I’ve spent weeks testing the Roomba i7 and j7, navigating pet hair, rogue socks, and Cheerios strewn across my floors. My goal? To help you decide which of these iRobot vacuums suits your home best.
In this article, I’ll break down their features, performance, and quirks in a conversational, real-world way, weighing pros and cons to guide your choice. Whether you’re a pet owner or just tired of vacuuming, let’s find out which Roomba delivers the clean you need.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Roomba i7 | Roomba j7 |
| Navigation | vSLAM (top-mounted camera) | PrecisionVision (front-facing camera) |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Basic (touch sensors) | Advanced (detects pet waste, cords) |
| Battery Life | ~75 minutes | ~97 minutes |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.3 L | 0.4 L |
| Self-Emptying | i7+ model only | j7+ model only |
| Suction Power | 10x (vs. Roomba 600 series) | 10x (vs. Roomba 600 series) |
| Mapping | Smart Mapping (10 maps) | Smart Mapping (10 maps) |
| Height | 3.63 inches | 3.4 inches |
| Weight | 7.44 lbs | 7.49 lbs |
| Price (Approx.) | $399.99 (i7), $699.99 (i7+) | $599.99 (j7), $799.99 (j7+) |
My Journey With Roomba i7 And j7
As a busy homeowner with two shedding dogs and a knack for leaving charging cables on the floor, I needed a robot vacuum that could keep up. The Roomba i7 and j7, both from iRobot’s premium lineup, promised smart cleaning with minimal fuss.
I put them through their paces in my 1,500-square-foot home, complete with hardwood, tile, and medium-pile carpets. My tests focused on navigation, cleaning performance, ease of use, and those little details that make or break a purchase.
Here’s what I found.
Key Differences Between Roomba i7 And j7
- Design and Build: Familiar Yet Distinct
Both the i7 and j7 sport iRobot’s signature round design, but they’re not twins.
The i7, released in 2018, measures 13.34 inches in diameter and 3.63 inches tall, weighing 7.44 pounds.
Its black and gray finish feels sleek but understated.
The j7, launched in 2021, is slightly shorter at 3.4 inches and a tad heavier at 7.49 pounds, with a modern stainless steel and chrome look that screams “new tech.”
The j7’s lower profile gave it an edge, slipping under my low-clearance coffee table where the i7 occasionally bumped.
The i7 has three buttons on top—Clean, Home, and Spot—keeping things simple. The j7 mirrors this layout but feels more refined, like it’s ready to blend into a smart home.
Both are built tough, surviving my dogs’ curious nudges and the occasional tumble over a rug’s edge. The j7’s front-facing camera, compared to the i7’s top-mounted one, is a game-changer for navigation, but more on that later.
- Navigation: Old School vs. Next-Gen
The i7 uses vSLAM navigation, relying on a top-mounted camera and sensors to map your home. It’s smart, creating neat rows as it cleans and storing up to 10 floor plans. I loved sending it to clean specific rooms via the iRobot app, like targeting the kitchen after a cereal spill.
But it’s not flawless—it bumped into chair legs and got tangled in a stray cord once, requiring a rescue mission.
The j7, with its PrecisionVision navigation, is a step ahead. Its front-facing camera actively scans for obstacles, spotting pet waste, cords, socks, and even my dog’s toy bone. During testing, it deftly avoided a charging cable I “accidentally” left out, while the i7 plowed into it, needing me to untangle it.
The j7 also sends photos of obstacles to the app, letting you decide if they’re safe to move or hazardous to avoid. This feature was a lifesaver in my pet-filled home, preventing any “poopocalypse” disasters.
- Cleaning Performance: Power Meets Precision
Both vacuums pack 10x the suction power of iRobot’s 600 series, handling pet hair, dust, and debris with ease. Their dual rubber brushrolls are designed to resist hair tangles, a must for my furry household.
On hardwood and tile, both excelled, sucking up kibble and dust bunnies in a single pass. The i7 slightly outperformed on low-pile carpets, grabbing embedded pet hair better, but the j7 caught up on high-pile rugs, where its obstacle avoidance kept it from getting stuck.
I scattered kosher salt, kitty litter, and Cheerios to test their limits. The i7 and j7 both needed a second pass for larger debris on carpets, as they sometimes scattered particles before sucking them up.
The j7’s edge came in its DirtDetect technology, which senses dirtier areas and lingers longer, ensuring my high-traffic entryway got extra attention. The i7 has this too, but the j7’s execution felt smoother, likely due to its advanced software.
The j7’s dustbin is 0.4 liters, slightly larger than the i7’s 0.3 liters, meaning fewer manual empties for the non-plus models. However, both struggled with long human hair in my tests, with some wrapping around the brushroll axles. Regular maintenance—cleaning the rollers every few weeks—kept this in check.
- Self-Emptying: The Plus Models Shine
The i7+ and j7+ come with iRobot’s Clean Base, a self-emptying docking station that sucks debris into a bag, holding up to 30 (i7+) or 60 (j7+) days of dirt.
This was a game-changer for me, as I loathe emptying dustbins.
The j7+’s base is more compact, fitting better under my console table, while the i7+’s taller base was trickier to place in my small living room.
Both bases use the same AllergenLock bags, which trap 99% of allergens, a relief for my allergy-prone family.
Without the Clean Base, the i7 and j7 require manual emptying, which isn’t a dealbreaker but feels like a step back in 2025’s hands-off cleaning world. If you’re budget-conscious, you can buy the base separately later, but the j7+’s smaller base design gives it a slight edge for tight spaces.
- Battery Life: Endurance Matters
The i7’s battery lasts about 75 minutes, while the j7 stretches to 97 minutes, thanks to its 2210 mAh Denali battery. In my 1,500-square-foot home, the j7 often cleaned the entire main floor without recharging, while the i7 occasionally paused to juice up.
Both feature “recharge and resume,” returning to the dock when low and picking up where they left off. The j7’s longer runtime and shorter two-hour charge time (vs. the i7’s three hours) made it more efficient for larger spaces.
- Smart Features: App and Voice Control
Both vacuums sync with the iRobot Home app, letting you schedule cleanings, set no-go zones, and name rooms for targeted cleaning. I set the j7 to vacuum my living room daily at 10 a.m., and it obeyed flawlessly, even when I was at work.
Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant worked like a charm—saying, “Alexa, tell Roomba to clean the kitchen” felt futuristic. The j7’s app integration feels more polished, offering cleaning suggestions based on my habits, like extra passes in the dining room after dinner parties.
The i7’s Smart Mapping is robust, storing up to 10 maps, ideal for multi-level homes. The j7 matches this but adds obstacle-learning capabilities, making it smarter over time. For example, after marking a stray sock as “safe,” the j7 nudged it aside on future runs, while the i7 kept bumping into it.
Pros And Cons of Roomba i7 And j7
Roomba i7 Pros
- Strong performance on low-pile carpets, grabbing embedded dirt effectively.
- Affordable base model ($399.99) compared to the j7.
- Stores up to 10 maps, great for multi-story homes.
- Reliable Smart Mapping and app control for customized cleaning.
- Self-emptying i7+ model reduces maintenance.
Roomba i7 Cons
- Top-mounted camera lacks obstacle avoidance, leading to occasional bumps or tangles.
- Smaller 0.3-liter dustbin requires more frequent emptying (non-plus model).
- Shorter battery life (75 minutes) and longer charging time (3 hours).
- Bulkier Clean Base (i7+) takes up more space.
- Struggles with long hair, needing regular brushroll cleaning.
Roomba j7 Pros
- PrecisionVision navigation avoids pet waste, cords, and small objects.
- Longer battery life (97 minutes) and faster charging (2 hours).
- Larger 0.4-liter dustbin holds more debris.
- Compact Clean Base (j7+) fits better in small spaces.
- Obstacle-learning via app enhances performance over time.
Roomba j7 Cons
- Higher price ($599.99 for j7, $799.99 for j7+).
- Slightly heavier (7.49 lbs vs. 7.44 lbs).
- Less effective on low-pile carpets compared to i7.
- Hair wrapping on brushrolls still requires maintenance.
- No mopping feature, unlike some newer Roomba models.
Real-World Testing: My Home, My Messes
To get a true sense of these vacuums, I let them loose in my home’s chaos.
My living room, with its mix of hardwood and a shaggy rug, was a proving ground.
The i7 tackled pet hair on the rug well but got caught on a rug tassel once, requiring a quick save.
The j7, with its front-facing camera, navigated the same rug without issue, even dodging a dog toy I left out.
In the kitchen, where tile meets crumbs daily, both vacuums shone. The j7’s DirtDetect lingered longer over a coffee ground spill, ensuring a spotless finish. The i7 did fine but needed an extra pass for stubborn bits.
The real test came in my hallway, littered with a charging cord and a stray sock. The j7 spotted both, sending me a photo via the app to confirm they were safe to nudge. The i7, alas, tangled with the cord, forcing me to intervene.
For pet owners, the j7’s obstacle avoidance is a standout. I’ve read horror stories of vacuums smearing pet messes, and the j7’s ability to dodge these disasters gave me peace of mind. The i7, while capable, relies on touch sensors, which means it bumps into objects before redirecting—a riskier bet with pets.
Price and Value: What’s Worth Your Money?
The i7 starts at $399.99, with the i7+ at $699.99, while the j7 is $599.99 and the j7+ is $799.99. The price gap reflects the j7’s advanced navigation and longer battery life.
During sales, like Black Friday, I’ve seen the j7 drop to $299 and the j7+ to $699.99, making it a steal for pet owners or cluttered homes. The i7’s lower price appeals if you don’t need obstacle avoidance and have a simpler floor plan.
The i7+ and j7+’s self-emptying bases justify their cost if you hate maintenance. I found the j7+’s compact base and smarter navigation worth the extra $100 over the i7+, especially in my pet-heavy, obstacle-prone home. If budget is tight, the base i7 is a solid performer, but you’ll miss the j7’s next-gen smarts.
Who Should Buy Which?
If you live in a multi-level home with mostly low-pile carpets and minimal clutter, the i7 or i7+ is a cost-effective choice. Its vSLAM navigation handles large spaces well, and the self-emptying base (i7+) keeps things hands-off. It’s ideal for those who want reliable cleaning without breaking the bank.
The j7 or j7+ is the better pick for pet owners, cluttered homes, or anyone craving cutting-edge tech. Its obstacle avoidance and longer battery life make it a low-maintenance star, especially in homes with cords, toys, or pet messes. The j7+’s compact base is a bonus for small spaces.
My Verdict: j7 Takes The Crown
After weeks of testing, the j7 edges out the i7 for me. Its obstacle avoidance saved me from countless tangles, and the longer battery life meant fewer interruptions.
The i7’s strong carpet performance and lower price are tempting, but the j7’s smarter navigation and pet-friendly features align better with my chaotic household. Your choice depends on your home’s needs—simple and budget-friendly (i7) or smart and hassle-free (j7).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The j7 is better for most users due to its advanced obstacle avoidance, longer battery life, and larger dustbin. Choose the i7 if you want a cheaper option with strong low-pile carpet performance.
The j7+ includes a self-emptying Clean Base that holds up to 60 days of debris, while the j7 requires manual emptying. Otherwise, their features and performance are identical.
Yes, if you value hands-off cleaning and have pets or clutter. The self-emptying base and obstacle avoidance make it a time-saver, especially at sale prices like $699.99.
The j7+ is currently the best for its balance of smart navigation, obstacle avoidance, and self-emptying convenience. For mopping, consider the Combo j7+ or j9+.
Conclusion: Your Clean, Your Choice
You’ve seen my journey with the Roomba i7 and j7—two capable vacuums with distinct strengths. The i7 offers solid cleaning and mapping at a lower price, perfect if you’re budget-conscious and have a straightforward home.
The j7, with its obstacle-dodging smarts and longer runtime, is your ally in pet-filled or cluttered spaces. Weigh your needs, space, and budget, and you’ll find the Roomba that makes your floors sparkle with minimal effort. Happy cleaning!