Roborock Q5 vs. Roomba J7 Comparison Review
Roborock Q5
Roomba J7
Roborock Q5
- Dimensions 13.78 x 13.78 x 3.78 inches
- Weight 7.05 lbs
Roomba J7
- Dimensions 13.34 x 13.3 x 3.4 inches
- Weight 7.49 lbs
Introduction
Roborock Q5 vs. Roomba J7, which robot vacuum should you go for and why? If you are in this dilemma, read along.
Roborock Q5 and Roomba J7 are two popular models in the mid-budget segment. The Roborock Q5 was released on April 22, 2022, and has had quite some discounts since then. On the other hand, Roomba J7 was released on September 19, 2021, and also attracts some fantastic discounts. They are reliable vacuums that can handle bare floors, carpets, and pet hair. However, there are differences that should inform your purchase decision.
The Roborock Q5 has higher suction and better carpet vacuuming performance than Roomba J7. It also has a longer runtime than Roomba. On the other hand, Roomba J7 is better at pet hair pickup and has much more advanced navigation, mapping, and smart features.
Keep it right here for more regarding how the two stack up against each other, keep it right here.
Roborock Q5 vs. Roomba J7 Face-to-Face Comparison Review
The Roborock Q5, just like its predecessors, boasts a sleek and stylish design finished in black. It is a round-shaped robot vacuum with a low profile design to allow it to go under furniture and other house fittings with low clearance.
Remember, these are spots where most dirt hides. The dimensions are 13.78 x 13.78 x 3.78 inches, while the weight of the robot vacuum alone is 7.05 lbs.
Roomba J7 is also appealing in terms of aesthetics and will be a favorite playmate for your pets. It has been finished in black and silver. The J7 is also a round-shaped robot vacuum with a low-profile design to allow it to go under low-profile furniture and pass between tight spaces such as chair legs.
The dimensions are 13.34 x 13.3 x 3.4 inches while the weight is 7.49 lbs.
Both robot vacuums are sleek, round shaped, and have a low profile design so they can reach those tricky spots where dirt hides, talk of under the beds, coffee tables, kickstands, and so on. However, Roomba has a slight edge as it is thinner. It stands at 3.4 inches, while Roborock stands at 3.78 inches.
The Roborock Q5, unlike the latest robot vacuums from the Chinese brand, can sweep and vacuum only. It doesn’t have a mopping function.
As for its specialty, it is suitable for all kinds of hard floors, including hardwood, tile, marble, vinyl, laminate, concrete, you name it.
The robot is also suitable for carpets, be it low pile carpets, high pile, and area rugs. The Q5 has also been designed for homes with pets, as it can pick up pet hair and kitty litter.
Roomba J7 is also a vacuum-only robot. It should not be confused with the new Roomba Combo J7+, a 2-in-1 cleaner that vacuums and mops.
As for its specialty, it is suitable for all hard floors, talk of hardwood, tile, laminate, vinyl, marble, and concrete, among others. This robot can also handle carpets, but then it gets overwhelmed on high pile carpets and area rugs because of average suction.
Lastly, the Roomba J7 has been specialized to pick up pet hair effectively with minimal tangling, as we will see later on.
It's hard to call a winner here as both models have advantages ad disadvantages. Roborock is a nice deal as it can handle all carpet types but can struggle when it comes to picking up long pet hair as the brushroll jams easily. On the other hand, Roomba can pick up pet hair, including long dog hair, but struggles when it comes to deep cleaning thick carpets.
One of the strengths of Roborock is its super strong suction. The robot packs a powerful motor under the hood that puts up a whopping 2700pa when firing on all cylinders.
The motor has variable speeds, so you can adjust suction levels depending on the cleaning task a hand. The Roborock Q5 has 4 suction levels; Quiet, Standard, Turbo, and Max. Quiet is for light vacuuming, while Standard is for everyday cleaning.
You can switch to Turbo or Max for intensive vacuuming. A cool feature worth mentioning is Automatic Carpet Boost which steps up suction automatically when carpets are detected for a thorough clean.
On the other hand, Roomba packs a 2nd Gen motor, the same one used in the 800 series.
According to the company, its yield is 10x the power-lifting suction of the Roomba 600 series. This information is not so clear, but from actual tests, the Roomba J7’s suction is 850-900pa, the same as other Roombas using the 2nd Gen motor.
To make matters worse, this is a single-speed motor, meaning you can’t adjust suction power, and besides, the robot can’t step up suction when it detects carpets.
Here, it's obvious that Roborock wins the battle. It delivers three times the suction power of Roborock and has four suction levels alongside Automatic Carpet Boos.
The Q5 is a new version of the Roborock S4, which doesn’t have the mopping function. The Q5 also lacks a mopping function, so you must get a separate mop.
However, if you want a mid-budget model from Roborock that has mopping, check out the Roborock Q7. You can also check out our exclusive Roborock Q5 vs. Q7 comparison to see how the two stack up against each other.
The Roomba J7 also doesn’t have the mopping function. I can vacuum only. However, a new version of the J7, dubbed the Combo J7+ has the mop function.
The advantage of the J7, however, is that it comes with Imprint Link Technology that allows it to sync with iRobot’s Braava M6 robot mop. Once synced, the Roomba J7 vacuums, and the Braava comes in and starts mopping once it is finished.
Here, it's a tie now that both the Roborock Q5 and Roomba J7 have no integrated mopping function. But on second thought, the J7 is ideal now that it can sync with an iRobot mop and work in tandem.
Roborock Q5’s navigation is PreciSense Precision LiDAR Navigation. It uses a Sensient sensor array that consists of obstacle avoidance sensors that detect obstacles with precision and tell the robot to change direction.
Also worth mentioning are the accelerometers that monitor the speeds of the robot and slow it down when obstacles are detected.
Besides obstacle avoidance sensors, there is a set of anti-cliff sensors which prevent the robot from toppling off the stairs.
On the other hand, Roomba uses iAdapt 3.0 Navigation, which is based on VSLAM algorithms. A set of obstacle detection sensors detect obstacles, and a retractable bumper is meant to absorb impact in the unlikely event the robot hits obstacles.
Besides the obstacle detection sensors, the J7 has a front-facing real-time camera that further advances the navigation system, reducing the chances of the robot hitting obstacles. One great addition to the J7 is iRobot’s new PrecisionVision Navigation, which adds a front-facing LED to back up the camera in identifying small obstacles such as socks, power cords, shoes, and even dog poop.
Talking of dog poop, iRobot debuted its POOP promise, a guarantee that the J7 can’t bump into dog poop. Anti-drop sensors also prevent the robot from falling off the stairs. The J7 also comes with Dirt Detect 2.0, a system that uses acoustic and optic sensors to locate areas where there is much dirt concentration.
Another feature worth mentioning is Careful Drive which leverages 3D sensors to detect and clean around obstacles for optimum cleaning. Last is Reactive Sensor Technology, which tells the robot where it can’t pass.
As far as navigation is concerned, the Roomba J7 is the ultimate winner. In our tests, it was able to find its way without hitting obstacles, even in high-traffic areas. This is courtesy of the combination of sensors, a camera, and an additional LED.
Roborock Q5 is a smart mapping robot vacuum that leverages a 32-bit Quadcore processor and PreciSense Precision LiDAR Navigation to create hyper-accurate maps of your home for fast entire-level cleaning.
It creates maps 6 times faster than your ordinary robot vacuum and can store up to 4 maps, so it is suitable for multi-level homes. One outstanding feature is 3D Mapping which enables the robot to identify household furniture giving it a better understanding of your home for accurate mapping.
Extras include Selective Room Cleaning so you can instruct the robot to clean specific rooms that require cleaning instead of doing the entire run. The Q5 also has Cleaning Routines and Custom Cleaning Schedules, No Go Zones, and Invisible Walls.
Roomba J7 is also a smart mapping robot vacuum. It relies on Imprint Smart Mapping, a technology that enables the robot to learn, map, and adapt to your home’s layout. Imprint Smart Mapping enables the J7 to create hyper-accurate maps of your house.
It can save up to 10 maps making it ideal for homes with multiple floors. The J7 has several targeted cleaning features. You can choose small spots that require intensive cleaning and spots you don’t want the robot to clean. Another feature is targeted room cleaning, which, as the name suggests, allows you to choose specific rooms you want the Roomba to clean or skip.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the J7 is the inclusion of iRobot OS, a new feature that takes cleaning to the next level. iRobot OS deploys AI to offer you an intuitive cleaning experience custom-tailored to your needs and preferences. It can offer personalized and seasonal cleaning suggestions.
Another feature worth mentioning is Keep Out Zones, the robot’s digital boundaries.
As far as mapping is concerned, Roomba is way ahead of Roborock. It creates hyper-accurate maps and can save more maps than Roborock. It also has advanced features, including iRobot OS, which takes mapping and cleaning controls to the next level.
Roborock Q5 is equipped with E11-rated filters, which are also efficient in capturing allergens, dust, dust mites, pollen, and pet-related dander.
They are not HEPA-grade filters but a worthy addition to the robot as they keep many undesirable elements from the atmosphere. One advantage of this filter is that it is washable, which cuts down maintenance.
The Roomba J7 comes with AeroForce high-efficiency filters, which capture 99.9% of allergens and other elements that can bring discomfort to your ambiance, for example, dust, dander, pollen, and so on.
These are not true-HEPA filters as they capture down to 0.6 microns, while true HEPA-grade filters capture down to 0.3 microns.
In this round, there is no winner, as both vacuums have a filter that captures 99.9% of allergens. However, Roborock's E-11-rated filters sound like a good idea, as they are washable.
Roborock Q5 is compatible with two primary brushes; a multi-directional floating bristle brush and an all-new Roborock all-rubber main brush. The multi-directional floating bristle brush is self-adjustable to ensure maximum contact with the surface.
The brush presses closer to the ground on hard floors, while on carpets, it raises a little bit, remaining gentle on the carpet fabric. This brush is suitable for picking up small debris and pet hair with minimal tangling.
On the other hand, the all-new Roborock all-rubber main brush is suitable for hard floors and picking up large debris. The Q5 is also equipped with a spinning side brush that reaches the deep corners and wall edges.
Roomba J7, on the other hand, comes with the AeroForce Dual Multisurface Brush. As the name suggests, there are two brushes.
One is for agitation, and the other for dirt pickup. The brush is suitable for both hard floors and carpets. One amazing feature pet owners will love is the antitangle technology which greatly prevents hair tangling.
Besides the main brush, iRobot equipped the J7 with a spinning side brush designed to sweep the wall edges and reach the deep corners.
This is another close call. Both brands excel as they have specialized brush systems that get the job done. They agitate, pick up dirt on all surfaces, and have minimal chance of getting tangles when dealing with pet hair.
Roborock Q5 features a 0.47L onboard bin, enough to hold a busy household’s dirt for several days.
Unfortunately, with the Q5, you will have to be emptying the bin manually as it is not a self-emptying robot vacuum. It’s, however, worth mentioning that it is compatible with Roborock’s automatic self-emptying technology.
Fortunately, you can purchase the dock separately and enjoy hands-free cleaning or purchase the Q5’s older brother, the Roborock Q5+, which comes with the Auto Empty Dock included. The Q5’s disposable bag has a 2.6L capacity, enough to hold up to 7 weeks’ dirt.
On the other hand, Roomba comes with a 0.5L onboard bin with a full bin indicator. But just like the Q5, you will have to empty the bin manually after several days now that it is not a self-emptying robot vacuum.
But it’s worth pointing out that it is compatible with iRobot’s robotic self-emptying technology, just that it doesn’t come with the Empty Station.
However, you can purchase the Empty Station separately or go for the ceiling variant, the Roomba J7+, which comes with the Empty Station, so you can forget about bin emptying for at least 30 days. 2 dirt disposal bags are supplied.
The Roomba J7 is the winner in this round as it comes with a larger onboard bin. But when you think about the self-emptying stations, there is no winner, as both vacuums are compatible with their respective self-emptying technologies.
The Q5 comes with a 5200mAh lithium-ion battery that offers up to 180 minutes of runtime in Quiet mode. Of course, the runtime dips in high-power modes.
Regarding power management, the Q5 is an intelligent robot that will dock, recharge and resume cleaning from where it left off.
One unique feature is the Top Up Charging feature that quickly recharges the robot to 80% so it can finish cleaning instead of waiting for the entire 3 hours full recharge cycle.
Roomba J7, on the other hand, comes with a Roomba® i8 Denali 2210mAh battery that offers 90 minutes of runtime.
While the runtime is short, we like the fact that the J7 knows when it’s time to get more juice.
It will head to the charging station, recharge, and resume to complete the job. The recharge time is 3 hours on average and doesn’t have a quick charge feature.
Here, there's no doubt the Q5 is the best choice as it has a larger battery meaning it offers longer runtime. Besides, it has a quick charge feature.
Roborock Q5 is powered by 2.4 GHz WiFi for app operation and voice assistant syncing. On the Roborock Home app, you can access all the robot’s controls.
You can start or stop a cleaning session, set cleaning schedules, adjust suction, view cleaning paths, set boundaries, add 3D maps, set custom schedules and routines, and draw No-Gones and Invisible Walls, just to mention a few.
It also works with popular voice assistants, including Alexa, Assistant, and Siri, and boasts an inbuilt voice assistant.
Roomba J7 is compatible with 2.4GHz WiFi for app and voice assistant operation.
On the iRobot Home app, you can set cleaning schedules, start or stop cleaning, send the robot to specific spots or rooms, customize cleaning maps, view cleaning reports, set boundaries, and so on. The J7 is compatible with several voice assistants, including Alexa and Assistant.
Another cool smart feature is iRobot Genius 3.0, which brings on board several extras, including Clean While I’m Away, Smart Map Coaching and Room Name Suggestions, Cleaning Time Estimates, and Quiet Drive.
The Roborock Q5 has plenty of smart features, but at the end of the day, Roomba offers a lot more, in particular iRobot Genius 3.0 and iRobot OS.
Roborock is a trusted brand that offers a 1-year warranty on all its products, including the Roborock Q5.
When it comes to support, the company has a robust customer service team ready to help you through your cleaning journey with the Q5.
Regarding replacement parts and supplies, they are in plenty and at affordable prices.
iRobot too offers a 1-year warranty on all its products, including the Roomba J7.
In terms of support, iRobot is readily available to help consumers with all issues regarding their Roomba, from setup to troubleshooting.
As for replacement parts and supplies, you can get them at affordable prices, both original Roomba parts as well as generic ones.
Here, there is no winner as both brands are outstanding, They offer the same 1-year warranty, have reliable support, and their products, parts, and supplies are available on the market.
The Roborock Q5 comes with:
- Q5 Robot Vacuum (1)
- Charging Dock (1)
- Dust Bag (2)
- Power Cable (1)
- Screwdriver (1)
- User Manual (1)
For the record, the Q5+ comes with the Auto Empty Dock that doubles up as the charging station.
On the other hand, the J7 comes with the following:
- Roomba® j7 Robot Vacuum (1)
- Home Base® Charging Station (1)
- Extra High-Efficiency Filter (1)
- Extra Corner Brush (black) (1)
- User Manual (1)
The J7+ Comes with a Self Emptying Dock that doubles up as the charging station.
This round ends in a tie as both models are packed with adequate accessories to get started.
Cleaning Test Results
Vacuuming Performance on Hardwood
In this round, we will share our exclusive cleaning test results. As is our norm, we put all robot vacuums we review under stringent tests to give readers a glimpse of how the robot cleaners perform in a real household setting. The Q5 and J7 are no exceptions.
We tested the two on a hardwood floor and thick carpet. We scattered the common household dirt, including flour, sugar, rice, coffee, kitty litter, short and long dog hair, popcorn, and sand pebbles. The illustrations below show how they performed.
Vacuuming Performance on Hardwood
- Sugar
- 99%
- 97%
- Popcorn
- 99%
- 98%
- Flour
- 98%
- 95%
- Rice
- 99%
- 98%
- Coffee
- 98%
- 95%
- Kitty litter
- 98%
- 97%
- Short Pet Hair
- 97%
- 99%
- Long Dog hair
- 95%
- 97%
- Sand pebbles
- 98%
- 96%
Vacuuming Performance on Carpet
Vacuuming Performance on Carpet
- Sugar
- 97%
- 94%
- Popcorn
- 98%
- 96%
- Flour
- 96%
- 92%
- Rice
- 98%
- 95%
- Coffee
- 97%
- 93%
- Kitty litter
- 97%
- 97%
- Short Pet Hair
- 95%
- 96%
- Long Dog hair
- 94%
- 95%
- Sand pebbles
- 97%
- 93%
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is noisier, Roborock Q5 or the Roomba j7?
2. Is Roomba j7 good for pet hair?
3. Is a Roborock Q5 worth it?
4. Does Roborock Q5 use a lot of electricity?
Wrapping Up
That’s the end of this Roborock Q5 vs. Roomba J7 face-to-face comparison review. So what’s the best bang for the buck? Roomba J7 is a great choice as it is from a top brand and has better navigation, mapping, and convenience features.
It offers excellent hard floor cleaning and pet hair pickup. However, Roborock Q5 beats it as it boasts super strong suction for thorough hard floor and carpet vacuuming. The Q5 also has longer runtime, and that means more cleaning time.
