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Wondering whether to buy an iRobot Roomba or Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuum cleaner?
You have come to the right place.
In this post, we have dig into the popular models of Ecovacs Deebot vs. iRobot Roomba vacuums.
Roomba is a well-known brand made by iRobot. It was one of the first robot vacuums in the market.
Over the years, iRobot has continued to improve its technology, adding more features with subsequent Roombas.
Roombas are generally more expensive than other robot vacuums but they often clean better, have better navigation, and come with smarter features.
Ecovacs Robotics, a Chinese company, makes the Deebot line of robotic vacuums.
Deebot robotic cleaners are cheaper than most Roombas. The latest models have most of the smart features you get with a Roomba, including Alexa voice control and smart mapping.
One area where Deebot stands out from Roomba is that some of their models can vacuum and mop.
Read on the Ecovacs Deebot vs. iRobot Roomba and find out how these two brands compare on the most important features.
Best Deebot Robot Vacuums Compared
901
Cleaning:
Using a roller brushes & two side brushes.Run Time:
100 mins.Navigation:
Smart Navi 3.0 Laser-basedDaily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
350mlCharging Time:
240 mins.Unique Features:
Interchangeable helix brush or direct suctionPrice:
$$$
711
Cleaning:
Using a roller brushes & two side brushes.Run Time:
110 mins.Navigation:
Smart Navi 2.0 optical mappingDaily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
300mlCharging Time:
270 mins.Unique Features:
Max mode for deep cleaning especially on carpetsPrice:
$$$
M80 Pro
Cleaning:
Has a V-brush & two side brushes.Run Time:
110 mins.Navigation:
Random navigationDaily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
500mlCharging Time:
240 mins.Unique Features:
Intense mode for deep cleaningPrice:
$$
Deebot N79S
Cleaning:
Has a V-brush & two side brushes.Run Time:
110 mins.Navigation:
Random navigationDaily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
450mlCharging Time:
240 mins.Unique Features:
Max mode for deep cleaning especially on carpetsPrice:
$$
Best Roomba Robot Vacuums Compared
e5
Cleaning:
Using dual roller brushes & one side brush.Run Time:
90 mins.Navigation:
Uses cliff, obstacle & Dirt Detect sensors.Daily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
500mlCharging Time:
120 mins.Unique Features:
Auto-adjusting cleaning head & Dirt Detect technologyPrice:
$$$
i7+
Cleaning:
Using dual roller brushes & one side brush.Run Time:
120 mins.Navigation:
iAdapt® 3.0 navigationDaily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
400mlCharging Time:
120 mins.Unique Features:
Automatic dirt disposal & the ability to communicate with the Braava mop.Price:
$$$$
980
Cleaning:
Using dual roller brushes & one side brush.Run Time:
120 mins.Navigation:
iAdapt® 2.0 navigationDaily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
600mlCharging Time:
120 mins.Unique Features:
Auto-adjusting cleaning head & Dirt Detect technologyPrice:
$$$$
690
Cleaning:
Using dual roller brushes & one side brush.Run Time:
90 mins.Navigation:
Uses cliff, obstacle and Dirt Detect sensors.Daily Scheduling
Remote app control
Voice control
Debris bin:
600mlCharging Time:
120 mins.Unique Features:
Auto-adjusting cleaning head & Dirt Detect technologyPrice:
$$$
Ecovacs Deebot vs. iRobot Roomba On Features
Here’s the bottom line. Roomba is a high-tech premium brand. Ecovacs Deebot is an affordable high-tech brand.
Roombas are some of the most expensive robot vacuums you’ll come across. But they also have some of the best tech features.
More importantly, these features work most of the time smoothly.
The iRobot HOME app is easy to use, automatic dirt disposal works, and voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant is effortless.
Deebot robot vacuums, on the other hand, are in the low end and mid-range, with almost all models costing less than $500.
Many Deebot robot vacuums come with various tech features like smart mapping, remote app control, and automatic recharge.
But some of these features don’t work as smoothly as those of a Roomba.
For instance, the ECOVACS app is notorious for its glitches and difficulty of use. The mapping feature in some models is also problematic with the robots sometimes losing map data when you lift it.
But where it matters most, cleaning performance, Ecovacs Deebot robots are pretty good. Some of them are more versatile than Roomba since they can vacuum and mop.
Onto specific features.
1. Cleaning
Ecovacs Deebot
Ecovacs is best known for its combo robot vacuum and mops.
The Deebot M81 Pro, the Deebot R98, the Deebot Slim 2 and about half a dozen other Deebot models come with an optional mopping function.
They are great if your home has mostly solid flooring like tile or hardwood. Though the robot mop will not replace a traditional mop, it saves you the trouble of mopping every day.
As for sweeping and vacuuming, Deebot robots are relatively good.
They are not as powerful as top Roombas, which is not surprising when considering their much lower price point, but they easily pick up most of the debris from the floor.
If you have pets, most Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuums will pick pet hair easily on hard flooring. But if you have a large carpeted area, we recommend a powerful Roomba instead.
If you find Roombas a bit too expensive, there are cheaper robot vacuums for pet hair and allergies that work just as well.
But for basic carpet vacuuming, most Deebot models are up to the task. They have decent suction power and a roller brush that agitates deep-down debris for easier vacuuming.
On a hard floor, most Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuums use two side brushes to sweep the dirt from the sides and edges of the wall as well as a rolling V brush to pick up dirt, and pet hair and push it inside the vacuum.
One feature we like that’s unique to Deebot vacuums is the removable V-brush. This is handy for pet owners.
If the V-brush keeps getting tangled with hair, remove it, and the vacuum uses direct suction to pick up debris and hair.
Overall, Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuums meet the cleaning needs of most people. In terms of cleaning performance, they are some of the best robot vacuums you’ll get for the money.
However, if you have thick carpeting or pets that shed a lot of hair, we recommend a Roomba instead.
Most Deebot models work best for hardwood and tile floors as well as low-pile carpets.
iRobot Roomba
Roomba’s generally improved their cleaning performance with new models. The S series, featuring the newest models, is much better than the 600 series, which consists of some of the earliest Roomba models.
But all Roombas are generally known for their higher than average cleaning performance.
Even the 600 models, though they lack some high-tech features of later models, still deliver great cleaning performance on both hard floors and carpets.
Unlike Ecovacs Deebot robot cleaners, all Roombas only sweep and vacuum. None of them has a mopping function.
For mopping, iRobot has a separate line of dedicated Braava robotic mops.
Almost all Roombas operate using a 3-stage cleaning system. Here’s how it works.
- Multi-surface brushes (usually one side brush and dual roller brushes)loosen dirt on the floor and in the carpet.
- Dual roller brushes work together to lift debris and dirt hair into the vacuum cleaner.
- The vacuum suctions dirt into the debris bin.
Roombas boasts several unique features that give them an edge over other robotic vacuums.
One of our favorites is the auto-adjusting cleaning head. As the robot moves across different surfaces, the head automatically raises or lowers to keep the brushes in close contact with the floor.
Another feature is Dirt Detect technology. Roombas have a sensor that can detect areas with concentrated dirt and spend more time cleaning them.
With each new series of Roombas, iRobot has been steadily increasing suction power. The latest i series and s series Roombas are pretty powerful, able to pick pet hair and debris even from thick carpeting.
For the s series, iRobot changed the shape of the robot to improve a corner and edge cleaning ability.
Overall, Roombas are the best robot vacuums in the market. They are more expensive than most other brands and certainly pricier than Ecovacs Deebot, but it’s hard to find a robot vacuum that cleans better.
2. Navigation
Ecovacs Deebot
Ecovacs’ navigation and mapping technology range from rudimentary for the cheapest models to fairly advanced for premium models.
Low-cost models like the DEEBOT N79S, the DEEBOT M88 and the DEEBOT M80 Pro either move randomly across the floor until the battery gets low or use a pre-programmed cleaning path such as a back and forth pattern.
To avoid obstacles or to fall off the stairs, they have obstacle detection and cliff sensors.
Premium models like the DEEBOT 900, DEEBOT R95 and DEEBOT OZMO 930 are equipped with SMART NAVI.
This is a laser-based navigation and mapping system.
By scanning and mapping the cleaning area, the robot vacuum moves more efficiently, covering all areas without cleaning the same places more than once.
SMART NAVI also allows the robot to adapt to changes in the floor layout on the fly as it cleans.
As the robot moves around the floor, it generates a map that you can access on the app.
You can use the map to send the Deebot robot to clean a specific area or draw virtual boundaries to keep the robot from cleaning a certain zone.
This mapping tech is great, but it doesn’t always work so smoothly in real life.
Many users of Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuums have complained that the app is troublesome to use and the mapping feature is not reliable.
That’s something to keep in mind before you spring for a Deebot. You may have to spend some time leafing through the manual or on the phone with customer service sorting out issues.
iRobot Roomba
iRobot has made significant improvements to navigation technology in Roombas. The latest models are nothing short of amazing.
They can traverse across multiple rooms, avoid obstacles, and generate highly detailed maps.
Cheaper Roombas, particularly the 600 and e series models, don’t have a mapping system. They rely mostly on sensors, including obstacle, cliff, and dirt detect sensors, to navigate around your home.
They can move from one room to another, but they are not ideal for whole-level vacuuming.
iRobot incorporated a proper navigation and mapping system starting from the 900 series. The Roomba 960 and 980 have iAdapt 2.0 optical-based navigation.
The robots use a camera to know where they’ve cleaned and where they’ve yet to vacuum.
They generate a map that you can access on the app, but you cannot select zone cleaning or draw virtual boundaries.
In the Roomba i7 and i7+, iRobot upgraded to iAdapt3.0 navigation, also optical-based (read our Romba i7 review to learn more).
With both models, as well as the s9 and s9+, you can use the generated map to select specific cleaning zones though you still cannot create virtual no-go zones.
Comparing Roomba vs. Deebot on navigation, Roomba is the clear winner.
Though the latest Deebot models come with advanced laser navigation and mapping, Roomba models still provide the best and most reliable navigational and mapping experience.
3. Scheduling
Scheduling is a necessary feature that’s available in virtually all robotic vacuums, even budget Ecovacs Deebot models.
With both Ecovacs and iRobot robot vacuums, you can select which days of the week and what time the robot vacuums.
If you have a WiFi-connected model such as the Deebot 900 or the Roomba i7, it’s easy to set or modify the cleaning schedule using your smartphone.
Scheduling is slightly more advanced in Deebot models with laser navigation and mapping as well as the Roomba i7/i7+ and s9/s9+.
Instead of merely setting a general cleaning schedule, you can specify which rooms will be cleaned on specific days.
Comparing Ecovacs vs. Roomba models, Roomba wins simply because their app interface is much easier to use. You’ll find it easier to set, modify, and cancel an auto-cleaning schedule from your phone.
4. Remote Control
Ecovacs Deebot
All models from Ecovacs, even the cheaper ones, are WiFi-connected. That means you can link your phone to the robot vacuum and control it remotely wherever you are from the Ecovacs app.
You can remotely start and stop the robot vacuum, set and modify the cleaning schedule, select a specific cleaning mode, and monitor cleaning progress.
Some of the Deebot robot vacuums also come with a traditional IR remote control for those who don’t want to use the app.
iRobot Roomba
Almost all Roomba models are Wi-Fi connected ranging from the budget Roomba 690 to the high-end Roomba s9+.
Only a few early models like the Roomba 614 lack smart connectivity. Unfortunately, the Roomba 614 also doesn’t come with a traditional remote control.
The only way to configure and control the robot is by using the buttons on the vacuum.
One thing we love about Roomba’s remote control feature is how easy it is to set up and use.
Most WiFi-connected robot vacuums are a hassle to set up. There have been numerous complaints regarding setting up most Ecovacs Deebot models.
Continuing the discussion on Ecovacs Deebot vs. iRobot Roomba, it’s relatively easy and quick to connect Roomba robot vacuums to your home network and link your smartphone.
The iRobot Home app is also much easier to use compared to the Ecovacs app. The interface is simple and easy to navigate.
So, again, Roomba wins, not so much because of their smart connectivity but how convenient and easy that connectivity is to use.
5. Voice Control
For most robot vacuums, Wi-Fi connectivity automatically comes with voice control via the two most popular voice assistants – Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
That’s the case with both Ecovacs and iRobot robot vacuums.
A majority of their internet-connected models also provide convenient voice control through an Amazon Echo or Google Home smart speaker or your smartphone.
Once you’ve connected the robot vacuum to your home network, linking it to your preferred voice assistant is easy and quick.
6. Bin Cleaning
Ecovacs Deebot
Most Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuum cleaners have small bins. This bins on dual vacuums-and-mop models are especially small (some as small as 300ml) to make space for the water reservoir.
If you have a large home or your pets shed a lot of hair, you’ll have to empty the bin more frequently.
The bins on all models are easy to access and empty.
iRobot Roomba
Bin capacity for Roomba models ranges between 300ml and 600ml.
But with the newer i7+ and s9+ models, the size of the bin is no longer as essential as it was before thanks to automatic dirt disposal.
When the robot finishes vacuuming, it automatically goes back to the dock, and the dirt is sucked from the debris bin into the Clean Base.
This eliminates the hassle of emptying the bin after every cleaning.
The Clean Base unit holds 30 bin full of dirt, so it will be a while before you need to empty it. When it’s time to do it, it’s easy and mess-free.
You take out and dispose of the bag along with the debris.
If you are looking for utter convenience when it comes to maintenance, we highly recommend a Roomba, specifically the i7+ or the s9+.
7. Charging
Ecovacs Deebot
Essentially all robot vacuums now have automatic recharge. Even the cheaper Ecovacs Deebot models can automatically go back to the charging dock when they finish cleaning or get close to depleting the battery.
Later models like the Deebot Ozmo 930 have recharge and resume capability.
If the robot hadn’t finished cleaning before the battery ran low, it would resume vacuuming after charging.
Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuums have a runtime between 90 and 110 minutes, though the actual runtime depends on several factors including whether you use max mode if there’s one.
Charging is a bit slow. It takes 4-5 hours for most Deebot models.
iRobot Roomba
All Roombas have automatic recharge but only models in the 900, i and s series have automatic recharge and resume.
Runtime for Roombas is between 90 and 120 minutes. Again, the actual runtime varies slightly depending on the type of floor and other factors.
Roombas recharge a lot faster with most requiring only a couple of hours to juice up again.
Overall, if you have a larger floor area, we recommend a Roomba. They have better battery life, meaning the robot has plenty of time to cover most or all of the floor area.
Unique Features
Here are the features that are mostly unique to each brand though some of these features may be present in a few other brands.
Ecovacs Deebot
- Removable roller brush. In many Deebot models, you can select between brush-assisted vacuuming where the roller brush helps push debris inside the vacuum or direct suction where you remove the brush. Direct suction prevents the brush from tangling when there’s a lot of pet hair.
- Dual mopping and vacuuming functions. This is unique to Ecovacs Deebot when comparing it with Roomba. There are many brands with combo robot cleaners. But Roombas are dedicated robotic vacuums. If you want a mop from iRobot, check out their Braava line of dedicated robotic mops.
- Automatic carpet detection. Some Deebot robot vacuums can detect when they are on a carpet. They increase suction power automatically for a deeper clean. In other Deebot models, you can manually increase suction power by selecting Max mode.
iRobot Roomba
- Auto-adjusting cleaning head. The cleaning head can adjust its height automatically as the robot moves from hard flooring to a carpet. This keeps the brushes in close contact with the floor for better sweeping and dirt pickup.
- Dirt Detect technology. This feature has been present in many Roomba models as far back as the 600 series. A sensor detects areas with a lot of dirt, ensuring the robot spends more time there. This helps to keep high-traffic areas such as entryways clean.
- Automatic dirt disposal. This is a more recent feature. The Roomba i7+ and s9+ can automatically dispose of collected debris into the Clean Base.
- Flexible scheduling. Roombas have a more flexible schedule compared to other robot vacuums. You can select which days of the week you want the Roomba to vacuum and choose a different time for each day. With the latest models that have smart mapping, you can also schedule cleaning my room.
Price
Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuums are more affordable than Roombas.
You can get a Deebot robot vacuum for less than $200 with the cheapest models closer to $100.
Most of their premium models with features like laser navigation and mapping, voice control and recharge & resume cost less than $500.
In contrast, the most expensive Roomba, the s9+ with Clean Base costs about $1,400. The i7+ also crosses the $1,000 mark.
Premium models like the Roomba 980 and 960 have gotten cheaper but still, cost more than most Ecovacs Deebot models.
But there are still some pretty affordable Roombas, mostly the old models.
The Roomba e5 is priced in the mid-range ($300-$400) while 600 series Roombas are the cheapest (under $300).
You have two options if you are looking for a budget to mid-range robot vacuum: buy an EcovacsDeebot or get a lower-priced Roomba without all the bells and whistles of the high-end Roombas.
Our Favorite Roomba Models
Roomba e5
The Roomba e5 is our favorite mid-price Roomba. It has some of the tech features of premium Roombas and is more powerful than the base 600 models.
It offers 90 minutes of run time, enough to vacuum several rooms. But it lacks smart mapping and navigation, so it doesn’t move around as efficiently.
It works best in small and midsize homes.
A side brush and dual roller brushes pick up debris and pet hair on hard flooring and carpets. The bin is fairly big at 500ml. It can cope with high-shedding pets.
The e5 is a smart robot vacuum, meaning it can connect to the internet through your home network.
You can control and monitor it remotely via the iRobot Home app. You can also send voice commands via Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Roomba i7+
The Roomba i7+ is one of the best iRobot vacuum cleaners in terms of cleaning performance, power, and tech.
The most notable feature is automatic dirt disposal that makes your work even easier.
The robot puts out lots of power, enough to deal with all kinds of dirt on any floor. It’s a great choice for pet owners.
If you have a Braava Jet m6 robotic mop, you can sync the two to work together.
As for the tech, the i7+ boasts all the latest iRobot smart features including interactive mapping, remote app control, and voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant.
Roomba 980
If you don’t want to spend over $1,000 on a robot vacuum, but you still want one that’s capable of handling any floor situation, we recommend the Roomba 980.
It has plenty of suction power to go up against pet hair and other kinds of debris. It has no trouble vacuuming thick carpeting (though it doesn’t make deep clean).
It has camera-based mapping and navigation and even generates a map that you can view on the app. But that all you can do – view.
Unlike the i7+, you cannot send the robot to clean a specific room or schedule auto-cleaning by room.
You can control it via a smartphone app or link it to your Echo or Google Home smart speaker for convenient voice control.
Roomba 690
The Roomba 690 is our favorite budget, Roomba.
It’s not as powerful as other models, but it picks up debris easily on hard flooring and thin or medium-pile carpets.
For navigation, it relies on obstacle and cliff sensors. There’s no smart mapping or intelligent navigation. Like the e5, it works best in small and mid-size homes.
But it’s not so basic that you can’t tell it to clean from your office.
Once you link it to your home network, you can control and monitor it from your phone. It’s also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Our Favorite Deebot Models
Deebot 901
The Deebot 901 is one of the most advanced robot vacuums from Ecovacs.
It features laser navigation, which allows it to clean faster and more efficiently and quickly adapt to changes in layout.
It generates a map that you can use to select zone cleaning and draw virtual boundaries.
You also get remote app control and voice commands through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Cleaning is through two side brushes that sweep dirt from the edges and corners and the main V brush that picks pet hair and pushes it inside the vacuum.
The bin is small – just 350ml – so it’s probably not the right choice for pet owners.
But overall, it’s one of the best and most high-tech robot vacuums you’ll get for the price.
Deebot 711
The Deebot 711 has a longer battery life, making it ideal for larger homes.
It has intelligent navigation and mapping, but it’s not as advanced as the Deebot 901. You can draw virtual boundaries or send the robot to clean a specific room.
For cleaning, the 711 uses a 3-stage process to sweep, pick and vacuum dirt and pet hair.
If you need a deep clean on your carpet, select Max Mode. The vacuum will increase suction power to remove deep-down dirt.
The Deebot 711 has WiFi connectivity.
You can control it from your smartphone or send voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant.
Deebot M80 Pro
This is one of the budget Deebot models.
It’s a dual-function robot, with both vacuuming and mopping.
For vacuuming, it uses two side brushes and a roller brush to sweep debris and pick up pet hair. The roller is especially useful on carpeting.
For mopping, the robot includes a water reservoir and a detachable mopping pad. It has a wet and dry mop mode. It will mop first with water and then make another pass without water to dry the floor.
The M80 Pro is ideal for homes that have mostly hard flooring.
Like almost all other Deebot models, it is WiFi-connected. You can control it on the Ecovacs smartphone app or use smart assistant voice control.
Deebot N79S
N79S is another good budget option. It’s just a vacuum – it doesn’t mop.
Two side brushes and a roller brush work together to pick up dirt and pet hair on hard floors and carpeting. It’s not as good on carpets as pricier robot vacuums, but it does okay on most low and medium pile rugs.
For better results on carpets, turn on Max Mode to increase suction power.
Control is through a traditional IR remote control or the Ecovacs app. You also have the option of connecting it to Alexa or Google Assistant for voice commands.
Where To Buy Roomba & Deebot Robotic Vacuums
Ecovacs Deebot
iRobot Roomba
