Review: iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum

It did take a while for us to get the 980 to communicate via Wi-Fi but that seems to have been an isolated instance. The iRobot Home app allows scheduling a recurring cleaning cycle and also turning on Carpet Boost, which detects carpeting and makes the 980 to work harder. One may also adjust the number of cleaning passes from one (default) to two, and Edge Clean tells Hazel to clean around the perimeter to ensure that there is no detritus left in corners.

Hazel now travels and cleans in grids, versus what was a seemingly random exercise that sometimes left large swatches untouched. The new debris-detection system reacts to “heavily soiled” areas and the 980 works extra hard on those.

While we were hoping that, now that Roomba is a connected device, it would work with environments such as Apple Homekit, that has not yet happened but it would be convenient that it do so in order for Hazel to start her duties once her owner leaves the premises.

We tested the Roomba 980 with a variety of dirt including hard-to-clean pet hair and Hazel performed admirably. The Dyson canister vacuum now sits unused in the hall closet and our housekeeper loves new Hazel.

BOTTOM LINE

While the Roomba 980’s hefty price tag ($899) may sound extravagant, it’s a small price to pay for having someone (albeit a robot) who vacuums every day, never complains, doesn’t miss corners or heavily-soiled areas, and knows to return to her base for charging.

Jonathan Spira contributed to this review.

Purchase the iRobot Roomba 980 for $899 at amazon.com

(Photos: Accura Media Group)

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