iRobot Roomba 976: New Color and Imprint™ Compatibility

This review is dedicated to the iRobot Roomba 976 robot vacuum cleaner, which is listed as a new product on the manufacturer's official website. This is because other models in the 900 series (960 And 980) have been withdrawn from sale. The robot vacuum cleaner we are reviewing is designed exclusively for dry cleaning. For maximum efficiency, it can be used in conjunction with a mopping robot. Braava Jet m6, which can automatically start after the iRobot Roomba 976 finishes cleaning and perform wet cleaning. The robot is suitable for cleaning tiles, laminate, linoleum, parquet, carpets, and rugs. The robot vacuum can also vacuum pet hair, and its integrated fine filter captures up to 99% of tiny particles and allergens in the air. Below, we'll explore the robot's key features and offer our opinion on whether it's worth purchasing. It's worth noting that the current price of this new product is $300, placing it in the mid-price segment.

Equipment

The robot is packaged in a branded white box with a handle. On one side, we see the iRobot logo, a photo of the robot, and the model name Roomba 976. On the back, we see the bottom of the unit with the side brush and main scraper rollers installed.

The basic delivery set is as follows:

1. Robot vacuum cleaner.
2. Charging station.
3. Power adapter.
4. Operating instructions (Russian language available).

The remaining accessories are installed on the device itself; spare parts and other components are not included. The cost of this kit is $298.

According to other sources, the robot vacuum cleaner comes with an additional HEPA filter and side brush, as well as a Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier with two batteries. This option is expected to be more expensive. Therefore, it's best to check what's inside the box when purchasing.

Appearance

The robot vacuum cleaner has a traditional round shape. The body is made of high-quality plastic, and the main colors are gold and black. The design is recognizable and completely characteristic of iRobot.

The control panel features a large "Clean" button at the top for starting the machine, along with two additional control buttons on either side (for spot cleaning and returning to the base). Above this is the brand logo and series name. There's also a sensor protruding from the body.

The front of the robot vacuum cleaner has a protective spring-loaded bumper, while the back has ventilation holes and a button for removing the dust container.

When viewing the iRobot Roomba 976 robot from the bottom, you can see the drive wheels, the swivel caster at the front, the charging contacts, the battery compartment, the single side brush, and the two scraper rollers that make up the main cleaning unit.

Technical specifications

The main characteristics of the iRobot Roomba 976 are summarized in the table:

Type of cleaning	Dry
Power supply	Li-ion battery
Battery capacity	1800 mAh
Opening hours	Up to 75 minutes
Charging time	180 minutes
Cleaning area	80-100 sq.m.
Dust collector	600 ml
Dimensions	35*35*9.1 cm
Weight	3.9 kg
Noise level	60 dB

Functional capabilities

So, we've covered the basic features of the iRobot Roomba 976. Now let's review the robot vacuum's features and describe the mobile app.

Thanks to Imprint™ technology, the robot vacuum first studies the room and adapts to it, then plots the optimal route. It can also sync with the proprietary floor polisher for combined dry and wet cleaning. In automatic mode, the iRobot Roomba 976 moves in a serpentine pattern, rather than the spiral and diagonal paths of its predecessors. A mechanical bumper protects against collisions with obstacles, and sensors on the bottom prevent falls from heights.

Built-in vSLAM® technology records over 230-400 readings per second to create a precise map. Pre-cleaning is kept to a minimum: only large objects, toys, and cords need to be removed from the floor before starting the robot. The robot vacuum avoids getting stuck on chair and table legs, and will automatically extricate itself from such situations.

The iRobot Roomba 976 features a three-stage AeroForce cleaning system. The robot collects debris using two free-wheeling rubber scraper rollers and a side brush. The rubber rollers are even capable of cleaning carpets. The side brush is angled at 27 degrees to sweep debris along baseboards and out of corners, directing it toward the suction port. The debris then flows into a 600-milliliter dust bin equipped with a HEPA filter. Dirt Detect technology also automatically identifies the dirtiest areas of the floor for a more thorough cleaning.

The Roomba 976 robot vacuum is primarily controlled via the dedicated iRobot HOME mobile app over Wi-Fi. After downloading the app, you first need to register the robot. The mobile app allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and set up push notifications that alert you to maintenance and accessory replacement needs. iRobot HOME is compatible with Apple (iOS 7 and above) and Android (4.3 and above) operating systems. Incidentally, the app itself was updated in September 2020, as we covered separately: .

In addition, the iRobot Roomba 976 robot vacuum cleaner is controlled using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

1. High quality assembly and execution.
2. Reliability.
3. High cleaning efficiency.
4. Precise navigation.
5. Capacious dust collector.
6. Control via application.
7. Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
8. Compatible with the Braava Jet M6 robotic mop.

Cons:

1. Weak battery.
2. Poor equipment.
3. Low-functionality application.
4. Dry cleaning only.

At $300, this robot vacuum cleaner is considered one of the best in its segment, specifically for dry cleaning. However, there are more functional alternatives on the market with lidar-based navigation, wet and dry cleaning, and higher suction power. Therefore, we recommend thoroughly researching the market before making your final decision.

Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the iRobot Roomba 976:

Analogues:

• Roborock S6 Pure
• Polaris PVCR 3000 Cyclonic PRO
• Okami U90 Vision
• iCLEBO A3
• Eufy RoboVac L70
• Tefal RG7455WH
• iRobot Roomba e5