In the past period, iRobot has introduced a lot of new robot vacuum cleaners. Two popular vacuum cleaners are the new iRobot Roomba j7 and the iRobot Roomba i3 EVO. At first glance, the robot vacuum cleaners look very similar: they have the same brushes and they both run on the iRobot Genius software.
However, there are some major differences that I would like to share with you. In this Roomba J7 vs i3 EVO comparison I list the biggest differences and similarities. Find out which one is best for you.
Roomba J7 vs i3 EVO: Differences
Although the vacuum cleaners are very similar and the technologies under the hood are similar, there are still a lot of big differences. Especially in the field of obstacle detection and the possibility to create specific cleaning zones.
Obstacle Detection
Both the Roomba J7 and the Roomba i3 EVO use Imprint Smart Mapping technology. However, the Roomba i3 EVO lacks a few important functions, which can be found in the J7.
For example, the Roomba J7 is able to recognize objects and to go around them with a big bend if it does not know them. He adds these obstacles directly into the virtual map he created of your room. In fact, if you give permission, the Roomba J7 can take pictures of objects it doesn't recognize and inform you about this. The Roomba i3 EVO cannot do this.
In fact, if you give permission, the Roomba J7 can take pictures of objects it doesn't recognize and inform you about this.
PrecisionVision Navigation
In addition, the Roomba J7 uses PrecisionVision Navigation. This technology has now been developed to such an extent that robot vacuum cleaners with this technology can recognize and avoid dog poop. iRobot is so assured that this will work that they even have a warranty for it.
iRobot Roomba j7
Cleaning zones
Not only in terms of navigation is there a difference between the Roomba J7 and the i3 EVO. Even if we look at the creation of specific cleaning areas, you have many more options with the J7.
With the iRobot Roomba J7 you can create cleaning zones or zones where the vacuum cleaner is not allowed to vacuum. This is not possible with the i3 EVO. In addition, with the Roomba i3 EVO you can only have specific rooms cleaned, while with the Roomba J7 you can also have smaller cleaning areas within a room.
Maximum threshold height
An important part of robot vacuum cleaners is the maximum threshold height. If a robot vacuum cannot pass the thresholds in your home, it cannot navigate to different rooms.
The Roomba j7 can drive over thresholds of 2.5 centimeters. The maximum threshold height of the Roomba i3 EVO is 2 centimeters. Most homes have thresholds that are lower than 2 centimeters, but it is good to check this in your home.
Noise level and weight
Although a robot vacuum cleaner will in many cases be working when you are not at home, it is still good to familiarize yourself with the noise level. The Roomba i3 EVO is a bit quieter than the Roomba J7. Where the i3 produces an average noise level of 58 decibels, this is 66 decibels with the Roomba J7. The Roomba i3 EVO is also a bit lighter: 3.18 kilograms versus 3.4 kilograms (Roomba J7).
The Roomba i3 EVO is a bit quieter than the Roomba J7.
Charging time and operating range on full battery
There are also noticeable differences in the charging time of the robot vacuum cleaners. See the overview below for the charging times versus the maximum suction surface with a fully charged battery.
| iRobot | Charging time | Range with full battery |
|---|---|---|
| Roomba J7 | 125 minutes | 76 m2 |
| Roomba i3 EVO | 176 minutes | 98 m2 |
As you can see, the Roomba J7 charges faster (125 minutes vs 176 minutes), but will be able to clean a smaller area than the Roomba i3 EVO (76m2 vs 98m2)
Price: the Roomba i3 EVO is a lot cheaper
I had already expected this: there is a big difference in the prices of the robot vacuum cleaners. Without the automatic emptying station (I'll come back to that) you pay an average of 690 euros for the iRobot Roomba j7. For the Roomba i3 EVO you pay an average of 449 euros. This is a huge difference.
iRobot Roomba i3 EVO
The biggest differences at a glance:
- Roomba J7 detects and avoids obstacles such as cables and dog poop, Roomba i3 EVO only avoids furniture and walls
- With Roomba J7 you can get pictures of obstacles that are not recognized, to optimize the home
- With the Roomba j7 you can have smaller areas within rooms vacuumed, with the roomba i3 EVO this is not possible
- The Roomba i3 EVO a lot cheaper than the J7
- The Roomba J7 can go over threshold heights of 2.5 centimeters; the Roomba i3 EVO can pass thresholds of up to 2 centimeters
Roomba J7 vs Roomba i3 EVO: Similarities
There are also many similarities between the Roomba J7 and the Roomba i3 EVO. For example, the software under the hood is the same and there are the same floor brushes. Let's sort out the similarities.
Imprint Smart Mapping
As I just wrote, both robot vacuum cleaners use Imprint Smart Mapping. Both the Roomba J7 and the i3 EVO create a virtual map of your home. In the iRobot Home app you can view the map and let the robot vacuum cleaners vacuum per room.
Both the Roomba J7 and the i3 EVO create a virtual map of your home.
It is also possible to make a personalized cleaning schedule with both robot vacuum cleaners. For example, you can have the Roomba J7 or the i3 EVO vacuumed when you are not at home.
In addition, they both support voice control. If you have a Google Nest, Amazon Alexa or Siri (Apple) smart speaker or display at home, you can control them both with voice commands.
Floor brushes and suction performance
The robot vacuums both use two rubber floor brushes and a side brush. When I turn the vacuum cleaners around they look almost the same, as you can see in the image below.
Both suitable automatic emptying
It is true that there is still a small difference to be seen in the photo above: the green cover at the bottom left of the Roomba J7. This is because I chose the model with Clean Base for my iRobot Roomba j7+ review.
The Roomba i3 EVO is also suitable for automatic emptying with the Clean Base. If you buy the Roomba i3 EVO with Clean Base, the dust container will look the same. So this is no difference.
iRobot Roomba J7+
Both robots have a dust container with a volume of 0.4 liters. If you buy a model without a Clean Base, you will have to empty it manually after each cleaning activity.
Cleaning route
Both Roomba robot vacuums follow a systematic cleaning route. They vacuum the entire room in straight lines, so that no spot is missed.
Dirt Detect Technology
Both the Roomba i3 EVO and J7 use Dirt Detect Technology. With this technology, the robot vacuum cleaner automatically cleans more often and better in places where it regularly detects a lot of dirt. For example, the robot vacuum cleaners will vacuum around the dining table more often than around the bed.
Fall detection and furniture detection
Although the Roomba J7 scores better in the field of obstacle detection, the Roomba i3 EVO can still stop at a staircase or when it detects a piece of furniture. This also appeared in the iRobot Roomba i3 EVO review. Both robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with a fall detection and furniture detection, so that it can fall down or damage your table legs.
Shape and design
After all, the vacuum cleaners are very similar. They are both made in a round shape and are both made in a dark color with silver accents.
Conclusion: Roomba J7 vs i3 EVO
Now that I have listed all the differences and similarities of both robot vacuum cleaners, it is interesting to keep them side by side in an overview.
 Roomba J7 |  Roomba i3 EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Obstacle Detection | ✓ | x |
| (No) Go zones | ✓ | x |
| Noise level | 66 decibels | 58 decibels |
| Weight | 3.4 kilograms | 3.18 kilograms |
| Capacity | 0.4 liters | 0.4 liters |
| Range | 76 m2 | 98 m2 |
| Charging time | 125 minutes | 176 minutes |
| Treshold height | 2.5 centimeters | 2 centimeters |
| Price | From $ 398 | Fom $ 298 |
As you can see, the Roomba J7 is better at detecting and avoiding obstacles than the Roomba i3 EVO. On the other hand, the Roomba i3 EVO is a bit quiet, it is lighter and it lasts longer on a full battery.
The Roomba J7, on the other hand, is suitable for higher thresholds (up to 2.5 centimeters). If you are not yet sure which one is best for you, you will discover a number of statements below for each choice.
Choose the Roomba J7 if:
- You now and then have cables or other smaller obstacles on the floor and you don't want to clear them before the robot vacuum cleaner starts vacuuming
- You want a vacuum cleaner that keeps getting smarter and cleaning more efficiently
- You have a home with thresholds that are higher than 2 centimetres
- You want to exclude specific zones within a room for vacuuming, such as the play corner in the living room, where you can often find small toys.
iRobot Roomba j7
Choose the Roomba i3 EVO if:
- You don't want to pay too much for a robot vacuum cleaner
- You often have empty floors and no cables lying around on the floor
- You want to buy a robot vacuum that is as quiet as possible
- You want to vacuum an area larger than 80m2 on a full battery charge
iRobot Roomba i3 EVO
I hope this iRobot Roomba J7 vs i3 EVO comparison helps you make a choice. My personal opinion? You can read it below.
Robbert Tigchelaar
Robbert Tigchelaar is de oprichter van Vacuumtester.com en is een ware stofzuiger-guru. Met meer dan 10 jaar ervaring in de wereld van elektronische apparaten weet hij als geen ander wat belangrijk is bij een stofzuiger. Als er een nieuwe stofzuiger verschijnt, staat hij dan ook te trappelen om deze uitgebreid te testen.
