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Today we are going to look at the Roomba 960 vs i7 . Some Roomba robots have similar features, and their designs don’t do much to tell them apart.
If you want to know what these two are capable of, we can help you. Let’s review them to clear up any doubts you may have.
Quick Comparison: Roomba 960 vs i7
Roomba 960
- Mid-Priced Option
- Wifi Compatible
- Good for all floor types
- Recharge & Resume Cleaning
Roomba i7
- Premium Model
- Advanced Mapping
- Recharge & Resume Cleaning
- Self-emptying bin
The Roomba i7 takes this one. The device is all-round better from the suction capabilities to its smart navigation features. It is a more costly device, but believe us, It is well worth it. The Roomba i7 is even able to empty itself, so you don’t have to interact with the robot for months physically.
What are the differences between the Roomba i7 and 960 models?
They have some similarities like their almost identical design, pet allergen and hair clean-up capabilities, and low profile design, but they are very different in many areas. Take a look.
Suction
The Roomba 960 is quite powerful. It is 5-times as powerful as the Roomba 600 series models. However, the i7 is even more powerful. It has 2ce as powerful as the Roomba 960.
Automatic Dirt Disposal
This incredibly convenient feature is available on the Roomba i7 but not on the Roomba 960. The Roomba i7’s compatibility with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit allows the robot to empty itself.
Price
Neither of these models is exactly a budget option. The Roomba i7 is around $100 more expensive than the Roomba 960, but believe us when we say, it is well worth it.
Imprint Smart Mapping
Both of these models have mapping technology, but one is far better than the other. The Roomba 960 can take measurements of your home and adapt for that cleaning sequence, while the i7 stores the maps it creates and continuously adapts for higher efficiency over time.
Keep out Zones
The maps stored on the i7 can be used to develop keep out zones. These are zones that the Roomba i7 will not go into after you create them. This feature is not available on the Roomba 960.
What is Imprint Smart Mapping?
Imprint Smart Mapping allows the robot to learn the different areas of your home as it maps the rooms while cleaning.
The robot then consults the maps and adapts to the different areas of your home to determine how best to clean each room. The robot is capable of remembering multiple floor plans.
The smart mapping feature is paired with the smart charge feature to make the robot know how much charging is necessary after the battery runs out to complete the current job. The robot will recharge to the necessary power required and then go back to cleaning.
What are the Similarities
Even though the robots have features that set them apart and make one better than the other, the Roomba i7 have some of the same features as the Roomba 960. Take a look at some of the features that they share.
Type of battery
IRobot decided that the best kind of battery both of these devices is the Lithium-Ion.
WiFi Connectivity
The devices do not need WiFi to clean, but they are both compatible for more hassle-free control.
Size
Both the i7 and the 960 are under 14” in diameter and under 4” in height.
Run Time
These smart vacuums will clean until their batteries are depleted (over an hour) and then recharge then return to complete the job.
Great for Pets
The Roomba 960 and the Roomba i7 is ideal if you are a pet owner or thinking of becoming one. These robots use a 3-stage Cleaning System that cleans almost everything, including pet hair and 99% of pet allergens.
Design
Their color schemes are quite similar. They are black with gray tops with buttons closer to the front.
This robot can clean an entire level of your home. It visually maps your home by using iAdapt 2.0 technology with vSLAM navigation.
This technology helps the robot to keep track of itself throughout the cleaning process.
If the battery runs out while it is cleaning, the Roomba 960 recharges itself and then continues to clean the area it was before.
The Roomba 960’s high-efficiency filter filters out 99% of cat and dog allergens. This robot also has rubber brushes that clean pet hair without tangles.
Speaking of rubber brushes, these brushes are flexible so that they can stay in constant contact with all surfaces. The Roomba 960 is built with improved vacuum suction compared to the Roomba 600 series.
The Roomba 960 has Dirt Detect Technology to concentrate more on areas where you spend the most time in.
PROS
- The Roomba 960 is quite easy to use, especially since it can be controlled from your phone.
- The robot can clean under furniture
- It has a long run time, and resumes work after recharge.
CONS
- The bin is a bit small
- It gets clogged easily
- Sometimes it misses a few spots
Let’s answer some of your unanswered questions about the Roomba 960.
Can Roomba 960 clean in the dark?
Unfortunately, the Roomba 960 does not work well in the dark. The cameras will not be able to see anything, so it will not be efficient and miss more spots.
Is the Roomba 960 worth it?
It is good for the price, but compared to the i7, we don’t think it is. The Roomba 960 is a device filled with useful features, so the price is not bad. We are saying that if you want to get the most value, you should pay the extra and get the i7.
Does Roomba 960 have mapping?
Yes, the Roomba 960 does have the ability to map an entire level of your home. However, it does not store the maps.
This Roomba 960 uses iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with Visual Localization to keep track of its location so it can remember where it left off and where has been cleaned.
It also pairs this technology with sensors to clean around objects and hard to reach places.
One of the most important capabilities of this robot is its compatibility with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit.
The Roomba i7 has a High-Efficiency Filter that works well with its Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System that can clean pet hairs and 99% of allergens.
This robot learns, maps, and adapts to your home with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also remembers multiple floor plans and captures thousands of precise measurements to clean effectively.
Roomba i7 robots are built with Imprint Link Technology allowing the Roomba i7 and Braava jet m6 robots to work in sequence.
PROS
- It can clean under objects in your home
- It has a long run time
- This robot can empty itself
CONS
- It is easily clogged
- The robot is a bit noisy
- The charge time is long
We are going to answer some questions that you may still have.
Is the Roomba i7 worth it?
Absolutely. It has the ability to empty itself and can map your entire home to clean more efficiently.
What is the difference between Roomba i7 and i7+?
Both of these devices are exactly the same. The difference is in the packaging. The Roomba i7+ is sold with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt disposal unit.
Can Roomba i7 clean multiple floors?
Yes, It can map, memorize, and clean up to 10-floor plans.
The Roomba i7 vs. 960, the Ultimate Match Up
We have a pretty good idea about who is going to win this one, but let’s put them side by side nevertheless.
Both of the devices have great features, so they are both sound buys. Take a look at the matchup and combine the results with your needs and budget.
Design
The Roomba i7 and the Roomba 960 are almost identical at a glance. They are both black with gray tops. The buttons are closer to the front of both devices.
Accessories
The Roomba 960 is not compatible with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit, but the Roomba i7 is. This is an accessory that can be purchased separately for the Roomba i7 robot.
Keep out Zone
The Roomba i7 has imprint technology that will allow you to select zones where you can tell your robot to stay clear of. The Roomba 960 is compatible with the Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier that can be used to block entrances that the robot should not access.
Performance
The Roomba 960 is a great robot, don’t get us wrong, but the performance of the i7 is way better. The i7 has twice the vacuum strength of the 960.
IAdapt Navigation system
Both of these robots are built with iAdapt technology, however, the Roomba 960 uses iAdapt 2.0 while the Roomba i7 uses iAdapt 3.0 technology with vSLAM navigation. This improvement has keep-out zones.
Cleaning System
They both have a the 3-Stage Cleaning System that pulls in dirt, pet hair, debris, and 99% of allergens in your home. These vacuums are ideal for pet owners because of these features.
WiFi Connectivity
They are both WiFi compatible. You can schedule them remotely with the Roomba Home app.
Size
The sizes of these robots are quite similar. The Roomba i7 is 13.34” in diameter and just under 4” high while the Roomba 960 is 13.7” in diameter and also just under 4” off the ground.
Run time
The devices are both smart enough to measure the amount of charge required to complete a job and the recharge to that amount when their batteries run out. They then continue the cleaning cycle.
Conclusion
These devices are not exactly cheap. The Roomba i7 is more expensive than the Roomba 960, however, it is packed with more features. They are both very powerful, but the Roomba i7 has 2ce the vacuum power of the Roomba 960.
The Roomba i7 has more advanced features and is more hassle-free than the 960. We believe that the Roomba i7 is an all-around better device, so we would advise that if you can afford to pay the extra cash, go ahead and get yourself the better robot.
