Robovacs are cheap right now, but this self-draining Roomba is worth paying more for (2023)

So far, the story of this year's robotic vacuuming market has been one of low-cost, high-performance devices bringing automated cleaning to more and more homes around the world. While we don't have the bells and whistles of the premium line, we're impressed by the solid performance of vacuum cleaners likeHello IONRobot 750,Ecovac Deebot 901IEufy Robovac11S.

But at the top end of the market, category leaders like iRobot continue to innovate. Take the new iRobot Roomba i7 and i7+, for example. Aiming at new levels of performance and comfort, these new Roombas may look familiar, but they have completely upgraded internals, with improved suction and collection, smarter mapping, and thanks to the i7+, automatic debris removal.

You no longer have to empty the small dust container after each cleaning - the i7+ does it for you. Once it's done cleaning, the i7+ goes back to its charging station, a new model with a large, hanging bin called the Clean Base. Dust and dirt are extracted by the Roomba and carefully stored in a sealed bag with enough capacity for up to 30 cleanings. This is just one of many improvements iRobot hopes to steer away from its low-cost competitors and convince you to invest in a more refined experience.

Today we're looking at the $949 Roomba i7+, which includes an upgraded dock and an auto-trash feature. If you prefer a more traditional robot vacuum, the company's entry-level Roomba i7 costs $699. It offers all the features of the i7+ except for automatic dirt removal, but you can upgrade the internal canister and charging dock later on for $299.

Redesigned, inside and out

At first glance, the Roomba i7+ looks like any robotic vacuum you've ever seen, but this new model has been redesigned inside and out. Under the hood is an improved and enlarged processorBaranunlocks new features, while the newly designed cleaning head with two rubber brushes for different surfaces and powerful suction promises ten times more air power and twice the cleaning performance compared to the previous Roomba flagship model.

Built-in cameras and sensors support Roomba's latest intelligent mapping features, which allow the robot to know the layout of every room on every floor of your home. While it's quite fun to clean anywhere, a quick tap on the iRobot HOME app allows you to select a specific room to clean or instruct an Amazon deviceAlexazAsystent Google.

At first glance, the Roomba i7+ looks like any robotic vacuum you've ever seen.

The robot learns about your home every time it cleans - a sensor on the bottom detects areas that attract more dirt (such as high-traffic corridors) and cleans those floors more thoroughly. The redesigned, washable dust bin can now be rinsed out to keep it clean, and even the i7's manual controls have changed from mechanical buttons to a new tactile feel.

Arriving in an impressively large box consisting of the robot, charging station and accessories (including an extra bag, front sweeping brush, filter and virtual wall barrier), Roomba i7+ takes little time to set up. It comes fully assembled and partially charged, but you'll need to find a suitable location for the high-charging station, then install and set up the iRobot Home app (iOS/Androidmaintained). iRobot recommends charging Roomba's lithium-ion battery for three hours before first use, after which the robot will automatically return to the charging dock when it needs to be recharged.

The thick, fine Clean Base is hard to put down

One downside to using the large Clean Base i7+ is that it's harder to hide the vacuum cleaner when not in use. We often see flat charging stations fit under cupboards, allowing robotic vacuum cleaners to come and go as they please. This is not possible with the i7+, so if you want to stow the Roomba you may need to find a spacious utility room or a large closet with an outlet.

The problem becomes even bigger when you realize how picky the Clean Base app is. iRobot recommends that the smart charging station has at least four feet of space in front and 15 feet on each side. Finding the right place in a home with an outlet can be a challenge, especially in smaller homes and apartments. With less space, you can accidentally create a "virtual wall" that prevents parts of your floor plan from being mapped - a problem we encountered several times during testing. This isn't the problem we've had with cheaper mapping robots, and we'd expect the thousand-dollar model to be more accommodating.

Quiet and efficient cleaning

When you first start up the i7+, you will notice that the vacuum cleaner is quite quiet when cleaning. An integrated (rather primitive) speaker tells you the status of the Roomba, so you can monitor events without having to connect to the app, although iRobot recommends pausing for the first cleaning. A single edge-sweeping brush (rather than the two found on many competitors) means the vacuum has to attack the edges of the room in multiple directions, and we were a little surprised to see the device hitting table legs and other furniture more often. hit than expected when first cleaned. However, the robot was able to climb over carpets and cracks in the floor with relative ease, and when it got stuck in a corner of the carpet, it managed to free itself and continue cleaning.

Unlike some robot vacuum cleaners that initially display real-time floor plans when scanning, you have to wait for the i7 to finish its first run before you can see the results. We started our first run without fully charging the robot, so the i7 had to go back to the charging dock to finish. We were pleased to see that the iRobot Home App clearly indicates the charging time, and the dirt is automatically removed after each turn. The Clean Base is equipped with a very powerful vacuum cleaner that makes noise when ejected. While it is both effective and practical, you will definitely use it.

After three passes, your map will be created and Roomba will guess how the floor space is divided into different rooms. Adjusting the plan is easy: draw straight lines on the map to mark divisions, then press and mark each room. Now you can command Roomba i7 to clean specific rooms on an ad hoc basis or on a scheduled basis - both are easy to manage.

Multi-floor mapping is a real convenience

Persistent mapping - a feature that allows the i7 to store and recall multiple maps - seems like an obvious addition to a robot vacuum, but it's missing from many models. The inclusion here is a real bonus. Of course, you'll have to spend time mapping each floor of your house, but once you've done that, you can just move the i7 upstairs and run it.

The edge cleaning was much better than the cheap robotic vacuum cleaners we tested.

We liked the i7's cleaning performance, which was first class. The edge cleaning was much better than the cheap robotic vacuum cleaners we tested, and the automatic spot cleaning kicked in a few times when the robot detected an area that needed more attention.

Of course, with the arrival of the Clean Base i7+, owners will have to buy dirt cleaning bags on a semi-regular basis. At $15 for a three-pack, the bags are more expensive than we expected, but iRobot tells us that one pack lasts six months, so it shouldn't be a significant expense. If the thought of being attached to consumables gives you the shivers, the entry-level i7 model has a more traditional and larger bin that you empty after each cleaning.

Each bag features a plastic top panel that slides smoothly into the Clean Base for a precise fit. You'll be notified when it's time to change your bag, and when you've pulled out a full bag, a plastic panel slides over the opening, preventing dust from flying anywhere. It's a nice design.

Smart voice control is not that smart

Wanting to try Roomba Voice Control, we first linked our iRobot account with usGoogle Homeunit. Unfortunately, the Assistant repeatedly advised us - you guessed it - to link our account, even though it successfully linked it in the Google Home app when it tried to follow the command. After repeating these steps several times, we finally linked our accounts, only to be told that the Roomba is "not responding to commands at this time."

Fortunately, our experience with Alexa was much better as accounts connected quickly and the i7+ correctly responded to voice commands with near-instantaneous results. We will continue to experiment with the Google Assistant and update this review if and when we succeed.

Our roof

It would be easy - albeit a little lazy - to call the Roomba i7+ the "iPhone of robotic vacuum cleaners" given its hefty price tag and premium features, but that certainly seems to be where the model comes in. At $949, ​​the i7+ is very expensive, especially considering the sheer number of budget competitors hitting the market. But with this innovative robot vacuum, iRobot has set a new standard for industry-leading convenience and performance that busy, affluent homeowners will love.

That said, the i7+ still has room for improvement. The problems we encountered with Google Home can be solved programmatically, while the tricky space requirements around the Clean Base can be more difficult to solve. But overall, if you have the money, the Roomba i7+ is a great addition to your smart home.

Warranty information

iRobot Roomba i7+ comes with a one-year warranty. Considering the price, we wish iRobot would offer extended warranty options to protect your initial investment, but that's not possible at the moment.

Is there a better alternative?

While few, if any, competitors can match the Roomba i7+ in terms of features and performance, there are certainly cheaper units out there that better suit your budget. For $699, the entry-level Roomba i7 offers the same features as the top model except for automatic dirt removal. Otherwise, look at $300Ecovac Deebot 901. It only offers single floor mapping and doesn't clean as thoroughly as the Roomba i7, but voice control, virtual limits, and low price make it a great alternative.

How long will it be?

With a 25-year history in consumer robotics and a large number of devices deployed around the world, we don't have to worry too much about the iRobot's achievements. As with any robot vacuum cleaner, the i7+ will likely take some bumps and bumps when cleaning your home, and we'd feel more comfortable with a longer warranty period. To protect your investment, be sure to review the company's equipment maintenance guidelines, particularly regarding regular cleaning and replacement of consumables, all of which are available atiRobot website.

Should you buy it?

If you have deep pockets, a spacious home and are looking for the latest in cleaning technology, you'll love the practical, feature-packed Roomba i7+.

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