iRobot Roomba i7+
One of iRobot's latest innovations is the Roomba i7+ robot vacuum cleaner. This robot can rightfully be called the most autonomous to date: it combines excellent technical specifications with modern intelligent navigation and mapping features, is controlled via smartphone and voice commands, and is equipped with a docking station for automatic disposal of collected debris. Speaking of the latter, it's the best robot of 2019. self-cleaning robot vacuum cleaner, of which there aren't many. The robot is designed for dry cleaning of various types of flooring, including linoleum, parquet, tile, laminate, wood, carpet, and rugs. It can be used both at home and for cleaning small office spaces. In this article, we provide a detailed review of the iRobot Roomba i7+ and explore the pros and cons of this flagship model, which has already gone on sale.
Equipment
The robot vacuum cleaner is delivered in a branded box, which features a photo of the robot and an overview of its main functions and parameters.
The basic delivery package includes:
- Robot vacuum cleaner.
- Lithium-ion battery.
- Integrated Home Base charging base with automatic dust disposal.
- Garbage bag.
- Additional HEPA filter.
- Spare side brush.
- Dual Mode Virtual Wall motion limiter.
- User manual.
- Guarantee.
Roomba i7+ Package Contents
Virtual wall It can operate in two different modes: creating an invisible boundary with an infrared beam that the robot vacuum cannot go beyond, and creating an invisible circular zone that it cannot enter. This is especially useful for pet owners.
All components are placed in separate cardboard boxes to prevent damage during transportation.
As we can see, the iRobot Roomba i7+ is included in the kit, unlike the model i7 It has an integrated docking station with an automatic waste disposal system and disposable bags. We'll explain how this base works in the review below.
Appearance
The new iRobot Roomba i7+ robot is crafted in the manufacturer's signature style: a black plastic body, a round shape, and compact dimensions. The robot vacuum cleaner's design is quite understated, offering a clean and elegant appearance.
When viewing the case from the front, you can see three main buttons for controlling operation, a display, a protruding sensor, and a camera for scanning the space.
Top view
A soft bumper is located on the side to prevent and protect the robot vacuum from collisions with obstacles. A dust container is also removable from the side.
Side view
The bottom of the iRobot Roomba i7+ contains the drive wheels, one front wheel, the battery compartment, contacts for automatic charging on the docking station, a side brush, and a system of rubber roller scrapers.
Bottom view
Technical specifications
Below is a description of the main features of the iRobot Roomba i7+:
| Type of cleaning | Dry |
| Nutrition | Lithium-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | 1800 mAh |
| Opening hours | 75 minutes |
| Charging time | 180 minutes |
| Cleaning area | 150 sq.m. |
| Height of obstacles to be overcome | 20 mm |
| Suction power | 33 W |
| Type of waste container | Cyclone filter (washable) |
| Container volume | 400 ml |
| Dimensions | 350x350x90 mm |
| Weight | 3.9 kg |
| Noise level | 60 dB |
Functional capabilities
The robotic cleaner effectively cleans rooms thanks to a single side brush, two rubber scraper rollers, and increased suction power. This robotic vacuum cleaner can pick up not only dirt and dust but also pet hair from the floor. Furthermore, the device provides high-quality air filtration, removing up to 99% of various bacteria and microorganisms.
Cleaning along the baseboards
As you've probably gathered from this review, the iRobot Roomba i7+'s main feature is its docking station with automatic dust collection. It's quite tall, so you can't hide it under furniture. However, the manufacturer doesn't recommend this. It's best to install it in an open space.
Integrated charging base
Under the base's lid is a dust bag with a capacity thirty times greater than the robot's dust bin. When the robot vacuum is finished cleaning a room, it will return to the base, where it will pump out the collected debris for ten seconds through a hole in the base.
Self-cleaning
The docking station needs to be emptied approximately once a month, but the process is very simple and convenient, so it won't take long: when the bag is full, the iRobot Roomba i7+ will notify the user via the iRobot HOME mobile app. After this, simply remove the bag and replace it with a new one.
Control via app
The robot vacuum cleaner can operate in the following modes:
- auto;
- cleaning the required room;
- "spot".
It is also possible to program a cleaning schedule via the iRobot HOME mobile app.
To navigate effectively, the iRobot Roomba i7+ uses a built-in camera, which collects room data to create a map using VSLAM (Visual Synchronous Localization and Mapping). The robot adapts to the room using Imprint™ Smart Mapping: after thoroughly studying the room's features, the robot vacuum automatically selects the most optimal cleaning algorithm.
Unlike its predecessors, the vacuum cleaner can save pre-made maps: it remembers the floor plan of several floors and even the names of the rooms, allowing the iRobot Roomba i7+ to clean much faster and more efficiently. Maps are displayed in the app.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- Stylish design, small dimensions.
- Good equipment.
- High suction power.
- Three-stage cleaning system.
- Modern navigation and cartography.
- Smartphone control and voice commands.
- Automatic adaptation to any type of floor.
- Anti-confusion and automatic recognition of the most polluted areas.
- Several operating modes.
- Self-cleaning function at the station (the main advantage).
Cons:
- High price (from $700).
- The need to purchase garbage bags (in Europe, a pack of three bags costs 20 euros).
- One side brush.
- High noise level when unloading garbage at the base.
- Dry cleaning only.
In summary, I'd like to note that overall, the new flagship model is quite functional and cleans well, but even when compared to the Roomba 980, there's no significant difference, aside from the self-cleaning function and a few other points we've outlined in the article: https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/sravnenie/robovac-irobot-roomba-i7-ili-980.html. The previous flagship costs about $500, while the new one costs $700, so there is still a difference.
If you're looking for a self-cleaning robot vacuum and the price tag doesn't scare you off, the robot you're considering should meet your expectations. We believe you can save significantly and choose an equally functional and reliable robot, whether from Xiaomi or a newer model. Aiklebo O5.
By the way, we recently compiled an updated ranking of robots for 2019, and iRobot took one of the leading positions. You can check it out:
Finally, we recommend watching our video review of the iRobot Roomba i7+, which shows how this robot vacuum cleaner cleans:
Analogues:
A puddle of water is nothing to him! His base burns up instantly. I bought him, and the next day his base was already burned up, and it's worth more than he is.
Well, it's not the robot's fault that it wasn't used properly.
The contact area of this model is 9 mm above the floor. Where in the house can you find a puddle 10 mm deep enough to even theoretically soak the current collector? And yet, how can you manage to maintain an unbroken liquid film of approximately 25 cm² on a constantly vibrating horizontal surface mounted on the ceiling, enough to cause a short circuit at the base? The described situation is unrealistic. It can only be achieved intentionally.
I own an older 780, and for me, dry cleaning is the only advantage. A damp cloth the size of two palms and my 25 square meter bedroom are incomparable. I dust with a larger cloth, and I rinse it regularly (I first vacuum the furniture with a nozzle attachment). After the robot uses the mop, I wash the floor and rinse the mop several times. All these "moppers" just smear dirt across the floor with small cloths. But that's just my subjective opinion.
Unfortunately, it's time to replace my assistant, but it's not broken, just outdated. And I can't decide on a replacement. I'm worried about the new devices' reliance on Wi-Fi, smartphones, and firmware. But I only want one with dry cleaning.