Overall Score 6.9
Overall Score 6.9
Category | Features | iRobot Roomba i7 | iRobot Roomba i3 Plus |
---|---|---|---|
COMMONLY ASKED FOR FEATURES | can clean all floor types | ✗ | ✓ |
has mapping and navigation | ✓ | ✓ | |
has an obstacle sensor | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports no-go zones | ✓ | ✗ | |
works with alexa | ✓ | ✓ | |
compatible with google assistant | ✓ | ✓ | |
number of cleaning modes | 3only | 4only | |
warranty period | 1year | 1year | |
DESIGN FEATURES | dustbin capacity | 0.5L | ✗ |
indicates when full | ✓ | ✓ | |
weight | 3kg | 4.7kg | |
width | 338mm | 338mm | |
height | 92mm | 92mm | |
CLEANING PERFORMANCE AND POWER FEATURES | battery power | 1,800mAh | 1,800mAh |
operating time | 1.25h | 1.25h | |
charge time | 2h | 2.5h | |
has auto-off | ✓ | ✓ | |
has dirt sensor | ✓ | ✓ | |
OTHER FEATURES | is self-emptying | ✗ | ✓ |
has problem area cleaning | ✓ | ✗ | |
has carpet detection | ✗ | ✓ | |
support a mobile application | ✓ | ✓ | |
doesn't get stuck | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports virtual barriers | ✓ | ✓ | |
has route mapping | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports auto docking | ✓ | ✓ | |
has anti-fall sensor | ✓ | ✓ | |
can be scheduled | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports wi-fi | ✓ | ✓ | |
See Price on Amazon | See Price on Amazon |
The vacuum's ability to generate a map of its cleaning area is one of the commonly asked-for features. The map it creates allows the robot to "understand" the layout of the space. This can be used for different situations, e.g.
the iRobot Roomba i7 having the mapping feature can dedicate efficient cleaning in the mapped-out areas keeping out of those that are not. iRobot Roomba i3 Plus also has the mapping and navigation feature, navigation states how the robot vacuum moves around the cleaning area. Mapping and navigation often go hand in hand to help the vacuum navigate to the mapped-out areas to be cleaned leaving out those that aren't.
iRobot Roomba i7 has an obstacle sensor, this serves the purpose of detecting and identifying objects in the robot's route, allowing it to navigate around them and avoid collisions. Also, the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus has this sensor, obstacle sensors work together to provide the robot vacuum with a comprehensive understanding of its environment, enabling it to navigate around furniture, walls, and other objects when cleaning a room and avoiding damage to both the robot and its obstacles. No-go zones is a feature of many robot vacuum cleaners and the iRobot Roomba i7 supports this feature.
These zones are essentially digital boundaries or restricted spaces that you can set up preventing the robot from entering specific areas or rooms during its cleaning cycle. Many modern robot vacuum cleaners such as the iRobot Roomba i7 are built to work with Amazon Alexa, which means that they can be integrated with the Amazon Echo ecosystem and programmed using voice commands. The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus can also work with Amazon Alexa, keep in mind that you will require an Alexa-enabled device such as an Echo speaker for voice control to work with your robot vacuum.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is compatible with Google Assistant, allowing you to control it using voice commands via Google Home devices or the Google Assistant app installed on smartphones and tablets. The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus too is compatible with Google Assistant, it's always essential to verify the level of compatibility with Google Assistant before purchasing a robot vacuum. iRobot Roomba i7 has 3 cleaning modes, the cleaning modes offered by robot vacuums can vary widely depending on the design of the robot vacuum.
The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, having only 4 has more modes than the iRobot Roomba i7 with a difference of 1 Robot vacuum manufacturers may offer different cleaning modes to provide users with flexibility and adaptability to various cleaning scenarios. iRobot Roomba i7 has a period of 1 year, warranty periods typically range from 1 year to 2 years, but some higher-end brands may give longer warranty periods. The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, at 1 year has the same warranty period as that of iRobot Roomba i7.
When thinking of buying a robot vacuum cleaner, it's essential to read and understand the warranty terms and conditions, as well as any limitations or exclusions that may apply. iRobot Roomba i7's dustbin capacity is at 0.5L, dustbin capacity indicates how much dust, dirt, and pet hair the vacuum holds before it requires to be emptied. Many robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with sensors and indicators to notify users when the dustbin is full and needs to be emptied.
iRobot Roomba i7 supports this feature, which prevents the robot vacuum from getting clogged which means performance will be maintained as soon as the bin is emptied. iRobot Roomba i3 Plus also can indicate when its dustbin is full, for a robot vacuum to alert that it's full can improve the convenience of owning one since it minimizes the need for constant monitoring. The iRobot Roomba i7 weighs 3kg, robot vacuums are generally designed to be lightweight and compact for easy maneuverability and portability.
The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, at 4.7kg weighs more than the iRobot Roomba i7 by 1.7kg. It's advisable to consider the weight of the vacuum when selecting a model, especially if you plan to carry it up and down stairs iRobot Roomba i7 has a width of 338mm, aslo known as its cleaning path width, refers to the width of the area that it can effectively clean in one go. The width of a robot vacuum is important as it can affect its efficiency and the time it takes to clean a space iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, at 338mm has the same width as that of iRobot Roomba i7.
A wider cleaning path can cover more ground in a single pass, shortening the time it takes to clean a room. iRobot Roomba i7's height measures 92mm, here you are considering the measure from the bottom to its highest point. Height is a key consideration, especially if you have obstacles with low clearance in your home.
iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, at 92mm has the same height as that of iRobot Roomba i7. When choosing a robot vacuum, ensure that the robot vacuum can go under the furniture and navigate effectively in your living space without getting stuck or causing damage. The battery power of a robot vacuum cleaner is a crucial factor that determines how long the vacuum can run on a single charge.
Battery capacity is typically measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), iRobot Roomba i7's battery power is 1,800mAh iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, at mAh1,800 has the same battery power as the iRobot Roomba i7 A bigger capacity implies longer battery life which can be beneficial if you have a large room or if you prefer the robot vacuum to complete cleaning cycles without frequent interruptions to recharge. The operating time of the iRobot Roomba i7 refers to the amount of time the vacuum can clean continuously on a single battery charge before it needs to return to its charging dock for recharging. iRobot Roomba i7's operating time is 1.25h The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, at 1.25h has the same operating time as the iRobot Roomba i7 Always plan cleaning cycles around the vacuum's operating time to maximize efficiency and prevent "incomplete work" between charge intervals.
iRobot Roomba i7 has a charge time of 2h, the charge time of a robot vacuum cleaner refers to the amount of time it takes for the vacuum's battery to recharge fully after it has been depleted during a cleaning cycle. The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, at 2.5h charges for longer than the iRobot Roomba i7 with a difference of 0.5h. Charge time is an important factor to consider when choosing a robot vacuum, since it determines how long you'll need to wait before the vacuum begins its next cleaning cycle.
Auto-off is a feature designed to automatically turn off the vacuum after it has completed a cleaning cycle or when certain conditions occur. iRobot Roomba i7 has an auto-off feature, which is useful for energy efficiency and battery preservation. Also, iRobot Roomba i3 Plus has this feature, overall, the auto-off feature in a robot vacuum is a valuable addition that in a way promotes energy efficiency, prolongs the vacuum's lifespan, enhances safety, and adds convenience to the cleaning process.
iRobot Roomba i7 has a dirt sensor, these are designed to detect the availability of dirt, dust, or debris in the space being cleaned and based on their readings adjust the vacuum's cleaning behavior during operation. You may want to consider buying either the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus or iRobot Roomba i7 If you value the ability to automatically adjust the cleaning modes of the robot vacuum based on the level of dirt and debris in your room. Problem area cleaning allows you to command a robot vacuum to focus on cleaning a particular area in your space, iRobot Roomba i7 supports this, which can be really useful for addressing localized messes or high-traffic areas.
iRobot Roomba i7 supports a smartphone app, that allows you to control and monitor the vacuum remotely through your smartphone or tablet. Both the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus and iRobot Roomba i7 have mobile application support, this enhances the user experience by providing convenience, and ease update of features and functionalities. This feature in robot vacuum cleaners is designed to eliminate the likelihood of the robot vacuum getting trapped while cleaning.
Robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba i7 are equipped with various sensors and technologies to move around obstacles and avoid getting trapped, however the effectiveness of this feature can vary among different models. Both the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus and iRobot Roomba i7 have the "anti-stuck" feature, but clearing clutter, ensuring proper cable management, and creating clear paths for the vacuums helps to further eliminate the chances of becoming stuck during cleaning. These virtual barriers are set up and controlled through the robot vacuum's mobile app, similar to no-go zones, these barriers are designed to help you control and restrict where the robot vacuum can and cannot go during cleaning.
Both iRobot Roomba i7 and iRobot Roomba i3 Plus support virtual barriers, the ability to set virtual barriers is especially useful for homes with areas where the robot vacuum may become stuck. iRobot Roomba i7 has a route mapping feature that enables it to create a map of your home and plan efficient cleaning routes. This mapping capability enhances the vacuum's ability to work effectively and systematically.
Route mapping is an important feature as it enables robot vacuums such as the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus to adapt to the layout of your space to clean more efficiently and reduce the possibility of missing certain spots. Voice prompts refer to notifications that the vacuum emits to give you information on the different states of the vacuum. iRobot Roomba i7 has this feature The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus also supports voice prompts, this feature is useful for you who prefer audible notifications or users who have visual impairments.
Auto-docking is a feature that indicates the vacuum's ability to autonomously return to its docking station when certain conditions are met such as getting work done, battery running low, or any malfunction. Both iRobot Roomba i3 Plus and iRobot Roomba i7 support this feature, considered a convenient feature because it makes sure that the robot vacuum keeps its charge and readiness for cleaning without requiring manual intervention. Modern robot vacuum cleaners such as iRobot Roomba i7 come equipped with an "anti-fall" feature.
This feature is intended to prevent the robot vacuum from falling off stairs, ledges, or other elevated surfaces, ensuring its safety during operation. This safety feature that is also available on the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus is essential in preventing accidents and keeping the robot vacuum from damage. It gives you peace of mind knowing that the vacuum will not fall off a ledge during its cleaning cycle.
iRobot Roomba i7 has this convenient feature, which allows you to set specific days or times of day for the robot vacuum to automatically start cleaning your home. The scheduling feature in robot vacuums is particularly useful in maintaining a consistently clean space without the need for manual intervention. iRobot Roomba i3 Plus too allows scheduling.
iRobot Roomba i7 supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuums offer several advantages and features, such as remote control, mobile app integration, voice assistant compatibility, and remote monitoring. Also, iRobot Roomba i3 Plus supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi connectivity improves the ease and flexibility of robot vacuum usage, allowing for more efficient and customized cleaning routines.