The iRobot’s vacuum robots are proven to be very reliable and the Roomba 980 is not an exception. It is a premium vacuum robot designed to help you do your chores by seamlessly cleaning your floors. The Roomba 980 is packed with advanced technologies and smart features, however, it comes with a high price.
The Roomba 980 has an impressive 3-stage cleaning system that thoroughly cleans dirt and pet hair as well as fine dust and allergens that’s invisible to the naked eye. It also has a long battery life plus it automatically recharges and resumes cleaning. Aside from that, the Roomba 980 is WiFi-enabled and is compatible with iOS and Android. You can also schedule and monitor the device through the iRobot Home App and via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Contents
- Design and Dimensions
- Performance and Technology
- Power
- Navigation
- Connectivity
- Features
- Alternatives
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. Is the Roomba 980 ideal for pets?
- Q. Does it automatically docks to its charging base?
- Q. Is it loud?
- Q. What is the size of its dust bin?
- Q. Does it work on carpets?
- Q. Is the battery replaceable?
- Q. Does it have an indicator if the bin is already full?
- Q. How high is it?
- Q. Does the Roomba 980 work with Amazon Alexa?
- Q. Does it come with a remote control?
- What I like about the Roomba 960
- What I don’t like about the Roomba 960
- Verdict
Design and Dimensions
The Roomba 980 has a black round body with a touch of brown on top. Its control buttons are located in the middle with the CLEAN button on the center and the Dock and Spot icons on both sides. There is also a built-in-camera beneath the control buttons. Meanwhile, the brand logo is located above the control panel. There is a battery status indicator located on top of the CLEAN button as well which will blink red if the battery is low and will show a solid green color if it’s already fully-charged.
The device also has a bumper ring and a handle. And underneath the device, you will find the wheels and the brushes along with the bump and cliff sensors. The Roomba 980 is 3.6 inches tall and weighs 8.7 lbs.
Performance and Technology
All Roomba vacuum robots use a 3-stage cleaning system, including the Roomba 980. The vacuum suction of Roomba 980, however, has 10 times more air power therefore it is better at picking up dirt. Aside from the power-lifting suction, the vacuum robot also uses Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes that pick up dust, dirt, and large debris; and an Edge-Sweeping Brush that removes the debris away from edges and corners. It also has a Power Boost which automatically increases the Roomba 980’s cleaning performance on carpets.
The Roomba 980 also uses a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Type Filter that captures 99% of allergens and small dust particles, as small as 10 microns, which makes it ideal for homes with pets. With the help of the filter, the device will be able to clean dust and dirt that you can’t see. It also uses an AeroForce Bin that has a 600 ml capacity.
This vacuum robot was released in 2015 but the technology that it uses are still more advanced compared to cheaper Roomba units. It uses Dirt Detection technology that allows the device to detect dirty areas and clean that area thoroughly; and the iAdapt 2.0 technology with vSLAM Navigation that helps the Roomba 980 map its surroundings and navigate around your home, objects, and even under furniture with the help of the built-in-camera. The iAdapt 2.0 technology also uses cliff and bump sensors to prevent the Roomba 980 from falling down the stairs.
The Roomba 980 also has an Imprint Link Technology that allows the Roomba 980 to work together with the Braava Jet M Series Robot Mop–a useful feature especially if you have that robot mop. The Roomba 980 is equipped with Anti-Tangle technology as well so you do not have to worry about the vacuum robot sucking electrical cords, wire, or tassels. It also has a technology that creates an invisible barrier called the Virtual Wall Barrier. The barrier helps you confine the vacuum robot to a certain area in the house because the device is smart enough to not cross that barrier. It also prevents the device from getting too close on fragile and delicate objects.
Power
The Roomba 980 has a long battery life. It runs up to 120 minutes per charge and when the battery is low, it automatically docks to its charging base and recharges for 2 to 3 hours. The vacuum robot also resumes cleaning and picks up where it left off after its battery gets fully-charged.
When it comes to navigation, the Roomba 980 uses the iAdapt 2.0 technology with vSLAM Navigation and a built-in-camera to map out the surrounding and navigate through it. Unlike the cheaper Roomba units that randomly pinballs around the room as it cleans, the Roomba 980 moves in straight lines and has a more logical direction.
Connectivity
The Roomba 980 is WiFi-enabled which gives you a more hands-free control over the device. It is very helpful since the Roomba 980 does not come with a remote control accessory. You can download and use the iRobot Home App on your smartphone or tablet to monitor and schedule cleaning sessions Another hands-free control is using voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Features
| Roomba 980 | |
| 3-Stage Cleaning | Yes |
| Brushes | Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush |
| Power-Lifting Suction | Yes |
| Multi-Surface Cleaning with Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head | Yes |
| Automatically recharges itself | Yes |
| Automatically resumes cleaning | Yes |
| iAdapt 2.0 technology with vSLAM Navigation | Yes |
| Dirt Detect Technology | Yes |
| Imprint Link Technology | Yes |
| Filter | HEPA Type Filter |
| Dust Bin capacity | 600 ml |
| Scheduling | Yes |
| Cleaning Reporting | No |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | No |
| Wireless Connectivity | Yes |
| Smart Home Integration | Yes |
| Intelligent Navigation | Yes |
| Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | No |
| Entire Level Cleaning | No |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
Alternatives
- Neato Robotics D7 Robot Vacuum
First of all, the design of this vacuum cleaner is very different. It is not your typical round-shaped vacuum robot. It has a D-shaped body designed to reach corners. While the Roomba 980 uses iAdapt 2.0 technology with vSLAM Navigation, the Neato Robotics D7, on the other hand, uses laser guide mapping and navigates in straight lines. It also has a better battery life. It can run up to 150 minutes compared to the Roomba 980’s 120 running time per charge. The Roomba 980 has a 3-stage cleaning system and has a duo brush design while this vacuum robot has 70% larger brush to effectively eliminate pet hair. Like the Roomba 980, the Neato Robotics D7 is WiFi-enabled and recognizes Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. When it comes to pricing, this robot vacuum is a little cheaper than the Roomba 980.
- Roborock S4 Robot Vacuum
The Roborock S4 is more affordable than the Roomba 980 but it is equipped with smart features and advanced technology. It uses a laser navigation system to create a real-time map of your home. You can also use an app to control the device. The Roborock S4 also has a powerful vacuum suction to drag deeply trapped dirt on floors and carpets, however, it is not that effective on high-pile carpets. This vacuum robot also has a good battery life, better even, than the Roomba 980. The Roborock S4 can run for up to 150 minutes, non-stop. The Roomba 980 only has 120 minutes running time.
- Proscenic Robotic Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
This robot vacuum, like the first two vacuum robots, is also cheaper than the Roomba 980. The Proscenic Robotic Vacuum Cleaner and Mop has a laser navigation system and has a selective cleaning feature which allows you to control where you want the machine to go. You can also use an app called the Proscenic Home App, much like Roomba 980’s iRobot Home App, to monitor and schedule cleaning sessions. Its app also allows you to set zones and create virtual no-go zones. The Proscenic Robotic Vacuum Cleaner and Mop also has a powerful suction, an auto carpet boost, and a long battery life–up to 200 minutes running time compared to the Roomba 980’s 120 minutes running time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the Roomba 980 ideal for pets?
A. The Roomba 980 is perfect for pet owners since it uses a High-Efficiency Filter that captures 99% of allergens, pollen, and dust, as small as 10 microns, that can’t barely see.
Q. Does it automatically docks to its charging base?
A. Yes, the Roomba 980 automatically docks on its charging base and recharges once the battery is low.
Q. Is it loud?
A. The Roomba 980 is not totally silent but it is quieter than the standard vacuum cleaner.
Q. What is the size of its dust bin?
A. The dust bin capacity of the Roomba 980 is 600 ml.
Q. Does it work on carpets?
A. Yes, the Roomba 980 can work on different types of flooring–carpets, hardwoods, tiles, and linoleums.
Q. Is the battery replaceable?
A. Yes, the battery of the ROomba 980 is removable and can be replaced.
Q. Does it have an indicator if the bin is already full?
A. Yes, if the red full bin indicator is blinking, it means Roomba 980 senses that the bin is full.
Q. How high is it?
A. The Roomba 980 is 3.6 inches tall and weighs 8.7 lbs.
Q. Does the Roomba 980 work with Amazon Alexa?
A. Yes, the Roomba 980 recognizes both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Q. Does it come with a remote control?
A. No, the Roomba 980 does not have a remote control. You can directly control the device by pressing its control buttons or you can use the iRobot Home App.
See Roomba 980 on AmazonWhat I like about the Roomba 960
- Cleans everywhere, even under the furniture.
- Uses a camera for navigation.
- Automatically resumes cleaning from where it left off after charging.
- Ideal for homes with pets.
- Has s a 3-stage cleaning system: loosens, lifts, and suctions.
- Has duo brush design: Edge-Sweeping brush and Dual Multi-Surface Brushes.
- Uses a Power-Lifting Suction and has 10 times more air power.
- iAdapt 2.0 technology with vSLAM Navigation.
- Cliff and bump sensors that keep the device from falling off the stairs.
- Has a HEPA type filter.
- Has an AeroForce dust bin with a 600 ml capacity.
- Patented Dirt Detection technology.
- Supports WiFi.
- Schedule and monitor cleaning sessions through the iRobot Home App.
- Has a Virtual Wall
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Has anti-tangle sensors.
- Has a 120 minutes running time per charge.
What I don’t like about the Roomba 960
- Does not come with a remote control.
- It is expensive.
- You can’t schedule cleaning sessions on specific areas or rooms.
Verdict
The Roomba 980 is an amazing vacuum robot. It does a great job in keeping your floors clean plus it looks sturdy and sleek. It has a great cleaning performance as it is equipped with high-tech features and state-of-the-art technologies like Dirt Detection Technology and the iAdapt 2.0 technology with vSLAM Navigation. It also has a built-in camera and it navigates in straight lines.
A 3-stage cleaning system that uses a duo brush design and a powerful vacuum suction makes the Roomba 980 great. It also has a HEPA type filter that will capture dust and allergens that are basically invisible to the naked eye. Aside from that, it has a good battery life. It can run up to 120 minutes per charge compared to the expensive Roomba units and cheaper models that only have 75 to 90 minutes of battery life per charge.
When it comes to connectivity, I wished that the Roomba 980 has a remote control accessory but, nevertheless, the WiFi feature of the device gives you more hands-free control since you can use the iRobot Home App in place of the remote control. The app lets you schedule and monitor cleaning sessions and it lets you control the device as well. In addition to that, the Roomba 980 also recognizes voice commands via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Overall, the Roomba 980 is a very good vacuum robot. I just hoped that it is not that pricey. And I think for its price, it should have a mopping feature just like the other robot vacuums from other brands as well as a remote control. But other than that, I think it is great but if you are someone who is looking for a budget-friendly vacuum robot then this is not for you. There are a lot of brands that offer great vacuum robots that are inexpensive and won’t break the bank or you can check out other iRobot Roomba models for alternatives.