- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
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 alright for bare floors. It has no problem with small debris like rice but it struggles a bit more with large debris, which end 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 a 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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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.
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Larger debris can get stuck in some vacuum parts.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is fair for low-pile carpet. It can pick up most pet hair but it struggles more with small and large debris. Unfortunately, debris like sand can get caught inside the vacuum, and may require you to remove this debris before it can resume cleaning again. There are also several parts, like the filter, that 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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Picks up most pet hair.
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Automatic dirt disposal feature in charging dock.
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Struggles to pick up small and large 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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Picks up most pet hair.
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Automatic dirt disposal feature in charging dock.
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Struggles to pick up small and large debris.
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Lots of maintenance and many parts that need replacement over time.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is great for cleaning pet hair. As a robot vacuum, it can map out your house and take the most efficient path to ensure your room gets cleaned. It can pick up most pet hair from bare floors and low as well as high-pile carpet. 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.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is a robot vacuum and isn't designed for cleaning stairs.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is a robot vacuum and isn't designed for cleaning cars.
- 6.9 Bare Floor
- 6.8 Low-Pile Carpet
- 6.8 High-Pile Carpet
- 8.2 Pets
- 6.4 Stairs
- 6.4 Cars
- 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.
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 Roomba i7 Plus 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 iRobot Roomba i7+ has excellent storage capabilities. It has a rack station that also doubles as an external dirtbag. As the vacuum can mount itself to the station, it automatically empties its dirt compartment.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ has a great dirt compartment that's unique when compared to other robot vacuums. While the dirt compartment bin within the robot doesn't hold a lot of debris, the vacuum automatically empties its bin into the dirt compartment inside the dock station, which has a much larger capacity. There's a light on the station that lets you know when the bag is full or if there's an obstruction in the tunnel leading towards the bag. The app can also notify you when the dirt compartment or bag is full.
- 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 i7 Plus has an unlimited range as long as it still has battery life left. However, it can't go up stairs.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is extremely portable. It's lighter than the iRobot Roomba 960 and it has a carrying handle to make it easier to bring it to another room or floor.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ 7550 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. 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.
Update 05/26/2021: Changed 'Power Adjustment' field from 'Yes' to 'No' since this can't be changed manually.
The iRobot i7 Plus has a few extra features. The robot can detect the surface it's cleaning and it senses 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 better suit the floor type. However, you won't be able to manually adjust this setting.
The iRobot Roomba i7 Plus comes with two flexible rubber multi-floor brushrolls. It also comes with a side brush that helps push debris into the robot's path.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ has decent performance on bare floors. It has no problem picking up small debris like rice but it can drag pet hair around, which can also stick to different parts of the vacuum. Larger debris like cereal can also get stuck in the brushroll and prevent it from spinning.
Note that all testing was completed when the dirt compartment was empty. As this robot automatically empties its dirt compartment when docked after completing its job, it won't lose its performance as the dock station's dirtbag is the one filling up, not the robot's internal bin.
If you want a robot vacuum with better performance on bare floors, check out the iRobot Roomba 960.
The iRobot Roomba i7 Plus is decent on low-pile carpet. It can pick up most pet hair and a good amount of large debris like sand, but some large debris can get stuck in the bridge between the dirt compartment and the vacuum. It struggles a bit more to pick up small debris like baking soda.
Note that all testing was completed when the dirt compartment was empty. As this robot automatically empties its dirt compartment when docked after completing its job, it won't lose its performance as the dock station's dirtbag is the one filling up, not the robot's internal bin.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ has satisfactory performance on high-pile carpet. It doesn't have a problem with picking up pet hair but it struggles a lot more with small and large debris. Large debris like sand can get stuck in the bridge between the dirt compartment and the vacuum. Consider the iRobot Roomba j7+ if you're looking for a robot vacuum that performs better on this surface type.
Note that all testing was completed when the dirt compartment was empty. As this robot automatically empties its dirt compartment when docked after completing its job, it won't lose its performance as the dock station's dirtbag is the one filling up, not the robot's internal bin.
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. The robot is low enough to get under couches or tables. It doesn't get stuck on rugs or tassels either, but it can drag a light rug around. It can also pull electrical cables.
Update 05/26/2021: Changed 'Remote Controller' field from 'No' to 'Yes (App Only)'. The score has been changed.
The iRobot Roomba i7 Plus' 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.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The iRobot Roomba i7+ can be purchased without its automatic dirt disposal if you don't mind having to empty it more frequently. While the standalone Roomba i7+ is seemingly the same robot as our test model, we can't confirm whether this model performs similarly, as the automatic dirt emptying feature means its performance on all surface types never declines due to the fullness of the dirt compartment.
Compared To Other 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+ and Roborock S7 each have their strengths, so you may prefer one over the other depending on your exact needs. The Roborock is better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, has fewer parts that need to be regularly maintained, and cleans more effectively on bare floors. It also has a significantly longer maximum runtime but takes a lot longer to recharge than the iRobot. The iRobot performs better on low and high-pile carpet, maneuvers itself more effectively, and has an external dirt compartment built into its charging dock, which doesn't need emptying as often as an internal dustbin.
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. It also has more automation features, like the ability to set virtual boundaries. On the other hand, the i3+ is much better at clearing bulky debris like cereal from bare floors.
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+ 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+ 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 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 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 terms of 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 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 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, it should be noted that the same option is available for the S9 at an added cost.
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 slightly better than the Shark IQ Robot RV1001. 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 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.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is better than the eufy RoboVac G30 Edge. 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 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 it 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 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 bare floors and 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 iRobot Roomba i7+ is slightly better than the Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty AV911S. 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 has a larger total capacity than that of the Shark 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 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.