iRobot Roomba i7 vs j7 (Why j7 is Better)
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
If you want your home to be effortlessly clean, a robot vacuum can be a great help. iRobot Roomba i7 and j7 are both great options, but they differ in several ways.
Let's take a closer look at a few important aspects and see how they compare.
| Specs | Roomba i7 | Roomba j7 |
|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $399.99 | $599.99 |
| Dimensions | Width 33.8 cm x Height 9.2 cm | Width 33.7 cm x Height 8.6 cm |
| Weight | 3.37 kg | 3.39 kg |
| Suction | 10x Power-Lifting Suction | 10x Power-Lifting Suction |
| Dirt Detect Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Brush Type | Dual-Multi Surface | Dual-Multi Surface |
| Edge Brushes | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | Top | Front |
| Smart Mapping | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Out Zones | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Recharge & Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Empty | Yes, with Clean Base sold separately | Yes, with Clean Base sold separately |
| PrecisionVision | No | Yes |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes, captures pet hair | Yes, captures pet hair and avoids solid pet waste |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant |
Key Takeaways
Roomba j7 is better because it can detect and avoid objects on the floor like clutters and pet waste, while i7 cannot. It is perfect for pet owners or those living in cluttered homes, but i7 can be a more cost-effective option.
iRobot Roomba i7 (7150)
Best for Tidier Homes
✓ 10x Power-Lifting Suction
✓ Smart Mapping
✓ Light Touch Sensor to avoid crashing into walls/objects
✓ Works with Alexa & Google Assistant
iRobot Roomba j7 (7150)
Best for Pet-Owners and Cluttered Homes
✓ 10x Power-Lifting Suction
✓ Smart Mapping
✓ PrecisionNavigation to avoid pet waste, clutter, and other objects
✓ Works with Alexa & Google Assistant
#1 Price
iRobot Roomba j7
The iRobot Roomba i7 is typically priced around $399.99, while the j7 is priced around $599.99. However, the j7 is often on sale for around the same price or even lower than the i7, so it's worth keeping an eye out for discounts.
#2 Design
iRobot Roomba i7 (Top) vs j7 (Bottom)
Both the Roomba i7 and j7 have a round shape with durable plastic construction. They weigh quite similarly around 3.3 kg, but the i7 is taller with 9.2 cm height while the j7 has a lower profile with 8.6 cm height. Shorter robots can fit under more furniture, so the j7 has an advantage in that regard.
When it comes to design, one major difference between the two is the camera location. The camera in the Roomba i7 is located on the top of the robot, while the j7 has its camera on the front bumper. This gives the j7 a better view of the floor and the obstacles in front of it, allowing it to navigate more effectively.
The j7 also has a Wall Follow Sensor, which helps it to move along a wall without hitting it. The i7, on the other hand, relies on its Light Touch Sensor to gently collide with walls/obstacles before redirecting itself in another direction.
The front-facing camera and Wall Follow Sensor mean the j7 is better at object avoidance, including pet waste and droppings. This makes it a great choice for pet owners who don't want to worry about their robot vacuum getting stuck or spreading messes around the house.
#3 Cleaning Performance
iRobot Roomba i7
Both the Roomba i7 and j7 are equipped with a 1700 Pa powerful Power-Lifting Suction and a High-Efficiency Filter to capture dust, dirt, and pet hair. The filter also traps 99% of cat and dog dander allergens, making both models perfect for pet owners.
The Dirt Detect Technology uses sensors to recognize areas with more dirt and debris, and the robots will spend more time cleaning those spots. This way, you can be sure that your floors are thoroughly cleaned.
Both robot vacuum cleaners also feature Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes, which use two instead of one brush to clean carpets and hard floors more effectively. One brush loosens up dirt and debris while the other picks it up, ensuring a more thorough clean. In addition, the Edge-Sweeping Brush is also included, designed at a 27-degree angle to sweep debris away from edges and corners and towards the suction inlet.
iRobot Roomba j7
The Roomba i7 and j7 deliver excellent cleaning performance on various surfaces, including carpets, hard floors, tiles, or marble. This is because the Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head is capable of adapting its height to different surfaces, ensuring that it maintains close contact with the floor to effectively clean dirt and debris.
#4 Smart Features
iRobot Roomba i7
The iRobot Roomba i7 and j7 share a few common smart features that make them great choices for those who want to take advantage of the latest technology in home cleaning. These common features include:
• Smart Mapping. Over time, the i7 and j7 will learn the layout of your home and identify specific areas, so you can decide exactly where to clean. This is useful when you want your robot vacuum to clean only specific areas, such as to clean the cereal you accidentally spilled under the kitchen table.
• Keep Out Zones. You can specify areas where you don't want your robot vacuum to go by virtually drawing rectangular boundaries on your Smart Map via the iRobot Home App. This is helpful to keep your robot away from pet bowls, clutter, or other areas where the robot may have difficulty navigating, preventing it from getting stuck.
iRobot Roomba i7
• Scheduling. You can manually set up cleaning schedules for both Roomba i7 and j7, so they can start cleaning your chosen areas on specific times and days. In addition, both robot vacuums can also suggest personalized cleaning schedules based on your preferences, habits, home, and seasons. This is a great feature if you're a busy person who wants to maintain a clean home without having to think about it too much.
• Clean when you're away. The Roomba i7 and j7 can use geolocation services on your phone to determine whether you're home or away, so you set the robot to automatically start cleaning when you're out of the house.
iRobot Roomba j7
• Smart Recharge & Resume. You won't have to worry about recharging either, because the Roomba i7 and j7 can automatically send themselves back to their dock when their batteries are running low, and automatically resume cleaning where they left off once they're charged enough power to complete the cleaning task.
• Self-Empty. If you want an even more automated cleaning experience, you can purchase an optional Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which allows the robot to empty its own bin for up to 60 days.
iRobot Roomba i7
• Hands-free voice commands. Both Roomba i7 and j7 are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice commands to start, stop, or dock your robot vacuum. For example, you can simply say, “Alexa, tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.”
• Pair with Braava Jet m6 Robot Mop. If you want to take your cleaning to the next level, you can pair your Roomba i7 or j7 with the Braava Jet m6 Robot Mop. They make a great team to clean your home comprehensively in perfect sequence.
iRobot Roomba j7
One feature that the Roomba j7 has that the Roomba i7 doesn't is PrecisionVision Navigation. This feature allows the j7 to identify and avoid obstacles like pet waste, cords, or other messes on the floor. When it first detects an object, it will send you a picture to learn how it should deal with them in the future. This means, you can be confident that the j7 will work effectively without you picking up or cleaning up messes beforehand.
iRobot Roomba i7 vs j7
Final Thoughts
iRobot Roomba j7
The iRobot Roomba i7 and j7 are both excellent robot vacuum cleaners with a lot of features that make them stand out from the competition.
Both deliver excellent cleaning performance equally, but the j7 has some slight advantages in terms of design and smart features for better object detection and avoidance, making it a better choice for pet owners or those with cluttered homes.
However, if you tend to be tidy or have potty-trained pets, the Roomba i7 could be a more cost-effective option that still offers a lot of the same great features.
If you like to read more about Robot Vacuum Cleaners, check out our other relevant guides here:
The Best Robot Vacuums 2023
4 Best Robots that Mop and Vacuum (Pros & Cons)
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners for Pet Hair
iRobot Roomba i3 vs j7
iRobot Roomba j7+ vs s9+
Roborock S7 vs Q7: Better Mop vs Better Vacuum
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