Let’s face it, emptying the dustbin of your robot manually is one of those things that no one wants to do. After all, we spend our hard-earned money on a robot vacuum to keep our hands clean, right? Today, I’ll compare the Roomba J7+ vs I3+ – two Roomba self-cleaning robots on opposite ends of the price spectrum.
They come with self-cleaning bases, so you don’t have to worry about emptying their bins, of course. But the Roomba J7+ is the overall winner because it offers a lot of bells and whistles when paired with the app. The Roomba I3+ is suitable for those who are more budget-conscious and can do without the bells and whistles of smart features like map saving and no-go zones.
Roomba J7+ Vs I3+: Comparison Chart
Roomba J7+ Vs I3+: Differences
The J7+ has a 5-2 win against the I3+. Now, let’s put these two self-emptying robots in a detailed face-off and find out how they are different!
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Roomba J7+
Suction Power
| Roomba J7+ | Roomba I3+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Suction (Pa) | N/A | N/A |
| Max Airflow (CFM) | ≈ 7.2 CFM | ≈ 7.4 CFM |
Both have almost the same airflow level since they use the same motor. Despite the low airflow, they performed decently on both my hardwood floor and carpet because of the dual rubber rollers and “dirt detect” feature, empowering them to make additional passes in areas that are particularly dirty.
Hard Floor
| Roomba J7+ | Roomba I3+ |
|---|---|
| ≈ 97% | ≈ 96% |
There wasn’t much difference with this test. The J7+ picked up a bit more, but the variance was too slight to declare a winner. Both showcased above-average performance on my hardwood floor, thanks to the dual brush roll system and intelligent “dirt detection” technology.
Carpets
| Roomba J7+ | Roomba I3+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 97% | ≈ 96% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 89% | ≈ 87% |
The J7+ was again slightly better at cleaning my carpet, both low- and high-pile types. This was anticipated, considering their low airflow, which can be a limiting factor in carpet cleaning efficacy.
Hair Pet
| Roomba J7+ | Roomba I3+ | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 91% | ≈ 85% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 78% | ≈ 72% |
One unexpected result during my comparison was the hair wrap test. The J7+ did better on both 5- and 10-inch strands. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around why the J7+ did better since both have (essentially) the same airflow and dual extractor system. Their bristle-free design made untangling a hassle-free experience.
Design & Usability
Winner: Roomba J7+
First Look & Dimensions
| Roomba J7+ | Roomba I3+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W x H) | 13.3 x 3.4 inches | 13.3 x 3.6 inches |
| Weight | 7.49 lbs | 7.44 lbs |
When it comes to design, these robots are very similar. Both feature a round-shaped frame like most Roombs, giving them a slight edge in making turns in tight spaces compared to their D-shaped siblings like the Roomba S9. The I3+ is available in a single black and grey finish, while the J7+ comes in a black and silver finish.
They both use a self-emptying home base, with the I3+ coming with the narrower but taller version. In terms of functionality, there’s no difference, as both robots will automatically empty their dustbins during docking. The J7+’s station has a slot for the extra bag, but this doesn’t expand the bot’s overall width.
Extractor & Side Brush
If you flip these bots, it would be hard for you to distinguish one from the other since they use the same dual green brush roller and side brush with the same placement. I was particularly fond of their dual rubber rollers, which significantly enhanced their debris pick-up capabilities while also simplifying the detangling process.
Navigation
The only thing that these intelligent robots have in common regarding navigation is that they both move in straight lines for thorough cleaning. The J7 is the smarter Roomba with vSLAM technology, which is a front-facing camera functioning like top-mounted cameras on most vSLAM-based Roombas. This one can save up to 10 maps and could indeed avoid obstacles better than the I3+ and all the Roombas I’ve tested.
As for the Roomba I3+, it maps out your space using a combination of a gyroscope and an optical sensor for navigation. It can only save one map, and you can’t unlock all the bells and whistles of the J7+.
Another difference between these Roomba bots is their ability to avoid obstacles. The Roomba I3+ doesn’t have this, of course, because it doesn’t have any built-in cameras at all. Meanwhile, the front camera on the J7+ helps it “see” obstacles and cleverly avoid them entirely.
All right, equipped robot vacuums with front-mounted cameras for obstacle avoidance is not something new, but I’d say that it is among the best obstacle-avoiding robots. In addition to dodging common household obstacles and fake pet feces, it also excelled at avoiding cables and cords, something only high-end Roboroks, such as the S7 MaxV, could do.
Battery Life
| Roomba J7+ | Roomba I3+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 82 mins | ≈ 61 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 146 mins | ≈ 112 mins |
The J7+ uses a larger 2410 mAh battery compared to the 1800 mAh battery on the I3+, so the former runs further between charges – Not a huge difference, but this is still an improvement. I honestly didn’t care about this so much, as both could dock for recharge automatically and then resume cleaning right where they left off.
Control
Winner: Roomba J7+
Manual Control
The I3+ uses a three-button system to start or pause a cleaning, send the bot to the home base, and clean a small zone. On the other hand, the J7+ only has a single button to do the same thing, except spot cleaning. Of course, to unlock all the features, you need the iRobot Home App.
App Connectivity
Both the J7+ and I3+ work with the iRobot Home app for remote control. But you can’t do much with the I3+ since, as mentioned above, it doesn’t have a map-saving feature. As for the J7+, you can leverage a variety of features to make this one smarter.
Both bots are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Both also have a scheduling feature, empowering you to automate your vacuuming chores. you can also program the robot to automatically start work every time you step out of the house, ensuring you always return to a pristine home.
As for the differences, the J7+ can save up to ten maps with different customization options for each. It is among the robot vacuums that can save the most maps I’ve tested and is super useful for homes spanning multiple stories.
You can also divide the rooms, and set keep-out zones to block off-limit areas. This feature functions like a no-go zone in Roborock, which blocks rectangular and square areas. Unfortunately, the iRobot app doesn’t have the option to set invisible walls, so there’s no way to block diagonal areas. You can also draw clean zones for spot cleaning and save them so you don’t need to redraw them repeatedly.
The J7+ is the first Roomba with obstacle area features, where you can check out each object that this one took a photo of while cleaning and determine whether it is a permanent obstacle or not. Once the robot has this information, it meticulously avoids these obstacles in future cleaning sessions.
You can easily monitor the status of crucial components such as the filter and brush roller, as well as get a direct link to a helpful guide for cleaning these parts. But that’s not all – you can even pair the J7+ with the Braava Jet m6 mopping robot right on the app so they can automatically work with each other.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
These bots share a 0.5-liter capacity bin to house dust, debris, grime, etc. They also ship with self-emptying docks that empty their dustbin after each cleaning cycle, or anytime they get full. The J7+ uses a lower profile but wider home base. I like this design better since it has extra storage for a spare dust bag without really increasing the footprint of the robot. iRobot recommends getting another base station as a time saver if you’re willing to spend, but I’d suggest simply moving the base station, as it is neither too bulky nor heavy.
By the way, both bases use a 2.4-liter disposable dust bag, which needs to be replaced every one to two months. On a side note, the onboard HEPA filters of both models necessitate a monthly wash to maintain optimal performance.
Other Features
Winner: Tie
Noise
| Roomba J7+ | Roomba I3+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 61 dB | ≈ 63 dB |
| Self-Emptying | ≈ 72 dB | ≈ 69 dB |
When it comes to noise levels, both models are on the quieter side because of their low airflow. It’s worth noting that the Roomba I3+ is the noisier option while cleaning, but the J7+ is louder when self-emptying the dust bin. So, it’s hard to declare a winner in this aspect.
Mopping Ability
The Roomba J7+ and I3+ are just pure robot vacuums. I mean, they lack the mopping capabilities that their hybrid counterparts, such as the Roomba Combo J7+, boast.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba J7+
- CLEANS WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT– Only iRobot brings you Imprint Smart Mapping allowing you to control and schedule which rooms are cleaned and when, while storing multiple maps for easier cleaning on each level of your home.
- AVOIDS PET ACCIDENTS – WE GUARANTEE IT - IRobot brings you P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise). You can rely on your Roomba j7+ to avoid pet waste, or we’ll replace it for free. Additional terms and conditions apply – see iRobot website for details.
- KNOWS WHAT TO CLEAN AND WHAT TO AVOID - The Roomba j7+ robot vacuum uses IRobot OS Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation to recognize and avoid common objects in its way like cords, pet waste, socks and shoes.
- MORE THOUGHTFUL THAN YOU THOUGHT - The Roomba j7+ takes vacuuming off your mind with personalized cleaning suggestions powered by the unique intelligence of IRobot OS. Learns your habits and your routines.
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE. The 3-Stage Cleaning System packs 10x the Power-Lifting Suction, an Edge-Sweeping Brush gets along walls and corners, and Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes flex to adjust to different floor types. Compared to the Roomba 600 series.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba I3+
- PERFORMANCE: The iRobot Roomba i3 plus (3550) Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum pulls in stubborn dirt with a Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System and 10X the Power-Lifting Suction. Control how you clean with the iRobot Home app or your voice assistant
- AUTOMATIC DIRT DISPOSAL: Forget about vacuuming for months at a time with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal that allows the i3 plus to empty itself for up to 60 days.
- APP: The newly updated iRobot Home App allows you to upgrade your overall cleaning experience. Enjoy features that work around your life, including personalized scheduling suggestions and seasonal recommendations, all tailored to your unique needs
- VOICE ASSISTANCE: The Robot Vacuum learns your cleaning habits to offer up personalized schedules, while Google Assistant and Alexa allow you to start cleaning with just the sound of your voice. The i3 will even suggest an extra clean when your area’s pollen count is high or during pet shedding season
- TECHNOLOGY: Patented Dirt Detect Technology helps your robot find the dirtier areas in your home, like high-traffic spots, and cleans them more thoroughly
Product Videos
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References:
- Roomba J7+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-j7plus-self-emptying-robot-vacuum/J755020.html
- Roomba I3+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-i3plus-evo-self-emptying-robot-vacuum/I355020.html
Richard B. Schmidt is a prominent figure in the vacuum cleaner industry, boasting over 15 years of expertise. Armed with a Robotics Engineering degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Consumer Science from Harvard, his unique blend of technical knowledge and consumer insights positions him as a sought-after authority in vacuum cleaner evaluation. Richard’s career began at Dyson, where he contributed to the development of innovative vacuum models. Transitioning to advocacy and reviews, he co-founded the first Vacuum-focused blog in 2008, offering comprehensive analysis and user guides for various vacuum cleaners. In 2020, he founded RoboMop.net, providing ongoing insights through columns and buyer’s guides.