One IS Better: Ecovacs Deebot vs iRobot Roomba in 2020

Two of the most well-known brands in the robot vacuum space are iRobot Roomba and Ecovacs Deebot.  How are the two brands differ from each other and which one is better?

Main Differences Between Deebot vs Roomba

The main differences between Ecovacs Deebot vs iRobot Roomba are:

• Deebot has many robot vacuums that will vacuum your floors and mop them as well, whereas Roomba doesn’t have this type of device in its current lineup.
• Deebot does not offer a self-emptying feature, whereas Roomba does and with this feature the canister only needs to be emptied every 30 cleanings.
• Deebot premier models are still almost half the price of Roombas high-end models, whereas Roomba is pricy but they offer some of the best units on the market with some of the best features.

Ecovacs Deebot

Ecovacs is a Chinese company that was initially involved in manufacturing equipment for vacuum cleaners.  In 2007, the company rebranded to Ecovacs Robotics and introduced its first Deebot series to the world.

The company manufactures three main lines of robots:

• Deebot: Floor cleaning robots
• Atmobot: Air purifying robots
• Winbot: Window cleaning robots

Current Deebot models

Ecovacs Deebot currently has 15 different floor cleaning robots available on its site.  And these robots are hinged on a combination of any of these six
main technologies.

Smart Navi

Smart Navi scans your entire floor, helping the Deebot Ozmo 950, the Ozmo 920, the 711S, and the Ozmo 930 map out the most efficient cleaning path.  These Deebot robot vacuums will use this visual map to ensure that it covers most of the area while going about its back and forth cleaning pattern.

Two basic technologies are involved: simultaneous localization and mapping, and laser distance sensors.

Other Deebots have the Smart Motion Navigation technology, which can mimic human cleaning movements.  This helps the robot vacuum move like you would when you clean the floors.

App Control

There are several Deebot models that feature app control.  Using the Ecovacs app, you can create schedules for your Deebot, choose a cleaning mode, and monitor if the Deebot has completed cleaning or not.

You can also use the mobile app to control your robot vacuum from anywhere in the world.  The Deebot models that feature app control include Ozmo 950, Ozmo 920, 661, 500, 711, 710, 930, 900, 600, 610, and 601

For models that do not have app control, Ecovacs has included a physical remote control.

Voice Report

The Deebot Ozmo 920, 661, 711S, 500, 711, 710, Ozmo 930, and 900 all come with voice reports, where the robots tell you when they have finished cleaning, whether they are still working, or whether there are some things that need your attention.

Automatic Charging

Deebot robot vacuums are able to find their way back to the charging dock when the battery runs low.

Mopping capabilities.

Some models come with an optional mop, so that they could sweep, vacuum and mop all at the same time.  If you want the optional mop for your floors, choose from the following models:

• Deebot Ozmo 950
• Deebot Ozmo 920
• Deebot 661
• Deebot 500
• Deebot Ozmo 930
• Deebot Ozmo 610

Tangle-free suction

For those who have pets at home, Deebot has some models that feature tangle-free suction, where there is no main brush used and sweeping is done by the side brushes up front.

Without the main brush and with a direct suction inlet, these Deebots are able to suck in more pet hair, dirt, and dust without you having to maintain the brushes and pick the entangled hair by hand.

The models featuring tangle-free suction includes the Deebot Ozmo 950, Ozmo 920, 661, 711S, Ozmo 930, 900, Ozmo 610, N79S, and the N79W.

Colors available

Aside from the featured technologies, there is also a range of colors available for the different Deebots.  This is probably a minor difference, but those who like a touch of color in their lives would surely appreciate the variety of colors offered by Deebot robot vacuums.

Depending on the model, Deebots are available in the following colors:

• White
• Black
• Brown

Floor types

Sometimes, people choose their vacuum cleaners depending on the type of floors they have at home.  While Deebots can easily clean any floor type, you might want to check which models are ideal for your floors.

Pricing range of currently available Deebots

Ecovacs sells its robot vacuums on Amazon.  Prices for Deebots range from below $200 to more than $1000.  Pricing for selected Deebots are available below:

iRobot Roomba

Roomba is from iRobot, an American company that has been manufacturing consumer electronics and robots since 1990.  The company currently has several product lines, including Roomba vacuum cleaners, Brava floor moppers, and Mirra pool cleaners.

It came out with the first Roomba in 2002. Since that time, the company has released a wide variety of options to the market. These include:

• Original Series
• 400 and Discovery Series
• 500 and Professional Series
• 600 Series
• 700 Series
• 800 Series
• 900 Series
• E Series
• I Series
• S Series

Currently available models

There are currently eight models available on their Web site:

• Roomba 675
• Roomba 614
• Roomba 960
• Roomba s9
• Roomba s9+
• Roomba i7
• Roomba i7+
• Roomba e5

With the exception of the Roomba 614, all of these available are Wi-Fi connected and compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home.  The Roomba 614 is iRobot’s way to go back to the basics and provide customers with a more affordable robot vacuum.

Features of Roombas

Roombas often share the same features.  Most models are round, measuring around 13.8 inches in diameter and standing around 3.6 inches high.  That means that a Roomba can easily go under your furniture to clean the dust and debris hidden there.

Cleaning technology

Earlier Roomba models use iAdapt navigation.  This uses both sensors and software to help your Roomba clean better.

The sensors help prevent your Roomba from falling off stairs and sharp drops, find wall edges and go along your walls to clean them, and adjust automatically depending on the floor type it is cleaning.

Meanwhile, the Series 900, i Series, and s Series robots have an updated navigation technology, the iAdapt 2.0. The iAdapt 2.0 technology has a visual localization camera that helps the Roomba 960, i7, i7+, s9, and s9+ create a map of your floor so that they could easily find their way around.

Most of the more advanced Roombas (from Series 700 onwards) use optical and acoustic sensors to detect dirt.  This means that these robots can give dirtier areas more attention.

3-stage vacuuming system

Roombas use three different components to help clean your floors.  The main counter-rotating brush or the debris extractors for later models will help break down and pick up dust, dirt, dander, and debris off your floor.

Because Roombas have a round shape, they rely on the spinning side brushes to clean the wall edges and also sweep more dirt into the way of the suction.  Roombas also have a powerful vacuum that will pull hair and dirt off the brushes or the debris extractor and send them into the bin.

Vacuuming technology

Roombas use three different vacuuming technologies:

• AeroVac (Series 600 and earlier). Uses optimized airflow to pick hair and dirt off the brushes.
• AeroVac 2 (Series 700). Has a more powerful motor than the one used in the Aerovac system.  It also has a clog-resistant design that makes it more efficient.
• AeroForce (Series 800 onwards). Instead of using counter-rotating brushes, the Aeroforce system uses debris extractors, which break down the debris without the use of bristles.  Without bristles, there is no chance for hair to get tangled.  It is said that Aeroforce delivers five times more powerful vacuum than both AeroVac and Aerovac 2.

Another difference between AeroVac, Aerovac 2, and Aeroforce is that Aeroforce uses AeroForce high-efficiency filters, which can trap 99% of all particles, pollens, and allergens that are 10 microns or smaller.

Navigation control devices

Roombas make use of navigation control devices that help keep them inside a particular room you want to clean, or that protect things inside a room being cleaned.  There are three types of navigation control devices:

Each Roomba model comes with one or more of the following navigation control devices:

• Virtual walls give out an infrared light that a Roomba will not go over. This stops a Roomba from going outside the room it is cleaning or bars it from entering a room.
• Virtual wall lighthouses are like virtual walls but can also work in lighthouse mode, which would send a Roomba to the next room after it is done a cleaning.
• Dual mode virtual wall barriers act like virtual walls. However, you can also use them as a halo that protects a specific area within the room.  For instance, you do not have to pick up your pet’s dog bowl because, with the dual-mode virtual wall barrier, your Roomba will not go near it.
• Imprint Smart Mapping. This technology can tell the difference between your living room and your kitchen, so you can determine which rooms are cleaned and when.

Pricing range

Currently available Roombas range from under $300 to over $1,400.  The Roomba 614 (For the latest prices and discounts, check here), the Roomba 675 (For the latest prices and discounts, check here), and the Roomba e5 (For the latest prices and discounts, check here).

The most expensive models are the Roomba 960, the Roomba i7+, and the Roomba s9+

Other features shared by the latest Roomba models

• Set up different schedules for your Roomba.  This allows you to tell your Roomba to start vacuuming even when you are not around.
• Automatic recharging. When a Roomba’s battery gets depleted, it will find its way back to its charging dock to recharge.
• Manual or forced docking. Just push the big HOME button on any Roomba model and it will go back to the dock.
• Spot cleaning. This feature will tell your Roomba to make several passes on dirtier areas of your floor.  It will clean smaller areas of around three feet in diameter.
• Carrying handle. All Roomba models come with a carrying handle, making it easy for you to move your robot vacuum around from room to room.
• 1-year limited warranty. All Roomba models are covered by a one-year limited warranty.  The battery is covered by a six-month warranty.
• Full bin indicator (Series 700 onwards).
• Automatic Dirt Disposal. Empties the robot’s bin into a disposable bag which holds up to 30 cleanings worth of debris and dirt.

Comparing Ecovacs Deebot and iRobot Roomba

Ecovacs have made sure that its Deebot line covers a lot of things.  It has robot vacuums that are perfect for carpets, tiled floors, wooden floors, and others.  It has models that can mop as well as sweep floors.  It even has a range of colors.

On the other hand, iRobot has stuck to dark colors for its Roombas.  iRobot has been consistent in making its robot vacuums very powerful and efficient that they can go from tiled floors, wooden floors, and carpets without any hitches.

Nevertheless, both brands have made sure that the technologies they use – from navigation to mapping, to vacuuming – evolve.

Both the Deebot and the Roomba now have models that use visual localization mapping, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control using their respective mobile app and Amazon Alexa compatibility.

The Ecovacs Deebot has consistently come out with more affordable robot vacuums.  If you compare a Deebot and a Roomba with similar features set, the Deebot would no doubt come out cheaper.  Plus, iRobot does not have a Roomba that could mop your floors.

Comparing the flagship robots

Perhaps the best way to illustrate the difference between Roombas and Deebots is to look at their flagship products: the Roomba s9+ and the Deebot Ozmo 950.

Both use simultaneous localization and mapping technology to scan your floors and create a map that helps it cover more areas.  Both brands also use side brushes and a powerful vacuum motor.

Of course, the real differentiator is the ability of the Roomba s9+ to deposit its dirt and debris into a container instead of waiting for you to empty it. It can hold up to 30 cleanings before you have to remove the bag.

However, with the Deebot Ozmo 950, you have the option to use the device to mop your floors. In this sense, the Deebot offers more flexibility than the Roomba s9+.

Other features that are found on both include the use of lithium-ion batteries, remote control capability using the mobile app, easy scheduling feature, automatic recharging when the battery runs low, and the ability to automatically resume cleaning after charging.

You can also use voice commands to control these robot vacuums.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where the Roomba s9+ wins

One of the key features you’ll get with the Roomba s9+ that you won’t get with the Deebot Ozmo 950 is the ability to self-empty. When the s9+ finishes cleaning, it heads to its dock and empties itself into its container.

That means less time you have to spend dumping out the dustbin on the robot vacuum. Only needing to empty it once every 30 cleanings is a handy feature to have with this robot vacuum from Roomba.

Where the Deebot Ozmo 950 Wins

If your floors need mopping, the Roomba s9+ cannot help you with that, but the Deebot Ozmo 950 can.  What’s more, it is very easy to specify boundaries with the Deebot Ozmo 950.  

After it scans your floors, it will send the map to the mobile app.  You can just draw the boundaries on this map using your mobile app.

This also makes it possible for you to choose area cleaning mode, where you just draw the area to be cleaned on the mobile app’s map.  

However, the biggest benefit of buying a Deebot Ozmo 950 is the price.  The Deebot Ozmo 950 is less than half the price of Roomba s9+.

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