Roomba j7+: Candid Thoughts After a Month of Cleaning
Have you ever looked at the dusty rabbit contest under the couch and wondered when you became a full-time floor manager? I was. So I wondered what all the hype was about robot vacuum cleaners, and I came to the conclusion that it was the iRobot Roomba j7+. It’s not a cheap purchase, so I thought I’d share my impressions - the good, the bad and the dusty bits in between.
First Impressions
When the box arrived, it felt like I was opening a box of high-tech products from the future. The clean lines, the robot’s brushed metal finish, and the compact base. The base, which iRobot calls the “Clean Base,” is much smaller than I expected, which is a good thing since it doesn’t clutter up the room. The robot itself is also solid and doesn’t look like a flimsy toy. I got the impression that I was investing in something that would actually make my life a little easier. Setup was very easy, although I had to download a separate app (sigh).
Roomba Features
The smart and suctiony Roomba j7+ has a front-facing camera that helps it avoid obstacles. It’s not just a gimmick, it actually works. My room is a clutter of cables, household toys, and baby stuff, and the robot was able to dodge most of them. He’s not perfect. It even decided that my daughter’s socks were a worthy opponent, much better than any robot vacuum I’ve ever tried. The dual rubber brushes are another highlight. They are great at sucking up hair and debris from both hardwoods and carpets. I have a furry dog, so this is a big win for me. The automatic trash can is just a lifesaver. iRobot claims it can hold up to 60 days worth of waste. In my case it was 45 days, but it’s still a huge help.
Life with Roomba: A Real-Life Test
I started using Roomba and scheduling it to clean the main living areas every other day. I can control a lot of things with the app. You can set “no-go” zones for places Roomba doesn’t want to go, and it can clean certain areas in a room when needed. The mapping feature is pretty accurate, and after a few runs, it learned the layout of the house. We also tested its mop cleaning capabilities, and it did surprisingly well with the tiles in the kitchen. The mop head lifts up when it senses the carpet, which is great for cleaning wet carpets. It did a good job on dry coffee and grape juice stains, but couldn’t handle stale stains. It’s not a magic wand, but a good helper.
Less Than Perfect
Every product has its flaws, and the Roomba j7+ is no exception. The mop hardware, while innovative, seems to slow the robot down. It cleans carpets first and then hard floors, making the cleaning cycle a bit longer. It took about 80 minutes to clean my living space, which is a bit slower than other models. Also, a little water gets into the brush housing during cleaning, which can cause debris to stick to the brush. This is not a serious problem, but regular maintenance is required. Also, the side brush could have been better equipped. There is only one side brush, which does a good job, but sometimes sprays debris. Lastly, the return to base sometimes doesn’t work. I’ve gotten it stuck in the middle of the living room for no apparent reason.
Roomba vs. Others: Brief Comparison
I’ve tried several other robot vacuums, but the Roomba j7+ stands out in several ways. The obstacle avoidance feature is really better than other models I’ve used. The dual rubber brushes are a big plus for pet owners. And the automatic emptying of the waste container is a nice touch that many other models don’t have. However, other robots can be faster, and some have washable mop bases. The iRobot base is pretty basic. All you have to do is empty the containers and charge the robot. Nevertheless, it feels sturdy and well-built compared to competitor products.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
The Roomba j7+ is not a budget option, but it delivers on most of its promises. It’s a great robot vacuum cleaner, especially if you have a lot of carpets. The automatic bin emptying and obstacle avoidance features work well, and the mop function is a nice bonus. Navigation can be a little slow, and it doesn’t perfectly avoid everything, but it’s still a good choice. Definitely worth a look if you’re looking for a robot vacuum to use in a home with pets and kids. It’s not a magic bullet, but it’s a very useful tool for keeping your home clean without much effort.
- Pros:
- Excellent cleaning on both carpets and hard floors.
- Excellent at avoiding obstacles.
- Self emptying container is very convenient.
- Easy to clean with the retractable nozzle.
- Customizable cleaning zones.
- Cons:
- Navigation can be a little slow.
- Brush housing can get damp.
- One-way brushes may not be as effective as two-way brushes.
- Sometimes unclear how to get back to base.
Overall rating 4.3 out of 5 stars - quality product, but with some flaws. Suitable for those who want a very convenient cleaning solution and don’t want to spend a lot of time grooming. A good option if you have a lot of carpets.
