I felt like there were too many robot vacuums to choose from when I first chose to buy one. When I first bought the Roomba e6, I did so because it had good reviews and wasn’t too expensive. I also wanted something that could clean up pet hair on my hardwood floors. But when I moved into a house with more carpet, I found that the e6 wasn’t able to give me the deep clean I needed. I then began to look into it and in the end decided to go with the Roomba 985. It’s been fun to compare the two, and I’ve learnt a lot about what each type can do for different areas and cleaning needs.
Overview of iRobot e6 vs 985
The Roomba e6 and Roomba 985 are both mid-to-high-end models in the Roomba lineup, yet they cater to different needs and budgets. Let’s start with a quick look at their specifications.
Suction Power & Debris Handling
Cleaning power is a major consideration when choosing a robot vacuum, especially if you’re dealing with different floor types or pet hair.
Roomba e6 Cleaning Power
The Roomba e6 has 5x the suction power compared to the 600 series models. This is suitable for homes with hardwood floors, tile, and low-pile carpets. The e6 is equipped with a 3-stage cleaning system and a dual multi-surface rubber brush that resists tangles from pet hair, making it ideal for pet owners.
Roomba 985 Cleaning Power
The Roomba 985 is equipped with 10x the suction power compared to the 600 series, along with Power-Lifting Suction. It also has Carpet Boost technology, which automatically increases suction when it detects carpet, ensuring a deeper clean for thicker surfaces. This model is highly effective for carpeted rooms and larger spaces due to its strong suction capabilities.
| Feature | Roomba e6 | Roomba 985 |
|---|---|---|
| Suction Power | 5x (vs. 600 series) | 10x (vs. 600 series) |
| Pet Hair Handling | Great, anti-tangle brushes | Excellent, especially on carpets |
| Carpet Cleaning | Good | Exceptional with Carpet Boost |
Battery Life
Battery life is essential for robot vacuums, especially if you have a large home that requires longer cleaning sessions.
- Roomba e6: Offers up to 90 minutes of runtime, which is adequate for small to medium-sized homes. When the battery is low, the e6 automatically returns to its charging dock but does not resume cleaning.
- Roomba 985: Has a longer 120-minute battery life, suitable for larger homes. It also features Recharge and Resume, meaning it returns to the dock, charges, and then continues cleaning where it left off.
| Feature | Roomba e6 | Roomba 985 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 90 minutes | Up to 120 minutes |
| Recharge and Resume | No | Yes |
| Ideal Home Size | Small to medium | Medium to large |
Navigation Technology
Navigation is another significant factor, as it determines how efficiently the robot can clean your home.
- Roomba e6: Uses adaptive navigation with sensors to avoid obstacles and navigate around furniture. The e6 does not have a mapping feature, so it cleans in a more random pattern.
- Roomba 985: Utilizes iAdapt 2.0 navigation with vSLAM (visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology, enabling it to map your home and clean in straight lines. This allows for more efficient, systematic cleaning and ensures better coverage.
| Feature | Roomba e6 | Roomba 985 |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation System | Adaptive, no mapping | iAdapt 2.0 with vSLAM |
| Mapping Capability | No | Yes |
| Cleaning Pattern | Random | Systematic, straight lines |
Connectivity
Both models are Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with the iRobot Home app, allowing for remote control, scheduling, and monitoring. However, there are some differences in smart features:
| Feature | Roomba e6 | Roomba 985 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| App Features | Basic scheduling, start/stop | Enhanced mapping, zone control |
| Smart Mapping | No | Yes |
Price
Pricing can be a deciding factor, and both models are priced differently based on their feature sets.
- Roomba e6: Generally more affordable, ideal for those who need basic functionality and have smaller cleaning spaces.
- Roomba 985: Higher price point but offers additional features such as Carpet Boost, Recharge and Resume, and mapping, which may be worth it for larger homes.
| Model | Price Range | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Roomba e6 | Moderate | Good for basic cleaning, pet owners |
| Roomba 985 | Higher | Ideal for large homes, thorough cleaning |
Which Roomba is right for you?
I am sure that the Roomba e6 and the Roomba 985 each do a different job now that I have used both of them. The e6 worked great in my old house, which mostly had hardwood floors. It easily got rid of pet hair and daily dust. But the Roomba 985’s strong suction and improved navigation make a big difference in my current setting, which has more rugs. If your room is small or there are mostly hard floors, the e6 is a cheap and good pick. If you need to deep clean rugs or cover bigger areas, I suggest the 985. It’s changed the way I keep my house clean with very little effort!
