Roomba i3+ vs i7 (2021): Which Robot Vacuum Has More Value for Money?

If you’re looking to purchase your first robot vacuum or you’re replacing an old one, two models to consider are the Roomba i3+ and the Roomba i7. The Roomba i7 is the more advanced model with a few additional features. The i3+ lacks some of the features found on the i7 but has very similar cleaning power and an additional self-emptying bin. Let’s unpack both robot vacuums to see which of them has more value for money and which one will be the better choice for you.

Roomba i3+ and i7 Comparison Chart

Design

The Roomba i3+ and i7 are nearly identical in shape and size with the top face being the only clear difference in design

The Roomba i3+ and i7 both sport a circle design that is common on robot vacuums. The edges are lined with black plastic bumpers to protect them from light bumps while cleaning. The most notable difference in design between the Roomba i3+ and i7 is the top face. The i3+ has a grey cloth-like texture that goes around the core of the vacuum. The i7’s top face is made from dark grey and glossy black plastic with a camera at the center. This camera is part of its vSLAM navigation system, which we will talk more about later. Both robot vacuums have a “clean” button, a “home” button, and a “spot clean” button located on top. When it comes to size and weight, the Roomba i3+ and i7 are nearly identical. The i3+ measures 13.26-inches wide, 3.63-inches tall, and weighs 7.44 pounds. The i7 measures 13.34-inches wide with the same height and weight as the i3+ (without the automatic dirt disposal bin). 

When you flip these vacuums over, you will hardly be able to tell them apart. The Roomba i3+ and i7 come with the same dual rubber brush rolls, spinning side brushes, three navigation wheels, and navigation sensors.

Cleaning

Both the Roomba i3+ and i7 come with the same exceptional cleaning abilities

When it comes to cleaning, the Roomba i3+ and i7 are some of the best machines among the many robot vacuums available in the market. They both clean using Roomba’s premium three-stage cleaning system which consists of two tangle-proof dual multi-surface brushes, an edge sweeping brush, and a powerful vacuum that removes dust, hair, and small and large debris on your hard floors and carpets. The suction power on the Roomba i3+ and i7 are 10x more powerful than the Roomba 600 series. 

The height of the multi-surface brushes on the Roomba i3+ and i7 are automatically adjusted depending on the type of floor that’s being cleaned. So whether you have high pile carpets or tiled floors, the Roomba i3+ and i7’s cleaning brushes will keep close contact with the ground for more effective cleaning. Both robot vacuums also come with Dirt Detect technology. This means they can recognize concentrated areas of dirt and work harder to clean those areas.

Navigation & Mapping

The Roomba i7 takes a win with its more advanced navigation and mapping technology over the i3+

The Roomba i3+ uses systematic navigation with the help of multiple sensors underneath the machine. It has digital maps enabled so you can view your Roomba i3+’s cleaning path on your smartphone. Unfortunately, that’s about all you can do when it comes to mapping with the i3+. You aren’t given the option to save maps for future use. 

The Roomba i7, on the other hand, uses a more advanced navigation system and useful mapping features. It runs vSLAM navigation technology which captures over 200,000 data points per second using its built-in camera to optimize navigation and coverage. It also has advanced mapping features. You are able to save maps of different rooms in your house and use them to program your Roomba i7 to clean certain rooms more frequently. 

Aside from its vSLAM navigation technology, the Roomba i7 also has a special “keep-out zones” feature. This feature allows you to mark out certain areas or items in your house that you don’t want your robot vacuum getting close to. This might be fragile furniture or your pet’s food and water bowls.

Extra Features

The Roomba i3+ comes with a very convenient self-emptying bin

The most apparent difference between the Roomba i3+ and the i7 is that the i3+ comes with a self-emptying dust bin. The (+) sign on the name indicates that it comes with this additional component. Whenever your Roomba i3+ is full, it heads over to the dust bin and empties the dust and debris into the bin, and then resumes cleaning. The Roomba i3+’s dust bin can hold up to 30 full loads of dust and debris. With this, you won’t have to even think about vacuuming for months.

Verdict

The Roomba i3+ with its self-emptying bin is perfect for those who want to forget about vacuuming while the i7 and its advanced navigation and mapping is perfect for those who want to take full control of cleaning patterns

The Roomba i3+ and Roomba i7 provide excellent value for money. They’re both equipped with digital mapping, exceptional cleaning abilities, and convenient features combined with a mid-range price. The Roomba i7 clearly takes the win when it comes to navigation and mapping with its vSLAM technology, keep-out zones, and more advanced mapping features. The i3+, however, comes with a self-emptying bin which saves you from having to empty your vacuum whenever it’s full. 

The decision on which model to get will ultimately depend on your preferences. If you want to take advantage of keep-out zones or schedule more frequent cleanings for certain areas of your house, then you should go with the Roomba i7. If you want to just forget about cleaning and still have clean floors for months, the i3+ with its self-emptying bin will be the perfect choice for you.

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