The 700 Series is the fifth generation of iRobot’s successful Roomba line. Outside of aesthetics, the differences are minimal. It all boils down to what comes inside the box.
Aside from that everything is the same – the engine, dimensions, navigation, trunk size, everything under the hood is the same.
Editor’s Note: The 700 Series is no longer in production and is no longer available in the iRobot Store.
Table of Contents
You can check out my other Roomba reviews below:
- iRobot Roomba 960 Review
- 980 reviews
- Roomba 880 vs 980
- 860 vs 880: How different are they?
- Neato BotVac Connected vs Roomba 980
My goal with this article is to show you in detail the difference in each of the four variants here – 760, 770, 780 and 790 to help you make an informed decision if you are only buying one.
Check out the table below so you get a comprehensive view of what comes with each Roomba.
Specifications comparison
| Roomba model |
760
|
770
|
780
|
790
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| brush system |
anti-rolling brushes
|
anti-rolling brushes
|
anti-rolling brushes
|
anti-rolling brushes
|
| cleaning system |
AeroVac II . Series
|
AeroVac II . Series
|
AeroVac II . Series
|
AeroVac II . Series
|
| HEPA filtration |
 |
|
|
|
| Dirt Detection |
The second set with continuous scroll cleaning
|
The second set with continuous scroll cleaning
|
The second set with continuous scroll cleaning
|
The second set with continuous scroll cleaning
|
| scheduled cleaning |
|
|
|
|
| bin full indicator |
|
|
|
|
| Accessories |
2 virtual walls
1 extra set of 2 HEPA |
2 virtual walls
Round brush cleaning tool Flat brush cleaning tool |
2 virtual wall beacons
Extra brush set Extra set of filters Round brush cleaning tool Flat brush cleaning tool |
3 virtual wall beacons
Extra brush set Extra set of filters Round brush cleaning tool Flat brush cleaning tool |
| remote control |
Infrared remote control
|
Infrared remote control
|
Infrared remote control
|
Wireless Command Center
|
| Guarantee |
1 year on Android
6 months for battery |
1 year on Android
6 months for battery |
1 year on Android
6 months for battery |
1 year on Android
6 months for battery |
| price |  |
|
|
|
For those who don’t know I’ll give you a little history lessons. iRobot named the first Roomba robot, followed by the Discovery (or Series 400), Series 500, 600 and then 700.
Newer variants include the 800 and 900 series. Both of these models switched to rubber extractors rather than a bristle/wiper combo.
All four 700 Series robots use the same interface with 5 buttons that also allow for instant scheduling and cleaning. Each also comes with the same high-efficiency filters that block out fine dust particles, and the same battery and motor. So the uptime will be roughly the same.
The biggest difference will be the color.
Here are 3 main differences:
-
The 760 does not have a full container indicator that lets you know you need to empty it
- 760 and 770 come with 2 virtual walls, 780 and 790 come with 2 and 3 virtual beacons respectively
- The 760, 770, and 780 come with IR remote controls while the 790 has an RF (Radio Frequency) remote control with a range of 25 feet
What is the difference between a virtual wall and a beacon?
A virtual wall acts as a physical wall that prevents the Roomba path from entering a room or area of your home that you do not wish to enter.
Virtual beacons act like a door. Instead of just blocking the path, it will allow the bot to pass after it gets a signal. The robot signals the beacon after the room has been cleaned.
The presence of this device allows the robot to clean multiple rooms without sitting much for the children.
Here’s how a virtual beacon works in a controlled environment…
The two small areas on the left and right represent the rooms inside your home while the outside area represents the dining room.
You will notice that the beacon allowed the robot to clean the entire room before moving on to the outside area, and after cleaning the outside area, it allowed the beacon in the second room to enter.
Remember that not all homes have this minimalist design and there are other factors that play a role such as furniture and interior design.
In order to maximize efficiency, you will have to do your part and remove any loose objects and wires that might get in your way.
A virtual wall behaves as you expected, a wall. It simply blocks the robot’s path to areas you don’t want it to go to – like the laundry area.
If you want a more detailed explanation, check out this post from Robot Reviews and this post from iRobot.
What is the difference between IR and RF remote control?
The infrared remote control needs a direct line to the site in order to operate and has a limited range. RF uses radio frequency that does not require a direct line to location which means if you are in the living room and want to operate the robot in the master bedroom, you can do so provided it is within range (up to 25 feet).
Which one is the best?
It will depend on your needs and budget.
If you don’t mind not having the RF and the virtual beacon, the Roomba 770 or even the 760 (excluding the trash indicator) will give you the best value for your money as you’ll save a few hundred dollars.
Since you still get the same cleaning capabilities minus the convenience of the RF remote control and the virtual beacon, which means you have to be in the same room to operate the robot and you have to move it from room to room which is not the case for me. t a big problem.
For me, the best value for money is the Roomba 780 and 770 depending on whether or not you’ll need the virtual beacon. You will get the exact same bot for at least $100.
Both of these variants are completely identical to the 790 – the biggest difference will be the included accessories.