Roomba e5 vs. 960 vs. i7

Roomba e5

The top of the Roomba e5 5134 houses the silver “Clean” button sandwiched between a black “Spot Clean” button to the right and a black “Home” button to the left. When turned on, I found the indicator lights for the battery life, troubleshooting, and Wi-Fi just above the buttons.

I actually thought there was no handle to the robot until I looked closer at the top.

The front of the Roomba e5 houses the bumper. When I flipped the robot over, I found Roomba’s patented Dual Multi-Surface Brushroll and the brush frame release. The bottom also includes the castor wheel, charging contacts, cliff sensors, and edge-sweeping brush.

As for the back, the Roomba e5 holds the 500-mL dustbin, as well as its filter and release button.

Overall, I am giving the minimalistic design of the Roomba e5 eight out of ten stars. I have to take away two stars because of the bumper area. The front tends to accumulate grease and dirt a lot quicker than I hoped, forcing me to wipe the bumper with a damp cloth before I start each cleaning session. Otherwise, the sensors will not work properly.

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.

Roomba i7+

The Roomba i7+ looks nearly identical as the Roomba 960, except for the “Clean” button that comes in black. As I turned the robot over, I found that the Roomba i7+ and the e5 are exactly alike in many ways, as well.

Both the Roomba i7+ and e5 utilize the same brushroll system and edge-sweeping brush. The i7+ didn’t even reinvent the wheels. Likewise, the dustbin is found at the rear of the robot. There are also edge sensors around the outer edge of the i7+ to help it identify drop zones, stairs, lofted spaces, and other hazards.

The only difference is that the e5 lacks an automated suction slot, which the i7+ uses to empty its dustbin via the Clean Base.

Roomba e5

The Roomba e5 is a recent model, but because it is designed to appeal to budget-conscious consumers, I expect it to have a few tradeoffs. This includes the robot’s ability to map and navigate.

The Roomba e5 doesn’t have a built-in camera. So, I am putting vSLAM® and Imprint Smart Maps, and whatnot out of the picture. Nevertheless, I am impressed by how this little workhorse avoids obstacles, staircases, and potential robot death traps set by my dog.

I saw my little e5 struggle for a while because the edge of the carpet has flipped over. However, the robot managed to flip the carpet back and get on with its job. My favorite part is that it can distinguish dark floors from staircases, which is something even the 960 can’t do.
The Roomba e5 is made of heavy-duty plastic, so it can survive daily bumps against furniture.

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.

Roomba i7+

The Roomba i7+ has a bunch of slick features, and among its strongest suits are its mapping and navigation. This model boasts of having the iAdapt 3.0 Navigation with vSLAM® Technology, which is the upgraded version of what the 960 has.

This patented tech actively captures thousands of precise measurements to optimize coverage. Using its built-in camera, it looks up and across the room to create landmarks. Doing so will help the robot identify and differentiate each room.

As a result, I can create accurate cleaning plans for each room and monitor areas that my robovac has not yet cleaned. The best part is that even if you rearrange the room, the i7+ will still manage to identify the landmarks and update its cleaning plan.

As I opted for the Imprint Smart Mapping, the Roomba i7+ spends its first two runs running in a grid as it learns the different landmarks around my house. Of course, the robot is already cleaning my floors while it learns.

But if you have a large home, you can likewise send the i7+ on an exclusive “exploration-only” run to help it determine your floor plan a lot quicker without draining too much battery life.

I found myself using Smart Maps for each cleaning session. Being able to customize and skip rooms is a great help to avoid problems for the robot. While many robovacs in the market also have smart mapping features, none of them are as user-friendly as the Roomba i7+.

I live in a bungalow, so being able to save up to 10 floor plans isn’t much of a big deal for me. But if you are going to use it for a two-story apartment or an office building, this is the way to go!

Roomba e5

Instead of bristles that bend over time, the Roomba e5 uses advanced brushrolls similar to that of the Roomba i7+ – one is to lift, while the other is used to loosen dirt and debris.

Also known as iRobot’s patented Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes, they don’t get tangled with pet hair. Best of all, the brushes require minimal maintenance.

As mentioned earlier, the Roomba e5 has an edge-sweeping brush.

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.

Roomba i7+

The Roomba i7+ comes equipped with a height-adaptive cleaning head, also known as the Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes. This feature allows the brushes to adjust and flex automatically to keep them constantly in contact with the floor regardless of whether it is a hard surface or a soft carpet.

What I like best about these counter-rotating rubber-nubbed rollers is that they do excellent work at digging hair and other debris out of carpets. Likewise, these brushes are much more resistant to tangles than the conventional brush-and-blade designs of the robot’s competitors.

The Roomba i7+ also has an edge-sweeping brush.

Roomba e5

If you have plenty of rugs and carpeted surfaces, the Roomba e5 would be an excellent fit for your home. Aside from the patented Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes the unit equips, it also comes with a whopping 1700 Pa of suction power.

This robovac is likewise ideal for homes with furry family members. Based on my tests, this model picked up both human, synthetic, and pet hair without trouble. The robot also equips a High-Efficiency Filter that traps 99% of pet allergens.

As a whole, iRobot refers to this method of cleaning as the AeroForce 3-Stage Cleaning System.

In addition, the Roomba e5 uses Dirt Detect™ Technology, which is another patented feature of iRobot. The Dirt Detect sensors recognize areas that have concentrated amounts of dirt, prompting the robot to clean those areas more thoroughly.

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.

Roomba i7+

The cleaning prowess of the Roomba i7+ owes to its AeroForce 3-Stage Cleaning System, which lifts, suctions, and filters to clean the tiniest of specks that you couldn’t see. Thanks to its High-Efficiency Filter, it captures particles as small as 0.3 microns, such as mold, pollen, and dust mites among others.

What sets the Roomba i7+ many steps ahead of other Roombas is that it delivers 10x the air power for improved performance. Combined with the unique Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes, you get a ‘robovac that works perfectly for pet hair and low- to high-pile carpets. Best of all, the brushes never tangle.

Lastly, the Roomba i7+ features Dirt Detect™ Technology, which is extremely helpful in high-traffic rooms.

Roomba e5

The Roomba e5 is compatible with Virtual Wall®, which is a battery-operated tower that operates in two modes: Standard and Halo.

My kitchen has an open archway, so I placed one Virtual Wall® barrier there to prevent the robot from entering when my family is busy preparing meals. The Standard Mode will send out an infrared beam that blocks the robot access for about 10 feet.

The Halo Mode, on the other hand, is used to protect certain objects, such as expensive vases and delicate décor. During this mode, the infrared beam surrounds the Virtual Wall®barrier in a four-feet diameter.

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.

Roomba i7+

The Roomba i7+ is also compatible with Virtual Wall®. However, I prefer making Keep-Out Zones, instead of manually placing Virtual Wall® barriers for each area I don’t want my robot to enter.

Besides, I don’t like the idea of having to turn on/off the barriers and replace batteries. Thanks to the Imprint Smart Maps, I can create barriers via my app while I lounge on the sofa.

Roomba e5

You may use the Roomba e5 without the iRobot HOME app, but I prefer to use my iPhone so that I can achieve the best possible experience with the robovac. You may likewise download the app for your Android device.

The app gives me the ability to set a schedule, send the robot off on a one-time clean, put it in Spot Cleaning Mode, or send it back to its dock. But because the Roomba e5 lacks savvy mapping features, I am incapable of telling the bot which rooms I want it to clean.

Nonetheless, this lack isn’t much of a dealbreaker, especially if you don’t even have a smart speaker, to begin with.

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.

Roomba i7+

Whatever you ask the Roomba e5 and 960 to do via the app, you can ask the Roomba i7+ to do it as well. However, there are many features of the iRobot Home app that will only work with the i7+.

After several training runs and a few minutes tinkering through the iRobot Home app, I can just blurt out, “Hey Alexa! Tell Roomba to clean Westeros!” Yup, I can rename rooms however I like. Thanks to Smart Mapping, the i7+ can create a live, full map of my entire home. The robot will also map your second floor, garage, office, or even your neighbor’s house!

I can also pick as many rooms as I want from a checklist, and the i7+ will go to clean those areas of my humble abode. My favorite part is that I can add or remove virtual boundaries via the app. Also known as Keep-Out Zones, this feature is quite handy when cleaning a room filled with small toys.

And unlike the Roomba 960, you can receive updates and so much more.

Roomba e5

The Roomba e5, despite being a recent model, does not have a self-emptying dustbin, also known as the Clean Base.

The base for this model is designed simply for charging the robot vacuum.

Roomba 960

The Roomba 960 also doesn’t have a self-emptying dustbin, either.

Roomba i7+

The Roomba i7 is the actual name of the robot that you can buy on its own if you wish. Roomba i7+ is the name of the package, which includes the Roomba i7 robot and the Clean Base.

If you buy a standalone Roomba i7, you will get a robovac with a slightly larger dustbin capacity. Nevertheless, you can also buy a standalone Clean Base if you wish to make an upgrade in the future. Take note that the Clean Base is only compatible with the iSeries robots.

When utilizing the Clean Base, you will need to buy AllergenLock™ replacement bags. The manufacturer states that each bag can hold up to 30 loads of dust and debris. But if you have a spacious abode or if you have kids and pets galore to clean after, I doubt a single bag can last for a week or two.

Although I like the convenience offered by the Roomba i7+, I frown upon its huge environmental cost. I wished the manufacturer opted for a cardboard one or went full-on bagless with the Clean Base.

Roomba e5

I first tested the Roomba e5 in my daughter’s room, which she shared with our two dogs.

I purposely scattered 75 grams of sesame seeds, 75 grams of oats, 75 grams of corn kernels, and 75 grams of M&M’s. Also, I placed 100 grams of silver dust on one particular spot. Likewise, I littered 100 grams of synthetic hair across the room. Not to mention, there were already crumbs of kibbles and pet hair embedded deep in my daughter’s shag carpet.

Moreover, the hardwood cleaning tests were no match for the Roomba e5. The robovac plowed through all types of debris in the Berber carpet of our living room. It even managed to find jelly beans that our dog must have hidden somewhere in the kitchen.

The robot transitioned between high-pile carpet to hardwood with ease. According to the manufacturer, this model has 5/8-inch clearance, so it should be able to transition up to ½ thresholds.

Were there issues with hard surfaces and low-pile carpets? None! Did the Roomba e5 face problems with high-pile carpet? Not much.

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.

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.

Roomba i7+

Once again I poured 75 grams of sesame seeds, 75 grams of oats, 75 grams of corn kernels, 75 grams of M&M’s, 100 grams of silver dust, and 100 grams of synthetic hair across my daughter’s room.

I estimated that the Roomba i7+ provides 98% cleaning performance, leaving behind only about a small pile of glitter. After its second pass, I saw no trace of silver dust shimmering from the carpet thereafter.

The strongest selling point of the Roomba i7+ is its ability to pick up pet hair on all floor types. Not only did the robovac pick the synthetic hair I randomly threw, but it also extracted my daughter’s and dogs’ tangled wet hair from the dark-colored rugs.

With regards to hard surfaces, the Roomba i7+ also performed a fabulous job as it picked 99% of all debris types in one pass.