Roomba e5 vs 960 – Detailed Comparison

Hello and welcome to your guide for choosing the best vacuum cleaners. Today it will be the Roomba e5 vs 960 comparison. By the time you’re done reading, you will be able to decide which is best for you.

Both robots are from the stables of iRobot, the brand that will take most of the credits if we’re to discuss the origins of robot vacuums.

 

This brand started out in the early 90s and sold the first successful domestic robot vacuum. As the saying goes, the rest was history.

Till now, users worldwide are in anticipation of the next robot vacuum iRobot will come up with. Honestly, it rarely disappoints.

If you’d like to see their best offerings yet, check out the comparison review we did on them.

iRobot is specialized in manufacturing domestic robots to help with chores. Some other robots it has are robot mops and robot pool cleaners. You can rest assured the iRobot things rubs off on those too.

 

 

To get the e5, click here	To get the 960, click here

 

 

How Does the Roomba e5 Compare to the Roomba 960?

The Roomba e5 and Roomba 960 comparison is a good one considering that not everyone wants the same kind of features. These two will present you with diverse capabilities that are worthy in their own rights. The Roomba e5 has an impressive runtime, good suction power, and a washable dust cup. Its cleaning performance is noticeably good as well. The 960 is a tested and trusted robot users have been pleased with, that should give you some confidence in it. It moves in a logical path which makes cleaning and power management more efficient.

Once you’re clear on what you need a robot vacuum for, this comparison will benefit you in many ways than one.

 

 

Comparison Table – Roomba e5 vs 960

	Roomba e5	Roomba 960
Battery Life	90 minutes	75 minutes
Filtration System	HEPA	AeroForce filtration
Dust Cup	Washable	0.6 liters
Dimension	13.4 x 13.4 x 3.6 inches	3.6 x 13.8 inches
Weight	7.23 lbs	8.7 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

What Situation the Roomba e5 or 960 Best For?

It’s always best to choose a robot vacuum, or anything else for that matter, based on how well it fulfills your needs. The Roomba e5 and 960 can be your best choice based what you need them for. The table below highlights the best use case for either robot vacuum.

 

Roomba e5	Roomba 960
If you’re asthmatic or allergic, this is one robot vacuum you need. It has a good filter that will protect you from the contaminants the robot helped you vacuum.	Since it’s such a drag to empty the dust cup all the time, we assume you don’t want that. The 960 has a large dust cup to hold in more dirt so your robot won’t that help ever so often.
If you’re a cleaning buff, it won’t come as a surprise that you want even the dust cup to be spic and span.   Is that you? Then go for this robot as the dust cup is washable. However, be sure to remember to take out the filter first as that is not washable.	It is one thing for your robot to go back and get recharged by itself. It is a whole lot of advantage if it can go back to where it stopped to complete an unfinished job. That, you will get from the Roomba 960.
A longer runtime is more time for your robot to finish its routine. It is not always cool to have a half clean floor for hours because the robot needs to recharge.   The Roomba e5 has 90 minutes of runtime which should be sufficient if your home is not too large.	If you want your robot to go about its job intelligently, this is what you need.   The Roomba 960 moves in an end to end pattern ensuring that it covers the entire floor as against the random movement of the e5.
If you want a robot with the type of power to boss dirt anywhere, this is what you need. Suction power is one of the strengths of this robot.

 

 

Common Features – Roomba e5 vs 960

It only makes sense that both robots have a number of similarities since they’re from the same brand. The features common in both Roomba e5 and Roomba 960 include:

• Dust cup
• Filter
• Navigation system
• Cleaning system
• Mode of operation
• Smart home integration

 

 

Navigation and Sensors

The Roomba e5 and 960 both use the iAdapt technology to find their way around your home. However, the 960 goes further with its vSLAM, an exclusive to iRobot.

This piece of tech is what makes the Roomba 960 move in a logical pattern. Not only does it make the robot clean more effectively, but it is also efficient with power management.

Both robots also have a collection of sensors that support their movements across floors so they don’t just go about blindly.

For instance, both robot vacuums have cliff detection sensors. This sensor lets the robot know if there is a fall ahead and they respond by turning away. No one wants to pick pieces of their robot at the base of the stairs.

These sensors also help them detect obstacles so they bump into things less. If it is an obstacle with space underneath, they will clean around under it as best as they can.

 

Wi-Fi and Smart App

The Roomba 960 and e5 have Wi-Fi compatibility. They use it to connect to your phone.

Once you download the app (iOS or Android) and the pairing is done, you can control and monitor either robot remotely.

We mean from anywhere in the world remotely. However, you need to use a strong Wi-Fi connection to make the pairing smooth.

You can schedule the robot to clean floors for every day of the week at certain times. This gives you a lot of freedom to choose when they clean.

You can have them work when you go to sleep or leave the house. Whatever works for you is their command.

That’s not all, iRobot thought you might want another means of interacting with the robot. So, they included a futuristic option on either of them.

They are both compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can pair your robot to either device and give them voice commands.

 

3-Stage Cleaning System

This is a patented feature that Roombas since the early days of the 600 series.

It constitutes of the brush roll underneath and the side brush that extends beyond the robot as well as the suction.

The side brush sweeps dirt into the path of the brush rolls and the suction picks it up.

As for the brush rolls, they comb through the fibers of your carpets to dislodge dirt, pull them up, and the suction sucks them into the dust cup.

 

Dual Rubberized Brush Roll

Cleaning off tangles from brush rolls is hardly something anyone will look forward to. With either of these Roombas, you won’t be going through such after the fact work anymore.

The brush rolls do not have bristles. Instead, there are ridges on them to comb through carpets instead.

They will still clean your floors as well as they should only without tangles to deal with afterward. Kindly note that hairs can roll up at the end of these brush rolls.

However, in one move, you can pull out the few strands and they won’t even affect the robot’s performance.

 

Dirt Detection

This is another feature Roombas have been known for from the onset. It is one of those features that set Roombas aside from the rest.

Both Roombas can identify a concentration of dirt on carpets and hard floors. Your robot will respond by taking extra time and putting in more effort in that area to make sure it is thoroughly clean.

Isn’t that how you would handle a cluster of dirt if you were doing the cleaning yourself?

It only shows how intelligent these robots are. Setting the robot to spot clean mode will also trigger this feature.

 

Low-Profile Design

Both robots are quite close to the ground which gives them the advantage to get where other vacuum types cannot.

These two are just 3.6 inches high, that allows them to get under even low-profile furniture to clean out the dirt that often finds residence there.

Their low center of gravity coupled with their sturdy wheels allow them to transition from one floor type to another easily. They can also climb over ledges of certain heights.

 

Virtual Wall Barrier

If you don’t want your robot getting to certain areas of your home, you can prevent that. Usually, it would be to stop it from getting stuck.

The virtual wall barriers will keep the robot from going beyond where you set it. It is a standalone device and it can work in two modes.

One will create a straight line preventing the robot from going beyond it while the other casts a perimeter barrier around itself and anything within it.

Both Roombas come with the virtual wall barrier. They both have one, however, if you need more, you can buy.

 

Highly Efficient Filter

You certainly don’t want to buy a vacuum and it becomes one of the things that trigger your allergies. Going for any of these robots will prevent that from happening.

The filter in the e5 and 960 are great. They stop 99% of allergens and dust. For the sake of understanding, the diameter of a human hair is 50 microns.

 

To get the e5, click here	To get the 960, click here

 

 

Unique Features – Roomba e5 vs 960

Features Unique to Roomba e5

Washable Dust Cup

Before this model, the dust cups in Roombas were not washable. The best we could do to thoroughly clean them was to get creative and wipe the insides to remove any dirt hanging on.

Now, you can run water through it and wash the dirt all out. The process is quite simple too. Once you’re done washing, just let it air dry and it is ready to use again.

 

 

 

Features Unique to Roomba 960

Recharge and Resume

Most robots can find home when they need to recharge and that was an impressive feat at the time.

Nowadays, much more is expected from a robot vacuum. The Roomba 960 rose up to the task in this case as it can also pick up where it left off if it didn’t finish.

This is an awesome feature especially for those who will schedule the robots to work while they are not around.

 

Intelligent Navigation

The Roomba 960 does not move in a random fashion like the e5. Rather, it follows a definite pattern of movement going from one end to another and then covering the perimeter.

This is a more power-efficient approach and you will agree that it certainly affects how well it cleans.

 

 

 

 

Roomba e5 vs 960 – Unique Pros

Roomba e5

i. Its dust cup is washable.

ii. It is not as expensive as the Roomba 960.

 

Roomba 960

i. It navigates in a logical manner.

ii. It can resume a job it didn’t finish after recharging.

 

 

Roomba e5 vs 960 – Unique Cons

Roomba e5

i. It moves in a random fashion.

 

Roomba 960

i. It costs quite a bit for a robot that’s been around for a while.

 

Roomba e5 vs 960 – Pros Common to Both Products

Roomba e5	Roomba 960
Its dirt detection is great for deep cleaning and makes the spot clean mode even better.	Same as the e5
The e5 can easily get under furniture to clean out dirt. This leaves you with clean floors whether seen or hidden.	Same as the e5
The virtual wall barrier device is quite effective at preventing the robot from getting where it shouldn’t.	Same as the e5
The e5 is quite powerful. iRobot says it has 5x more suction than the Roombas in the 600 series. You can rest assured this means better cleaning performance.	Same as the e5
The filtration of a vacuum is important especially if you’re allergic or asthmatic. The HEPA filter in the e5 offers adequate protection.	Same as the e5

 

 

Roomba e5 vs 960 – Cons Common to Both Products

Roomba e5	Roomba 960
There are both a bit too costly considering what they have to offer.	Same as the e5

 

The following are other reviews that will offer more information to help make the best decision:

• Roomba e5 vs 690 – Which Is Best For You?
• Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720 – Which Should You Go For?
• Roomba 980 vs Roomba e5 – Extensive Comparison
• iRobot Roomba 675 vs 690 – Detailed Comparison
• iRobot Roomba 690 vs 890 – Which Should You Go For?
• Roomba e5 vs e6 – So Similar, Yet Different

 

 

 

 

 

Roomba e5 vs 960 – General Feeling Among Users

Roomba e5	Roomba 960
A lot of users love the power and how well it deep cleans on all floor types as well as how it tackles almost every type of dirt in its path. The pet owners especially praised the e5 for how well it dealt with pet hairs.	Some users say that this robot is easy to set up and will be ready to go once the battery gets charged. They also said that it is easy to maintain. You can easily empty the dust cup and removing the filter is quite straight forward.
Users are totally in love with the cleaning ability of this robot. Even those who had something to complain about still commended the way it cleans.	Quite a number of users commented on how well this robot cleans and pick up dirt on both hard floors and carpets. However, some pet owners say that it does not do so well with pet hairs as they still see some fur around after the robot vacuum had passed.
A lot of users love how well and deep it cleans on all floor types as well as how it tackles almost every type of dirt thrown its way. The pet owners especially praised the e5 for how well it dealt with pet hairs.	Some users praised this vacuum’s filtration system and how well it traps in allergens and dust. A certain user said that it has helped her with her allergies as she uses the robot vacuum on a daily basis.
Some users complained that the robot has a small dust cup which makes them empty too often for comfort. However, the same user expressed love for the fact that it is washable.

 

 

Roomba e5 vs 960 – Our Verdict

Roomba e5	Roomba 960
You now have all the information you need about this vacuum. Do you think its features serve your purpose?   If so, what are you waiting for? Get yours today!	The 960 is a good vacuum on a lot of counts. However, it costs a bit. This shouldn’t be a deterrent if it matches your needs well enough.   If you believe this is what you need, here’s your chance to own one.

 

 

To get the e5, click here	To get the 960, click here

 

 

Roomba e5 vs 960 — FAQs

Does the Roomba e5 learn your floor plan?

For a robot vacuum to learn your floor plan and navigate accordingly, it needs to have a camera and a navigation technology designed for that. However, the Roomba e5 does not have a camera neither does it have the iRobot’s iAdapt 2.0 navigation technology. This means the Roomba e5 moves about your floor in a rather random fashion. Don’t let that put you off, though, it’ll cover your entire floor leaving it clean.

 

Is the Roomba e5 loud?

There isn’t yet a vacuum cleaner that’s silent to be honest. However, the noise from some are more bearable than others. When the Roomba e5 is at work, you can still have a conversation or even watch TV without needing to raise the volume too much. At 64.4 decibels, a working Roombe e5 will not disturb your regular activities.

 

Does the Roomba 960 have a camera?

The Roomba 960 uses the combination of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation technology, its built-in camera, and a collection of sensors to map your floors and memorize it. This helps it to navigate your home while cleaning it and avoid falling off ledges. The navigation technology helps it learn the map of your floors such that it gets better the more it passes over it.

 

Does the Roomba 960 have multi-room mapping?

The Roomba 960 is an advanced robot vacuum that has some special features. It can map your entire floor and store it in its memory. With this, it can navigate its way through your home from one room to another. That way, you won’t have to take it from one room to another to clean, it’ll simply go there by itself once it has mapped your floor.

 

Can the Roomba 960 work in the dark?

Robot vacuums with cameras have a lot of great features as they map your home and navigate through it easier and more efficiently. However, it also presents a little weakness; darkness. Just like humans, its camera, like the eye, cannot see in the dark. This makes it difficult for it to move around as it can’t get visual feedback to help it chart its course.

 

Can the Roomba 960 remember your room layout?

When you set a Roomba 960 to clean a room for the first time, it scans the room and stores a representation of it. For every time it navigates the room, it updates its map. The iAdapt navigation technology and the Visual Localization of its camera makes it know its way around your room better for every time i cleans it. This is a remarkable piece of tech as the Roomba 960 gets more efficient every time it tries.