The founders of iRobot, Colin Angle, Rodney Brooks, and Helen Greiner, who were roboticists from MIT, likely never envisioned that 30 years after establishing the company in 1990, their robots would be credited with revolutionizing home cleaning
Currently, the Roomba series can automatically vacuum, clean, and discard dust, dirt, and grime with little human involvement. Their navigation skills enable them to move around the house with ease, even identifying restricted or off-limit regions.
However, as the product line expands, the options and complexity increase, making the choice difficult due to subtle variations.
This article will explore the differences between the two leading lines of the Roomba intelligent robot series.
1. iRobot Roomba i3 vs iRobot Roomba i7
2. iRobot Roomba i3+ vs iRobot Roomba i7+
iRobot Roomba i3
The Roomba i3 is the simplest model in iRobot’s intelligent “i” series, which comprises the i3, i3+, i7, i7+, i9, and others. These vacuum robots can chart out your home using smart rectangular paths, resulting in a more systematic cleaning.
In addition to its Smart Navigation, the i3 also boasts 10 times the suction power of Roomba models like the 600 series and features intelligent controls including voice command support through Amazon Alexa or Google Voice.
The i3’s dual brush system is a well-loved feature by users when it comes to tackling difficult areas and carpet cleaning. It outperforms the majority of its rival products available in the market.
Pros
– The i3 line features camera-free smart navigation, providing added security as there are no videos for potential hackers to access. This is achieved through the use of floor sensors.
– The suction power of the i3 is ten times greater than that of the iRobot Roomba 600 series.
– The i3 allows for the creation of customized cleaning schedules and can be controlled through voice commands with the integration of Google Voice and Amazon Alexa.
– Dual brushes with multi-surface capabilities efficiently clean dirt from even the most stubborn carpet fibers.
– The app allows you to establish prohibited areas for the cleaner to steer clear of.
– The Dirt Detect™ technology identifies problem areas with high dirt concentrations and ensures thorough cleaning.
– Resumes cleaning at the same place after recharging without much input, except for emptying the dirt collector.
– Reasonably priced in comparison to other intelligent Roomba vacuums.
Cons
– Has a limited operating time. For a big house, multiple recharging sessions may be required. In contrast, the i7 has a run time that’s double.
– Operates with some noise.
– Lacks vSLAM navigation, which is present in the Roomba i7 and i7+. Consequently, it will not create a layout of your house and may face repeated obstacles.
– The dustbin is of modest size. Hence, for big homes, several cleanings may be necessary.
– The cleaning takes place everywhere. This model does not allow you to select specific cleaning zones as the i7 does.
iRobot Roomba i7
The i7 model of the Roomba surpasses the i3, boasting extended battery life, improved guidance, and smarter operation.
The i7 leverages vSLAM® navigation technology, which employs cameras to map your home and generates a bespoke cleaning route for maximum efficiency.
The i7 offers the capability to create cleaning zones, allowing you to differentiate between rooms such as the living room and kitchen. This provides the option of cleaning just one room per cycle instead of the entire house.
When needing a swift clean of the dining room before guests arrive, the i3 is unable to focus on the dining room specifically, leading to cleaning the entire space. However, with the i7, you can use Alexa or Google Voice to instruct it to clean just the dining room, a convenient feature.
The i7 boasts the same exceptional suction power, dual multi-surface brush, and customized cleaning schedules as the i3.
It’s important to consider that the i7 comes at a premium of nearly $250 over the i3, so unless the additional features are a must-have, the i3 may still meet your cleaning requirements.
Pros
– With the i7, you have the option to designate personalized cleaning areas, so you only clean the parts of your home that require attention, rather than the entire space each time.
– The i7 boasts 10 times the cleaning efficacy of the iRobot Roomba 600 series, thanks to a suction strength of 1800 Pa.
– The i7 can be controlled using voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Cons
– A robot vacuum is not cheap.
– Lacks HEPA filtration.
– Maps home using cameras, some feel it’s intrusive and fear hacking attacks.
– May be too tough on thicker carpets, consider setting up a no-go zone to protect them.
Generates considerable noise (~70dB) when in operation.
– vSLAM technology’s use of cameras raises privacy concerns for some.
iRobot Roomba i3 vs. iRobot Roomba i7: Which Is Better?
The Roomba i7 carries a premium of $250 compared to the Roomba i3. Although the cost may seem steep, it is a reasonable investment for those who live in spacious homes or have pets or kids.
Larger homes benefit the most from the i7’s standout features such as intelligent navigation, extended run time, and clean zones. These allow you to pinpoint specific areas to clean promptly and avoid cleaning the entire house unnecessarily. The i7 boasts a more advanced navigation system, making cleaning more efficient than the i3 in bigger homes.
iRobot Roomba i3+
The Roomba i3+ is an upgraded version of the Roomba i3, with a single, yet crucial, difference.
Despite the technological advancements in robot vacuum cleaners, including the most advanced models, they all share a common drawback. The dust collectors must be emptied at least once or twice during a cleaning cycle, or they become ineffective. This necessitates both effort and your presence, defeating the goal of having a robot vacuum in the first place.
To address this challenge, iRobot came up with the Clean Base® solution – a dirt disposal unit where the robot can drop off the dirt it collects while cleaning. With Clean Base®, you no longer have to worry about the hassle of cleaning; all you need to do is empty Clean Base® every few months.
The robot vacuum is identical to the i3, but the inclusion of this feature elevates it to a class of its own in the world of robot vacuums.
Pros
– With Clean Base, programming the i3+ allows for extended periods of unattended operation, lasting for months.
– Customized cleaning suggestions can be used to establish cleaning schedules for the home.
– Navigation utilizing straight-line paths is facilitated by the device’s smart capabilities.
– The suction power of the device is 10 times stronger than that of the 600 series.
– Cleaning schedules that are tailored to personal preferences.
– Voice control enabled.
– The app allows you to establish areas to be avoided by the cleaner.
– Employs Dirt Detect™ to pinpoint areas with excessive dirt and ensures thorough cleaning.
– Automatically recharges and continues cleaning from where it stopped, needing only occasional dustbin emptying.
Cons
– Significantly pricier by $200 compared to the i3.
– Lacks a HEPA filtration system.
– Run time is limited, making it unsuitable for big houses.
The i3+ is a remarkable product and could bring significant improvements over the i3. To comprehend its features, check out this review video. It will provide insights into the machine’s navigation and other capabilities.
iRobot Roomba i7+
The Roomba i7+ distinguishes itself from the i7 by just one key feature, the CleanBase collection bin. The bin can store approximately 30 rounds of dirt from the dust collector, so you don’t have to clean it daily.
The i7+ offers the same improvements over the i3+ as the i7 does over the i3. It has a superior navigation system, vSLAM, that maps your home using cameras to create an optimized cleaning route.
It is possible to define cleaning zones in your home, directing your robot vacuum to only clean specific regions rather than the entire house.
Pros
– The i7+ has smart navigation, CleanBase, and cleaning zones, providing you with everything necessary to not think about vacuuming for a considerable amount of time. You can schedule cleaning times and areas and then carry on with your daily routine as the i7+ handles everything.
– The ability to establish no-go zones also allows you to specify areas the robot vacuum should avoid.
– The i7+ has a much longer run time than the i3+, allowing it to clean a large house much quicker without the need for constant recharging.
Cons
– The device produces quite a bit of noise.
– The mopping feature is absent.
– The price is $250 higher than that of the i3+ and nearly $200 above the cost of the i7.
iRobot Roomba i3+ vs iRobot Roomba i7+: Which Is Better?
The fundamental variation between the models is based on the size of your home. The i7+ excels at cleaning larger areas, but it comes for $250 more than the i3+. Consider purchasing it only if it’s necessary.
A frequent query is whether the i7+ is a valuable upgrade over the i7 (and similarly for the i3+ vs. i3). The Clean Base has a separate price of $300, but if you think it’s crucial, it’s better to buy it bundled with the i3+/i7+ models as it will only cost you an additional $200. However, if you can manage to clean the dust collector daily and it’s not a burden, you can save $250 by avoiding the extra cost.
Parting Words
The Roomba i3 and i7 are both remarkable robot vacuums. The i3+ and i7+ provide automatic waste disposal, making the robot vacuum self-sufficient. For most users and those with smaller homes, the i3 models are sufficient, but the extra cost of the i7 brings some noteworthy features, particularly for larger homes.
iRobot Roomba i3
iRobot Roomba i7