Roomba i4 vs. i7 Comparison Review

I like the Roomba i4+ because it cleans my carpets and hard floors. It goes under the couch, bed, closets, and other furniture. I can’t achieve some spots by myself, so my Little Kathy (I call that my robotic cleaner) is a helper. She manages within the first run to create the flat’s map, and in my app, I schedule all cleanings immediately after it. I set cleaning every third day a week; I also do mopping once a week. It is enough for me and my boyfriend. I have a one-bedroom apartment near the highway. I have a lot of dust, but Kathy manages with it.

The only annoying thing is the sound of a self-emptying tank; it is too loud. But as I rescheduled the cleanings while we were away, I missed this time (anyway, it is only for 10 seconds). Also, you should check your router for connection to Wi-Fi to 2.4 Hz, modern ones usually have only 5 Hz. Sometimes, it can get stuck because of cable or clothes on the floor, so when I return, I must manually bring it back to the station. But for such a price, you can’t expect LIDAR navigation.

I like the app the most; its suggestions for cleaning and proposals for cleaning save a lot of time. Just approve the proposed time and receive an optimum schedule! I am allergic to dust, but now I can avoid unpleasant vacuuming and rely on my Little Kathy. For owners who value their time, this buddy is an excellent solution!

I see the day when robots will be more powerful than us. It will be like in the movie “Matrix.” Ten years ago robots were very expensive; now, a budget cleaner learns by habits, proposes time and places where to clean, and alert about upcoming allergy season. In addition to impressive cleaning skills, I can state that I am more than satisfied with my choice one year and a half ago. Thank you to your website and trusted robot reviews; I managed to find an average-price model with an efficient filter, good navigation, 110 minutes of runtime, and powerful suction!
I like to watch on my couch how Mr. Jones-Jr. cleans in rows one room after another. If it senses dirt, it can stay longer on the spot. It cleans and cleans, and he goes to the charging station when he feels tired. If you are waiting for guests, you can check in the iRobot Home App estimated finish time; it is very convenient. I can start cleaning separately in the rooms using Alexa or my smartphone. So far, the flexibility of control features and the possibility to integrate all home devices into the smart home are incredible.
We have already integrated our i4 EVO with Braava jet M6. You may ask why we didn’t but a combo, I respond that I think it is convenient. I am used to that; first, you do a dry cleaning and only then do a mopping. Organizing my robots into a perfect sequence, I have the correct order. While Mr. Jones-Jr. finishes the room, Mr. Bravo starts mopping.

I am quite pleased overall with the upgrade to the iRobot Roomba i4 from our trusty old Roomba that served us dutifully for many years. However, the transition has come with a few issues worth noting.

On the downside, the new model seems to struggle a bit with navigating around our dining chairs. It often ventures under the table and has difficulty finding its way out amid the chair legs. This was also a quirk with our old Roomba, but it seemed to extricate itself a bit quicker. Additionally, the i4 has a bit of trouble with uneven floor transitions. Our living area is hardwood and transitions to concrete in two adjoining rooms. Unlike our old Roomba, which would avoid these transitions, the i4 forges ahead into the other rooms but can't navigate its way back out. This means it remains stuck in the room until it finally surrenders. Luckily, we've been able to resolve this by purchasing additional Virtual Wall towers, but I do wish there was a built-in setting that allowed the i4 to recognize these transitions like stairs and avoid them.

That being said, there are plenty of redeeming qualities. The companion app is fantastic - being able to initiate a cleaning cycle remotely is a massive convenience. The self-docking feature also appears to have been improved, working more seamlessly than before. The increased suction power is another bonus, making it more efficient at cleaning.

One of the standout features has to be the advanced mapping capability. It's quite remarkable, especially once we lifted the dining chairs for the mapping run. Additionally, the new dust bin design holds more debris and deals more effectively with cat hair. The brushes, too, have seen an upgrade and are less prone to getting tangled with pet hair - a significant improvement over our old model.

In conclusion, while the Roomba i4 does have a couple of issues that need addressing, it's a big step up from our older model in many ways. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a smarter, more powerful vacuuming solution, just be prepared to buy a few extra Virtual Wall towers if you have varying floor types in your house.

Thank you very much for your detailed comparison. Even though I have chosen between the Roomba i7 and Roomba S9, I read all Roomba reviews (all 10) on your website. Your short characteristics and face-to-face comparisons help people to make thoughtful choices. I can confirm that all data described in the review is correct and even better.
I picked i7 because it has a mapping function and guarantees cleaning all rooms. All keep-out zones are digital boundaries in my robot's memory. With maps, the robot cleans faster. I do not see much difference with the s9; it has higher suction power but is more expensive. My i7 robot cleaned carpets and hard floors, both equally good. With an adjusting head, it can go from one surface to another without losing power. The only complaint about the robot's height is that it is too tall to clean under the kitchen cabinets, where a lot of mess stays.
I am considering buying a mopping vacuum cleaner, but so far do not see good discounts. But I have already purchased a self-empty base to automatize the collecting of dust from every cleaning. Cleaning a dust bit every time after time is boring; it is much better to do it once in 60 days. Also, I would prefer a longer battery life; in maximum mode, it is less than 30 minutes. The battery charges to the full for at least 3 hours, but it resumes afterward. So, it may clean for hours.

I bought a Roomba i7 two years ago, but I didn’t expect it to have a small dust filter and get quickly clogged. According to the manual, I should change it every 6-12 months, but I feel I need to change it more often. HEPA filters are not washable; you must vacuum them with a standard vacuum cleaner or tap them. I washed my first filter; I thought I could do this quickly without damage. But it loses its form after washing and does not filter dust properly. All cleaning procedures do not make it clean. So, I have decided to change a filter every two months, and for that, I purchased on Amazon 12-Pack for $16.
Considering other changeable parts like brushes and battery, robotic vacuum cleaners are not as cheap as their marketing team state. It for sure saves a lot of time, but the cleaning result is only sometimes perfect. Sometimes, it misses some spots or can’t scrub difficult stains. I have a dog, and not all hair is collected; they are just around the brush, which takes minutes to clean.
On the other hand, it vacuums easy messes in minutes. With a smartphone, I indicate the place to clean, and it does this immediately. This vacuum cleaner has the possibility to set Keep Out Zones, which is very great. And it seems like it is getting smarter every day. It understands what it is cleaning carpet, hard floor, vinyl, or tiles. This vacuum cleaner is an average solution for small cleanings, but it definitely can’t replace Saturday Big Clean Day.