The iRobot Roomba i7 is a robot vacuum with a unique automatic dirt disposal built into its charging dock. Thanks to this design, you don't have to empty the dirt compartment as frequently. Its companion app gives you access to different features like setting up virtual boundaries and scheduling clean up times. It also automatically adjusts its head to suit your floor type and can focus on cleaning particularly dirty areas more thoroughly. Unfortunately, it struggles to clean large debris on bare floors and it has trouble with smaller debris on carpet. There are several parts that need regular maintenance and replacement, which makes its recurring costs quite high.
Our Verdict
The iRobot Roomba i7 is acceptable for bare floors. It has no problem with small debris like rice, but it struggles a bit more with large debris, which ends up getting caught in the brushroll, keeping it from spinning. Pet hair also gets dragged around or caught in different parts of the vacuum, but it still manages to pick up quite a bit of it. While this vacuum is very well-built, it has several parts that need regular maintenance and replacement, which can add up.
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Automatic dirt disposal feature in charging dock.
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Solid build quality.
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Lots of maintenance and many parts that need replacement over time.
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Larger debris can get stuck in some vacuum parts.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is okay for low-pile carpet. It can pick up most pet hair but struggles more with small and large debris. Unfortunately, debris like rice can get caught inside the vacuum, and you may need to remove it before it can resume cleaning. Several parts, like the filter, also need regular maintenance and replacement. Still, it can maneuver on this surface quite well, although it might displace lighter low-pile rugs.
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Automatic dirt disposal feature in charging dock.
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Solid build quality.
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Struggles to pick up small debris.
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Lots of maintenance and many parts that need replacement over time.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is alright for high-pile carpet. It doesn't have a problem picking up pet hair, but small and large debris can be more challenging for this well-built robot. Debris like sand can also get stuck inside the vacuum, which is a little annoying to clean. It also has a few parts that require regular maintenance, and its recurring costs are quite high. On the upside, it has excellent maneuverability.
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Automatic dirt disposal feature in charging dock.
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Solid build quality.
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Struggles to pick up small debris.
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Lots of maintenance and many parts that need replacement over time.
While the iRobot i7 delivers good pet hair pick-up performance, it lacks some features that come in handy for pet care, like mopping. As a robot vacuum, it can map out your house and take the most efficient path to ensure your room gets cleaned. However, hair can get caught in the brushroll, and you may need to intervene and detangle it. Unfortunately, although it's well-built, it has several parts that need frequent maintenance, and its recurring costs are quite high.
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Picks up most pet hair.
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Automatic dirt disposal feature in charging dock.
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Lots of maintenance and many parts that need replacement over time.
- 6.3 Bare Floor
- 6.8 Low-Pile Carpet
- 6.8 High-Pile Carpet
- 5.9 Pets
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Updated Dec 06, 2024:
We've added text to our performance tests and cleaned up the verdicts at the start of our review accordingly.
- Updated Jul 23, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated Feb 23, 2024: We've added a link to the iRobot Roomba j9+ in the 'Quality Of Life Features' section of the review to provide a real-time hazard-avoidance system.
- Updated Nov 01, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.7.
- Updated Jul 06, 2023: Added link to the Roborock Q7 Max in the 'Maneuverability' section to provide an alternative with a LIDAR mapping sensor.
- Updated Nov 25, 2022: We've changed the full product name to 'iRobot Roomba i7' in order for the review to encompass all model variants.
- Updated Nov 02, 2022: Included a link to the iRobot Roomba i8+ in the 'Battery' section to provide a similarly-designed alternative with a longer battery life.
- Updated Oct 26, 2022: We've updated the 'Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)', 'Low-Pile Carpet Performance', and 'High-Pile Carpet Performance' sections to include test results for the vacuum's debris-pickup capability at a fill status of 0.25L, 0.75L, and 1.5L for its self-emptying external dock.
- Updated Aug 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.6.
- Updated Jul 28, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.5.
- Updated May 26, 2021: Corrected input errors in 'Quality Of Life Features' and 'Automation (Robot Vacuum)' sections.
- Updated Sep 23, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Sep 14, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Sep 02, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 28, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Aug 22, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
- Updated Aug 15, 2020: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
There are two variants of the iRobot Roomba i7: the basic variant, referred to as the i7, and the i7+, which comes bundled with a a self-emptying base station. We tested the i7+ variant, and you can see its label here. That said, both vacuums are mechanically identical with the sole exception of the i7+ having a slightly different internal dustbin, which features a debris disposal port covered by a rubber flap. You can buy a basic i7 and purchase the self-emptying base station later down the line, which also includes the redesigned internal dustbin. Regardless, both models should deliver similar overall cleaning performance, though the inclusion of the auto-empty dock does reduce hands-on maintenance requirements.
Compared To Other Robot Vacuums
The iRobot Roomba i7 is a high-end robot vacuum. It has a unique automatic dirt disposal built into its charging dock, so when the robot returns to the dock to charge, it empties its bin. While this means it has a larger dirt compartment than most other robot vacuums, the external dirtbag is another recurring cost that adds up over time. Other than this feature, its performance is somewhat similar to the Neato Botvac D7 on carpet but it struggles a bit more on bare floors.
If you're looking for more vacuums, check out our recommendations for the best robot vacuums or the best robot vacuums for pet hair.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is slightly better than the Shark IQ Robot. The iRobot is better built, less demanding in terms of maintenance, maneuvers itself around obstacles far more easily, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, and delivers better performance on low and high-pile carpets. The i7 also comes with an external dirt compartment mounted to its charging dock that the vacuum can automatically empty its internal dustbin into. Meanwhile, the Shark clears more debris on bare floors and has a significantly longer maximum runtime, though it takes a lot longer to recharge.
The iRobot Roomba i7 and iRobot Roomba j7 each have advantages, meaning one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The i7 performs significantly better on low-pile carpet and charges faster but has a shorter battery life than the j7. The j7 also clears more debris on high-pile carpet and has a unique hazard identification capability to avoid obstructions like pet waste.
The Roborock S7 s better than the iRobot Roomba i7. The Roborock is better built, incurs lower recurring costs, has fewer parts to regularly maintain, and cleans more effectively on bare floors. It also has a significantly longer maximum runtime but takes much longer to recharge than the iRobot. The Roborock also has a LIDAR mapping system better suited to darker environments, not to mention a mopping module to clear away dried-on stains. The iRobot does a better job of dealing with pet hair and comes bundled with a self-emptying station at a more affordable price than the Roborock.
The Roborock Q7 Max is better than the iRobot Roomba i7. The Roborock incurs lower recurring costs, has a much longer battery life, has a mopping system to deal with stains on hard floors, and delivers better performance on bare surfaces. Its LIDAR mapping system also maps out its coverage area faster than the iRobot's optical system and aids navigation in low-light environments. The Roborock companion app offers a broader suite of features too. However, the iRobot feels better built, recharges a lot faster, and handles pet hair slightly better. If you go for the self-emptying i7+ model, its base station's dirtbag can also hold more debris.
While both vacuums are almost identical, the iRobot Roomba i8+ ultimately represents a better deal than the iRobot Roomba i7. The i8+ comes with an additional dirtbag for its self-emptying station, an extra high-efficiency filter, and a virtual barrier device that you can use to set up no-go zones without opening the vacuum's companion app. The i8+ also uses a higher-capacity battery that yields a longer runtime; however, it does take a little longer to recharge.
The Roborock S7 MaxV is better than the iRobot Roomba i7. The Roborock has a far more advanced mapping and navigation system, which uses a LIDAR sensor and a pair of cameras to not only map out its cleaning environment but also identify and react to hazards like pet waste. The Roborock also has a mopping attachment to clear away dried-on debris and delivers stronger performance on bare floors, though the iRobot is better at handling pet hair on carpeting. The Roborock is also compatible with an even more sophisticated self-emptying station, which not only empties its dustbin but also cleans its mopping pads and refills its water tank, though this pushes it into an even higher price bracket.
The iRobot Roomba i7 and the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI are two robot vacuums with different strengths, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The iRobot comes with a docking station that allows the robot to automatically empty its dirt bin into a larger compartment. It's easier to maintain and performs better on low and high-pile carpet. However, the Ecovacs has fewer recurring costs and has an HD camera built-in. It also does a significantly better job on bare floors and has a mop attachment, although we don't currently test this feature. You can buy an external dirt compartment charging station separately.
The iRobot Roomba S9 is better overall than the iRobot Roomba i7. The S9 performs better on all surface types, feels better built, has lower recurring costs, and has a maximum battery life that's more than twice as long as the i7. The i7 does come with an automatic dirt disposal feature. This effectively gives it a much larger dirt compartment via an external dirt bin that it can return to when full. However, the same option is available for the S9 at an added cost.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is superior to the iRobot Roomba 694. The i7 has a self-emptying feature that enables it to dump any accumulated debris from its internal dustbin into an external dirt compartment mounted on its charging station, reducing hands-on maintenance requirements. It also has a HEPA filter, maneuvers itself more effectively, clears more debris on carpeted floors, and allows you to set up virtual boundary markers or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas using its companion app. Meanwhile, the 694 has a longer battery life and performs better on bare floors.
The iRobot Roomba i7 and the Roborock S6 MaxV have different strengths, and you may prefer either one depending on your needs. The Roborock delivers much better performance on bare floors. It's also better-built, easier to maintain, and incurs fewer recurring costs. On the other hand, the iRobot does a significantly better job of cleaning low and high-pile carpets. It also has an automatic dirt disposal feature built into its charging dock, so you can avoid emptying its small internal dustbin.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba i4. The i7 does a much better job of clearing pet hair from all surface types, and it has a larger dirt compartment. Also, it uses the iAdapt 3.0 with Visual Navigation system to follow an efficient route, and it learns its environment as it cleans. There's an external dustbin attached to the docking station, so it can automatically empty its dirt compartment. That said, the i4 doesn't have an external dirtbag, which results in fewer recurring costs, and it has a longer battery life.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is a somewhat better robot vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 960. While both vacuums are very well-built, the i7 can automatically empty its dirt compartment into its charging dock. Its performance on low and high-pile carpet is better too. However, the 960 has fewer recurring costs and it can clean bare floors more thoroughly.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is a better robot vacuum than the Shark AI Robot. The iRobot is better-built, easier to maintain, and can automatically empty its dust bin into a larger external dirt compartment. It also performs significantly better on low and high-pile carpet and has better maneuverability. However, the Shark has fewer recurring costs, and its battery performance is better. It also does a better job on bare floors and comes with a remote control.
The iRobot Roomba i7 and the Neato Botvac D7 are two robot vacuums with different strengths. The iRobot can automatically empty its own dirt compartment into its charging dock, which is handy if you want an even more hands-off cleaning experience, and it can store a lot of debris before its bag needs to be emptied. It has better maneuverability and its companion app offers a bit more versatility than that of the Neato. However, the Neato is easier to maintain and has fewer recurring costs. It has a better overall battery performance and it can clean bare floors more thoroughly. Its performance on low-pile carpet is a bit better.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba i3. The i7 has a better performance on low and high-pile carpets and clears more pet hair from bare surfaces. On the other hand, the i3 is much better at clearing bulky debris like cereal from bare floors.
The iRobot Roomba i7 and the iRobot Roomba 981 have different strengths, but the 981 is better for most uses. The 981 has a much better performance on bare floors, longer battery life, and more automation features. On the other hand, the i7 delivers better performance on carpets and has the ability to automatically empty its dirt compartment into a larger container built into its charging dock.
The Neato D8 is better than the iRobot Roomba i7. The Neato is less demanding in maintenance, incurs fewer recurring costs, and delivers superior performance on bare floors and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the iRobot maneuvers itself with less difficulty, performs better on low-pile carpet, and has an automatic debris-disposal feature that dumps debris from its internal dustbin to an external dirt compartment attached to its recharging dock.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is better than the eufy RoboVac G30. The iRobot is better-built, charges much faster, maneuvers itself more effectively, and performs better on all surface types. It also has an even wider range of automation features, most prominently its self-emptying function, which allows it to dump any accumulated debris into an external dustbin mounted to its charging dock. Meanwhile, the eufy is smaller and incurs fewer recurring costs.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is slightly better than the Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty. The iRobot feels better built, is easier to maintain, delivers slightly better performance on low-pile carpet, maneuvers itself more efficiently, and allows you to set up virtual boundary lines through its companion app. Its external dustbin uses disposable dirtbags that have a larger total capacity than the Shark's bagless base station too. Meanwhile, the Shark incurs fewer recurring costs, clears more debris on bare floors and high-pile carpet, and has a considerably longer maximum battery life, though the iRobot does charge a lot faster.
The yeedi vac station is slightly better than the iRobot Roomba i7. The yeedi incurs less demanding maintenance requirements, incurs lower recurring costs, and delivers superior performance on high-pile carpet. It also has a longer battery life in its most energy-efficient configuration, though the iRobot charges a lot faster. The iRobot also clears more debris from low-pile carpet, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, and has a marginally greater debris capacity.
The Roborock S6 is a better robot vacuum for bare floors than the iRobot Roomba i7. Although we don't currently test for it, the Roborock comes with a mop feature that attaches to its underside, allowing you to clean sticky messes. It feels better-built, is easier to maintain, and has fewer recurring costs. It has better battery performance, and it does a significantly better job on bare floors. However, the iRobot cleans carpet more thoroughly as it can pick up more small and large debris. It also comes with an automatic dirt disposal feature in its charging dock, where the robot returns to the dock and empties its dirt compartment into a larger dirtbag for easier disposal.
The iRobot Roomba i7 and eufy RoboVac X8 each have advantages, meaning one might be a better fit for you than the other, depending on your exact requirements. The iRobot is better-built, charges substantially faster, maneuvers itself more effectively, and clears more debris on low-pile carpet. It also has a HEPA filter and a more advanced suite of automation features, most notably its self-emptying function. However, the eufy incurs lower recurring costs, lasts much longer on a single charge, and clears more debris on bare floors and high-pile carpet.
The iRobot Roomba i7 and Roborock S5 each have their own advantages, so one may suit you better than the other depending on your needs. The iRobot can empty its internal dustbin into an external dirt compartment mounted to its charging dock, so you don't need to get your hands dirty quite as often. It also does a better job of clearing debris on low and high-pile carpet, maneuvers itself more effectively, and has a wider assortment of automation features. However, while the iRobot charges a lot faster, its maximum runtime is shorter than that of the Roborock, though that can vary in the real world. The Roborock also incurs fewer recurring costs, is easier to maintain, and comes with a mopping attachment, though we don't currently test that feature.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is a somewhat better robot vacuum than the iRobot Roomba E5. While both vacuums are well-built, the i7 has an automatic dirt disposal feature so it can empty its dirt compartment into a larger dirtbag stored in the charging dock. It has a better performance on all surface types, and it's more maneuverable. However, the E5 has fewer maintenance needs, and its recurring costs are somewhat lower as it doesn't have a disposable dirtbag.
Test Results
The iRobot Roomba i7 7550 model has great build quality. Its body is made from hard plastic, while its wheels are rubber, which makes the vacuum feel durable overall. While the dirt compartment is also plastic, it feels like it could break if dropped. That said, this vacuum has a carrying handle to make it easier to bring it from one space to another.
The iRobot i7 is difficult to maintain as there are several parts that need regular cleaning. Luckily, they're all easy to access.
- Dirtbag: The dirtbag is located in the charging dock. It can be removed by opening the lid and pulling out the bag. There's an indicator light that changes from white to red to let you know when to replace the bag or if there's a blockage.
- Dirt compartment: The dirt compartment is found directly on the vacuum. It can be pulled out by pressing the button on its back side. You can wash this part with water and wipe it with a dry cloth or tap it against your garbage bin to dislodge dirt. You should clean this part after every use.
- Brushrolls: The brushrolls are easily accessed by removing the brush guard under the vacuum. You can clean this part whenever there are hairwraps by using your hands or scissors. It can be a bit difficult to get the brushroll to fit back into place once removed, though. You should clean this part once a month or twice a month if you have pets.
- Side brush: You need a screwdriver to remove the side brush. You should clean it by removing tangled hairs once a month or twice a month if you have pets.
- Filter: The filter is located inside the vacuum's dirt compartment. You can tap it against your garbage bin to remove any debris stuck to it once a week, or twice a week if you have pets. Note that this part can't be washed.
- Wheel: You can pull the wheel out of its cavity and push it out of the socket to dislodge any hair or debris stuck to it. You should clean this part every two weeks.
- Sensors: The vacuum's sensors should be cleaned once a month with a dry cloth.
Any part that's washed in water should dry for 24 hours before use again.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of recurring costs with this vacuum, depending on your usage.
- Dirtbag: The disposable dirtbag needs to be replaced when full.
- Side brush: The side brush can be removed and replaced every 12 months.
- HEPA filter: The HEPA filter needs to be replaced every two months.
- Front caster wheel: The wheel should be removed and replaced every twelve months. You can purchase this part from iRobot.
Luckily, iRobot sells a 'Replenishment Kit' that contains three side brushes, multi-floor rubber brushrolls, and three HEPA filters. Still, you may want to take a look at the yeedi vac station if you're looking for a robot vacuum that incurs lower recurring cost, though be aware that it lacks a HEPA filter.
The i7+ variant of this vacuum has a reasonably compact footprint. It's a fairly small robot vacuum that can mount itself on its docking station and automatically empty its dustbin. The self-empty station is of the same design bundled with other iRobot '+' models. This docking station is taller than most robot vacuum self-empty docks but also noticeably narrower, making it easier to fit in tight spots.
The iRobot i7's internal dustbin is pretty small. This isn't a major issue if you purchase the i7+ variant, which comes with a self-empty base station, but you'll be dumping out debris manually if you don't go for the model bundled without the base station. Like many other iRobot models, this vacuum has a fill sensor and will alert you when the dustbin or dock station dirtbag is filled.
This variant of the iRobot i7 comes with a self-empty base station. It uses 2.4L dirtbags, which are similar in size to most other self-empty stations. The station is advertised as having sufficient capacity for 60 days' worth of cleaning sessions, though this can vary depending on how often you use it. You can wrap up any excess length of power cord behind the base station.
- iRobot Roomba i7+ robot vacuum
- Charging dock/bag emptying station
- Charging cable
- 2x HEPA filter
- 2x multi-surface rubber brushrolls
- 2x side brush (one already inside the vacuum)
- Dirt compartments
- 3x dirtbags
- User guide
The iRobot Roomba i7 has excellent battery performance. Since it auto-adjusts to the floor type it's cleaning as well as to the amount of dirt it detects, your total battery life may vary, though it uses a smaller-capacity battery than the otherwise very similarly-designed iRobot Roomba i8+, resulting in a shorter overall runtime. However, the battery recharges in about an hour and a half, which is excellent. There's also a 'Clean' touch button that turns from white to red when the battery is low. The companion app also displays its battery level. If you want a robot vacuum with a much longer maximum battery life, consider the iRobot Roomba S9, which can supply over two and a half hours of continuous runtime on its least powerful setting.
The iRobot i7 has a few extra features. The robot can detect the surface it's cleaning and sense how much dirt is on the floor to better concentrate its power. It also goes back and forth over certain areas that require more cleaning, and the head height automatically adjusts to suit the floor type better. However, you won't be able to manually adjust this setting. Unlike newer iRobot models, such as the iRobot Roomba j9+, it lacks a real-time hazard avoidance system, so make sure its cleaning area is free of obstacles like socks or shoes before letting it run.
This vacuum is adequate for clearing hard surfaces. Large debris like cereal is no issue, though the side brushes tend to toss around medium debris like rice and push fine debris like sand around the floor. If your floors are particularly dirty, you'll need to have the vacuum clear the same area multiple times.
This model performs decently on high-pile carpet. It can clear most medium and large debris, like rice or cereal, but fine debris, like sand, is more challenging, particularly when deep in the carpet fibers. Walls and corners also prove difficult, like on many other robot vacuums with a circular design.
This robot vacuum delivers decent performance on low-pile carpet. It clears most debris easily in a single cleaning session, although fine debris like sand may be more challenging and require another pass. Walls and corners are a pain point; fine debris tends to get left behind.
This robot vacuum does a good job clearing pet hair on low-pile carpet. It can lift away most strands in a single cleaning session, though it tends to leave some behind in the carpet fibers. A small amount of hair gets caught in the brushroll and can be left behind.
The iRobot Roomba i7 has extremely poor suction performance. It's too high from the floor to form a seal.
The iRobot Roomba i7 has poor airflow performance, even for a robot vacuum. In practice, heavier and lighter debris caught in cracks or crevices prove challenging.
The iRobot Roomba i7 isn't too loud when operating. While you can certainly hear it, it shouldn't be overly distracting unless you're trying to have a conversation right next to it. By contrast, its self-emptying bin gets quite loud, measuring up to 81.3 dBa during the self-emptying operation.
The iRobot Roomba i7 7550 model has excellent maneuverability. It uses iAdapt 3.0 with Visual Navigation to help it navigate and clean a room in an organized pattern, and you can see a map of its coverage area via its companion app. Still, if you're looking for a robot vacuum with a LIDAR mapping sensor for improved low-light maneuverability, the Roborock Q7 Max is a good option. The robot is low enough to get under couches or tables. It doesn't get stuck on rugs or tassels but can drag a light rug around. It can also pull electrical cables.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is effective at sealing in fine allergens. It has an onboard HEPA filter and does a significantly better job of sealing in particles compared to other robot vacuums like the Roborock S7.
This robot vacuum delivers poor performance on cracks and crevices. It has only one power level and can't generate enough suction to lift a lot of fine debris, like baking soda, from deep cracks or crevices.
Without a mopping function, this robot vacuum isn't effective for dealing with stains.
This robot vacuum isn't designed to clean water or liquid spills.
Update 05/26/2021: Changed 'Remote Controller' field from 'No' to 'Yes (App Only)'. The score has been changed.
The iRobot Roomba i7's automation features are decent. You don't need an internet connection to use this vacuum thanks to its physical controls. However, if you want more features, the iRobot Home app allows you to train it to remember the layout of your home. Once you have the map, you can set dedicated cleaning times in specific rooms and create virtual barriers using the map. You can also see its battery life and previous cleaning jobs. You can even empty the bag from the app, as long as the robot is already docked. If it's done cleaning a room, it automatically recharges and empties its bin. It's also compatible with Alexa and Google Home. If you're looking for a robot vacuum with even more automation features, try the Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI.
This vacuum is compatible with the iRobot HOME companion app. It allows you to schedule cleaning times for individual rooms and set up virtual boundary markers. The app also shows your previous cleaning history and remaining battery life. It's also fully compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices, so you can make specific inputs with voice commands.