Roborock S7 vs Roomba i7 | Two Of The Very Best Compared

Selecting the best robot vacuum cleaner for your home can be a real daunting task. You need to know the features of each brand and model to get the best value out for your money. 

While vacuum robots cleaners might look very similar to each other, they each have strengths and weaknesses that place them ahead of the competition.

In this comparison and review, we will take a look at the differences between the iRobot Roomba i7 vs the Roborock S7 to see which of them can be crowned as the king of modern robot vacuums.

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At a glance

Roborock S7
Roomba i7
roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop, 2500PA Suction & Sonic Mopping, Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with...
iRobot Roomba i7 (7150) Robot Vacuum- Wi-Fi Connected, Smart Mapping, Works with Alexa, Ideal for...
Color
White
Black
Surface
Carpets, Hard Floors
Carpets, Hard Floors
Battery
Lithium Ion
Lithium Ion
Run time
180 Minute
75 Minute
Suction power
2500Pa
10x
Item Weight
15.71 pounds
7.44 pounds
Navigation
LiDAR
vSLAM
Recharge and resume
Smart mapping
Multi-Level Mapping
App Control
Voice Control
More information
-
-
-
Roborock S7
roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop, 2500PA Suction & Sonic Mopping, Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with...
Color
White
Surface
Carpets, Hard Floors
Battery
Lithium Ion
Run time
180 Minute
Suction power
2500Pa
Item Weight
15.71 pounds
Navigation
LiDAR
Recharge and resume
Smart mapping
Multi-Level Mapping
App Control
Voice Control
More information
-
Roomba i7
iRobot Roomba i7 (7150) Robot Vacuum- Wi-Fi Connected, Smart Mapping, Works with Alexa, Ideal for...
Color
Black
Surface
Carpets, Hard Floors
Battery
Lithium Ion
Run time
75 Minute
Suction power
10x
Item Weight
7.44 pounds
Navigation
vSLAM
Recharge and resume
Smart mapping
Multi-Level Mapping
App Control
Voice Control
More information
-
-

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The quick answer

The Roborock S7 and the iRobot Roomba i7 are both very capable robots with unique capabilities and features. In terms of suction, there is not a large difference between the two as they can pick up dirt and gunk with relative ease.

Take note that the Roomba i7 is a bit better in terms of suction power but not with a great margin. The greatest dealbreaker, however, between the two is that the S7 features amazing mopping capabilities making it a 2-in-1 robot that can mop and vacuum simultaneously. This is not present in the Roomba i7 as the vacuum cleaner is a device made solely for suction.

In most cases, the iRobot Roomba i7 vs iRobot Roomba S7. However, if you need a robot with a self-emptying option and are not fussed about automated mopping, then the Roomba i7 might just be for you. After all, the i7 is dubbed as one of the best vacuum robots in terms of cleaning power.

Personally, I would take the Roborock S7 home on any day due to the versatility it brings. Remember that this choice is based on my personal needs, and yours could be different.

Product Overviews

iRobot Roomba i7

iRobot Roomba i7 (7150) Robot Vacuum- Wi-Fi Connected, Smart Mapping, Works with Alexa, Ideal for...

The iRobot Roomba i7 can be seen as the best model in the company’s i-series. It is a device respected by domestic robot enthusiasts around the world. It has an optional self-disposal capability with the “plus” version that can be very handy especially for busy homeowners.

The smart mapping and restriction zones are also top-notch, earning it a spot among the best robot vacuums in the market.

The robot is equipped with several sensors to deal with obstacle detection and navigation. Using visual imagery creates multiple data points across the house for logical movement. The iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuum also has some serious sucking power up to 10x of previous models of the company.

Read our full iRobot Roomba i7 review for more details

TICK-1
  • Quick set-up
  • Convenient self-disposal for “plus” version
  • Alexa compatibility for Android and Apple Devices
  • Self-learning technology that gets better the more you use it
CROSS
  • Prone to miss some spots
  • The iRobot Roomba i7 has Zero mopping features
  • Low Battery Life
  • High Price Point
iRobot Roomba i7 (7150) Robot Vacuum
iRobot Roomba i7 (7150) Robot Vacuum- Wi-Fi Connected, Smart Mapping, Works with Alexa, Ideal for Pet Hair, Works With Clean Base, vSLAM navigation, the i7 learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Roborock S7

roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop, 2500PA Suction & Sonic Mopping, Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with...

The Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop is a recent product of the company and can be considered the best of the bunch. It has innovative LiDAR navigation that allows for real-time information dissemination to guide the movement of the robots.

The Roborock App also serves as the central control piece of the robot, and voice control commands can be executed.

This robot has one of the best virtual mapping capabilities, and you can even restrict the area that it navigates. It fully removes the need for human intervention as the robot vacuum can pick up dirt and wipe it at the same time.

Read our full Roborock S7 review for more details

TICK-1
  • Great LiDAR Navigation
  • High level of flexibility
  • Carpet detection and auto-retraction
  • Large floor coverage
CROSS
  • No front obstacle capabilities
  • Hair can get stuck in the robot vacuum
  • Problems in getting out of rugs
  • Dustbin can get filled easily
Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop with Sonic Mopping
Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop with Sonic Mopping, Strong 2500PA Suction, Multi-Level Mapping, Plus App and Voice Control, Advanced algorithms always work to find the fastest route.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Side by side comparison

Here are some features that are common between both devices.

Smart Mapping

Both the Roborock S7 and iRobot Roomba i7 vacuum robot has smart mapping features meaning that they can create a virtual layout of the house that can be seen through the application. This virtual layout makes way for some nifty benefits such as selective room cleaning and monitoring of progress.

Not only that, but the robots will also show the real-time navigation that it decides on at any given moment. It also helps in determining different room types and floor plans such as bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.

No-Go Zones/Restricted Zones

No-Go Zones serve as the limiter for both Roborock S7 and iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuums. This feature helps in identifying which areas should not be navigated, giving the user complete control of the device.

To create No-Go Zones, the robot vacuums make use of the virtual map, and you only need to drag a square to areas that you do not want them to go to. This is a huge improvement compared to the physical boundaries present on other robots that need to be installed around the house.

Powerful Suction

When it comes to sucking power, the S7 and i7 are not far from each other. They both can get various types of dirt present on the floor surface, be it small or large particles with multiple cleaning modes.

The robot vacuums can also work through all floor types such as concrete, wood, tiles, or even carpets and rugs. The Roborock S7 features 2500 PA of suction force, while the iRobot Roomba i7 has around 1700 PA. Nevertheless, both are enough to deal with most contaminants present in the house.

Voice control

Both devices are compatible with voice commands thanks to integration with Alexa and Google Home. You can start, stop, and schedule several operations using any Amazon Alexa or Google Home device.

App Control

Another great thing that I personally like about both robot vacuums is the polished applications that come with them. By downloading either the iRobot or Roborock Home Apps on Android or iOS smartphones, any user can easily track the robot’s movements and even instruct commands or schedules for operations. The apps work through Wi-Fi connectivity, giving users control anytime, anywhere.

Auto-docking

There is no need to worry about battery depletion when using both devices as they are capable of self-docking. This initiative enables the robots to self-charge once a certain battery level has been reached, and they will smartly navigate to the charging station using the respective sensors that they have. This means that you do not need to pick the robot’s app just to give them a quick refill of juice.

Robot Vacuum Key Differences

Sonic Mopping Capabilities

One of the greatest differences that might make a prospective owner favor the Roborock S7 more is that it is both capable of vacuuming and mopping at the same time.

While I have never been a fan of mop and vacuum combo robots, new innovations are starting to change my mind.

Unlike another 2-in-1 vacuum/mop robots, the S7 does a fairly great job in wiping your surfaces thanks to the Sonic Mopping feature and onboard water tank. This allows it to scrub at a whopping 3000 cycles per minute, removing any stain on the floor.

You can also set mop zones and the vacuum will automatically lift the mopping pad when it detects rugs and carpets.

On the other hand, the iRobot Roomba i7 is a device created strictly for vacuuming. It does have imprint link technology, via the iRobot home app, which means it can work in sync with a separate iRobot mopping robot, but it has no onboard capabilities.

Thus, the S7 robot vacuum takes the cake in this one.

Automatic dirt disposal

One common complaint about the Roborock S7 is that it lacks a self-emptying base. This is a type of dock that can automatically dispose of the contents of the dustbin using vacuum technology, and this removes the need for frequently opening the device for maintenance.

The company explains that this feature will be available sometime around 2021, but no specific clues are given.

Meanwhile, the iRobot Roomba i7 “plus” version has a self-emptying base ready for dirt disposal. This allows for convenient interactions with the robot since maintenance times are greatly lessened. The i7 wins this comparison.

Navigation

Another factor where both robot vacuums differ is navigation technology. The Roborock S7 makes use of laser LiDAR or Light Detection And Ranges through the circular module attached on top of the robot. This is a technology present in self-driving cars and allows for the precise creation of efficient routes.

The iRobot Roomba i7, however, makes use of vSLAM or Visual Simultaneous Localization and imprint smart mapping for navigation. Thus, visual imagery sensors and obstacle detectors are present in the iRobot Roomba i7 and this is responsible for the creation of logical routes.

Simply put, LiDAR is a more precise and accurate system to avoid furniture and obstacles to its better real-time responsiveness. Thus, the S7 wins in this match-up.

Battery Life

In terms of battery life, the Roborock S7 has a fair advantage since can run up to 3 hours within a single cleaning process. On the other hand, the i7 runs for only 1.3 hours on a single charge. Do note that the S7 has a charging time of 5 hours while the i7 is rated lower at 1.5 hours.

The total battery capacity of the iRobot Roomba i7 is 1800 mAH, while the Roborock S7 is 5200 mAH. Remember that the S7 mops and vacuums simultaneously, so this could be the reason for the higher battery capabilities of this device.

Price

The Roborock S7 is usually priced a bit cheaper than the iRobot Roomba i7. However, the iRobot Roomba i7 is a year older and can often be found on offer with discounts of up to 50% (especially around Prime Day and other seasonal sales), and this can be a real advantage for those who want to get the unit. 

On the other hand, the Roborock S7 goes out of stock frequently thanks to its popularity, so you might need to wait for some time before getting your hands on the product.

Compared to other robot vacuums, both models are priced highly, and this could be because they are the most advanced models of each respective brand.

DustBin Size

The size of the dustbin highly determines the frequency of disposal of any robot vacuum. The Roborock S7 has a 470 ml dust bin which can be considered fairly small in the industry. On the other hand. The iRobot Roomba i7 has a smaller 400 ml tank, which causes the need for frequent bin disposal.

Despite the smaller bin size, the Roomba i7, especially the “plus” models, still have the advantage since it is capable of self-emptying. This removes the need for an owner to dispose of the waste themselves since the dock will do it for you. thus, the iRobot Roomba i7 takes the cake in this argument.

Automatic Carpet Detection

One feature that I really like about the Roborock S7 is that it is capable of carpet detection. 

Using sensors present on the underside of the device, it is aware of the existence of carpets in its path. Once a carpet has been recognized, the robot will automatically retract or lift the mop’s brush rollers, and this can avoid unnecessary mopping of carpets and rugs.

Since the Roomba i7 has no mopping capabilities, then it is also not capable of doing this feature. Thus, the Roborock S7 clearly takes the medal in this one.

Multiple Floor Detections

Thanks to the Roborock S7’s LiDAR navigation, it becomes possible to detect different floors or stories in the house. This means that you can keep the maps of your first, second, third, and even fourth floor with the device. This functionality can be beneficial especially for houses with a very large area.

This feature is not present in the iRobot Roomba i7 as it can only deal with one virtual map at any given time.

FAQs

Is Roborock Better than Roomba?

Choosing between Roborock and Roomba is a very difficult thing since they have their own strengths and weaknesses. Roborock is a Chinese company with headquarters in Beijing, while the Roomba is a U.S.-based one. In terms of credibility, Roomba has been in operation for more than 30 years, while the Roborock only started in 2014.The main difference between the two is that the Roomba focuses more on precise and powerful robot vacuums, and it has a better cleaning performance than Roborock. On the other hand, Roborock focuses more on 2-in-1 products that can mop and vacuum at the same time.As for the best brand between them, it is hard to conclude. The answer will greatly vary based on your needs and preferences as a homeowner.

Is Roborock a good brand?

Yes. Despite being new in the robot market industry, the Roborock has consistently shown signs of excellence thanks also to its lower price point and versatile applications. The feature that attracts most robot owners in purchasing Roborock Machines is the exceptional LiDAR navigation. It is a very precise way of creating logical routes to take and is ideal for any home layout.

What is the difference between the iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuum cleaner and the i7+?

The main difference between the two is that the i7+ robot vacuums have a self-emptying base. This means that once the dust bin becomes full, the dock will automatically suck the materials that have been collected. This can result in better efficiency and automation in terms of maintenance. However, both products have the same features, dimensions, and operations.

Can I use both robot vacuums without Wi-Fi?

Yes, both devices can be used without a Wi-Fi connection. However, you need one to access the app. It is always recommended to make use of both the Roborock App and iRobot Roomba i7 App to get the most out of your robot vacuum unit.

Why is the Roborock S7 often out of stock?

The S7 is always out of stock due to high demands from consumers. There is no need to worry as they are constantly creating more units to meet user expectations.

Final thoughts

The Roborock S7 and iRobot Roomba i7 are good home companions that will serve you well in terms of home cleaning. However, each has its own share of strengths and weaknesses, so the choice depends on your situation.

Generally, the S7 is more tailored towards consumers who want to get the most out of their robots as it is capable of both mopping and vacuuming at the same time.

You should also take it if you want a more capable mapping system as LiDAR navigation is a very precise and advanced technology. The longer battery life will also help in ensuring that all your area is covered during each cleaning process.

However, for those that want to get the best performance in terms of sheer suction capability, the iRobot Roomba i7 should be your priority. The self-emptying base on the plus models provides great benefit as it lessens maintenance time, and it has a better pick-up rate compared to the Roborock S7.

Nevertheless, both units do their jobs fairly well and will greatly reduce the time needed for you to clean your floor surfaces. If you want to further reduce expenses, you should also try to take a look at the iRobot Roomba i5 and Roborock S6 models since they are lower versions of these two.

Personally, I would choose the Roborock S7 between the two since I appreciate versatility in my robot vacuums.

About the author

Emma Marie is a valued writer at the Little Robot Shop. She studied robotics and deeply understands technology, which shows in her writing.  She consistently produces high-quality content, making her a perfect fit for the Little Robot Shop team.

While not writing, Emma works in a popular electronics retail chain. Emma also enjoys running and has two dogs with whom she loves spending time.