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Products
iRobot Roomba i7
iRobot Roomba 981
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jun 04, 2025 09:50 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Jun 10, 2025 01:59 PM
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Amazon.com
Wet CompatibleNo
Lowest Height Cleared9.5 cm (3.7'')
Obstacle Avoidance TechnologyLight-Based
Max Threshold Height1.9 cm (0.7")
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Wet CompatibleNo
Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Our Verdict
iRobot Roomba i7
iRobot Roomba 981
The iRobot Roomba i7 and the iRobot Roomba 981 have different strengths, but the 981 is better for most uses. The 981 has a much better performance on bare floors, longer battery life, and more automation features. On the other hand, the i7 delivers better performance on carpets and can automatically empty its dirt compartment into a larger container built into its charging dock.
Variants
- Roomba i7+ (Black)
- Roomba i7 (Black)
- Roomba 981 (Black)
- Roomba 980 (Black)
- Roomba 981 (Night Blue)
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Black
Roomba i7+
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Roomba 981
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Roomba i7
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Roomba 980
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Roomba 981
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Finding storeMain Differences forMulti-Surface Household
Multi-Surface Household
Threshold
Multi-Surface Household
6.2
Full Comparison
Design
Build Quality
8.0
Vacuum Type
Robot
Build Quality Picture
Build Quality
8.0
Build Quality Picture
Vacuum & Mop Combo
No
User Maintenance
7.5
7.5
Maintenance Picture
Brushroll Cleaning Video
Recurring Cost
3.0
5.5
Recurring Cost Picture
Bag Part Number
4640235
No bag
Filter Part Number
4639161
4636433
HEPA Filter Part Number
4639161
4636433
Storing
8.9
Storing Picture
Height
3.94" (10.0 cm)
Width
13.58" (34.5 cm)
Depth
15.75" (40.0 cm)
Cord Storing
Not Needed
On-Board Tool Storage
Not needed
Vacuum Rack/Station
Yes
Dimensions
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
Docking Station Height
48.4 cm (19.1")
Docking Station Width
31.1 cm (12.2")
Docking Station Depth
38.9 cm (15.3")
Dirt Compartment
7.2
Dirt Compartment Picture
Bagless
Yes
Volume
0.12 gal (0.45 L)
Full Indicator
Yes
Bag Included
No Bag Needed
Internal Dirt Compartment
6.1
Dirt Compartment Photo
Dirt Compartment Capacity
0.25 L
Full Indicator
Yes
Station Maintenance Capabilities
6.4
Station Photo
Auto Empty
Yes
Bagless Station
No
Dirt Compartment Capacity
2.40 L
Automatic Tank Refill
No
Mop Washing
No
Mop Drying
No
In The Box
In The Box Picture
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
Portability
8.8
Total Weight
8.64 lbs (3.92 kg)
Weight In Hand
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
Carrying handle
Yes
Battery
8.7
9.0
Minimum Battery Life
74 min
57 min
Maximum Battery Life
74 min
123 min
Recharge Time
87 min
134 min
Recharge Dock
Yes
Battery Life Indicator
Yes
Removable Batteries
Yes
Yes
Quality-Of-Life Features
Picture Of Controls
Power Adjustment
No
Yes
Easy On/Off
Yes
Yes
Surface Type Adjustment
Only Automatic
Rotating Head
No
Self-Propelled
Yes
Headlights
No
Head Surface Type Adjustment
Only Automatic
Brushroll And Tools
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
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
Alternative Configuration
Alternative Configuration Photo 1
Alternative Configuration Photo 2
Blower Mode
No
Performance
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
9.4
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
Bare Floor Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
100%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
80%
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
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
100%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
99%
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
Hard Floor Pickup
6.5
Hard Floor Pickup Video
Hard Floor Pickup Post Test
Low-Pile Carpet Performance
5.9
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
Low Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
66%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
62%
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
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
37%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
25%
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
High-Pile Carpet Pickup
7.0
High-Pile Carpet Pickup Video
High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
High-Pile Carpet Performance
6.7
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
High Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
67%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
64%
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
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
26%
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
Low-Pile Carpet Pickup
7.0
Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Video
Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
Pet Hair Floor Performance
9.2
Pet Hair Graph
Bare Floor
100%
Low-Pile Carpet
86%
High-Pile Carpet
91%
Pet Hair Pickup
7.5
Pet Hair Pickup Video
Pet Hair Pickup Post Test
Suction
0.1
Suction Video
Maximum Hose Suction
N/A
Maximum Head Suction
0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal
"Standard" (App)
Hose Diameter
N/A
Airflow
4.3
2.4
Maximum Airflow Video
Maximum Head Airflow
3.1 CFM (0.1 m³/min)
11.4 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
Noise
7.2
8.7
Noise Video
Bare Floor
63.9 dBA
65.5 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
65.2 dBA
74.9 dBA
Household Adaptability
8.0
8.5
Household Adaptability
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
0.0
Sofa Pickup Video
Sofa Pickup Post Test
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
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
Cracks
4.5
5.5
Cracks Video
Wood Cracks Post Test
Stains
1.0
1.0
Stain Video
Stain Pickup Post Test
Water
0.0
0.0
Wet Compatible
No
No
Water Video
Water Pickup Post Test
Automation
Physical Automation
8.9
7.1
Recharge And Resume
Yes
Automatic Recharging
Yes
Automatic Bag Emptying
No
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
Yes
No
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
No
Cycle Control Buttons
On-Board Only
Onboard Only
Navigation Control Buttons
Return To Base Only
Return to Base Only
Companion App Automation
8.0
7.5
Companion App Screen Grabs
App Name
iRobot HOME
iRobot HOME
Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones)
Yes
No
App Scheduled Start
Yes
Yes
App Cycle Control
Yes
Yes
Navigation Control Within App
No
No
iOS Availability
Yes
Android Availability
Yes
To Be Deleted
Check Price
Black
Roomba i7+
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Roomba 981
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Finding storeBlack
Roomba i7
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Roomba 980
Searching
Finding storeNight Blue
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding store
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iRobot Roomba i7
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iRobot Roomba i7 vs iRobot Roomba 981: Main Discussion
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