Frequently Asked Questions
Which Roomba is best for homes with pets and kids?
The j7+ or Combo j7+ with PrecisionVision obstacle avoidance, as it identifies objects like pet waste and phone chargers to avoid them.
What does the plus sign on a Roomba model mean?
The plus sign means it has a self-emptying base that automatically empties the dustbin into a sealed bag, so you only need to empty it every two months.
What is the suction power of the Roomba s9+?
The s9+ has the strongest suction at about 2500 Pa, making it best for carpets.
How does the j7+ differ from the i7+?
The j7+ uses a forward-facing camera for obstacle avoidance and can identify objects like dog poop, while the i7+ does not have this camera.
Why Roomba Makes Your Brain Hurt (And Which One to Buy)
Look, I get it. You type “robot vacuum” into the search bar and suddenly you’re staring at a wall of Roomba models with names that look like Wi-Fi passwords. The i7. The j7. The s9. The Combo j7+. The something else with a plus sign that costs more than your first car. I have been there. I stood in that aisle for twenty minutes feeling like I needed a degree in electrical engineering just to sweep the floor. So let me save you the headache. I have owned five different Roombas over the past six years. I have tested them in a house with two kids, a shedding dog, and a cat who thinks hairballs are a sport. I know which ones work and which ones are just expensive dust collectors.
The Problem With Roomba’s Lineup
The biggest problem is that iRobot keeps releasing new models without making the old ones go away. So you end up with a lineup that spans seven different price points, four different navigation systems, and three different types of dirt disposal. And none of them are clearly labeled “good” or “bad.” You are supposed to just know that the 600 series is basic, the i series is mid-range, the j series has camera-based obstacle avoidance, and the s series is their premium offering with a square back for edge cleaning. But good luck figuring that out from the product page.
My daughter Sparkles, who is seven and names every vacuum that comes through the house, calls the j7+ “Glasses” because of the camera bump on top. She also insists that the s9+ looks like a slice of pizza, which is not wrong.
Key Specs You Actually Need to Know
Here is the breakdown that matters for a real home with real messes:
- Navigation type: The 600 and i series use vSLAM (visual simultaneous localization and mapping) which means they map your house using a camera that looks at the ceiling. The j and s series use PrecisionVision which is a forward-facing camera that can actually see obstacles like phone chargers and dog poop. If you have kids or pets, you want the camera.
- Self-emptying base: This is the plus sign. The base automatically empties the dustbin into a sealed bag so you only think about it once every two months. If you buy a Roomba without the plus, you are emptying that tiny bin every single day. Trust me, you want the plus.
- Suction power: The s9+ has the strongest suction at about 2500 Pa. The j7+ is around 2000 Pa. The i7+ is similar to the j7. The 600 series is maybe 600 Pa. For carpet, you want at least the i7 level. For hardwood, any of them work fine.
- Battery life: The newer models get about 90 minutes of runtime, which is enough for about 1000 square feet per charge. The 600 series gets maybe 60 minutes and the batteries degrade faster.
- Obstacle avoidance: This is where the j series wins. It has a camera that actually identifies objects and avoids them. The i series does not. The s series is hit or miss.
Who Each Roomba Is Actually For
The Roomba j7+ (or Combo j7+): This is the one I recommend to almost everyone. It has the best obstacle avoidance of any Roomba I have tested. It will not eat a phone charging cable. It will not smear dog mess across your rug. It will not get stuck on a stray sock. Sparkles once left a pair of scissors on the floor and the j7+ stopped three inches away and sent a notification to my phone. The Combo version adds a mopping pad that lifts up automatically when it detects carpet, so you do not end up with a wet rug. That is the one I would buy today.
The Roomba s9+: This is for people who have mostly carpet and want the absolute best cleaning performance. The square-back design actually gets closer to walls and corners than any other round robot. But the obstacle avoidance is not as good as the j7+. It will eat cables. It will run over small toys. And it costs about $400 more than the j7+. I own one. I use it on my carpeted upstairs. I do not let it run unsupervised because I am tired of untangling charging cables from the side brush.
The Roomba i7+: This was the flagship three years ago and it is still a solid robot if you find it on sale. But the obstacle avoidance is basically nonexistent. It bumps into everything. It does not learn from its mistakes. It is fine for a home with minimal clutter and no pets, but that is not most homes.
The Roomba 694 or 600 series: Do not buy this. It is 2025 and this robot uses random bounce navigation like a Roomba from 2008. It takes three times as long to clean a room. It misses spots. It runs out of battery before it finishes. I bought one as a gift for my brother and he texted me a week later asking if I hated him.
Pros and Cons of the Roomba Ecosystem
Pros:
- The app works well and is easy to set up. You can schedule cleanings, map your house, and send the robot to specific rooms.
- The self-emptying base is genuinely life-changing. I think about vacuuming maybe once a month.
- Customer support has been solid. I had a j7+ battery die after 14 months and they replaced it free.
- Parts are easy to find. Replacement brushes, filters, and bags are at every Target and Walmart.
- The obstacle avoidance on the j7+ is the best I have seen from any brand. It actually works.
Cons:
- The naming scheme is a disaster. You should not need a flow chart to buy a vacuum.
- The price. A Combo j7+ with the self-emptying base costs around $800. That is a lot of money for a vacuum.
- The mopping on the Combo models is just a damp pad dragging across the floor. It is not a real mop. It handles light spots and dried dust but do not expect it to clean a sticky spill.
- The s9+ obstacle avoidance is worse than the j7+ despite costing more. That is frustrating.
- The non-plus models (without the self-emptying base) are a waste of money for most people.
The Verdict and Which One to Buy
If you are reading this because you are tired of looking at the Roomba lineup and you just want someone to tell you what to buy, here it is. Buy the Roomba Combo j7+ with the self-emptying base. That is the robot vacuum I use on my main floor every single night. It navigates well. It avoids obstacles. It empties itself. It has never eaten a toy or gotten stuck on a rug. It is the most headache-free robot vacuum I have ever owned.
If you have mostly carpet and very little clutter, the s9+ is a slightly better cleaner but you have to police the floor before it runs. If you are on a tight budget, look for a used j7+ instead of buying a new i7 or 600 series. The obstacle avoidance is worth the extra money.
And if you are still confused, just remember what Sparkles told me when she saw the Combo j7+ for the first time. She said, “Daddy, it is the vacuum that wears glasses so it does not run over my Legos.” That is the one you want. The one that wears glasses.