Home Robot Vacuum Cleaners Irobot Roomba 621 Vs. Irobot Roomba 981

Irobot Roomba 621 Vs. Irobot Roomba 981 Features Review

14 minute read   Last updated on Aug 18, 2024
iRobot Roomba 621

iRobot Roomba 621

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Key features of the iRobot Roomba 621

Overall Score 6.4

  • Can Clean All Floor Types
  • Has Included Washable Filters
  • Battery Power of 4500 mAh
VS
iRobot Roomba 981

iRobot Roomba 981

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Key features of the iRobot Roomba 981

Overall Score 5.9

  • Battery Power of 3000 mAh

A summary by feature comparison

Category Features iRobot Roomba 621 iRobot Roomba 981
COMMONLY ASKED FOR FEATURES can clean all floor types
has mapping and navigation
has an obstacle sensor
works with alexa
compatible with google assistant
number of cleaning modes 3only 4only
warranty period 1year 1year
DESIGN FEATURES has included washable filters
dustbin capacity 0.5L 0.5L
automatically adjusts its height
indicates when full
weight 4.3kg 4kg
width 340mm 351mm
height 92mm 92mm
CLEANING PERFORMANCE AND POWER FEATURES battery power 4,500mAh 3,000mAh
operating time 1.5h 2h
charge time 3h 3h
operating power consumption 33W
has overheating indicator
has auto-off
has dirt sensor
OTHER FEATURES has problem area cleaning
has carpet detection
support a mobile application
doesn't get stuck
has route mapping
has voice prompts
supports auto docking
has anti-fall sensor
can be scheduled
supports wi-fi
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iRobot Roomba 621 cleans all floor types, this comes in handy, as different rooms within your home may have different types of flooring i.e. carpets. When a robot vacuum is advertised as being able to clean all types of floors, this implies that the robot vacuum is capable to effectively clean most flooring materials without much limitations.

A vacuum's ability to create a digital map of its cleaning space is one of the commonly asked-for features. This map allows the robot to keep a record of the layout of the space. This can be used for several purposes, for example the iRobot Roomba 621 having the mapping feature can provide efficient cleaning in the mapped-out areas keeping out of those that are not.

The iRobot Roomba 981 also has the mapping and navigation feature, navigation involves how the robot vacuum moves around the space. Mapping and navigation often go hand in hand to help the vacuum navigate to the mapped-out areas to be cleaned leaving out those that aren't. iRobot Roomba 621 has an obstacle sensor, this serves the purpose of detecting and identifying objects in the robot's way, this allwos it to navigate around them thus avoiding collisions.

Also, the iRobot Roomba 981 has this sensor, obstacle sensors work together to provide the robot vacuum with a comprehensive understanding of its surroundings, enabling it to navigate around furniture, walls, and other objects when cleaning a room and avoiding damage to both the robot and its obstacles. iRobot Roomba 621 has 3 cleaning modes, the number of cleaning modes offered by robot vacuum cleaners varies depending on the design of the robot vacuum. iRobot Roomba 981, having only 4 has more modes than the iRobot Roomba 621 with a difference of 1 Robot vacuum manufacturers offer different cleaning modes to provide users with flexibility and adaptability to different cleaning surfaces.

iRobot Roomba 621 has a period of 1 year, this typically range from 1 - 2 years, however some higher-end brands may offer longer warranty periods. The iRobot Roomba 981, at 1 year has the same warranty period as that of iRobot Roomba 621. When thinking of buying a robot vacuum cleaner, it's essential to read and understand the warranty terms and conditions, as well as any limitations or exclusions that may apply.

iRobot Roomba 621 has washable filters, these are designed to capture dust, dirt, and fine particles during the cleaning process and can be easily removed and cleaned to keep up the vacuum's performance. iRobot Roomba 621's dustbin capacity is at 0.5L, dustbin capacity indicates how much dust, debris, and pet hair the vacuum can hold before it needs to be emptied. The iRobot Roomba 981, at 0.5L has the same dustbin capacity as the iRobot Roomba 621 The dustbin capacity varies widely among robot vacuum models, and the capcity you choose should depend on your cleaning needs and the size of the area you want to clean.

Different floor types require a robot vacuum to be at a given ground clearance so as to optimize performance. The iRobot Roomba 621 adjusts its height to match this demand, for example, it may raise itself slightly when moving to a carpet to enable effective suction, and then lower itself on hard floors to make sure the brushes make good contact. iRobot Roomba 621 weighs 4.3kg, robot vacuums are generally designed to be lightweight and compact to easily get around and portability.

iRobot Roomba 981, at 4kg is lighter than the iRobot Roomba 621 by 0.3kg. It's important to take in consideration the weight of the vacuum when selecting a model, and that's if you plan to carry it up and down stairs iRobot Roomba 621 has a width of 340mm, often referred to as its cleaning path width, is the width of the area that the robot vacuum can properly clean in a single pass. The width of a robot vacuum is key as it can affect its efficiency and the duration it takes to clean a space iRobot Roomba 981, at 351mm measures more in width than the iRobot Roomba 621 by 11mm.

A wider cleaning path can cover more ground in a single pass, reducing the time it takes to clean a room. iRobot Roomba 621's height measures 92mm, here you are considering the measurement from the bottom of the robot vacuum to its highest point. Height is an important consideration, especially if you have furniture with limited clearance in your home.

The iRobot Roomba 981, at 92mm has the same height as that of iRobot Roomba 621. When choosing a robot vacuum, make sure that the robot vacuum can fit under the furniture and navigate effectively in your living space without getting stuck or causing damage. The battery power of a robot vacuum cleaner is important as it determines how long the vacuum can run on a single charge.

It is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), iRobot Roomba 621's battery power is 4,500mAh iRobot Roomba 981, at mAh3,000 has less battery power than the iRobot Roomba 621 with a difference of only A bigger capacity usually means longer battery life which can be beneficial if you have a large room or if you prefer the robot vacuum to complete operations without frequent interruptions to recharge. The operating time of a robot vacuum cleaner refers to the time the vacuum can clean continuously on a single charge before it needs to return to its charging dock for recharging. iRobot Roomba 621's operating time is 1.5h iRobot Roomba 981, at 2h lasts more than the iRobot Roomba 621 by 0.5h Always plan cleaning cycles around the vacuum's operating time to maximize efficiency and prevent "incomplete work" between charge intervals.

iRobot Roomba 621 has a charge time of 3h, the charge time of a robot vacuum cleaner refers to the amount of time it takes for the vacuum's battery to recharge fully after it has been depleted during a cleaning cycle. iRobot Roomba 981, at 3h has the same charge time as the iRobot Roomba 621. Charge time is an important factor to consider when choosing a robot vacuum, since it determines how long you'll need to wait before the vacuum begins its next cleaning cycle.

The operating power consumption of a robot vacuum cleaner refers to the amount of electrical power the vacuum uses while it's actively cleaning your home. iRobot Roomba 621 has a power consumption of 33W, power is often measured in watts (W) and changes among different robot vacuum models based on several consuption factors. An overheating indicator in a robot vacuum serves several key purposes, making it a very important safety feature.

It helps protect the iRobot Roomba 621 from damage by detecting when key components, such as the motor or battery, are operating at temperatures that are dangerous. This feature is designed to automatically turn off the vacuum after it has completed a cleaning cycle or when specific conditions occur. iRobot Roomba 621 has an auto-off feature, which is useful for energy efficiency and battery preservation.

Also, iRobot Roomba 981 has this feature, overall, the auto-off feature in a robot vacuum is a valuable addition that in a way promotes energy efficiency, prolongs the vacuum's lifespan, enhances safety, and adds convenience to the cleaning operations. iRobot Roomba 621 has a dirt sensor, these are designed to detect the concentration of dirt, dust, or debris in the room being cleaned and based on their readings adjust the vacuum's cleaning behavior during operation. Problem area cleaning allows you to program a robot vacuum to focus on cleaning a specific spot in your home, the iRobot Roomba 621 supports this, which can be really useful for dealing with localized messes or high-traffic areas.

iRobot Roomba 621 has carpet detection, this enables the vacuum to identify and adjust to different floor surfaces, specifically recognizing when it transitions from hard floors like tile to areas with carpets. This feature in robot vacuum cleaners is intended to reduce the likelihood of the robot vacuum becoming stuck while cleaning. Robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba 621 are equipped with various sensors and technologies to move around obstacles and avoid getting trapped, but the effectiveness of this feature can vary among different models.

Both the iRobot Roomba 981 and iRobot Roomba 621 have the "anti-stuck" feature, but clearing clutter, ensuring proper cable management, and creating clear paths for the vacuums helps to further eliminate the chances of becoming stuck during cleaning. iRobot Roomba 621 has a route mapping feature that enables it to generate a map of your home and schedule efficient cleaning routes. This mapping capability enhances the vacuum's ability to work effectively and systematically.

Route mapping is an important feature as it enables robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba 981 to adapt to the layout of your space to work more efficiently and reduce the risk of missing certain spots. Auto-docking is a feature that indicates the vacuum's ability to autonomously return to its docking station when predetermined conditions are met such as done with cleaning, battery running low, or any malfunction. Both iRobot Roomba 981 and iRobot Roomba 621 support this feature, considered a convenient feature because it ensures that the robot vacuum maintains its charge and readiness for cleaning with little or no manual intervention.

Most robot vacuum cleaners such as iRobot Roomba 621 come equipped with an "anti-fall" feature. This feature is intended to prevent the robot vacuum from falling off stairs, ledges, or other elevated surfaces, thus its safety during operation. This safety feature that is also available on the iRobot Roomba 981 is key in preventing accidents and protecting the robot vacuum from damage.

It gives you peace of mind knowing that the vacuum will not fall down a flight of stairs during its cleaning cycle. iRobot Roomba 621 has this convenient feature, which allows you to set specific days or times of day for the robot vacuum to start working. The scheduling feature in robot vacuums is particularly useful in keeping a consistently clean home without the need for manual intervention.

iRobot Roomba 981 too allows scheduling.

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