Choosing the perfect robot vacuum for your home can be a very taxing activity especially for first-time buyers. There is a need to do adequate research regarding the brands, models, and features of hundreds of devices that are in the market. In this article, we weigh the scales between the iRobot Roomba i6+ vs i7+ to see which one of these vacuums is the best cleaning companion for you.
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The Quick Answer
The Roomba i6+ and i7+ both are powerhouses in terms of hardware and software features. They are capable of imprint mapping, automatic charging, and disposal, smart navigation, logical cleaning, as well as powerful suction up to 10x the previous models.
At first glance, they are very identical. However, closer examination will suggest that a major difference when it comes to the freebies that they include. The i6+ has no extra products that come with the device. On the other hand, the i7+ has extra side brushes, filters, as well as two extra clean base bags.
Simply put, the i6+ is the Amazon exclusive package of the i7+. The i6 plus was released in October 2020, while the i7 plus came to stores in September 2018. Buying the i6+ saves you money, but you miss out on some key freebies and add-ons that you still might need in the long run.
I choose the i6+ compared to the i7+ since you can save almost $200 at the expense of missing the add-ons that the latter has. However, the i7+ is sometimes on sale. In such cases, you should choose the i7+ over the i6+. If you managed to get the i6+, there is no need to worry as you can always find replacement brushes, filters, and disposal bags in Amazon should you need them in the future.
Product Overviews
iRobot Roomba i6+
The iRobot i6+ can be viewed as the Amazon version of the Roomba i7+. Upon closer inspection of the device, you will see that it has the same specifications, hardware, and software capabilities as the i7+, but fewer add-ons that come with it. You can not purchase the i6+ at other outlets since it is exclusively distributed by Amazon.
As an identical product, it offers the same suction power as the i7+. This means that as long as i7+ stays at a high rank in the robot vacuum competition, the i6+ is also up there with it. The i6+ can also be connected through the iRobot Home App for better versatility and flexibility.
Strengths: Less expensive
Weaknesses: No free add-ons
Read the full iRobot Roomba i6+ review
Last update on 2022-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ can be considered as the older sibling of the i6+. It is a smart robot vacuum released on-sale in September 2018 and is considered by many as one of the best robot vacuums currently in the market. While the i6+ is an Amazon-exclusive, the i7+ is available in almost all U.S.-based department stores.
The iRobot i7+ has all the features that i6+ possesses. It can also be connected to the Home App for better customization. Ignoring the price increase, the i7+ is so much better than the i6+ due to the free filters, brushes, and bags that it offers. It is a robot vacuum worthy of praise.
Strengths: Additional filter, side brush, and disposal bags
Weaknesses: More expensive (Sales can change this)
Read the full iRobot Roomba i7+ review
Here are the pros and cons for both devices considering that they have identical features.
- Saves time
- Automates vacuuming and disposal
- Capable of Alexa integration
- Powerful suction
- Needs human intervention during blockages
- No mopping capabilities
- Continually charges
- Expensive
Last update on 2022-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Side-by-Side Comparison of Similarities
Below are some key features that are present in both i6+ and i7+
The Plus (+) Factor
If you are asking about what the + means in the i6+ and i7+ robot vacuums, the answer is simple. A plus in any Roomba vacuum model is defined by the existence of additional capabilities in the charging base.
Any plus version entails a self-disposal feature in which the base both acts as a charging dock as well as an emptying canister which functions through vacuum suction. The benefits of this feature are more than amazing since there will be no need for you to repeatedly throw the contents of the vacuum’s dust bin.
The bags in the automatic dirt disposal system can hold up to a month’s worth of dirt, debris, and dust.
You may also like: 7 of the best self-emptying robot vacuums
Smart Mapping
Both the Roomba i6+ and i7+ have imprint smart mapping capabilities which means that they can tell your kitchen and living room apart. This way, your selected robot vacuum will allow you to decide the places to clean without having to carry it to the room.
Imprint smart mapping also analyzes and maps the layout of the whole area so that you can see a blueprint of your unit on your smartphone. This will help the robot in adapting and adjusting its cleaning routines for better efficiency.
Restricted Zones
This is perhaps one of the best features of the i6+ and i7+. Restricted zones allow users to select areas which the robot vacuum must avoid at all costs. This gives you complete control over the movement of either the i6+ or i7+. For example, if you have breakables such as glasses or thin materials such as cords in the corner of your house, once you use Keep Out Zones, the vacuum will never dare to touch these regions.
Other robot vacuums make use of magnetic strips or tower units to define boundaries, but this is not the case for the i6+ and i7+. With amazing virtual sensors, it can go where you want to, and restrict itself based on your choices.
Impeccable Hardware
Both the i6+ and i7+ boast off-the-charts hardware with powerful pick-up systems which can pull in any dirt that it encounters. It does not matter whether you are facing dirt, gunk, fur, or dust – the vacuum will still take care of it. The impeccable hardware of these models can function on any home surface such as wood, concrete, carpet and rugs. Rest assured that your place will be brimming with cleanliness once the i6+ or i7+ is done with it.
Alexa Capabilities
The i6+ and i7+ believe that any smart vacuum should also function with voice assistance. They have Alexa and Google integration meaning that you can schedule cleaning just with simple voice commands! This gives you better control of the robots anytime, anywhere.
Multi-stage Cleaning
The i6+ and i7+ function through smart visual mapping called the vSLAM system. It makes use of thousands of precision images captured every second to map the distance of different objects in your home.
Both vacuums clean in a highly efficient row-based manner, meaning that all their movements have a purpose optimized for shorter operations. Once these vacuums start with the process, every inch of your unit will surely be cleaned.
Safe and Friendly for Pets
The i6+ and i7+ were designed with pet hair in mind. The Dual Multi-Surface Brushes avoid entanglement or clogging of hair materials, and they allow consistent contact with carpets and hardwood floors. Not only that, but the accompanying filters are also capable of restricting up to 99% of cat and dog allergens for a safer home. It can even suck in very small fur which is not visible to the naked eye!
App-integration
One of the greatest functions of the i6+ and i7+ is the integration with the iRobot Home App. The app enables master control over the robot vacuum, as you can start cleaning even if you are not in your house. As long as you have a WiFi-connection, the app will send your commands directly to the robot. The iRobot Home App also suggests several schedules which can help you stay ahead of the dirt accumulating in your unit.
Key Differences
In this part, we will look at the major differences or dealbreakers between the i6+ and i7+.
Add-ons
This is perhaps the major dealbreaker in choosing between the i6+ and i7+. As stated in previous sections, both vacuums offer the same specs, hardware, and software. They only differ in the freebies included. The i6+ has no add-ons on the product package. However, the i7+ has an additional filter, side brush, and disposal bags to use.
If you are a casual user, the i6+ might benefit you more since you would not need constant replacement of parts. However, for heavy users such as people with pets that are shed much, the i7+’s extra filters and brushes might come in handy.
Color Scheme
While this might not affect the operation of both robot vacuums, it is important to note that the i6+ and i7+ have different color schemes. The i6+ features a grey top that is different from Roomba’s usual standard black colors. Those who want to match their vacuum’s shade to their home’s layout should be aware of this fact.
Exclusivity
When it comes to exclusivity, the i6+ is strictly distributed by Amazon, meaning that it the only place or site where you could get the model. However, the i7+ is available at all leading department stores that sell robot vacuums. This means that you are more likely to see an i7+ on display, as the i6+ is only available for online orders.
Price
This is another important part that any future buyer should consider. The i6+ is can regularly be found up to $200 less than the i7+, although this does change dispensing on the offers available at the time. This may boil down to the fact that Amazon-exclusive products are cheaper compared to those which are not. Also, the extra filter, brush, and bags add value to the i7+.
FAQs
Is iRobot a good brand?
Yes, iRobot is an excellent home robotics company that has almost 30 years of service in the tech industry. It has led robot vacuums in terms of innovations, and it is a pioneer in automated cleaning. The company does not only offer robot vacuums, as they also have smart mops and other coding robots for sale.
What is the main difference between the Roomba i6+ vs i7+?
The main difference between the two is the pricing and the add-ons. The i6+ is priced lower than the i7+. However, it does not have extra brushes, filters, and cleaning bags.
Will the i6+ and i7+ without WiFi?
Yes, both devices are capable of functioning even without an internet connection. However, it is always suggested to use the app since you gain better control of it. Without the iRobot Home App, scheduling and adaptive cleaning will be difficult.
Can the iRobot i6+ and i7+ bin be used with a cleaning solution when maintaining?
No, the i6+ and i7+ should only be used with water when cleaning. Other substances might affect the performance of the parts that are inside the robot.
How many square feet do the robots clean per cycle?
It is hard to gauge both the i6+ and i7+’s operating coverage since there are many factors to consider. However, there is no need to worry about incomplete cleanings, since both vacuums offer charge-and-resume features in which they self-dock when energy is depleted and return to where they left-off as charging completes.
iRobot Roomba i6+ vs i7+: Final thoughts
Both the iRobot i6+ and i7+ are great additions to your home. They are amazing cleaning companions capable of fully automating vacuum processes at very efficient levels.
If the i7+ is not on sale, then it is better to purchase the i6+ since it has the same features at a lower price.
However, if you see that the i7+ is on sale, you should get this as you will be able to have extra goods that will greatly help your future usage of the robot vacuum.
Regardless of which one you choose; both will surely be able to help you save time in cleaning.
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.
