Overall Score 6.4
Overall Score 5.9
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 | ✗ | ✓ | |
See Price on Amazon | See Price on Amazon |
iRobot Roomba 621 cleans all floor types, this feature is essential, since 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 floor types, it means that the vacuum is designed and equipped to clean a wide range of flooring materials without any significant issues.
A vacuum's ability to create a map of its cleaning space is one of the commonly asked-for features. This map allows the robot to "understand" the layout of the desired space. This can be used for several purposes, e.g.
the iRobot Roomba 621 having the mapping feature can dedicate efficient cleaning in the mapped-out areas keeping out of those that are not. iRobot Roomba 981 also has the mapping and navigation feature, navigation states how the robot vacuum moves around the space. Mapping and navigation often go hand in hand to help the vacuum move to the mapped-out spaces to be cleaned leaving out those that aren't.
iRobot Roomba 621 has an obstacle sensor, such a sensor serves the purpose of detecting and identifying obstacles in the robot's path, allowing it to navigate around them and avoid 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, making it possible 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 supported by robot vacuum cleaners can vary widely depending on the make and model of the robot vacuum.
iRobot Roomba 981, having only 4 has more modes than the iRobot Roomba 621 by 1 Robot vacuum manufacturers offer different cleaning modes to provide users with flexibility and adaptability to different cleaning challenges. iRobot Roomba 621 has a period of 1 year, this typically range from 1 year to 2 years, but some higher-end models may give longer warranty periods. iRobot Roomba 981, at 1 year has the same warranty period as that of iRobot Roomba 621.
When considering a robot vacuum cleaner, it's important to read and understand the warranty terms and conditions, alongside any limitations or exclusions that may apply. The 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. The iRobot Roomba 621's dustbin capacity is at 0.5L, dustbin capacity indicates how much dust, dirt, and pet hair the robot vacuum holds before it can be emptied.
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 size you choose should be based 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. iRobot Roomba 621 adjusts its height to match this requirement, for example, it may raise itself slightly when transitioning 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 for easy maneuverability and carrying around. The iRobot Roomba 981, at 4kg is lighter than the iRobot Roomba 621 with a difference of 0.3kg. It's important to take in consideration the weight of the vacuum when getting a model, especially if you plan to carry it up and down stairs iRobot Roomba 621 has a width of 340mm, aslo known as its cleaning path width, refers to the width of the area that the robot vacuum can properly clean in one go.
The width of a robot vacuum is important as it can affect its efficiency and the duration it takes to clean a room 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 to its highest point.
Height is a key consideration, especially if you have furniture with low 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 a crucial factor that determines how long the vacuum can run on a single charge. Battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), iRobot Roomba 621's battery power is 4,500mAh The iRobot Roomba 981, at mAh3,000 has less battery power than the iRobot Roomba 621 by only A bigger capacity implies longer battery life which can be beneficial if you have a large home or if you would like the robot vacuum to complete operations without frequent interruptions to recharge. The operating time of a robot vacuum cleaner refers to the amount of 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 with a difference of 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. The 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, as it determines how long you'll need to wait before the vacuum begins its next cleaning cycle. This is 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 measured in watts (W) and changes among different robot vacuum models based on several consuption factors.
An overheating indicator in a robot vacuum serves many important purposes, making it a very important safety feature. It helps protect the iRobot Roomba 621 from damage by sensing when critical 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 supports 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 process. iRobot Roomba 621 has a dirt sensor, these are designed to detect the availability of dirt, dust, or debris in the room being cleaned and based on their readings adjust the vacuum's cleaning behavior during cleaning cycle.
Problem area cleaning allows you to instruct a robot vacuum to focus on cleaning a specific spot in your space, iRobot Roomba 621 supports this, which can be really useful for addressing particular area messes or busy areas. iRobot Roomba 621 has carpet detection, this enables the vacuum to detect and adjust to different floor surfaces, to be specific recognizing when it transitions from hard floors like tile to carpets. This feature in robot vacuum cleaners is intended to reduce the likelihood of the robot vacuum getting trapped 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 getting stuck while cleaning. iRobot Roomba 621 has a route mapping feature that enables it to generate a map of your home and plan efficient cleaning routes.
This mapping capability improves the vacuum's ability to clean effectively and systematically. Route mapping is an important feature as it makes it possible for robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba 981 to adapt to the layout of your home to work more efficiently and minimize the chance of missing certain spots. Auto-docking is a feature that refers to the vacuum's ability to autonomously return to its docking station when certain conditions are met such as getting work done, 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 keeps its charge and readiness for cleaning without requiring manual intervention. Most robot vacuum cleaners such as iRobot Roomba 621 come having an "cliff detection" feature. This feature is intended to save the robot vacuum from falling off stairs, ledges, or other elevated surfaces, ensuring its safety during operation.
This safety feature that is also available on the iRobot Roomba 981 is essential in preventing accidents and protecting the robot vacuum from damage. It gives you peace of mind by ensuring that the vacuum will not fall off a ledge during its cleaning cycle. iRobot Roomba 621 has this convenient feature, which enables you to set specific days or times of day for the robot vacuum to start working.
This feature in robot vacuums is specifically useful in keeping a consistently clean home without the need for manual intervention. iRobot Roomba 981 too allows scheduling.