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iRobot Roomba 960 vs iRobot Roomba i7

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

iRobot Roomba 960
iRobot Roomba i7

Tested using Methodology v0.6

Updated Jun 09, 2025 01:46 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jun 04, 2025 09:50 PM

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Amazon.com
iRobot Roomba 960 Picture
iRobot Roomba i7 Picture

Our Verdict

iRobot Roomba 960

iRobot Roomba i7

The iRobot Roomba i7 is a somewhat better robot vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 960. While both vacuums are very well-built, the i7 can automatically empty its dirt compartment into its charging dock. Its performance on low- and high-pile carpets is better, too. However, the 960 has fewer recurring costs, and it can clean bare floors more thoroughly.

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Variants

  • Roomba 960 (Gray)
  • Roomba i7+ (Black)
  • Roomba i7 (Black)

Check Price

Gray
Roomba 960
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Roomba i7+
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Main Differences for
Multi-Surface Household

Threshold 

0.10

Multi-Surface Household 

6.2
No major differences between these robot vacuums for multi-surface household. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Build Quality 
 

8.0

Vacuum Type 
 

Robot

Build Quality Picture  

iRobot Roomba 960 Build Quality Picture
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0

Build Quality Picture  

iRobot Roomba i7 Build Quality Picture

Vacuum & Mop Combo 
 

No
Show Text 

User Maintenance 
 

7.5
7.5

Maintenance Picture  

iRobot Roomba 960 Maintenance Picture
iRobot Roomba i7 Maintenance Picture

Brushroll Cleaning Video  

Show Text 

Recurring Cost 
 

5.0
3.0

Recurring Cost Picture  

iRobot Roomba 960 Recurring Cost Picture
iRobot Roomba i7 Recurring Cost Picture

Bag Part Number  

No bag
4640235

Filter Part Number  

4636433
4639161

HEPA Filter Part Number  

4636433
4639161
Show Text 

Storing 
 

8.9

Storing Picture  

iRobot Roomba 960 Storing Picture

Height 
 

3.94" (10.0 cm)

Width 
 

13.39" (34.0 cm)

Depth 
 

15.75" (40.0 cm)

Cord Storing 
 

Not Needed

On-Board Tool Storage 
 

Not needed

Vacuum Rack/Station 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions 
 

Robot Vacuum Dimensions  

iRobot Roomba i7 Robot Vacuum Dimensions

Robot Vacuum Height  

9.1 cm (3.6")

Robot Vacuum Width  

33.9 cm (13.3")

Robot Vacuum Depth  

34.1 cm (13.4")

Docking Station Dimensions  

iRobot Roomba i7 Docking Station Dimensions

Docking Station Height  

48.4 cm (19.1")

Docking Station Width  

31.1 cm (12.2")

Docking Station Depth  

38.9 cm (15.3")
Show Text 

Dirt Compartment 
 

7.2

Dirt Compartment Picture  

iRobot Roomba 960 Dirt Compartment Picture

Bagless 
 

Yes

Volume 
 

0.12 gal (0.45 L)

Full Indicator 
 

Yes

Bag Included 
 

No Bag Needed
Show Text 

Internal Dirt Compartment 
 

6.1

Dirt Compartment Photo  

iRobot Roomba i7 Dirt Compartment Photo

Dirt Compartment Capacity 
 

0.25 L

Full Indicator 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Station Maintenance Capabilities 
 

6.4

Station Photo  

iRobot Roomba i7 Station Photo

Auto Empty 
 

Yes

Bagless Station 
 

No

Dirt Compartment Capacity 
 

2.40 L

Automatic Tank Refill 
 

No

Mop Washing 
 

No

Mop Drying 
 

No
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture  

iRobot Roomba 960 In The Box Picture
iRobot Roomba i7 In The Box Picture
Show Text 

Range 
 

10

Cordless 
 

Yes

Cord Length 
 

N/A

Hose Length 
 

N/A

Minimum Wand Length 
 

N/A

Maximum Wand Length 
 

N/A

Total Range 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Portability 
 

8.8

Total Weight 
 

8.38 lbs (3.80 kg)

Weight In Hand 
 

0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)

Carrying handle 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Battery 
 

9.1
8.7

Minimum Battery Life 
 

86 min
74 min

Maximum Battery Life 
 

86 min
74 min

Recharge Time 
 

84 min
87 min

Recharge Dock 
 

Yes

Battery Life Indicator 
 

Yes

Removable Batteries 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Quality-Of-Life Features 
 

Picture Of Controls  

iRobot Roomba 960 Picture Of Controls
iRobot Roomba i7 Picture Of Controls

Power Adjustment 
 

No
No

Easy On/Off 
 

Yes
Yes

Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Only Automatic

Rotating Head 
 

No

Self-Propelled 
 

Yes

Headlights 
 

No

Head Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Only Automatic
Show Text 

Brushroll And Tools 
 

Brushroll And Tools Photo  

iRobot Roomba i7 Brushroll And Tools Photo

Brushroll Setup 
 

Dual

Brushroll Type 
 

Rubber

Side Brush Setup 
 

Single

Side Brush Type 
 

Fixed

Tools And Brushes 
 

Tools And Brush Picture  

iRobot Roomba 960 Tools And Brush Picture

Brushroll 
 

Yes

Brushroll On/Off 
 

No

Removable Brushroll 
 

Yes

Turbo Brush 
 

No

Crevice Tool 
 

No

Upholstery Tool 
 

No

Soft Bristle Brush 
 

No

Hard Bristle Brush 
 

No

Extension Wand 
 

No

Ceiling Fan Tool 
 

No

Pet Grooming Tool 
 

No
Show Text 

Alternative Configuration 
 

Alternative Configuration Photo 1  

iRobot Roomba 960 Alternative Configuration Photo 1

Alternative Configuration Photo 2  

iRobot Roomba 960 Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Blower Mode 
 

No
Show Text 
Performance

Hard Floor Pickup 
 

6.5

Hard Floor Pickup Video  

Hard Floor Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba i7 Hard Floor Pickup Post Test
Show Text 

High-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

7.0

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba i7 High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
Show Text 

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

7.0

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba i7 Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
Show Text 

Pet Hair Pickup 
 

7.5

Pet Hair Pickup Video  

Pet Hair Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba i7 Pet Hair Pickup Post Test
Show Text 

Airflow 
 

4.3

Maximum Airflow Video  

Maximum Head Airflow 
 

3.1 CFM (0.1 m³/min)
Show Text 

Noise 
 

9.3
7.2

Noise Video 
 

Bare Floor 
 

62.8 dBA
63.9 dBA

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

60.3 dBA
65.2 dBA
Show Text 

Household Adaptability 
 

8.5
8.0

Household Adaptability  

Show Text 

Obstacle Avoidance 
 

3.5

Obstacle Avoidance Technology 
 

Light-Based

Object Recognition 
 

No

Obstacle Video  

Bare Floor: Avoidance Rate 
 

0%

Bare Floor: Intervention Rate 
 

20%

Carpet: Avoidance Rate 
 

0%

Carpet: Intervention Rate 
 

25%

Always Avoided Pet Waste 
 

No

Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles) 
 

8.0

Setting Used  

"Clean"

Bare Floor Large Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 960 Bare Floor Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

90%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

68%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Bare Floor Small Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 960 Bare Floor Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

99%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 98%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

Height Clearance 
 

7.0

Height Clearance Video  

Lowest Height Cleared 
 

9.5 cm (3.7'')

Threshold Clearance 
 

7.0

Low Threshold Video  

High Threshold Video  

Max Threshold Height 
 

1.9 cm (0.7")

Air Quality 
 

Sealing Quality Video  

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Cracks 
 

5.0
4.5

Cracks Video  

Wood Cracks Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 960 Wood Cracks Post Test
iRobot Roomba i7 Wood Cracks Post Test
Show Text 

Stains 
 

1.0
1.0

Stain Video  

Stain Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 960 Stain Pickup Post Test
iRobot Roomba i7 Stain Pickup Post Test
Show Text 

Water 
 

0.0
0.0

Wet Compatible 
 

No
No

Water Video  

Water Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 960 Water Pickup Post Test
iRobot Roomba i7 Water Pickup Post Test
Show Text 

Low-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

5.3

Setting Used  

"Clean"

Low Carpet Large Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 960 Low Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

72%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 71%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Low Carpet Small Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 960 Low Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

18%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 17%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

High-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

6.3

Setting Used  

"Clean"

High Carpet Large Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 960 High Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

49%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 48%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

High Carpet Small Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 960 High Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

30%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 29%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

Pet Hair Floor Performance 
 

6.6

Pet Hair Graph  

iRobot Roomba 960 Pet Hair Graph

Bare Floor 
 

77%

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

76%

High-Pile Carpet 
 

65%

Suction 
 

0.0

Suction Video  

Maximum Suction 
 

0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)

Setting Used For Maximum  

"Clean"

Normal Suction 
 

0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)

Setting Used For Normal  

"Clean"

Hose Diameter 
 

N/A

Pet Hair Furniture Performance 
 

0.0

Sofa Pickup Video  

Sofa Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 960 Sofa Pickup Post Test
Automation

Physical Automation 
 

7.1
8.9

Recharge And Resume 
 

Yes

Automatic Recharging 
 

Yes

Automatic Bag Emptying 
 

No

Pathing Algorithm 
 

Smart
Smart

Physical Boundary Markers 
 

No
Yes

Scheduled Start Buttons 
 

No
No

Cycle Control Buttons 
 

Onboard Only
On-Board Only

Navigation Control Buttons 
 

Return to Base Only
Return To Base Only
Show Text 

Companion App Automation 
 

7.5
8.0

Companion App Screen Grabs  

iRobot Roomba 960 Companion App Screen Grabs
iRobot Roomba i7 Companion App Screen Grabs

App Name 
 

iRobot HOME
iRobot HOME

Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones) 
 

No
Yes

App Scheduled Start 
 

Yes
Yes

App Cycle Control 
 

Yes
Yes

Navigation Control Within App 
 

No
No

iOS Availability 
 

Yes

Android Availability 
 

Yes
Show Text 
To Be Deleted

Check Price

Gray
Roomba 960
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Roomba i7+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

iRobot Roomba 960

iRobot Roomba i7

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