Home Robot Vacuum Cleaners Irobot 960 Roomba Vs. Roomba 981

Irobot 960 Roomba Vs. Roomba 981 Features Review

14 minute read   Last updated on Jan 11, 2025
iRobot 960 Roomba

iRobot 960 Roomba

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Key features of the iRobot 960 Roomba

Overall Score 6.7

  • Can Clean All Floor Types
  • Battery Power of 2600 mAh
VS

Key features of the Roomba 981

Overall Score 5.9

  • Battery Power of 3000 mAh

A summary by feature comparison

Category Features iRobot 960 Roomba 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 dustbin capacity 0.6L 0.5L
has twin side brushes
indicates when full
weight 4kg 4kg
width 350mm 351mm
height 91mm 92mm
CLEANING PERFORMANCE AND POWER FEATURES battery power 2,600mAh 3,000mAh
operating time 1.25h 2h
charge time 2h 3h
operating power consumption 30W
has auto-off
can mop floor
has dirt sensor
OTHER FEATURES support a mobile application
doesn't get stuck
supports virtual barriers
has route mapping
has voice prompts
supports auto docking
has anti-fall sensor
can be scheduled
supports wi-fi
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iRobot 960 Roomba can clean all floor types, this is essential, as different rooms within a home may have different types of flooring i.e. carpets. When a robot vacuum cleaner is said to be able to clean all floor types, it means that the vacuum is designed and equipped to clean flooring materials without any limitations.

iRobot 960 Roomba has an obstacle sensor, this serves the purpose of detecting and identifying obstacles in the robot's path, this allwos it to navigate around them thus avoiding collisions. Also, the Roomba 981 has an obstacle sensor, obstacle sensors work together to provide the robot vacuum with a better understanding of its surroundings, making it possible to navigate around furniture, walls, and other objects when cleaning a room thus preventing damage to both the robot and its obstacles. The iRobot 960 Roomba has 3 cleaning modes, the cleaning modes offered by robot vacuums can vary widely depending on the make and model of the robot vacuum.

Roomba 981, having only 4 has more modes than the iRobot 960 Roomba with a difference of 1 Robot vacuum manufacturers may offer different cleaning modes to provide users with flexibility and adaptability to various cleaning scenarios. The iRobot 960 Roomba 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. Roomba 981, at 1 year has the same warranty period as that of iRobot 960 Roomba.

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 960 Roomba's dustbin capacity is at 0.6L, dustbin capacity indicates how much dust, dirt, and pet hair the vacuum holds before it can be emptied. Roomba 981, at 0.5L carries less dirt than the iRobot 960 Roomba by only 0.1L 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.

iRobot 960 Roomba has twin side brushes, these brushes can be useful for specific cleaning tasks, since they help the robot vacuum more effectively sweep dirt and debris from corners and along edges. Many robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with sensors and indicators to notify users when the dirt collection container is full and needs to be emptied. iRobot 960 Roomba supports this feature, which prevents the robot vacuum from getting clogged which means performance will be maintained as soon as the bin is emptied.

Roomba 981 also can indicate when its dustbin is full, for a robot vacuum to alert that it's full can improve the convenience of owning one since it reduces the need for constant monitoring. iRobot 960 Roomba weighs 4kg, robot vacuums are commonly designed to be lightweight and compact for easy maneuverability and carrying around. Roomba 981, at 4kg has the same weight as the iRobot 960 Roomba.

It's important to take in consideration the weight of the robot vacuum when selecting a model, and that's if you plan to carry it up and down stairs iRobot 960 Roomba has a width of 350mm, often referred to as its cleaning path width, is the width of the area that it can properly clean in a single pass. The width of a robot vacuum is important as it can affect its efficiency and the time it takes to clean a space The Roomba 981, at 351mm measures more in width than the iRobot 960 Roomba with a difference of 1mm. A wider cleaning path can cover more ground in a single pass, shortening the time it takes to clean a room.

iRobot 960 Roomba's height measures 91mm, here you are looking at the measure from the bottom to its highest point. Height is a key consideration, especially if you have furniture with low clearance in your home. The Roomba 981, at 92mm measures more in height than the iRobot 960 Roomba by 1mm.

When selecting a robot vacuum, ensure 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 typically measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), iRobot 960 Roomba's battery power is 2,600mAh The Roomba 981, at mAh3,000 has more battery power than the iRobot 960 Roomba by A bigger capacity usually means longer battery life which can be of advantage if you have a large space or if you prefer the robot vacuum to complete cleaning cycles with fewer interruptions to recharge.

The operating time of the iRobot 960 Roomba 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 960 Roomba's operating time is 1.25h The Roomba 981, at 2h lasts more than the iRobot 960 Roomba with a difference of 0.75h Always plan cleaning cycles around the vacuum's operating time to maximize efficiency and prevent "incomplete work" between charge intervals. iRobot 960 Roomba has a charge time of 2h, 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.

Roomba 981, at 3h charges for longer than the iRobot 960 Roomba with a difference of 1h. 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 is ready for its next cleaning cycle. This is the amount of electrical power the vacuum uses while it's actively cleaning your home.

iRobot 960 Roomba has a power consumption of 30W, power is measured in watts (W) and can vary among different robot vacuum models based on several consuption factors. This feature is designed to automatically turn off the vacuum after it has completed an operation or when certain conditions occur. iRobot 960 Roomba has an auto-off feature, which is useful for energy efficiency and battery preservation.

Also, 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 operations. That's right, many modern robot vacuum cleaners have the capability to mop floors in addition to vacuuming. Such robot vacuums are often referred to as robot vacuum with mopping function models and iRobot 960 Roomba is one of those robot vacuums iRobot 960 Roomba has a dirt sensor, dirt sensors are designed to detect the availability of dirt, dust, or debris in the space being cleaned and based on their readings adjust the vacuum's cleaning behavior during operation.

iRobot 960 Roomba supports a smartphone app, through which you can control and monitor the vacuum remotely through your smartphone or tablet. Both the Roomba 981 and iRobot 960 Roomba have mobile application support, mobile apps enhance the user experience by providing convenience, and ease update of features and functionalities. This feature in robot vacuum cleaners is intended to reduce the chance of the robot vacuum getting trapped while cleaning.

Robot vacuums such as the iRobot 960 Roomba are equipped with various sensors and technologies to navigate around obstacles and avoid getting trapped, however the effectiveness of this feature varies among different models. Both the Roomba 981 and iRobot 960 Roomba have the "anti-stuck" feature, however clearing clutter, ensuring proper cable management, and creating clear paths for the vacuums helps to further eliminate the chances of becoming stuck while cleaning. These virtual barriers are typically set up and managed through the robot vacuum's mobile app, similar to no-go zones, these barriers are setup to enable you control and restrict where the robot vacuum can and cannot go while cleaning.

iRobot 960 Roomba has a route mapping feature that enables it to create a map of your space and plan efficient cleaning routes. This mapping capability enhances the vacuum's ability to clean effectively and systematically. Route mapping is a valuable feature as it enables robot vacuums such as the Roomba 981 to adapt to the layout of your space to clean more efficiently and minimize the chance of missing certain spots.

Voice prompts refer to notifications that the vacuum emits to provide you information on the different states of the vacuum. iRobot 960 Roomba has this feature Roomba 981 also supports voice prompts, this feature is useful for you who like audible notifications or users who have visual impairments. Auto-docking is a feature in robot vacuum cleaners that indicates the vacuum's ability to return to its docking station when predetermined conditions are met such as getting work done, battery running low, or any malfunction.

Both Roomba 981 and iRobot 960 Roomba support this feature, considered a convenient feature because it makes sure that the robot vacuum keeps its charge and readiness for cleaning without requiring manual intervention. Most robot vacuum cleaners such as iRobot 960 Roomba come having an "cliff detection" feature. This feature is designed to prevent the robot vacuum from falling off stairs, ledges, or other elevated surfaces, hence its safety while cleaning.

This safety feature that is also available on the Roomba 981 is essential in avoiding accidents and keeping 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 960 Roomba has this convenient feature, which allows you to set certain days or times of day for the robot vacuum to automatically start cleaning your space.

The scheduling feature in robot vacuums is specifically useful in maintaining a consistently clean home with little or no manual intervention. Roomba 981 too allows scheduling. iRobot 960 Roomba supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuums offer several advantages and features, such as remote control, mobile app integration, voice assistant compatibility, and remote monitoring.

Also, Roomba 981 supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi connectivity improves the convenience and flexibility of robot vacuum use, giving more efficient and customized cleaning routines.

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