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Roomba 890 vs. 960

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

If you’re looking for a top of the line robot vacuum, chances are you’ve run across the Roomba name more than a time or two. This vacuum comparison review is going to look at the Roomba 890 vs. 960.

While both of these robot vacuums have some impressive features, there are certainly a few things that set them apart. Depending on the size of your home as well as the amount of dirt and foot traffic, what you need in a robot vacuum may be different.

Roomba Robot Vacuum Review Thumbnail
Roomba 890
  • Cleaning Score: 93%
  • Filter: High Performance
  • Virtual Walls: 1
  • Run Time: 90 mins.
  • Brushroll: Dual Rubberized
Roomba Robot Vacuum Review X
Roomba 960
  • Cleaning Score: 93%
  • Filter: High Performance
  • Virtual Walls: 1
  • Run Time: 75 mins.
  • Brushroll: Dual Rubberized

This review is going to break down the Roomba 890 and the Roomba 960, looking at all aspects including: design, how it cleans, size, features, accessories, cleaning performance, usability, maneuverability, maintenance, battery, noise, and the company as a whole.

Find out which one is right for you in this head-to-head robot vacuum comparison of Roomba 890 vs. 960.

Which is the better Roomba?

moderncastle-fs-table__image

Roomba 890 vs. 960

Both the Roomba 890 and 960 are advanced robot vacuums with real advantages over other models. That said, in the Roomba 890 vs. 960 battle, the Roomba 960 is the better robot. The added technology that the 960 model has makes it the superior choice, especially for larger homes or complicated floor plan layouts. Roomba 960 is the winner.Check Price

Roomba 890 Review

The Roomba 890 is the most advanced robot vacuum from the Roomba 800 series. It includes features that you might expect, like scheduled cleaning, self-charging, and a full bin indicator.

In addition, there are some nice bonuses like the advanced filtration system with dual brushrolls that are less likely to tangle. Compared to the Roomba 600 and 700 series there were a number of notable improvements and advantages.

Roomba 890 robot vacuum review

Pros

  • The AeroForce filtration system includes a more efficient filter and improved brushrolls.
  • The 1,800 mAh capacity battery allows for a 60-minute run time.

Cons

  • Only includes one virtual wall barrier.
  • iAdapt 1.0 navigation likely means it will bump into more walls and furniture than the 960.

Bottom Line

The lower price makes the Roomba 890 a better value for many users, while retaining the most important features that many people look for in a robot vacuum. The advanced AeroForce filtration system is a big step up from the AeroVac system— like what you would find on the Roomba 690—and the dual rubber brushrolls tangle less, which is great for pet owners or people with long hair.

Check Price

Roomba 960 Review

The Roomba 960 is from the 900 series, which is the newest collection launched by Roomba. The 900 series introduced two new features to the Roomba family— Recharge & Resume and Power Boost (980 only).

Recharge & Resume allows the Roomba to recharge if the battery gets low and then continue where it left off to finish a cleaning. Power Boost is an increase in suction power when passing over carpeted surfaces (Power Boost is only offered on the Roomba 980).

Roomba 960 robot vacuum review

Pros

  • Has longer battery life (120 minutes versus only 60 minutes with the Roomba 890).
  • Advanced iAdapt 2.0 navigation improves navigation and reduces bumping.

Cons

  • It’s more expensive than the Roomba 890 model.
  • Cleaning performance with fine debris (e.g., sugar) was not better than the 890 on carpeted surfaces.

Bottom Line

Overall, the added features on the 960 model are most beneficial for larger homes. The longer battery life, Recharge & Resume feature, and advanced navigation help the 960 to navigate and clean more effectively. If you have the cash to make the initial investment, the Roomba 960 is going to be a better overall robot vacuum for most homes due to the additional advanced features and longer run time.

Check Price

More Roomba Comparisons

Wondering how Roomba compares to other robot vacuum cleans? Check out our in-depth Best Roomba guide where we dive into what makes Roombas unique as well as our Roomba comparisons:

Roomba 890 Design

The design of the Roomba 890 is consistent with the general Roomba look. The round body makes it easy to make tight turns and the easy-to-use handle makes it simple to carry the Roomba. The central “CLEAN” button can be used to start an auto cycle, or you can use the app to set up remote scheduling via your smartphone or voice control.

  1. Auto clean: start / return home
  2. Handle
  3. Bumper ring
  4. Dust bin release
Roomba 890 robot vacuum design
Roomba 890 robot vacuum – features

Roomba 960 Design

The design of the Roomba 960 takes a slightly different approach compared to earlier model Roombas. The most notable change in the Roomba 960 is the addition of the on-board camera, which is now centrally located in the middle of the vacuum.

The “CLEAN” button shifts more toward the front of the vacuum, but operates the same way. You can schedule an auto clean cycle using the button or sync it up to wifi and use your smartphone or voice controls.

  1. Auto clean: start / return home
  2. Camera
  3. Sensor
  4. Bumper ring
Image of the labeled components on the Roomba 960
Roomba 960 robot vacuum – features

How Roomba 890 Cleans

The Roomba 890 robot vacuum cleans using dual brushrolls to agitate and collect dirt, dust, and debris. A small spinning brush on the side of the vacuum helps to sweep edges and get into tight corners. As it rotates, debris is spun into the path of the debris extractors, which then suck it up.

Two large wheels in the middle of the vacuum and one small wheel at the front help to steer and navigate flooring transitions. The 890 model is equipped withiAdapt 1.0 navigational technology. This technology sends Roomba out in a somewhat sporadic fashion, allowing it to gently bump into walls and furniture in order to detect its surroundings.

One thing this vacuum does have though is a memory mapping feature (not found in the Roomba 690 model and other earlier Roombas). Memory-mapping allows the 890 model to remember familiar obstacles and create a memory map. This memory feature helps prevent the Roomba from running into the same furniture or walls, even after multiple cleaning cycles.

  1. Wheels
  2. Spinning brush
  3. Charging pins
  4. Brushrolls
  5. Dust bin / filter
  6. Edge sensors
Roomba 890 robot vacuum how it cleans features
Roomba 890 robot vacuum – how it cleans

How Roomba 960 Cleans

The Roomba 960 robot vacuum cleans using the same dual brushrolls as the Roomba 890 model. The side spinning brush also works in the same way to collect debris from edges and corners, sweeping it in the path of the large brushroll.

The two large central wheels work in tandem with the small directional wheel to steer Roomba around the space. The 960 model uses an advanced navigation called iAdapt 2.0. Compared to 1.0, the 2.0 version works in a more logical fashion, making straighter lines and working it’s way methodically across a room.

The 960 model also generates digital maps that can easily show where the Roomba has been during a cleaning cycle. Memory mapping also helps keep the Roomba 960 from repetitively bumping into furniture or walls. The on-board camera tends to limit much of the bumping altogether since it can detect the obstacle prior to running into it.

The 960 also has two additional edge sensors located on the back half of the Roomba to help with navigation and sensitive areas.

  1. Wheels
  2. Spinning brush
  3. Charging pins
  4. Dual brushrolls
  5. Dust bin / filter
  6. Edge Sensors
Roomba 960 robot vacuum review how it cleans
Roomba 960 robot vacuum – how it cleans

Roomba 890 Size & Dimensions

The Roomba 890 is 13.9″ in diameter and 3.6″ high. While it’s the widest model of Roomba available, the difference is minimal and doesn’t seem to affect the overall performance of the vacuum. The Roomba 890 weighs 8.4 pounds.

  • Diameter – 13.9″
  • Height – 3.6″
Roomba 890 robot vacuum - size and dimensions

Roomba 960 Size & Dimensions

The Roomba 960 is 13.8″ in diameter and 3.6″ high. This model is 0.1″ narrower in diameter than the 890 model. The height is consistent. The Roomba 960 weighs 8.6 pounds, so it’s slightly heavier than the Roomba 890 (by 0.2 pounds.)

  • Diameter – 13.8″
  • Height – 3.6″
Roomba 960 robot vacuum review size & dimensions

Roomba 890 Accessories & Parts

The Roomba 890 robot vacuum comes with the following parts and accessories:

  1. Virtual wall barrier — This advanced virtual wall barrier allows you to create a barrier using two methods. The straight method makes a straight barrier up to 10′ long, which is great for large openings or simple doorways. The halo method makes a protective circle around sensitive areas, like pet areas or delicate furniture. This halo setting secures a space up to 4′ in diameter.
  2. Charging station — When the Roomba’s battery gets low, it will automatically return to the charger for a boost. Unlike the Roomba 960, the 890 model does not have the ability to Recharge & Resume.
  3. Filter — This filter works in tandem with the AeroForce filtration system to filter out file particulate or other debris.
Roomba 890 parts and accessories

Roomba 960 Accessories & Parts

The Roomba 960 robot vacuum comes with the following parts and accessories:

  1. Charging station — When Roomba’s batter gets low, the 960 will automatically return to the charger. Additionally, the 960 model has the Recharge & Resume feature, which allows this vacuum to pick up right where it left off if the battery gets low in the middle of a cleaning.
  2. Spinning brush — The spinning brush attaches to the underside of the Roomba and helps the Roomba to reach difficult areas like baseboards or corners.
  3. Virtual wall barrier— This barrier is used to block off certain spaces from the Roomba. You can use this tool to block off a straight line up to 10′ or in halo mode, which can be used to block a 4′ radius around an object or area.
  4. Filter — This filter works with the AeroForce filtration system to provide the most advanced filtration that Roomba offers to date.
Accessories included with the Roomba960

RELATED – Looking for a more traditional clean? Check out our upright vacuumstick vacuum, and handheld vacuum reviews for more.

Cleaning Tests

At Modern Castle, we put all of the vacuums through our standard vacuum cleaning tests. These cleaning tests are designed to test a vacuum’s full range of cleaning performance, from large debris to small. We perform a total of 12 debris tests, using three different flooring types and four types of debris.

We test on engineered hardwood, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet. On each of those floor types, we test rice, dry cereal, kitty litter, and sugar. For the robot vacuum cleaning tests, we allow the vacuums to clean for up to 15 minutes or less time if it stops on its own.

  • Rice – 3 ounces
  • Dry Cereal – 1 ounce
  • Kitty Litter – 3 ounces
  • Sugar – 3 ounces
Cleaning test debris types
Testing Debris – From left to right: Rice (3 oz.), Kitty Litter (3 oz), Cereal (1 oz), Sugar (3 oz)

Roomba 890 Hardwood Floor Tests

The Roomba 890 did an excellent job of cleaning the hardwood floor, collecting 100% of debris on all tests, except for the kitty litter, where it collected 92%.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

92%

Rice

100%

Sugar

100%

Roomba 890 Low Pile Carpet Tests

The results of the low carpet test showed a slightly different pattern than the hardwood. The 890 excelled on the rice, cereal, and kitty litter tests, but only captured 65% of the sugar.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

65%

Roomba 890 High Pile Carpet Tests

The results of the high pile carpet test were more similar to the low pile carpet tests. The rice, cereal and kitty litter were all excellent, while the sugar test dipped all the way down to only 50% being collected.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

50%

Roomba 960 Hardwood Tests

The cleaning performance of the Roomba 960 on hardwoods was flawless at tackling every type of debris we tested— rice, cereal, kitty litter, and sugar.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

100%

Roomba 960 Low Pile Carpet Tests

While performance at collecting rice, cereal, and kitty litter remained exceptional, cleaning performance of fine debris (as shown on the sugar test) took a dramatic decline on the low carpet. The 960 only captured 52% of the sugar debris.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

98%

Rice

100%

Sugar

52%

Roomba 960 High Pile Carpet Tests

The results of the high pile carpet tests were similar to those of the low pile carpet test. Cleaning performance of the rice, cereal, and kitty litter was exceptional while sugar results continued to drop— only collecting 49% of debris.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

49%

Roomba 890 Usability

The usability of the Roomba 890 is excellent. Setting this vacuum up was extremely easy— just unbox, charge it up, and let it clean. To start a new cleaning cycle you can press the “CLEAN” button centrally located on the robot or sync it up with wifi network.

Roomba 890 robot vacuum usability

Once connected to wifi, you can control the vacuum with your smartphone or use voice control if you have Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Pairing the vacuum to your device should only take a couple minutes and the app was intuitive.

Roomba 960 Usability

The Roomba 960 is user-friendly and easy to operate. Setting up this vacuum only involved unboxing, charging, and pairing with the wifi network. If you don’t want to set up wifi connectivity immediately, you can also start a cycle by just pressing the large “CLEAN” buttonlocated on the vacuum.

Roomba 960 robot vacuum usability

Similarly to the Roomba 890, the 960 can be controlled with your smartphone or voice control. Actually connecting the vacuum to the iRobot Home app takes just a few minutes and you’re good to go.

Roomba 890 Maneuverability

The 890’s maneuverability is excellent, with its classic round Roomba body shape and 360° turning radius. At only 3.6″ tall, it’s fairly easy for this vacuum to squeeze under most furniture as well.

The memory mapping of the 890 is also a feature that helps the Roomba 890 to navigate tricky spaces and allows it to remember where certain obstacles are.

  • Weight – 8.4 lbs.
  • Width – 13.9″
  • Height – 3.6″
  • Turning – 360°

This helps to prevent the 890 from repetitively bumping into the same walls or furniture during every cleaning cycle. Although the 890 model is not equipped with the iAdapt 2.0 technology, memory mapping is a strong improvement over older models that lack this feature.

Roomba 960 Maneuverability

The Roomba 960 has all of the maneuverability advantages as the 890 model, as far as size and body style go. In addition to the basic width and height, the 960 also has some navigational advantages that help with maneuverability.

The 960 has memory mapping, advanced dirt detection, and iAdapt 2.0 technology.

  • Weight – 8.6 lbs.
  • Width – 13.8″
  • Height – 3.6″
  • Turning – 360°

The memory mapping and dirt detection tools allow the Roomba to find and eliminate dirt quicker than previous models, in most cases. In addition, the upgraded navigation system has an improved camera and internal map. This means less time bumping into furniture and more time effectively cleaning the spaces that need it most.

Roomba 890 Maintenance

The maintenance of the Roomba 890 robot vacuum is pretty typical of most Roombas. Emptying the dust bin, cleaning the filter, and replacing the parts (as needed) are all important aspects for taking care of your Roomba 890.

The cost to maintain the unit is around $34 / year.

Below is the replacement frequency (recommended by the manufacturer) and replacement costs.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
Filter2 monthsCheck Price
Spinning brush6 monthsCheck Price
Front wheel12 monthsCheck Price
Debris Extractor12 monthsCheck Price
Battery18-36 monthsCheck Price

Roomba 960 Maintenance

The maintenance for the Roomba 960 is pretty comparable to that of the Roomba 890. More frequent tasks include emptying the dust bin and replacing the filter, while more infrequent tasks include replacing the debris extractors or battery.

The cost to maintain the unit is around $35 / year.

The physical act of replacing these parts is fairly straight forward and the replacement cost is reasonable.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
Filter2 monthsCheck Price
Spinning brush6 monthsCheck Price
Front wheel12 monthsCheck Price
Debris Extractor12-24 monthsCheck Price
Battery18-36 monthsCheck Price

Roomba 890 Battery

The Roomba 890 comes with a 1,800 mAh battery capacity and can run for up to 60 minutes (approximately.) Generally, it can generate a full charge in 2-3 hours, but may take longer depending on how long the Roomba has been unused.

BatteryDetails
Size1,800 mAh
Charging Time2-3 hours
Run Time90 minutes
Replacement CostCheck Price

Roomba 960 Battery

The Roomba 960 battery  has a capacity of 2,600 mAh. With its larger capacity, also comes a longer run time— running up to 75 minutes(approximately.) This robot vacuum takes about 2-3 hours to charge as well, similar to the 890 model.

BatteryDetails
Size2,600 mAh
Charging Time2-3 hours
Run Time75 minutes
Replacement CostCheck Price

Roomba 890 Noise

To accurately determine how loud a vacuum is we put all our vacuums through the standard Modern Castle noise decibel test. For this test, we measure the level of decibels put off by the vacuum at roughly 3′ away.

Compared to the Roomba 960, the Roomba 890 was slightly louder.

Roomba 890 robot vacuum decibel test

At 3 ‘away, the Roomba 890 robot vacuum emits 68 dB of sound.

Roomba 960 Noise

For the Roomba 960, we did the same decibel test as we did with the 890. We stood about 3′ away while the robot vacuum was running at full power and took a reading.

Compared to the Roomba 890, the Roomba 960 was slightly quieter.

Roomba 960 robot vacuum noise test

At 3′ away, the Roomba 960 robot vacuum emits 65 dB of sound.

Roomba 890 Value

At a lower price tier less than the 960 model, the Roomba 890 has some real bonuses, like the advanced filtration system (compared to older models), long battery life, low maintenance, and memory mapping. If you’re looking for an advanced robot vacuum, but want to stick to a budget, the Roomba 890 may be an excellent option for you.

  • Warranty – 1-Year limited
  • Returns – Varies by retailer
  • Company – Great
  • Value – Great

Regarding company policies, the iRobot company is strong as well. It has a 1-year limited warranty and a 30 day return policy (via Amazon). After digging a little more into its business practices and such, we found no fraudulent behavior, frivolous lawsuits, or excessive consumer complaints.

Roomba 960 Value

If you’re looking for the top-of-the-line robot vacuum, and have the budget to get the best, the Roomba 960 is certainly a contender. Although the price is significantly higher than the Roomba 890, the improvements may be more significant for some homes. Many of the features that were added to the Roomba 960 were added to better suit larger homes. 

  • Warranty – 1-Year limited
  • Returns – Varies by retailer
  • Company – Great
  • Value – Good

As for iRobot as a company, its policies are fair and terms are good, from what we found. To completely analyze any given company, we look at warranty, return policy, any frivolous lawsuits, the company’s BBB rating, and other consumer reviews.

Roomba 890 Specifications

Specifications
TypeRobot
ManufactureriRobot
ModelRoomba 890
Length (inches)13.9
Width (inches)13.9
Height (inches)3.6
Weight (pounds)8.4
Floor TypeAll (indoor)
Battery1,800 mAh
Dust Bin Capacity0.3 L
CordlessYes
BaglessYes
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Roomba 960 Specifications

Specifications
TypeRobot
ManufactureriRobot
ModelRoomba 960
Length (inches)13.8
Width (inches)13.8
Height (inches)3.6
Weight (pounds)8.6
Floor TypeAll (indoor)
Battery2,600 mAh
Dust Bin Capacity0.3 L
CordlessYes
BaglessYes
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Roomba 890 vs. 960: Which Should You Buy?

In the battle of the bots, the Roomba 890 and Roomba 960 both bring some pretty impressive features to the table. Both of these robot vacuums would be considered high end products, in my opinion.

The Roomba 890, as part of Roomba’s 800 model series, introduced some big advancements over older models. But the 900 series took even greater strides. Especially for people with large homes or complicated layouts, the Roomba 960 really has the capacity to provide a powerful clean.

Check 890 Price

Check 960 Price

While both vacuums include the AeroForce filtration system, improved dual rubber brushrolls, and memory mapping, the Roomba 960 also includes some additional upgrades that are hard to ignore. The main improvements include:

  • Advanced navigation – Roomba’s navigate using iRobot’s iAdapt technology. The first iteration, iAdapt 1.0 is what the Roomba 890 runs off of, uses a more sporadic approach and randomly weaves around the space in diagonal lines. By comparison, the Roomba 960 uses iAdapt 2.0 which methodically works its way across a room using straighter lines and a more logical cleaning pattern.
  • Digital map reports – As it cleans, the Roomba 960 uses sensors and an on-board camera to generate a digital map of your space. This map is then used for reference to complete a cleaning or return back to a specific area within your home. This technology, combined with memory mapping, helps the 960 to intelligently navigate your home and avoid excessive bumping.
  • Longer run time – Compared to the Roomba 890’s run time of 60 minutes, the Roomba 960 can run for up to 75 minutes (according to the manufacturer).
  • Recharge & Resume technology – In addition to run time, the Roomba 960 also has the ability to recharge when the battery gets low, and then resume cleaning wherever it left off to complete a cycle. The Roomba 960 will do this as many times as it needs to until the job is done.
  • Advanced dirt detection – The Roomba 960 includes additional edge sensors located at the rear of the vacuum, which helps the Roomba to better understand its environment. The on-board camera also is continuously scanning the space for obstacles and traffic patterns. These combined features help the 960 to find and eliminate dirt more effectively.

Average Cleaning Performance

As a result of our cleaning tests, we found that the Roomba 960 performed the best on hardwood floors. On carpet (high and low), the Roomba 890 actually took the lead, mainly due to the Roomba 960’s performance during the sugar / fine debris test.

Roomba 890 Cleaning Performance

Overall

92%

Hardwood

98%

Low Carpet

91%

High Carpet

88%

Roomba 960 Cleaning Performance

Overall

92%

Hardwood

100%

Low Carpet

88%

High Carpet

87%

Which is the better Roomba?

moderncastle-fs-table__image

Winner: Roomba 960

The Roomba 960’s advanced features allow it to better navigate your home (especially larger homes), the larger capacity battery results in longer run-times, and recharge and resume allows you to set it and forget it. Cleaning performance between the 960 and 890 were comparable, as were maintenance costs. Ultimately, the advanced feature set simply results in a better robot vacuum. So for our money, the Roomba 960 is the winner.Check Price

Winning Factors

Scoring Factors Roomba 890
Roomba 960
ModelRoomba 890 robot vacuum review thumbnailRoomba 960 robot vacuum review
Score93%93%
PriceCheck PriceCheck Price
Size13.9" diameter
3.6" tall
13.8" diameter
3.6" tall
AccessoriesVirtual wall barrier (1), charging station, filter, spinning brushVirtual wall barrier (1), charging station, filter, spinning brush
UsabilityExcellentExcellent
Maneuverability8.4 lbs; 13.9", 3.6" tall, 360° turning8.7 lbs; 13.8", 3.6" tall, 360° turning
Maintenance$34 / year$35 / year
Noise68 dB65 dB
ValueGreatGood
Run TimeUp to 60 minutesUp to 75 minutes
Dirt DetectionBasicAdvanced
Drop DetectionBasicAdvanced
Filtration SystemAeroForceAeroForce
NavigationiAdapt 1.0iAdapt 2.0
SchedulingYesYes
Wifi-EnabledYesYes
Memory MappingYesYes
Full Bin IndicatorYesYes
Recharge & ResumeNoYes
Digital Map ReportsNoYes

Should You Buy the Roomba 890?

Overall, the Roomba 890 is a powerful robot vacuum that provides an excellent clean. Depending on your specific needs, the 890 may be just the ticket to get you the cleaner home you want, without excessive effort.

The 890 is user-friendly, requires low maintenance, and has a long enough run timeto tackle most spaces. Its cleaning performance was actually slightly better than the 960 model, most notably in its performance of fine debris cleanup (see sugar cleaning test).

You Should Buy If You…

  1. Want a lower price – There’s no denying it, the Roomba 890 is usually a good chunk less than the Roomba 960, without sacrificing many of the most wanted features. For the best value, the 890 is it.
  2. Want the AeroForce filtration system – The advanced AeroForce 3-Stage cleaning system is a huge improvement over the older AeroVac system (like what is found on the Roomba 690). The dual brushrolls are excellent at preventing tangles from pet hair or other long hair in your home. The AeroForce system also brings a stronger Gen 2 motor, compared to the weaker motor of the 600 or 700 Roomba vacuum series.
  3. Want a full bin indicator – Roomba from the 600 or 700 series lack a full bin indicator so this simple feature is a nice touch with the Roomba 890. All robot vacuums in the 800 and 900 series have this feature.

For more information or to buy, check out the Roomba 890 here.

Should You Buy the Roomba 960?

The Roomba 960 is a part of the most advanced series that Roomba has to offer, the 900 series. Its added features are excellent for larger homes or homes that have a large number of obstacles or barriers to maneuver around.

The advanced iAdapt 2.0 navigation, central on-board camera, and increased number of sensors all work together to help provide the Roomba 960 with the best maneuverability that Roomba offers to date.

You Should Buy If You…

  1. Want digital map reports – Wondering where Roomba goes all day? These digital map reports are paired with the app and show a map of Roomba’s route during any cleaning cycle. This tool helps to identify areas that it might be missing or trouble spots.
  2. Want longer battery life – The Roomba 960 has up to a 75 minute run time, which is a nice add over the 60 minute max run time of the Roomba 890. Looking for an even longer run time? Check out the Roomba 980 robot vacuum, which can run up to 120 minutes on a single charge.
  3. Want “Recharge & Resume” technology – Recharge & Resume technology allows the Roomba 960 to return to the base to charge once the battery is low and then return to the same spot it left off in order to complete the cleaning. The digital map reports helps Roomba to remember where it has been so it doesn’t spend time re-cleaning areas that have already received a pass.

For more information or to buy, check out the Roomba 960 here.

Updates

  • October 28, 2020 – Corrected an error where we had indicated the Roomba 960 was able to create keep out zones.
  • January 2, 2019 – Corrected an error where we indicated the 960 had the Power Boost feature (it did not, but how the Roomba 980 does).
  • November 22, 2018 – Added a new comparison table at the top.
  • January 16, 2018 – Initial page published.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.