, which have become standard for robot vacuums of such class, Roomba 960 features several crucial technologies.
The model has thorough navigation. The system includes iAdapt 2.0 and vSLAM technologies, which help the vac build a route and map the rooms. However, it does not save the map and create a new one for each cleaning.
Here we also see Dirt Detection for most challenging areas. Standard cleaning is performed by a side brush and improved dual rubber rollers. The central brushes greatly differ from the majority of previous robots, as they have only rubber blades of different patterns and rotate in opposite directions. The rollers also adapt to the surface height.
Other characteristics are quite standard. The suction power of the vac is 900 Pa. Collected debris comes into a 600 ml dust bin, and the air goes through HEPA filtration, which traps 99% of particles.
The model runs for 80 minutes and uses Recharge & Resume.
Pros:
- dual rubber rollers-extractors with height adjustment
- Dirt Detection
- HEPA filter
- iAdapt and vSLAM navigation
- iRobot HOME app and voice assistants
- virtual wall
Cons:
- weak suction for a flagship model
- no map saving
- rather low battery capacity
- small dust bin
Roomba 980
iRobot 980 is very similar to the previous Roomba 960.
Firstly, the robot has the same $450 price. For this money, it also offers dual rollers with auto-adjust heads, Dirt Detection, dustbin capacity for 600 ml, HEPA filtration, iRobot app, voice assistant support, and navigation based on iAdapt 2.0 and vSLAM.
However, this robot got some improvements in power, battery, and navigation. Now, the suction of the Roomba 980 reaches 1700 Pa. It also uses Power Boost technology to increase suction on carpets. Consequently, the model performs better carpet cleaning and hair collection.
While the 960 creates the map, iRobot 980 can remember it and display it in the app. The function is called Smart Mapping.
The run time was enlarged too. Roomba 980 can last up to 120 minutes.
Pros:
- dual rubber rollers-extractors with height adjustment
- powerful suction
- Power Boost
- Dirt Detection
- HEPA filter
- iAdapt and vSLAM navigation
- Smart Mapping
- nice collection of hair
- 120 minutes of work
- iRobot HOME app and voice assistants
- virtual walls
Cons:
- small dust bin
- noisy work
Roomba i7/i7+
Roomba i7/i7+ presents a new stage of robot vacuum development. From this very model, iRobot starts equipping vacuums with Automatic Dirt Disposal systems. This cleaner can perform self-emptying on the base without any human participation. The only difference between the i7 and the i7+ models is that the first supports the Auto Dirt Disposal base but doesn`t include it into the kit, and the second comes with it.
Roomba i7/i7+ also features 1700 Pa suction with Dirt Detection and Carpet Boost. Roomba 960 or i7 – it doesn`t matter since the i7/i7+ uses the same system of dual rollers, which pick up the debris and hair, while the air comes through HEPA filtration.
Management over the vacuum didn`t change either. We can run it via the app or Alexa and Google assistants.
Besides, Smart Mapping was greatly improved. Now, the robot performs Zoned cleaning of any rooms you wish and remembers up to 10 plans for multiple floors.
The latest cleaners are also equipped with the Imprint Link technology. It allows you to synchronize your Roomba with a Braava jet m6 mopping robot for comprehensive cleaning.
However, the vacuum for $799 has a very short run time – up to 75 minutes.
Pros:
- dual rubber rollers-extractors with height adjustment
- powerful suction
- Carpet Boost
- Dirt Detection
- HEPA filter
- Auto Dirt Disposal Base, which can contain 60 days of debris
- Imprint Smart Mapping with up to 10 floor plans
- Imprint Link
- excellent for hair
- iRobot HOME app and voice assistants
- virtual wall
Cons:
- small dust bin inside the vac
- weak battery
- expensive
Roomba s9/s9+
So, Roomba s9/s9+ is the last but not the least robot of the review. To be frank, it is the first model of the iRobot company in terms of innovations.
The cleaner includes all the advantages of the previous iRobot models. Thus, the user gets roller-extractors, Carpet Boost, Dirt Detection, Zoned cleaning with Multiple Smart Mapping, HEPA filtration, etc.
Auto Dirt Disposal and Imprint Link technologies form the main advantages of the robot. Like with Roomba i7/i7+, the s9 and the s9+ differ only in the kits and the presence of the Dirt Disposal Base.
Still, the vacuum has a changed D-shaped case, which, together with PerfectEdge Technology, provides better cleaning in corners. Dual multi-surface rubber rollers were also prolonged by 30%.
Roomba s9/s9+ features the highest suction among all iRobot vacuums. It reaches 2200 Pa.
The operation can last for 120 minutes.
Pros:
- prolonged dual multi-surface rubber rollers with height adjustment
- the most powerful suction among all Roombas
- Carpet Boost
- Dirt Detection
- HEPA filter
- D-shaped case with PerfectEdge Technology
- Auto Dirt Disposal Base
- Imprint Smart Mapping with up to 10 floor plans
- Imprint Link
- great run time
- excellent for hair
- iRobot HOME app and voice assistants
Cons:
- costs over $900
- small dust bin inside the vac
Final Choice of the Best Model
All four Roombas occupy leading positions in the market thanks to innovative technologies and great performance. However, some of them outperform others.
Roomba 980 will become the best budget option. If you want to have a flagship by iRobot but don`t want to spend more than $500, this vacuum offers all necessary functions like 1700 Pa suction, Carpet Boost, Mapping, and 120 minutes of run time. Roomba 960 is also a good model, though it is slightly inferior with its 900 Pa suction, 80 minutes of operation, and no Smart Mapping.
Roomba i7/i7+ is an excellent purchase for those who are not on a tight budget. The vacuum features multiple floor mapping, self-emptying, and synchronization with iRobot mopping robots. However, the short run time lets the model down.
At the moment, many users and experts hold the same opinion that Roomba s9/s9+ is the best robot vacuum cleaner of the iRobot brand. Despite its huge price, the bot provides the most thorough cleaning of all surfaces, pollutions, and locations. Having the same Auto Dirt Disposal and Imprint Link, it offers improved shape, extreme 2200 Pa suction, and up to two hours of operation.
