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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Performance
- Automation
- Comments
iRobot Roomba 960 vs iRobot Roomba 981
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
iRobot Roomba 960
iRobot Roomba 981
Tested using Methodology v0.6
Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Wet CompatibleNo
Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Wet CompatibleNo
Variants
- Roomba 960 (Gray)
- Roomba 981 (Black)
- Roomba 980 (Black)
- Roomba 981 (Night Blue)
Our Verdict
iRobot Roomba 960
iRobot Roomba 981
The iRobot Roomba 981 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 960. The 981 delivers better performance across all surface types. On the other hand, the 960 has a longer minimum battery life and recharges more quickly.
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Gray
Roomba 960
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Amazon.comBlack
Roomba 981
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Roomba 980
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Roomba 981
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Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
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Main Differences forBare Floor
Bare Floor
Threshold
Bare Floor
7.6
8.1
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
8.0
9.4
Pet Hair Floor Performance
6.6
9.2
Full Comparison
Design
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Vacuum Type
Robot
Robot
Build Quality Picture
User Maintenance
7.5
7.5
Maintenance Picture
Brushroll Cleaning Video
Recurring Cost
5.0
5.5
Recurring Cost Picture
Bag Part Number
No bag
No bag
Filter Part Number
4636433
4636433
HEPA Filter Part Number
4636433
4636433
Storing
8.9
8.9
Storing Picture
Height
3.94" (10.0 cm)
3.94" (10.0 cm)
Width
13.39" (34.0 cm)
13.58" (34.5 cm)
Depth
15.75" (40.0 cm)
15.75" (40.0 cm)
Cord Storing
Not Needed
Not Needed
On-Board Tool Storage
Not needed
Not needed
Vacuum Rack/Station
Yes
Yes
Dirt Compartment
7.2
7.2
Dirt Compartment Picture
Bagless
Yes
Yes
Volume
0.12 gal (0.45 L)
0.12 gal (0.45 L)
Full Indicator
Yes
Yes
Bag Included
No Bag Needed
No Bag Needed
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Range
10
10
Cordless
Yes
Yes
Cord Length
N/A
N/A
Hose Length
N/A
N/A
Minimum Wand Length
N/A
N/A
Maximum Wand Length
N/A
N/A
Total Range
N/A
N/A
Portability
8.8
8.8
Total Weight
8.38 lbs (3.80 kg)
8.64 lbs (3.92 kg)
Weight In Hand
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
Carrying handle
Yes
Yes
Battery
9.1
9.0
Minimum Battery Life
86 min
57 min
Maximum Battery Life
86 min
123 min
Recharge Time
84 min
134 min
Recharge Dock
Yes
Yes
Battery Life Indicator
Yes
Yes
Removable Batteries
Yes
Yes
Quality Of Life Features
Picture Of Controls
Rotating Head
No
No
Power Adjustment
No
Yes
Self-Propelled
Yes
Yes
Headlights
No
No
Easy On/Off
Yes
Yes
Head Surface Type Adjustment
Only Automatic
Only Automatic
Tools And Brushes
Tools And Brush Picture
Brushroll
Yes
Yes
Brushroll On/Off
No
No
Removable Brushroll
Yes
Yes
Turbo Brush
No
No
Crevice Tool
No
No
Upholstery Tool
No
No
Soft Bristle Brush
No
No
Hard Bristle Brush
No
No
Extension Wand
No
No
Ceiling Fan Tool
No
No
Pet Grooming Tool
No
No
Alternative Configuration
Alternative Configuration Photo 1
Alternative Configuration Photo 2
Blower Mode
No
No
Performance
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
8.0
9.4
Setting Used
"Clean"
"Turbo" (App)
Bare Floor Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
90%
100%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
68%
80%
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Bare Floor Small Debris Graph
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
99%
100%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
≈ 98%
99%
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Low-Pile Carpet Performance
5.3
5.9
Setting Used
"Clean"
"Turbo" (App)
Low Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
72%
66%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
≈ 71%
62%
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Low Carpet Small Debris Graph
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
18%
37%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
≈ 17%
25%
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
High-Pile Carpet Performance
6.3
6.7
Setting Used
"Clean"
"Turbo" (App)
High Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
49%
67%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
≈ 48%
64%
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
High Carpet Small Debris Graph
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
30%
26%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
≈ 29%
17%
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Pet Hair Floor Performance
6.6
9.2
Pet Hair Graph
Bare Floor
77%
100%
Low-Pile Carpet
76%
86%
High-Pile Carpet
65%
91%
Suction
0.0
0.1
Suction Video
Maximum Hose Suction
N/A
Maximum Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)
Setting Used For Maximum
"Clean"
Normal Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal
"Clean"
"Standard" (App)
Hose Diameter
N/A
N/A
Airflow
2.4
Maximum Airflow Video
Maximum Hose Airflow
11.4 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
Noise
9.3
8.7
Noise Video
Bare Floor
62.8 dBA
65.5 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
60.3 dBA
74.9 dBA
Maneuverability
8.5
8.5
Maneuverability Video
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
0.0
0.0
Sofa Pickup Video
Sofa Pickup Post Test
Air Quality
Sealing Quality Video
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes
Yes
Cracks
5.0
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
7.1
7.1
Automatic Recharging
Yes
Yes
Automatic Bag Emptying
No
No
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
No
No
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
No
Cycle Control Buttons
Onboard Only
Onboard Only
Navigation Control Buttons
Return to Base Only
Return to Base Only
Companion App Automation
7.5
7.5
Companion App Screen Grabs
App Name
iRobot HOME
iRobot HOME
iOS Availability
Yes
Yes
Android Availability
Yes
Yes
Software Boundary Markers (No Go Zones)
No
No
App Scheduled Start
Yes
Yes
App Cycle Control
Yes
Yes
Navigation Control within App
No
No
Check Price
Gray
Roomba 960
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Roomba 980
Searching
Finding storeNight Blue
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding store
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iRobot Roomba 960
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iRobot Roomba 960 vs iRobot Roomba 981: Main Discussion
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