Vacuum cleaners have become a reliable tool to maintain the cleanliness of our homes. And with the ever changing technology, our average vacuum cleaners have evolved into vacuum robots – smarter and allows you to do other tasks while cleaning.
iRobot is among the top brands when it comes to robot vacuums. They are the brand behind the famous Roomba robot vacuums and two of their creations are the Roomba E5 and E6 – which are both mid-range robots, perfect for small to medium houses. These robots are marketed for pet owners in need of a vacuum robot with powerful suction.
The Roomba E5 and E6 have powerful vacuum suctions that can pick up pet hair and they are also equipped with High Efficiency filters that can capture pet danders and ultra fine dust that we normally do not see. These robots have very minimal differences and we hope that this article will help you decide which to get, we don’t want our money to go to waste now, don’t we? In this article we will take a look at the Roomba E5 and E6, and discuss their differences, similarities, and specifications.
Contents
- The Differences between Roomba E5 and E6
- The Similarities between Roomba E5 and E6
- Comparing the iRobot Roomba E5 and 960 in Detail
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. Will the E5 and E6 indicate if the dustbin is full?
- Q. Which Roomba is better for pet hair?
- Q. How is the battery life?
- Q. Do they have a warranty?
- Q. How’s the navigation system of the E5 and E6?
- Q. Will the E5 and E6 scratch the floor?
- Q. Will the E5 and E6 fall down the stairs?
- Q. Do they have a remote control?
- Q. Are they loud?
- Q. Are they compatible with Apple Home?
- What to like about the E5
- What to like about the E6
- Conclusion
The Differences between Roomba E5 and E6
- The Roomba E6 comes with one high-efficiency filter for replacement, aside from the pre-installed one, while the E5 does not have any extra filters included.
- The E6 has a tan on black color while the E5 maintains an all-black design.
- The E6 comes with two Virtual Wall Barriers while the E5 only has one.
- The E5 is more affordable than the E6.
The Similarities between Roomba E5 and E6
- The Roomba E5 and E6 do not use smart mapping technology. They pinball randomly around the room as they clean.
- Both can run up to 90 minutes per charge.
- They both have a 3-stage cleaning system: loosens, lifts, and suctions.
- Both use Edge-Sweeping brush, Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, and vacuum suction for cleaning.
- Both have a High-Efficiency Filter.
- Both are WiFi-enabled.
- They can be linked to the iRobot Home App to schedule and monitor cleaning sessions.
- They recognize voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- They both have anti-tangle sensors.
- They are compatible with Virtual Wall Barrier technology.
The table below provides the specifications for the Roomba E5 and E6:
| Roomba E5 | Roomba E6 | |
| 3-Stage Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Brushes | Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush | Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush |
| Power-Lifting Suction | No | No |
| Multi-Surface Cleaning with Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head | Yes | Yes |
| Automatically recharges itself | Yes | Yes |
| Automatically resumes cleaning | No | No |
| iAdapt Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Navigation Camera | No | No |
| Battery | Lithium Ion Batteries | Lithium Ion Batteries |
| Running Time | Up to 90 minutes | Up to 90 minutes |
| Dirt Detect Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Imprint Link Technology | No | No |
| Filter | HEPA Type Filter | HEPA Type Filter |
| Dust Bin capacity | Washable, 600 ml | Washable, 600 ml |
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning Reporting | No | No |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | No | No |
| Wireless Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Home Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Intelligent Navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | No | No |
| Virtual Wall Barrier | Yes | Yes |
| Entire Level Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Height | 3.6 inches | 3.6 inches |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs | 7.2 lbs |
| Price | Check on Amazon | Check Here |
Comparing the iRobot Roomba E5 and 960 in Detail
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Design and Dimensions
The Roomba E5 and E6 are very similar. They both look sturdy and solid with a black and round body, the E6, however, has a tan on black tone while the E5 maintains the all-black design. These robots also have the same dimensions, they weigh 7.2 lbs and they are both 3.6 inches tall.
Both the E5 and the E6 have three control buttons: CLEAN, Dock icon, and Spot icon. They also have a ring bumper, a handle, and indicator lights that will blink when the dust bin is full and when the battery is low. When you flip the E5 and the E6, you will see a pair of wheels and a bunch of sensors.
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Performance and Technology
The Roomba E5 and the E6 have a 3-Stage Cleaning System. They both use Dual Multi-Surface Brushes to pick up dust, dirt, and large debris; Edge-Sweeping Brush to remove the debris away from edges and corners; and vacuum suction to lift deep-seated dirt; and vacuum suction.
These robots pick up dust and dirt that are almost invisible to the naked eye. The Roomba E5 and E6 use HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Type Filter that captures 99% of allergens and small dust particles, as small as 10 microns., which makes them perfect for pet owners. The E5 and E6 work amazing on pet danders and clean all types of flooring – carpets, linoleum, tiles, and hardwood floors. Both of them are also equipped with a 600 ml washable dust bin.
Aside from having impressive cleaning performance, the E5 and the E6 are both fitted with state-of-the-art technologies. They use iAdapt technology for navigation. This technology uses different cliff and bump sensors so no need for you to worry about these machines falling down the stairs or bumping into a wall.
With the help of the Virtual Wall Barrier, a technology that creates an invisible barrier the device can’t cross, it will be easier for you to contain the device into a certain area in your house. The iAdapt navigation plus the Virtual Wall Barrier will prevent your device from bumping into fragile and delicate objects. They can also recognize electrical wire and cords as well as tassels because of its Anti-Tangle Technology. The E5 and E6 are also equipped with Dirt Detection Technology that allows them to detect heavily soiled areas.
The E5 and the E6 do not have differences in terms of performance and the technologies used, the only difference is that the E6 has an extra set of filter for replacement and two Virtual Wall Barrier technology included in the box. Meanwhile, if the filter of the E5 has worn out, you have to buy a replacement and it only gets one Virtual Wall Barrier technology, so if you want that extra virtual wall you have to buy it separately.
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Power and battery life
The E5 and E6 use the same lithium-ion battery and they can operate longer than expensive Roomba units. Both E5 and E6 can run up to 90 minutes per charge. They are also smart enough to automatically dock and recharge when their battery is low, however, they are not capable of cleaning and picking up from where they left off when they reach for the charging base.
The Roomba E5 and E6 do not use a super advanced navigation system. They both use the iAdapt Technology but it is not intelligent enough to follow a logical route. Unlike the expensive Roomba units that follow a straight line when cleaning, the E5 and E6 have a pseudo-random navigation pattern and pinball around the room randomly as they clean. They are also not equipped with Imprint Smart Mapping Technology, a technology that allows the device to remember the layout of your home.
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Connectivity
Almost everyone has their own home network, and with these robot vacuums having no remote controls, a WiFi-enabled feature is great to have. The E5 and the E6 support WiFi can connect to your smart home integration if you have any. Both of them recognize voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. If you do not have any of these smart home technologies, worry not, you can still hands-free control the device. The E5 and the E6 can be linked to your smartphone or tablet using the iRobot Home App – a downloadable app that allows you to control the device using your smartphone or tablet. It serves as a remote control. You can schedule and monitor cleaning sessions through the app. Battery and dustbin information can be seen through the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will the E5 and E6 indicate if the dustbin is full?
A. Yes, the Roomba E5 and E6 have light indicators that will show you if the dustbin is full.
Q. Which Roomba is better for pet hair?
A. Both the E5 and E6 are both good for pet hair. They both have the same cleaning performance and use the same technologies.
Q. How is the battery life?
A. Both the E5 and E6 can operate for up to 90 minutes per charge.
Q. Do they have a warranty?
A. Yes, both the Roomba E5 and E6 have warranties. It comes with a 1-year warranty if bought on Amazon.
A. The navigation system of the Roomba E5 and E6 are very good but they are not smart enough to follow a logical route. Both of them have pseudo-random navigation.
Q. Will the E5 and E6 scratch the floor?
A. No, the E5 and E6 can clean all types of floor and do not scratch the floor easily.
Q. Will the E5 and E6 fall down the stairs?
A. No, the Roomba E5 and E6 have cliff and bump sensors that will prevent them from falling down the stairs or from bumping into a wall.
Q. Do they have a remote control?
A. No. Unfortunately, both the Roomba E5 and E6 do not come with a remote control, but you can turn your smartphone and or tablet into a remote control by downloading the iRobot Home App. You can also use voice commands to control the device if you have Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant at home.
Q. Are they loud?
A. The E5 and the E6 are not totally silent, however, they are quieter than the standard vacuum cleaner.
Q. Are they compatible with Apple Home?
A. No, the E5 and the E6 are not compatible with Apple Home, however, they do recognize Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
See e5 on AmazonWhat to like about the E5
- Cleans everywhere, even under the furniture.
- Has a Virtual Wall Barrier.
- Has a 3-stage cleaning system: loosens, lifts, and suctions using Edge-Sweeping brush, Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, and vacuum suction.
- iAdapt technology along with cliff and bump sensors that keeps the device from falling off the stairs.
- Patented Dirt Detection technology.
- WiFi-enabled
- Can be linked to the iRobot Home App to schedule and monitor cleaning sessions.
- Recognizes voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Has anti-tangle sensors.
- Has a bigger battery and longer running time – up to 90 minutes per charge.
- Has a washable filter.
What to like about the E6
- Has everything the E5 offers.
- Has an extra high-efficiency filter on the box.
- Has 2 virtual wall barriers.
Conclusion
The iRobot Roomba E5 and E6 are very similar in all aspects, except for the color. Both of them are very impressive in terms of cleaning performance. They are perfect for people who want a reliable and affordable vacuum robot. They are originally marketed for pet owners as these robots are great with pet hair.
The E5 and the E6 use state-of-the-art technologies and high-quality machineries. They do an amazing job on keeping your floors clean. They do not have a lot of differences. In terms of features, specifications, performance, and usability, they are both the same. The color is their only difference, with the E6 having a touch of tan while the E5 has a classic black color.
The Roomba E5 is cheaper than the E6 but the E6 comes with an extra high-efficiency filter and it also has two virtual wall barriers whereas the E5 only has one. Picking between the two will all boil down to your budget. If you are on a tight budget the E5 is the best option but if it’s okay for you to pay extra money for that extra filter and virtual wall barrier, the Roomba E6 is always on the table.