Two of the greatest brands in robot cleaning. Some of the most advanced vacuum robots. We’ll compare Roborock, a brand linked to Xiaomi, with iRobot, the creators of the famous Roomba.
Both brands deliver amazing products and have the recognition of their customers, being two of strongest in the market. We’ll also see some of their robots in detail, so stick around.
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What are the differences between the Roomba and the Roborock cleaning robots?
1) Suction power
It’s difficult to compare apples and oranges, and that’s what happens with these two brands, because they have different standards when it comes to measuring the suction power of their robot vacuum cleaners. While iRobot defines their Series 600 has the standard and compares all other robots against that (some models have 10 times the power of the 600s, for example), Xiaomi measures the power of its robots in Pascal (Pa).
Both brands have robot models with great suction power, there’s no doubt about that, but generally, Roombas have a cleaning power that no other brand has been able to achieve so far.
2) How about the brand itself?
iRobot is responsible for the paradigm shift in autonomous vacuum cleaners and Roomba is the name that made these devices famous worldwide. This american company, started in 1990, designs several kinds of robotic devices, for the home, companies and institutions.
Roborock is a chinese company, linked to Xiaomi and founded in 2014, that’s making a great effort to achieve a bigger share of the market and doing a very good job at it.
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3) Navigation system used
It depends on the model. Earlier versions of the robot vacuum cleaners, from both brands, had random navigation systems and gyroscopic systems, which basically made the robots bump against objects and walls and then correct the course.
The newer models have become intelligent. The Roombas use a built-in camera (vSLAM) to help the robot with the creation of maps that it can use to navigate in an orderly fashion around your home, while the Roborock uses LiDAR, a laser based navigation system, to detect clear paths and objects to avoid. The advantage here goes to the Roborock, because using this system means that they can still function properly in complete darkness, and the Roomba can’t.
And, if we look into the Roborock S6 MaxV, we see that it also has 2 cameras on top of the laser navigation (this is called Reactive AI), to create an advanced system that allows for precise mapping and object recognition – a new level of intelligence. In short, the Xiaomi model has the advantage when it comes to smarts and moving around.
4) Options available
Roborock, being a younger brand, hasn’t had the time to launch so many models as iRobot, which has a much more vast array of robots, for any budget or needs.
5) Can they mop?
Almost every model from the Roborock family can mop, besides vacuuming, which is a great advantage and a time-saving feature. This means they include a deposit for liquids and can mop the floor while they roam around your house. Also, the S5 Max and the S6 MaxV, among others, can adjust the flow of water or avoid mop-free zones that can be set on your mobile app.
As for the Roomba, the only one that can mop is the Roomba Combo. There is a mopping robot called Braava, from iRobot, but it only mops – no vacuuming. The perfect scenario is to have a Braava and a Roomba with Imprint Link technology, that connects both devices and makes them work as a team to achieve the result you want.
6) Control it with a mobile app
It’s very easy to control any of these robots, you’ll just need an app on your mobile phone. For the Roborock, you’ll need the Roborock app or Xiaomi Mi Home, and for the Roomba you’ll need the iRobot app. The latter is much more advanced and easy to use.
7) Mapping and memory
Mapping the areas of your house is a common feature for most vacuum robots, but they’re usually not interactive and are usually not saved in the app. If you get an advanced model like the i7 or the S6 MaxV, you’ll be able to use interactive maps to manage the cleaning of your house, set areas to avoid, define cleaning sessions by rooms or schedule operations. Additionally, some models can even store those maps in the app, like the Roomba i7.
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8) Durability
If you’re planning on spending money on a robot vacuum cleaner, you probably want it to last. With these brands, you’ll get great products with quality materials, especially if we’re talking about the Roomba, known for their durability. Also, they keep their old models available, so it’s easy to find spare parts or to repair them, instead of having to buy a new one.
9) Can they empty the bin themselves?
Only some Roomba models can (such as the i3 or the i7), in case you have the Clean Base, the automatic dirt disposal device that allows the robot to empty its bin while charging. The Roborock does not have such a feature, but the brand has announced something similar for the Roborock S7 model.
10) Price differences
Xiaomi has a competitive advantage by selling their robots at a lower price. iRobot has a more “Premium” vibe to it, and they charge accordingly, especially when we look at the high-end products.
Roomba i7+ Vs Roborock S6 MaxV Vs Roomba 981 Vs Roborock S5 Max
Let’s look at the pros and cons of four models, two from each brand, to have a clearer view of what they can do and hopefully help you make a better decision.
Roomba i7+
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✔️ Very good suction power (10 times the Roomba Series 600)
✔️ Compatible with Clean Base for automatic discharge
✔️ Imprint Link Technology (Braava compatible)
✔️ Can save up to 10 maps
✔️ Maps are interactive and controlled through the app
❌ No mopping
❌ If budget is a constraint, then this might not be the best option
As you can see, if we ignore the lack of mopping capability and the price, the Roomba i7+ is a great robot vacuum cleaner, making good use of the pioneer technology that iRobot is famous for: Clean Base for automatic discharge; Braava compatibility for mopping; interactive maps that allow for a greater control (and a memory that can save up to 10 maps); etc.
Combine this with its powerful suction, durability and quality materials, and you have a great buy, if price is not an obstacle.
Roborock S6 MaxV
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✔️ Great suction power (2.500 Pa)
✔️ Very smart: laser navigation (LiDAR) and double camera (Reactive AI)
✔️ Maps are interactive
✔️ Mopping feature. Some settings can be controlled with the App
❌ This robot is a bit high-priced
An amazing vacuum cleaner from Xiaomi, the Roborock S6 MaxV has incredible technology inside and a really good cleaning performance, which makes for a fantastic buy. Using Reactive AI and LiDAR, this robot can have a clear picture of where it is, where it was and where it needs to go, avoiding all kinds of obstacles along the way.
And if being smart was not enough, it can also mop, to make sure that your house is sparkling every time. If you don’t trust the robot fully, you can use the interactive maps feature to micro manage the cleaning sessions. It is somewhat expensive, but it’s justified.
Roomba 981
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✔️ Has been around for a few years now, with great success
✔️ Great customer reviews
✔️ Very good suction power (x10 serie 600)
✔️ Power Boost mode (when the robot detects a rug or a dirty area it automatically increases its power).
❌ Can’t save maps
❌ App is a bit limited (no interactive maps, for example)
The Series 900 has some of iRobot’s best sellers and is known for its reliability and performance, which is confirmed by thousands of online reviews from satisfied customers. The suction power in this model is 10 times higher than the Series 600, which is the standard measurement for Roomba robots, coupled with Power Boost mode, for extra strong suction over rugs and dirty areas.
If we look at technology, this might not be the greatest vacuum around, so don’t expect any fancy advanced features – just great cleaning overall. Its app is very simple and has no interactive features or maps that you can use.
Roborock S5 Max
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✔️ Great reviews
✔️ Laser navigation
✔️ Interactive mapping
✔️ Smart mopping that you can manage from the app
❌ No Reactive AI – doesn’t recognize objects
We can say that this model is a simpler, less intelligent version of the Roborock S6 MaxV. Which is to say that it’s still a great vacuum robot (don’t take our word for it, check the online reviews from customers) that vacuums and mops, all in one, while creating interactive maps that you can use to adjust the cleaning to your preferences.
The main differences between the S5 Max and the S6MaxV are probably the Reactive AI system, that recognizes objects to improve the cleaning experience, and the suction power.
Our final verdict – Which one’s the best brand of robot vacuums? Roomba or Roborock?
So, after looking at these 4 models, can we safely decide the winner? One thing is clear: Both the Roomba models from iRobot and the Roborock from Xiaomi are amazing contenders, with great performance and superior technology.
The iRobot Roomba is built with better materials and is probably more reliable than the Roborock. With a Roomba, you know that your house will have a professional robot cleaner for many years.
On the other hand, the Roborock models come with great built-in technology that helps them navigate intelligently and you won’t need a separate device to mop the floor, because the Roborock will do it too.
Final decision: The Roborock S6 MaxV is the winner and the best overall robot in this analysis.
If you’re ready to open your house to the Roborock S6 MaxV, don’t miss out on this Amazon opportunity!
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