iRobot Roomba i7 vs. i7+ Robot Vacuums
iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ robot vacuums are practically the same vacuum cleaners, except that the iRobot Roomba i7+ package features iRobot Roomba i7 Robot Vacuum and Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit.
iRobot Roomba i7 Robot Vacuum is an advanced robot vacuum cleaner coming with premium features like WiFi connectivity supporting Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, Imprint Smart Mapping, iAdapt 3.0 Navigation with Visual Localization, clean map reports, etc.
Updated: August 13, 2022.
iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ Robot Vacuums Features and Specifications
iRobot Roomba i7 is an advanced and rather compact robot vacuum cleaner. It is powered via a 3300 mAh lithium-ion battery, which ensures a runtime of up to 75 minutes on bare floors - when the carpeted areas are vacuumed, the runtime is slightly shorter.
iRobot Roomba i7 requires ~2h to recharge its battery, and if required, thanks to the advanced navigation system, it can resume its cleaning task.
iRobot Roomba i7 features iAdapt 3.0 Navigation with Visual Localization and Imprint Smart Mapping, both enabling features like:
- recharge and resume: if the battery is discharged during cleaning, the unit can stop the cleaning task, locate and automatically dock to the charging station, recharge the battery, and then resume the cleaning task.
- multi room cleaning: unit navigates around the home and differentiates areas (kitchen, rooms, etc.)
- clean or schedule by room: unit can clean individual areas/rooms at different schedules.
- clean map reports: using iRobot HOME App, users can access clean maps and other reports.
Note: iRobot Roomba can memorize up to 10 different floor plans and can be used for vacuuming different home floors - but it can't traverse the stairs, and it must be carried manually from floor to floor.
Also, the Roomba i7 supports the use of 'Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers,' allowing the user to quickly limit the vacuum's access to certain parts of the home.
iRobot Roomba i7 weighs 7.44 lbs (3.37 kg) and its physical dimensions are 13.34 x 3.63 inches (33.9 x 9.22 cm). Such dimensions, in combination with advanced sensors, allow the unit to reach and clean areas without bumping into floor obstacles and objects, leaving almost no areas uncleaned.
iRobot Roomba i7 features good suction of ~1700 Pa and is suitable for medium to large homes and apartments - on a single battery charge, it can clean up to 1990 sq. ft. (~185 m2) of bare floors. And if that is not enough, its 'Recharge and Resume' feature helps the unit clean even the larger home.
The unit is WiFi enabled, and it supports the use of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Since the Roomba i7 doesn't support the use of IR remote control, the use of the iRobot HOME App (available for both Android and iOS) is highly recommended.
Roomba i7 is suitable for vacuuming bare floors and low- and medium-pile carpets and is able to traverse 0.79 inches (~20 mm) high obstacles.
Dirt bin capacity is 0.5 liters, which is good for such a compact vacuum, but the i7+ model comes with a 'Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal' unit.
'Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal' enables the Roomba i7+ to automatically empty its dirt cup when it docks for recharging, greatly simplifying maintenance tasks and saving both time and effort. 'Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal' features a disposable vacuum bag that can store up to 30 cups of dirt.
Also, the Roomba i7 features a dirt bin sensor, and when it is full, and there is no 'Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal' unit, it signals the dirt bin full to the user.
Both the charging base and the 'Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal' base should be placed in a permanent position, with free space on all sides, which helps the unit to locate and properly dock with the charging base/'Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal' base.
To prevent the unit from falling off the cliffs (stairs in most cases), the unit comes with improved cliff sensors, allowing the robot to easily distinguish between dark carpets/tiles and actual cliffs.
To help with the edge cleaning, the iRobot Roomba i7 features a single side brush, which sweeps along its cleaning path and pushes the dirt toward the main brushrolls. The side brush is very important for proper cleaning of wall edges, corners, and similar surfaces.
Main brushrolls feature dual multi-surface rubber brushes, which in combination with good suction and Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head, help the robot vacuum to clean various surfaces efficiently.
iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ Maintenance
Although automatic dirt disposal is a great feature, iRobot Roomba i7+ and especially iRobot Roomba i7 are not maintenance-free robot vacuums.
Note: when the unit arrives, be sure to read the manual/instructions thoroughly. iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ are not complicated robots to use and maintain, but, just in case ...
For these units to operate properly, recommended maintenance tasks include:
- dirt cup: wash it as needed.
- air filter: clean it once a week and if you have pets, consider cleaning it twice per week. The air filter should be replaced every two months.
Note: The air filter is not washable. In order to keep the air filtration at the desired level (to capture 99% of pets' allergens), take proper care of your air filter.
- full bin sensor: clean it every two weeks.
- front caster wheel: clean it every two weeks, replace it every 12 months or as needed.
- brushes (edge brush, dual multi-surface brushes): clean them once a month and replace them every 12 months or as needed.
- sensors and charging contacts: clean them once a month.
When replacing parts of your Roombas, always use OEM parts.
iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ Replenishment Kit contain 3 High-Efficiency Air Filters, 3 Edge-Sweeping Brushes, and 1 Set of Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes - it contains the most commonly used/replaced Roomba i7 parts.
Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal units don't require any special maintenance except to replace dust bag from time to time.
Clean Base vacuum bags store 30 bins of dirt and debris and are not changed often. When being replaced, Clean Base vacuum bags are sealed, preventing the dirt from exiting the dust bags.
iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ Clean Base (Automatic Dirt Disposal) Bags are high-quality vacuum bags, and low-quality, non-OEM vacuum bags can cause issues with Clean Base (higher pressure drop, dirt exiting the vacuum bags, etc.).
iRobot Roomba e5 vs. 960 vs. i7 vs. i7+ Robot Vacuums Comparison
Following comparison chart shows similarities and differences of the latest iRobot Roomba models:
| Roomba Model | iRobot Roomba e5 | iRobot Roomba 960 | iRobot Roomba i7 | iRobot Roomba i7+ |
| Photo |  |
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 |
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| Floor Types | All | All | All | All |
| 3 Stage Cleaning Suction | 5x | 5x | 10x | 10x |
| Hard Floor Run Time | Up to 90 min | Up to 75 min | Up to 75 min | Up to 75 min |
| Self-Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recharge and Resume | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion |
| WiFi Connected | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iRobot HOME App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dirt Detect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Side Brush | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High Efficiency Air Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iAdapt 3.0 Navigation with Visual Localization | No | iAdapt 2.0 Navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Imprint Smart Mapping | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Drop Sensors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduled Cleaning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi Room Cleaning | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Clean Map Reports | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Cleaning Preferences | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | No | No | Compatible | Yes |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.26 kg) | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) | 7.44 lbs (3.37 kg) | 7.44 lbs (3.37 kg) |
| Dimensions (D x H) | 13.3 x 3.6 inches 33.8 x 9.2 cm |
13.8 x 3.6 inches 35.0 x 9.2 cm |
13.34 x 3.63 inches 33.9 x 9.22 cm |
13.34 x 3.63 inches 33.9 x 9.22 cm |
| Amazon Link | iRobot Roomba e5 Robot Vacuum | iRobot Roomba 960 Robot Vacuum | iRobot Roomba i7 Robot Vacuum | iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum |
Note: 3-Stage Cleaning Suction is compared to Roomba 600 Series robot vacuums. Also, Amazon affiliate links open in the new window, feel free to check them for the most up-to-date offers and prices.
Roomba e5 and Roomna 960 feature 3-Stage Cleaning Suction that is 5x stronger than the suction of Roomba 600 series robots, while i7 and i7+ feature 10x stronger suction.
Roomba e5 and Roomna 960 don't support automatic dirt disposal.
Also, Roomba 960 features a somewhat older navigation system (iAdapt 2.0) that doesn't support all the functions of the iAdapt 3.0 navigation system, but it does support 'resume and recharge', multi-room cleaning, clean map reports, custom cleaning preferences, and similar.
The main difference between Roomba e5 and i7 (and i7+) is the navigation system and dirt disposal. Roomba i7 and i7+ feature an advanced navigation system, which allows them to recharge and resume cleaning tasks, clean map reports, cleaning of a single room, etc.
Also, Roomba i7+ also features automatic dirt disposal, while Roomba i7 is compatible, but it lacks automatic dirt disposal 'Clean Base'.
Note: All these features dictate the price, but what you pay is what you get :)
Roomba i7 and i7+ come with a 12-month limited warranty.
iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most popular Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+, but also about Roombas in general.
Is the Roomba i7 worth it?
If You have larger open spaces that must be regularly cleaned, then yes, Roomba i7 and especially i7+ are well worth the money.
Such units can keep large open spaces clean with minimum maintenance. However, they can't clean elevated surfaces and can't replace the main home vacuum cleaner, and can't clean in such detail as a human hand can.
What is the difference between i7 and i7 plus?
The main difference between i7 and i7+ (i7 plus) is that the Roomba i7 model supports the Automatic Dirt Disposal Unit, while Roomba i7+ comes with such a unit - hence the price between these two models.
How many years does a Roomba last?
Roomba may easily last 3-4 years, even longer. But, it must be maintained - this means replacing all the brushes periodically, cleaning the unit, emptying the dirt bin, and replacing the Roomba battery every now and then (usually every 18-24 months, depending on the use).
Also, the user has to maintain the charging station as well.
Can you upgrade a Roomba?
Roomba itself can't be upgraded, but from time to time, there are updates to the Roomba software (BIOS, FirmWare) and the smartphone App.
How do I make my Roomba i7 clean better?
Keep the brushes in good condition, clean the air filter, and empty the dirt cup regularly.
What is the difference between i7 and j7 Roomba?
i7 and j7 are two very similar robot vacuums - the main difference is that j7 comes with the navigation camera at the front of the unit, while i7 comes with the navigation camera at the top of the unit.
This allows the j7 to recognize the objects better and to avoid them easily.
Long Story Short: iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+ help the user to keep the home cleaner and more pleasant to live in. Their features like a new navigation system, automatic dirt disposal, cleaning preferences, reporting, easy maintenance, etc., ensure that they will do their job properly, but they can't replace the main vacuum cleaner, especially for vacuuming elevated surfaces.
If you are looking for a high-end vacuum cleaner, consider this model.
For more reviews and recommendations, check iRobot Roomba i7 and iRobot Roomba i7+ Amazon links (links open in the new windows).