Robot vacuum cleaners make our lives a more convenient and comfortable. Such vacuums are independent, quiet, and don’t experience any back problem while vacuuming!
However, it is often hard for people to decide which robot vacuum should they buy. Most search for middle ground: a good, all-around vacuum cleaner with plenty of features for the affordable price.
Today, we will confront two iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaners, 860 and 880. In this Roomba 860 vs 880 article, we’ll discuss their most prominent features advantages and disadvantages, covering everything from design to performance; hope you’ll enjoy it!
Roomba 860 vs 880: Which one is Best?
The first look tells me that the Roomba 880 is better than the 860. The 880 is a bit more sophisticated, featuring Multi-Room Navigation, which 860 lacks. Roomba 880 is more expensive than the 860 and is also highly hypoallergenic.
Roomba 880 is an excellent robotic vacuum for pet hair, excellent for pet owners. Admittedly, Roomba 860 is excellent hair collector too, but 880 does it slightly more efficiently. If I had to choose the winner, that would be the Roomba 880.
Roomba 860 Review
Roomba 860 is smart, more straightforward and independent. It delivers excellent vacuuming results regardless of the surface it cleans.
3X longer battery life and is relatively quiet. iRobot 860 has dual virtual wall function, which you can use to restrict the vacuum’s autonomy.
It is cost-effective, with plenty of features and excellent vacuuming performance. You can program your own cleaning schedules, and pair it with 860’s self-charging features: with 860, you can invest your time in much more meaningful and vital activities.
Pros
- Cost-effective.
- Easy to set up and maintain.
- Extra-long battery life.
- Excellent hair collector.
Cons
- The dustbin is a bit tricky to empty.
- May struggle with the surface transition (from carpet to rug, etc.)
Bottom Line
Roomba 860 is value driven, affordable and efficient robotic vacuum cleaner. While it does lack some of the features 880 offers, it is still efficient and reasonably quiet vacuum cleaner with extra-long battery life.
Roomba 880 Review
Due to two extra virtual lighthouses, the Roomba 880 features Multi-Room Navigation. Unlike the 860, the Roomba 880 navigates through space more efficiently and can go from room to room without significant difficulties.
It vacuums very efficiently, wasting little to no energy; the 880 features a slightly more efficient battery life than the 860.
It works on all surfaces and can be scheduled to vacuum according to your liking. And if you don’t want it to go from room to room, you can use the Virtual Wall feature to lock it in one place (you can do the same with 860).
Pros
- Multi-Room Navigation.
- Smooth surface transition.
- Excellent robotic vacuum for pet hair.
- Easy to maintain, clean and empty out.
- Surprisingly quiet.
Cons
- The “full bin” sound alert is too quiet.
- The instruction manual is poorly written.
Bottom Line
The Roomba 880 is a more sophisticated and effective vacuum cleaner, but you will have to pay for that. The Mult-Room Navigation does give the vacuum more maneuverability, allowing it to vacuum pet hair, long hair, and dust, making your rooms clean and free of allergies.
Roomba 860 vs 880 – Most Prominent Shared Features
As you might have noticed, both vacuums belong to the iRobot vacuum cleaner series. Here are some of the most popular features regarding the Roomba 800 line:
- Self-Charging: put merely, Roomba vacuum cleaner (800+ line) will charge itself once it is out of power. It will drive to the dedicated “dock,” charge, and always be ready to clean.
- Scheduling: any Roomba 650+ vacuum can be programmed to vacuum according to your desires, seven days a week. However, some people get used to this and forget that the robot is cleaning their house; make sure you empty the dustbin and maintain the brushes!
- Cleaning Performance: Roomba 800+ feature something called 3 stage cleaning. The vacuum will agitate, brush, and the suck the debris. These vacuums also feature mini side brushes, which help clean corners and wall edges.
- Concentrated Cleaning: 800+ vacuums use sensors (optical and audio) to detect the seemingly unnoticeable debris. This includes dust, hair and tiny dirt particles. After the debris is identified, the vacuum will automatically apply the Focus Vacuuming to clean the dedicated surface.
- 2X/3X Battery Life: iRobot, the manufacturer of Roomba vacuums, emphasize battery durability and longevity. The 880 features 2x battery durability, and 860 3X battery durability.
Major Differences between Roomba 860 and 880
The most significant difference between 880 and 860 is the Room To Room, also known as iAdapt Multi-Room Navigation. Technology is featured by 880 only.
The technology allows you to instruct the vacuum to go from room to room: the vacuum will use two sensory lighthouses, which it will locate and project the space around it.
Note that the exclusiveness doesn’t apply to Virtual Wall technology: the technology will trick the vacuum by creating a virtual wall where there isn’t one. But, you should know that the virtual wall feature requires some training, that is, you will have to figure out the way it affects the vacuums.
Quick and Easy Comparison Table of iRobot 860 vs 880
Specification | Roomba 860 | Roomba 880 |
|---|---|---|
Image |  |  |
Price | ||
Dimensions | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6 inches | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6 inches |
Multi-Room Navigation | No | Yes |
Self Charging | Yes | Yes |
Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
Pet Hair Cleaning Efficiency | Medium | High |
3-Stage Cleaning System | Yes | Yes |
Tangle-Free Debris | Yes | Yes |
Roomba 860 vs 880: Which Should You Bet On?
It’s hard to say. If you feel that the Multi-Room Navigation will be of use to you, then go for the Roomba 880. If not, go for the roomba 860. There are some minor differences in design, each having some small design/technical issues, but both perform similarly.
However, the 880 is more sophisticated regarding the surface-to-surface transition. There is some evidence that the 860 struggles with the transition from low ground to high ground (for instance, from flooring to rug).
In any case, whether you buy 860, 880 or any other robotic vacuum, you should prepare the room the make the robot’s job a bit easier.
Conclusion
Whether you go for the 860 or 880, you can expect amazing results. Both products are top-rated among robotic vacuum cleaners, emphasizing efficient cleaning, technological features, and user-friendly usability. The Roomba 880 wins, but not by a lot.
The decisive factor is the Multi-Room Navigation, together with more straightforward dustbin emptying and better surface transition. But if you can’t afford it or don’t plan on using the Multi-Room Navigation, go for the 860. In any case, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy all the free time these vacuums will give you.
