iRobot Roomba 960 vs 980

Choosing between iRobot's Roomba 960 and 980

When comparing iRobot vacuums, iRobot’s 960 and 980 seem to be nearly identical. So, what justifies the steep price difference between the two?

Differences between the Roomba 960 and 980

There are four differences between these two robot vacuums.

First, the motor in the 960 is a carryover from the 800-series. It’s not a bad motor, but the 960's 900 series motor is more powerful and efficient.

Second, the bigger motor in the 980 deliver 10x the suction of earlier models thanks to its AeroForce 3-Stage Cleaning System. The 960 also has AeroForce, just with 5x the suction power when compared with the same previous models.

Third, with the 980 iRobot introduced Carpet Boost. Carpet Boost bumps up the power when the robot realizes it is vacuuming carpeted surfaces. The 960 is a predecessor of the 980 and lacks Carpet Boost altogether.

Finally, the 980 runs for signficantly longer before needing to return to its base and charge. At their most economical settings the battery will last 120 minutes. In contrast, the 960 will call it quits after 75 minutes of cleaning.

Our recommendation

Both iRobot vacuums are a good choice. They have aged a bit, but they do their job relatively well. So, is the price increase for the 980 worth it? If you have a larger area to clean, have a home with dogs and/or cats, or just feel you need the most suction power possible, go with the Roomba 980. If you don’t need as much heft the Roomba 960 is a good choice with a value price.

A newer iRobot Alternative

It you're set on an iRobot and arrived at these Roombas while doing research but haven't looked into the iRobot Roomba i7 you should. The i7 is a much newer (and better) robot from iRobot.