The Roomba cleaning robots have proved to be a breakthrough in the production of the ingenious latest autonomous cleaning devices. Since the Roomba first launched, they have made their unmistakable place in the market, becoming a common household item. I do agree, it can be very tough to choose a Roomba device for yourself when there is a huge variety of Roomba cleaning robots.
Hence, I am here to help you choose the best one for yourself. Read on to discover all the things you must know before purchasing a Roomba. Let’s make a detailed comparison of Roomba 960 and i3 below for you to go through and decide which one is worth your money!
Similarities between Roomba 960 and i3
The Roomba i3 and 960 have a lot in common. Continue reading, and you will come across a few notable similarities between both the above-mentioned Roomba models.
Recharge and resume feature
Both the Roomba model 90 and i3 function through this smart feature. The recharge and resume feature means that in case the Roomba device runs out of charge between the cleaning session. It will remember the place it left cleaning.
Then the device can return to its dock for charging, and once it’s fully charged, it can effortlessly resume cleaning at the place it left cleaning off. This smart feature is generally observed in the latest cleaning robots of today’s time.
Operation through smart assistants
Good for you, both the Roomba models 960 and i3 are capable of functioning through smart home devices. You can conveniently voice command your cleaning robot through various smart devices like Google assistants, Alexa, and Siri.
You can be relaxing in your lounge, and all you have to do is shout ‘Alexa, tell Roomba to start’. Just like that, your robot will start operating without requiring you to move a finger or stand up from your place.
Apart from voice commands, you can utilize the smart scheduling feature to operate your Roomba robot. This feature programs your device for cleaning with schedules for each interval of the day according to your feasibility.
Dirt detection
This feature is common in almost all Roomba robots. Dirt detection technology enables the Roomba robots 960 and i3 to clean the dirtier areas for longer periods of time as compared to cleaner areas. Resultantly, you get spotless squeaky clean floors!
The Roomba 960 and i3 both have built-in cliff detection sensors, which are present at the bottom of the device. These sensors help the cleaning robots greatly in navigating through your house efficiently without any damage. In addition to that, due to the presence of these sensors. You have to no longer worry about your device falling off the staircase.
Likewise, the dirt detection feature, these sensors are also common in most of the Roomba cleaning robots.
Presence of dual anti-tangle brush rolls
Both the Roomba 960 and i3 come equipped with a dual anti-tangle brush roll. These dual anti-tangle brush rolls are an essential feature of the cleaning robots. These brush rolls enhance the operation of the Roomba robots by making the chance of tangling hair strands in a vacuum nearly zero.
All thanks to these brush rolls, now you no longer have to go through the pain of manually detangling hair on your vacuum.
Vacuuming in straight lines
The older versions of the Roomba robots employ a ‘bump and turn method’. In which they randomly bump into obstacles and then turn around to clean. Whereas the Roomba 960 and i3 both make use of smart navigation in their cleaning process.
Through smart navigation, both these robots can efficiently vacuum in straight lines without bumping into obstacles.
Differences between Roomba 960 and i3
Both the models have some notable differences that greatly impact their working. Browse the below-stated matter to know more about specific features of the Roomba i3 and 960.
Presence of an onboard camera
The Roomba 960 greatly depends on the camera present at the top of its body in order to maneuver through your house. The Roomba i3 also navigates smartly through your place but without the help of a camera. Instead of a camera, the Roomba i3 makes use of floor trackers present beneath the device.
Even though the inclusion of an onboard camera enables the Roomba 960 to make better maps of your house as compared to the Roomba i3 yet, there is one drawback to the Roomba 960. That is, the Roomba 960 requires some outsource light to navigate, whereas, in the case of the Roomba i3, there is no such requirement of outsourced light for navigation.
Upgrade to autonomous bin emptying
You can conveniently upgrade the Roomba i3 to the auto-emptying bin feature. For this, you will have to purchase an auto-emptying base that is compatible with the Roomba i3. On the other hand, the Roomba 960 lacks any such upgrade and can only be emptied manually.
Stronger suction power
The Roomba i3 has twice more suction power than that of the Roomba 960. The Roomba i3 operates at 10x suction power, while the Roomba 960 has 5x suction power. However, in real life, this difference is not much noticeable as both the robots are observed to clean efficiently.
Inclusion of a virtual wall barrier
The virtual wall barrier is an additional feature belonging to the Roomba 960. The virtual wall barrier is powered through a battery, and it performs the job of keeping the Roomba 960 out of troublesome areas.
On the other hand, the Roomba i3 does not include any virtual wall barriers. However, if you are keen to use this feature on your Roomba i3, you can separately purchase the virtual wall barrier and make use of it.
Specification chart
| Model | Roomba i3 | Roomba 960 |
| Suction | 10x | 5x |
| Navigation | Smart navigation | Smart navigation |
| Brush roll | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes |
| High-Efficiency Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Recharge and Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Emptying Bin | Yes (sold separately) | No |
| Run time | 75 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Charge time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
Can a Roomba work on concrete? Here is an article on this topic!
Cleaning comparison – Roomba 960 and i3
The Roomba cleaning robots require regular cleaning and maintenance in order to continue functioning properly. Listed below are the steps you need to follow in order to deep clean your Roomba 960 and i3.
Cleaning the Roomba i3
In order to deep clean the Roomba i3, you need to equip yourself with a screwdriver that will help you unfasten certain screws. Once you have managed to find a screwdriver, proceed to the following steps.
- The first step is to clean the dustbin. If you have upgraded your Roomba robot to the auto-emptying feature, you can skip this step.
- Secondly, you need to take out the filter and make sure to clean it very thoroughly.
- Next, take out the cater wheel and wipe it down with a damp cloth to clean any build-up dust.
- Then, you need to take out the side brush by using a screwdriver to unfasten the screws. After you have managed to take out the side brush, clean it thoroughly.
- Now, detach the rubber extractors present in your Roomba i3 and tidy them up by removing any dirt or hair strands.
By following the above-mentioned steps, you will be able to deep clean your Roomba i3. Note that often deep cleaning can increase the lifespan of your Roomba device and can help it in functioning appropriately.
Cleaning the Roomba 960
In order to deep clean, your Roomba 960 follow the step-by-step guide given below you.
- Firstly, you need to turn your Roomba 960 upside down, and you will come across a removable dustbin. Detach the bin and clean it by emptying out all its content.
- Next, remove the filter present inside the dustbin and vacuum it thoroughly. This will extract all the stubborn dust and debris stuck to the filter.
- Now, locate all the sensors present on your Roomba 960. Get hold of a damp cloth and thoroughly wipe all the sensors to give them a spotless clean.
- Now, withdraw the plastic extractors and deeply brush them to make them clean. You might need to clean these extractors a bit longer as they are the units that come in contact with dirt and debris more often.
- Next, detach the cater wheel and clean it by wiping it with a clean cloth.
- Lastly, unscrew the side propeller component of the Roomba 960 and thoroughly clean it with a cloth and a brush.
We assume you must have gotten enough help from the above-mentioned steps!
Maintenance and operational cost comparison
I won’t lie; you are required to spend a handsome amount on the operational and maintenance cost of your Roomba devices.
Energy consumption
Generally, all Roomba robots consume 28 watts to recharge themselves fully. There is no such difference between the energy drawn by the Roomba i3 and 960.
Replacing the components of the Roomba i3
Replacing the filter on your Roomba i3 will cost you around $34.99 for a pack of 3 filters. Purchasing a new virtual wall barrier for your Roomba i3 will cost you $59.99. In case you feel the need to replace the rubber extractors, it will cost you $34.99.
Furthermore, the removable bin of the Roomba i3 can be replaced by spending $29.99. Lastly, the lithium-ion battery of the Roomba i3 can be replaced by spending $89.99$.
Replacing the components of the Roomba 960
As the Roomba 960 operates through the same filter present in the Roomba i3, the replacement cost of the filter remains the same, which is around $34.99 for a pack of 3 filters. If you feel the need to replace the side brush module on your Roomba 960 brush, it will cost you $14.99. In case you wish to replace the dual anti-tangle brushes, you will have to spare around $39.99.
Check out this another report on Roomba e5 and e6!
Different cleaning options of Roomba 960 and i3
Both the Roomba models 960 and i3 offer almost the same cleaning features with just the difference of suction power. The Roomba i3 and 960 make use of a high-efficiency filter that ensures the trapping of 99% allergens. In addition to that, the Roomba i3 and 960 are equipped with an Edge-sweeping brush that ensures that no dirt is left on the floors.
Concluding my thoughts on Roomba 960 vs. i3!
As the Roomba i3 comes within an affordable price range and it has twice the suction power as compared to the Roomba 960, it makes a strong cleaning robot. However, the Roomba 960 is still worth considering as it has some promising features that you will love to have on your cleaning robot. I hope this article helped outline all the features of these two Roombas and aided you in choosing the perfect one for your house!
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