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Roomba has long been the frontrunner when it comes to robotic vacuum cleaners.
The Roomba 650 is one of the first and most proven Roomba models, and the Roomba 980 is their latest model that offers a lot more cleaning power, features and convenience.
Let’s see how the new kid and his grandparent stack up against each other.
Roomba 650
Price: $$
Warranty: one year
Dimensions: 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.6 inches
Weight: 7.89 pounds
Wireless Control: yes
Navigation: laser sensors
Scheduling Options: yes
Battery Time: 75 minutes
Auto Recharge: yes
Resume after recharge: no
Hepa filter: no
Corner brush: no
Side Brush: yes
Roomba 980
Price: $$$$
Warranty: 1 year
Dimensions: 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6 inches
Weight: 12 pounds
Wireless Control: yes
Navigation: multi-room/lasers/sensors
Scheduling Options: yes
Battery Time: 2 hours
Auto Recharge: yes
Resume after recharge: yes
Hepa filter: yes
Corner brush: yes
Side Brush: yes
Roomba 650
The Roomba 650 is the cheapest Roomba vacuum cleaner available.
It has been on the market for quite awhile, and it looks likely that it will stay around.
This makes sense, because the Roomba 650 is a proven and reliable model that has no frills, and simply works.
While the 650 may lack cooler features like a command center or a more refined design, it makes up for this with simple raw power.
The design of the 650’s brush cleans out dirt from even the tightest spaces, which is just one of the reasons that the Roomba 650 has remained as one of the best selling robotic vacuums on the market.
The other reason is that it is a high quality robot for the price.
One issue with the 650 is the filtration system. It is not the best when it comes to filtering out allergens. If you need a robot vacuum for pets and allergies, take a look at the Roomba 880.
Another thing to consider is that the 650 uses brushes. while some of the newer models like the 980 are brushless.
Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is one of the best robotic vacuums selling today, hands-down. It can clean an entire level of a home without needing to be moved.
This is a big step up from some of the other earlier models.
The Roomba 980 uses advanced sensors and AI to clean very efficiently and intelligently.
It uses a camera to build a map of your home, so that it clean your floors in the most efficient manner possible.
In addition, the Roomba 980 will clean until the battery is almost completely drained, then return to the dock and when it is finished charging it will return to the spot it was cleaning and finish the job. The 650 does not do this.
Another great feature of the Roomba 980 is that when it goes over thicker carpet, it will increase its power using a feature known as carpet boost.
There is also a smartphone app available for 980, which you can use to schedule a cleaning – even if you are out and about.
If your schedule is completely hectic, this app can be quite hand.
Overall, the Roomba 980 comes with many great features that consumers enjoy. When it comes down to it, finding another robotic vacuum that compares to the Roomba 980 is going to be difficult.
The only thing that is hard to swallow about the Roomba 980 is the price. This is the most expensive Roomba on the market. It is worth the cost, but only if you can afford it.
The bottom line is that if you want the best technology, need to clean multiple rooms on one floor and want maximum control over scheduling, the 980 is the right robotic vacuum for you.
The Differences
Cleaning Ability
When it comes to cleaning ability, the Roomba 980 win this category hands down.
The new innovative technology combined with a deep cleaning option, are just a few of the added features that the 980 model offers that are not found on the 650.
Navigation
When it comes to navigation, the new iAdapt 2.0 system on the 980 is superior to the older system found in the 650.
The 980 uses optical sensors to create a map for vacuuming the room.
The 650 moves more or less randomly to cover different areas.
Automation & Scheduling
The automation and scheduling features are comparable for both devices, although the 980 can be programmed using a smartphone app.
In addition, the 980 has a battery that will withstand more recharges than the battery of the 650, so it can clean more while you’re away.
For these reasons, the 980 wins this round.
Maintenance
Maintenance of both of these cleaning robots is similar.
You will need to empty the dustbin regularly, and the brushes will need to be cleaned about once a month.
If you take the time to properly clean each of these robots on a regular basis, they should last a long time.
The Winner: Roomba 980
Both the Roomba 650 and the Roomba 980 are outstanding robotic vacuums. Both will clean your home while you are not there and will free your time as you will not need to use a conventional vacuum as often.
Both models also enjoy high customer satisfaction ratings and offer innovative features.
Overall, you won’t go wrong picking either one of them.
However, the Roomba 980 is by far the superior vacuum cleaner as it offers more features, better cleaning and can clean multiple rooms at a time. Plus, you can schedule it while you’re away.
The additional sensors, WiFi capability, stronger motor, upgraded navigational system, carpet boost function and a better battery also give the 980 an edge.
That said, if the price is too high, then 650 is a great and proven single-room cleaner.
