Investing in a top-of-the-line robot vacuum means investing in your home and yourself. The iRobot Roomba 985 and Roomba i7 are high-end, powerful smart vacuums that make cleaning more convenient than ever. As the newer model with a higher price tag, how does the
The Roomba i7 boasts a more advanced iAdapt 3.0 with vSLAM and Smart Mapping Navigation. It can also be upgraded with a clean base to maximize its self-emptying functionality.
Navigation
Roomba 985 vs i7 Comparison Chart
| Model | ||
 | | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Walmart |
| Height | 3.6″ | 3.6″ |
| Weight | 8.7 lbs | 7.44 lbs |
| Navigation | iAdapt 2.0 with vSLAM | iAdapt 3.0 with vSLAM |
| Brushes | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush |
| HEPA Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Clean Map Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Suction Power | 1,700 Pa | 1,700 Pa |
| Zoned Cleaning and Imprint Mapping | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi and Smart Home Connected | Yes | Yes |
| Runtime | Up to 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Charging Time | 180 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Recharge & Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Bin Capacity | 600 mL | 500 mL |
| Full Bin Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Wall Barrier | 1 included | Zoned Cleaning |
| Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal | No | Compatible |
| Imprint Link | Yes | Yes |
Design
Both Roombas have similar physical controls and dimensions but differ in color
Apart from the obvious color differences, the
Just like the other Roombas, the 985 and i7 are 3.6-inches thick and go under most furniture without problems.
The
With its iAdapat 2.0 navigation system that maps out your floor plan, the
However, the
You can either do a trial run with your
Equipped with Carpet Powerboost, up to 10x the power of the Roomba 600 series and more advanced navigation, the Roomba 985 can pull in finer dirt and vacuum more efficiently.
Cleaning Performance
The
Both robot vacuums are great for deep cleaning even thicker carpets, thanks to their 1,700 Pa Power Lifting Suctions and iRobot’s 3-Stage Cleaning System. They can pull in dirt and debris with 10 times more power than the entry-level Roomba 600 series. They can also increase their power and work harder when transition from your bare floor to the carpeted area.
If you have a pet that sheds a lot or family members with long hair, their Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes are perfect as they don’t get tangled with hair no matter how often you use them. They also come with a side sweeping brush to keep every corner of your house clean. Both the
Run, Recharge and Resume
Both Roombas can dock, recharge, and resume automatically
The
Both Roombas can run for up to 120 minutes on standard mode, shorter when it keeps using its carpet boost. They need to be charged for 180 minutes to be able to run again on a full cycle.
The Roomba i7 boasts a more advanced iAdapt 3.0 with vSLAM and Smart Mapping Navigation. It can also be upgraded with a clean base to maximize its self-emptying functionality.
Control Options
Both use the iRobot app and are smart home connected
The
They are also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for a completely hands-free cleaning control.
Additional Features
The
As you may have noticed, the
Apart from its iAdapt 3.0 and Imprint Mapping, another difference between the two is the i7 is compatible with the iRobot Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal that can be bought separately. This is game-changing as this technology finally alleviates the need to keep emptying your dustbin after every cycle. It takes care of that for you. Even when you’re not home to empty the dustbin, your robot vacuum can keep working hard in keeping your home spotless.
iRobot claims you can forget vacuuming for months after you have scheduled your cleaning, but it still depends on your floor size and the amount of debris and hair on your floor. If you have a pet that sheds so much hair, you might find that you need to empty the Clean Base after a week or two.
Verdict
The
Equipped with Carpet Powerboost, up to 10x the power of the Roomba 600 series and more advanced navigation, the Roomba 985 can pull in finer dirt and vacuum more efficiently.
The Roomba i7 boasts a more advanced iAdapt 3.0 with vSLAM and Smart Mapping Navigation. It can also be upgraded with a clean base to maximize its self-emptying functionality.
With its Smart Mapping Navigation, more advanced iAdapt 3.0, and the possibility to it upgrade it with automatic dirt disposal makes Roomba i7 a better buy than the 985. The price difference becomes insignificant when you consider these new features found in the
As the Roomba 985 is also equipped with similar technologies as the i7, it is still a powerful machine that does an excellent job of cleaning your home efficiently. The Virtual Wall Barrier that comes with it is useful, too. However, it is not compatible with the iRobot Clean Base. If you find yourself wanting the convenience of automatic dirt disposal in the future, you won’t have that option with the 985. This is why the