Roomba 880 vs 960 Reviews, Differences, and a Comparison Chart
The iRobot has taken the vacuum cleaner industry by storm. For the last few years, the company has successfully developed and introduced robotic vacuum cleaners that have revolutionized the way people used to look at the vacuum cleaner. The company has come out with designs that are highly innovative and intelligent, each one being better than the next in some way.
In this blog, we will discuss two such unique and useful Roomba robots. For those of you seeking to get a valuable and informative review of the Roomba 880 and the Roomba 960, this is the best place to be!
Why are we making this comparison? Because we want to highlight the compatibility, pros, cons, and prices of each of these machines. In case you are planning to buy an iRobot vacuum cleaner for your home, this blog will guide you through the decision process. By reading this, you will be able to make a robust and practical comparison.
Before beginning the detailed discussion on each model, it is best and easiest to compare them in a chart.
Chart-based Comparison Of the Roomba 880 vs Roomba 960
| Features | iRobot Roomba 880 | iRobot Roomba 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6-inches | 13.8 x 13.8 x 3.6-inches |
| Weight | 8.4-pounds | 8.6-pounds |
| Battery lifespan | 1hr to 1.30 hour | 1.30hr Lifespan |
| Accessories | 1 Extra Filter, 2 Virtual Wall Lighthouses | 1 Extra Filter, 1 Virtual Wall Lighthouse |
| Navigation Through Rooms | X | X |
| Wi-Fi & App connectivity | X | |
| Scheduling Facility | Automatic Scheduling Feature | Automatic Scheduling Feature |
By looking at the chart above, you can see the differences and similarities between the 880 and the 960 in a summarized manner. Ideally, you should rely on this chart comparison to make your purchase decision, taking into account everything you learn below.
Differences between Roomba 880 and Roomba 960
In this section, we will point out the aspects in which the Roomba 960 differs from the Roomba 880. It is critically important to be aware of these differences so that you can make a decision that you do not regret later on.
Let’s begin.
Cleaning
The cleaning capability of a Roomba vacuum cleaner is the most crucial aspect to consider. Since this is the reason why people purchase a vacuum cleaner, one needs to be fully aware of the cleaning potential of each of these models.
Roomba 960 Cleaning
Unlike older models, the Roomba 960’s suction power is much lower. It also has better airpower as compared to the 880 but a little less than what the Roomba 980 exhibits. However, this difference is almost invisible when the Roomba 960 is working on different flooring types.
Roomba 880 Cleaning
As the less advanced model, the Roomba 880’s cleaning power is five times lower than the 960. But the device offers excellent results when used on any traditional household flooring. The Roomba 880 is fully capable of providing you with the results that you desire to achieve.
Related Article: 11 Best Robot Vacuums 2019 [DEEBOT vs ROOMBA vs SHARK]
Navigation
The iRobot is known for its impactful iAdapt navigation system. Fortunately, both the Roomba 880 and the 960 come with this feature. Nonetheless, they vary in the way they make use of their navigation system.
Since the Roomba 960 is a newer model, it has a relatively better navigation feature as compared to the Roomba 880. However, the 880 has benefits to offer in its own right.
The Battery Life
One should be in no doubt that the Roomba 880 has an impressive battery life to boast. The timing of its battery is undoubtedly far better than the previous models. However, it is the newer Roomba 960 that takes the lead in this regard.
The 960 has a battery made of highly durable material called Lithium-Ion, and it can last for over 2 hours. On the other hand, the Roomba 880 has a shorter battery life that works for up to 90 minutes on a single charge.
Design
Who doesn’t enjoy the sight of beauty? The same goes for vacuum cleaners. Everybody wants to have a robotic vacuum cleaner that features an elegant and classy design. After all, who doesn’t prefer a machine that blends with perfection with the natural environment of the surroundings?
In terms of elegance and beauty, both the Roomba 960 and 880 stand high. Each model has a highly attractive and elegant design, albeit distinctively different from each other. When you place either of these robots in your space, you can see that décor has increased drastically.
Accessories
The Roomba 960 and the 880 both come with different types of accessories. The only standard accessory common between them is ‘Extra Virtual Walls’.
We have had a brief yet concise mention of the differences between the Roomba 880 and the Roomba 960. Let’s now move on to the next section.
This is that part of the blog where we review each Roomba independently and look at their features and qualities.
Review: Roomba 880
Check Best Price of Roomba 880
When a consumer is in the middle of a purchase decision, poor results are the last thing they’d want to end up.
Instead of rushing to spend hundreds of dollars, it would always be better to fully understand each and everything about the device you are interested in. Therefore, it will be better for a consumer to make sure that they are aware of the features and functionalities of their preferred machine.
This review mentions some useful things one needs to learn about the Roomba 880.
Features Of the Roomba 880
We will begin by mentioning certain essential features the Roomba 880 has to offer.
One of the many incredible features of the Roomba 880 is its ability to clean multiple rooms at a time. When its battery dries, the device can self-charge. There is an effective scheduling system which you can rely on because of its simple programmability.
As other iRobot products, the Roomba 880 has a “3-Stage cleaning” system. This means that the device conducts cleaning operation in three stages. Another feature of the 880 is that there are tangle-free AeroForce extractors with it.
It is because of these extractors that the Roomba 880 stands out as a quality brushless robot vacuum cleaner. One of the many great features of the 880 is its ability to suck out any debris quickly.
Let’s also not forget about the highly influential and efficient filters of the Roomba 880. Though keep in mind that you cannot wash these filters.
The Vacuum
The Roomba 880 happens to be a reasonably high-ended robotic vacuum cleaner. It’s only the second of the most technologically sophisticated machines launched by the iRobot.
You can buy the vacuum at an authorized iRobot store for $700! Using this machine means that you no longer have to worry about the charging as it can charge itself whenever there’s a need to do so.
The Roomba has a ‘multiple room navigation’ feature which enables it to clean three rooms simultaneously.
With the 880, you are sure to get reliable results. It has an iRobot X-life extended battery which means it can last longer as compared to older machines. The Roomba 880 gives you a high-class mixture of unique and unusual features.
Design
The robot weighs 8.4-pounds and gives you efficient cleaning. The Roomba’s height is 3.6-inches with a width of 13.9-inches. There is a carrying handle allowing the user to transport the machine to any location comfortably.
When it comes to design, the Roomba 880 features the existing design pattern of the iRobot. It is round in shape and has a power button fixed right in the middle.
Usability
One of the many great things about the Roomba 880 is that it is an easy-to-use device. Whether you need spot cleaning or regular cleaning, you can comfortably schedule the machine as per your convenience.
Moreover, you can also bring in further accessories that will help ensure that the Roomba 880 runs smoothly.
When you have the 880 working for you, no supervision is necessary. The Roomba is a self-sufficient device that requires minimum to none human interaction. There is also a remote control with which you can control the Roomba 880!
Performance
The Roomba 880 is a robotic vacuum cleaner that gives you an excellent performance. Its built-in sensors work perfectly. The device gets prevented from falling because of the cliff sensors that don’t allow it to come anywhere near the stairs. Every time there are stairs nearby, these sensors get activated.
You can also use virtual walls to restrict the function of the Roomba only to the areas that you desire to clean.
Summarized Description
Based on the customer reviews and feedback, the Roomba 880 enjoys an impressive rating of 8.7 out of 10! That’s quite a score on proficiency.
The 880 also has an impressive score in terms of ease of programming and operation. For durability, the machine scores 9.6, which is somewhat higher than the average of 9.0 for other devices.
Noise levels and maneuverability are the least impressive aspects with the Roomba 880!
Final Comment
We’d like to happily declare that the Roomba 880 is the perfect choice for consumers who prefer durability and reliability in their machines. Because of its easy programming and remote control feature, it is an ideal vacuum cleaner for households with tight schedules.
Now that we have sufficiently covered the Roomba 880, let’s turn our attention towards the other device.
Review: Roomba 960
Whenever you think about robot vacuum cleaners, Roomba is often the first one to come to mind. This popularity bears witness to the success of the iRobot and its powerful machines.
The 960 is iRobot’s one of the elitist offerings that includes features such as camera-guided navigation, Wi-Fi connectivity, app-based controllability and many more.
The Design
Should it surprise anyone that iRobot has fashioned all of its subsequent cleaners on the model of its first-gen machines? The only difference is the improvement in features and specifications that come with each successive generation.
The Roomba 960 weighs 8.5-pounds and has a measurement of about 13.8 x 3.6-inches. There is a huge ‘clean’ button fixed on top of the robot somewhere between the ‘home’ button and ‘spot cleaning’ button. This is the point where you can manually control the cleaner.
There is a camera installed at the front side of the Roomba 960 which makes navigation simpler and easier. The dust bin is attached at the back of the device.
Related Article: 13 Best iRobot Roomba Models to Buy – COMPARE ROOMBA MODELS
Simple Yet Effective Functionality
What makes the Roomba 960 distinguished from the rest of the machines is its smoothness. The device doesn’t hit any object and runs smoothly. It has strong sensors that enable it to detect the hurdles in its path, allowing it to prevent them with effect.
If your home has multiple types of floors, cleaning them with the Roomba 960 shouldn’t be a problem! It can comfortably move around the surface, making sure every nook and corner is cleaned. When going from a hardwood entryway onto the living-room carpet, the Roomba 960 goes without any challenge.
There are ‘virtual wall barriers’ that you can put in place to prevent the Roomba from entering into spaces that you don’t want to clean. This wall barrier essentially releases a cone-shaped barrier that only the Roomba can see. Thanks to this feature, the 960 is just excellent at cleaning.
Battery Life and Mobile-Based Control
Once charged, the 960 can efficiently do the cleaning for about 70 to 75 minutes. In case the battery runs low while there is still room to clean, the Roomba automatically goes to the dock for a recharge and then resumes cleaning after its charging is finished. The cycle keeps repeating until the cleaning is fully done!
On average, it takes between 45 to 60 minutes for the Roomba 960 to conduct a thorough cleanup of a traditional space. However, the duration may increase depending on the dirt lying on the floor. The Roomba comes with a dust bin attached to its back that keeps filling as it operates around the surface, picking up debris. In case the dust bin is full during the cleaning, the Roomba will let the owner know by sending an alert on their smartphone.
When it happens, the user pauses the cleaning from their smartphone application. The cleaning restarts once the dust bin is cleaned.
Here’s the great news. The user can do each of the functions described in this para straight from their smartphone. All you need to do is to connect your phone with the Roomba through an application. Moreover, when you set the cleaning to automatic mode, the 960 will clean every single area by itself without having you involved.
3-Stage Cleaning Feature
Just like all other Roomba devices, the 960 has an AeroForce 3-Stage cleaning feature. For all practical reasons and benefits, this feature is more or less the same as found in the Roomba’s 800 series! The only difference lies in the strength of this system.
In the 960 model, the 3-Stage cleaning system comes with more power, resulting in a great outcome. The Roomba 960 has a suction power which is five times stronger than the older models. This facilitates it in sucking and cleaning even the harshest elements of the debris that are usually left unpicked. The two brush extractors contribute to this strength of the Roomba 960.
Quality Optical Sensors
The Roomba 960 is also blessed with high-quality optical sensors just like its predecessors of the 800 series. These are powerful, acoustic sensors allowing the 960 to distinguish the hardwood floor from the rug flooring.
Despite containing a persistent pass, the Roomba 960 follows a strictly straight-line pattern. This happens due to the update from the manufacturer. Not only does the Roomba 960 have tracking sensors, but its vSLAM technology also enhances its cleaning capability to a high degree.
Our Final Opinion
For households and properties with large surfaces and areas to clean, fewer devices can compete with what the iRobot has to offer.
The Roomba 880 and the 960 are both fully capable of providing you with a thorough cleaning of more than single floors in your building. Whether you have a carpet to clean or you need to remove fringe from a rug, the Roombas 880 and 960 have got your back.
Another reason you must get either of these two models is their ability to be connected to the Wi-Fi and be controlled through the smartphone application.
However, despite being relatively advanced and sophisticated, you shouldn’t be negligent of the differences that exist between the two robots, however minor.
As the 960 is the latecomer to the market, you should expect it to be more advanced and sufficient than any of its predecessors.
