Roomba i6 vs i7 Comparison Review
Today, several Roomba models come with automatic self-emptying, enabling the robot vacuum to empty itself without human intervention. Among them are the Roomba i7 and Roomba i6 series. For many buyers, the big question is, what’s the best choice.
That’s what we want to find out in their Roomba i6 vs. i7 face-to-face comparison review.
iRobot, the company behind Roomba robot vacuums, stunned the world with the revolutionary iRobot Clean Base Automatic Self Emptying technology that debuted with the Roomba i7. The company also released the Roomba i6, which shares a lot in common with the i7 leaving customers in a dilemma.
Comparison Table
Which one to choose Roomba i6 or Roomba i7?
3 reasons to choose Roomba i7
- Powerful lifting suction: 900 Pa suction power lifts all hair and debris from the hard floor and carpets, including stubborn stains.
- Extended battery life: Roomba i7 1800 mAh battery works for around 18 months with 75 min of runtime.
- OS learning feature: The iRobot Home App is regularly updated to receive access to the latest intelligent features.
Roomba i7
The Roomba i7 was released in September 2018 and was the main headline during that year’s Black Friday.
There are two variants; Roomba i7 (7150) and Roomba i7+ (7550).
The base model, Roomba i7, doesn’t come with the Clean Base unit, but it’s compatible with iRobot’s automatic self-emptying technology.
On the other hand, the Roomba i7+ comes with the Clean Base unit.
Roomba i6
The Roomba i6, just like the i7, is available in two variants.
There is a base model called Roomba i6 (6150) and the plus version, Roomba i6+ (6550).
The base model, Roomba 6150, doesn’t come with the Clean Base unit, but it works with the automatic self-emptying technology.
If you want an i6 series variant that includes the Clean Base unit, go for the Roomba i6+.
Roomba i6 vs. i7 Face to Face Comparison Review
Now, to the main business of the day, how does the Roomba i6 (6150) and i6+ (6550) compare to the Roomba i7 (7150) and i7+ (7550). Let’s find out.
1. Cleaning Performance
The cleaning Performance of a robot vacuum is the most crucial consideration when choosing the best robot vacuum to buy. This section finds out more about what these two robot vacuums are designed for and how they perform in a real household setting.
Roomba i6 and i6+
The Roomba i6 and i6+ have been designed to clean bare floors such as hardwood, tile, linoleum, and vinyl, among others. This vacuum is also ideal for pet messes, including long and short pet hair and low pile carpets.
The two units have a 3-stage cleaning system where dirt is agitated, lifted, and sucked into the bin.
The two Roombas use a 2nd Gen motor with a single speed. It can put up a maximum of 900pa.
There is also an AeroForce dual multisurface primary brushroll and a secondary side sweeping brush.
When it comes to the filtration system, the Roomba i6 and i6+ have a 0.5L bin and the full bin indicator feature. The filters are high-efficiency filters that boast a 99% efficiency. One advantage of the Roomba i6 is the extra side brush and filter.
Roomba i7 and i7+
The Roomba i7 and i7+ are not different from the i6 and i6+ in terms of cleaning performance. These two are meant for cleaning bare floors such as hardwood, linoleum, tile, etc.
It is also ideal for cleaning pet messes such as pet hair and allergens. You can also rely on this vacuum to clean low pile carpets.
Under the hood, it packs a 2nd Gen single-speed motor that delivers 900pa. We also have two brushes; a side sweeping brush and a dual multisurface brush for agitation and dirt pickup.
The Roomba i7 series is also ideal for homes with pets as it has a high-efficiency filter and a large 0.5L bin with a full bin indicator. Unfortunately, here, there is no extra side brush or filter.
2. Automatic Self Emptying
One advantage of the new robot vacuums is that they come with automatic self-emptying technology. That means homeowners no longer have to worry about the full bin alerts.
In this segment, we have compared the two Roombas in light of iRobot’s CleanBase technology. Find out whether there are any differences.
Roomba i6 and i6+
As mentioned earlier, the Roomba i6 series has two variants; a base model without the Clean Base unit and an exclusive model with the Clean Base unit. Both models are compatible with this technology.
The iRobot Clean Base unit doubles up as the dock. When the robot vacuum finishes cleaning, it docks, and this is where the contents of the bin are emptied into the AllergenLock bags that can hold up to one month of dirt. Two AllergenLock bags are supplied.
Roomba i7 and i7+
As for the Roomba i7 series, we still have this automatic self-emptying technology.
The base model, the Roomba i7, doesn’t have a Clean Base unit, but the i7+ comes with the unit included.
Both models are compatible with the technology. When the Roomba docks after cleaning, the contents are emptied into the larger bin.
3. Battery and Power Management
A good robot vacuum should have a powerful battery that lasts for at least one complete cleaning session. Besides, it should have convenient power management options. In this section, let’s find out how the Roomba i6 compares to the Roomba i7.
Roomba i7 and i7+
The Roomba i7 and i7+ come with a lithium-ion battery with a 1,800mAh capacity.
This battery offers 75 minutes runtime when. The unit is new, but over time, the runtime drops until after a year or two when you will need a replacement.
The i7 series is an intelligent robot vacuum that recharges and resumes cleaning automatically.
Roomba i6 and i6+
As for the Roomba i6 and i6+, we still have the same battery used in the i7.
This is a 1800mAh lithium-ion battery that runs for 75 minutes on average. When it comes to power management, both the Roomba 6150 and 6550 have the recharge and resume capability.
The battery’s life cycle is around 18 months on average.
4. Navigation and Mapping
Robot vacuums use intelligent systems that help the robot vacuum to navigate and map the floor area. In this section, find out how the Roomba i6 compares to the i7.
Roomba i7 and i7+
The Roomba i7 and i7+ comes with the new iAdapt 3.0 navigation and Mapping system. This is a Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (VSLAM) based algorithm. As the name suggests, this technology deploys a set of sensors and a real-time camera for localization. This results in more accurate and precise navigation.
It’s hard for the i7 series to get stuck or hit obstacles, even in high traffic rooms. When it comes to floor mapping, the robot knows your exact home layout and can even store maps. The robot cleans in a systematic pattern guaranteeing entire level cleaning. What’s more?
iAdapt 3.0 features Imprint Smart Mapping technology that gives the robot the ability to master your home’s layout. This technology allows users to choose specific rooms they want the Roomba to clean. It also facilitates the digital boundary feature called Keep Out Zones.
Roomba i6 and i6+
When it comes to the Roomba i6 and i6+, there is absolutely no difference. The two share the same iAdapt 3.0 VSLAM navigation meaning it has sensors and a camera for localization. You can rely on it in high traffic rooms as it hardly gets stuck or hits obstacles.
In terms of floor mapping, the Roombas use an intelligent floor mapping system that cleans in a methodical pattern guaranteeing entire level cleaning.
Also worth mentioning is the Imprint Smart Mapping system that gives the robot the ability to identify all the rooms in your house. Courtesy of this technology, homeowners can tell the Roomba 6150 or 6550 to clean specific rooms. There is also digital boundary marking, dubbed Keep Out Zones.
5. Smart Features and Convenience
Modern robot vacuums are smart home-ready and offer a wide range of convenience features. In this section, let’s determine whether these two Roombas have the same smart features and convenience.
Roomba i6 and i6+
The Roomba 6150 and 6550 both feature 2.4GHz WiFI for smartphone app operation via the iRobot Home app.
On the app, users can schedule cleaning sessions, see the area where the robot has cleaned, customize cleaning, etc.
Besides smartphone app operation, the Roomba i6 series models are compatible with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Roomba i6 series robot vacuums can sync with the Braava M6 robot mop.
Roomba i7 and i7+
Next up is the Roomba 7150 and 7550, which have the same smart Features and convenience as the Roomba i6 series. The two are powered by 2.4GHz WiFi for mobile app operation via the iRobot Home App.
All the features and functions that are available for the i6 are standard in the i7 series. Besides app operation, users can control these Roombas with voice assistants talk of Alexa and Assistant.
Like the i6, the i7 can also be paired with the Braava M6 for simultaneous vacuuming and mopping.
What’s the Best Choice?
That’s the end of this Roomba i6 vs. i7 face-to-face comparison review. As you have seen, these two models are very similar save for the few differences in availability and accessories supplied.
Of course, the best option is the Roomba i6 and i6+, Amazon-exclusive models available at affordable prices.
Besides the affordability, these two vacuums come with more accessories, so you get the best value for money. All the same, the Roomba i7 is still a worthy Roomba.
Liam M
Hi! I live in a two-storey house with two cats and a marvelous border collie named Crush. Adore them as much as hate their hair)) I never really believed in robot vacuums but now want to try this option as easy alternative for manual vacuuming. Which model would you recommend in my case? Thanks a lot.
Swartzcop Kennedy
Hi! Thanks a lot for your question! In fact, Roomba i6 and i7 are too similar to find an obvious winner in your case. You mentioned a two-storey house and lots of hair and pet messes. Both models were designed specially to cope with this sort of pollution on a daily basis. So, here I’d choose a more pocket-friendly Roomba i6 series. If you want even something more powerful for pair, also try https://robotbox.net/compare/roborock-q7-vs-s7/
Mary L
Many thanks to all Robotbox team members for the review! I’m looking for a robot cleaner for my mom. She has some problems with her back, that’s why I need a model that will not make her lean often. Here is the question – does self-emptying also mean automatic brush cleaning on the base? Or is it necessary to remove hair and tiny debris with hands?
Swartzcop Kennedy
Hi! Thanks a lot for your question! Unfortunately, now the self-emptying base can only clean the bin. When it comes to brushes, it’s still on us. But if your mom doesn’t have pets, I think she will not need to clean brushes after every cleaning because there won’t be so much hair. Perhaps, you wouldn’t also mind considering upright vacuum models that don’t require any leaning at all. Here is a link of our best comparison review https://robotbox.net/compare/tineco-a11-vs-tineco-s11-vs-tineco-s12/.