Top 3 Robot Vacuums Compared

Robot vacuums have become a staple in many homes, offering a convenient and time-saving way to keep floors clean. But with a plethora of options available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This article compares the top three contenders in the robot vacuum market – the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, the Roborock Q7 Max+, and the Ecovacs DEEBOT T20 Omni – to help you make an informed decision.

Cleaning Performance

Suction Power: All three vacuums boast impressive suction power, capable of tackling dust, debris, and pet hair. The Roomba Combo J7 Plus utilizes a premium rubber brush design that minimizes tangles, making it ideal for pet owners. The Roborock Q7 Max+ employs a multi-surface rubber brush that transitions seamlessly between carpets and hard floors. The DEEBOT T20 Omni features a dual-fan system for enhanced suction, particularly effective on carpets.

Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance: The Roomba Combo J7 Plus excels in navigation with its intelligent Roomba OS and PrecisionVision Navigation. It can identify and avoid obstacles like cords and pet waste, making it suitable for cluttered environments. The Roborock Q7 Max+ utilizes LiDAR navigation for precise mapping and obstacle detection. It offers a ReactiveAI 2.0 system that recognizes and avoids common household objects. The DEEBOT T20 Omni utilizes TrueMapping 2.0 with dToF sensors for detailed mapping and object recognition.

Mopping Functionality: Both the Roomba Combo J7 Plus and the DEEBOT T20 Omni boast 2-in-1 vacuuming and mopping capabilities. The Roomba Combo J7 Plus uses a vibrating mop head and adjustable water flow for effective yet gentle mopping. The DEEBOT T20 Omni features an oscillating mop with an automatic mop-lifting function when transitioning from carpets to hard floors. The Roborock Q7 Max+ is a pure vacuuming robot, but a separate Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra mop can be purchased for a complete cleaning solution.

Smart Features and App Control

App Functionality: All three vacuums come with user-friendly apps that allow for scheduling cleaning sessions, setting virtual no-go zones, and monitoring cleaning progress. The iRobot Home app is intuitive and well-designed, while the Roborock app offers advanced features like multi-map management and object recognition. The Ecovacs Home app provides voice control integration and allows for setting cleaning parameters for specific zones.

Smart Mapping and Automation: The Roomba Combo J7 Plus uses intelligent mapping with Imprint Smart Mapping to learn your home layout. You can define cleaning routines, set no-go zones, and choose specific rooms for cleaning. The Roborock Q7 Max+ allows for multi-floor mapping and offers scheduled cleaning routines with adjustable suction power for different rooms. The DEEBOT T20 Omni creates detailed maps with its TrueMapping 2.0 technology. It supports multi-floor mapping and allows for setting no-go zones and virtual boundaries.

Voice Control Integration: All three vacuums work with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This allows for hands-free control, letting you start, stop, or schedule cleaning sessions with simple voice commands.

Self-Emptying and Maintenance

Self-Emptying Base Stations: The Roomba Combo J7 Plus and the DEEBOT T20 Omni come with self-emptying base stations that automatically collect dirt and debris after cleaning cycles. This significantly reduces the need to manually empty the dustbin, offering greater convenience. The Roborock Q7 Max+ does not have a self-emptying base station included, but a compatible base can be purchased separately.

Brush and Filter Maintenance: All three robot vacuums require regular brush and filter maintenance. The Roomba Combo J7 Plus features debris extractors that prevent tangled hair from hindering brush performance. The Roborock Q7 Max+ utilizes a floating main brush that automatically adjusts to uneven surfaces. The DEEBOT T20 Omni boasts an OZMO Pro 3.0 mopping system with a disposable mop head that minimizes cleaning maintenance.

Price and Value Proposition

iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus: As the most expensive option among the three, the Roomba Combo J7 Plus stands out for its advanced obstacle avoidance, self-emptying base station, and pet-hair handling capabilities.

Roborock Q7 Max+: The Roborock Q7 Max+ offers a balance between features and price. Its powerful suction, LiDAR navigation, and multi-floor mapping make it a strong contender. However, the lack of a self-emptying base station in the base package might be a drawback for some

Roomba Battery Replacement

The intelligence of the Roomba vacuum lies in the complex electronics and algorithms to chart optimal cleaning routines but the heart of the Roomba is like all other electronic devices, its power source.

Roomba runs on batteries and on a new set of batteries, Roomba should run at least an hour before dying in action or making a successful run back to the charging dock to refill its juices.

Since Roomba is so automated, most people will rarely be home while Roomba is in operation except for the initial acquaintance phase where new Roomba owners go gaga over the new family member and marvel over every knock and turn the new "pet" performs. However, Roomba battery life is limited. After putting in months of conscientious work, it is inevitable that Roomba's battery no longer holds as much a charge when new or discharges much more quickly than expected.

The first sure signs of Roomba's battery failing is that it begins to get stranded at weird locations when it had been able to return to the charging dock previously. This arises as Roomba's intelligent circuitry fails to appreciate the failure of the battery as it performs more and more erratically.

Many people have tried to "revive" the Roomba battery by performing things like deep discharge but realistically speaking, if the Roomba had been running daily for more than a year, it is most likely easier to just proceed with getting a battery replacement.

Getting a replacement battery is most easily achieved by seeking out a local Roomba parallel importer and paying around $80 for a compatible battery. An original iRobot battery is not really necessary as the premium paid for it does not accord a much longer battery operating life. Another alternative is to ship a battery back to Singapore since there are many USA based stores that offer Roomba batteries at good prices, however, after factoring in the shipping costs as well as an uncertainty over whether batteries, commonly listed as prohibited shipping items, will be shipped successfully, the costs savings are not significant enough for the extra efforts needed.

Parallel Importing Roomba/Scooba

For many people, the differences in costs between buying from the authorised dealer and getting a parallel import set (self import or otherwise), justifies the extra bit of hassle. Roomba and Scooba are relatively well made products that typically outlast the first year warranty and iRobot enthusiasts have been tinkering with Roomba for ages.

There are tonnes of guides online put forth by enthusiasts on how to troubleshoot the robotic vacuums and some even go as far as to put in customisations that purportedly improve the performance of the vacuums. If all else fails and you need help to fix your roomba, roomba enthusiasts do help resolve the issues for a fraction of the penalty that the authorised dealer imposes on parallel imported sets.

Parallel importing of the Roomba is relatively straightforward. The easiest one is that if you or a friend travels to USA, you can make the purchase there and bring it back yourself. For those whom are not planning a trip to USA anytime soon, the growth of forwarding services like Comgateway, BorderLinx, ViaAddress, etc help you make the purchase and send it back to Singapore at a fraction of the air ticket.