Offered at very different price points, the Roomba e6 and 985 are two robot vacuums with widely differing features and technologies. In particular, the 985 is at the higher end of iRobot’s product lineup, while the e6 is more of an entry-level to mid-range option. Let’s look at each of their strengths, capabilities, and limits to determine which one offers better value.
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.
Navigation
Roomba e6 vs 985 Comparison Chart
| Model | ||
 | | |
| Price | Check Price on Walmart | Check Price on Amazon |
| Dimensions | 13.3″ x 3.6″ | 13.6″ x 3.6″ |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs | 8.7 lbs |
| Navigation | iAdapt 1.0 | iAdapt 2.0 with vSLAM |
| Clean Map Reports | No | Yes |
| Suction Power | 5x Air Power | 10x Air Power |
| Runtime | Up to 90 minutes | Up to 120 minutes |
| Recharge & Resume | No | Yes |
| Bin Capacity | 500 ml | 300 ml |
| Washable Bin | Yes | No |
| Virtual Walls | 2 | 1 |
Design
Both Roombas sport different colors and aesthetics.
First off, you’ll notice that the metallic sheen of the
The
iRobot introduced the iAdapt 2.0 navigation system with the release of the 900 series. It uses advanced sensors as well as a camera to map out your home and keep track of where it is at all times. This allows it to navigate around objects better and clean entire levels of the house. In addition, it will move in more straight lines since it knows the floor layout, resulting in more efficient cleaning jobs.
Meanwhile, the
Equipped with a high-efficiency filter and up to 5x the suction power of the entry-level Roomba 600 series, the Roomba e6 is an excellent robot vacuum cleaner for homes with pets and carpeted floors.
Clean Map Reports
You can see which areas the
Both the e6 and 985 have Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile app compatibility, which means you can control the robots and schedule cleans via the iRobot HOME app. However, the 985’s ability to map out your home presents a nifty perk — you can check out the exact areas the Roomba ran through during a cleaning job. You’ll even be able to see the particularly dirty spots that triggered its Dirt Detection sensors, and compare runtimes, square feet covered, etc. Plus, if the 985 somehow gets stuck and couldn’t return to the charging dock, you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly where it is.
Carpet Boost
The
A more powerful motor and dedicated carpet cleaning mode gives 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.
Recharge and Resume
The
Like older Roomba models, the e6 will return to its base to recharge and sleep once its battery runs low, even if it still had areas left to clean. It will then either wait for the next scheduled clean or whenever you press the Clean button. With the Recharge and Resume functionality that’s also introduced in the 900 series, the Roomba 986 will automatically pick up where it left off in case it didn’t get to finish a job. It makes battery life and runtime less important, even though the 985 still has the upper hand over the e6 on those.
Accessories and Maintenance
The
Both the
In addition, the e6 can be a bit easier to maintain since it has a larger dust bin capacity of 500 ml vs the 300 ml of the 985. Plus, this bin is actually washable, which means you can ensure its suction isn’t hampered by a clogged bin, and it’ll take longer for you to need to replace parts.
Verdict
The
Equipped with a high-efficiency filter and up to 5x the suction power of the entry-level Roomba 600 series, the Roomba e6 is an excellent robot vacuum cleaner for homes with pets and carpeted floors.
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.
Indeed, even with Carpet Boost and better navigation features, the cleaning performance of the Roomba 985 and the e6 are comparable. Combine this with a considerably lower price tag and it’s easy to prop the e6 up as the better value robot vacuum. If all you’re looking for is a cleaning workhorse that you can control with your phone or via Alexa, the iRobot
The difference is all in the extra functionalities and perks that the iRobot
FAQs
The main differences between the two are their suction power, battery life, and iAdapt versions. The Roomba e6 has 5x Air Power, a runtime of up to 90 minutes, and iAdapt 1.0. Meanwhile, the
Only the
You’re likely better off with the newer models such as the
Yes, the Roomba 985 is worth it, especially if money’s no object. After all, it has a two-hour battery life and advanced features such as Smart Mapping and carpet boost technology.