iRobot Roomba s9 vs. j7 vs. i7 vs. i3: Pros & Cons and Final Verdict 2024

What are the most popular Roomba models in 2024?

#1.     Roomba s9+

Best for: hands-off cleaning with automatic dirt disposal and power carpet cleaning.

$999 FROM AMAZON

$999 FROM BEST BUY

Roomba s9+ is one of the most advanced models Roomba has ever created. It features many of the latest advancements common to current Roombas, including vSLAM navigation, improved suction that iRobot claims is 40 times more powerful than earlier models, and a combination of corner brushes and rubber, dual, and multi-surface brushes underneath. It also has a design that can clean corners and carpets.

The s9+ also has the expected app support and technology. On board, you'll find the ability to issue voice commands (Alexa and Google Assistant), the ability to create smart maps with no-entry modes, dirt detection, automatic adaptation to hard floors or carpets, and more.

Power aside, one of the most important things that sets the s9+ apart is its ability to go back and empty the charging station's bin, which is why the charging station is so big. Your Roomba can be cleaned for months without worrying about emptying it.

#2.     Roomba s9

Best for: The s9 has largely been phased out in favor of the s9+, but it may allow you to save money.

$999 FROM AMAZON

If you guessed that s9 is similar to s9+, you are right. In fact, the two models have a lot in common, including strong suction, design and navigation technology. Smart app features are all here too. But there's one huge difference: the s9 can't automatically dispose of the dirt in its own bin to the larger version, which isn't included. To add this feature, you will need to purchase an alternative Clean Base. Since iRobot decided to bundle the two together, the s9 has largely been replaced by the s9+.

#3.     Roomba j7+

Best for: busier homes where Roombas may need to navigate around objects and messes.

$800 FROM IROBOT

The j7+ is an interesting alternative to the s9+ with different strengths and may be better suited for busy families. It has lower suction power (10x more instead of 40x), so it's not as effective at deep cleaning carpets, and it's designed to be less corner-friendly. But in return, the j7+ has better navigation skills and smarter decisions: it can detect new objects and avoid them, then add them to the map and send you a notification about that object. This feature makes it ideal for homes where toys or other things may be left in a lot of places, or where Roombas may need to avoid some cat hairballs or similar pet inappropriate behavior.

#4.     Roomba j7

Best for: saving a little money compared to the j7.

Here's a very similar comparison with the s9+ and s9. In other words, while the j7+ comes with its own cleaning base that supports automatic dirt handling, the j7 doesn't. This might be a way to save some money, but again, j7s aren't as common as j7+ upgrades.

#5.     Roomba i3+ EVO

Best for: Roomba fans on a budget who still want automatic dirt disposal.

$500 FROM IROBOT

The i3+ is completely different from the s9 and j7 series. For the i3, iRobot doesn't include many of its advanced smart navigation and positioning features. Roomba can still avoid cliffs, clean specific rooms with command, and navigate around furniture, but more precise navigation is beyond its capabilities. Like the j7+, the i3+ has 10 times the suction power of earlier 600 models. So, what's the appeal here? The i3+ is more affordable than the s9 or j7 series, and budget options still include automatic dirt handling and Roomba's app options.

#6.     Roomba i3 EVO

Best for: those who want a Roomba closer to the cost of a traditional vacuum and don’t mind skipping automatic dirt disposal.

The i3 EVO skips the Clean Base and is able to automatically dump Roomba's litter box at its site. In this case, it's another big price cut that could be a good option for those looking to save even more money.

#7.     iRobot Roomba i7+ 

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is packed with tons of smart features, including the ability to learn about home and even the ability to clean up instant messes like crumbs under the kitchen table with a simple voice command. It understands the layout of your home and builds a personal smart map, allowing it to expertly clean and navigate neat, efficient rows, and know where to go when you give the order to clean an area.

Roomba i7+ is also able to recognize your cleaning behavior patterns and can recommend certain times of day to vacuum, or certain times to vacuum certain rooms. This smart scheduling feature is a nice feature for a house with kids or pets, as the Roomba i7+ can regularly handle small troubles that occur throughout the day.

While iRobot's Roomba series is probably the best-known robot vacuum, there are many great brands to compare Roomba to, you can compare it to the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ with our iRobot j7+. However, if you think Roomba is the robot vacuum for you, the Roomba i7+ is a great choice for your smart home.

#8.     Roomba E5

Best for: It’s not really a viable option when the i3 EVO exists

While you can still find the E5 for sale, it's currently surpassed by the previous Roomba line. The suction power is 5 times lower than the original, and the price is not much different from the i3 EVO. Roomba doesn't even sell the E5 on its own website anymore, so we really don't recommend buying it when you're giving up a lot to save $30 or so.

#9.     Roomba 600 Series

Best for: those interested in a low-budget Roomba who don’t mind outdated models.

You can still find the 600 series for sale in some places, including the 614, 675 and 690. These are usually budget models, early versions of Roombas that lack the advanced suction and navigation options of all other models. There's not much reason to choose one of these models right now, although you might find some great deals on these Roombas.

Which Roomba model should I choose?

If you don't mind spending money, the Roomba s9+ is the best robot vacuum on the market right now, emptying its own bin (and your bank account).

If you have any pets that might leave you an unwanted "gift" on the floor, then the Roomba j7 or Roomba j7+ is the way to go. It has a front-facing camera for identifying obstacles, so it can avoid driving into pet litter and messing up the whole house.

If you want a good balance between price and features: get the Roomba i7. The i7 doesn't empty itself, but can save you a few hundred dollars compared to the i7+ (which does). In my experience, emptying the trash yourself isn't much work. Also, if you change your mind and want to upgrade it to an i7+ later, you can always buy the clean base itself separately.

If you want great value for money: choose the Roomba i3. It has advanced navigation technology and a brushless scroll wheel to make maintenance painless.

If you're on a very tight budget and don't mind the occasional removal of trapped hair from brushes and random cleaning modes, get the Roomba 675.

Most of these robot vacuums are available in "plus" and "regular" versions. When the model number has a "+" at the end, it means it has an auto-emptying dock. For example, the j7+ is the self-draining version, and the j7 is the exact same vacuum, but without the self-draining base.

iRobot Roomba s9 vs. j7 vs. i7 vs.  i3: Pros & Cons 

Features	Roomba i3+	Roomba i7+	Roomba s9+	Roomba j7+
Suction power  Compared to Roomba 600 Series	10x the air power	10x the air power	40x air power	10x the air power
Run Time (min)	75	75	120	75
Cleaning Technology	3-Stage Cleaning System	3-Stage Cleaning System	3-Stage Cleaning System	3-Stage Cleaning System
Navigation Technology	N/A	iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping)	Imprint and PerfectEdge Technology, 3D sensor + Mapping	iAdapt 3.0 (Imprint™ Smart Mapping + PrecisionVision Navigation)
Mapping Function	Yes	yes (camera-based)	yes (camera-based)	yes (camera-based)
Object recognition	No	No	No	Yes
Virtual Walls	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Keep Out Zones	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Clean & Schedule By Room	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Automatic Dirt Disposal	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Filter	HEPA	HEPA	HEPA	HEPA
Auto Recharge	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dirt Detect	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Scheduling	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smartphone App	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tangle-Free Brush	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Recharge and Resume	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Deeper Carpet Cleaning	No	No	Yes	No
Full Bin Indicator	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Built-in Camera	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dimensions (dxh)	13.26 in x 3.6 in /  33.68 x 9.14 cm	13.34 x 3.63 in / 33.88 x 9.22 cm	12.25 x 3.5 in / 31.75 x 8.89 cm	13.3 x 3.4 in / 33.7 x 8.6 cm
Weight (lbs/kg)	7.44 / 3/26	7.44 / 3.37	8.15 / 3.69	7.49 / 3.4
Warranty	12 months	12 months	12 months	12 months
Accessories included	Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal 2 Dirt Disposal Bags 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter	Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter 1 Extra Side Brush	Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal 2 Dirt Disposal Bags 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter 1 Extra Corner Brush	Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal 2 Dirt Disposal Bags 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter 1 Extra Corner Brush
Amazon price	$399	$799.99	$999	$599
Reviews	Pros + Self-emptying base great for those with allergies + Excellent hardwood performance + Auto-detects dirtier areas Cons - Poor pet hair pickup on carpet - Lacks smart mapping - Very loud Clean Base	Pros + Excellent navigation + Able to clean just one room + Fast cleaner Cons - Clean Base is very loud - Expensive	Pros + Attractive, premium design + Mapping was quick and easy + Easy-to-use mapping controls in app Cons - Loud vacuum, loud dustbin - Very expensive	Pros + Excellent obstacle avoidance  + Learns from cleaning data  + Easy to create no-go zones  + Redesigned Clean Base is less obtrusive  Cons - Clean Base is very loud  - Middling pet hair pickup on carpet

iRobot Roomba s9 vs. j7 vs. i7 vs.  i3: Editor's review

Our Top Picks

Best Splurge:

 iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum

Best for Carpet:

 iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum 

Best for Pet Owners:

 iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum

#1.          iRobot Roomba j7+

iRobot's latest product, the Roomba j7+, is one of the best robot vacuums you can buy. It stands out with a promise to avoid pet poop — a major fear for robot vacuum cleaner owners. This is thanks to its obstacle avoidance technology, which will detect an object and choose to bypass it. It basically learns from each run, so it can identify items like cables and socks -- in time, it should expand its database to account for larger objects.

The J7+ also comes with a handy cleaning base that can store debris for up to 60 days. It's also a compact and attractive base design - not too obtrusive. In terms of cleaning performance, the j7+ can handle larger debris, such as grain and cat litter, but scores better for pet hair. That being said, the overall cleaning score is 91.81, which is by no means a bad performance, and its object detection technology is barely there. This model isn't cheap, but it's regularly featured on lists of the best robot vacuum deals.

View at Amazon

#2.          iRobot Roomba S9+

One of the best Roomba deals you can get is the iRobot Roomba S9+ bundled with the iRobot Braava jet m6 robotic mop. But the Roomba S9+ is even pretty self-contained, and there's a reason we think it's a near-perfect robot. Its cleaning performance is top-notch, as it features Roomba's three-stage cleaning system capable of generating 40 times the suction power of previous models.

Roomba S9+ also features Perfect Edge technology with advanced sensors and specially designed corner brushes to optimize cleaning deep into corners and edges. The S9+ empties itself, and the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal stays clean for 60 days before it needs to be emptied. This is a premium robot vacuum option, and if you're interested in how it stands out from the competition, compare the Roomba S9+ in our Samsung Jet Bot AI+ vs. iRobot Roomba S9+ comparison.

Also part of this bundle is the iRobot Braava jet m6 robotic mop, which combines with all the great features of the Roomba S9+ to create a cleaning dream team. They automatically combine vacuuming and mopping in the perfect sequence, and just give your voice assistant a command or tap in the app to fully clean your floors. This combo is closer to a home that can take care of itself, and it's one of the best robot vacuums in the world, paired with the ultimate robot mop.

View at Amazon

#3.          iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is packed with tons of smart features, including the ability to learn about home and even the ability to clean up instant messes like crumbs under the kitchen table with a simple voice command. It understands the layout of your home and builds a personal smart map, allowing it to expertly clean and navigate neat, efficient rows, and know where to go when you give the order to clean an area.

Roomba i7+ is also able to recognize your cleaning behavior patterns and can recommend certain times of day to vacuum, or certain times to vacuum certain rooms. This smart scheduling feature is a nice feature for a house with kids or pets, as the Roomba i7+ can regularly handle small troubles that occur throughout the day.

While iRobot's Roomba series is probably the best-known robot vacuum, there are many great brands to compare Roomba to, you can compare it to the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ with our iRobot j7+. However, if you think Roomba is the robot vacuum for you, the Roomba i7+ is a great choice for your smart home.

View at Amazon

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