I was a robot vacuum skeptic, then I tried the iRobot Roomba j7+

I'd always used a manual vacuum to clean my apartment. I believed that my stick vacuum offered more control and cleaned more efficiently than a robot vacuum could. Then I tried the iRobot Roomba j7+. This top-rated robot vacuum totally changed my mind.

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iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum, $599 (reduced from $800)

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iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal, $445 (reduced from $599)

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Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum with object recognition, $1,099 (reduced from $1,299)

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I work from home, and vacuuming is one of my least favorite chores. I think it's incredibly time-consuming, boring and noisy. Plus, I hate emptying the dustbin. If you're anything like me, your dustbin is basically just a large hair ball studded with bits of dirt and crumbs. However, I was willing to suffer through all of this because I thought manually vacuuming my apartment was a necessary chore that would give my space the best clean.

Reader, I was wrong.

I am a commerce expert. I have read countless robot vacuum reviews to bring you pieces such as the best early Black Friday robot vacuum deals and the best smart robot vacuums.

But because I have seen reviewers both praise and disparage these smart cleaning devices, I wasn't sure that a robot vacuum would be right for me. I worried that a robot vacuum might not be up to the task and that I would surely have to use my stick vacuum after.

Fortunately, iRobot offered to send me one of the brand's top-rated robot vacuums to test: the iRobot Roomba j7+.

iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum

I tried the iRobot Roomba j7+. The iRobot Roomba j7+ is one of the most advanced robot vacuums on the market. This 4.4-star-rated robot vacuum continuously learns and adapts to the layout of your home for a more thorough and efficient cleaning.

It is also the first iRobot Roomba model to include advanced object recognition and avoidance.

You can save $200 on the iRobot Roomba j7+ at Amazon now.

iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum, $599 (reduced from $800)

$599 at Amazon

How I setup my robot vacuum

I named my robot vacuum Sally.

Sally is an impressive size. I wasn't expecting the robot vacuum to be as large as it is, or as sturdy. After I downloaded the iRobot app and paired Sally with my Wi-Fi, my Roomba reversed out of its docking station and began mapping my home. Sally rolled from room to room, its camera eye taking in any potential obstacles in its surroundings. I noticed that this robot vacuum is virtually silent on carpet. It does make noise on my floors, though it's not nearly as loud as my stick vacuum.

Once Sally was done mapping, the iRobot app had a layout of my apartment. I could select specific rooms and areas that I wanted Sally to clean, make a weekly cleaning schedule or ask my Roomba clean everywhere. Since I hadn't vacuumed yet this week, I asked Sally to clean my whole apartment.

"Sally" the iRobot Roomba in its charging station. Courtesy of Lily Rose

What it's like to use a robot vacuum for the first time

I followed behind my Roomba, watching it suck up dust and hair littered about my living room. We've long-touted this robot vacuum as a pet owner must-have. Well, I don't have any pets. But I do have really long hair that I like to play with while I sit on the couch and watch tv, so I shed a lot. Unlike my stick vacuum, I noticed that the iRobot Roomba j7+ was able to suck up any hairs without getting them tangled or stuck in the machine. When I manually vacuum, I typically miss random strands. But because this Roomba covered every square inch of the room, I feel like it picked up pieces I usually wouldn't see.

The iRobot Roomba in action. Courtesy of Lily Rose

I noticed that the Roomba did not suck up any charging cords or bath mats and that it avoided several pairs of my boyfriend's strewn-about shoes. The iRobot device was also able to easily maneuver out places where I thought it might get stuck: under kitchen chairs, the floor of my closet and in between various potted plants.

Shop the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum

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Here's how well the Roomba j7+ cleans

Eventually, I got bored of watching my robot vacuum work and sat down. Not having to monitor the Roomba felt especially nice. You can ask the iRobot Roomba j7+ to do a single or double pass around your space when it cleans. I asked Sally to do two, thinking one might not be enough. When the Roomba finished, I looked around and was pleasantly surprised. Sally did a great job sucking up all the hair, dust and debris on my floors. The robot vacuum was even able to find and eliminate the hard-to-reach dust bunnies under my dresser and bookshelves. I was so pleased with my cleaning that I didn't feel the need to use my stick vacuum after.

The app notified me with cleaning recommendations. Sally offered extra scheduled cleanings for messy areas and let me review potential obstructions. With that knowledge, I was able to come up with the perfect weekly vacuuming schedule for my apartment.

I am now a robot vacuum fan. I'm likely going to purchase robot vacuums for everyone in my family. No wonder the iRobot Roomba j7+ is one of our 2022 most-wanted holiday gifts.

Shop the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum

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Shop more top-rated robot vacuums on sale now

If the iRobot Roomba j7+ isn't exactly what you're looking for, discover more top-rated robot vacuums below. All of these robot vacuums are on sale now.

You can also check out our robot vacuum buying guide.

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal: $445

irobot-roomba-i3-robot-vacuum-with-automatic-dirt-disposal.jpg — Amazon

The iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO uses "Imprint Smart Mapping" technology to map your home. Use your connected phone to direct the Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuum to clean any room you want. You can even schedule a future clean. This Roomba is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The smart appliance learns your cleaning habits and can suggest extra cleanings during peak pollen and pet-shedding seasons. And don't even worry about dumping out your dustbin. The Roomba i3+ EVO features iRobot's "Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal" system and empties your accumulated dirt into an enclosed bag.

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal, $445 (reduced from $599)

$445 at Amazon

iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum: $166

The Roomba 694 is Wi-Fi-enabled. Control the vac with your connected smartphone or device via the iRobot Home app. The Roomba 694 has a 90-minute run time before it automatically docks and recharges.

On Amazon, one reviewer praised the iRobot device's ability to keep a pet-friendly household clean. "We have two dogs, one that sheds moderately," the customer wrote. "I purchased in hopes that it at least would help between regular vacuuming. I vacuumed first with my Dyson then set it free. When it was done with the job, I didn't expect much in the dust trap... I was wrong! It was full! Super impressed."

iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum, $166 (reduced from $274)

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Samsung Jet Bot+ robot vacuum with Clean Station: $690

While this more affordable Jet Bot+ robot vacuum by Samsung doesn't feature 3D recognition with AI, it does have LiDAR sensor navigation, five watts of adjustable suction and the all-important self-emptying Clean Station.

Mapping can be controlled via your phone with the Samsung SmartThings App. Remotely check the Jet Bot+'s cleaning status, pause or stop cleaning and view the cleaning history.

Samsung Jet Bot+ robot vacuum with clean station, $690 (reduced from $799)

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Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum with object recognition: $1,099

Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum with Object Recognition — Samsung

The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum has a bunch of cool features, including 30 watts of adjustable suction, 3D object recognition with AI and powerful LiDAR navigation. This robot vacuum can recognize what objects to avoid, so you won't have to deal with it constantly crashing into the couch or a pile of laundry on the floor. Have a very specific clean in mind? Mapping can be controlled via your phone.

You can even watch your robot vacuum operate no matter where you are, using Samsung's SmartThings App. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a front camera that can live stream in real time. It boasts its own no-touch "Clean Station" that will empty your dustbin using Samsung's Air Pulse technology. The vacuum's 0.2 liter dustbin is fully washable.

Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum with object recognition, $1,099 (reduced from $1,299)

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Roborock Q5+ with self-empty dock: $600

This 4.6-star-rated robot vacuum by Roborock comes with serious smarts: It uses LiDAR navigation to create an editable map of your home, so it knows not to bump into furniture or tumble down steps. It supports app- and voice-based controls. The Roborock Q5+ comes complete with a 2.5-liter filtered cleaning station that promises seven weeks of hands-free cleaning before it requires emptying.

Roborock Q5+ robot vacuum, $600 after coupon (reduced from $700)

$600 at Amazon

If you opt for a Roborock robot vacuum that you empty yourself, you can save a bit of money.

Roborock Q5 robot vacuum, $330 after coupon (reduced from $430)

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Yeedi Vac 2 robot vacuum and mop: $245

Need a robot vacuum and a mop? Check out the budget-minded Yeedi Vac 2, on sale on Amazon. This multi-purpose cleaning device features 3D object avoidance which allows it to recognize any objects in its path and move around them to avoid getting stuck. It's designed to avoid your dog's food bowl, water bowl and dog toys.

Yeedi Vac 2 robot vacuum and mop, $245 after coupon (reduced from $350)

$245 at Amazon

The upgraded Yeedi Vac 2 Pro version with a longer run time is also on sale as part of the Amazon early Black Friday sale.

Yeedi Vac 2 Pro robot vacuum and mop, $345 after coupon (reduced from $450)

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Eufy RoboVac X8: $350

Eufy (an Anker brand) makes some of the best-rated budget robot vacuums you can buy on Amazon. The 4.4-star-rated Eufy RoboVac X8 features twin turbines that generate 2,000Pa of suction, LiDAR-based (laser) navigation and AI mapping technology. It's Wi-Fi enabled, too -- you can view and edit maps of your home on your phone, creating no-go zones you want the vacuum to avoid.

Eufy RoboVac X8, $350 (reduced from $500)

$350 at Amazon

Shark IQ Robot vacuum with self-emptying base: $407

This 4.4-star-rated Shark IQ Robot vacuum (RV912S) cleans your whole home in neat rows. It lacks the advanced smarts of more expensive robot vacuums, but this is one of the most affordable robot vacuums with a self-emptying base you'll find.

This Shark model comes with a 45-day capacity cleaning base.

Shark IQ Robot vacuum with self-emptying base, $407 (reduced from $650)

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Shark Ion robot vacuum: $205

This Shark robot vac features side brushes, channel brushes and a multi-surface brush roll to handle dirt and debris on all surfaces. Use the SharkClean app on your connected smartphone or device to control when -- and where -- your robot vacuum cleans. The vac offers 120 minutes of run time. Choose from three colors.

Shark Ion robot vacuum (gray), $205 (reduced from $230)

$205 at Amazon

Lefant M210 robot vacuum cleaner: $100

Lefant's M210 robot vac features built-in, anti-collision infrared sensors so it won't bang into its surroundings. The robot vacuum detects "stuck areas," and adjusts its cleaning path automatically. Download the Lefant app to pair the Wi-Fi-enabled vac with your smartphone or device -- the better to control the appliance remotely. The robot vacuum features 100 minutes of run time.

Lefant M210 robot vacuum cleaner, $100 (reduced from $260)

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Laresar Grande 1 self-charging robotic vacuum: $153

This Laresar smart robot can vacuum and mop your floors (water tank sold separately). The machine is equipped with sensors that detect stairs and prevent falls. The robot vacuum is Wi-Fi compatible and can be controlled by smartphone. Download the Laresmart app to schedule cleanings, swap cleaning modes and control cleaning direction.

Laresar Grande 1 self-charging robotic vacuum, $153 after coupon (reduced from $200)

$153 at Amazon