07 Nov
Blog

iRobot Roomba j7+ Review: Closer to a Tangle-Free Life

iRobot Roomba j7 + on hardwood floor.

iRobot Roomba j7 +

RRP $ 850.00

“Do more cleaning, worry less. The iRobot Roomba j7 + is more intelligent than your average robot vacuum cleaner. "

advantages

  • Good job avoiding wires

  • Self-draining floor with a low profile

  • Solid all-round cleaning

  • Cleans efficiently in a zigzag pattern

disadvantage

  • The thorough carpet cleaning service is missing

  • A little noisy when vacuuming

Experience goes far. This is especially true in the world of robotic vacuums, where iterative improvements in technology over the years have resulted in smarter, more efficient bots that clean faster. Gone are the days of worrying about robotic vacuums falling down stairs or aimlessly cleaning one spot. Today's robotic vacuums are better than that – but there is still one major thing that will trip them up.

Wires, cables, and other minor clutter around the house can still trip the best robotic vacuums out there. As a pioneer in this area, iRobot aims to address this ubiquitous problem with its Roomba j7 +. When it comes to experience, nobody gets more out of it than iRobot. The Roomba j7 + not only has a self-draining base, but is also equipped with a camera that helps it avoid obstacles better. While there is a lot of talk about how to avoid annoying cables on the floor, seeing is believing. The times of pre-cleaning could be over if it can actually do this without errors!

Put up

Unsurprisingly, setting up the iRobot Roomba j7 + was effortless. Because everything was already assembled in the packaging, so all you had to do was remove the self-draining base, connect the charging cable and dock the robot vacuum. Worth mentioning are subtle additions to the self-draining base, such as the fact that it has a much lower profile than any other self-draining container I've seen. There's even a little nook inside the base to store an extra bag, filter, and side brush. I appreciate that as they are usually kept elsewhere and quickly forgotten.

Top of the iRobot Roomba j7 +.John Velasco / Digital Trends

After everything was unpacked and connected, all I had to do was launch the iRobot app on my phone to guide myself to connect it to my home's Wi-Fi network. Having used the Roomba i3 + before, I thought it at least copied my apartment plan, but it didn't. Instead, the Roomba j7 + used the first run to vacuum and actively map my entire apartment. I had to run it a few more times before it realized there was an accessible route to the bedroom.

software

What I like about the iRobot app is that it's intuitive and simple. Once a map of my apartment has been created, I can go into the app to label the different rooms, add partitions to differentiate one room from another, and set “exclusion” zones to prevent the Roomba j7 + there cleans. The latter ability comes in handy when you have areas that you don't want the bot to disturb, such as B. the position of pet bowls. The ability to customize the map in this way alleviates the annoying instances of a robotic vacuum cleaner simply rolling through an area and everything in its path.

You can also schedule Roomba j7 + to clean automatically. I would still recommend adult supervision because you just never know what can happen – even more so when pets are at home. You don't want to come home to find that your cat's tail is caught in the robot hoover when you haven't been there.

Obstacle detection and avoidance

With the help of its front camera and Genius 3.0 Home Intelligence technology, the Roomba j7 + is better equipped to recognize obstacles and avoid them. I have to admit, it's great for avoiding cluttered charging cables near power outlets and power strips, but it's not infallible. There were mainly two cases in which it did not avoid obstacles: On the one hand, a paper bag lying on the floor, on the other hand, a lined up cat toy. I'll say that when I put a charging cable in its path, it paused for a moment to assess and then walked around it to continue cleaning.

While it's not perfect, it should be noted that the Roomba j7 + is currently trained to detect cords, cords, headphones, and pet droppings. Other clutter like shoes and socks will eventually be added through a software update to improve obstacle avoidance. On top of that, constant training and reviews help the robot make smarter decisions when it comes to cleaning – so I'm confident it will get better over time.

Close up of camera on iRobot Roomba j7 +.John Velasco / Digital Trends

When the cleaning is done, you can return to the cleaning history to evaluate some of the obstacles it encountered. While avoiding everything wasn't perfect, I suspect it will get better over time as checking the obstacles in the app trains his vision better. For now, however, I would rank the Samsung Jet Bot AI + just ahead of the iRobot champion when it comes to detection and avoidance.

Cleaning performance

If there is one thing you can rely on with iRobot, it is that its robotic vacuum cleaners offer above-average cleaning performance. With its side sweeping and underside brushes, it pulls in dirt and debris that is scattered on my wooden floors. Cat litter isn't thrown in all directions as the side sweeping brush rotates at a gentle speed, while the three-stage cleaning system and 10-fold hitch suction technology ensure that all debris is captured.

It does good to avoid messy charging cables near power outlets and power strips.

The Roomba j7 + is also an efficient bot that doesn't waste time devising a game plan for cleaning up rooms. It works efficiently and effectively by navigating in traditional zigzag patterns. Nooks and crannies are handled well too, but I find that when bumping into furniture it can just be a little bit aggressive.

iRobot Roomba j7 + on hardwood floor.John Velasco / Digital Trends

While the Roomba j7 + is a solid cleaner for hard floors, it gets stuck with carpets. Superficial things like pet hair and other crumbs are easily picked up by the multi-surface rubber brush, but I am not convinced of its deep cleaning performance on carpets. It just doesn't achieve the same deep cleaning sensation that my bare feet experience on carpets cleaned with cordless vacuums.

Battery life

Since my apartment is roughly over 1,000 square meters, there has never been a battery on one of the robotic vacuum cleaners I tested. The Roomba j7 + cleaned for over 40 minutes without a battery warning. When the battery ran out, it would automatically return to the base station to recharge.

iRobot Roomba j7 + in charging station.John Velasco / Digital Trends

There the contents of his trash can are also thrown into the self-empty base. Then it roars like a jet plane because it needs the suction force to remove all of its contents. You could say it's deafening so keep that in mind. With the robot hoover itself, it is moderately noisy during cleaning, so if you are concentrating on something you will want to let it run at a different time.

Our opinion

While it's not the revolutionary robotic vacuum I was expecting, the iRobot Roomba j7 + is an iterative model that sits reasonably between the Roomba i3 + and s9 + at $ 850. It's a smart, efficient and feature-rich robot hoover that offers a well-rounded cleaning performance that is enhanced by its smarter avoidance and self-emptying system.

Is there a better alternative?

The Samsung Jet Bot AI + is the only other robotic vacuum cleaner that outperforms the iRobot offering. In addition to superior avoidance detection, it's a notable revolutionary robotic vacuum cleaner as it doubles as a roaming security camera to patrol the house when you are not around.

Alternatively there is the Roborock S7 and its self-draining base. It also delivers solid cleaning, enhanced by the fact that it has a mopping function that really makes hard floors feel squeaky clean.

How long it will take?

The iRobot Roomba j7 + is made of various sturdy plastic materials and still feels like a solid, well-made bot. Of course, it takes some maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape – like removing any tangles around its side sweeping brush and cleaning the sensors. There is a one year limited warranty that covers it against defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes, mostly because it specializes in avoiding the hassle of cables. Even if pre-cleaning before vacuuming isn't entirely eliminated, you don't have to worry about having to take care of it all the time throughout the cleaning routine.

Editor's recommendations



30 Oct
Blog

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus Review: Self Emptying For Easier Life

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus dirt disposal unit

iRobot Roomba i3 + robotic vacuum cleaner

"Thanks to the automatic dirt disposal system, cleaning takes place efficiently and without intervention."

  • Excellent cleaning performance

  • Cleans efficiently to save time

  • Car dirt disposal system

  • Great for avoiding obstacles

  • Virtual boundaries cannot be created

  • Sounds disgustingly loud empty

You never have to have owned or used a Roomba to know the reputation that preceded the robotic vacuum cleaner. Much like Apple in the world of smartphones and DJI with aerial drones, iRobot has an immense, established presence that gives consumers a sense of trust.

The latest robotic vacuum cleaner, the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, borrows a useful feature from its premium siblings – and at the same time bears significantly lower costs. This combination seems to be a direct response to the various units that have hit the market over the last year that have offered premium features at mid-range prices. Shark's IQ robot is one of them and offers the convenience of a self-draining system. However, the iRobot offer is an equally convincing argument in itself.

Smart cleaning without advanced sensors

I've never owned or used a Roomba, but I'm familiar with the various technologies implemented by today's sophisticated robotic vacuums that make them efficient cleaners. LiDAR, laser navigation and cameras have proven effective in turning today's robotic vacuums into efficient cleaners – the best models that still use the routine of navigating with bumps and movements. You don't get any of these fancy features with the Roomba i3 Plus, but I was still shocked by its performance.

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus on the floorJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Instead, floor sensors are used on the underside for navigation. In this way, it can effectively track its movement in rooms, so that cleaning doesn't just happen in random formations. In many cases, when there are clear, wide open spaces, cleaning is carried out in straight lines. Additionally, I'm impressed that it can handle clutter with ease. Even with some charging cables on the floor and shoes lying around, the Roomba i3 Plus didn't need fancy sensors to navigate around them.

All of this brings me to its incredible cleaning performance which sweetens its value as an efficient cleaner. The double, multi-surface rubber brushes pull in dirt and debris perfectly – without getting tangled by animal hair and other long fibers. While it only has a single edge brush that helps it wick away debris, the powerful suction helps reduce the spread of debris throughout the funnel. Nooks and crannies are handled well, although they do tend to readjust their position.

I am impressed that it can handle clutter with ease.

Overall, for a robot vacuum cleaner based on floor sensors, the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus is a highly efficient and competent cleaner that meets all of my cleaning needs.

Convenience of automatic disposal

Automatic disposal robots are still few and far between, and even iRobot's own offerings, the Roomba i7 Plus and the s9 Plus, cost $ 800 and $ 1,100, respectively. They're not cheap, which is why the Shark IQ Robot's price tag under $ 600 was so attractive to many. Fortunately, the Roomba i3 Plus gets the same convenience with the iRobot Clean Base automatic debris removal system – all at almost the same cost as the Shark for under $ 600.

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus dirt disposal unitJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

The convenience of setting the robot to clean on its own and then return to base when it has self-emptied is a benefit that means one less thing on my to-do list. I don't really mind emptying the robot myself as this is all I've experienced before, but I fully understand the inclusion in the robot's automation. However, it sounds like a jet engine is starting at top speed – it's so deafening – albeit less than a minute. The disposal unit can absorb dirt and debris for up to 60 days. However, I wish there was a more accurate way to know about the app. If you're wondering, a 3-pack of the disposal bags is $ 20.

If the trash can on the robotic vacuum cleaner gets filled while it is cleaning, it will automatically stop and return to the base to dispose of it – and then return to where it left off to complete the cleaning. Again, it is this type of automation that reduces the need for intervention at my level. The battery life is also excellent as my apartment can be cleaned for an hour without any problems.

No restricted areas

Although I am delighted with the efficient cleaning of the Roomba i3 Plus, it lacks a feature that I can rely on – and that sets up the restricted areas in my apartment. With other bots, this is achieved in two ways: using magnetic stripes to set these boundaries, or placing them on a map via the app. Unfortunately, there is also no option for the Roomba i3 Plus. Quite simply, it gets clean everywhere and everywhere as soon as it starts.

If you have areas in the house that you do not want to be disturbed by a robot vacuum, the ability to set up virtual boundaries / restricted areas is vital. In addition, the robot vacuum cleaner cannot assign any rooms. I think I am spoiled by the way other vacuum cleaners can recognize and define rooms. This is very helpful when you just want a specific room to be cleaned instead of everything. Even so, there are options in the iRobot App that you can use to set schedules for cleaning and connect them to other devices and services. For example, you can set up Roomba i3 Plus to start a cleaning session when you are not at home.

The Roomba i3 Plus is a remarkable cleaner that made me worry less about cleaning it.

Let's call it a compromise, but its inability to accurately map rooms and set virtual boundaries exactly sets this model apart from iRobot's other premium robotic vacuums.

Our opinion

I first met an iRobot Roomba and was impressed with how well it cleans – both picking up dirt from floors and carpets and cleaning it efficiently. The idea of ​​being even more independent and automated is made even clearer by the automatic dirt disposal system. For a mid-ranger, the Roomba i3 Plus is a remarkable cleaner that leaves me less worrying about cleaning.

How long it will take?

Interestingly, the deliberate choice of tough, matt plastic with a dark gray fabric upper part makes the Roomba i3 Plus less prone to dirt and dust after every cleaning. I prefer it to the shiny glass panels I see in many other bots.

The construction feels solid for the most part, but a little maintenance will extend the life of this bot. In particular, long strands of hair can collect around the edge brush, so cleaning it after each use is helpful.

If something goes wrong internally due to a defect, a 1 year limited warranty applies with purchase.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, if you are ready to lose the money. The older iRobot Roomba i7 Plus is the logical alternative, although it is already a few years old. It has the same automatic dirt disposal system and benefits from room allocation functions that can be used to identify rooms.

My personal all-round favorite recommendation is the Roborock S6 MaxV, partly because of its intelligent obstacle avoidance, the built-in security camera and the ability to mop floors. You pay more, but it's a 2-in-1 combo that gets your job done. If not, there are several more bots to consider covering the price range and features.

Should you buy it?

Thanks to its efficient cleaning and disposal system, you rarely have to interact with the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus. It is a powerful robot that can do the cleaning on its own. So it's definitely worth buying.

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