When it comes to robot vacuum cleaners, the Roomba i7+ vs I3+ are both highly rated contenders, each with their own commendable features. If you’re not sure which one to choose, this article provides guidance.
Roomba I7+ is a cleaning device with powerful and effective performance for all types of carpets, from high to low. It is also compatible with an automatic bin emptying handle with a clean base, reducing the need for manual bin emptying.
Roomba I3+ is a reasonable choice for your budget. This device is surprisingly powerful and works really well on hard floors and medium-thick carpets.
Roomba I3+ Vs I7+: Comparison Chart
Roomba I3+ Vs I7+: Differences
There was a 3-0 win for Roomba I7+ over Roomba I3+ and a 1-1 tie. In what ways do they differ from each other? Let’s dive into the rest of the article to find out what the rest of it is about!
Cleaning performance
The winner: Roomba I7+
Hardwood floor
| Roomba I7+ | Roomba I3+ |
|---|---|
| ≈ 99% | ≈ 98% |
My tests showed these Roombas hit the mark when it came to cleaning my hard floors. Roomba I3+ vs I7+ can clean smoothly and effectively without difficulty clearing large or small debris like rice or grains. There isn’t a huge gap between them, although the I7+ just takes the lead.
Low-pile Carpet
| Roomba I7+ | Roomba I3+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 99% | ≈ 95% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 97% | ≈ 92% |
It can be said that the Roomba I7+ is the best choice if you have low carpet in your house. It provides effective and easy cleaning, picking up pet hair and debris faster and better than the I3+. In addition, both of these models are solidly machined, and the motor is also extremely powerful, with strong suction power helping the robot maintain suction performance on the carpet without weakening.
Both the Roomba I7+ Vs I3+ have pros and cons when it comes to vacuuming high-quality carpets. Both can be mounted and moved easily, but there are parts that need to be cleaned or replaced regularly to maintain their effectiveness, especially with the i3+.
Hair test
In hair tests, a key concern for pet owners, these robots revealed a number of shortcomings. They picked up a fair amount of hair scattered on my floor, but not all of it ended up in their collection bin. We noticed a small amount of tangling in the dual rubber rollers (and side brushes), but the wider rollers on the S9+ seemed to prevent tangling better.
Design & Usability
The winner: Roomba I7+
Dimension
Their round shapes and slim profiles allow them to easily navigate under most beds and sofas, ensuring they can reach those often-neglected areas for a thorough clean.
Furthermore, their lightweight construction makes it effortless to carry them from one floor to another without breaking a sweat, thanks to the sturdy handle incorporated into their design. This portability is a handy feature for users who want to take advantage of their robot vacuum’s cleaning prowess throughout their home.
While the docking stations for these models may appear a bit bulky, their sleek and modern design adds an attractive touch to any room. This means that not only are they functional in terms of recharging and storage, but they also blend seamlessly into your home decor.
Extractor & Side Brush
When it comes to the extractor and side brush systems, both the iRobot Roomba i3+ vs i7+ employ iRobot’s patented multi-surface rubber suction brushes, offering some significant advantages, especially for households with pets.
These rubber brush rollers are particularly beneficial for pet owners as they are less prone to getting entangled with pet hair compared to traditional brush sets used by other robot vacuum brands. This means you can enjoy efficient cleaning without the hassle of constantly removing pet hair from the brush, making your cleaning routine more hassle-free.
Moreover, these multi-surface rubber brush rollers are adaptable to various floor heights, making them versatile performers on different surfaces such as hardwood floors, tiles, and carpets. They effectively pull in debris, dirt, and pet hair, ensuring consistent cleaning effectiveness across your home.
Navigation
The Roomba i7+ stands out with its advanced iAdapt 3.0 navigation technology, utilizing a camera to visually map your entire house. This technology allows the robot to create a comprehensive map, capturing every corner and layout of each location and room it cleans. Additionally, the i7+ can save up to 10 different maps, making it an ideal choice for multi-story houses or homes with many separate rooms. This level of mapping precision and versatility ensures that the i7+ efficiently navigates and cleans your entire home.
On the other hand, the Roomba i3+ relies on floor sensors for navigation and movement. While this technology is an improvement over older collision sensor technologies, it does not offer the same level of sophistication and mapping precision as the i7+. The i3+ can create basic cleaning paths but does not save as many maps or provide the same room-by-room efficiency as the i7+.
Battery
The Roomba i7+ boasts an impressive run time of 120 minutes on a single charge, which is notably longer compared to the i3+’s 75-minute run time. Both models feature lithium-ion rechargeable batteries known for their efficiency and durability.
The “Automatically clean remaining when battery is full” function is one standout feature that both the i3+ and the i7+ share. This feature allows these robots to autonomously recharge themselves when the battery runs low during the cleaning process. This is particularly convenient, as it ensures that the cleaning job is completed without requiring your constant attention.
Whether you’re at home or away, you can rest easy knowing that your i3+ or i7+ will automatically return to finish the cleaning task once it’s recharged, providing you with a hassle-free cleaning experience.
Control
The winner: Roomba I7+
The Roomba i3+ provides efficient cleaning in straight lines and covers areas systematically, but it has a limitation: it cannot save maps or remember locations. This means it doesn’t offer the same level of advanced control features as the i7+. However, it is compatible with the iRobot app, which allows you to initiate cleaning sessions and access basic settings.
On the other hand, the Roomba i7+ offers a more personalized cleaning experience through its advanced control options. Using the iRobot HOME smartphone app, you can create and save maps of your home, enabling you to define specific cleaning zones and set quarantine zones to avoid certain areas. This level of control allows for selective cleaning requests and ensures that your robot doesn’t venture into areas you’d like to keep off-limits.
Additionally, the i7+ allows you to manually command it to avoid specific objects and obstacles in its cleaning path, adding an extra layer of control and customization to your cleaning routine. For the i3+, you would need to use the iRobot Genius platform to access similar features.
Both the Roomba i3+ vs i7+ support voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, providing a hands-free control option that many users find convenient. This feature allows you to easily start or stop cleaning sessions and interact with your robot without the need for physical buttons or mobile apps, offering a streamlined and efficient way to manage your cleaning tasks.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Tie!
Both models come equipped with a 500-ml dustbin, providing ample capacity for collecting dirt and debris during cleaning sessions. However, what sets them apart is their self-cleaning base, known as the Clean Base. When either robot senses that the dustbin is full, it will automatically return to the Clean Base to empty the collected debris into a single-use bag. This is a significant advantage over robots that simply stop and exit a cleaning session when the dustbin is full. The self-emptying feature ensures that your robot can continue cleaning without losing suction or effectiveness, saving you the hassle of manual intervention.
In terms of maintenance, both the Roomba i3+ vs i7+ are designed with user-friendly features in mind. The trash can is easily accessible and can be removed and emptied with minimal effort. This makes it a straightforward process to dispose of the collected debris and replace the single-use bags in the Clean Base.
Furthermore, both models come with washable high-performance filters, reducing the need for frequent filter replacements. This contributes to cost savings and ensures that the robots maintain their cleaning efficiency over time.
The brushes used in both the i3+ and the i7+ are designed for easy removal and cleaning. This feature helps prevent the brushes from becoming clogged with debris and ensures that they remain effective for an extended period.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba I7+
- ALWAYS GETTING SMARTER - Quality that lasts; Intelligence that grows; equipped with advanced hardware capable of providing the intelligent features you love today, and access to our latest advancements in the future
- COMPLETE CONTROL OF YOUR CLEAN - With Smart Mapping, your robot knows your kitchen from your living room, so you can decide where it cleans and when; With Keep Out Zones, your robot knows to avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas
- Roomba, CLEAN MY KITCHEN - Enjoy hands-free control with Alexa and the Google assistant*
- ALWAYS GETTING SMARTER - Quality that lasts; Intelligence that grows; equipped with advanced hardware capable of providing the intelligent features you love today, and access to our latest advancements in the future
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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- Roomba J7+ Vs I3+: Which Self-Emptying Robot Is Better?
- Roomba I3+ Vs I8+: How To Choose The Best Self-Emptying Robot?
References:
- Roomba I7+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming/robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-i7-plus/I755020.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.