Review of the iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Vacuum Cleaning Robot – Certified Refurbished
The iRobot Roomba j7+ is a sophisticated robotic vacuum cleaner that promises to revolutionize the way we tackle household cleaning tasks. As a certified refurbished model, it offers the same high-quality performance as its brand-new counterparts but at a more budget-friendly price. In this review, we will delve into the features, performance, pros and cons, and overall value of this innovative cleaning robot, allowing potential buyers to make an informed decision.
Features and Specifications
Key Features
- Self-Emptying: The Roomba j7+ boasts a self-emptying feature, automatically disposing of dirt and debris into a base station, which can hold several weeks’ worth of debris.
- Smart Mapping: The iRobot OS enables the j7+ to map your home efficiently, allowing for customized cleaning schedules and zones.
- Pet Waste Avoidance: This model is designed to avoid pet waste, and iRobot backs this claim with a guarantee—if the Roomba j7+ fails to avoid it, they will replace the unit for free.
- Edge Cleaning: The vacuum is equipped with technology that ensures it cleans along edges and corners effectively.
- Allergen Filtration: With allergen filtration, the j7+ captures dust, pollen, and other allergens, improving your home’s air quality.
- Smart Home Compatibility: The vacuum connects to your Wi-Fi network and is compatible with smart home devices, including Alexa.
Included Accessories
- Filter: The j7+ includes an efficient filter to aid in allergen control, ensuring cleaner air while maintaining a clean environment.
Performance Overview
Cleaning Efficiency
The iRobot Roomba j7+ performs admirably on various surfaces, including hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. Users have noted that it effectively collects dirt and debris, although it struggles with fine pet hair on certain rugs. While the vacuum tends to bunch up hair rather than remove it completely, this issue is common across many upright models as well, including popular brands like Dyson and Shark.
Noise Levels
In terms of noise, the Roomba j7+ operates fairly quietly during cleaning sessions. However, the self-emptying function generates a significant amount of noise, which can be disruptive in a quiet home environment. Users have expressed concerns about scheduling cleanings at night or during work calls due to the loud emptying process.
Mapping and Navigation
The smart mapping capabilities of the j7+ are impressive. It learns the layout of your home, allowing for efficient cleaning routes. Users report that the vacuum can accurately identify room types and adjust its cleaning path accordingly. However, some users have experienced issues with incomplete room mapping and suboptimal charging times, which can limit its cleaning duration.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Quiet Operation: The vacuum operates quietly, making it suitable for homes where noise may be a concern.
- Effective on Hard Surfaces: Performs exceptionally well on hardwood floors, maintaining cleanliness with minimal effort.
- Self-Emptying Convenience: Eliminates the need for manual dustbin emptying, saving time and effort.
- User-Friendly App: The accompanying app is intuitive and allows for easy scheduling and customization of cleaning tasks.
- Smart Integration: Seamless integration with Alexa and other smart home devices enhances the overall user experience.
Cons
- Struggles with Pet Hair: May have difficulty removing fine pet hair from area rugs, which could be a drawback for pet owners.
- Loud Emptying Mechanism: The self-emptying function is notably loud, potentially disruptive during night-time or work hours.
- Mapping Issues: Some users have reported problems with incomplete mapping and charging inefficiencies, limiting cleaning time.
- Missing Accessories: As a refurbished model, it may occasionally arrive with missing components, although customer service generally rectifies this.
Overall Value
For those seeking an efficient and convenient cleaning solution, the iRobot Roomba j7+ self-emptying vacuum cleaning robot is a standout choice. While it has its share of minor drawbacks, such as challenges with fine pet hair and a loud emptying process, the benefits—like its quiet operation, effective cleaning on hard surfaces, and smart home integration—make it a worthwhile investment.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Given the overall performance, features, and user feedback, we would rate the iRobot Roomba j7+ at 4 out of 5 stars. This rating reflects its strong capabilities while acknowledging the areas where it could improve. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to simplify their cleaning routine without compromising on quality.
saxet94 –
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, I’m satisfied with my purchase after two weeks of use. I’d give it 4.5 stars if I could, but since it’s not perfect, I’ll rate it as a 4.
saxet94 –
Pros
Cons
Overall, I’m satisfied with my purchase after two weeks of use. I would give it 4.5 stars if possible, but since it’s not perfect, I’ll rate it as 4 stars.
papareaux –
I’m still working on getting this to function correctly. Each time I’ve used it, it stops running much sooner than expected. It hasn’t fully mapped all the rooms yet. I’m unsure how to add new areas to the map, and I’m struggling to charge it adequately for it to last 85 to 90 minutes; it hasn’t exceeded 45 minutes so far.
michaell8 –
A friend gifted me an iHome robot vacuum for Christmas, and it was a disappointment. It struggled to find its way home, constantly bumping into walls, running out of battery, and never completing its mapping. The final straw was when the app inexplicably deleted the robot from my account. Although my friend was thrilled to give it to me, I didn’t have the heart to tell him how bad it was, so I sold it to someone with a small apartment and bought a Roomba j7 instead.
I never mentioned the switch to my friend to spare his feelings, but I am so glad I made the change. The Roomba is fantastic—it maps spaces accurately and allows me to set specific zones for cleaning. The programming is user-friendly, and I can schedule it to vacuum whenever I want. Plus, it can target specific rooms or high-traffic areas that need extra attention.
I have a den with a small step down, and initially, the Roomba got stuck there. However, I easily set up a “no-go zone” in the app, and it hasn’t tried to vacuum that room since. If it runs low on battery during a scheduled cleaning, it returns home to recharge, pauses the job, and seamlessly resumes once it’s ready. It has navigated around cords and obstacles without any issues. Each time it docks, it self-empties into a disposable bag at the charging station.
Having experienced two robot vacuums before—one an early model that was terrible and another that my friend gave me—I can confidently say that this Roomba j7 is the best I’ve had, with minimal problems. I purchased it refurbished through eBay directly from Roomba, complete with a 2-year warranty and excellent customer support, saving me hundreds of dollars. I highly recommend this vacuum and suggest considering a refurbished model from Roomba on eBay. It’s definitely worth it!
1mjaj2 –
The iRobot Roomba j7 is an impressive device. It efficiently maps out your home and begins cleaning immediately. It easily fits under the couch, and when the dustbin is full, it returns to its docking station for self-cleaning.
jmm418 –
So far, this product seems to work great! It’s much quieter than my old Roomba. I’ve only had it for a few days, so time will tell how long it lasts. It arrived without a side brush, but I contacted iRobot and they sent a replacement for free. It would have been nice to receive an extra bag for when the original one gets full. Overall, the price was good compared to the new models. Other than that, I don’t have much else to add.
ewonderz –
The difference between the Roomba from ten years ago and the latest models is astonishing. Setting it up involved mapping out the rooms in my house, and it spent an hour exploring every corner. I was genuinely impressed by its performance, even accurately identifying the types of rooms—almost eerily impressive!
I made a few minor tweaks to the room divisions and renamed some areas, and then I was all set. I scheduled it to clean the kitchen and dining room daily, and it does an excellent job. When it’s time, it effortlessly makes its way to the dining room and gets right to work.
Once it finishes a task, it returns to its dock and empties itself. I had some reservations about purchasing a refurbished unit, but the short manufacturer warranty eased my worries. It arrived in generic packaging, accompanied only by a brief introduction sheet instructing us to use the app for setup.
Despite being “used,” the Roomba had no scratches, was clean, charged, and ready to go. I’m very pleased with my purchase and thrilled to have acquired a quality unit at a lower price than a brand new one.