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 is essential, as different rooms inside a home may have different types of flooring i.e. carpets. If a robot vacuum is said to be as being able to clean all floor types, this means that the robot vacuum is designed and equipped to effectively clean a wide range of flooring materials without much significant issues.

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

The 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 Roomba 981. The Roomba e5 is compatible with Google Assistant, enabling you to control it using voice commands through Google Home devices or the Google Assistant app found on smartphones and tablets. Roomba 981 is compatible with Google Assistant, it's advised to verify the level of compatibility with Google Assistant before purchasing a robot vacuum.

Roomba e5 has 4 cleaning modes, the number of cleaning modes offered by robot vacuums can vary widely 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 may offer different cleaning modes to provide users with flexibility and adaptability to various cleaning challenges. The Roomba e5 has a period of 1 year, this typically range from 1 - 2 years, but some higher-end brands may give longer warranty periods.

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 essential to read and understand the warranty terms and conditions, alongside any limitations or exclusions that may apply. Most 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 alert that it's full can improve the convenience of owning one since it minimizes the need for constant monitoring. Roomba e5 weighs 3.3kg, robot vacuums are commonly designed to be lightweight and compact to easily get around and portability.

The Roomba 981, at 4kg weighs more than the Roomba e5 with a difference of 0.7kg. It's advisable to consider the weight of the vacuum when getting a model, especially if you plan to carry it up and down stairs Roomba e5 has a width of 340mm, aslo known as its cleaning path width, is the width of the area that the robot vacuum can effectively 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 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, shortening the time it takes to clean a room. Roomba e5'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 obstacles with low clearance in your home.

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 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 important as it determines how long the vacuum can operate on a single charge.

It is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), Roomba e5's battery power is 3,300mAh Roomba 981, at mAh3,000 has less battery power than the Roomba e5 with a difference of only A bigger capacity implies longer battery life which can be of advantage if you have a large home or if you prefer the robot vacuum to complete cleaning cycles with fewer 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. Roomba e5's operating time is 1.5h Roomba 981, at 2h lasts more than the Roomba e5 by 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, since it determines how long you'll need to wait before the vacuum is ready for its next cleaning cycle.

This feature is designed to automatically turn off the vacuum after it has completed a cleaning cycle 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 key 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, these 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 cleaning cycle. Roomba e5 has carpet detection, this enables the vacuum to detect and adjust to different floor surfaces, to be specific recognizing when it moves from hard floors like tile to carpeted areas. Roomba e5 supports a smartphone app, through which you can control and monitor the vacuum remotely through your smartphone or tablet.

Both the Roomba 981 and Roomba e5 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 designed to reduce the likelihood of the robot vacuum becoming stuck while cleaning. Robot vacuums such as the Roomba e5 are equipped with various sensors and technologies to navigate around obstacles and avoid getting stuck, however the effectiveness of this feature can vary 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 predetermined 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 keeps its charge and readiness for cleaning with little or no manual intervention.

Modern robot vacuum cleaners such as Roomba e5 come having an "anti-fall" feature. This feature is intended to save 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 Roomba 981 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 down a flight of stairs during its cleaning cycle. Roomba e5 has this convenient feature, which allows you to set certain days or times of day for the robot vacuum to automatically start working. This feature in robot vacuums is particularly useful in maintaining a consistently clean space with little or no 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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