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The Roomba 960 is one of the newer models of Roomba and offers almost all of the same features as the Roomba 980 – including a smartphone app for scheduling – but sells for a slightly lower price.
Our Impression: Roomba 960 Robot Vacuum
Summary
The 960 provides all of the convenience features of the best-selling 980, but lacks the extra carpet cleaning power. Good choice if you own a hardwood floor and want to save a few bucks.
Great choice for:
● Hardwood floors
● Tile and vinyl floors
● Carpet
● Pet hair
● Allergies
Avoid if:
You own long shaggy carpeting or if you have a lot of rugs throughout your home.
Price:
Overall Impression
iRobot is known for making some of the best robotic vacuums on the market. The 960 continues that tradition by adding convenience features to their highly successful 880.
The Roomba 960 offers the same form factor as the earlier versions of the Roomba, including the 880/890, but adds more cleaning power. It has a round shape and offers a side brush combined with two main brushes.
In addition, the 960 has a removable dust bin as well as a clean button, a line cord, home base charge station, a virtual wall barrier, and an extra filter.
Cleaning Ability
The 960 uses the AeroForce three-stage cleaning system and uses debris extractors for easier maintenance. These debris extractors are made from rubber and are easy to keep clean. The tread design will pick up dirt from any type of flooring.
Navigation
The Roomba 960 offers Roomba’s latest generation of the iAdapt Responsive navigation system, which allows the device to maneuver around your home quite easily.
The low profile design allows the robot to go under beds, sofas, and kick boards with ease.
The virtual wall technology gives you greater control over where the robot will clean vs. avoid.
Automation And Scheduling
Getting the 960 cleaning is really easy. Just press the “clean” button and it will get started.
Once a job is complete, the 960 robot will automatically return to its home and recharge, so it is always ready to go.
You can schedule cleanings at any time of day, up to seven times a week.
What it Misses
The one thing missing from the Roomba 960 is the 980’s carpet booster, which provides much deeper cleaning of carpets.
The robot also misses the third generation suction motor and instead uses an older version that is seen on the 800 models.
Maintenance
Maintenance of the 960 is simple.
You will need to remove the rollers and rinse off any excess dirt and debris on occasion.
You will also need to empty the debris canister when it is full and make sure to clean the filter at least once each month.
Pros
Cons
Specifications
Dimensions: 13.8 inches in diameter x 3.6 inches tall
Weight: 8.5 pounds
Running Time:75 minutes
Capacity (debris): medium size
Self Charging: yes
Multi-room navigation: yes
Entire level cleaning: yes
Recharge and resume: yes
Scheduling: yes
Tangle free debris extractors: no
iRobot home app: yes
3 Stage cleaning system: yes
AeroForce 3 Stage cleaning system: yes
iRobot app: yes
Carpet boost: no
