The iRobot Roomba j7+ vs j8+ robot vacuums are two of the newest models from iRobot and are only off by one number.
So does that mean they’re the same robot? Almost.
The Roomba j7+ and j8+ are almost the exact same robot vacuums. The key differences are the larger battery on the Roomba j8+, giving it a longer run time, and two more Dirt Disposal bags to use in the Self-Emptying Clean Base docking station.
Of course, the other major difference is the Roomba j8+ is only available at Costco retail stores and its online store. The Roomba j7+ is found on Amazon and other online stores.
Let’s get into the details here and find out the other differences between the two Roomba vacuums.
Related articles:
- Roomba Model Lineup Comparison
- Roomba j6+ In-depth Review
- Roomba j7+ In-depth Review
- Roomba j8+ In-depth Review
Roomba j7+ vs j8+ Features
One note about the comparisons. I will feature the Roomba j7+ in the comparisons here, but there’s also a base Roomba j7 robot vacuum that is identical to the j7+ robot vacuum. The only difference between them is the Plus model comes with the Clean Base station.
Otherwise, everything else with the j7 and j7+ is the same when it comes to features and benefits.
Design, Size, and Weight
The Roomba j7+ and j8+ have similar modern looks with different chrome colors on the top of the robots. The j7+ has a stainless steel and silver chrome design, while the j8+ has a black chrome design.
They weigh the same at 7.49 lbs (3.4 kg) and are 3.4 inches (8.6 cm) tall. They boast the same circular shape as the majority of other Roomba vacuums.
Both models have only one “Clean” button on top of them for a variety of functions. Starting, stopping, and cleaning are all part of it. Holding it for different amounts of time will also help it perform other tasks.
The circular shape will not always allow the Roomba to get to the wall edges and corners easily. I will sometimes need to clean the corners myself after the Roomba does its cleaning job.
Battery and Capacity
The first major difference between the Roomba j7+ and the Roomba j8+ is their lithium-ion battery capacity and runtimes.
The j7+ has a 2200 mAh battery with an estimated 75-minute runtime. The j8+ has a 4400 mAh battery that gives it an estimated 150-minute runtime.
If you have a larger home, the j8+ will be the better option. The j8+ will cover more ground with each cleaning job.
Cleaning Technology System and Suction Power
The iRobot Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System, which is still one of the best-selling features of Roomba vacuums and that includes the Roomba j8+ and j7+. The system lifts, raises, and suctions up dirt and debris from the floor surface, especially with carpets.
They use a combination of the cleaning system, roller brushes, and high-efficiency HEPA filters to clean the air of allergens. Great if you have allergies.
The suction power of both the Roomba j7+ and j8+ is ten times greater than that of the Roomba 600 series robots. This makes it possible for them to gather dust and debris from tile, hardwood, and carpeted floors.
Dual Brush Rollers and Edge Sweeping
The Roomba j8+ and Roomba j7+ robot vacuums each have two multi-surface brush rollers in the center underneath. The rubber brushes will agitate the carpet threads to loosen dirt and debris, making it easier to suck them up.
Because they are made of rubber instead of nylon bristles, rubber brushes are less likely to tangle with pet hair. The use of traditional brushes will result in extremely difficult-to-untangle tangles of both human and pet hair.
Both models come with edge sweepers for both wall and corner edges. But because of its round design, it won’t be able to thoroughly clean every crevice, so you might have to do some manual labor.
Another really useful benefit of the brush rollers is their adaptability to different floor heights, including carpet, hardwood floors, and rugs. Different floor heights will automatically cause the roller to adjust.
Filters and Dustbin Capacities
The Roomba j7+ and j8+ robot vacuums have High-Efficiency Filters built-in. 99% of dust and allergens are captured even though they are rated slightly below HEPA level filters.
HEPA filters are easily accessible online on Amazon and other online marketplaces if you still want them. The authentic iRobot filters won’t be as effective, so you’ll need to buy a third-party filter.
The 500-ml washable dustbins on the Roomba j7+ and j7 are identical, but since the Plus versions include Clean Base units, you don’t need to worry about the dustbin capacity.
There is less hand emptying if you don’t purchase the Plus models because the 500-ml capacity is still one of the larger dustbin sizes that Roomba offers.
Plus Model Features – Clean Base and Self-Empty
Both the Roomba j8+ and j7+ come with the Self-Emptying Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal docking station.
The key advantage of the Clean Base unit and the reason you want the Plus models is that you only need to empty the Clean Base once every 60 days.
With the Clean Base, the dirt disposal bags can keep up to 60 days of dirt, dust, and debris depending on how often you clean and how dirty the floors are.
If you live in a large home and use your Roomba every day, you’ll need to empty the Clean Base unit more frequently than every 60 days.
At my house, I generally empty the Clean Base every 30-45 days with about 3,500 square feet and a few kids often leaving messes on the floor.
The j7+ and j8+ have the new PrecisionVision Navigation system that helps them avoid objects like pet waste, cables, cords, and other things lying on the ground. If you have kids, you know how many toys are left around the house!
Many Roomba owners have been wishing their Roomba could steer clear of obstructions like dog and cat poop. Wish no more. You don’t need to remember to look for and pick up any pet waste off the floor before the Roomba starts cleaning.
The P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee from iRobot is included with the j7+ and j8+. If your Roomba happens to run over cat or dog feces, iRobot will replace your Roomba at no cost to you! A year is also the length of the warranty.
Imprint Smart Mapping and iAdapt 3.0 Smart Navigation are features of the j8+ and j7+. To clean the various parts of your home, they will both design a floor plan. By naming the various rooms and locations in your house, you may give Roomba cleaning instructions.
You can’t do that with the older, less expensive Roomba vacuums. They won’t move as rapidly, thus it will take them longer to clean your home. The j7+ and j8+ will move in straight lines according to how your home is organized, making the cleaning efficiency higher.
These two models allow you to create “Keep Out Zones” in the Home app, so the Roomba will avoid cleaning those areas.
iRobot Home App with iRobot Genius
The iRobot Home app lets you connect to Roombas that are Wi-Fi enabled to plan cleanings and design unique cleaning paths.
You may create routines for the Roomba j7+ and j7 now that iRobot Genius has been updated. It can also suggest cleaning schedules for you. Genius will assess your individual cleaning habits to create those suggestions.
The app will automatically use the internet to research and plan for cleanings due to seasonal pet shedding, local pollen levels, and the optimum times to schedule extra cleanings to keep your home spotless.
The iRobot Home app has other features including:
- Smart Maps
- Zoned Cleaning
- Cleaning HistoryVoice control (with an Alexa smart device)
- Start, Pause, Stop Cleanings
- Send Robot Back to Charge
Roomba j7+ vs j8+ Differences
The Roomba j7+ and j8+ robot vacuums are nearly identical. The Roomba j8+ battery is twice the capacity of the j7+, allowing for up to 150 min. of run time. The Roomba j8+ also includes four Dirt Disposal bags for use with the Self-Emptying Clean Base docking station. That’s two more bags than the j7+ comes with.
Here are the Roomba j8+ vs j7+ differences:
- Roomba j8+ battery is 2x the size of the j7+
- j8+ comes with 4 Dirt Disposal bags. The j7+ comes with 2 bags
- j8+ is only available with Costco, so needs a membership
- j7+ has a silver stainless steel design and j8+ has a black chrome design
Roomba j7+ vs j8+ Final Thoughts
The Roomba j7+ and j8+ are both great robot vacuums with the latest technologies and features to clean the floors. They are both essentially the same and provide similar benefits. I wouldn’t worry about which one you have, but which one has a better price.
The Roomba j8+ at Costco will normally be cheaper because of Costco’s lower prices in general, but during special sales, the j7+ will be cheaper. If you already have a Costco membership and don’t want to wait for any specials, you should get the j8+.
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