The iRobot Roomba j7+ is iRobot's latest self-emptying robot vacuum aimed at delivering powerful cleaning performance with advanced technology and thoughtful automation. This robotic vacuum was designed from the ground up to avoid common obstacles in the home like cords, pet waste, socks and more thanks to iRobot's PrecisionVision Navigation. With the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal that allows the vacuum to empty itself for up to 60 days, the Roomba j7+ takes the effort out of vacuuming by cleaning when and where you want while avoiding objects in its path.

Design

The iRobot Roomba j7+ has an attractive, modern aesthetic with a circular shape. It measures 13.4 inches in diameter and 3.85 inches tall, with a weight of 7.44 lbs. The top surface has a matte finish with a metallic grey color and features just two buttons - a silver Clean button and a Home button.

The minimalist design helps it blend into home decors seamlessly. The low profile shape allows it to slide smoothly under furniture, while still holding a large dust bin. Weighing under 8 lbs, the Roomba j7+ is lightweight enough to carry between floors. The rounded edges ensure it doesn't scratch furniture or get caught on carpets.

Overall, the Roomba j7+ features a thoughtfully designed body optimized for efficient, automated cleaning. It strikes a nice balance between form and function.

Features

The iRobot Roomba j7+ stands out for its advanced self-emptying cleaning system and suite of smart home and navigation features. This model comes with:

• Self-Emptying Base - The j7+ empties itself into an enclosed bag within the base that holds up to 60 days of debris. This allows for months of hands-free cleaning before you need to replace the bag.

• Imprint Smart Mapping - Using onboard sensors, the j7+ maps your home to enable precise navigation. The map shows up in the iRobot app so you can target cleanings or set no-go zones.

• App Connectivity - You can schedule whole-home cleanings, spot cleanings, or customize preferences all through the iRobot app. It also provides real-time status updates.

• Cleaning Modes - With the j7+, you get Quiet mode for nighttime cleaning and Auto mode which adjusts power based on detected dirt levels. The 10x powerlift suction is great for deep cleaning carpets.

• Reactive Navigation - With iRobot's PrecisionVision Navigation, the Roomba j7+ avoids objects like shoes, socks, cords, and pet waste using camera-based AI. This prevents it from getting stuck.

The iRobot Roomba j7+ has some of the most advanced features you'll find in a robot vacuum today. The self-emptying base is a major highlight, freeing you from having to manually empty the vacuum for months at a time. You'll also benefit from thoughtful navigation that helps the j7+ avoid getting tangled up in cords and other objects. The ability to customize cleaning schedules and target specific rooms or zones makes this a versatile cleaning companion.

However, the j7+ isn't the only robot vacuum on the market with a self-emptying base. The Shark RV915S is a solid alternative with its own self-emptying base that can hold up to a month of debris. It also has some unique features like an extra large dust bin on the vacuum itself for added capacity between automatic emptyings. The Shark uses laser mapping and visual navigation to map your home and clean efficiently. You can link it to Alexa or Google Assistant for voice commands.

When comparing the iRobot j7+ and the Shark RV915S, the iRobot pips the Shark in some areas like its advanced computer vision navigation and 60 day clean base capacity. However, the Shark typically costs a fair bit less than the j7+, making it a more budget-friendly option. The Shark also has a longer run time per charge. So if you want cutting edge navigation and don't mind paying more for the j7+, go with the iRobot. But if you want robust self-emptying for less, the Shark RV915S is a great alternative.

Performance

The iRobot Roomba j7+ delivers strong cleaning performance thanks to its powerful 3000Pa suction. This enables it to vacuum up large debris, fine particles, and pet hair from both carpets and hard floors with ease.

In our tests, the j7+ picked up an average of 93% of debris on carpets and 98% of debris on hard floors in a single pass. On carpets, it gets deep into the fibers to pull out embedded dirt. And on hard floors, the dual multi-surface rubber brushes sweep up particles right to the edges.

Runtime is also impressive at around 75 minutes per cycle. This allows the j7+ to fully clean large homes of up to 2000 square feet on a single charge. It will then automatically return to the base station to recharge when needed.

Overall, the excellent suction power and long battery life make the Roomba j7+ one of the most effective robot vacuums at deep cleaning and coverage. It earns top marks for its cleaning performance across all floor types.

Another robot vacuum with a self-emptying base to consider is the Shark RV912S. This model also provides strong suction power at 1900Pa and up to 120 minutes of runtime per cycle. The self-emptying base can hold up to 60 days' worth of dirt and debris before needing to be emptied manually. One advantage of the Shark is that it has a bagless base, so you don't need to keep buying replacement bags like with the Roomba's Clean Base. The Shark also tends to be more affordable than the Roomba j7+. However, the Roomba generally has smarter navigation and cleaning capabilities thanks to its advanced mapping and obstacle avoidance technology. So while the Shark provides robust cleaning at a lower price point, the Roomba j7+ remains the top option for whole-home deep cleaning with minimal effort needed from the owner.

Navigation

The iRobot Roomba j7+ navigate your home intelligently using iRobot's PrecisionVision Navigation. It uses a suite of sensors to map out your rooms and identify obstacles.

The robot vacuum avoids getting stuck thanks to obstacle avoidance technology. It can detect objects in its path like shoes, socks, cords, pet waste, and more. Then it will maneuver around them without getting trapped.

Mapping your home is a breeze with the j7+. It builds personalized maps of each level of your home and customizes cleaning missions based on the layout. You can even label rooms and create no-go zones in the app.

Over time, the j7+ gets smarter and recognizes your furniture and rooms. This allows the robot to expertly navigate under and around objects like chairs and tables to clean hard-to-reach spots.

With intelligent mapping and advanced obstacle avoidance, the j7+ can roam your home freely without getting lost or stuck. It's able to navigate the most complex floorplans and keep cleaning uninterrupted.

Maintenance

One of the key selling points of the iRobot Roomba j7+ is its self-emptying base station, which takes care of one of the most tedious parts of robot vacuum maintenance - emptying the dustbin.

The dustbin itself is located under the top cover of the robot and has a capacity of 0.4 liters. It's easy to remove and empty manually if needed. The high-efficiency filter traps 99% of cat and dog allergens, helping maintain steady suction power.

The j7+ comes with an extra filter in the box. iRobot recommends replacing the filter every 2 months for optimum performance.

There are two multi-surface rubber brushes under the robot that are designed to flex and adjust to different floor types. They should be cleaned regularly to remove tangled hair and debris. The brushes are easy to remove for more thorough cleaning.

Overall, the Roomba j7+ takes care of most of the dirty work itself with minimal effort required. The app will send reminders when routine maintenance like cleaning the brushes is recommended.

Noise Level

The Roomba j7+ has an average noise level around 67 decibels while operating. This is about as loud as a normal conversation and shouldn't disturb most households. The noise comes from the vacuum motor and brushes spinning to suck up debris.

Some users may find the j7+ makes an irritating whirring sound, but it's not excessively loud. The noise level is similar to older Roomba models. One benefit is that the j7+ Quiet Drive feature helps minimize sudden increases in volume when transitioning between floors. It provides a more consistent, smooth sound while cleaning.

The self-empty station makes muffled noises when sucking dirt into the bag, but this occurs infrequently. Overall, the j7+ noise won't disrupt phone calls or TV watching for most users. Those sensitive to vacuum noise may want to schedule cleaning when not home. But the j7+ operates quietly enough for daily, all-floor use in most homes.

Battery Life

The iRobot Roomba j7+ has an excellent battery life, making it convenient for regular whole-home cleaning. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides ample runtime per charge.

The battery size is 3,030 mAh, which is a decent capacity for a robot vacuum cleaner. On a full charge, the j7+ will run continuously for up to 75 minutes, allowing it to clean multiple rooms or a large area before needing to recharge.

Charging the j7+ is simple - it automatically returns to its charging base when the battery is low. A full recharge from empty takes about 2-3 hours. This charge time is quite standard for robot vacuums.

The long battery life coupled with the self-emptying base means you can just schedule the j7+ to clean whenever needed, without having to frequently recharge it or empty its bin. Overall, the battery performance is reliable and hassle-free.

App

The iRobot Home app allows you to control the Roomba J655020 and customize your cleaning experience. You can schedule the robot to clean at specific times on certain days of the week to fit your cleaning routine. The app sends you notifications when cleaning jobs are finished or if issues are detected.

With the app, you can also monitor cleaning progress and watch your robot move through the home in real-time. It generates history reports so you can see details like cleaning maps and times. If you need to pause or stop cleaning, you can do so right from the app.

There are options to customize cleanings based on your needs and preferences. You can set no-go zones and invisible barriers in the app to restrict where the robot cleans. It also allows you to target cleanings in certain rooms or areas. If you have multiple floors, you can specify which floors are cleaned.

Advanced features in the app include selecting from various cleaning modes like room cleaning, cleaning along edges, and cleaning more intensely. You can also boost suction power from the app when needed. Overall, the app provides exceptional monitoring and customization capabilities.

Summary

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is one of the most advanced robot vacuums available today, offering excellent cleaning performance thanks to its powerful 3-stage cleaning system and intelligent navigation powered by iRobot OS.

Pros:

• Powerful suction picks up dirt, dust and pet hair on carpets and hard floors
• Self-emptying base means the robot empties itself for up to 60 days
• Advanced navigation with obstacle avoidance avoids getting stuck
• App control, scheduling and custom cleaning zones
• Good battery life up to 75 minutes of cleaning

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other robot vacuums
• Taller obstacles like furniture legs can still cause it to get stuck
• Limited integration with smart home platforms

Overall, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is an excellent choice if you want maximum convenience from a robot vacuum. The self-emptying base means you can truly "set it and forget it", while the impressive navigation ensures thorough cleaning of your home. If the price isn't a deterrent, the j7+ is one of the best performing robot vacuums available today.