Roomba 650 vs 880 Reviews, Differences, & a Comparison Chart
Today we are going to compare and contrast two roombas from different series just to see how well the old stacks against the new. In this article, we will be comparing and contrasting two of the most popular roombas that you can find in the market today. One is the 650, belonging to the 600 series, and the other is the 880, which belongs to the relatively newer 800 series. Through a thorough and detailed comparison of each of these models, we will be able to figure out what differences and advances time has wrought and whether or not the roomba 650 vs 880 stands out the most, both in terms of features and affordability.
iRobot Roomba 650 vs 880 Comparison Chart
For a cursory look into the differences between the two here is a comparison chart that breaks down features and price of each of the models so that you can see what to expect from each of the models. For a more detailed look into both of them, you should keep on reading because we will first see what common features we can find in both of these roombas and what differences can be found. At the end of this article, we will give you our pick of what we think is the best roomba so that you can make more of an informed decision when picking one.
| Features | iRobot ROOMBA 650 | iRobot ROOMBA 880 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Stage Cleaning | X | X |
| Multi Surface Cleaning | X | X |
| Wi-Fi | X | |
| Automatic Battery Recharge | X | X |
| Virtual Walls | 1 | Walls and Lighthouse |
| Dirt Detect Technology | X | X |
| Price | Click to Check Price | Click to Check Price |
iRobot Roomba 650 vs 880 Common Features
3 Stage Cleaning
To cover the basic features that you can expect with both of these roombas it would be wise to start with the 3 stage cleaning system that is native to iRobot roombas. The 3 stage cleaning system involves the use of the in-built sensors that handle the cleaning for the roomba. The cleaning process starts with the initial stage which is the agitation stage. The agitation stage makes use of the brushes that are located under the roomba. These brushes agitate the dust, dirt, and debris that is trapped on the floor. The roomba makes sure that these particles become loose and are forced to come out in the open air. This agitation stage is for the larger particles so that they come loose easily.
The second stage then takes place in which the roomba brushes the ground so that any small particles come loose. This is an important part of the 3 stage cleaning system because it makes sure that no particles, no matter how small, are left behind after the roomba is done. After this stage, the roomba begins the suction stage which picks up all the debris that the roomba has shaken loose. This stage is where everything is collected in order to make sure that everything is clean when the roomba moves on. These 3 stages take place in a matter of seconds and is a big reason why roombas are so effective at cleaning.
Multi-Surface Cleaning
Another great feature that both of these roombas have is the multi-surface cleaning that they are able to provide. Multi-surface cleaning ensures that the roomba is able to handle all sorts of surfaces with ease. This feature is important because it is what dictates how well the roomba can perform on different types of surfaces. This is why roombas are able to be equally as effective on the carpet as they are on the hardwood. Multi-surface cleaning also ensures that roombas are able to change from one surface to the other without much trouble. That means that if your roomba needs to transition from a hardwood to a rug that you have placed in the room then it can do so without much trouble. Both the 650 and the 880 has this feature.
Triple Brush Action
Both of these roombas feature three brushes that help them clean as effectively as possible. These roombas have dual multi-surface brushes as well as an edge-sweeping brush that allows them to handle any surface that comes their way. The dual brushes are an important part of the roombas’ cleaning prowess as they make up the main part of how well they clean. The brushes are the main part because they are positioned on the underside of the roomba and are thus involved with cleaning all the floors under the roomba.
The edge brush, on the other hand, has a very different purpose. The edge brush is specifically designed to handle the places the dual brushes cannot get to. One of the most common use of the edge brush is to clean corners in a room. If you’ve cleaned a room any time in your life you know how annoying it is to clean corners by yourself. This roomba makes this process easy as it cleans the corners of the room with ease. The edge brush also comes in to play when it is faced with furniture. The edge brush can help clean the edges of furniture because it brushes up against the furniture and cleans it much like you would have to if the roomba did not exist.
Automatic Adjustable Cleaning Head
Both of these roombas also feature an automatic cleaning head that adjusts according to the surface that it is on. This cleaning head adjusts itself both horizontally and vertically in order to make sure that the roomba cleans each surface with efficiency. The reason why this feature is an important one is because the roomba’s brushes will be at different heights from the floor. This feature automatically adjusts the height of those brushes so that they can work at their optimum height on each surface. This is also part of the reason why the roomba is able to handle the different types of surfaces so easily.
Automatic Recharge
Both of the 650 and the 880 have the automatic recharge feature which makes them completely autonomous. The automatic recharge feature allows the roomba to know when its batteries are running out. Once it notices that, it makes its way to the charging dock automatically. There is no reason for you to intervene when the roombas batteries are getting low because it will alert itself and rectify the situation all by itself. This is a very important feature if you expect the roomba to work as an autonomous cleaning robot because this feature removes the need for you to be there physically in order to ensure that the roomba stays topped up and ready to work.
iAdapt Navigation
The iAdapt navigation feature is a propriety feature from iRobot. This technology allows the roomba to navigate with ease. This technology makes use of the sensors that are located on and around the roomba. These audio and visual sensors give the roomba the necessary information in order to navigate as effectively as possible. This technology is responsible for the roombas movement and is why it doesn’t just get stuck in a corner. This feature is essential if you expect the roomba to move and still work effectively.
Scheduling
Another great feature that both of these roombas have, the scheduling aspect allows you to set up when you want the roomba to clean. This feature works much like an alarm clock. You set a time and day for when you want the roomba to clean. Once the roomba recognizes that that time has arrived it starts operation immediately. This is a great feature to have if you want the roomba to work while you are away from your home, like at work for example. This feature allows you to save a lot of time because you can have the house cleaned before you even set foot in it.
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iRobot Roomba 650 Features, Drawbacks, and Review
The iRobot Roomba 650 is a great piece of equipment that has been available for a long while now. It came out a while ago and is still very popular among roomba users. The basic reason for that is the low cost that is associated with this roomba. The roomba will only cost you a couple of hundred bucks and will get you a very decent automated cleaning robot. That is a major reason why this roomba is still so popular because it is so affordable. That is why we will consider its price to be its most attractive feature. You will be hard pressed to find a roomba with this many features at the same price. The reason that this roomba doesn’t have that many unique features is because it is one of the older models and the 880 covers all the features that this roomba has and more. There is one thing of note to mention before we get to the drawbacks though, the dirt detection technology.
The dirt detection technology that comes with this model was one of the first of its kind. It was a relatively new feature when it first came out and was so successful that advanced iterations of the technology were included in later models of roombas, including the 880. The dirt detection technology works using the sensors that are placed on the roomba. These audio and visual sensors take note of all the surroundings of the roomba and present the roomba with a map of the place so that it can navigate clearly. The dirt detection technology notices the irregularities that can be found on the surface and makes the roomba move towards those surfaces and clean them. The dirt detection technology not only helps the roomba to clean more effectively, it actively tells the roomba where it can expect to find dirt so that it can go to those places specifically and clean them with gusto.
The 650 may be a great cleaning machine but also comes with a few drawbacks as well. The first and most apparent drawback is the fact that it does not utilize HEPA filters. In this day and age, it is hard to imagine any roomba without a HEPA filter but those were different times back then. For those that do not know, HEPA filters are specialized filters that make sure that even the smallest particles are not released into the air. The filters are necessary for anyone with allergies to dust, smoke, or hair so if you have those allergies and want to buy a roomba then you might look into one that better suits your needs.
Another thing that is missing from the 650, that should have been included, is the Aeroforce suction. The Aeroforce suction is a technology that was created by iRobot and it basically allows the roomba to suck at five times the power than normal. That means that it the Aeroforce technology allows roombas to clean quicker and with more efficiency. As this technology is not present in the 650 its suction is nothing extraordinary. It is suitable sure, but it could have been better.
The 650 is a marvellous piece of equipment nonetheless because of the role it played in making roombas normal. At the time of its release, it was affordable enough that people could try out a roomba without feeling as if they paid too much for it. It also made people see why roombas could be useful and that is why this one deserves at least an 8 out of 10. The price at which this roomba is offered coupled with the features that it comes with makes this roomba a worthy purchase, even after all the new models of roomba have come out. It is a great device to experience what owning a roomba can be like and is a great way to try out a roomba without paying extravagantly for one.
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iRobot Roomba 880 Features, Drawbacks, and Review
The 880 is one of the most amazing roombas that you can find in the market. There are a lot of features that it has that can’t be found in other roombas. The first feature that it is important to mention is the advanced dirt technology. This advanced dirt technology makes more use of the sensors that are located around the roomba. The advanced dirt technology allows the roomba to actively look for dirt when in the room. This means that it can work better and actually look for hidden debris that may be trapped on the floor. This allows the roomba to clean the room more thoroughly than if it would without advanced dirt detection technology.
The 880 is also capable of cleaning multiple rooms at once. It has a technology known as multi-room cleaning which allows it to navigate and clean multiple rooms at once. This is a great piece of technology which can make the roomba move from room to room with ease. That is also where the lighthouse technology comes in. The lighthouse technology allows you to set up a whole system of where you want to limit the roomba to. The lighthouse can make sure that the roomba focuses on a specific place so that it can clean that place more effectively.
The 880 also has HEPA filters which is a great addition to the roomba. HEPA filters make sure that people with allergies aren’t affected because of the air that blows with small particles of dust, smoke, or hair. HEPA filters are important for people with allergies and if you are allergic to any of the things that can travel through the air then you might want to look into this roomba.
The only major drawback that is apparent is the price at which this roomba is available. The roomba is currently available for $400 which is pretty high for a roomba. It is a minor inconvenience though because at that price the roomba has a lot of features that can come in handy a lot of the time. The price is a minor drawback when compared to the features that it has.
It is because of these reasons that the 880 gets 9 out of 10. It has a lot of great features that are backed up with a price that is not that expensive when those features are kept in mind.
iRobot Roomba 650 vs 880 – Our Pick
In this roundup we matched up two of the most popular roombas that are currently available in the market. The 650 and the 880 are both great cleaning machines but in this matchup we have to say that the clear winner is the 880. The iRobot Roomba 880 wins because of a couple of reasons. The first is that at that price it would be ludicrous not to get the roomba. It has a lot of useful features that can make your life a lot easier. It is truly an automated cleaning machine that works exceptionally every time.
