It is well known that iRobot has been producing the best robotic vacuums in the last few years. Mention a Roomba and virtually everyone knows what it is. iRobot Roomba robot vacuums are a cut above the rest. Today, we look at the Roomba i7+ vs 980. What are the differences? What are the similarities?
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the latest in a long line of Roombas, but it faces stiff competition from the Roomba 980. Even though there are many similarities, there are a few disparities that make the Roomba i7 Plus considerably superior.
Roomba i7+ vs 980 Comparison Table
We are going to compare the two robot vacuums side by side in very simple terms. However, before we get into the details, here is a summary:
| Features | Roomba i7+ | Roomba 980 |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Runtime | 120 min. | 120 min. |
| Capacity | 0.7 liters | 0.6 liters |
| Thickness | 3.6 inches | 3.6 inches |
| Weight | 7.45 lbs. | 7.45 lbs. |
| Charging Duration | 3 hrs. | 3 hrs. |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | Yes | No |
| Carpets hard floors & pet hair | Yes | Yes |
| 3-Stage Cleaning System | Yes | Yes |
| Edge-Cleaning Brush | Yes | Yes |
| Cliff Detect Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Dirt Detect | Yes | Yes |
| iAdapt Navigation | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| vSLAM Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Wall | Yes | Yes |
| Imprint Smart Mapping | Yes | No |
| Recharge & Resume | Yes | Yes |
| iRobot Home App | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| High-Efficiency Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Clean or Schedule | Yes | Yes |
| Clean or Schedule by Room | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 1 yr. | 1 yr. |
| Price |
Roomba i7+ vs 980 – the Differences & Similarities
In this section, we look at the Roomba 980 vs i7+ in terms of features. Some features are the same, with a slight difference in the newer Roomba i7+ 7550. Also, there are a few extra capabilities that can only be found in the i7 Plus 7550.
1. Emptying of dirt
The breathtaking feature in the Roomba i7+ is the fact that it can empty its own dirt. Can you imagine that! Depending on the number of times you clean the house, you can even go for a month without intervening. Once full, the robot returns to the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal to empty. The Clean Base can store up to 30 bins.
On the other hand, the Roomba 980 does not have this technology. So, you have to manually empty the bin every time it’s full.
2. Navigation
Both robots have an excellent navigation system. However, the technology in the Roomba i7+ is a bit advanced. The 980 model uses iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with vSLAM technology (visual simultaneous localization and mapping). This allows it to navigate the house easily while keeping track of its location.
On the other hand, the Roomba i7 Plus uses iAdapt 3.0 Navigation. It also has vSLAM technology that helps to map the house for thorough cleaning. Unlike the Roomba 980, it also uses Imprint Smart Mapping to decide the best way to clean the house.
Both vacuums have Virtual Wall technology. This helps create a virtual barrier that prevents the vacuum from going beyond certain areas. This serves to protect the vacuum and any delicate item in the room. Cliff Detect Sensors are also available to prevent the robots from falling off the stairs and other edges.
3. Smart Home Connectivity
Both vacuums can be operated using the iRobot Home App. You can also get Clean Map Reports to your device. This allows you to see exactly where the robot has cleaned.
Also, because they are Wi-Fi enabled, you can use voice control to give instructions. Both vacuums can also be used with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
4. Suction power
Well, both robots are very powerful and can pick up dirt and debris with ease. They use a 3-stage AeroForce cleaning system. This generates up to 10 times the suction power of the Roomba 600 and 700 series. This sets the two models apart from the older versions.
5. Multi-surface cleaning
Both the Roomba 980 and i7+ are capable of picking up dirt and debris from all flooring types. So, whether you have bare floors or carpets, the robots will take care of business. This is thanks to dual multi-surface brushes that pick up all kinds of dirt – including pet hair.
Furthermore, both gadgets utilize Advanced Dirt Detect Technology to put more emphasis on high-traffic areas. Additional cleaning is done in these locations since there’s more dirt to be dealt with.
6. Edge cleaning
Not all robots can clean the edges properly. So, you would have to manually intervene. This is not a very pleasing thought given the price of robot vacuums. However, you don’t have to worry about that when you buy the Roomba 980 or the Roomba i7+.
An edge sweeping brush is available in both models.
7. Scheduled cleaning
You can schedule cleaning regardless of which model you own. This is a very important aspect of robotic vacuums. Thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping in the Roomba i7+, you can schedule cleaning by room. However, this is not possible with the Roomba 980.
8. Recharge and resume
It’s only the Roomba 960, 980, i7, and i7+ that have this feature. Older models can return to the charging station for a refill, but they cannot automatically resume work. The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal doubles up as the charging base for the Roomba i7+. On the other hand, the Roomba 980 has a Home Base which is the charging station.
The two vacuums use lithium-ion batteries that can take up to 3 hours to charge. Once full, expect a run time of about 120 minutes from each.
9. Filtration
Whether you are going for a robot or a regular vacuum, one of the most important factors to consider is the filtration system. A vacuum with a good filtration system ensures that the indoor air quality remains top-notch. Both the Roomba 980 and the Roomba i7+ use a high-efficiency filter to trap up to 99 percent of allergens inside the vacuum.
However, the Roomba i7 Plus is slightly better at dealing with pollutants. You see, the robot empties the dirt into the Clean Base, where it’s stored in a sealed bag. Once full, you just remove the bag and place it into the trash – mess-free.
With the Roomba 980, there’s a chance that dust and other particles may be blown back into the air if emptying is not done carefully.
10. Dimensions, Weight & Capacity
The Roomba i7+ measures 13.34 by 13.26 by 3.63 while the Roomba 980 measures 13.9 by 13.9 by 3.6 (inches). The last part of the measurements is the thickness. As you can see, both robots are just 3.6 inches thick. This low-profile design allows them to get under furniture easily.
When it comes to weight, the Roomba i7+ weighs 7.45 pounds while the Roomba 980 weighs 8.7 pounds.
Lastly, the dirt capacity is almost the same. The Roomba 980’s bin can hold up to 0.6 liters of dirt. On the other hand, the Roomba i7+ has a capacity of 0.7 liters. Given that the Roomba i7 Plus empties itself, you can imagine that there’s more manual work to be done with the 980.
11. Price
The Roomba i7+ 7550 is the newer model and has better features. Naturally, you expect it to be more expensive than the Roomba 980. Actually, the difference in price is about 300 bucks. Click here to see how much the Roomba 980 costs. You can also click here to see the price of the Roomba i7+.
iRobot 980 Pros and Cons
These are the advantages and disadvantages of the iRobot Roomba 980:
| Pros | Cons |
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iRobot i7+ Pros and Cons
This is what to expect with the Roomba i7+
| Pros | Cons |
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Roomba 980 vs i7+ Final Thoughts: Which one should you buy?
The Roomba 980 has been the best robot vacuum in the market for a long time. So, it still has so many features to think about. On the other hand, the newer Roomba i7+ is more advanced and can even empty its own dirt. The only deal breaker is the price, with the i7 Plus being quite pricey.
If you can afford it, you should definitely go for the Roomba i7+. However, if you’re a couple of bucks short, the Roomba 980 is still a worthy buy. The main thing you might regret not having is the automatic dirt disposal. This is not a big deal, especially if you don’t have a lot of dirt to clean up.
Lastly, this Roomba 980 vs i7+ comparison is applicable for anyone looking for a Roomba i7 vs 980 or Roomba 980 vs i7 comparison. Apart from the pricing, the only other difference between the Roomba i7+ vs i7 is automatic dirt disposal.