Been eyeing a Roomba for some time and now regretting I didn't get it sooner. Setup was a breeze, it took all of 5 minutes to unbox it and get the app downloaded and create a Roomba account. Had it running in "vacuum everywhere" mode within 10-15 minutes.
The first pass I was thrilled to watch it zip under the bed, the low clearance fits under almost all our furniture. It does get caught under one coffee table if the rug underneath it is bunched up, but otherwise it fits between our bar stool legs and under most chairs. It easily navigates around shoes and pillows that the kids leave lying around, although I do try to tidy up before running it.
Cleaning the bin and brushes is simple. I get a text alert on my phone if the bin is full, but can typically run it more than once before having to. A simple scissors is helpful to cut through hair if you know there is a lot that it picks up.
On the first few runs we did find that this picked up a LOT more shedding from our rugs. We normally vacuum once a week, maybe twice, so it's not like they haven't been cleaned and our dyson should do the job. For whatever reason, maybe because it's slower, lower, or has more suction, or does dual pass, the Roomba picked up a ton to the point that I had to clean the bin 3 times the first time I ran it all of our downstairs. After that it fell into a more typical pattern.
It's a little noisy, as it is a vacuum, but I can close a door and be on a zoom call no problem. Also have this hooked up to Alexa so I can ask, "ALexa, ask roomba to stop" if I need it quiet. This is a huge help, same goes for walking out the door and "Alexa, ask roomba to vacuum" and I feel like I'm getting a chore done while out running an errand.
App control is nice, and the battery last for around 1hr-1.5hrs, so plenty of time on a full charge to handle 900 sqft.
Easily goes between hardwoods, carpet, and rugs, except we do have one shaggy rug that it senses as an object and turns around from (but if you put it on the rug it'll vacuum it).
Lastly, this leaves nice vacuum lines that give you that fresh clean feeling.
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From the manufacturer
iRobot Roomba 981 Features
Powerful performance
Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System & Power-Lifting Suction deliver 10X the air power* for improved pick-up performance.
Advanced Navigation
iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with vSLAM technology allows the robot to map its surroundings to clean an entire level of your home.
Navigates in neat rows
Purposefully and logically cleans in neat rows and uses floor tracking sensors to clean an entire level of your home.
Ideal for homes with pets
Ideal for homes with pets. High-Efficiency Filter captures 99% of allergens, pollen, & dust as small as 10 microns.
New App, New level of clean
The newly updated iRobot Home App allows you to upgrade your overall cleaning experience. Enjoy features that work around your life.
Cleans around your life
Learns from your cleaning habits to offer up customized schedules. Suggests extra cleanings when pollen count is high or during pet shedding season.
Dynamic duo
Imprint Link Technology allows Roomba 981 & Braava jet m6 robots to automatically clean in sequence – vacuuming & then mopping.
Picks up where it left off
Doesn’t skip a beat, or a mess. When its running low on battery it recharges and resumes, ensuring a complete clean.
Videos
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After 2 Years - My thoughts using the iRobot Roomba 980
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#thisorthat Which of these 2 IROBOTS fits you?
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iRobot Roomba 981 unboxing
iRobot
Compare with similar items
This Item  iRobot Roomba 981 Robot Vacuum-Wi-Fi Connected Mapping, Works with Alexa, Ideal for Pet Hair, Carpets, Hard Floors, Power Boost Technology |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $399.00 | -49% $219.99 List: $429.99 | -12% $195.98 Typical: $223.12 | $99.99 | -33% $399.99 List: $599.99 | -10% $214.00 Typical: $237.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Suction power | ||||||
| For cleaning up hair | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| For deep cleaning | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Sold By | Mlaags | Roborock Technology Co. Ltd | Amazon.com | iRobot Store | Roborock Technology Co. Ltd | Olive Branch Enterprises |
| surface suggestion | Carpet | Hard Floor, wood, carpet | Carpets,Floors | Hard Floor | Hard Floor | Carpet, Hard Floor |
| batteries included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| battery average life | — | 180 minutes | — | — | 180 minutes | 90 minutes |
| compatible devices | Amazon Echo | Amazon Echo, Google Home, Smartphones | Amazon Echo | — | Smartphones, Google Home | Amazon Echo, Google Home |
| weight | 3.38 kilograms | 7 pounds | 4990 grams | 4.63 kilograms | 8.8 pounds | 5 pounds |
Reviews with images
No more ants marching in.
I have a 5 years old that leave crumb everywhere. Ants started to marching in and I can no longer keep up so I purchased this roomba 981 on prime day deals. And I'm writing this review after one completed job.Yes. It is loud but it doesn't bother me. I felt like my Dyson V11 animal is louder. There was definitely noticeable noise that startled my family members who didn't know that roomba was running. but they get used to it very quickly.I was so excited to get it today. So I sat down and watch the way it works. Big mistake. I was frustrated. But after awhile I gave up and go do something else. It is pretty amazing.This vacuum advertised to work in neat row. I didn't believe it until I saw marks on my carpet. (Attached photos). It left nice and neat mark on the carpet make the room looks clean. I love it.I'd say at first try. This vacuum has equivalent suction power as my hand held Dyson V11. The carpet feels lifted just like when I use my Dyson on the boost power. Pretty amazing there.One thing I didn't like is it fail to clean spaces under my cabinet. The little thing that I stick up i believe it is the censor prevent it from cleaning under the carbinet. Bummer! A lot of dust accumulated under the cabinet.It doesn't come with virtual walls like other model i saw reviews of on YouTube. It does need light to work but I can schedule a time for it to run using the app so I'm going try to have it run first thing in the morning before everyone wakes up. The features where it recharge and resume is a huge plusOverall, I'm happy with this purchase. I think it does most of the thing I expected it to do. It's not supposed to replace my cleaning person.
Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
Sonya A
Worth the buy! With or without pets
Reviewed in Canada on January 26, 2021Style: Roomba 981Verified Purchase
TKH
Good product. Most imporant instructions not provided, not even on internet. A walk in the dark!
Reviewed in Australia on April 21, 2022Style: Roomba 981Verified Purchase
Lim TL
Poor production Quality.
Reviewed in Singapore on August 2, 2021Style: Roomba 981Verified Purchase
