Roomba i7+ vs i7: What is the difference?
The Roomba i7 and i7+ are two very similar product offerings, as this article will explain. When these two offerings were released to the market, iRobot had achieved a new incredibly high standard of robot vacuum technology that took even more effort out of cleaning. Although they have now been surpassed by the Roomba S9 and S9+, the i7 and i7+ are almost identical with the same standard of technology. This article will show you the minor differences between these two robot vacuums and explain exactly what the “+” adds.
Contents
Comparison Chart: Roomba i7+ vs i7
| Model | ROOMBA i7+ | ROOMBA i7 |
|---|---|---|
| Design |  |  |
| iAdapt Version | iADAPT 3.0 | iADAPT 3.0 |
| Mapping Technology | IMPRINT | IMPRINT |
| Cleaning Motor | GEN 3 (10x Stronger) | GEN 3 (10x Stronger) |
| Recharge/ Resume Cleaning | ✔ | ✔ |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | ✔ | |
| Bottom Line | Recommended Pick for the best features and balanced price | Recommended Pick for the best features and balanced price |
| Availability | Check Price | Check Price |
1. Clean Base Station - The Game Changer
The principal difference between the i7 and i7+ which factors what the “+” is, is the Clean Base Station that is sold alongside the i7+. The Roomba i7 gets a more standard charging station called the Home Base. Essentially, the robot vacuum you get is practically the same except for one other minor difference. So what is so special about the Clean Base Station? Self-Disposal technology.
Self-Disposal Technology
This self-disposal technology was the game-changing factor about the i7+ that really shook up the whole industry. Effectively, after cleaning the Roomba i7+ can empty its waste into this unit so you don’t have too. As robot vacuums are all about taking the effort out of cleaning, this is an incredibly effective next step taken by iRobot. You will never have to empty the collection bin of the Roomba again, and the Clean Base bin can hold up to 30 cleans worth of waste.
Upgrading from the i7 to the i7+
As the principal difference between the i7 and i7+ is the addition of Clean Base, you can easily upgrade to it later. As the robot vacuum in each of these product offerings is practically the same, iRobot has made it very to easy to simply purchase the Clean Base retrospectively.
You should note that it is only the i7 and S9 at the moment which can have the Clean Base Station added it to make them the “+” version of themselves. This allows flexibility for you as the user to start out with just the robot vacuum if the extra Clean Base is too expensive or you are unsure.
Downsides of the Clean Base
You may be wondering as to who wouldn’t jump straight for the i7+ is the Self-Disposal technology is a clear advancement in technology. The first and more obvious downside is the additional cost and buying the i7+ only has a minimal monetary saving over buying the i7 and the Clean Base retrospectively.
Another issue is the noise of the Self-Diposal technology which is best placed in a side room or schedule to be done when you are out. Finally, it depends on how much the user cleans with their Roomba. If you find yourself cleaning rarely and don’t particularly mind emptying the bin of the Roomba once in a while, you might not be fussed. Eventually, the Clean Base has to be emptied and having it may not be worth the money if you clean irregularly.
Emptying the Clean Base
When it comes to emptying the bin, as ever with the iRobot app, a push notification will be sent to you when you are needed to finish the job. When you purchase the i7+ you will get 2 Dirt Disposal Bags included, although you will have to buy additional ones every month or two for $5 each in packs of three.
2. Collection Bin
This is indeed a particularly small and unimportant difference, yet should be mentioned. The Roomba i7+ has a slightly different material in its collection bin which makes it washable, although it must be hand washed and not placed in a dishwasher. On the other hand, the Roomba i7 has the standard non-washable collection bin with a style shared with the other Roombas. The size of the dustbins is in fact exactly the same.
3. Similarities
Now we have touched upon the two differences between each of these models, we will also tick off the main similarities. This includes practically other feature which can be found in much greater detail in our ultimate overview and comparison of Roombas article. Here is the list of technologies found in both the Roomba i7 and i7+:
- iAdapt 3.0 Navigation
- Imprint Smart Mapping
- 3rd Gen Motor - 10 times more powerful than 600 series
- iRobot Home app
- Voice Control (Alexa, Home)
- Recharge & Resume cleaning automatically
- HEPA filters
Final Word
Released alongside each other, the Roomba i7 and i7+ are two product offerings that both include the same robot vacuums with the additional choice of Self-Disposal technology should you choose the “+” version. Beyond that, the highly advanced specs and technology are the same between each model and are some of the best you can find in a robot vacuum.
FAQ
In this section, we will answer some of the most common questions that are asked about the Roomba i7, i7+ and how the two compare against each other.
What is the difference between the Roomba i7+ and i7?
The Roomba i7 and i7+ are two different product offerings of the same robot vacuum, except the i7+ gas Automatic Dirt Disposal technology. The Roomba i7 is the robot vacuum whilst the i7+ includes the i7 and the Clean Base unit. This means the i7+ can empty 30 cleans worth of dirt into the Clean Base which allows it to not need any maintenance for weeks at a time.
Do the Roomba i7 and i7+ map your home?
The Roomba i7 and i7+ use the same robot vacuum which has smart mapping technology, part of the navigation technology iAdapt 3.0. A camera in the hood of the robot takes images of your home to build up a virtual map which is available to view in the iRobot Home app. This shows the shape of your room and takes into account objects such as furniture. Smart Mapping is used as part of iAdapt 3.0 to create the optimal cleaning route to make vacuuming as quickly as possible.
Can you control the Roomba i7 and i7+ with your voice?
If you have a smart hub such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home you can connect them to a Roomba i7 and i7+ and use voice controls. iAdapt 3.0 can also identify individual rooms that can be cleaned independently of one another. You can activate this with a voice commands such as “Alexa, clean the kitchen”.
