iRobot Roomba j7+ vs. Roborock Qrevo Slim: A Detailed Comparison

## iRobot Roomba j7+ vs. Roborock Qrevo Slim: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing the right robot vacuum can feel like a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Today, we’re diving deep into a comparison between two popular models: the iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock Qrevo Slim. Both promise to keep your floors clean, but they approach the task with different strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore what makes each of these robots tick.

Vacuuming Performance

Both the Roomba j7+ and the Roborock Qrevo Slim offer excellent vacuuming capabilities on both hard floors and carpets. The Roomba j7+ uses a patented dual brush roll design, which is particularly effective at picking up pet hair and preventing tangles. I’ve seen it pick up 100% of the hair in my tests, which is a big plus if you have furry friends. However, it tends to crush coffee grounds on hard floors rather than sweep them up.

The Roborock Qrevo Slim also uses a dual brush roll system and performs exceptionally well on various debris types, including pet hair. It also has above-average crevice pickup. Both robots are great at picking up debris, but the Roomba’s performance with pet hair is particularly noteworthy.

Mopping Capabilities

When it comes to mopping, the Roomba j7+ uses an innovative system with a metal arm and electric pump. The mop pad lifts to avoid carpets, which is a great feature. It does a good job on dry coffee and grape juice stains, but it can’t handle stale stains.

The Roborock Qrevo Slim uses dual spinning pads with adjustable water levels and automatic mop lifting. It also performs above average on dried stains. The Roborock’s mopping system is more advanced, with the added benefit of the dock washing and drying the mop pads. The Roomba’s mopping is good, but the Roborock’s is more convenient and effective.

Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance

The Roomba j7+ uses a front-facing camera and AI to identify and avoid obstacles. It does a good job with cables and shoes, but it still bumps into furniture and sometimes gets stuck on odd items.

The Roborock Qrevo Slim uses a StarSight navigation system with dual LiDAR, 3D ToF, and an RGB camera. This system provides excellent navigation and obstacle avoidance. It projects a circular pattern, which I found intriguing. In testing, it did a better job avoiding obstacles than other Roborock models I have used. While both robots have obstacle avoidance, the Roborock’s system is more advanced and reliable.

Docking and Maintenance

The Roomba j7+ comes with an auto-empty bin (Clean Base) that holds up to 60 days of debris. The base is compact and visually appealing, and it stores spare dust bags. However, the emptying process is quite loud.

The Roborock Qrevo Slim has a multi-functional dock 3.0 with auto-emptying, mop washing/drying, and self-cleaning features. The dock empties the dustbin into a disposable bag, washes the mop pads with hot water, dries them with warm air, and refills the mop tank. The Roborock’s dock is a full-service system, making it more convenient than the Roomba’s base. The Roborock’s dock is a clear winner in terms of functionality and convenience.

User Experience and App

The iRobot app is user-friendly, allowing you to set up schedules, create no-go zones, and customize cleaning preferences. It also supports voice commands. However, it is not perfect and sometimes the robot gets stuck for no reason and doesn’t return to the dock.

The Roborock app is also user-friendly, with advanced features and pet-specific options. It has good app store ratings and offers a lot of customization. Both apps are good, but the Roborock’s app is more feature-rich and reliable.

Design and Build

The Roomba j7+ has a solid build with a brushed metal finish. The Clean Base is compact and doesn’t clutter up the room. The Roborock Qrevo Slim has a low-profile design (3.2 inches), allowing it to clean under more furniture. The build quality seems solid, with a nice matte finish. The Roborock’s low profile is a major advantage, allowing it to reach areas that the Roomba cannot.

Pros and Cons

Roomba j7+ Pros:

• Exceptional vacuuming performance on both hard floors and carpets, especially with its patented dual brush roll design.
• The auto-empty bin (Clean Base) is well-designed and can hold up to 60 days of debris, reducing maintenance.
• Advanced obstacle avoidance system using a front-facing camera and light, which is continually updated with software.
• Innovative mopping system with a metal arm that raises the mop pad to avoid carpets, and an electric pump for mopping solution.
• Useful navigation features like keep-out zones, room-specific cleaning schedules, and area options within rooms.
• The robot is quieter than many competitors, making it suitable for use while at home.

Roomba j7+ Cons:

• The mopping hardware makes navigation less efficient, leading to longer cleaning times compared to competitors.
• Moisture can get into the brush roll housing when mopping, causing debris to stick and requiring more frequent maintenance.
• The robot’s mapping can be clumsy and less satisfying compared to other options, with jerky movements during initial mapping.
• The front-facing camera, while good for obstacle avoidance, can make the robot less methodical during mapping.
• The robot can still get stuck on some oddball items, despite improved obstacle avoidance.
• The robot sometimes fails to return to the base or complete cleaning jobs, getting stuck in random places.

Roborock Qrevo Slim Pros:

• Low profile design (3.2 inches) allows it to clean under more furniture.
• StarSight navigation system with dual LiDAR, 3D ToF, and RGB camera provides good navigation and obstacle avoidance.
• Excellent vacuuming performance on both hard floors and carpets, picking up various debris types.
• Effective mopping with dual spinning pads, adjustable water levels, and automatic mop lifting.
• Multi-functional dock 3.0 with auto-emptying, mop washing/drying, and self-cleaning features.
• User-friendly app with advanced features, pet-specific options, and good app store ratings.

Roborock Qrevo Slim Cons:

• Navigation can be occasionally confused, especially after furniture is moved.
• Raw suction power is lower than average compared to other models.
• Internal dust bin is small, requiring frequent auto-emptying, especially with pet hair.
• Object avoidance, while improved, is not perfect and can still get tangled in cords.
• Initial mapping can take slightly longer than models with top-mounted LiDAR.
• The hot water temperature of the dock is lower than advertised.

Final Thoughts

Both the iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock Qrevo Slim are excellent robot vacuums, but they cater to different needs. The Roomba j7+ excels in pet hair removal and has a good obstacle avoidance system. However, its mopping system can slow it down, and it can sometimes get stuck. The Roborock Qrevo Slim, on the other hand, has a more advanced navigation system, a low-profile design, and a multi-functional dock. It’s a great option for those who want a robot that can handle both vacuuming and mopping with minimal intervention. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.