Home Robot Vacuum Cleaners Roomba E5 Vs. Roomba 981

Roomba E5 Vs. Roomba 981 Features Review

12 minute read   Last updated on Jan 11, 2025

Key features of the Roomba 981

Overall Score 5.9

  • Battery Power of 3000 mAh
VS

Key features of the Roomba e5

Overall Score 5.6

  • Can Clean All Floor Types
  • Battery Power of 3300 mAh

A summary by feature comparison

Category Features Roomba 981 Roomba e5
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 4only 4only
warranty period 1year 1year
DESIGN FEATURES dustbin capacity 0.5L
indicates when full
weight 4kg 3.3kg
width 351mm 340mm
height 92mm 92mm
CLEANING PERFORMANCE AND POWER FEATURES battery power 3,000mAh 3,300mAh
operating time 2h 1.5h
charge time 3h 3h
has auto-off
has dirt sensor
OTHER FEATURES 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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Roomba e5 cleans all floor types, this comes in handy, since different rooms inside your home may have different types of flooring i.e. carpets. If a robot vacuum cleaner is stated as being able to clean all types of floors, this implies that the robot vacuum is designed and equipped to effectively clean most flooring materials without any significant issues.

Roomba e5 has an obstacle sensor, such a sensor serves the purpose of detecting and identifying obstacles in the robot's path, this allwos it to navigate around them and avoid collisions. Also, the Roomba 981 has an obstacle sensor, obstacle sensors work together to provide the robot vacuum with a comprehensive understanding of its environment, enabling it to navigate around furniture, walls, and other objects when cleaning a room thus preventing damage to both the robot and its obstacles. Most modern robot vacuum cleaners such as the Roomba e5 are designed to work with Amazon Alexa, which implies that they can be integrated with the Amazon Echo ecosystem and controlled using voice commands.

Roomba 981 can also work with Amazon Alexa, keep in mind that you will require an Alexa-enabled device such as an Echo speaker for voice control to work with your robot vacuum. The Roomba e5 is compatible with Google Assistant, allowing you to control it using voice commands through Google Home devices or the Google Assistant app found on smartphones and tablets. Roomba 981 too is compatible with Google Assistant, it's always essential to verify the level of compatibility with Google Assistant before buying a robot vacuum.

The Roomba e5 has 4 cleaning modes, the cleaning modes offered by robot vacuum cleaners varies depending on the design of the robot vacuum. Roomba 981, having only 4 has the same number of cleaning modes as the Roomba e5 Robot vacuum manufacturers offer different cleaning modes to provide users with flexibility and adaptability to various cleaning surfaces. The Roomba e5 has a period of 1 year, this typically range from 1 year to 2 years, however some higher-end models may give longer warranties.

The Roomba 981, at 1 year has the same warranty period as that of Roomba e5. When thinking of buying a robot vacuum cleaner, it's important to read and understand the warranty terms and conditions, as well as any limitations or exclusions that may apply. 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.

Roomba e5 supports this feature, which prevents the robot vacuum from getting clogged thus 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 indicate that it's full can improve the convenience of owning one since it minimizes the need for constant monitoring. The Roomba e5 weighs 3.3kg, robot vacuums are generally designed to be lightweight and compact to easily get around and portability.

Roomba 981, at 4kg weighs more than the Roomba e5 by 0.7kg. It's important to take in consideration the weight of the vacuum when getting a model, and that's if you plan to carry it up and down stairs Roomba e5 has a width of 340mm, often referred to as its cleaning path width, refers to the width of the area that it can effectively clean in a single pass. The width of a robot vacuum is important as it can affect its efficiency and the duration it takes to clean a space The Roomba 981, at 351mm measures more in width than the Roomba e5 by 11mm.

A wider cleaning path can cover more ground in a single pass, reducing the time it takes to clean a room. Roomba e5's height measures 92mm, here you are looking at the measurement from the bottom of the robot vacuum to its highest point. Height is an important consideration, especially if you have obstacles with low clearance in your home.

The Roomba 981, at 92mm has the same height as that of Roomba e5. When selecting 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 operate on a single charge.

Battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), Roomba e5's battery power is 3,300mAh The Roomba 981, at mAh3,000 has less battery power than the Roomba e5 with a difference of only A bigger capacity usually means longer battery life which can be beneficial if you have a large space or if you prefer the robot vacuum to complete cleaning cycles 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 be recharged. Roomba e5's operating time is 1.5h The Roomba 981, at 2h lasts more than the Roomba e5 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.

Roomba e5 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. Roomba 981, at 3h has the same charge time as the Roomba e5. 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.

Auto-off is a feature designed to automatically turn off the vacuum after it has completed an operation or when specific conditions occur. Roomba e5 has an auto-off feature, which is useful for energy efficiency and battery preservation. Also, 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 process.

Roomba e5 has a dirt sensor, dirt sensors are designed to detect the concentration of dirt, dust, or debris in the room being cleaned and can be used to adjust the vacuum's cleaning behavior during operation. Roomba e5 has carpet detection, this enables the vacuum to detect and adjust to different floor surfaces, specifically recognizing when it moves from hard floors like hardwood to carpeted areas. Roomba e5 supports a smartphone app, that allows you to control and monitor the vacuum without getting to it physically but through your smartphone or tablet.

Both the Roomba 981 and Roomba e5 have mobile application support, mobile apps enhance your experience by providing convenience, and ease update of features and functionalities. This feature in robot vacuum cleaners is intended to eliminate the chance of the robot vacuum becoming stuck during cleaning. Robot vacuums such as the Roomba e5 are equipped with various sensors and technologies to move around obstacles and avoid getting trapped, but the effectiveness of this feature varies among different models.

Both the Roomba 981 and Roomba e5 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 while cleaning. Auto-docking is a feature in robot vacuum cleaners that refers to the vacuum's ability to return to its docking station when certain conditions are met such as getting work done, battery running low, or any malfunction. Both Roomba 981 and Roomba e5 support this feature, considered a convenient feature because it makes sure that the robot vacuum maintains its charge and readiness for cleaning without requiring manual intervention.

Most robot vacuum cleaners such as Roomba e5 come equipped with an "anti-fall" 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 key in preventing accidents and keeping 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. Roomba e5 has this convenient feature, which enables you to set specific days or times of day for the robot vacuum to automatically start working. This feature in robot vacuums is specifically useful in maintaining a consistently clean space without the need for manual intervention.

Roomba 981 too allows scheduling. Roomba e5 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 enhances the convenience and flexibility of robot vacuum use, giving more efficient and customized cleaning routines.

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