Home Robot Vacuum Cleaners Irobot Roomba I7+ Vs. Roomba 981

Irobot Roomba I7+ Vs. Roomba 981 Features Review

13 minute read   Last updated on Jan 11, 2025

Key features of the Roomba 981

Overall Score 5.9

  • Battery Power of 3000 mAh
VS
iRobot Roomba i7+

iRobot Roomba i7+

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Key features of the iRobot Roomba i7+

Overall Score 5.6

  • Can Clean All Floor Types
  • Battery Power of 3300 mAh
  • Is Self-Emptying

A summary by feature comparison

Category Features Roomba 981 iRobot Roomba i7+
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
warranty period 1year 1year
DESIGN FEATURES dustbin capacity 0.5L 0.4L
indicates when full
weight 4kg 3.4kg
width 351mm 339mm
height 92mm 92mm
CLEANING PERFORMANCE AND POWER FEATURES battery power 3,000mAh 3,300mAh
operating time 2h 1.25h
charge time 3h 3h
has auto-off
has dirt sensor
OTHER FEATURES is self-emptying
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 Roomba i7+ can clean all floor types, this feature is essential, as different rooms within a home may have various types of flooring i.e. carpets. If a robot vacuum is stated as being able to clean all floor types, this implies that the vacuum is capable to clean flooring materials without any significant issues.

The vacuum's ability to generate a digital map of its cleaning space is one of the commonly asked-for features. The map it creates allows the robot to keep a record of the layout of the desired space. This can be used for different situations, e.g.

the iRobot Roomba i7+ having the mapping feature can dedicate efficient cleaning in the mapped-out areas without accessing those that are not. The Roomba 981 also has the mapping and navigation feature, navigation defines how the robot vacuum moves around the space. Mapping and navigation often go hand in hand to help the vacuum navigate to the mapped-out areas to be cleaned leaving out those that aren't.

iRobot Roomba i7+ has an obstacle sensor, this serves the purpose of detecting and identifying obstacles in the robot's route, allowing it to navigate around them and avoid collisions. Also, the Roomba 981 has this sensor, obstacle sensors work together to provide the robot vacuum with a comprehensive understanding of its surroundings, enabling it to navigate around furniture, walls, and other objects when cleaning a room and preventing damage to both the robot and its obstacles. Many modern robot vacuum cleaners such as the iRobot Roomba i7+ 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. iRobot Roomba i7+ 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. Roomba 981 is compatible with Google Assistant, it's advised to verify the level of compatibility with Google Assistant before purchasing a robot vacuum.

iRobot Roomba i7+ has a period of 1 year, warranty periods for robot vacuums typically range from 1 - 2 years, but some higher-end models may offer longer warranty periods. The Roomba 981, at 1 year has the same warranty period as that of iRobot Roomba i7+. 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. The iRobot Roomba i7+'s dustbin capacity is at 0.4L, dustbin capacity determines how much dust, debris, and pet hair the vacuum holds before it can be emptied.

The Roomba 981, at 0.5L has more capacity than the iRobot Roomba i7+ by 0.1L The dustbin capacity varies 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. iRobot Roomba i7+ weighs 3.4kg, robot vacuums are generally designed to be lightweight and compact to easily get around and portability. Roomba 981, at 4kg weighs more than the iRobot Roomba i7+ by 0.6kg.

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 Roomba i7+ has a width of 339mm, aslo known as its cleaning path width, refers to the width of the area that it can properly clean in one go. 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 Roomba i7+ by 12mm. A wider cleaning path can cover more ground in a single pass, shortening the time it takes to clean a room.

iRobot Roomba i7+'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 Roomba 981, at 92mm has the same height as that of iRobot Roomba i7+. 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 important as it determines how long the vacuum can operate on a single charge. It is typically measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), iRobot Roomba i7+'s battery power is 3,300mAh The Roomba 981, at mAh3,000 has less battery power than the iRobot Roomba i7+ with a difference of only A bigger capacity usually means longer battery life which can be beneficial if you have a large room or if you would like the robot vacuum to complete operations 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 battery charge before it needs to return to its charging dock for recharging.

iRobot Roomba i7+'s operating time is 1.25h The Roomba 981, at 2h lasts more than the iRobot Roomba i7+ by 0.75h Always plan cleaning cycles around the vacuum's operating time to maximize efficiency and prevent "incomplete work" between charge intervals. iRobot Roomba i7+ 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 iRobot Roomba i7+. 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.

iRobot Roomba i7+ 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 operation. Self-emptying bins or automatic dirt disposal systems like the iRobot Roomba i7+, are modern robot vacuum models that have a convenient feature to empty their dustbins automatically. iRobot Roomba i7+ supports a smartphone app, that allows you to control and monitor the vacuum remotely through your smartphone or tablet.

Both the Roomba 981 and iRobot Roomba i7+ 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 likelihood of the robot vacuum becoming trapped while cleaning. Robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba i7+ 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 iRobot Roomba i7+ have the "anti-stuck" feature, but clearing clutter, ensuring proper cable management, and creating clear paths for the vacuums can help further reduce the chances of getting stuck while cleaning. Virtual barriers are typically set up and managed through the robot vacuum's mobile app, similar to no-go zones, these barriers are designed to enable you control and restrict where the robot vacuum can and cannot go during cleaning. iRobot Roomba i7+ has a route mapping feature which enables it to create a map of your home and schedule 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 home to clean more efficiently and reduce the risk of missing certain spots. Auto-docking is a feature that indicates 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 Roomba 981 and iRobot Roomba i7+ 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 i7+ come having an "anti-fall" feature. This feature is intended 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 mitigating accidents and keeping the robot vacuum from damage. It gives you peace of mind by ensuring that the vacuum will not fall down a flight of stairs during its cleaning cycle. iRobot Roomba i7+ 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.

This feature in robot vacuums is specifically useful in maintaining a consistently clean home without the need for manual intervention. Roomba 981 too can be scheduled.

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