Roomba 980, iRobot's most advanced robot vacuum cleaner

On this occasion, it is time to analyze the Roomba 980, iRobot's most advanced robot vacuum cleaner. The Roomba 980 accumulates all the knowledge and technology developed by this manufacturer, in a device that borders on perfection.

The Roomba 980 and 981 They are basically the same model, differentiating in color, take a look, because depending on the offers, you can find one or the other cheaper.

Talking about iRobot is talking about market leader in robot vacuum cleaners. Roombas are known all over the world, and are synonymous with robustness, quality and good performance.

Not in vain, iRobot has sold more than 30 million robots throughout its history (and it must be taken into account that it has been on the market for about 30 years!). It will be for a reason, and The Roomba 980 is the best example of what iRobot knows how to do.

Roomba 980: our review

The Roomba 980 has obtained the highest rating of all the robot vacuum cleaners we have analyzed, nothing more and nothing less than 96 points out of 100, based on 1.095 opinions. It is a high-end robot, which incorporates room mapping and Wi-Fi connectivity, and provides great efficiency in home cleaning.

In addition, its satisfaction rate is also very high, since 97% of its users are satisfied or very satisfied with the robot.

In addition, its bristle-free extractors ensure that the hair goes to the interior tank, without getting tangled, which means less maintenance work.

And thanks to its deep carpet cleaning system, the 980 automatically increases its power when cleaning a carpet, achieving much better results than other robots.

iRobot 900 Series

The iRobot 900 series is the top of the range of this brand. This series includes two models, the Roomba 980 (or 966), which we have analyzed in this article, and the one we are dealing with today, which incorporates all the advances, although in exchange, it is more expensive than the first.

What sets the Roomba 900 series apart?

At first glance, it may seem that all Roombas are similar. Currently, there are four series, ranging from 600 to 900. As we go up in series, the robots incorporate various functionalities and improvements over the previous one.

All Roombas have common characteristics, and since the popular 600 series, they do a great job. However, logically, the 900 series – its most advanced range – is where iRobot has put the rest in, combining design, functionality and technology in its robots, which incorporate aspects such as:

Wifi connectivity: This is a feature that has been added to some robots in recent times (and that also have, for example, some new lower series models, such as the Roomba 691 or the 896, for example).

Thanks to this functionality we can control the robot remotely, through the iRobot Home app, and update its software, so that it always has the latest programming advances. In any case, it should be noted that it is not mandatory to operate the robot through the application, since, if desired, it can be done through the buttons on the top of the robot.

Thanks to all this, the Roomba 980 always knows where it is, so that when it returns to the base to charge the battery and then resumes its work, it knows where it left off and where it should start its work from.

We can consult the information on the cleaning map (the visual information of the route that the robot has taken through the home) through the iRobot Home application, which will show us the route that the robot has followed in each cycle.

More powerful batteries: the new lithium batteries that iRobot incorporates in some of its new models have more autonomy in the 900 series models. In the case of the Roomba 980, it reaches 2 hours of autonomy, more than enough to clean most homes . It must be taken into account that, As it performs efficient navigation and orderly cleaning, it takes much less time to clean the house.

High efficiency filtering: 900 Series Roombas improve filter system efficiency, to trap 99% of allergens, pollen and particles with a minimum size of 10 microns, thanks to its AeroForce system.

Box contents

Roomba 980: start-up

Handling the Roomba 980 is very simple. As is usual with rechargeable vacuum cleaners, before starting to use it it is advisable to fully charge it (although it comes with a partial charge, it is better to fully charge it).

1. The first thing is to find a location for the charging base, in a place that is clear, and plug it in. A minimum of 0,5 meters is necessary on each side and 1,2 meters in front and from any flight of stairs, so the robot can maneuver seamlessly to or from the charging base.
2. You have to remove a tab on the bottom, in the battery compartment.
3. Next, the robot is placed on the charging base, so that its connections fit with those of the base.
4. To get a full charge, it is recommended to charge it for 3 hours.
5. The iRobot Home app is installed, compatible with Android and iOS.
6. Finally, the robot can be activated, either through the CLEAN button or the application.

Roomba 980 operation

The Roomba 980 can be operated from the buttons, like any Roomba, or from the mobile application (which we will discuss later).

As is traditional in robots of this brand, the 980 has a large CLEAN button on its top. To activate the robot, press the button once, and again to start cleaning. As usual, pressing while cleaning will pause (until the button is pressed again).

If we want it to return to the charging base, we can press the Dock button (the one shaped like a house), or we can simply let it return by itself, when the cleaning cycle ends, or when it returns to recharge.

The Roomba 980 It also has a concentrated cleaning mode, which is very useful for cleaning specific areas where dirt or debris accumulates for some reason (for example, if we have dropped something on the floor and it has spread).

To do this, press the Spot button (the one shaped like a crosshair), and the robot will start to rotate in a spiral around the point where we started that mode, making a spiral just over a meter in diameter. . In addition, it will increase its power to perform better cleaning.

Like all Roombas, it has an anti-tangle system, which prevents it from getting stuck with cables, fringes or tassels.. However — as we usually recommend — before cleaning, it is best to pick up any objects, items of clothing, etc., that may be on the floor.

In addition, its AeroForce system prevents hair from getting stuck, being extremely effective on all types of floors and for those homes that have pets. It removes dirt even if it is stuck to the floor (within limits, of course), thanks to its reverse rotating brushes and its powerful motor.

The iAdapt 2.0 navigation system

The Roomba 980 incorporates an advanced navigation system, iAdapt 2.0, which adds a camera to the usual sensors. In this way, the robot is capable of mapping the home and creating visual references, through VSLAM technology. (simultaneous visual location), which helps you know what you have cleaned, what you still need to clean and where you are at all times.

The camera is located on the top of the robot, and helps it clean much more efficiently and avoid bumping against furniture, walls, etc. In this way, the Roomba 980 finishes its work much faster than robots that lack this technology.

However, it doesn't hurt to make your task easier, leaving as much space as possible for the robot to maneuver comfortably. Even if the robot is not going to collide with obstacles, it will carry out its work more fluidly (for example, putting the chairs on the table, removing pieces of clothing, shoes, toys, that may be on the floor, etc.).

The iRobot Home app

The iRobot Home application is available for free for iOS and Android, and through it we can perform multiple tasks. As we have already indicated, it is not essential to operate the robot through the application, but it is very interesting to do so for several reasons:

Virtual Wall Dual

The Roomba 980 includes two next-generation virtual walls, Virtual Wall Dual.

These virtual walls can perform two different functions:

On the one hand, the classic wall mode, which prevents the robot from passing a certain area (now, the barrier reaches up to 3 meters, while the old barriers only reach 2 meters).

And on the other hand, the “halo” mode, which creates a cone-shaped barrier, protecting elements within a semicircle of 1,2 meters in diameter (previous Virtual Halo only protected 0,5 meters). This option can be very useful in some cases, such as to protect the food and drink area from pets, delicate objects that may be on the floor (like vases), etc.

Common Features of Roomba Robots

Currently, there are 4 Roomba ranges, classified into series: 600, 700, 800 and 900.

Each series has common characteristics, which become better as we go up. In this way, the 600 series is the most basic, and the 900 the most advanced. For example, the vacuum cleaner we are analyzing today, the 980, belongs to the 900 series, and the best-selling 680, to the 600 series.

However, although each series has its peculiarities, iRobot has provided all its devices with a series of common features, as they are:

3-stage cleaning system: This system, patented by iRobot, performs very effective cleaning, thanks to its side brush, reverse rotation brushes in the center, and its powerful motor:

• Thanks to its studied 27º angle, the side brush collects dirt better, even in corners and edges, and attracts it towards the center.
• There, the reverse-rotating brushes do their job, lifting and trapping dirt, which is directed toward the mouth of the vacuum.
• Finally, the Roomba's powerful motor sucks dust in, where it doesn't escape thanks to the design of its AeroForce filter and tank.

adjustable cleaning head- The head of the Roomba 980 automatically adapts to the type of floor you are vacuuming. You will get the best cleaning on all types of floors, whether porcelain, wood or carpets.

Automatic loading: As is common in most robot vacuum cleaners on the market, Roombas automatically return to the base when they have finished the cleaning cycle, or when they are running out of battery. In the case of the 980, thanks to its navigation system, when it resumes cleaning, it does so in the place where it left off.

Roomba 980: technical sheet and features

Advantages of the Roomba 980

Drawbacks

This robot is one of the most advanced that exists today, highly tested and with high performance. It is, without a doubt, one of the best robots on the market, with permission from the Xiaomi Mi Vacuum (whose analysis you can see here).

As the biggest drawbacks, in addition to its high price, we can mention that its tank is not the easiest to remove in the world (once we get used to it, that's it) and that it can have difficulties getting on a mat if it is very high (this This is actually a fairly common issue with robot vacuum cleaners: if the carpet is too high, they may interpret it as an obstacle and go around it).

Opinions about the Roomba 980

Absolutely brilliant, andCleaning performance is excellent, collects much more dust and dirt than my previous Roomba (it was an 800 series). The tank is easily emptied and the filter is easy to clean. Their new brushes do the job really well. Completely satisfied.

Really impressed, I'm surprised by its performance. I have a German Shepherd, and I wanted a robot that was capable of absorbing his hair. I was very skeptical at first, but it hasn't been a problem for the Roomba 980. Even the high pile rug is free of dog hair. I recommend it without reservation.

After ten minutes, it had already collected a large amount of dust. I love watching TV instead of vacuuming. Absorbs very well and requires little maintenance.

It's a real Top. The vacuum cleaner cleaned our 200 square meter apartment in 2 hours; mastered the mats and edges without problems, I would buy it again without a doubt.

I have had several Roombas of different generations, and this is by far the best. It is quieter than other generations, it regulates the suction force depending on the type of surface, the new brushes greatly simplify maintenance...

Spectacular, it's amazing. You can connect to it from your mobile phone, it notifies you when the work is finished, you see statistics, a map of the vacuumed area, etc. Even by working it every day, you can see its great efficiency.. It's a real blast and I totally recommend it.

Why buy a Roomba 980

If you want to have one of the best and most complete robot vacuum cleaners on the market, with room mapping, lithium battery and extraordinary suction power, the Roomba 980 is one of the best alternatives you can find..

If you want a robot with an excellent, effective and highly tested cleaning system, belonging to the leading brand on the market, this can be a great alternative.

Roombas comparison

If you want to find at a glance which Roomba best suits your needs, look at this comparison table:

Do you want to know other high-end robots? Visit our reviews: