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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Performance
- Automation
- Comments
iRobot Roomba E5 vs iRobot Roomba 981
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
iRobot Roomba E5
iRobot Roomba 981
Tested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM
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Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Wet CompatibleNo
Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Wet CompatibleNo
Variants
- Roomba E5 (5150)
- Roomba 981 (Black)
- Roomba 980 (Black)
- Roomba 981 (Night Blue)
Our Verdict
iRobot Roomba E5
iRobot Roomba 981
The iRobot Roomba 981 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba E5. The 981 delivers better performance on all surface types, especially bare floors. It also has fewer recurring costs, a bigger dirt compartment, and better automation features. On the other hand, the E5 is slightly smaller and lighter, making it a bit more portable and easy to store.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Bare Floor
7.4
8.1
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
7.8
9.4
Maneuverability
7.0
8.5
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
4.5
5.5
Recurring Cost Picture
Bag Part Number
No bag
No bag
Filter Part Number
4639161
4636433
HEPA Filter Part Number
4639161
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
6.2
7.2
Dirt Compartment Picture
Bagless
Yes
Yes
Volume
0.08 gal (0.30 L)
0.12 gal (0.45 L)
Full Indicator
No
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
9.0
8.8
Total Weight
7.28 lbs (3.30 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
9.2
9.0
Minimum Battery Life
97 min
57 min
Maximum Battery Life
97 min
123 min
Recharge Time
96 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)
7.8
9.4
Setting Used
"Clean"
"Turbo" (App)
Bare Floor Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
99%
100%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
49%
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)
97%
100%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
76%
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
4.5
5.9
Setting Used
"Clean"
"Turbo" (App)
Low Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
57%
66%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
61%
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)
14%
37%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
11%
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
7.0
6.7
Setting Used
"Clean"
"Turbo" (App)
High Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
60%
67%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
60%
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)
41%
26%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
39%
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
8.8
9.2
Pet Hair Graph
Bare Floor
95%
100%
Low-Pile Carpet
86%
86%
High-Pile Carpet
98%
91%
Suction
0.0
0.1
Suction Video
Maximum Hose Suction
N/A
N/A
Maximum Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.00 kPa)
0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.00 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal
"Clean"
"Standard" (App)
Hose Diameter
N/A
N/A
Airflow
0.8
2.4
Maximum Airflow Video
Maximum Hose Airflow
3.8 CFM (0.1 m³/min)
11.4 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
Noise
9.1
8.7
Noise Video
Bare Floor
66.2 dBA
65.5 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
59.2 dBA
74.9 dBA
Maneuverability
7.0
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
6.5
7.1
Automatic Recharging
Yes
Yes
Automatic Bag Emptying
No
No
Pathing Algorithm
Random
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
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iRobot Roomba E5
iRobot Roomba 981
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iRobot Roomba E5 vs iRobot Roomba 981: Main Discussion
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