Pick the right iRobot by matching your floor type and home size to the model's suction power and bin capacity
iRobot makes five main vacuum lines: Roomba j7, i7, i4, i3, and Roomba Combo. The j7 and i7 are the strongest and most expensive. The i4 and i3 are mid-range. The Combo models add mopping. Your choice depends on whether you have carpet or hard floors, how large your home is, and whether you want the vacuum to empty itself.
The j7 Plus and j7+ are the best all-around choice if you have both carpet and hard floors and want a vacuum that avoids obstacles. They have the strongest suction of any Roomba, a self-emptying bin, and a camera that maps your home and steers around pet waste and cords. The i7+ is similar but slightly less powerful and costs less. If you have only hard floors or light carpet, the i4 or i3 will do the job at half the price.
Key Takeaways
- The j7 Plus has the strongest suction and obstacle avoidance, making it the best choice for homes with pets, cords, or mixed flooring.
- The i7+ offers self-emptying and mapping at a lower price than the j7, but with slightly weaker suction and no obstacle camera.
- The i4 and i3 are entry-level models without self-emptying or obstacle avoidance, suited for small homes or apartments with straightforward layouts.
- Combo models add mopping but hold less water and are slower than dedicated vacuums, so they work best for light maintenance between deep cleans.
- All current iRobot models connect to the iRobot app and work with Alexa voice commands, but only j7 and i7 models include mapping and room selection.
j7 and j7+ models: Best for homes with obstacles and pet messes
The j7 Plus and j7+ are iRobot's flagship vacuums. Both have a front-facing camera that detects and avoids obstacles like cords, pet waste, and small toys. This matters if you have dogs, cats, or a cluttered floor. The j7 Plus includes a self-emptying dock; the j7+ is the same vacuum with a larger dock that holds more dust. Both map your home and let you select which rooms to clean from the app.
Suction power is the strongest in the Roomba line at 10 times the power of older models. This means faster cleaning on carpet and better pickup of pet hair. The dustbin holds 0.4 liters, which is small, but the self-emptying dock means you rarely touch dirt. Battery life is about 75 minutes, enough for most homes under 2,000 square feet in a single run.
The trade-off is price. The j7+ costs around $800 to $900 and the j7 Plus around $700 to $800, depending on sales. If you have a small home, light shedding, and few obstacles, you are paying for features you may not use.
i7+ model: Self-emptying without the obstacle camera
The i7+ is the previous generation of iRobot's premium line. It has a self-emptying dock and app-based room selection, but no front camera to detect obstacles. Suction is strong but slightly less than the j7. If you have a tidy home with few cords or toys on the floor, the i7+ will save you $200 to $300 compared to the j7+.
The i7+ works well for homes with carpet and hard floors mixed, and it handles pet hair better than the i3 or i4. The self-emptying dock is the main reason to choose this model over cheaper options — it means you empty the dock once a month instead of the bin once a week. Battery life is similar to the j7 at around 75 minutes.
The i7+ is being phased out in favor of the j7, so availability varies by retailer. If you find one on sale, it is a solid choice. If not, the j7+ is worth the extra cost for the obstacle camera.
i4 and i3 models: Budget options for small homes
The i4 and i3 are entry-level Roombas without self-emptying, mapping, or obstacle detection. They work with the app and Alexa, but you cannot select specific rooms — the vacuum cleans the whole floor or nothing. Suction is moderate, suitable for light to medium pet hair and dust on both carpet and hard floors.
The i4 is slightly stronger than the i3 and has a larger dustbin. Both cost between $250 and $400, depending on sales. They are good choices for apartments, small homes under 1,000 square feet, or homes with minimal clutter. If you have a large home or heavy pet shedding, you will spend more time emptying the bin and waiting for the vacuum to finish.
Battery life is around 90 minutes, longer than the j7 because the motor uses less power. This means the i3 and i4 can cover larger areas in one run if you do not mind waiting. Neither model has a self-emptying dock option, so you will empty the bin by hand after each cleaning.
Combo models: Vacuum and mop in one, with trade-offs
iRobot makes Combo models that vacuum and mop in a single pass. The Combo j7+ and Combo i5 are the current options. The Combo j7+ has the same obstacle camera and suction as the j7+, but adds a water tank and mopping pad. The Combo i5 is a mid-range option with mopping but no obstacle detection.
The mopping function uses a small water tank (about 0.2 liters) that dampens a cloth pad. It works for light maintenance between deep cleans — picking up dust and small spills on hard floors. It does not replace a dedicated mop or steam cleaner. The water tank is small, so you refill it often for large homes. Drying time is slow, and the pad can leave streaks if the floor is very dirty.
Combo models are heavier and slower than vacuums alone because they carry water. If you want both functions, a Combo is convenient. If you want strong mopping, buy a separate mop. The Combo j7+ costs around $900 to $1,000, and the Combo i5 around $500 to $600.
Comparing suction, bin size, and battery life across models
| Model | Suction Power | Bin Size | Self-Empty | Obstacle Camera | Battery Life | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| j7+ | Strongest | 0.4L | Yes | Yes | 75 min | $700–$900 |
| i7+ | Strong | 0.4L | Yes | No | 75 min | $500–$700 |
| i4 | Moderate | 0.4L | No | No | 90 min | $300–$400 |
| i3 | Moderate | 0.3L | No | No | 90 min | $250–$350 |
| Combo j7+ | Strongest | 0.4L | Yes | Yes | 75 min | $900–$1,000 |
What to consider before you buy
Floor type matters most. If you have mostly hard floors, the i3 or i4 will save you money. If you have carpet, the i7+ or j7+ will clean faster and more thoroughly. Pet hair is the biggest driver of upgrade — if you have shedding pets, the j7+ is worth the cost because the obstacle camera prevents the vacuum from getting tangled or stuck.
Home size and layout come second. A small apartment under 1,000 square feet works fine with an i3. A large home over 2,000 square feet benefits from self-emptying because you will not empty the bin as often. If your home has many rooms, mapping and room selection (j7 and i7 only) let you clean specific areas without running the whole floor.
Clutter and obstacles matter for the j7. If your floor has cords, toys, or pet waste regularly, the obstacle camera prevents jams and messes. If your home is tidy, the i7+ or i4 will work fine without it. Budget is the final factor — if you can spend $700 to $900, the j7+ is the best all-around choice. If you have $300 to $400, the i4 is solid. If you want mopping, the Combo j7+ is the only option with strong suction and obstacle detection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the self-emptying dock or can I just empty the bin by hand?
You can empty by hand, but self-emptying saves time if you run the vacuum weekly. The dock holds about a month of dust, so you empty it once a month instead of once a week. If you have a small home or run the vacuum less often, hand-emptying is fine and saves $200 to $300.
Will the obstacle camera prevent the vacuum from getting stuck on pet waste?
The j7 camera detects and avoids pet waste, but it is not perfect. It works best in good lighting and may miss very small messes. If your pet has frequent accidents, the camera reduces the risk significantly compared to models without it, but does not eliminate it entirely.
Can I use an iRobot on carpet and hard floors in the same home?
Yes, all models work on both. The j7+ and i7+ have stronger suction for carpet and will clean faster. The i3 and i4 work on both but take longer on carpet and may miss some pet hair. If you have a mix, the i7+ or j7+ is the better choice.
What is the difference between the j7+ and Combo j7+?
The Combo j7+ adds mopping but is heavier and slower. If you want both functions in one pass, the Combo works for light maintenance. If you want strong vacuuming or deep mopping, buy the j7+ vacuum and a separate mop instead.
How often do I need to replace filters or brushes?
iRobot recommends replacing the filter every two months and the brush every six to twelve months, depending on use. Pets and carpet increase wear. Replacement parts cost $10 to $30 each and are sold on iRobot's website and Amazon.