Roborock Q7 Max vs. Roomba i7 Comparison review
Roborock Q7 Max
Roomba i7
Roborock Q7 Max
- Dimensions 13.9 x 13.8 x 3.8 inches
- Weight 8lbs
- Surface Hard Floors and Carpets
- Water Tank 350Ml
- Automatic Water Fill No
- Automatic Mop Pad Washing No
- Auto Empty Bin Yes (Emptying Dock Not Included)
- Dirt Detect No
Roomba i7
- Dimensions 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches
- Weight 7.44lbs
- Surface Hard Floors and Carpets
- Water Tank N/A
- Automatic Water Fill N/A
- Automatic Mop Pad Washing N/A
- Auto Empty Bin Yes (Emptying Dock Not Included)
- Dirt Detect Yes
Roborock Q7 Max vs. Roomba i7: Which is the best robot vacuum to buy? Roborock Q7 Max is the best choice as it offers better cleaning and has many innovative features. But you still can’t rule out the Roomba i7 as it is from a top brand and boasts raw cleaning power.
Roborock and Roomba are two popular robot vacuum brands, with the Q7 Max and Roomba i7 being among the bestsellers. They have been designed for hard floor and carpet cleaning and share many other features. However, there are differences that you should know before settling on either.
The difference between the Roborock Q7 Max and the Roomba i7 (7150) is the cleaning orientation, performance, and autonomy. The Roborock Q7 Max can vacuum and mop, offer better cleaning performance, and has a wide range of smart and convenient features. On the other hand, the Roomba i7 can vacuum only. Performance-wise, it is less superior, but we like the smart navigation and mapping system.
For more details, on how the two compare, keep it right here.
Roborock Q7 Max vs. Roomba i7 Face-to-Face Comparison
The Roborock Q7 Max is a round-shaped robot vacuum with a low-profile design measuring 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches and weighs 8 lbs. It can pass between tight spaces and go under low-profile furniture, such as sofas and beds, unrestricted.
We like the excellent craftsmanship of Roborock, especially the choice of materials. Overall, this cleaner is simple and stylish and is available in 2 color options: black or white.
The Roomba i7 is quite similar because it is circular and has a small footprint. It also passes between tight spaces such as chair legs and goes under most furniture without getting stuck. The robot measures 13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches and weighs 7.44 lbs.
Build quality is also impressive and guarantees years of service. On aesthetics, the i7 is equally sleek but is available in a single color option: black/silver.
The design and dimensions shouldn't be a major focus point as it doesn't impact cleaning performance directly. However, you'd want to insist on a slim robot to clean under furniture such as beds, tables, sofas, and kickstands where most dirt settles. Luckily, both robot vacuums are slim enough.
Roborock Q7 Max is a versatile robot cleaner designed to vacuum and wash. You don’t have to spend more money on a robot mop.
It is best suited for all hard floors, including tile, vinyl, laminate, hardwood, etc. Besides hard floors, this robot is ideal for low-pile and high-pile carpets. You can also rely on it to tackle pet messes such as pet hair, kitty litter urine stains, and paw marks.
The Roomba i7 is not a 2-in-1 cleaner like Roborock, as it vacuums only. For mopping, you need a separate robot mop, preferably the iRobot Braava M6, which syncs with the i7 for simultaneous vacuuming and mopping. It is, however, ideal for all hard floors, including hardwood, tile, laminate, marble, vinyl, you name it. If you are looking for a Roomba for pet hair and kitty litter, it also fits the bill, but you have to find a solution for urine stains and paw marks.
Here, Roborock is the ultimate winner for two reasons. First, it is a 2-in-1 cleaner that vacuums and mops. Second, the overall cleaning performance is a step ahead of Roomba, as seen in the cleaning test results.
Roborock Q7 Max leverages a 3-stage cleaning system where dirt is loosened, lifted, and sucked into the bin. The third stage, where dirt is vacuumed, is the most crucial stage.
Under the hood, Roborock Q7 Max packs a powerful multispeed motor that delivers a whopping 4,200Pa in its highest power setting. The 4 suction levels are Quiet, Standard, Max, and Max+. Just to mention, suction power is the main difference between the Roborock Q7 and Q7 Max.
The former delivers 2,700Pa while the latter offers 4,200Pa. Q7 Max has an automatic suction adjustment feature that steps up suction when carpets are detected. These features make the Q7 Max the best robot vacuum for carpets and stubborn dirt.
Roomba i7 also uses a 3-stage cleaning system. In the third stage, dirt is sucked into the bin.
Unfortunately, Roomba is no match for the likes of Roborock in terms of suction power. The i7 comes with a 2nd Gen motor that delivers 900Pa. There is no suction adjustment.
While it does a great job picking up dirt and debris on hard floors, it is not the best for carpets, especially high-pile carpets and area rugs.
Here, there is no doubt the Roborock Q7 is the winner as it comes with a more powerful motor translating to higher suction. The adjustable suction levels are also worthwhile features. The illustrations below show the results of our exclusive cleaning tests on hardwood and carpets.
One of the advantages of Roborock Q7 Max is the 2-in-1 cleaning performance. It has a 350Ml water tank with 3 water flow levels. The tank holds enough water to mop up to 2,583 square feet.
The actual mopping is done by a microfiber mopping pad attached to the mopping head. The head has been designed to ensure consistent mopping pressure. Unfortunately, there are no advanced features such as VibraRise and Ultrasonic carpet detection that prevent the robot from wetting carpets.
One shortcoming of the Roomba i7 is the lack of a mopping function. It is designed for vacuuming only, but you can always get the Braava M6 and sync the two for simultaneous vacuuming and mopping.
Fortunately, iRobot has revamped its lineup with a series of robot mops dubbed Roomba Combos, for example, the Roomba Combo J7 and J9, which integrate sophisticated mopping systems.
Here, the Roborock Q7 Max is the best choice as it offers 2-in-1 cleaning. We tested it on a hardwood floor. Below are the results of our tests.
Roborock Q7 is a SLAM-based robot vacuum that leverages a navigation system dubbed PreciSense LiDAR Navigation. There is no camera, but Roborock equipped the robot with obstacle and cliff detection sensors. It does a great job in high-traffic rooms, avoiding almost all the obstacles we put in its way.
Regarding maneuverability, this cleaner has two wheels and a decent climbing threshold, so it is improbable that you will find it stuck.
Roomba i7 relies on a VSLAM-based navigation system called iAdapt 3.0 Navigation that combines sensors and a real-time camera. We have sensors for obstacle detection and keeping the robot off dangerous spots such as stairs.
There is also a real-time camera that further improves the accuracy of obstacle detection. We tried it in a high-traffic room, and its precision was on another level.
Like other robots, it has two offroad wheels and a decent climbing threshold.
Both robot vacuums perform quite exceptionally as they void obstacles and stairs. They are also good at obstacle detection, but ultimately, Roomba has the edge courtesy of the real-time camera that enhances the accuracy of obstacle detection.
Roborock Q7 Max is a smart mapping robot vacuum that relies on PreciSense Precision LiDAR Navigation to navigate your house.
Under the hood, it packs a 32-bit quadcore processor that creates hyper-accurate maps of your home up to 6 times faster than your typical robot vacuum. It also saves multiple maps, making it suitable for homes with more than one level.
One interesting thing about this cleaner is that it can create 3D maps of your home.
The robot also offers customized cleaning and boasts several other features, including Cleaning Routes, Custom Cleaning Schedules, No Go Zones, and Invisible Walls.
Roomba i7 is also an intelligent robot vacuum that deploys state-of-the-art Imprint Smart Mapping to learn, map, and adapt to the floor plan of your house.
It fits the bill if you have more than one floor as it can save up to 10 accurate maps and follows methodical cleaning patterns for entire level cleaning.
Other noteworthy features include Clean Maps, Targeted Room Cleaning, Automatic Room Recognition, Clean Maps, and Virtual Walls.
Roborock and Roomba are intelligent enough to identify the different rooms and follow systemic cleaning patterns for efficiency and, importantly, to ensure every inch of your house is covered. But from my observation of clean map reports, Roomba has the edge as it is more accurate and efficient.
Roborock Q7 Max doesn’t just vacuum and mop. It also eliminates allergens, dust, dust mites, and other allergy triggers.
The robot has an E11-rated filter that captures 95% of allergens and filters down to 0.6 microns. This is not a true HEPA filter, but it still gets the job done.
What’s more? The filter is washable, so you won’t have to buy a replacement now and then.
Roomba i7 also comes with an efficient filtration system, but iRobot used a different filter dubbed AeroForce high-efficiency filter. This is not a true HEPA filter, but it goes a long way in freshening the atmosphere by capturing 99% of allergens and other elements that trigger allergies or cause bad odor.
This filter is also a washable filter, saving a lot on maintenance costs.
A filtration system is a great addition, especially if you have allergies that can be triggered by dust and pollen. The two robot vacuums have filtration systems that capture most of the allergens and other undesirable elements, leaving your ambiance fresh.
The Roborock Q7 Max has a primary and secondary brushroll.
The primary brushroll is a multidirectional floating rubber brush that is tough on stains and embedded dirt and remains gentle on your fragile floors. It agitates and lifts dirt effectively, be it fine dust or large debris.
One thing we like about it is the new design that prevents brushroll jamming, especially when dealing with long hair. The secondary brush is a single spinning brush that reaches the deep corners and wall edges where the brushroller can’t reach.
Roomba i7 has a main brushroll, an AeroForce Dual Multisurface brush with antitangle technology. It consists of one rotating brushroll for loosening dirt and another for lifting it.
This brush has been designed to pick up both short and long dog hairs white, reducing the chances of tangling.
The secondary brush is a single spinning brush that covers the wall edges along baseboards and corners.
Both vacuums have two brush systems and are effective in loosening and lifting dirt. They can also pick up long hairs without jamming the brushroll. But from my observation, the Roomba's dual brush design makes it the best choice. Each brush is specialized for a particular task, resulting in better performance.
The Roborock Q7 Max has a 470Ml onboard dustbin, which is big enough to hold dirt for a few days before it gets filled.
But you don’t have to wait until it gets filled or even worry about emptying it manually now and then. This is because this is a self-emptying robot vacuum.
But as a heads up, it is only the Q7 Max+ model that comes with the Auto-Empty Station. If you have the Q7 Max, you can purchase the emptying dock separately and still enjoy the convenience of hands-free cleaning.
Roomba has a larger 0.5L bin and features a full bin indicator that alerts you when it is time to empty the robot.
Interestingly, it is also a self-emptying robot vacuum, so you won’t have to worry about full bin notifications. But this is only if you go for the i7+, the model that comes with the Clean Base unit.
One thing I like about these two cleaners is that they come with large bins that can hold dirt for a couple of days. To take the cleaning experience a notch higher, they also support automatic self-emptying. You don't have to empty the bin after every cleaning session as the empty docks do all the heavy lifting, transferring dirt from the onboard bin into a disposable bag inside the dock station.
Roborock Q7 Max is equipped with a powerful lithium-ion battery. With a 5,200mAh capacity, it can power the robot for a cool 180 minutes on a single charge in Quiet mode. This is enough charge to cover up to 3229 square sqft.
When it comes to power management, the Q7 Max is intelligent enough to know when it is time to recharge. It will dock, recharge, and resume cleaning without being prompted. The recharge time is around 6 hours.
One of the differences between the Roborock Q7 Max and the Roomba i7 is the battery and runtime. Roomba i7 comes with a lithium-ion battery like Roborock but with a lower capacity of 1800mAh.
The battery can run the robot for 75 minutes, and the recharge time is 2-3 hours. As one of the latest robot vacuums from the American brand, the i7 will recharge automatically and resume to finish off the job.
Here, it is obvious that Roborock is the winner. It comes with a bigger battery, translating to longer runtime.
If you are looking for an intelligent robot vacuum, the Q7 Max fits the bill. To start, the robot is programmable. You can set it to clean at specific times throughout the week.
The robot is also compatible with 2.4GHz WiFi for mobile app operation via the Roborock home app. You can access all the controls on the app, so you can clean remotely as long as you are connected to stable WiFi. For example, you can adjust suction and water flow, see cleaning routes, set boundaries, etc.
Besides mobile app operation, the Roborock Q7 works with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. There is also an inbuilt voice control feature.
There is no difference between the Roborok Q7 and Roomba i7 in terms of smart features and convenience. Roomba also has a schedule function, so you can put floor cleaning on autopilot for the entire week.
The robot is also compatible with 2.4GHz WiFi for mobile app operation via the iRobot HOME App. On the app, you can access all controls and even see where the robot has cleaned and where it has not.
In addition to app operation, the i7 works with popular voice assistants, including Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
This round ends in a draw as the Roborock Q7 Max and Roomba i7 are smart robot vacuums. They can be programmed to clean the entire week and allow remote operation via the respective mobile apps or voice assistants.
Roborock Q7 Max is a durable robot vacuum that can take some abuse, be it falls or scratches from your pets. A 1 year warranty further covers the robot, so if it breaks down within the first year of purchase, you are eligible for repair or replacement as long as you adhere to the warranty terms and conditions.
Regarding support, help is available on the company website via live chat, telephone or email ticketing system. You can also visit the help center, which has FAQs, video tutorials, and guides.
Last, there are plenty of parts and supplies on Amazon at affordable prices.
Roomba i7 is also a durable robot vacuum, and furthermore, it is covered by a 1-year warranty. Again, you can always have your damaged robot repaired or replaced if your warranty is still intact.
Support is available with the live chat feature. The company also has a help center with resources such as guides, tutorials, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides.
Replacement parts and supplies, such as brushes and filters, are readily available.
The two vacuums are from renowned brands that boast excellent reputations. Roborock and Roomba do honor their warranties and are always responsive when it comes to support. You can also find all parts and supplies on Amazon at affordable prices, both original and generic.
The Roborock Q7 Max comes with the following items:
- Q7 Max Robot Vacuum (1)
- Dustbin & Water Tank (1)
- Moisture-Proof Mat (1)
- Mop Cloth Mount (1)
- Mop Cloth (1)
- Charging Dock (1)
- Power Cable (1)
- User Manual (1)
On the other hand, the Roomba i7 package comes with the following:
- Roomba® i7 Robot Vacuum (1)
- Extra High-Efficiency Filter (1)
- North American Line Cord (1)
- Dual Mode Virtual Wall® Barrier (1)
- Extra Side Brush (1)
- Power Cable (1)
- User Manual (1)
The Roborock Q7 Max and Roomba i7 are well-endowed when it comes to accessories. That said, the round ends in a draw.
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Cleaning Tests:
Vacuuming Performance on Hardwood
Vacuuming Performance on Hardwood
- Pet hair
- 99%
- 94%
- Sand pebbles
- 99%
- 95%
- Flour
- 99%
- 96%
- Sugar
- 99%
- 96%
- Rice
- 99%
- 96%
- Coffee
- 99%
- 95%
- Cheerios
- 99%
- 97%
- Popcorn
- 99%
- 98%
- Kitty litter
- 99%
- 95%
Vacuuming Performance on Carpet
Vacuuming Performance on Carpet
- Pet hair
- 95%
- 93%
- Sand pebbles
- 98%
- 96%
- Flour
- 96%
- 92%
- Sugar
- 97%
- 93%
- Rice
- 98%
- 95%
- Coffee
- 96%
- 92%
- Cheerios
- 97%
- 95%
- Popcorn
- 98%
- 95%
- Kitty litter
- 96%
- 94%
Mopping
Mopping
- Urine Stains
- 98%
- Paw Marks
- 99%
- Soda
- 99%
- Red Wine
- 98%
- Cooking Oil
- 96%
- Vinegar
- 96%
- Margarine
- 95%
- Cough Syrup
- 97%
- Raw Eggs
- 94%
- Porridge
- 94%
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between Roomba i7 and i7+?
2. What is the difference between Roborock Q7 Max and Roborock Q7 Max+?
3. When was Roborock Q7 Max released?
4. Does Roborock Q7 Max have a camera?
5. Is Roomba i7+ good for hardwood floors?
Wrapping Up
We’ve finally come to the end of this Roborock Q7 Max vs.Roomba i7 comparison review. As you have seen, both models are suitable for hard floors and pet hair and are also self-emptying robot vacuums.
But ultimately, the Roborock Q7 Max is the best bang for the buck as it offers 2-in-1 cleaning. It vacuums and mops, while Roomba vacuums only. This is the main reason Roborock is better than Roomba here. But still, you can’t dismiss the Roomba as it is best for homes with high-traffic rooms courtesy of the VSLAM navigation that deploys a real-time camera.
Check out all the latest Roborock and Roomba deals on Amazon!
