Home Robot Vacuum Cleaners Irobot Roomba 981 Vs. Irobot Roomba I3

Irobot Roomba 981 Vs. Irobot Roomba I3 Features Review

13 minute read   Last updated on Aug 18, 2024
iRobot Roomba 981

iRobot Roomba 981

See Price on Amazon

Key features of the iRobot Roomba 981

Overall Score 5.9

  • Battery Power of 3000 mAh
VS
iRobot Roomba i3

iRobot Roomba i3

See Price on Amazon

Key features of the iRobot Roomba i3

Overall Score 5.9

  • Battery Power of 1800 mAh
  • Is Self-Emptying

A summary by feature comparison

Category Features iRobot Roomba 981 iRobot Roomba i3
COMMONLY ASKED FOR FEATURES has mapping and navigation
has an obstacle sensor
works with alexa
compatible with google assistant
number of cleaning modes 4only
warranty period 1year 1year
DESIGN FEATURES dustbin capacity 0.5L 0.4L
indicates when full
weight 4kg 4.3kg
width 351mm 337mm
height 92mm 92mm
CLEANING PERFORMANCE AND POWER FEATURES battery power 3,000mAh 1,800mAh
operating time 2h 1.25h
charge time 3h 5h
has auto-off
OTHER FEATURES is self-emptying
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

A vacuum's ability to create a digital map of its cleaning area is one of the commonly asked-for features. This map allows the robot to "understand" the layout of the space. This can be used for several purposes, for example the iRobot Roomba 981 having the mapping feature can dedicate efficient cleaning in the mapped-out areas without accessing those that are not.

iRobot Roomba i3 also has the mapping and navigation feature, navigation involves how the robot vacuum moves around the cleaning area. Mapping and navigation often go hand in hand to help the vacuum move to the mapped-out spaces to be cleaned ignoring those that aren't. iRobot Roomba 981 has an obstacle sensor, such a sensor serves the purpose of detecting and identifying objects in the robot's way, this allwos it to navigate around them and avoid collisions.

Also, the iRobot Roomba i3 has this sensor, obstacle sensors work together to provide the robot vacuum with a better understanding of its environment, making it possible to navigate around furniture, walls, and other objects when cleaning a room and preventing damage to both the robot and its obstacles. Most modern robot vacuum cleaners such as the iRobot Roomba 981 are built to work with Amazon Alexa, which implies that they can be integrated with the Amazon Echo ecosystem and programmed using voice commands. The iRobot Roomba i3 can also work with Amazon Alexa, keep in mind that you will need an Alexa-enabled device such as an Echo speaker for voice control to work with your robot vacuum.

The iRobot Roomba 981 is compatible with Google Assistant, allowing you to control it using voice commands through Google Home devices or the Google Assistant app installed on smartphones and tablets. iRobot Roomba i3 too is compatible with Google Assistant, it's always essential to verify the level of compatibility with Google Assistant before buying a robot vacuum. iRobot Roomba 981 has 4 cleaning modes, the number of cleaning modes offered by robot vacuum cleaners can vary depending on the design of the robot vacuum.

The iRobot Roomba 981 has a period of 1 year, warranty periods for robot vacuums typically range from 1 - 2 years, but some higher-end models may give longer warranties. The iRobot Roomba i3, at 1 year has the same warranty period as that of iRobot Roomba 981. When thinking of buying a robot vacuum cleaner, it's important to read and understand the warranty terms and conditions, alongside any limitations or exclusions that may apply.

iRobot Roomba 981'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 i3, at 0.4L carries less dirt than the iRobot Roomba 981 by only 0.1L The dustbin capacity can vary widely among robot vacuum models, and the capcity you choose should be based on your cleaning needs and the size of the area you want to clean. Many robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with sensors and indicators to notify users when the dustbin is full and needs to be emptied.

iRobot Roomba 981 supports this feature, which prevents the robot vacuum from getting clogged which means performance will be maintained as soon as the bin is emptied. iRobot Roomba i3 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 Roomba 981 weighs 4kg, robot vacuums are generally designed to be lightweight and compact for easy maneuverability and carrying around.

The iRobot Roomba i3, at 4.3kg weighs more than the iRobot Roomba 981 by 0.3kg. It's important to consider the weight of the robot vacuum when selecting a model, and that's if you plan to carry it up and down stairs iRobot Roomba 981 has a width of 351mm, aslo known 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 key as it can affect its efficiency and the duration it takes to clean a room iRobot Roomba i3, at 337mm measures less in width than the iRobot Roomba 981 with a difference of 14mm.

A wider cleaning path can cover more ground in a single pass, reducing the time it takes to clean a room. iRobot Roomba 981's height measures 92mm, here you are considering the measure 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 i3, at 92mm has the same height as that of iRobot Roomba 981. When choosing a robot vacuum, ensure that the robot vacuum can go 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 operate on a single charge.

It is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), iRobot Roomba 981's battery power is 3,000mAh iRobot Roomba i3, at mAh1,800 has less battery power than the iRobot Roomba 981 with a difference of only A bigger capacity implies longer battery life which can be beneficial if you have a large space or if you would like the robot vacuum to complete operations without frequent interruptions to recharge. The operating time of the iRobot Roomba 981 refers to the amount of time the vacuum can clean continuously on a single battery charge before it needs to return to its charging dock for recharging. iRobot Roomba 981's operating time is 2h iRobot Roomba i3, at 1.25h spends less time than the iRobot Roomba 981 by only 0.75h Always plan cleaning cycles around the vacuum's operating time to maximize efficiency and prevent "incomplete work" between charge intervals.

iRobot Roomba 981 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 i3, at 5h charges for longer than the iRobot Roomba 981 with a difference of 2h. 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.

This feature is designed to automatically turn off the vacuum after it has completed an operation or when specific conditions occur. iRobot Roomba 981 has an auto-off feature, which is useful for energy efficiency and battery preservation. Also, iRobot Roomba i3 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 981 supports a smartphone app, that allows you to control and monitor the vacuum remotely through your smartphone or tablet. Both the iRobot Roomba i3 and iRobot Roomba 981 have mobile application support, this enhances 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 becoming trapped while cleaning.

Robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba 981 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 iRobot Roomba i3 and iRobot Roomba 981 have the "anti-stuck" feature, but clearing clutter, ensuring proper cable management, and creating clear paths for the vacuums can help further eliminate the chances of getting stuck during cleaning. iRobot Roomba 981 has a route mapping feature which 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 an important feature as it makes it possible for robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba i3 to adapt to the layout of your home to work more efficiently and minimize the chance of missing certain spots. Voice prompts refer to audible messages that the vacuum emits to give you alerts on the different states of the vacuum.

iRobot Roomba 981 supports this feature iRobot Roomba i3 also supports voice prompts, this feature is useful for you who prefer audible notifications or users who have visual impairments. Auto-docking is a feature in robot vacuum cleaners that refers to the vacuum's ability to autonomously return to its docking station when certain conditions are met such as done with cleaning, battery running low, or any malfunction. Both iRobot Roomba i3 and iRobot Roomba 981 support this feature, considered a convenient feature because it makes sure that the robot vacuum keeps its charge and readiness for cleaning with little or no manual intervention.

Most robot vacuum cleaners such as iRobot Roomba 981 come equipped with an "cliff detection" feature. This feature is designed to prevent the robot vacuum from falling off stairs, ledges, or other elevated surfaces, ensuring its safety while cleaning. This safety feature that is also available on the iRobot Roomba i3 is key in mitigating accidents and protecting the robot vacuum from damage.

It gives you peace of mind knowing that the vacuum will not fall off a ledge during its cleaning cycle. iRobot Roomba 981 has this convenient feature, which allows you to set certain days or times of day for the robot vacuum to start cleaning your space. This feature in robot vacuums is particularly useful in keeping a consistently clean space without the need for manual intervention.

iRobot Roomba i3 too can be scheduled. iRobot Roomba 981 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, iRobot Roomba i3 supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi connectivity improves the ease and flexibility of robot vacuum use, allowing for more efficient and customized cleaning routines.

Related Reviews