iRobot Roomba 960

It's always nice to come home to a clean and tidy apartment after work, but maintaining cleanliness isn't always easy. The Roomba 960 robot vacuum cleaner, developed by the renowned American company iRobot, has come to the rescue. This model stands out from previous models (which were at most the 800 series) in its cleaning performance and navigation, making it one of the best in its price segment. Below, we'll provide a review of the iRobot Roomba 960 and a detailed look at its key technical specifications.

Delivery set

When purchasing a robot vacuum cleaner, it's important to pay attention to the included components. The device should be complete, as listed in the instructions. The Roomba 960 package includes:

• the robot itself;
• battery;
• charging station;
• power cable;
• additional HEPA filter;
• one side brush in addition;
• one motion limiter with batteries (virtual wall);
• 2-year warranty card;
• operating instructions.

The iRobot Roomba 960 robot vacuum cleaner surveys the room using a built-in camera on the front panel. The photo shows all the components of the 960 model:

Design

The iRobot Roomba 960 robot vacuum cleaner has a stylish and elegant appearance. Its round shape allows it to reach into various spaces, thereby cleaning a larger surface area. The beveled edges reduce the likelihood of the robot getting stuck between obstacles or under furniture.

The robot's design is devoid of any unnecessary details or elements. Its color is typically black with a matte finish. The bumper is protected by a special film around the edges, which softens impacts and the robot's contact with obstacles. Looking at the front panel of the robot vacuum, you'll see three large buttons: a large gray button in the center and two smaller buttons on either side. When the iRobot Roomba 960 is active, the large central button glows green.

The lower part of the bumper is treated with a special rubber coating to protect furniture from damage. Hidden under the tinted plastic on the front panel are sensors that help the device locate its charging station and detect obstacles.

If you turn the robot vacuum over, you'll see the side brush, the rotating roller, the main wheels, the silicone rollers, and the bottom of the dust container. Height sensors are also located along the edges of the bumper.

The iRobot Roomba 960 is sold in a compact cardboard box. The box lists the product's main features, dimensions, and a list of included components.

Technical specifications

The main characteristics of the iRobot Roomba 960 are listed in the table:

Cleaning	Dry
Case dimensions	Height – 9.08 cm; diameter – 35 cm
Power supply	Lithium-ion battery (Li-ion), capacity 2130 mAh
Battery life	Up to 1 hour 20 minutes
Charging time	Up to three hours
Weight of the device	4 kg
Control	Mechanical buttons, via a mobile app over Wi-Fi
Charger	Charging base
Sound notification	+
Cleaning area	Up to 150 sq. m.
Virtual wall	One is included in the set
Operating modes	cleaning according to a set schedule, local, normal
Sensors	Mechanical bumper, IR sensor for height difference and obstacle detection
Orientation	Video camera, infrared base finder, virtual wall sensor, gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer

The robot vacuum cleaner also features a HEPA filter, preventing dust and dirt particles from entering the air. The device also features sensors that alert you with an audible notification when the dust bin is full.

Functional capabilities

A distinctive feature of the device is its control system. The iRobot Roomba 960 robot vacuum cleaner can be controlled via a mobile app over the internet. This app allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and view the robot's current status. Furthermore, the app can notify you when it's time to replace certain consumables.

To control the device via the mobile app, you must first download and install it on your phone or tablet. Once all settings have been configured and the necessary functions have been selected, the iRobot Roomba 960 robot vacuum cleaner can begin cleaning. To do this, it surveys the room and creates a cleaning plan, taking into account obstacles in its path.

The main brushes are silicone scraper rollers. The advantage of these rollers is that they don't become tangled with fur, threads, or hair. Debris is picked up by the brushes and directed into the dust bin.

Included in the kit virtual wall, which helps organize the iRobot Roomba 960's workflow. This unique feature allows you to limit the area being cleaned. This prevents the robot from moving to another room on its own and from accidentally knocking over pet food dishes.

The iRobot Roomba 960 operates in two main modes: automatic and spot. In automatic mode, the robot vacuum cleaner cleans the entire open area and then returns to its station. Spot cleaning is used when heavily soiled areas need to be cleaned. To do this, the iRobot Roomba 960 is simply moved to the desired location and turned on.

Using the mobile app, you can perform three additional functions: pausing operation when the dust container is full, cleaning along walls or furniture, and controlling the number of passes the device makes when cleaning floors.

Operating instructions

If you're the proud owner of an iRobot Roomba 960, we recommend first reading the user manual. It describes all the operating modes of this model, the rules for regular maintenance, and troubleshooting the most common problems.

You can download or simply view the iRobot Roomba 960 operating instructions in Russian on our portal by following the link: Rumba 960 manual.

Let's sum it up

Many people are interested in, What's the difference between the iRobot Roomba 960 and the 980?In addition to a price that's $60 cheaper ($490 compared to $550 in 2019), the 960 model has the following significant differences:

1. The lack of the Carpet Boost function, which increases the robot's suction power on carpeted surfaces.
2. The package includes only one virtual wall, the new model has two.
3. The battery life is significantly shorter at 75 minutes, while the Roomba 980 has a battery life of up to 120 minutes.

iRobot Roomba 980 Review We provided this information in a separate article, which we referenced. Generally speaking, the advantages of the 960 model are as follows:

• resume operation after recharging;
• the main brushes are easy to clean;
• control is possible using a mobile application via Wi-Fi;
• availability of scheduled cleaning;
• the presence of a virtual wall;
• sound notifications about the device status;
• The robot vacuum cleaner has a special sensor that notifies when the dust bin is full;
• the presence of a highly efficient HEPA filter.

As for drawbacks, we didn't find any particular ones. The only nitpicks are the lack of an option to disable the sound notification—dry cleaning is the only option—and the high price. For this price, you'd be better off choosing one of Xiaomi's flagships, which will be significantly cheaper and no less functional.

Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the iRobot Roomba 960, which shows how this robot works and what's included in the package:

So, here's our review of the iRobot Roomba 960 robot vacuum. Our opinion: if your budget allows and you live in a spacious house or apartment, it's better to choose a more functional model at a slightly higher price. However, if you're on a tight budget, you can confidently purchase the Roomba 960. It's a very good option for the price and quality!

Analogues:

• iClebo Omega
• Panda X5S
• Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Neato Botvac D85
• iRobot Roomba 980
• Wolkinz COSMO
• Samsung VR20H9050UW