Roomba i3+ EVO vs Roomba j7+: Which Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Is Best?
Comparing two of iRobot's most popular self-emptying robot vacuums to help you decide which is the right fit for your home in 2025.
Quick Comparison Overview
iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
Self-emptying, Smart Mapping, Pet-friendly brushes
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Key Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Roomba i3+ EVO | Roomba j7+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | More affordable | Premium price |
| Battery Life | Up to 75 minutes | Up to 90 minutes |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.4L (robot) / 2.5L (Clean Base) | 0.4L (robot) / 2.4L (Clean Base) |
| Suction Power | 10x Power-Lifting Suction | 10x Power-Lifting Suction |
| Navigation | Smart Mapping (learns over time) | PrecisionVision Navigation with front camera |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Basic obstacle detection | Advanced AI-powered obstacle avoidance |
| Pet Waste Detection | No | Yes (P.O.O.P. Guarantee) |
| Self-Emptying | Yes (up to 60 days) | Yes (up to 60 days) |
| App Features | Room-specific cleaning, scheduling | Advanced mapping, obstacle reports, cleaning preferences |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Ideal For | Value-conscious buyers, homes without pets | Pet owners, homes with many obstacles |
Design and Build Quality
Roomba i3+ EVO
The Roomba i3+ EVO features a refined design with a textured top that helps hide dust and fingerprints. Standing at 3.63 inches tall, it can clean under most furniture without getting stuck. The build quality is solid with iRobot's characteristic attention to durability.
The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit is substantial but designed with a clean aesthetic that won't be an eyesore in your home. It houses the dirt disposal bags that can hold up to 60 days of debris, significantly reducing maintenance frequency.
The i3+ EVO uses dual multi-surface rubber brushes that flex to maintain contact with different floor surfaces and resist tangling with pet hair—a significant advantage over bristle brushes found in less expensive models.
Roomba j7+
The Roomba j7+ features a more premium design with a sleek, modern aesthetic. The most noticeable design difference is the front-facing camera that enables its advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities. The j7+ has a slightly more refined appearance with a leather pull tab on top that adds a touch of sophistication.
The j7+ Clean Base has been redesigned to be more compact and stylish compared to previous models, with a cleaner look that better blends into home decor. Like the i3+ EVO, it holds up to 60 days of debris in its disposal bags.
The j7+ also uses the same effective dual multi-surface rubber brushes for tangle-free cleaning, but adds enhanced sensors and camera technology to better navigate around obstacles.
Design & Build Verdict
Both models feature excellent build quality typical of iRobot products, but the j7+ has a more premium, sophisticated design with additional sensors and a front-facing camera. If aesthetics are important to you, the j7+ has the edge with its more modern look and smaller Clean Base footprint.
Cleaning Performance
Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO delivers impressive cleaning performance with its 10x Power-Lifting Suction (compared to the Roomba 600 series). This provides effective pickup on both carpets and hard floors. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes are particularly effective at preventing hair tangles, making it a good option for homes with pets.
The three-stage cleaning system effectively lifts, loosens, and eliminates dirt, dust, and pet hair. The edge-sweeping brush tackles corners and edges where debris often accumulates. While it doesn't offer the same level of suction as premium models, it provides more than enough power for regular maintenance cleaning in most homes.
On carpets, the i3+ EVO performs well on both low and medium-pile varieties. For hard floors, it efficiently collects dust, debris, and pet hair without scattering it around.
Roomba j7+
The j7+ features the same 10x Power-Lifting Suction as the i3+ EVO, delivering similar raw cleaning power. Where it excels is in its intelligent cleaning approach. The PrecisionVision Navigation allows it to identify and avoid obstacles, ensuring more thorough cleaning coverage without getting stuck or spreading messes.
Like the i3+ EVO, it uses dual multi-surface rubber brushes that resist tangling and maintain strong suction even on high-pile carpets. Fine dust, crumbs, and debris are captured effectively, though very fine particles on hard floors occasionally require a second pass.
The j7+ particularly shines in homes with pets due to its ability to detect and avoid pet waste - a feature the i3+ EVO lacks. This prevents the dreaded "robot vacuum disaster" of spreading accidents throughout the home.
Performance Comparison by Surface Type
Hard Floor Performance
Carpet Performance
Pet Hair Handling
Edge & Corner Cleaning
Cleaning Performance Verdict
Both vacuums offer similar raw cleaning power with the same suction rating and brush system. However, the j7+ edges ahead with slightly better performance across all surface types due to its more advanced navigation system that ensures better coverage. The j7+'s obstacle avoidance also means fewer missed spots and no risk of spreading messes. For homes without pets or many obstacles, the i3+ EVO's cleaning performance will be more than adequate for most users.
Navigation and Mapping
Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO uses iRobot's Smart Mapping technology, which learns your home's layout as it cleans. While it doesn't create an immediate visual map like LiDAR-equipped models, it develops an internal map over time that allows for efficient cleaning patterns and room-specific cleaning through the iRobot Home app.
The navigation is methodical, with the robot cleaning in neat rows rather than the random patterns of more basic models. It handles obstacles reasonably well but lacks advanced obstacle avoidance technology. This means you'll want to pick up small items, cords, and pet accidents before running the i3+ EVO.
For homes with simple layouts and minimal obstacles, the i3+ EVO's navigation system works efficiently and reliably. However, in more complex environments with many obstacles, it may occasionally bump into items or require rescue if it gets stuck.
Roomba j7+
The j7+ features iRobot's advanced PrecisionVision Navigation system with a front-facing camera and powerful AI object recognition. This allows it to create detailed maps of your home while also identifying and avoiding common obstacles like cords, socks, shoes, and most importantly, pet waste.
The j7+ creates more detailed floor plans that you can customize with room labels, no-go zones, and cleaning preferences. The maps are accurate and update automatically when furniture is moved. You can send the robot to specific rooms, create cleaning schedules for different areas, and even set different suction levels for various rooms.
What truly sets the j7+ apart is its ability to learn from each cleaning run. It gets smarter over time, recognizing new obstacles and improving its navigation paths. The P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee ensures that it will avoid pet waste or iRobot will replace your vacuum.
Navigation & Mapping Verdict
The j7+ offers significantly more advanced navigation and mapping capabilities compared to the i3+ EVO. While both can create maps of your home and clean in efficient patterns, the j7+'s obstacle avoidance technology and more sophisticated mapping system make it the clear winner in this category. For homes with pets, children, or many obstacles, the j7+ will provide a much more hands-off experience with fewer rescues needed. For simpler home layouts with minimal obstacles, the i3+ EVO's navigation will be sufficient for most users.
Smart Features and App Control
Roomba i3+ EVO
The iRobot Home app provides intuitive control over the i3+ EVO. You can schedule cleanings, view cleaning history, and receive maintenance alerts. The app also offers cleaning suggestions based on your usage patterns and local factors like pet shedding seasons or high pollen counts.
Voice control integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant allows for hands-free operation with simple commands like "Alexa, tell Roomba to clean the living room." The i3+ EVO also works with IFTTT for more advanced automation scenarios, allowing you to integrate it into your broader smart home ecosystem.
While the i3+ EVO offers solid smart features, it lacks some of the more advanced customization options found in premium models. The mapping features are more basic, and you won't get detailed cleaning reports or obstacle detection notifications.
Roomba j7+
The j7+ truly shines in the smart features department, setting new standards for intelligent cleaning automation. The iRobot Home app provides all the basic features of the i3+ EVO but adds significant enhancements, including obstacle detection reports with photos of items it avoided, allowing you to decide if they should be moved before the next cleaning.
The j7+ offers more advanced mapping capabilities, including the ability to create custom cleaning zones, set cleaning schedules for specific rooms, and adjust suction power based on floor type. The "Favorite" feature lets you save frequently used cleaning patterns, making daily operation incredibly convenient.
Voice assistant integration is more robust with the j7+, handling complex requests like "clean the living room and kitchen but avoid the dining room." The j7+ also offers Imprint Link Technology, which allows it to coordinate with compatible Braava jet mops to automatically mop after vacuuming is complete.
Smart Feature Comparison
| Feature | Roomba i3+ EVO | Roomba j7+ |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Mapping | Basic (learns over time) | Advanced with visual recognition |
| Custom Room Cleaning | Yes (after mapping) | Yes (more precise) |
| Keep-Out Zones | No | Yes |
| Obstacle Reports | No | Yes (with photos) |
| Voice Control | Yes (basic commands) | Yes (advanced commands) |
| Cleaning Preferences | Basic scheduling | Advanced room-specific settings |
| Imprint Link Technology | No | Yes |
Smart Features Verdict
The j7+ offers significantly more advanced smart features compared to the i3+ EVO. While both provide app control, scheduling, and voice assistant integration, the j7+ adds valuable features like obstacle reports with photos, keep-out zones, and more sophisticated mapping capabilities. For tech enthusiasts and those who want the most intelligent, customizable cleaning experience, the j7+ is the clear winner. However, the i3+ EVO still provides solid smart functionality that will satisfy most users' basic needs.
Pros and Cons
Roomba i3+ EVO
Pros
- More affordable price point
- Self-emptying Clean Base holds up to 60 days of dirt
- Dual multi-surface rubber brushes prevent hair tangles
- Smart Mapping learns your home layout over time
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Recharge and Resume functionality for larger homes
- Excellent value for a self-emptying robot vacuum
Cons
- No advanced obstacle avoidance for pet waste/cords
- Shorter battery life than the j7+ (75 vs 90 minutes)
- Clean Base requires proprietary disposal bags
- No mopping functionality
- Mapping is less sophisticated than the j7+
- No Keep-Out Zones or custom cleaning preferences
Roomba j7+
Pros
- Outstanding obstacle detection and avoidance
- P.O.O.P. Guarantee for pet waste detection
- Self-emptying base with 60-day capacity
- Longer battery life (90 minutes)
- Advanced PrecisionVision Navigation
- More detailed mapping with Keep-Out Zones
- Obstacle reports with photos
- More compact and stylish Clean Base design
Cons
- Significantly higher price point
- Clean Base requires proprietary disposal bags
- Louder than expected during self-emptying
- No mopping functionality
- Occasional challenges with very dark surfaces
Which One Should You Buy?
Both the Roomba i3+ EVO and j7+ are excellent robot vacuums with self-emptying capabilities, but they target different user needs and budgets. Here's our recommendation on which one is right for you based on your specific situation:
Choose the Roomba i3+ EVO if:
- You're on a budget: The i3+ EVO offers excellent value with self-emptying functionality at a more accessible price point.
- You have a simple home layout: If your home has minimal obstacles and a straightforward layout, the i3+ EVO's navigation will be more than sufficient.
- You don't have pets with accidents: Without pets that might have accidents, you won't need the j7+'s advanced obstacle avoidance for pet waste.
- You want basic smart features: If you need scheduling, voice control, and basic mapping but don't require advanced customization.
- You're new to robot vacuums: The i3+ EVO is an excellent entry point into self-emptying robot vacuums without a premium price tag.
Choose the Roomba j7+ if:
- You have pets: The j7+'s P.O.O.P. Guarantee and obstacle avoidance make it the clear choice for pet owners concerned about accidents.
- You have a cluttered home: If your floors often have cords, toys, or other obstacles, the j7+'s PrecisionVision Navigation will save you pre-cleaning time.
- You want advanced mapping: The j7+ offers more detailed mapping with Keep-Out Zones and room-specific cleaning preferences.
- You value premium features: If you want the most intelligent, feature-rich experience with obstacle reports and photos.
- You're willing to pay more: The additional features come at a premium price, but deliver significant quality-of-life improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roomba j7+ worth the extra cost over the i3+ EVO?
Whether the j7+ is worth the extra cost depends on your specific needs. If you have pets that might have accidents, a home with many obstacles, or you value advanced mapping and obstacle avoidance features, then yes, the j7+ is worth the premium. However, if you have a simple home layout without pets or many obstacles, the i3+ EVO offers excellent value and similar cleaning performance at a lower price point.
Do both models require special disposal bags for the Clean Base?
Yes, both the i3+ EVO and j7+ use iRobot's proprietary AllergenLock disposal bags for their Clean Base stations. Each bag can hold approximately 60 days worth of debris before needing replacement. While this is an ongoing cost, the convenience of not emptying the dustbin manually for two months is worth it for most users.
Can either robot vacuum mop floors as well?
No, neither the Roomba i3+ EVO nor the j7+ have built-in mopping functionality. They are dedicated vacuum cleaners. If you want mopping capabilities, you would need to purchase a separate Braava jet robot mop. The j7+ does have Imprint Link Technology that allows it to coordinate cleaning with compatible Braava jet models.
How do the mapping capabilities differ between the two models?
The i3+ EVO uses Smart Mapping that learns your home's layout over time but doesn't create visual maps in the app immediately. It eventually allows for room-specific cleaning after multiple runs. The j7+ uses PrecisionVision Navigation with a front-facing camera that creates detailed visual maps more quickly, allows for Keep-Out Zones, and provides obstacle detection with photo reports.
What is the P.O.O.P. Guarantee that comes with the j7+?
The P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) Guarantee is iRobot's commitment that the j7+ will avoid solid pet waste. If your j7+ runs over and spreads pet waste within the first year of ownership, iRobot will replace your robot vacuum free of charge. This guarantee does not apply to the i3+ EVO, which lacks the advanced obstacle detection capabilities.
Final Verdict
After thoroughly comparing the Roomba i3+ EVO and Roomba j7+, it's clear that both are excellent robot vacuums with self-emptying capabilities, but they target different user needs and price points.
The Roomba i3+ EVO represents exceptional value in the self-emptying robot vacuum market. With strong cleaning performance, reliable navigation, and a self-emptying base at a more accessible price point, it's an excellent choice for most households, especially those with simpler layouts and fewer obstacles.
The Roomba j7+ justifies its premium price with significant quality-of-life improvements, particularly its advanced obstacle avoidance and pet waste detection. The more sophisticated mapping, obstacle reports with photos, and sleeker design make it the superior choice for tech enthusiasts, pet owners, and those with more complex home environments.
In terms of raw cleaning power, both models perform similarly with the same suction rating and brush system. The key differences lie in the intelligence, navigation capabilities, and smart features.
Our Recommendation
For most users seeking a balance of performance and value, the Roomba i3+ EVO is our recommended choice. It delivers excellent cleaning results and the convenience of self-emptying at a more accessible price point.
However, if you have pets that might have accidents, a home with many obstacles, or you simply want the most intelligent, feature-rich experience available, the Roomba j7+ is worth the premium price and earns our recommendation for those specific scenarios.