Roomba j7+ vs i7+ vs j9+: The j7+ hits the middle ground without the flagship tax

The j7+ costs $599 — not cheap, but avoids the $800+ flagship price. It has the same self-emptying base as pricier models, so you empty the bin once a month instead of every other day. The i7+ is older and sometimes cheaper, the j9+ is newer and more expensive. The j7+ gives you self-emptying, smart mapping, and pet stain detection without the flagship tax.