Roomba 805 vs 890 – Features and Main Differences!

Last Updated on October 7th, 2019 by Natalia Bickell

When it comes to home robotic vacuums, iRobot is typically the brand that comes to mind. Since the company launched its first robot vacuum in 2002, it has been nothing short of amazing. iRobot makes our lives smoother and more efficient thanks to its robust product offerings.

Each robot vacuum launched by iRobot has been sleeker and more diverse than its predecessor. (Check out their top models here!) Let’s take a look at a few of the primary differences between these two robot vacuums:

Differences between Roomba 805 and Roomba 890

The main differences between the Roomba 805 and Roomba 890 are:

• Mobile application support means you can control your 890 from anywhere at any time so long as you have an internet connection
• Voice command capabilities with the 890 through Google Home and Amazon Alexa via wifi connectivity
• While 805 sells in black on black, the 890 sports a copper-colored ring around the top panel
• iRobot 805 has five buttons which users must interact with manually to tell the device what to do. The 890 offers wifi support, so users can interact with the robot vacuum via their smartphone or tablet

iRobot Roomba 805

Design

Designed like so many devices before it, the Roomba 805 is the most basic robot vacuum you will find in the 800 series.  It offers a rounded shape, docking station, bristles, brushes, wheels, and unique vacuum technology. Even though the 805 is one of iRobot’s earlier models and lacks the bells and whistles available on some of the latest models, it is still considered one of the favorites among buyers of the 800 series.

With its sleek design and 3.6” clearance, the Roomba 805 is able to maneuver under even the lowest sitting furniture. That means it can get to hard to reach places with ease. The 805 only comes in black so it makes it inconspicuous in your home.

Features

The Roomba 805 has five buttons. CLEAN turns your robot vacuum on and off. DOCK will command 805 to go back to its charging dock no matter where it is in its cleaning cycle. The last three buttons are convenient for a busy household. CLOCK and SCHEDULE can be used to set the time and conveniently schedule cleanings, while the SPOT button is suitable for those concentrated areas that need specific attention.

Technology /Navigation System

The 805 robot vacuum includes built-in iAdapt Navigation. This navigation system is a four-sensor technology which resides on the bottom of the 805. All four sensors send infrared signals to the walls. Based on the data it receives, the 805 will map out your house as it cleans.

Other sensors exist to detect barriers. These allow the 805 to smoothly follow wall paths without bumping into them. Drop-off sensors keep Roomba 805 from falling off of ledges and stairs. If the sensor does not receive a bounce-back signal, then it automatically throws up a flag and moves in the opposite direction.

TheiRobot 805 can clean all types of flooring with ease.  While this robot vacuum does not have the ability to map out each cleaning session, it does have dual virtual wall barriers which allow the Roomba to be contained in one area of your home.

Battery

Lithium-ion batteries started making an appearance in the 800 series and 805 is no exception. With the 805, you’ll get up to 60 minutes of battery life. If need be, the robot vacuum will return to its dock to charge before finishing up its cleaning cycle.

Better Home

iRobot’s 805 robot vacuum also includes an AeroForce Cleaning System. This is a feature that uses the brushes of the 805 to clean every floor surface you have. From hardwood to carpet, it provides suction that lifts allergens, pollen, and other debris out of the air and out of your home, as long as you routinely clean out the dirt bin.

Roomba 805 Pros:

• Light-weight and user-friendly
• Ability to schedule cleanings
• Filtered air system
• Works well on all floor surfaces
• Clearance of 3.6- inches

Roomba 805 Cons:

• Older Model
• No Wifi capabilities
• The battery does not hold a charge
• Does Not Map Out progress

iRobot Roomba 890

Design

The size of the Roomba 890 is comparable to older Roombas. While most come with the standard black and silver color combo, iRobot decided to go with black and copper on the 890. This makes the design aesthetically pleasing which allows the device to be sleek and inconspicuous in your home.

In addition to the color change, the iRobot added a handle to the 890. The handle is built into the top which means you can move the robot vacuum with ease. A rubber ring securely fastened around the Roomba gives it the ability to absorb pressure from other items without causing damage.

Technology/Navigation System

The Roomba 890 supports wifi, which means you can download the iRobot Home Application to your smartphone and control your robot vacuum from anywhere and at any time. Additionally, with wifi capability comes the option to connect to existing apps like Google Assistant and Alexa.

This feature not only allows you to customize your cleanings and schedule them around your routine but also gives you the ability to check in on your existing cleaning to view its progress. While Roomba 890 has wifi you still have the ability to manually push the one physical button it has: CLEAN. It sits in the center panel and tells your 890 that its time to start a cleaning cycle.

iAdapt Navigation is also included with the Roomba 890. This technology allows the 890 to flawlessly maneuver around avoiding stairs, walls, tables, furniture, and other obstacles. The iAdapt Mapping system allows Roomba to map out the best cleaning course and move smoothly along the edges of walls and into corners ensuring all debris is located and cleaned.

Battery

The Roomba 890 boasts an 1800 mAh battery. This means that the robot vacuum can clean for an hour before it needs to re-dock.

A dust bin notification will show on the iRobot Home app when the canister is full. iRobot suggests you empty the canister after each use. Be sure to confirm that canister is secure before sending it back out on a cleaning cycle. If it isn’t attached properly, dust and particles may spill over.

Better Home

The Roomba 890 all offers an AeroForce High-Efficiency Filter which captures 99% of the allergens, pollen, and debris in your home. Along with offering 5x the air power, it also offers patented tangle-free brushes to handle pet hair with ease.

Roomba 890 Pros:

• Newer Model
• Navigation system
• Removes pet hair
• Wifi and Voice capabilities
• Full dust bin alert

Roomba 890 Cons:

• Small dust pin
• Can be costly for only added wifi feature
• Short battery life

Comparison Table

 The Roomba 890 and 805 include many of the same features. One being the eroForce™ 3-Stage Cleaning System. This cleaning system has two powerful motors that pick up debris and pet dander from various surface types. Roomba does this with its patented Dirt Detect™ technology. With its five times suctioning power and tangle free brushes it can detect and concentrate more thoroughly in one area.

The included Edge Sweeping brush gently glides along your walls and furniture  Each brush is designed was for a specific job. In addition to these fantastic brushes, both the Roomba 805 and 890 come with virtual wall barriers that allow you to customize your cleaning. That means you can keep your Roomba in one specific area if need be.

From a technology standpoint, the Roomba 890 far exceeds its 805 counterparts. With its wifi capabilities, you can tell your robot vacuum that its time to start cleaning with the touch of a button. With the iRobot Home app, you can also connect to smart home devices like your Google Home or Amazon Alea to use voice commands.

Outside of wifi, these two robot vacuums have many of the same capabilities and features. Of course, the 805 has been around a little longer, so it has a bigger following. However, the 890 has begun to gain traction among those that are more tech-savvy.

Both of these iRobot robot vacuums were given upgraded lithium-ion batteries. With the 1800 mAh batteries, the 805 and 890 last up to three times longer than their predecessors. Like many iRobot devices, when the battery starts to run low, the vacuum will head back to its dock to charge up so it can finish out its cleaning cycle.

Final Thoughts

iRobot modernized its Roomba 805 by adding a few new features. However, the company really took a step forward when it added wifi and voice capabilities to its 890 devices. Of course, with this new technology comes a little higher price tag, but many users will find it worth it in the long run.

If all you need is a basic robot vacuum that gets the job done, doesn’t have a lot of fancy features, and won’t put a dent in your wallet, then the 805 might be the way for you to go.

However, from our perspective, it’s worth a little extra money to have the wifi capability. This means you can control your robot vacuum right from your smartphone through iRobot’s mobile app. Doing so gives you the ability to start a cycle when you leave for work or when you’re on your way home. It also means you can connect smart devices like your Amazon Alexa or your Google Home.