Roomba 980 Review

The Roomba 980 is a high-end robotic vacuum designed to simplify home cleaning by operating autonomously and delivering consistent results. Suited for medium to large homes, it navigates complex floor plans, adapts to multiple surfaces, and offers smart features to make vacuuming virtually hands-off. In this review, we’ll explore its design, performance, and overall value to help you decide if the Roomba 980 is the right choice for your cleaning needs.

Introduction to the Roomba 980

The Roomba 980 combines powerful suction with intelligent navigation to keep your floors clean with minimal effort. Equipped with advanced sensors and a dual-mode cleaning system, it handles carpets, hardwood, tile, and more, adjusting cleaning intensity on the fly. Ideal for busy households, this model integrates with your Wi-Fi network and works with a smartphone app, allowing you to schedule and monitor cleaning sessions from anywhere.

With its self-charging functionality and ability to resume cleaning after recharging, the Roomba 980 ensures complete coverage of your home without manual intervention. Whether you have pets, children, or high-traffic areas, the 980 promises to maintain cleanliness while you focus on other tasks.

Key Features of the Roomba 980

1. Powerful Cleaning System
   The Roomba 980 uses a dual-brush assembly and a high-performance vacuum motor to capture dirt, dust, and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. Its brushless extractors prevent hair tangles, reducing maintenance and ensuring consistent suction.

2. Smart Navigation with vSLAM
   Built on iAdapt 2.0 technology, the 980 maps your home using visual simultaneous localization and mapping (vSLAM). It plans efficient cleaning paths, avoids obstacles, and remembers room layouts for future sessions, minimizing missed spots.

3. Multi-Surface Adaptability
   The AeroForce cleaning system automatically increases power on carpets for a deep clean, then reduces suction on hard floors to conserve battery. Wide brushes span across floor types, making the transition seamless.

4. Wi-Fi Connectivity and App Control
   Connect the Roomba 980 to your home network and control it via the iRobot HOME app. Set customized cleaning schedules, start or stop sessions remotely, and receive status alerts whenever you’re away.

5. Automatic Recharging and Resume
   When battery levels run low, the 980 autonomously returns to its charging dock. After regaining sufficient power, it resumes cleaning from where it left off, ensuring thorough coverage without user input.

6. Dirt Detect Sensors
   Acoustic sensors identify areas with concentrated debris and prompt the vacuum to focus extra attention on those spots, ensuring stubborn dirt and high-traffic zones receive a deeper clean.

7. Voice Assistant Integration
   Compatible with popular voice assistants, you can start, pause, or dock the Roomba 980 using simple voice commands, adding another layer of convenience to your cleaning routine.

Performance and Efficiency

The Roomba 980 delivers reliable performance across a variety of floor types. Its adaptive suction power ensures carpets receive deep cleaning while hard floors are treated delicately. The dual-brush system effectively lifts embedded pet hair, and the narrow side brush reaches edges and corners that standard vacuums often miss.

Thanks to its intelligent mapping and efficient path planning, the 980 covers rooms in logical, straight lines rather than random patterns. This systematic approach reduces cleaning time and battery consumption, resulting in faster and more thorough sessions.

Battery Life and Charging

Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Roomba 980 offers up to 120 minutes of continuous cleaning on a full charge, depending on floor type and layout complexity. When the battery depletes, the vacuum returns to its base station, recharges, and then resumes cleaning exactly where it left off. This feature ensures even large homes are cleaned in a single, uninterrupted session.

Pros of the Roomba 980

• Excellent suction power: Deep-cleans carpets and hard floors with ease.

• Intelligent mapping: Efficient navigation reduces cleaning time and avoids repeated passes.

• Long battery life: Up to two hours of runtime covers most homes in one cycle.

• Automatic recharge and resume: Hands-off operation for complete coverage.

• App and voice control: Flexible scheduling and easy remote operation.

Cons of the Roomba 980

• High price point: Premium features come with a correspondingly high cost.

• App dependency: Full functionality requires a stable Wi-Fi connection and app setup.

• Maintenance needs: Brushes and filters require regular cleaning to maintain performance.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Roomba 980

1. Clear the floor beforehand: Remove small objects, cords, and loose items to prevent jams.

2. Maintain brushes and filters: Clean or replace parts as recommended to sustain suction power.

3. Adjust virtual boundaries: Use the app’s map editor to set no-go zones around delicate areas.

4. Schedule regular cleanings: Consistent, frequent runs keep dirt levels low and battery use efficient.

Conclusion

The Roomba 980 is a top-tier robotic vacuum that offers powerful cleaning, smart navigation, and seamless automation. While its upfront cost is higher than entry-level models, its performance, reliability, and convenience justify the investment for busy households or pet owners. If you’re seeking a virtually hands-free way to keep your floors spotless, the Roomba 980 stands out as an excellent choice.