The three MIT roboticists behind iRobot, Colin Angle, Rodney Brooks, and Helen Greiner, would not have foreseen that their robots would make a name for themselves in transforming household cleaning, 30 years after establishing the company in 1990.
The Roomba line now features the capacity to clean household dirt, dust, and grime with little need for human assistance. They can maneuver throughout the house with intelligence, even specifying no-entry or restricted zones.
As the product line grows, the choices become more complex and overwhelming, due to the delicate differences between the options.
We’ll be evaluating and contrasting the two premier product lines in the Roomba intelligent robot series in this article.
1. iRobot Roomba i3 vs iRobot Roomba i7
2. iRobot Roomba i3+ vs iRobot Roomba i7+
iRobot Roomba i3
The Roomba i3 is the entry-level model of the “i” series of intelligent robots from iRobot, which includes models such as the i3, i3+, i7, i7+, i9, and others. These vacuuming robots can map your home using intelligent rectangular paths, promoting a more organized cleaning experience.
Besides its Smart Navigation feature, the i3 also has a suction power that is 10 times stronger than other Roomba models such as the 600 series and is equipped with intelligent controls including voice control support through Amazon Alexa or Google Voice.
The i3 boasts a dual brush system, a standout characteristic that users highly praise for its effectiveness on carpets and tough spots. Compared to other products in the market, the i3’s performance surpasses most of them.
Pros
– Navigation is made smart without cameras in the i3 range, providing a heightened level of security as no video footage can be compromised. Floor sensors are utilized to accomplish this.
– The i3 boasts a 10 times stronger suction compared to the iRobot Roomba 600 series.
– With the i3, you can create a cleaning schedule tailored to your needs and control it through voice commands using either Google Voice or Amazon Alexa.
– Carpets are no match for the tough cleaning power of dual brushes with multi-surface capability.
– With the app, you can establish areas that the cleaner should avoid.
– This technology pinpoints trouble spots with excessive dirt and ensures a deep cleaning.
– Upon recharging, the cleaning resumes at the previous location with minimal involvement, just clear the dirt holder.
– A budget-friendly option among the intelligent Roomba vacuums.
Cons
– A shorter operation time leads to frequent recharging for big homes. The i7, on the other hand, runs for twice as long.
– Has a noticeable level of noise during operation.
– The vSLAM navigation feature, available in the Roomba i7 and i7+, is not included in this model. As a result, it won’t generate a map of your house and may get stuck in the same location frequently.
– The dust collector is of limited capacity, thus, frequent cleaning may be required for bigger homes.
– No selective cleaning is possible with this model, unlike the i7, where you can designate specific zones.
iRobot Roomba i7
The Roomba i7 represents a step up from the i3, featuring longer usage, enhanced navigation, and more sophistic
The i7 utilizes vSLAM® navigation, a unique algorithm utilizing cameras to survey your house, creating an optimized cleaning itinerary.
The i3 doesn’t possess the capability of the i7 to designate cleaning zones, enabling specific rooms like the living room and kitchen to be cleaned individually, rather than the entire house in each cleaning run.
The i3 is inadequate for quick cleanups of the dining room, as it will clean the entire room instead of just the dining room. With the i7, this issue can be avoided by using voice commands through Alexa or Google Voice to clean only the desired area.
Both the i7 and i3 share the same features, including powerful suction, dual brushes suitable for various surfaces, and scheduling options that can be tailored to your preferences.
Keep in mind that the i7 is priced at nearly $250 more than the i3, so if the extra features are not a priority, the i3 may still be sufficient for your cleaning needs.
Pros
– The i7 boasts an advanced vSLAM navigation system, using cameras to map your home and form a unique layout for more efficient cleaning.
– Compared to the iRobot Roomba 600 series, the i7 has 10 times greater cleaning power, with a suction capacity of 1800 Pa.
– Ideal for larger homes, the i7 has a substantial run time of 180 minutes while its charging time, slightly longer than the i3’s, is still at 90 minutes.
Cons
– A costly robotic vacuum cleaner.
– Without a HEPA filtration system.
– Utilizes cameras to survey the house, raising privacy concerns and worries about hacking.
– Can be rough on carpets, so setting up a no-entry area for thicker carpets is recommended.
– Can produce loud sounds (~70dB) when running.
– The slam technology with its camera use may be perceived as intrusive by some individuals.
iRobot Roomba i3 vs. iRobot Roomba i7: Which Is Better?
The Roomba i7 has a higher sticker price than the Roomba i3, with an additional $250 charge. Despite the added expense, it’s worth it for those who reside in big houses or have children and dogs as inhabitants.
For bigger homes, the i7’s smart navigation, longer battery life, and clean zones make it a better option. These features allow for targeted cleaning, saving time and avoiding cleaning the entire house. The i7’s superior navigation system ensures faster cleaning, making it a more sophisticated choice than the i3.
iRobot Roomba i3+
The Roomba i3+ is a modified version of the Roomba i3, differing in one vital aspect.
All robot vacuums, including the most high-tech models, face the same challenge – the dust collectors need to be emptied periodically. Failing to do so will render the vacuum useless. Clearing the dust collectors requires both effort and your presence, undermining the convenience of having a robot vacuum cleaner.
To resolve this issue, iRobot introduced the Clean Base® – a dirt disposal module where the robot can drop off the collected dust. This eliminates the need to constantly clean, as you only need to empty Clean Base® every two months or so.
The robot vacuum remains unchanged from the i3, but the addition of this feature sets it apart from others in the world of robot vacuums.
Pros
– The i3+ can be programmed through Clean Base, enabling it to function without attention for several months.
– The house can be cleaned according to personalized suggestions by creating schedules.
– The smart technology of the device allows for navigation in linear paths.
– The suction capability of the device surpasses the 600 series by a factor of 10.
– Scheduling for cleaning that is customized to individual needs.
– Capable of handling voice commands.
– The cleaner can be instructed to steer clear of designated areas via the app.
– With Dirt Detect™ technology, dirty hotspots are accurately detected and rigorously cleaned.
– Self-charging and resuming cleaning at the same spot, with limited involvement beyond dirt collection.
Cons
– The i3 is $200 less costly than this one.
– HEPA filtering is absent.
– Limited run time, not ideal for spacious residences.
The i3+ is a top-notch product and could offer substantial upgrades over the i3. For a complete understanding of its capabilities, watch this review video. It will give you a better understanding of the machine’s navigation and other features.
iRobot Roomba i7+
The CleanBase collection bin is the only major difference between the Roomba i7+ and the i7. The bin can accommodate about 30 rounds of dirt from the dust collector, making it convenient for you to not have to clean it frequently.
Like the i7 compared to the i3, the i7+ brings the same benefits over the i3+. It has a top-notch navigation system (vSLAM) that uses cameras to chart your home for an efficient cleaning path.
With cleaning zones, you can instruct your robot vacuum to clean specific areas of your home instead of randomly cleaning the whole house.
Pros
– Equipped with smart navigation, CleanBase, and cleaning zones, the i7+ gives you everything you need to forget about vacuuming for an extended period. You can establish cleaning schedules and zones, then go about your activities as the i7+ takes care of everything.
– You have the option to create no-go zones to determine the areas the robot vacuum should steer clear of.
– The i7+ boasts a significantly extended run time compared to the i3+, making it more efficient in cleaning large homes without the need for repeated recharging.
Cons
– This device emits a significant amount of sound.
– A mopping capability is not present.
– It is roughly $250 dearer than the i3+ and about $200 pricier than the i7.
iRobot Roomba i3+ vs iRobot Roomba i7+: Which Is Better?
The prime distinction between the two models is your home’s size. The i7+ performs better in larger homes but remember, it is more expensive by $250 compared to the i3+. Choose wisely based on your needs.
The i7+ vs i7 (and i3+ vs i3) upgrade question is common. The Clean Base has a separate cost of $300, but if it’s deemed necessary, buying it bundled with the i3+/i7+ models would only result in an extra $200 expense. On the other hand, if daily dust collector cleaning is manageable and not a problem, you can save $250 by skipping the extra cost.
Parting Words
Both the Roomba i3 and i7 are outstanding robot vacuums. The i3+ and i7+ models offer self-disposal of waste, making the robot vacuum truly autonomous. While the i3 models are suitable for many users and smaller homes, the extra features that come with the i7, especially for larger homes, may make it a worthier purchase.
iRobot Roomba i3
iRobot Roomba i7