Costco and iRobot always team up to provide the latest and most advanced Roomba robot vacuums for Costco members. The latest model released is covered in the iRobot Roomba j8+ review.
The Roomba j8+ (8550) Wi-Fi Connected Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum is exclusive to Costco members and can be found in Costco stores and on the Costco.com website.
The Roomba j8+ is the highest-priced robot vacuum at Costco, but it’s well worth the money because of its ability to avoid obstacles like pet waste, cables, shoes, toys, and more. The j8+ also comes with the Clean Base unit that allows it to self-empty dirt and debris with the Dirt Disposal bags able to hold up to 60 days worth of debris.
One note, there’s no standard Roomba j8 model. There’s only the Roomba j8+ model because it’s for Costco and the Clean Base unit is packaged together with the robot vacuum.
- Related article: Best Roomba Models Compared
If you don’t have a Costco membership, don’t worry. You can get almost the exact same robotic vacuum with the Roomba j7+ that’s available on Amazon and many other places.
Roomba j8+ Features
Roomba j8+ Design, Size Dimensions, and Weight
With its stainless steel and black chrome appearance, the Roomba j8+ features a contemporary design that ensures you experience the “high-tech” sense of the Roomba as it cleans.
The Roomba’s top was equipped with three buttons: Home, Clean, and Spot Clean. The J8+ has been simplified by employing just the Clean button. On the smartphone app, which we’ll talk about later, the majority of the features and functionalities are still accessible.
It features the recognizable Roomba circular form and is comparable in height and weight to other models.
Here are the specs:
- Height: 8.6 cm (3.4 inches)
- Weight: 3.4 kg (7.49 lbs)
- Shape: Circular
Roomba j8+ Battery and Capacity
In comparison to the j7+, the iRobot Roomba j8+ has a bigger 4400 mAh lithium-ion battery. When it comes to charging and maximizing its run life to 150 minutes with a full charge, the battery is very effective.
The run time is not a crucial factor because the j8+ has the Recharge and Resume feature, which enables it to automatically recharge when the battery is low. You don’t have to give it much thought if it will be sufficient to clean a sizable house.
After a couple of hours, when it has completed recharging, they will pick up where they left off with the cleaning.
I appreciate that the Recharge and Resume feature eliminates the need for me to manually charge the Roomba during cleaning sessions. And the best part, if you get the j8+ Plus model with the Clean Base, there is no need to manually empty the dustbin.
Roomba j8+ Cleaning Technology System and Suction Power
The classic iRobot Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System on the Roomba j8+ still ranks as one of its key selling advantages since it lifts, lifts, and suctions up dirt and debris.
They combine brushes, high-efficiency HEPA filters, and cyclonic technology to purge the air of allergens and contaminants.
The Roomba J8+ has ten times the suction power of Roomba 600 series units. This makes it possible for it to gather dust and debris off of tile, hardwood, and carpeted floors.
Roomba j8+ Dual Brush Rollers and Edge Sweeping Brush
The Roomba j8+ robot vacuum has two multi-surface brush rollers in the heart of the device. The first part of the 3-stage cleaning procedure is a set of brushes. They mix up the carpets and other trash to make it easier to pick up dirt and debris.
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.
The j8+ comes with an edge sweeper brush 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 cleaning.
Another intriguing characteristic 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.
Roomba j8+ Filters and Dustbin Capacity
The Roomba 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 stores online, if you still desire them. The authentic iRobot filters won’t be as effective, so you’ll need to buy a third-party filter.
The Roomba j8+ has a nice size 500-ml washable dustbin, but you also don’t need to worry about the dustbin capacity because the Plus models include Clean Base units.
Roomba j8+ Plus – Clean Base and Self-Empty Feature
One of the best features of the j8+ is the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal Self-Emptying docking station.
On the Clean Base device, the Roomba j8+ vacuum recharges and docks. The j8+ will also be able to self-empty its waste into the dock’s dirt disposal bags.
The key advantage of the Clean Base unit is that you only need to empty the Clean Base once every 60 days. At the Clean Base, you can keep as much dirt, dust, and debris as you need for up to 60 days.
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.
The Roomba j8+ has a new PrecisionVision Navigation system with an internal camera that helps the robotic vacuum in avoiding objects like pet waste, electrical cords, and toys.
Many Roomba owners have been wishing the robots could steer clear of obstructions like dog and cat poop and it’s finally here with the j8+. You don’t need to remember to look for and pick up any pet waste off the floor before the Roomba starts cleaning as well.
The P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) warranty from iRobot is included with the Roomba j8+. If your Roomba rolls onto cat or dog feces, iRobot will replace your J8+ 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 Roomba j8+. To clean the various parts of your home, they will both help to map and design a floor plan layout for future cleaning.
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 j8+ will move in straight lines according on how your home is organized, making the cleaning efficient.
These two models allow you to create “Keep Out Zones” that the Roomba can be instructed to avoid cleaning through the iRobot app.
Utilizing the Imprint Smart Mapping Technology on the j8+, you can sync the cleaning maps with a Braava Jet M6 robot mop. That will make it possible for the m6 to start mopping any areas that the Roomba has already vacuumed.
iRobot Home App Powered by 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 can create cleaning schedules for the Roomba j8+ thanks to an update to iRobot Genius. Before creating customized cleaning schedules particularly for you, Genius will assess your personal cleaning habits.
The internet will also be used to research and plan for events like seasonal pet shedding, local pollen levels, and the optimum times to schedule extra cleanings to keep your home spotless.
The iRobot Home app gives you a bunch of extra features including:
- Smart Maps
- Voice control (with an Alexa smart device)
- Start, Pause, Stop Cleanings
- Zoned Cleaning
- Send Robot Back to Charge
- Cleaning History
Care and Maintenance
The Roomba robot vacuum must be continuously used in order to keep it operating well for as long as possible. You’ll be able to save time and money in the long run.
The battery may drain if it is left unused for extended periods of time and cease to function properly.
Here are some essential Roomba upkeep hints to keep your j8+ functioning like new:
- Empty and Clean Dustbin – After cleaning sessions, make sure the dustbin is empty and clean. Don’t let the dust and trash accumulate there. You can buy a self-emptying Roomba or manually empty your vacuum if the Roomba won’t empty itself since it’s not full.
- Clean the Filters – To prevent blockage, the Roomba filters should be cleaned frequently. Filters should be changed every few months. If you use the Roomba frequently or if your home is dirtier than usual, be sure to clean the filters.
- Clean the Brush Rollers – Remove pet and human hair from the brushes to prevent the motor from overheating. Clean the brush rollers. Because they can’t turn, the rollers will become stuck and start to heat up.
- Clean the Edge Sweeping Brush – Also be sure to clean the edge sweeping side brush of hair and dirt, so it doesn’t cause issues too.
Roomba i8+ vs j8+ What’s the Difference?
The Roomba i8+ and j8+ are similar robot vacuum cleaners but do have some key internal differences. The j8+ is the newer model and builds upon what the i8+ already has.
The biggest difference with the Roomba j8+ is that it has PrecisionVision Navigation and sensors that help it to avoid obstacles. The biggest worry of pet owners has always been the Roomba running over pet poop, but it can now avoid any pet waste.
The P.O.O.P. guarantee form iRobot will also replace the Roomba if the sensors ever fail avoiding pet poop.
Roomba j8+ Review Final Thoughts
The Roomba j8+ is an excellent robotic vacuum. The new Roomba j8+, avoids pet waste and offers the P.O.O.P. guarantee, highly recommended for pet owners.
The Roomba J8+ should also be purchased by families with children since it has Precision Vision Navigation, which enables the Roomba to avoid obstructions. My children frequently leave things lying around the home and obstacle avoidance is a great feature so the Roomba doesn’t get stuck.
And if you don’t have a Costco membership, you can get the Roomba j7+ on Amazon.
Check out these other articles for more information on other Roomba models:
- Roomba Combo j7+ Review
- Roomba j7+ vs j8+ Compared
- Roomba j7+ Review
- Roomba j7 and s9 compared
- Roomba j7 and i7 compared
Roomba j8+ Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Is the Roomba j8+ Worth It?
One of the best robot vacuums on the market, the Roomba j8+ is unquestionably worthwhile. This is the finest choice for you if you have pets and aren’t home all the time. There is no need to be concerned about pet feces being left around the home and being rolled over by the Roomba. Additionally, you don’t need to be present at home to manually dump the trash and charge the j8+. It’s all automatic.
Roomba j8+ vs j7+ – Which is Better?
The main differences between the Roomba j8+ and j7+ are different-sized batteries, the number of accessories, and the model number as one is only for Costco. The j7+ has a 2200 mAh battery, while the j8+ is double that at 4400 mAh offering about 150 minutes of run time. The j8+ also comes with an extra 4 dirt disposal bags instead of the 2 extra with the j7+.
Roomba j8+ vs s9+ – Which is Better?
The Roomba j8+ and s9+ are both at the top of the Roomba line-up, with the j8+ providing a better value. With its D-shaped form, the Roomba s9+ has an advantage while cleaning in corners and along walls. The Roomba j8+ has a traditional round shape. Additionally, the s9+ has 30 times greater suction power than the j8+, thus cleaning carpets better. But the j8+ has enhanced sensors to detect pet waste and obstructions on the floor, so it has an advantage there.
iRobot Roomba j8+ (8550)
The Roomba j8+ is the highest-priced robot vacuum at Costco, but it's well worth the money because of its ability to avoid obstacles like pet waste, cables...
4.7
Pros
- Large lithium-ion battery
- Up to 150 minutes of run time
- 4 extra dirt disposal bags
- P.O.O.P. Guarantee replacement
- PrecisionVision Navigation to avoid obstacles
Cons
- Higher price
