Pros
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Excellent navigation
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Easy storage
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Good cleaning performance
Cons
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Loud
About the iRobot Roomba j7+
- Dimensions: 13.3” x 3.4” (W x H)
- Weight: 7.5 pounds
- Charging base dimensions: 12.5” x 12.5” x 14” (W x H x D)
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
What we like about the iRobot Roomba j7+
It has good dirt pickup performance
A robot vacuum that can’t clean is just a roving paperweight. The j7+ has proven itself to be quite the opposite. On average it picked up 9.35 grams of debris per run. That might seem like a tiny amount, but remember that robot vacuums should be run every day. So, over the course of a week, the j7+ can keep up with a manual cleaning by a full-sized vacuum.
Normally, we like to see pickup numbers closer to 10 grams, however the j7+ has a major trick up its sleeve: iRobot Genius. Imagine being able to program the j7+ to clean under the kitchen table after dinner or the atrium whenever the kids come home from school. That’s what Genius can do. Basically, it’s a smart app that can communicate with other smart devices, creating a seamless experience. Vacuuming your floors is so much easier when you can push a button and see it done.
Its navigation is so good it gives pet owners (and toddler parents) peace of mind
We tested the j7+'s ability to avoid dog droppings (don't worry—our testing "poop" is brownie batter and chunky peanut butter).
We’ve all seen videos on social media of robot vacuums doing unspeakable things to puppy accidents. However, the j7+ comes with the Pet Owners Official Promise (P.O.O.P). Through a combination of forward-facing cameras and machine learning, iRobot is confident enough that it will replace any j7+ that runs over animal waste within the first year of ownership.
We put this confidence to the test by having the j7+ navigate a maze of lab-made animal droppings. This Roomba got through it without a single smudge being made.
Aside from horrible mishaps, our testing showed the j7+ also skillfully avoided furniture legs and power cords. What this means to you is that the j7+ is significantly less likely to get stuck while traversing your house.
Long story short, better navigation translates to more of your floor getting cleaned.
It looks good while self-emptying
The redesigned charging dock it easier to store.
The j7+ joins an ever-increasing number of robot vacuums that can self-empty. However, the j7+ does it better. First, the self-emptying dock is about 35% shorter, meaning it’s way easier to find a place in your home to place it. Secondly, iRobot redesigned the dock to have an aesthetically pleasing exterior, one that you’d want to show off to people—opening up even more places you can put it.
On a practical level, the j7+ empties itself into a self-sealing bag, which can hold between 30 and 60 days’ worth of debris. The fact that the bag seals itself when you remove it means you never have to see, smell, or touch anything unpleasant.
The interior of the self-emptying dock has also gotten an upgrade, as well. There is now a slot to include extra bags, so you won’t lose them.
The charging dock uses self-sealing bags and also has a place to store spares.
What we don’t like about the iRobot Roomba j7+
Occasionally, it can be loud and intrusive
We found the light that helps the j7+ navigate to be intrusive at times.
When the j7+ empties itself, it’s loud. We think it’s comparable to the sound of an upright vacuum going all out. We have read user complaints online on how it wakes sleeping children and is disruptive. On the upside, this noise only lasts for a few seconds.
Also, because the j7+ navigates partially by sight, this robot vacuum has a light on its front, which is pretty bright and can also be intrusive.
It’s a bit too cautious in its navigation
When it comes to navigation, we’d call the j7+ timid. Most of the time, this is a good thing. However, if you live in a cozy apartment with a lot of furniture, the j7+ will avoid floor area rather than risk getting stuck. And this means you miss out on cleaning.
What are users saying
The iRobot Roomba j7+ has just hit the market, so we’ve tested it pretty early on in its lifespan. Accordingly, there are not a lot of reviews out there yet. On iRobot’s website, out of 114 reviews at the time of publication, the j7+ is scoring 4.4 stars out of 5. People seem to like the convenience and navigation. However, there are complaints about the noise and weak suction of pet hair on carpet.
Should you buy the iRobot Roomba j7+?
Yes
Out of all the robot vacuums on the market, the j7+’s test results showed us that it’s flexible enough to accommodate almost anyone. When you combine the Genius smart platform with the visual navigation and self-emptying dock, you get a robot vacuum that can be adjusted to get the job done.
You don’t need to worry about accidents or it getting stuck or stuck in poop. You can program it to clean when you need it to. If you take advantage of all the features the j7+ has to offer, it just makes your life easier—and that’s the point isn’t it?
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Meet the tester
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
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