The robotic vacuum cleaner market has exploded in recent years, with more and more models entering the arena. iRobot remains the leader of the pack with their Roomba devices that roll around your home, intelligently mapping and cleaning. The Roomba i7 and j7 are two popular mid-range models that offer powerful cleaning, a suite of high-tech features, and hands-free convenience.
But what’s the difference between these robots, and which one is better for your home? Read on for a comprehensive comparison of the Roomba i7 vs j7 models.
Introducing the Roomba Robot Vacuums
Founded in 1990, iRobot pioneered the popular robotic home cleaning systems we have today. Their patented Aware technology is what sets their Roomba vacuums above many competitors.
The navigation system maps out your rooms and dart sensors identify objects, so the robot can intelligently traverse and clean your home with minimal human input. The Roomba vacuums can self-charge when batteries are low and even empty their own bin after cleaning.
The Roomba i7 was released in 2018 to much fanfare for bringing more advanced smart mapping and voice control capabilities. But in late 2021, iRobot upped the ante again with the Roomba j7 and j7+ models aimed at taking on even more floor obstacles with greater intelligence.
Head-to-Head Comparison
While they look very similar on the outside, under the hood the i7 and j7 have some notable differences. Let’s check out how they stack up across the key categories.
Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance
The Roomba i7 boasts iRobot’s older iAdapt v2.0 navigation with floor tracking sensors to map your rooms. This works pretty well, but the lack of an onboard camera means it can occasionally bump into furniture legs or get jammed under some obstacles.
Enter the j7 with its more advanced PrecisionVision navigation system. This uses a forward-facing camera and anti-collision sensors to identify objects and steer clear autonomously. An LED spotlight also enables better navigation in low light. If the j7 spots an unknown obstacle, it will send you an image to identify.
Cameras
As mentioned, the Roomba i7 has no camera so cannot transmit images. The intelligent j7 is outfitted with a high-resolution camera that allows it to take photos of weird stuff on the floor for your appraisal. Additionally, the j7 camera feeds data to the navigation algorithms for dynamic adjustments.
Automatic Dirt Disposal
Both the i7 and j7 base models offer manual bin emptying. But for the ultimate in hands-free cleaning convenience, the i7+ and j7+ variants add an automatic dirt disposal tower. After it finishes vacuuming, the Roomba will dutifully empty debris collected into an enclosed bag you only need to replace every 60 days or so.
Cleaning Performance
Independent testing from various reviewers found the suction and cleaning abilities of the i7 and j7 to be identical. The 10x power vacuum motors gobble up dust, dirt, pet hair and debris from hard floors, rugs and carpets excellently.
The j7 may have a slight edge though with its object avoidance capabilities resulting in less downtime being trapped or blocked while cleaning.
Smart Home Integration
One benefit of connected robot vacuums like these Roombas is that you can control them remotely through a smartphone app or by voice. Both models work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home ecosystems, so you can command cleaning sessions via voice assistants.
In the app, you can schedule and monitor cleans, create no-go zones, designate specific rooms to tidy, plus view maps showing where the robot has been.
Battery and Charging
iRobot rates both the i7 and j7 batteries to last 75 minutes of cleaning time. The i7 recharges slightly faster at around 1.5 hours to full, versus 2.5 hours for the j7. But the slower j7 charge rate allows it to operate for longer before needing to return to base.
Pricing
As the older model, the Roomba i7 has seen some discounts bringing it down to around $400-500 for the base self-emptying i7+ unit. The newer j7 models cost more, retailing from $600 for the j7 and $800 for the j7+ including the automatic dirt tower.
However, given the smarter navigation and imaging capabilities of the j7 that translate to better overall cleaning efficiency, the higher price is justified.
The Verdict: Roomba j7 Wins
While the trusty Roomba i7 still cleans admirably, the improved navigation and imaging capabilities of the j7 model line give it the edge for most homes.
The addition of the forward-facing camera for advanced object detection and avoidance alone makes the j7 less prone to getting stuck mid-clean. And being able to visualize debris or unknown obstacles via the mobile app provides extra peace of mind.
Yes, you pay a premium for the clever camera-vision of the j7. But most reviewers and customers agree it’s worth stretching the budget that bit further to get the complete autonomous cleaning experience.
For larger homes, the j7+ variant with its automatic dirt disposal station is a blessing too. No more having to manually empty dust and dirt buildup – the Roomba takes care of it!
Which Roomba Vacuum Should You Buy?
Here is a quick cheat sheet for deciding whether the Roomba i7 or j7 better suits your smart home:
- Buy the Roomba i7 if you want reliable robotic vacuuming at a bargain price. Just be aware it lacks a camera for spatial awareness.
- Choose the Roomba j7 for the most advanced autonomous cleaning and navigation capabilities via camera-vision technology.
- Get the j7+ version if convenience is key and you don’t want to empty dirt from the robot manually.
While a bit pricier, I believe the j7 models deliver sufficient extra efficiency and technological innovation to justify the increased investment. Once you experience a Roomba j-series device diligently cleaning your floors daily or weekly without supervision, you’ll appreciate the power!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Roomba robot vacuums work on carpets?
Yes, the strong vacuum motors and rotating brush rolls grab dirt from low and high-pile carpets. High-density carpets with tassels may be trickier.
How long do the batteries last in Roombas?
Around 75 minutes of cleaning time when new. With age the runtime gradually decreases, but the lithium-ion batteries can be replaced to restore performance.
Can a Roomba get wet?
No! The Roomba vacuums are not waterproof. So keep them away from wet floors or outdoor ground post-rain. Damp hard floors are fine.
Do Roombas map your home?
Using a range of onboard sensors, Roomba robots intelligently map the layout of your home to efficiently clean and navigate back to their charging base.
