Roomba 671 vs 675 vs E5 Comparison Review
Roombas are generally expensive, but then, there are some low budget models.
In this Roomba 671 vs. 675 vs. E5 review, we have compared the best affordable Roombas that should be on your wishlist.
Find out which model is best, for what type of households, or cleaning needs. But just before that, here is a round-up of the key similarities and differences.
What’s Similar
- Design – While there are negligible differences when it comes to dimensions and weight, the three vacuums are all round-shaped.
- Filtration – Roomba 671,675 and E5 all use the same filtration system that incorporates HEPA-style filters.
- Battery and runtime – The three vacuums have been designed with the same 1,800 mAh battery that offers 90 minutes runtime.
- Navigation and mapping – iAdapt 1.0 is the standard navigation and mapping technology on all three vacuums.
- Smart connectivity – All the three Roombas come with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for smartphone operation as well as Alexa compatibility.
- Boundary marking – Roomba E5, 671 and 675 are all compatible with iRobot Virtual Walls technology.
What’s Different
- Aesthetics – While the design is almost the same, the three models have been finished in different colors.
- Suction power – The E5 offers higher suction power that the Roomba 671 and 675 courtesy of an advanced motor.
- Brush system – The Roomba 671 and 675 come with an AeroVac brushing system while the E5 tags along with an AeroForce brush system.
- Bin capacity – Roomba 671 and 675 have a much smaller dirt bin compared to that of the Roomba E5.
- Dirt Detect – While the Roomba 675 and E5 have a Dirt Detect system, the 671 lacks this feature.
- Virtual Walls – All the three Roombas have been designed with Virtual Walls technology, but not all of them include the Virtual Walls device.
Roomba 671
The Roomba 671 is a great deal for buyers on a budget. While it is a relatively new model, it uses the old Aerovac 3-stage cleaning system that incorporates a 1st Gen motor, an Aerova dual multisurface brushroll, and HEPA-style filtration.
The navigation is average and will do well in small to medium-sized apartments with average traffic.
When it comes to runtime, this vacuum comes with a rechargeable battery that does 90 minutes, which is better than what the Roomba 650, 690, and even the 890 offer.
- This model is the cheapest Roomba around, so if you are on a tight budget, it is the best choice for you. It offers excellent performance on bare floors, and is smart home ready.
- The Roomba 671 lacks the Dirt Detect function and also, it doesn’t include any Virtual Walls devices.
Roomba 675
This is also a pretty new model that is quite similar to the rest of the Roombas 600 series.
One this that sets it apart from the Roomba 671 is the fact that it tag along with Dirt Detect Series I.
Otherwise, it is still based on an Aerovac 3-stage cleaning system, with the same suction, brush and filtration system, as the other Roomba 600 vacuums.
It does a great job on bare floors, as well as homes with the short-haired pet breeds.
- The Roomba 675 is a cheap model and is smart home ready, so you can operate in from the mobile app or Alexa
- While it is a new model, it offers average cleaning performance on carpets, and more so, it doesn’t include a Virtual Walls barrier. However, it is compatible with the boundary marking technology.
Roomba E5 (5150)
This is among the newest entry-level Roombas that was released together with the Roomba i7.
It matches the performance of the Roomba 890.
The E5 (5150) is based on the new AeroForce 3-stage cleaning system, which has an enhanced motor and an improved brush with anti-tangle technology.
The navigation and runtime are the same as that of the 671 and 675, and so is the smart connectivity.
- The Roomba 5150 is quite affordable and offers better performance on carpets courtesy of the improved suction. It is also a great deal for households with pets, including the long pet hair.
- Unfortunately, the E5 is based on the original iAdapt 1.0 navigation system, which doesn’t exude much confidence when it comes to cleaning large apartments and high-traffic rooms.
Roomba 671 vs. 675 vs. E5 Side by Side Review
Now, let’s get to the finer details of this Roomba E5 vs. 671 vs. 675 comparison review.
We will be assessing the most important considerations when choosing the best robot vacuum to see how each model fairs on.
1. Design and Aesthetics
The best robot vacuum should have a low profile design. It is also important for buyers to distinguish the various Roombas based on the colors. So, what do the three have to offer here?
Roomba E5
The Roomba E5 has been finished in black.
As for the dimensions and weight, it has a 13.3-inches diameter, a 3.6-inches height, and weighs just 7.5lbs.
Roomba 675 and 671
The Roomba 675 and 671 are identical. The two are finished in dark grey and black and weigh 7.8lbs. When it comes to dimensions, the robots have a 13-inch diameter and stand at 3.6-inches.
2. Cleaning Performance
What’s the best Roomba for bare floors? How about the carpets, and pet hair? That’s what we are going to talk about in this section. We will also be sharing our exclusive cleaning test results.
Cleaning Orientation
Robot vacuums are highly specialized, and Roombas are no exception. Make sure the robot vacuum you are buying is suitable for your cleaning needs.
So, what is the Roomba 675, 671, and E5 best for?
The Roomba 671 and 675 are quite similar when it comes to cleaning features. The duo is designed to clean all bare floors, including tile, linoleum, vinyl, and low pile carpets only.
As for pet hair, the two vacuums can manage only the short hairs without a problem, but for the long dog hair, it gets overwhelmed. We will see how they will perform during our cleaning test results discussion.
Suction Power
One of the most critical components of any vacuum cleaner is the motor. This is the component that determines the suction power that will be produced by the vacuum.
In the Roomba 675 vs. 671 vs. E5 comparison review, this is an interesting talking point as there is a huge difference.
Roomba 675 and 671
Roomba 675 and 671 both come with a Gen 1 motor that delivers 550Pa – 600Pa. This is a huge flaw considering the best robot vacuums today deliver 2000Pa and above.
Another thing, this is a single-speed motor, meaning you can’t regulate the suction power on different surfaces.
Roomba E5
The Roomba E5, on the other hand, comes with a much more advanced iRobot Gen 2 motor, the same one used in Roomba i7, 960, and 890.
This one is also a single-speed motor but raises the bar to 900Pa – 1000 Pa. So, if you are looking for a powerful Roomba, settle for the E5.
Brush System
Besides the suction power, agitation is the other fundamental when it comes to vacuuming. This is another area where the Roomba E5 has excelled in when compared to the Roomba 671 and 675.
Roomba 675 and 671
The Roomba 675 and 671 are all based on the 3-stage AeroVac system. Here, we have a dual multisurface brush which features a brush designed for agitation, and another for dirt pick up.
It does a great job as far as dirt pickup is concerned on all surfaces.
But unfortunately, this brush will get jammed when dealing with long dog hair. On the side, there is a sweeping side brush that directs dirt onto the path of the central brush, and also, it sweeps the wall edges and corners.
Roomba E5
The Roomba E5 has the same brush design, but this one has been dubbed AeroForce.
Now, the biggest difference between the AeroVac brush system vs. AeroForce is the fact that the Roomba E5 dual multisurface brush system is rubberized.
Most importantly, it integrates anti-tangle technology, meaning you won’t have trouble picking up long dog hair. On the side, it also features a sweeping side brush. For the record, the Roomba E5 brush system is the same across all high-end models, talk of the Roomba 900 series, I series, and the S series.
Filtration and Bin
What filters are used in Roomba 671, 675, and E5? What’s the dirt bin capacity, and what happens when it is full? This is another interesting talking point in this comparison review.
Roomba 675 and 671
Roomba 671 and 675 are identical here in that they both tag along with a HEPA style filtration, and a 0.3L bin.
The filters are washable, and should be replaced after 4 – 6 months of use. The bin is easy to attach and detach during emptying.
When full, the robot vacuum will notify users via a Full Bin light indicator.
Roomba E5
The Roomba E5 is the same as the 675 and 671 as far as filtration technology is concerned.
Unfortunately, Roomba has not included true HEPA filters, which are 99% efficient and filter down to 0.3 microns.
This means the tiny dust particles and allergens will still be roaming in the atmosphere.
As for the bin, we have a large 0.5L detachable bin, which also has a Full Bin indicator.
Dirt Detect
This is one unique feature, and as the name suggests, this is a technology that helps in locating areas with concentrated dirt. Once such areas are detected, the robot heads there and switches to Spot mode.
Roomba E5 and 675 are the models that come with this feature, but then, there’s more into it.
Roomba 675 uses Dirt Detect Series I, which uses acoustic sensors only while the E5 uses Dirt Detect II that employs acoustic and optical sensors making it more efficient.
Cleaning Tests
As is our tradition at Robotbox, we put these three Roombas to stringent tests, and we are glad to present our results here.
To ensure readers get a clear picture of how these vacuums perform, we used the daily household dirt, and this includes cereals, sugar, rice, kitty litter, sand pebbles, flour, and pet hair. The tests were performed on both bare floors and carpets.
3. Navigation and Mapping
Which is the best Roomba for large apartments, high traffic rooms, and homes with multi rooms and more than one level? That’s what we are about to find in this section.
When it comes to navigation and mapping, there are several aspects to consider; navigation technology, floor mapping, and boundary marking.
Navigation Technology
Even though the latest navigation technology from iRobot is the new iAdapt 3.0 with Imprint Smart Mapping, the Roomba 671, 675, and E5 use the original iAdapt 1.0.
This is a SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping-based algorithm that uses sensors for localization. As you may be aware, SLAM algorithms are not designed to perfection, but they offer operational compliance so your Roomba will somehow find its way, but not in the high traffic rooms.
Roombas also have mechanical obstacle sensors on the bumper. When the robot comes into contact with an obstacle, the bumpers retract, and when they do so, the robot changes direction.
Mapping
When it comes to floor mapping, the three Roombas are also identical. They lack any intelligent floor scanning and mapping system. That means they clean in a random pattern instead of a methodical cleaning pattern.
If you have a large apartment, you might find some skipped spots and for high-traffic rooms.
Also, Roomba 671, 675, and E5 don’t have any learning function, and that’s the reason they are not ideal for vacuuming multirooms. Unfortunately, the Roomba 675, 671, and the E5 are not compatible with Virtual Walls Lighthouse. Which guide Roombas through room-to-room cleaning.
Boundary Marking
While these three Roombas have the same navigation and mapping system, there is a slight difference when it comes to containment.
All the three vacuums work with Virtual Walls technology but then, take note of the Virtual Walls devices included.
Ther Roomba 675 and 671 lack a Virtual Walls device, so you will have to purchase them separately. On the other hand, the Roomba E5 tags along with a single Virtual Walls device.
4. Battery and Runtime
Roombas, just like all robot vacuums are autonomous, and rely on an inbuilt battery for operation. Now, which one of the three Roombas offers the best performance here?
Well, all the three vacuums are similar here in that they all tag along with a 1,800mAh rechargeable battery. The batteries offer a 90 minutes runtime when new, but after a few months, the battery will definitely start to fade.
In our tests, we realized that the runtime varied depending on the surface it was cleaning and the condition of the robot vacuum. On bare floors, the runtime is normal, but on carpets, especially high-pile, the runtime is reduced to 83 minutes. This is also the case when the brushroll is jammed.
When it comes to power management, the Roomba 675, 671, and E5 will all dock and recharge when the battery level is critical.
Unfortunately, none of the three vacuums will resume cleaning after that. When it comes to recharge time, the robot takes around 2 hours.
5. Smart Features
In this smart home age, settle for nothing less than a smart robot vacuum.
Gladly, almost all Roombas are smart, meaning they come with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi compatibility. But then, make sure to understand what each is capable of.
Roomba 675, 671, and E5 all come with mobile app support via the iRobot HOME App. On this platform, homeowners can control the robot remotely, and schedule cleaning sessions, among other functions.
The three vacuums can also sync with Alexa, and other voice assistants.
Our Verdict: Roomba 671 vs. 675 vs. E5
Now, we have come to the end of this Roomba E5 vs. 671 vs. 675 review. It’s time for us to decide which is the best Roomba for buyers on a budget.
Well, the Roomba E5 carries the day here for two reasons.
First, this vacuum is based on the much advanced AeroForce 3-stage cleaning system.
In the Aerovac vs. AeroForce battle, the latter is the best as it includes a much more advanced motor that delivers 5 times more airpower, and consequently, higher suction (900-1000pa) compared to the Aerovac motor that delivers just 600pa.
The brush system has also been enhanced courtesy of anti-tangle technology, which reduces jamming when handling long pet hairs. The Roomba E5 also has a much larger bin.
Second is the fact that the Roomba E5 comes with a dual-mode Virtual Walls device so you won’t have to spend much to get the most out of this containment technology., With the 671 and 675, you will need to buy two devices, but with the E5, you just need one more device.
The above are enough reasons why the E5 wins this battle. When it comes to Roomba 671 vs. 675, the 675 is the winner as it comes with Dirt Detect.
