Let’s review the key differences between the iRobot Roomba i7 and the iRobot Roomba i7+. Which robot vacuum will be the most suitable for your needs?
Further down the page, you’ll find some explanations regarding the key similarities and differences between the Roomba i7 and the Roomba i7+.
Below is a summary of the specifications:
Page Contents
- Overview of the Roomba i7 and i7+: Key Differences
- Cleaning Power and Efficiency
- Intelligent Mapping and Navigation
- Automatic Dirt Disposal: The Defining Feature of the i7+
- Battery Life and Recharge & Resume Feature
- Filtration System and Allergen Control
- Usability and Customization Through the iRobot Home App
- Quick Rundown Of iRobot Roomba i7
- Quick Rundown Of iRobot Roomba i7+
- Final Verdict: Which Roomba Model Is Right for You?
Overview of the Roomba i7 and i7+: Key Differences
While the Roomba i7 and i7+ share many similarities, there is one significant difference that may impact your decision: automatic dirt disposal. The Roomba i7+ comes with a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit, which allows the vacuum to empty its dustbin automatically into a larger bag, enabling weeks of hands-free cleaning. The Roomba i7, however, requires manual bin emptying.
For those seeking a more hands-free experience, this automatic feature is a strong advantage of the i7+. However, if you’re comfortable with occasionally emptying the dustbin yourself, the i7 might offer sufficient convenience without the added cost.
Cleaning Power and Efficiency
Power-Lifting Suction
Both the Roomba i7 and i7+ feature 10x Power-Lifting Suction (compared to the 600 series models), making them highly effective at picking up dirt, dust, and pet hair. This high suction power is consistent across both models, delivering the same level of cleaning performance on a variety of surfaces, from hardwood and tile to carpeted floors.
Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes
The i7 and i7+ come equipped with dual multi-surface rubber brushes designed to prevent hair tangles and adjust seamlessly to different floor types. Unlike traditional bristle brushes, these rubber brushes stay in contact with floors to lift and eliminate even deeply embedded dirt, ensuring that your floors get a thorough clean.
Imprint Smart Mapping Technology
Both the Roomba i7 and i7+ utilize Imprint Smart Mapping Technology, which allows the vacuum to learn the layout of your home. With this feature, you can customize and control which rooms are cleaned and when, directly through the iRobot Home app or via voice commands with compatible smart home devices like Google Assistant or Alexa. This means you can schedule the i7 and i7+ to clean specific rooms or avoid certain areas entirely.
iAdapt 3.0 Navigation with vSLAM Technology
The iAdapt 3.0 Navigation with vSLAM technology allows both the Roomba i7 and i7+ to accurately navigate and map your home. Using advanced sensors, these models can make more than 230,400 data points per second, creating a detailed map to ensure thorough coverage. This technology enables the vacuums to clean efficiently, avoid obstacles, and resume cleaning from the exact location if they need to recharge during a job.
Personalized Cleaning Suggestions
Using data from your cleaning habits, both models offer personalized cleaning recommendations to optimize performance. For example, if they detect increased pollen levels or pet shedding seasons, they may suggest more frequent cleaning sessions.
Automatic Dirt Disposal: The Defining Feature of the i7+
The primary feature that sets the Roomba i7+ apart is its Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal system. The Clean Base, which also acts as a charging dock, is equipped with an automatic disposal bag that can hold up to 60 days of dirt and debris, depending on usage and the size of your home.
How the Automatic Dirt Disposal Works
When the i7+ finishes a cleaning session, it docks itself onto the Clean Base, where the contents of its dustbin are transferred to the base’s disposable bag. This bag can hold approximately 30 bins’ worth of debris, drastically reducing the need for manual intervention. This feature is especially beneficial for those with busy lifestyles, larger homes, or allergies, as it reduces exposure to dust and allergens.
For the Roomba i7, users need to empty the dustbin manually after each cleaning session, which may not be a major inconvenience for smaller homes or light cleaning needs.
Battery Life and Recharge & Resume Feature
The Roomba i7 and i7+ share the same battery specifications, offering around 75 minutes of runtime on a full charge. While 75 minutes might seem limited, the Recharge & Resume function ensures that both models return to the dock to recharge mid-cleaning and then pick up where they left off. This feature is valuable for larger homes, as it ensures complete cleaning coverage without requiring manual intervention.
Filtration System and Allergen Control
Both models are designed with a high-efficiency filter that captures 99% of allergens, pollen, and dust as small as 10 microns. This makes the i7 and i7+ suitable for households with allergy sufferers or pets, as it keeps common allergens and pet hair from being released back into the air during cleaning.
In addition, the i7+ with the Clean Base offers enhanced allergen control, as the sealed disposable bag in the base traps dirt and dust, minimizing exposure when emptying the vacuum.
Usability and Customization Through the iRobot Home App
The iRobot Home app enhances the usability and customization of both the Roomba i7 and i7+ models. Through the app, you can:
- Schedule Cleanings: Set up daily, weekly, or custom schedules.
- Zone Cleaning: Select specific rooms or areas for targeted cleaning.
- Keep-Out Zones: Designate areas where you don’t want the vacuum to clean.
- Monitor Progress: Track real-time cleaning updates and view reports.
Additionally, both the i7 and i7+ integrate with smart home assistants, allowing for hands-free control via voice commands.
Quick Rundown Of iRobot Roomba i7
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND POWERFUL PICK-UP - Pulls in stubborn dirt and messes with a Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System and 10X the Power-Lifting Suction. (Compared to the Roomba 600 series cleaning system)
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - With vSLAM navigation, the i7 learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean and navigate in neat, efficient rows.
- VACUUMS MESSES IN THE MOMENT - Cleaning crumbs is now as easy as “Roomba, clean under the kitchen table.” A simple request to your voice assistant or via the iRobot Home app enables the i7 to clean messes for you, right when they happen.
- COMPLETE CONTROL OF YOUR CLEAN - With Smart Mapping, your robot knows your kitchen from your living room, so you can decide where it cleans and when. With Keep Out Zones, your robot knows to avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas.
- A CLEAN UNIQUE TO YOU - The Roomba i7 robot vacuum is smarter than ever, learning where and when you normally clean and suggesting personalized schedules so you can focus on everything else.
High Suction Power: The 10x Power-Lifting Suction ensures excellent cleaning on all surfaces.
Smart Mapping & Navigation: Learns and maps your home, allowing for room-specific cleaning.
Dual Rubber Brushes: Effective on both hard floors and carpets, with reduced hair tangling.
Cost-Effective Option: Lower initial cost compared to the i7+.
Compatible with Clean Base: You can purchase the Clean Base separately if you want the automatic dirt disposal later.
Manual Emptying Required: The dustbin must be emptied manually after each cleaning session.
Less Hands-Free Convenience: Lacks the fully autonomous experience of the i7+ with automatic dirt disposal.
Quick Rundown Of iRobot Roomba i7+
- ALWAYS GETTING SMARTER - Quality that lasts; Intelligence that grows; equipped with advanced hardware capable of providing the intelligent features you love today, and access to our latest advancements in the future
- COMPLETE CONTROL OF YOUR CLEAN - With Smart Mapping, your robot knows your kitchen from your living room, so you can decide where it cleans and when; With Keep Out Zones, your robot knows to avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas
- Roomba, CLEAN MY KITCHEN - Enjoy hands-free control with Alexa and the Google assistant*
- ALWAYS GETTING SMARTER - Quality that lasts; Intelligence that grows; equipped with advanced hardware capable of providing the intelligent features you love today, and access to our latest advancements in the future
Product Videos
Final Verdict: Which Roomba Model Is Right for You?
When choosing between the Roomba i7 and i7+, it ultimately comes down to your specific cleaning needs and lifestyle.
Choose the Roomba i7+ if: You desire maximum convenience and minimal manual maintenance. The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal is perfect for larger homes, households with pets, or those with allergies, as it reduces the frequency of emptying and provides sealed allergen control.
Choose the Roomba i7 if: You don’t mind emptying the dustbin manually and are looking for a cost-effective yet powerful robotic vacuum. It offers all the essential features of the i7+ at a lower price, with the option to upgrade to the Clean Base in the future.
Both the Roomba i7 and i7+ are exceptional choices in smart cleaning, offering powerful suction, intelligent mapping, and customization. Selecting the right model depends on your personal preference for convenience and budget.
