Roomba 650 vs 880: iRobot Comparison Review

Roomba 650 vs 880

Roomba is arguably the biggest name in robot vacuums. They are known for producing top-notch robot vacuums for consumers.

Their models all look very similar though, making it hard for the average person to decide what to buy. In fact, most people don't even know there are more than 2 types of Roomba vacuums available today. Generally speaking, consumers assume there is a low-grade model, and a high grade model. Knowing the differences between different types of Roombas can help you save money and buy the right product.

In this post, you'll find out the key similarities and differences between the Roomba 650 vs 880 so you can buy the model that is best for you.

We did all the testing and research so you don't have to!

Before we get too deep into it, here's a quick preview of the two models, head to head.

Roomba 880

Roomba 880

Roomba 650

Irobot Roomba 650

iAdapt Navigation

Suction Type

AeroForce (5x Power)

AeroVac (Roomba Standard)

HEPA Filter

Full Bin Indicator

Debris Extractor

Spot Cleaning

Battery Type

Lithium-Ion

Ni-Mh

Dimensions

13.9 x 3.6 In.

13.9 x 3.6 In.

Find Out More

Price

Here's the bottom line:
You can read all the details of this post if you want all of the details, but here's what's important, and what you probably came here for. The following is  a brief outline of each of these two Roomba  models, so you can quickly see which one is best for your without having to read the entire post.

The 650 is best if you have a small home or apartment and need a robot vacuum to get the job done. While the 650 is missing some features of the higher end models like the tangle free extractors and extra virtual walls, it is still a very powerful robot vacuum well worth the investment. Some of the features you miss from the Roomba 650 that you can find in higher end models include anti-tangle brushes, wifi connectivity, advanced navigation ability and battery life.

Irobot Roomba 650
Roomba 880

If you want more bang for your buck, actually, the 890 (yeah not the 880) is the best deal. It does everything the 880 does, but also includes Wifi capability. You get all the bells and whistles and it's not that much more expensive than the 650 if you can find it on sale.

The 880 (and 890) are best for larger homes. They have better navigation and cleaning power. They have a longer battery so they can clean longer, and utilize the new tangle-free extractors. Overall this robot vacuum is a better overall deal.

Now onto the details....

The Roomba 650

The Roomba 600 series robots are iRobot's entry-level robot vacuum models. The 650 is arguably one of the most popular models because it is the least expensive, but you still get the quality design and functionality you expect of a Roomba. Most people who opt for the Roomba 650 have smaller home and don't need all the bells and whistles that come with the more expensive models. The following are some of the key features of the Roomba 650.

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Roomba 650 Key Features:

  • 3 Stage Cleaning: The Roomba 650 features the 3 stage cleaning system which allows for a more complete clean than competitors. First, your Roomba 650 will loosen dirt/debris in the area, then using high power suction, it removes everything before 3, moving onto the next area. 
  • AeroVac: The 650 uses Aerovac suction which optimizes the airflow so that hair and dust do not get stuck in the brushes. This is powerful enough for most situations, but note that is not as efficient and effective as AeroForce, the technology in higher-end Roomba models. Aerovac has about 5x less suction power.
  • Navigation Sensors: One of the big thing that separates Roomba from other cheaper alternatives is their navigation ability. Other robot vacuums just go in a straight line until they hit something, and then turn another direction. With the Roomba 650, your home is mapped out so that all areas of your floor are cleaned.
  • Scheduled Cleaning: This isn't unique to the 650, but it is definitely worth mentioning. You can program when your Roomba 650 will start cleaning. You can set a schedule so it will clean your home without you even having to think about it.

The Roomba 880

The Roomba 880 is a high-end robot vacuum and a part of the second most advanced family of vacuums that iRobot offers. With this model, you get some of the most powerful autonomous cleaning robots you can find. The Roomba 880 (and 890) have more features, smarter programming, better battery life and are an overall better bang for your buck. You will get more use out of the 800 series Roomba robot vacuums than you will out of the 600 series, and whether or not that is worth the extra money to upgrade is up to you.

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Roomba 880 Key Features:

  • AeroForce: Similar to the AeroVac, the Aerofoce cleaning system utilizes brush-free extractors that pull dirt in, and then high-efficiency suction picks up dirt, hair, food, and other debris. It is 5x more powerful than what you find in the 650, meaning that the 880 can tackle more deep down messes.
  • Virtual Walls: The Roomba 880 comes with 2 virtual walls. In essence, these allow you to set boundaries where you don't want your Roomba to go. This could be anything from stairs, to certain rooms or onto the patio. 
  • Advanced Sensors: If you have a house larger than 3 bedrooms, this feature alone makes the 880 a worthwhile investment. Lower priced models can only map a small area, but the 880 utilizes optical and acoustic sensors to navigate through multiple rooms so you can truly have an autonomous cleaning machine.
  • HEPA Filter: If you have pets and/or allergies, you already know the value of a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter allows dirt to be cycled through the machine without expelling any fine particles back into the air.

Sometimes its easier to decide between two products if you know how they are similar, and how they are different.

In the following section, we will break this down for you piece by piece.

Similarities Between The Roomba 650 and 880

Obviously, the Roomba 650 and the Roomba 880 are made by the same company, so there will be a fair amount of similarities between the two. If the in-depth details haven't helped you decide which is better for you, then the next two sections should help.  Before you can really decide on a purchase, you need to know what similarities  exist between the Roomba 650 vs 880 so you can decide if upgrading to the higher end model is worth the additional price. The following are things that are the same on the Roomba 650 and Roomba 880 models:

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  • Self Charging/Autonomous Operation: Both the Roomba 650 and Roomba 880 will clean an area, then send itself back to the charging area to continue cleaning at its next scheduled maintenance time.
  • Edge Cleaning: Both models have an edge cleaning setting which means your Roomba will focus solely on running the perimeter of your room, cleaning up dirt and debris from your baseboards.
  • Multi-Surface Cleaning: The Roomba 880 and Roomba 650 are useful on carpet, wood, tile, and rugs. They have self-adjusting heads which allows them to seamlessly transfer from one floor type to another without sacrificing cleaning power.

Differences between the Roomba 650 and 880

Often times it is easier to make a purchase decision when you know how two products differ. Before you can jump into a purchase, you should know the specific features you're buying if you opt for the more expensive option. In the following section, we will lay out what is different about the Roomba 650 and 880 models so you can decide which is better suited for your lifestyle.

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  • Price: Depending on where you buy it, the Roomba 800 series robots are generally around $200 more expensive than the 600 series robots. However, because the Roomba 880 is an older model, you can often times find it for right around the same price as the 650, but they can be harder to come by.
  • HEPA Filter: The Roomba 650 does not come with a HEPA filter, but rather a standard filter which still removes a majority of debris.
  • AeroForce vs AeroVac: These are both proprietary suction capabilities from Roomba. The AeroForce is what you find in higher priced Roomba models. It has around 5X the suction power of the standard AeroVac suction which you find in the 600 series Roombas.
  • Battery Life: The Roomba 880 has a larger more efficient battery than the 650. The 650 has around 60-90 minutes of run time, whereas the 880 can run up to 4 hours. This makes the Roomba 880 a much more efficient cleaning machine for larger home which will require more time to clean thoroughly.
  • Virtual Walls: Another feature which makes the 880 better for larger homes the virtual walls that come included. The 880 comes with 2 virutal walls, whereas the 650 only comes with 1.
  • No Wifi: Both the Roomba 650 and the Roomba 880 lack the ability to connect to wifi. If wifi capability is essential to you, you may want to check out the 690 or the 890. They are the respective wifi capable versions of the 650 and 880. Without wifi, you cannot connect to the Roomba app, and you cannot integrate your robot vacuum into any smart home hubs.

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The Verdict: Which Roomba is Better?

If we are being honest, both the Roomba 650 and the Roomba 880 are both excellent machines. They are built with high-quality materials and iRobot has spent years on research & development to engineer truly wonderful cleaning machines. The Roomba 650 vs 880 is a common question, and naturally so. It is hard to tell what makes one robot vacuum different from another, especially if they are made by the same company.

The 880 is an older model and is often hard to find new. However, that means that if you do manage to find it, it will likely be priced at a heavy discount. If you like the advanced features and capability of the 880 and have a large enough home that it makes sense, this (or the 890) is the obvious choice.

If you have a smaller home, and especially one without thick carpets, the 650 will do a great job and is less expensive than the 880.

Ultimately, the iRobot Roomba that is best for you depends on how large your home is, whether you have allergies and need HEPA filtration and if you want the extra features that come with the 800 series Roombas and can justify the higher price.

Now it's your turn!

Which iRobot Roomba do you think the best value?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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