iRobot Roomba j7+: Smart and Capable

Peace of mind for people with accident-prone pets

- ANGELA MOSCARITOLO

Here’s a five-word horror story: Robot vacuum meets dog poop. I’ve never experienced this disaster firsthand, but I imagine it would be traumatizing enough to swear off-floor-cleaning robots for life. The iRobot Roomba j7+ promises to solve this problem by using a built-in camera and machine-learning technology to detect and avoid common obstacles—namely, pet waste and cords. It’s smart in other ways, too. For example, it can detect and then bypass potential obstacles based on your feedback. When it docks after a cleaning run, the Roomba j7 automatically empties its dustbin into an allergen-sealed bag. And while its battery life doesn’t blow us away, the robot navigates back to its base when it runs low on power to recharge and then picks up where it left off. So despite its premium price, the j7+ earns our Editors’ Choice award for high-end robotic vacuums, especially for buyers with cluttered homes or accident-prone pets.

IROBOT’S LINEUP

The $849.99 Roomba j7+ comes with a self-emptying base that charges the robot and holds around 60 days’ worth of debris in its Dirt Disposal bag, depending on how often you vacuum and the cleanliness of your home. You can get the Roomba j7 with a standard docking station for $649.99, but I highly recommend springing for the self-emptying base, especially if you suffer from allergies.

The j7+ is the second-most-expensive robot vacuum in iRobot’s current lineup, undercutting only the $1,099 Roomba s9+. Both have strengths: The s9+ offers stronger suction power and gets deeper into corners, thanks to its D shape, but the j7+ has more advanced obstacle-avoidance technology.