As iRobot’s product line grows, consumers face a greater variety of choices, making it difficult to select the right product due to subtle differences. Therefore, let’s compare two of iRobot’s flagship lines of products in the Roomba intelligent robot series: the iRobot Roomba i3 and the iRobot Roomba i7.
The Roomba i3 is the ideal combination of affordability and functionality. It has a powerful motor, smart navigation, and an easy-to-use app, making it an excellent choice for those on a tight budget who still want a dependable and efficient cleaning experience. The Roomba i3 is also Alexa and Google Assistant compatible, allowing you to control it with voice commands.
The Roomba i7 may be the right fit if you’re looking for a high-end robot vacuum. This model is one of the most advanced robots vacuums on the market, with superior suction power, advanced mapping technology, and a self-emptying dustbin.
Let’s break down in further detail how these two Roomba robot vacuums differ.
Roomba i3 vs. i7: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roomba i3 | Roomba i7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches | 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.7 inches |
| Weight | 7.28 lbs | 7.28 lbs |
| Suction Power | 900 Pa | 1,700 Pa |
| Recharge and Resume? | Yes | Yes |
| Dirt Detect Technology? | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control | Compatible with Alexa | Compatible with Alexa, Imprint Link Technology |
| Smart Home Integration | Wi-Fi and app-enabled | Wi-Fi and app-enabled |
| Surface Recommendation | Carpets, hard floors, rugs | Carpets, hard floors, rugs |
| Built-in Camera? | No | Yes |
| Cleaning System | 3-stage | 3-stage |
| Filtration | High-efficiency filter | High-efficiency filter |
| Dustbin Features | Washable by hand, not dishwasher safe, 0.5 liters | Washable by hand only, 0.4 liters |
| Automation and Smart Features | Imprint Smart Mapping | Imprint Smart Mapping, Zoned Cleaning |
| Tools and Brushes | Dual multi-surface brushes | Rubber brushes, edge-sweeping brush |
| Run Time | 75 minutes | 75 minutes |
- iAdapt navigation maps your home and utilizes sensors to avoid obstacles and prevent accidents
- Features the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal system
- High-efficiency filter can capture up to 99% of pollen, dust particles, and other allergens
- Compatible with voice control assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant
- The powerful motor provides ten times more suction power
- The Clean Base automatically disposes of dirt and allows the i7 to empty itself.
- 75 minutes runtime
- 3-Stage cleaning system with powerful suction
- vSLAM navigation lets the i7 learn your home's layout to build personalized Smart Maps (accessible on the iRobot App)
- Alexa and App enabled.
Key Differences
Below are some key differences between Roomba i3 and i7.
- The Roomba i7 has an onboard camera that allows it to create keep-out zones, preventing it from entering certain areas of your house. The i3, on the other hand, does not have this technology. The i3 moves around your home and tidies up in straight lines using the flooring tracking sensor on the vacuum’s underside. This sensor enables the Roomba to identify areas already cleaned in your home.
- The i7 has “Keep Out Zone” feature, which is unavailable on the i3. This feature allows you to prevent your iRobot from accessing certain areas of your floor area by drawing boxes in the corresponding virtual spaces. This is especially recommended if you have pets and a special spot designated as a water bowl station in the house.
- Distinctiveness can be seen in the tops. The Roomba i3’s cover is made of a cloth-like plastic textured material. It’s slicker than the i7 in appearance. It’s also durable and can withstand being wiped down and dusted, which is ideal for a machine that spends most of its time on the floor. The camera on the Roomba i7 adds a few extra crevices, but the robot vacuum is still very simple to maintain.
Roomba i3 vs. i7: What’s the Difference?
Which robot vacuum, the Roomba i3 or i7, delivers the best value for your money, and what are the significant differences between these two models? Read on to find out.
Design and Build Quality
The Roomba i3 has a 13.34-inch diameter and a height of 3.63 inches, whereas the Roomba i7 has the same diameter but is 3.7 inches tall. Both versions have the familiar spherical design of Roomba vacuums, making them easy to move around your home’s furnishings and other obstacles. Each of the two gadgets weighs 7.28 lbs.
The iRobot Roomba i3 boasts impressive durability with its robust plastic body and sturdy rubber wheels. Though the top cover appears to be fabric-lined, it is, in fact, textured plastic. However, the inner dustbin feels relatively fragile. Positioned on the robot’s top are three buttons: a large central one to initiate and halt cleaning cycles and two smaller buttons to send the vacuum back to its dock or clean a specific spot. Additionally, the vacuum arrives fully assembled, and setting up the docking station is the only necessary task, which comes complete with a pre-inserted dirtbag.
The iRobot Roomba i7 model has outstanding build quality with its tough plastic body and durable rubber wheels, providing sturdiness. However, the dirt compartment, also made of plastic, may seem fragile and prone to breaking if dropped. Nonetheless, this vacuum includes a carrying handle, making transporting it from one area to another easier.
Cleaning Performance
The efficiency with which a vacuum cleans is crucial. The two Roomba models have exceptional cleaning abilities. The i3’s three-stage cleaning system consists of dual multi-surface brushes, a high-efficiency filter, and a suction power that is 10x stronger than the Roomba 600 series.
Similarly, the i7 features a three-tiered cleaning system that is 10x more powerful than the Roomba 600 series’ in terms of suction power thanks to its rubber brushes, high-efficiency filter, and other features. The Imprint Smart Mapping technology gives the i7 its unique ability to learn the layout of your floor space, focusing only on specific rooms according to your directions.
Navigational Technology
The Roomba i3 and the i7 feature cutting-edge navigational technology that enables them to avoid obstacles during cleaning sessions. The i3 utilizes proprietary “iAdapt” mapping and navigation technology to learn the layout of your household. The i7 boasts “Imprint Smart Mapping,” which creates a map of your house and saves it to its internal storage. Using this technology, you can also arrange for individual rooms to be cleaned at your convenience.
Battery Life and Charging
As robotic vacuums, the i3 and i7 models boast a respectable battery life of 75 minutes. Consequently, a single charge is enough to clean most small to medium-sized homes. However, you may need to recharge the vacuum for more significant areas or multiple floors to complete the task.
As an added convenience, both versions have an integrated recharge and resume function that enables them to return to their charging dock when their power supply is low. The vacuums will pick up where they left off once the batteries are recharged, keeping your floors spotless at all times.
Suction Power
The Roomba i7 has significantly stronger suction than the Roomba i3. While the i3 is rated 900 Pa of suction power, the i7 can produce up to 1,700 Pa. As a result, the i7 is ideal for cleaning stubborn stains and dirt from carpets, rugs, and hard floors thanks to the i7’s superior suction power. It can collect bulky dirt, dust, and debris in a single pass, hence reducing the overall cleaning time.
When the i7 senses a carpet or rug, the Power Boost feature instantly amplifies the suction power. This is what makes the Roomba i7 a great option for households with pets or high volumes of foot traffic, as it can effectively remove tough stains from carpets and rugs. The i3 has a suction power of 900 Pa, which is still good though it may not be enough for larger or messier homes. The i3 isn’t perfect, but it’s still a suitable choice for anyone looking for an affordable and dependable robot vacuum.
Bin Capacity
The Roomba i3 can hold 0.5 liters of debris, while the Roomba i7 can hold up to 0.4 liters.
A larger home or a household with pets that shed a lot of hair and dirt can benefit greatly from the i3’s larger bin capacity, which allows it to clean large spaces of your place in one go.
The i7’s slightly smaller bin capacity of 0.4 liters may necessitate more frequent emptying during cleaning sessions, which could be inconvenient for some users. Both versions, however, have a feature called Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which allows them to automatically empty their bin into a base station once it becomes full.
Roomba i3 vs i7: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Roomba i3 and i7 are equipped with acoustic sensors called Dirt Detect Technology, which are used to locate areas with particularly high levels of dirt and dust.
- The maximum suction power of the Roomba i7 is 1,700 Pa, which is more than twice as powerful as the suction power of the Roomba i3, which is only 900 Pa.
- The Roomba i7 has a camera for navigation and mapping the home, but the Roomba i3 does not and must rely solely on sensors.
- The Roomba i3 and i7 can both communicate with digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
- The Roomba i3 and i7 robot vacuums have automatic dirt disposal and dustbin.
- iAdapt navigation maps your home and utilizes sensors to avoid obstacles and prevent accidents
- Features the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal system
- High-efficiency filter can capture up to 99% of pollen, dust particles, and other allergens
- Compatible with voice control assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant
- The powerful motor provides ten times more suction power
- The Clean Base automatically disposes of dirt and allows the i7 to empty itself.
- 75 minutes runtime
- 3-Stage cleaning system with powerful suction
- vSLAM navigation lets the i7 learn your home's layout to build personalized Smart Maps (accessible on the iRobot App)
- Alexa and App enabled.
Roomba i3 vs. i7: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Use?
The two Roomba models are indeed high-quality robot vacuums that can aid in housekeeping. The i7 is more expensive, but it has superior functionality. The Roomba i3 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a more affordable option, as it offers excellent cleaning performance and reliable navigation technology. Which model is ideal for your home depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Karlis Dambrans/Shutterstock.com.
