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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Performance
- Automation
- To Be Deleted
- Comments
iRobot Roomba 981 vs iRobot Roomba i3
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
iRobot Roomba 981
iRobot Roomba i3
Tested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM
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Finding storeTested using Methodology v0.8
Updated Feb 11, 2025 03:16 PM
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Wet CompatibleNo
Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Wet CompatibleNo
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Variants
- Roomba 981 (Black)
- Roomba 980 (Black)
- Roomba 981 (Night Blue)
- Roomba i3+ EVO (Woven Neutral)
- Roomba i3 EVO (Woven Neutral)
Our Verdict
iRobot Roomba 981
iRobot Roomba i3
The iRobot Roomba 981 is better than the iRobot Roomba i3. The 981 incurs lower recurring costs, maneuvers over obstacles like electrical cords more easily, and delivers superior cleaning performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet, especially with pet hair. Meanwhile, the i3 has a more advanced set of automation features, most prominently its self-emptying function, which lets it dump any accumulated debris into an external dustbin mounted to its charging dock.
Check Price
Black
Roomba 981
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Finding storeWoven Neutral
Roomba i3+ EVO
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Finding storeBlack
Roomba 980
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Finding storeWoven Neutral
Roomba i3 EVO
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Finding storeNight Blue
Roomba 981
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Finding storeNotice: 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 robot vacuums test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Bare Floor
8.1
6.5
Airflow
2.4
5.7
Recurring Cost
5.5
3.0
Noise
8.7
7.6
Cracks
5.5
4.5
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
5.5
3.0
Recurring Cost Picture
Bag Part Number
No bag
4640235
Filter Part Number
4636433
4639161
HEPA Filter Part Number
4636433
4639161
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
9.4 cm (3.7")
Robot Vacuum Width
33.9 cm (13.3")
Robot Vacuum Depth
34.3 cm (13.5")
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
9.0
8.9
Minimum Battery Life
57 min
87 min
Maximum Battery Life
123 min
87 min
Recharge Time
134 min
94 min
Recharge Dock
Yes
Battery Life Indicator
Yes
Removable Batteries
Yes
Yes
Quality-Of-Life Features
Picture Of Controls
Power Adjustment
Yes
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
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 Pick-Up
6.5
Hard Floor Pick-Up Video
Hard Floor Pick-Up Post Test
High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
7.5
High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video
High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test
Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
7.0
Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video
Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test
Pet Hair Pick-Up
8.0
Pet Hair Pick-Up Video
Pet Hair Pick-Up 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 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
Pet Hair Floor Performance
9.2
Pet Hair Graph
Bare Floor
100%
Low-Pile Carpet
86%
High-Pile Carpet
91%
Suction
0.1
5.3
Suction Video
Maximum Hose Suction
N/A
Maximum Head Suction
0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)
0.1 inH₂O (0.03 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
0.1 inH₂O (0.03 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal
"Standard" (App)
"Clean"
Hose Diameter
N/A
Airflow
2.4
5.7
Maximum Airflow Video
Maximum Head Airflow
11.4 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
5.8 CFM (0.2 m³/min)
Noise
8.7
7.6
Noise Video
Bare Floor
65.5 dBA
63.8 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
74.9 dBA
59.5 dBA
Maneuverability
8.5
8.0
Maneuverability Video
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
0.0
Sofa Pickup Video
Sofa Pickup Post Test
Air Quality
Sealing Quality Video
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes
Yes
Cracks
5.5
4.5
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
8.9
Recharge And Resume
Yes
Automatic Recharging
Yes
Automatic Bag Emptying
No
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
No
No
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
No
Cycle Control Buttons
Onboard Only
On-Board Only
Navigation Control Buttons
Return to Base Only
Return To Base Only
Companion App Automation
7.5
8.0
Companion App Screen Grabs
App Name
iRobot HOME
iRobot HOME
Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones)
No
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 981
Searching
Finding storeWoven Neutral
Roomba i3+ EVO
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Roomba 980
Searching
Finding storeWoven Neutral
Roomba i3 EVO
Searching
Finding storeNight Blue
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding store
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iRobot Roomba 981
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iRobot Roomba 981 vs iRobot Roomba i3: Main Discussion
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