What are the differences between iRobot robot vacuum cleaners and which one is best?

iRobot produces three main product lines: Roomba robots for dry cleaning, Scooba robotic vacuums with wet cleaning capabilities, and Braava floor polishers. All of these products fall into the mid-price and premium segments. In this review, we compare all iRobot robotic vacuums and examine the differences between the models in each series, including the new 2019 models (i7, i7+, and e5).

Differences between the series

600 Series

The iRobot Roomba 600 series is considered the full successor to the previously discontinued 500 series. The 600 series robot vacuums offer a basic set of features for effective dry cleaning and are the most affordable compared to other series.

The disadvantages of these devices include their limited accessories and the inability to use motion controllers, which help robots navigate and find their charging stations. Almost all robot vacuum cleaners lack manual control. This family includes the following models: 616, 620, 630, 631, 635, 650, 681, and 690.

Robot Rumba 616 It differs from other models by having a modified docking station that doesn't require a separate power supply. The robot is equipped with an improved XLife 2200 mAh Ni-MH battery, an anti-tangle system, an AeroVac Bin with a fine filter, and comes with a remote control and virtual wall (which is unusual for the 600 series). This device is one of the most popular among buyers due to its optimal price-quality ratio. That is why it is one of The best robot vacuum cleaners of 2017 in its price segment.

The Roomba 620 was released back in 2012 and is the smallest model in the iRobot line. It comes with a charging base and a cleaning comb. It only features an AeroVac dust collector and a 3000 mAh Ni-MH battery, which is sufficient for cleaning one or two rooms at a time. The robot vacuum is not programmable by day of the week, and it lacks a motion limiter or remote control.

The Roomba 630 differs from its predecessor in that it includes a virtual wall. Overall, the model is similar in specifications and capabilities to the Roomba 620, and features an AeroVac dust collector with improved noise levels. In addition to the virtual wall, the package includes two spare filters.

iRobot Roomba 631 Equipped with the same 3000 mAh Ni-MH battery as the two previous devices, it comes with a virtual wall, a HEPA filter, and a plastic comb for cleaning the central brush. A plus is the large dust container capacity of 750 ml. The vacuum cleaner is still not programmable and does not have a remote control.

Roomba 650 This robot is a more advanced version, capable of removing hair and pet fur from surfaces thanks to its three-brush set, powerful suction, and larger dust container capacity (1 liter). Another distinctive feature of this robot is the iAdapt navigation system, which allows it to better navigate and automatically adapt to the type of flooring being cleaned. More to come!

Automated cleaning robot Rumba 681 The Smart Home Vacuum is an example of the continued advancement of affordable smart home appliances. It features a more advanced 2130 mAh lithium-ion battery, iAdapt navigation system, DirtDetect for automatically recognizing dirtiest areas, and a programmable schedule. The vacuum cleaner also includes a 2-in-1 Virtual Mode, which allows you to restrict the appliance's movements.

Roomba 690, similar to the 681 model, comes with a programmable cleaning schedule and improved area limiting technology (a virtual wall with a linear and circular pattern), as well as smartphone control. This feature fully compensates for the lack of a remote control.

700 Series

The iRobot 700 series robot vacuums feature an upgraded AeroVac 2 dust collector, a larger cleaning area per battery charge, virtual walls combined with special LightHouse coordinators, sophisticated motion algorithms, and a modern, stylish design. All devices in this family feature the important feature of scheduling cleaning by the hour and day of the week.

Roomba 760 It has a more extensive package, including a remote control, a pair of spare filters, and a virtual wall. It also features the iAdapt intelligent cleaning and battery optimization system and spot detection technology. Rumba 770Unlike the previous device, it features a full container sensor, dust detection, and sensors for detecting large and small dirt particles. Despite offering many advantages, both devices were discontinued at the end of 2013.

The 776 model, unlike its predecessors, features an improved battery that supports twice as many charge/discharge cycles. Another distinctive feature is the updated docking station with an integrated power supply for simplified charging and eliminating unnecessary cables.

Roomba 780 – the most popular and expensive robot vacuum cleaner in the 700 series. This is due to its well-equipped package, which includes spare filters and brushes, a remote control, and a pair of beacon coordinators that support virtual wall mode. The coordinators allow the vacuum to navigate even in the dark and find its base even when in another room. It features a 3-stage cleaning system that automatically adapts to different surfaces and anti-tangle technology.

800 Series

The iRobot 800 Series robotic vacuum cleaners aren't upgraded versions of their predecessors; they're completely new devices with an innovative approach to cleaning. Their cleaning performance has been improved by 50%, making them simply unrivaled.

IN Roomba 865 The 865 utilizes completely different technologies compared to the previous two families—it features a powerful motor and turbine for more efficient floor cleaning. The increased performance is also due to the introduction of innovative Aeroforce technology. Furthermore, the 865 model features the updated iAdapt Responsive Navigation Technology for significantly improved spatial orientation.

Roomba 870 And 880 They feature ultrasonic sensors for spatial orientation, a remote control, a timer, two automatic beacon coordinators, two fine filters, and the ability to automatically adapt to various surface types. The models are virtually identical; they can be distinguished externally only by the color of the housing.

Rumba 886 It's similar to the 865 in technical specifications, but has a slight difference in appearance. It features a remote control, a full container indicator, a programmable cleaning schedule, and an improved XLife battery.

Robot vacuum cleaner Roomba 890 (895 or 896) is the most advanced of the bunch, equipped with a modern lithium-ion battery and controlled via a smartphone via the dedicated iRobot Home app. This allows you to control and program the robot remotely, even when you're not in the same room.

900 Series

The main difference of this family is its visual navigation system. Equipped with a video camera, these robots can now scan the space being cleaned, creating a map of the area being cleaned. Both the 960 and 980 models also feature the latest vSLAM navigation system, which allows the robot to navigate parallel paths and avoid obstacles.

Cloud technology and iRobot Home proprietary software for smartphones allows you to exercise complete control over Roomba 960 even from a distance. The vacuum cleaner also features the latest iAdapt 2 technology for more accurate floor type recognition.

iRobot's "crowning achievement" is Roomba 980, which boasts not only superior technical specifications and capabilities but also design changes. The body is minimalist, and all control functions are handled via a smartphone app. In addition to automatically adapting to various flooring surfaces, the device features the Carpet Boost carpet cleaning system. Currently (mid-2019), it is one of the best iRobot robot vacuums in terms of features and specifications.

Incidentally, a new iRobot Roomba 981 hit the market in 2019. No significant changes are planned for the model; it's essentially the same Roomba 980 in a new color.

New products of 2019

In spring 2019, three new Rumbas hit the market: i7, i7+, and e5. We provided reviews of them in the following articles:

• https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/obzory/irobot/robovac-irobot-roomba-i7.html
• https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/obzory/irobot/robovac-irobot-roomba-i7-plus.html
• https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/obzory/irobot/robovac-irobot-roomba-e5.html

The distinctive features of the i7+ model are its self-cleaning base, as well as the improved iAdapt 3.0 navigation system and Imprint Smart Mapping, which allow the robot to memorize the layout of rooms. The design has also been slightly modified. The iRobot Roomba i7 lacks the self-cleaning base, but has all the same features and specifications.

 

As for the Roomba e5, this robot features a redesigned dust collector, making it washable under running water. The robot itself is equipped with rubber rollers, can be controlled via smartphone and voice assistants, and is quieter and offers better floor suction. However, reviews of the model are mixed, with buyers dissatisfied with the robot's navigation (primitive, like the 600 series), the lack of a rubber bumper, and the battery's redesign. The battery is no longer interchangeable with other series.

Braava series

We've covered the differences in the iRobot dry cleaning robot lineup, and now we'll provide a comparison of iRobot mopping robots, highlighting the differences between the Brava series models.

Let's start with the most popular floor polisher -iRobot Braava Jet 240It's the most affordable of its "brothers," but doesn't offer any significant differences. The first thing that sets this robot apart is its smartphone control. Other floor polishers in the Braava line are controlled only by buttons on the body. The second difference is its cleaning area. The Jet 240 can clean up to 30 square meters on a single charge. It's also worth noting that this robot sprays liquid directly onto the floor and then buffs the surface with a cloth in several passes.

Twin robots iRobot Braava 380T And 390T They differ in that they are controlled only by buttons on the body. However, they can clean up to 93 square meters, which is three times larger than the Jet 240. It's also worth noting that the cleaning fluid is sprayed evenly across the cloth during cleaning, rather than directly onto the floor. This option is better suited for hardwood and laminate floors, as it causes less damage to these types of surfaces. We've called the 380 and 390 models "twins" because they differ only in color and accessories. The Braava 390T comes with an additional cloth.

Scooba series

Finally, we decided to provide a comparison of the iRobot Scooba robotic vacuum cleaners.

So, the smallest robot for wet cleaning is Scuba 230It's suitable for cleaning a single room (bathroom or kitchen), as the area to be cleaned doesn't exceed 15 square meters. The battery capacity is only 1300 mAh, and a charging base and remote control are not included.

Following the 230th floor polisher are newer models: iRobot Scooba 380, 385 and 390They can now clean up to 80 square meters of space, are equipped with a powerful 4100 mAh battery, and feature a virtual wall. The Scuba 385 even comes with two walls. These robotic cleaners can now be used to clean entire apartments or houses, whether the floors are linoleum, parquet, laminate, or tile.

Well, the newest device in the Scuba series is iRobot Scooba 450Its battery is weaker—3000 mAh—and its cleaning area is also smaller than its predecessors, at 32 square meters. However, cleaning quality has been improved, and the manufacturer has implemented the iAdapt navigation system. The robot is no longer in production, and authorized dealers strongly recommend purchasing the more modern Braava series floor polishers.

Which iRobot is better to choose?

A quick comparison chart of key iRobot vacuum cleaner features will help you decide which is the best dry cleaning robot vacuum from iRobot. For this comparison, we've included the most popular and, in our opinion, the best-performing models from each series. A separate comparison of the top-end models, the Roomba 980 and i7+, is available at the following link: https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/sravnenie/robovac-irobot-roomba-i7-ili-980.html.

	Roomba
	616	780	890	980
Battery	Ni-MH 2200 mAh	Ni-MH 3000 mAh	Li-Ion 1800 mAh	Li-Ion 3300 mAh
Cleaning area	60 m2	90 m2	90 m2	More than 100 m2
Dust container volume	500 ml	800 ml	550 ml	1000 ml
Remote control	+	+	—	—
Beacon coordinators	Only a virtual wall	+	+	+
Control from a smartphone	—	—	+	+
Programming a cleaning schedule	—	+	+
Camcorder	—	—	—	+
Noise level	60 dB	60 dB	50 dB	60 dB
Average price	$199	$374	$337	$538

As you can see, prices vary widely, making it difficult to choose. We can only offer a few recommendations that may be helpful:

1. If your apartment or house has a lot of carpet, all medium-pile, and the home itself is fairly spacious (70 square meters or more), then you have two options: the flagship i7+ or its predecessor, the Roomba 980. It's expensive, but if buying the iRobot isn't crucial, you can find similar options from other brands with similar features and a lower price. A prime example is Xiaomi Mi Roborock Sweep One.
2. If you're willing to spend up to $200 on a robot vacuum, the 616 Roomba is the perfect option. It's one of the most popular robot vacuums available today, offering excellent value for money.
3. For a little extra money, you can buy the Roomba 690, which is controlled by a phone and is more advanced and functional.
4. If you're willing to spend up to $300 on a household robot, the 890 model is the ideal option. The new, updated vacuum cleaner offers many advantages over its predecessors, and you can even find one for a little less.

We also recommend watching the updated video rating of iRobot robot vacuum cleaners at the beginning of 2020:

That concludes our comparison of all iRobot robot vacuum cleaners in all series. Now you know the differences between the models and which iRobot is best for you!