Roomba e5 vs. 960 vs. i7
iRobot has taken a gigantic leap in the robot vacuum innovation, especially when they introduced the Roomba s9+. Nevertheless, the Roomba e5, 960, and i7+ still continued to set trends and remained bestsellers in the market. So in this article, I am going to share with you my experiences with the Roomba e5 vs. 960 vs. i7.
Without further ado, let us find which model among the three is best for you.
The Main Differences
- Auto-Empty Dust Bin
The Clean Base is a distinctive feature that separates the Roomba i7+ from the e5 and 960 right off the bat. After all, the i7+ is the pioneering robot vacuum that has a self-emptying dustbin. - Cleaning Performance
All three units feature the patented AeroForce 3-Stage Cleaning System. But because of the differences in suction power and other smarts, each model varies in terms of cleaning. The Roomba e5 provides nearly the same cleaning performance as the i7+, which is sensational given its price. Unfortunately, the e5 relies on memory mapping alone, so its cleaning prowess is best suited for small homes. - Navigation
When comparing the Roomba e5 vs. 960 in terms of navigation, the latter defeats the e5 with its iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with vSLAM® technology. The 960 has a built-in camera, human-like cleaning patterns in parallel lines, and a few maps that you could view on the iRobot Home app. But with the 3.0 upgrades of the Roomba i7+, you get all of the features in the Roomba 960, plus several more. - Price
In terms of value, the price of the Roomba e5 is quite a beast to beat. This Roomba was designed to offer excellent cleaning performance for homeowners who are willing to exclude the cutting-edge tech of the i7+ in exchange for its low price tag. The Roomba 960, on the other hand, lies somewhere in the middle.
Below you will find a complete comparison of the most important specifications of the Roomba e5 vs. 960 vs. i7 robot vacuum models.
Comparison Table
Comparison Prise History
Should You Buy The Roomba e5?
The Roomba e5 is a testimony that you can achieve an exceptional Roomba outside the i and s showroom. Sure, this Roomba is not cutting-edge, but it is still packed with advanced tech and cool features.
As I tested the Roomba e5 in our humble abode, it provided non-stop cleaning while it traveled with ease between hardwood, tiles, rugs, and carpets. I am crediting this extremely satisfying performance to its tangle-free Dual Multi-Surface Brushrolls with Adaptive Height Technology. There is also a side brush to help sweep debris straight into the suction vent.
The Roomba e5 also boasts of having a robust 1700 suction power. Combine that with Dirt Detect™, and you get a robot that cleans floors as good as a Roomba i7+. But because the e5 lacks Smart Maps, it isn’t the best option for large homes.
Moreover, maintenance is another area where the Roomba e5 shines. The only maintenance costs required are replacing the High-Efficiency filter, the spinning brush, brushrolls, and battery. On a side note, the filter is the only component that needs frequent replacements. All other parts depend on the wear and tear of the unit.
So, if you are on the market for a quality robot vacuum yet you don’t want to spend a ton of money, the Roomba e5 would be a great addition to your home.
- AeroForce 3-stage Cleaning System
- Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushrolls with Height-Adapt
- 1700 Pa of suction power
- Dirt Detect™ Technology
- The brushes are 100% tangle-free
- Compatible with Virtual Wall®
- 500 mL dustbin capacity
- 90-minute runtime
- Relies on memory mapping
- Unable to save multiple layouts
- No Keep-Out Zones
Who Should Buy The Roomba 960?
The 960 veers to the expensive side of Roomba, but I honestly don’t find its price justifiable for the performance it offers. While this model uses the same premium 3-stage cleaning system as the Roomba e5 and i7+, it has a rather low suction power, which makes it ineffective in picking up fine dust in carpets.
Also, dark floors and patterns easily mess up with the cliff sensors of this unit. Suppose you have a black area rug. When the robot gets to the rug, it avoids it because the robot assumes it has reached a staircase. The same goes for cleaning during nighttime.
Frankly, I am not attracted to the bells and whistles offered by this unit. It may have Smart Maps, Dirt Detect™, voice control, and whatnot, but I would easily choose the Roomba e5 over this unit. The Roomba 960 is a pricey vacuum. There are plenty of affordable robot vacuums out there that have many of the features laid out by the 960.
But if you live in a large house that mostly has hard surfaces, such as wood, linoleum, and tiles, you would likely be satisfied with this model.
- iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with vSLAM® technology
- Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes
- Wi-Fi controlled via the iRobot Home app, Alexa, or Google Assistant
- Create Keep-Out Zones through the app
- Compatible with Virtual Wall®
- 600 mL dustbin capacity
- Recharge and Resume
- Not suitable for pets and carpets
- Can’t identify dark floors from stairs
Should You Buy The Roomba i7+?
The Roomba s9+ is currently the forerunner of the Roomba showroom. But if you are looking for a more affordable robot vacuum that has almost the same caliber as the s9+, the Roomba i7+ would be the best option. While it isn’t cheap, it offers plenty of advanced features.
First of all, the Roomba i7+ is the pioneering robot vacuum that comes with an automatic dirt-disposing feature. The Clean Base™ extracts the dust and debris out of the robot’s dustbin each time it parks back into its dock.
Another strong point of this model is its navigation and mapping. This robot uses iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation Technology and Imprint™ Smart Maps. Adding to that, it comes equipped with six cliff and floor-tracking sensors to prevent falls and obstructions. This robot can cleverly distinguish dark floors and from stairs, unlike the 960.
The Roomba i7+ also has robust suction. Combine that with its unique brush system, you get a robot vacuum that is effective in all floor types. This robot has also impressed me with its ability to transition from hard floors to carpeted surfaces. What’s more, it can even climb up door thresholds.
As you can see, the Roomba i7+ offers the ultimate convenience. At first, I was concerned with how much this unit costs, but it is paying for itself quite quickly.
- Adapt® 3.0 Navigation with vSLAM® technology
- AeroForce 3-stage Cleaning System
- Imprint™ Smart Maps (can save up to 10 different floor plans)
- 1700 Pa suction power
- Dirt Detect™ Technology
- Wi-Fi controlled via the iRobot Home app, Alexa, or Google Assistant
- Create Keep-Out Zones through the app
- Compatible with Virtual Wall®
- Clean Base™
- Recharge and Resume
- Expensive, but worth it
- The Clean Base™ needs 4×4 floor space
- AllergenLock™ replacement bags can be costly
Roomba e5 vs. 960 vs. i7: Face to Face Comparison
These units bring many features to the table, but my needs are different from yours. So, it pays to know each model better. Read on!.
Design
Roomba 960
In terms of design, there aren’t many differences between the Roomba e5, 960, and i7+. In fact, the size and dimensions of all three units are identical. Each robot measures 13.3 inches in diameter and stands 3.6 inches tall.
The only visual difference between the Roomba 960 vs. e5 is the color and the inclusion of a built-in camera. The 960 has a black and grey color scheme, but it houses the same buttons nonetheless. The indicator lights are likewise located at the same spots.
The front of the Roomba 960 houses the bumper, while the back holds the removable 600-mL dustbin. Typical of a robot vacuum, the main brushroll is in the underside of the unit along with the edge-sweeping brush, cliff sensors, charging contacts, and castor wheel.
Mapping and Smart Navigation
Roomba 960
The Roomba 960 uses iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with vSLAM® technology. This tech utilizes a combination of infrared sensors and a camera. The latter creates a visual map of an entire level of my abode, while the sensors allow the unit to steer around obstacles and avoid stairs.
I like that the Roomba 960 learns the map of my home as it cleans. Likewise, I like that I can view and make customizations to the map on the iRobot Home app. My only gripe is that the Roomba 960 can barely distinguish black tiles or dark-colored rugs from a deadly staircase.
In turn, the robot moves away and ignores these surfaces.
Brushes
Roomba 960
The Roomba 960 has an auto-adjust cleaning head. As a result, it keeps the Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes remain in contact with the floor even when the robovac transitions from hard floor to carpet and vice versa.
Although the brushes are advertised as tangle-free, I find the robot ineffective against pet hair. I partly blame it for the unit’s low power suction.
The Roomba 960 also has an edge-sweeping brush.
Cleaning System
Roomba 960
The Roomba 960 boasts of having the patented AeroForce 3-Stage Cleaning System, which comprises tangle-free Multi-Surface Brushes, Power-Lifting Suction, and High-Efficiency Filter.
According to iRobot, the 960 offers 5x the air power compared to the 600 Series Roombas. With a suction power of 900 Pa, I still find the Roomba 960 inferior compared to the Roomba e5 and i7+. Nevertheless, this amount of suction is sufficient for hard floors.
Virtual Walls and Keep-Out Zones
Roomba 960
The Roomba 960 also uses Virtual Wall® barriers and it comes with one for each purchase. Originally, you can’t create Keep-Out Zones for the Roomba 960 via the app, but iRobot released an update back in 2019.
The said update expands on the digital mapping capabilities for the 900 series, enabling users to create Keep-Out Zones within the app.
App and Voice Control
Roomba 960
The primary control option for the Roomba 960 is the local controls, but you most likely won’t be using them very often if you prefer the iRobot Home app on your Android or iOS device.
I also have the benefit of giving voice commands to the Roomba 960 through Amazon Alexa or Google Home Assistant. Using voice commands, I can have the robot to start, stop, pause, resume, or cancel a scheduled cleaning cycle. I can also send the 960 back to its dock at any time.
Cleaning Base
Roomba 960
The Roomba 960 also doesn’t have a self-emptying dustbin, either.
Cleaning Performance
Roomba 960
If you had previously owned an early-generation Roomba and you want to upgrade, the Roomba 960 is a great place to start.
I made the Roomba 960 tackle my daughter’s room first and used the same types of debris to test the ability of this particular model. I was impressed with how much better this robot moves around compared to earlier Roombas. The 960 deftly maneuvered around furniture, thanks to its built-in camera.
Objects of measurable sizes, such as a dog’s bed, stuffed toys, and boxes, were no problem. When it comes near an obstacle, the robot pauses for a moment and calculates its next move. However, I have to clear the floor of things like charging cables and earphones because they can get damaged or tangled up in the vacuum.
The Roomba 960 finished out my daughter’s room with a strong showing in my large object collection test. However, that is not to say the 960 is perfect. To my dismay, the 960 left behind approximately 70% to 80% of glitter. There were also a dozen sesame seeds or so in its first pass. Likewise, the 960 did relatively poorly at cleaning up synthetic hair on the high-pile carpet. The robovac only got about 20% of the hair from the plush carpet.
The problem with the Roomba 960 is that the robot has less powerful suction, and the unit only passes over an area once. You have to set the 960 to make two passes in a room so that it picks up the debris it may have missed in its first pass.
Since my daughter’s room is rather small, the robot was able to pick up nearly 90% of the sesame seeds and silver dust it failed to pick up in its first pass. I doubt the Roomba 960 could have picked up that much in its second pass if my daughter’s room was any larger.
Nevertheless, the Roomba 960 was better than average at moving across from different surfaces. In fact, the robot was able to get on and off my daughter’s DIY rag rug with ease. However, the 960 distinguished dark-colored rugs as staircases and ignored them.
Moreover, I scattered the same types of debris along the hallway. Thankfully, the Roomba 960 rebounded when cleaning hard surfaces. The 960 only got about 30% of the hair and 20% of the glitter, but it picked up the rest with ease.
Then again, the performance of the Roomba 960 dropped when it reached the living room. While the robovac was able to work its way around furniture and under the TV stand and coffee table, it failed to collect most of the pet hair and fine debris.
Therefore, I am giving this model six out of ten stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Roomba e5 learn your house?
How do I reset my Roomba i7+?
Press and hold the HOME, SPOT Clean, and CLEAN buttons simultaneously. These buttons are found on the front cover of the unit.
Hold these buttons until the white ring around the CLEAN button glows up.
Release the buttons and give the robot some time to set its settings to its default values.
Does Roomba 960 have mapping?
How long does Roomba e5 clean?
Can Roomba 960 work in the dark?
Conclusion
The Roomba e5 would be a solid choice if you want more bang out of your bucks. This robot offers a stellar cleaning performance on par with the Roomba i7+. But if you are torn between the Roomba e5 vs. 960, the answer should boil down to the size of your home.
But despite coming with fewer bells and whistles, I am still more impressed with the e5 than the 960. If your spacious home has plenty of area rugs and carpeted rooms, the cleaning performance of the Roomba 960 may still not be enough. So, how about you opt for the Roomba i7+, instead?
With a unique self-emptying dustbin and the rare ability to save multiple floor plans, clean specific rooms on command, the Roomba i7+ is among the most user-friendly robot vacuums to date.