Roomba 700 Series vs. 800 Series

iRobot seems to have perfected the art of cleaning robots. From the Braava® robot mops to Scooba® floor scrubber, to the Looj® gutter-cleaning robots, my favorite of all has to be the Roomba® robot vacuums. While the earlier 600 series models were rather older in both technology and performance, the 700 and 800 series feature quite a number of sophisticated features, which have since put iRobot on the map. In the article, we will give the comparison review on 761, 790 & 880, 770, 760 & 870.

Main Differences of 700 VS. 800 series Roomba

Besides the dramatic variation in prices between 700 series models and the 800 series models, both still share numerous similarities. For starters, both series weigh 8.4lbs and measure 13.9 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches in height. While cleaning, both series bounce around in a haphazard manner that can be quite nerving wrecking to watch.

Filters

The 700 series use the Dual AeroVac™ Filters (HEPA) which could remove 98.6% of all particles and captures tiny, lung-damaging particles. On the other hand, the 800 series use AeroForce® High-Efficiency Filter which could capture 99% of allergens, pollen, and particles as small as 10 microns.

Dust Bin

This AeroVac™ Series 2 Bin is only for Roomba 700 Series. It’s distributed air collection and clog-resistant design optimizes the Roomba’s vacuum effectiveness. The 700 series Roombas quipped with the AeroVac series 2 bin have efficiency on dirt and hair packing.

Compared to 700 series, the 800 series uses the high-capacity sealed bin. It optimized the airflow of the vacuum channel. So, the 800 series Roombas equipped with the high-capacity bin could hold 60% more dirt than 700 series.

Brushes

The 700 series uses dual Multi-Surface brushes grab dirt and debris from floors and in carpet. The first brush is the bristle brush which pulls in dirt and debris. And the second brush is the beater brush which helps debris accelerate into the Roomba’s suction channel.

For the 800 series, the dual Multi-Surface brushes are updated to AeroForce™ Extractors, Dual counter-rotating extractors. They play the same role in the Roomba patented 3-stage cleaning system. But the update AeroForce™ Extractors are tangle-free and could ensure that the Roomba will not be tangled with the hair.

Patented 3-Stage Cleaning System

All the iRobot Roombas are equipped with the patented 3-stage cleaning system. But the 700 series Roomba are equipped with Aerovac 2 cleaning system, and the 800 series are Aeroforce cleaning system. Below describe the patented cleaning system and what’s the differences of Aerovac VS. Aeroforce cleaning system.

• Agitate debris with spinning side brush

The 700 and 800 series use the same side brush which will loosen the debris on the floor or dust hiding along the walls or under the furniture, and then pull debris into the path of patented 3-stage cleaning system.

• Grab debris with multi-surface brushes

The dual multi-surface brushes grab and break down dirt and debris from the floor surface and in the carpet. As the description in the previous section, the 700 series is equipped with a Bristle Brush and a Flexible Beater Brush. On the other hand, the 800 series use dual AeroForce™ Extractors. Compared to the old brushes, the AeroForce™ Extractors are tangle-free.

• Pull debris into the debris bin with vacuum air power

The Gen Motor provides air power to such debris through the filter and pull into the Roomba bin. What’s the difference between the 700 and 800 series Roomba is that, the 700 series are equipped with Gen 1 motor, and the 800 series use Gen 2 motor which provides 5x more air power compared to the 700 series & 600 series. Meanwhile, the 700 series’ filters are the Dual AeroVac™ Filters (HEPA), and the 800 series’ filter is one AeroForce® High-Efficiency Filter. Compared to the old series 600 and 700, the AeroForce® High-Efficiency Filter captures 99% of allergens, pollen, and particles as small as 10 micron, which is better than previous series Roomba.

In conclusion, in the cleaning performance aspect, the 800 series Roomba is better than the 700 series.

What are the Differences Between 761, 790 & 880

Detailed Features & Specs differences

What’s in the Box

What are the Differences Between: 760, 770 & 870

Detailed Features & Specs differences

What’s in the Box

Performance Comparison: 700 Series VS. 800 Series

Both the 700 and 800 series have sophisticated software and technology that gives these vacuum robots convenient features such as:

• Advanced automatic scheduling.
• Full bin indicator.
• Acoustic and optical sensors for dirt detection.
• Automatic return to charging station and self-docking.
• Counter-rotating multi-surface brushes.
• Spinning side brush.

iAdapt navigation technology.

Performance of Cleaning

The iAdapt Responsive Navigation Technology is present in all Roomba® robotic vacuums. This handy technology is what gives all Roomba® vacuums smart features such as responsive cleaning and sensors; and multiple passes for thorough cleaning, sensors for avoiding stairs, ability to get under and around furniture and automatic adaptation to all floor types.

As far as Vacuuming Technology goes, while the 700 series employed the AeroVac 2 cleaning system, the 800 series employs the patented AeroForce vacuuming technology. AeroVac 2 uses 2 regular brushes: a bristle brush and a beater brush, whereas AeroForce uses tangle-free brushes also known as debris extractors.

AeroForce does a better job of picking up dirt whereby it grabs and breaks down debris with enhanced efficiency. This added efficiency also reduced wear and tear within the vacuum and as well, the machine needs less maintenance.

Another improvement is how the airflow accelerator provides a sealed channel allowing for the optimized concentration of airflow. This gives rise to a more powerful vacuum system and as such, improved suction. With the AeroForce technology, suction is 5 times more effective as compared to the AeroVac 2 Technology.

Smart Sensors

Roomba vacuums are all equipped with plenty of high-end sensors allowing the robot to clean effectively and intelligently such that there is minimal human input required. There are navigation sensors, acoustic and optical sensors for dirt detection and full bin indicator sensors, among many others.

Ability to Climb onto Carpet

Roomba vacuums are all capable of transitioning from one flooring type to another without getting stuck or confused. The 800 series, in particular, comes with anti-tassel mechanisms within its rubber rollers thus ensuring the bot is not tangled by fringes and cords.

Ability to Escape from a Narrow Area

Roomba cleaning robots are designed to be able to get under low furniture to clean it. If the robot happens to get into a narrow space from where it cannot escape, the machine stops and sounds a warning error message so that someone can come find it. In the 700 series, the warning comes in the form of flashing lights, but 800 series models are more advanced in that they use a synthesized voice to announce the problem and offer a suggested solution.

Corners and Edges

Despite how advanced the 800 series is, compared to the 700 series models, both series still face common inadequacies. For instance, due to the circular design, the Roomba® vacuums cannot effectively clean tight corners. The vacuum also cannot clean furniture, hard-to-reach spots between furniture and stairs.

Hair & Fur & Debris

While both the 700 and the 800 series have Dual HEPA filters for grabbing dirt, the higher efficiency filters in AeroForce are more effective at capturing pollen, allergens, dust and other microparticles. This makes the 800 series a better choice for spaces with pets or occupants with airborne sensitivities.

Ability to Avoid Stairs

All Roomba vacuums, including older generation models, have sensors that prevent the vacuum from going over the edge of stairs. Hence, you do not have to worry about the robot crashing down and being destroyed.

Ability to Detect Walls and Obstacles

When a Roomba bot encounters an obstacle such as a low seat the robot vacuum cannot go under, the bot automatically changes direction and continues cleaning other parts of the room. This means you do not have to manually re-direct the robot if it encounters an obstacle.

Besides that, each Roomba® vacuum comes with a navigation control device. This may be in the form of:

• Virtual Walls,
• Virtual Wall Lighthouses, or
• Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers / Virtual Wall Halos.

Navigation control devices are meant to restrict where the vacuum robot goes while it is cleaning and these come in various forms. The 700 series models use Virtual Walls, which work by emitting an infrared beam that the Vacuum should not cross. It is used to prevent the robot from going into a room/area you would not want it to clean.

The 800 series models all employ different navigation devices. While the Roomba® 860 and 890 have Dual-Mode Virtual Wall Barriers, the 870 has Virtual Walls, and the 880 uses Virtual Wall Lighthouses.

Virtual Wall Lighthouses have the robot clean one room then sends it off to clean the next room. This guided cleaning can be set to clean up to three rooms.

Lastly, Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers could work as Virtual Wall Halos whereby they are employed to create a restricted area within the room. This comes in handy to restrict the robot from the dog food bowls, for instance.

It is worth noting that both the Virtual Wall Lighthouses and the Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers can be set to Virtual Wall mode.

Dustbin Size/Capacity

The introduction of the Roomba 800 series brought with it several improvements, some being much needed such as the fact that the 800 series has a larger AeroForce dust bin as compared to the 700 series’ AeroVac bin. The bins in the 800 and 900 series can hold up to 60% more dirt as compared to previous Roomba® generations.

Power Management

iRobot has managed to improve its power management with each new model. While the 700 series features better power management as compared to its predecessors, the 800 series has an even better battery life. The manufacturers claim that the XLife Lithium battery pack used in the 800 series gives twice as much battery life as the 700 series.

Motor Noise

The 800 series has a quieter motor, which produces a pleasant hum while working to clean your floors. This is a welcome improvement seeing as several users have complained about the previous models being a bit too noisy.

Wi-Fi support

None of the 700 series models offers Wi-Fi support. On the other hand, the Roomba® 890 is the only 800 series models with Wi-Fi support.

Ability to Clean Wall Edges

While both the 700 and the 800 series feature a side brush for cleaning along wall edges, the 800 series is much better at hugging baseboards thus offering more effective cleaning.

Conclusion

Roomba vacuums are particularly reliable because you can take the machine apart and replace failed modules. In addition to that, these robotic vacuums are very effective in cleaning, and time efficient, with recent models employing improved technology for increased convenience.