⚡️ Quick Verdict - IROBOT Roomba s9+ (2019)
- Best For: Large homes with various floor types and pet owners seeking deep cleaning and automation.
- Strengths: Exceptional suction power, effective corner cleaning with D-shape design, convenient self-emptying, precise mapping.
- Drawbacks: High noise level during operation and emptying, premium cost, occasional navigation quirks.
- Verdict: A powerful, premium robot vacuum known for deep cleaning, particularly on carpets, and the convenience of automatic dirt disposal.
⚖️ Pros & Cons Explained
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Performance | Users report superior suction power, especially noticeable on carpets, lifting deeply embedded dirt and pet hair. The D-shaped design is frequently praised for its ability to reach into corners and along edges effectively. | Some users note that while powerful, it can occasionally miss small debris or areas, requiring a second pass. Its deep cleaning can be slower than some other models. |
| Navigation & Mapping | The robot is able to map homes accurately and allows for zone cleaning and 'keep out' zones via the app. Users appreciate its ability to learn floor plans and navigate methodically. | A common complaint is that the robot can be somewhat aggressive when encountering furniture, occasionally bumping into objects with more force than desired. Some report initial setup of mapping can be time-consuming. |
| Self-Emptying Feature | The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal is highly valued for its convenience and hands-free operation, significantly reducing how often users need to interact with the robot. It's especially beneficial for pet owners. | The noise produced during the self-emptying cycle is very loud, often described as similar to a full-sized vacuum cleaner. Replacement dirt disposal bags are an ongoing consumable cost. |
| Design & Build | The D-shape is a clear advantage for edge-to-edge cleaning. The materials feel premium and durable, contributing to a robust build quality. | Its taller profile, due to the D-shape and sensors, means it may have difficulty fitting under some lower furniture compared to rounder, flatter robots. |
| App Control & Features | The iRobot Home app provides intuitive control, allowing users to schedule cleanings, define specific areas, and monitor cleaning progress. Integration with smart home assistants is generally seamless and responsive. | Some users have reported occasional connectivity issues or minor software glitches that require app restarts. The initial learning curve for advanced mapping features can be a bit steep for some. |
🔧 What’s Included? & Why It Matters
| Component/Technology | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| IROBOT Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum | The primary cleaning unit, featuring a D-shaped design for edge cleaning and powerful suction for deep dirt removal. |
| Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal | Allows the robot to automatically empty its dustbin into a sealed bag, providing hands-free operation for weeks. This greatly enhances convenience. |
| Charging Station | Serves as the robot's home base for charging and for the Clean Base unit. |
| 1 Extra Dirt Disposal Bag | Provides an immediate replacement for the bag in the Clean Base, ensuring continued convenient operation. |
| 1 Extra High-Efficiency Filter | Allows for filter replacement, maintaining optimal filtration and suction performance over time, crucial for allergy sufferers. |
| 1 Extra Corner Brush | Provides a replacement for the side brush, which is essential for sweeping debris from edges and corners into the robot's path. |
| Line Cord | Powers the Clean Base and charging station. |
| Imprint Smart Mapping | Allows the robot to learn, map, and adapt to your home, enabling room-specific cleaning and 'keep out' zones for personalized control. |
| PerfectEdge Technology (D-Shape Design & Corner Brush) | Maximizes cleaning coverage in corners and along walls, an area often missed by round robot vacuums. |
| Powerful Suction (up to 40x the suction of Roomba 600 series) | Ensures deep cleaning on various surfaces, particularly effective at pulling dirt and pet hair from carpets. |
💰 Is It Worth It? – Value & Cost Efficiency
| Aspect | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Offers top-tier cleaning performance and advanced features that provide significant time savings and convenience, potentially justifying the cost for those prioritizing these aspects. | The initial purchase price is notably high, placing it in the premium segment of the robot vacuum market. |
| Maintenance & Consumables | Filters and brushes are replaceable, allowing for long-term use with proper care. The self-emptying bags hold a significant amount of debris, reducing frequent changes. | The proprietary dirt disposal bags are an ongoing expense. While filters and brushes are replaceable, they also contribute to long-term ownership costs. |
| Time & Effort Savings | The self-emptying feature and advanced mapping capabilities drastically reduce the manual effort required for vacuuming, making it highly valuable for busy individuals or large homes. | Requires occasional human intervention for maintenance, such as untangling brushes or cleaning sensors, which is standard for most robot vacuums but still a task. |
| Durability & Longevity | Constructed with durable materials, suggesting a longer lifespan than some less expensive alternatives. Software updates can also enhance functionality over time. | Like all complex electronics, potential for wear and tear on moving parts over several years, requiring eventual replacement parts or servicing. |
🔁 iRobot Comparison – How This Version Improves Over Previous Models
| Aspect | Roomba i7+ (2018) | IROBOT Roomba s9+ (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Power (Suction) | Good suction (10x the suction of Roomba 600 series) | Exceptional suction (40x the suction of Roomba 600 series), significantly more powerful, especially for deep carpets. |
| Design & Edge Cleaning | Traditional round design, effective but can struggle with corners. | D-shaped design with PerfectEdge Technology, specifically engineered for superior corner and edge cleaning. |
| Navigation & Mapping | Imprint Smart Mapping, learns floor plan. | Imprint Smart Mapping, learns floor plan, slightly improved obstacle avoidance and more precise movements. |
| Brush System | Dual multi-surface rubber brushes. | Wider dual multi-surface rubber brushes, covering more surface area per pass. |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | Features the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal. | Features the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, same functionality. |
⚔️ Alternatives vs IROBOT Roomba s9+ (2019)
| Aspect | Roborock S6 MaxV | Neato Botvac D7 Connected | IROBOT Roomba s9+ (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Power (Suction) | Strong suction (2500 Pa) suitable for various surfaces. | Good suction (up to 2000 Pa) with a wide brush. | Exceptional suction (40x Roomba 600 series, comparable to 2500+ Pa at the motor), especially for deep carpets. |
| Navigation Technology | Lidar Navigation + ReactiveAI (camera-based object avoidance) for precise mapping and obstacle recognition. | Lidar Navigation for efficient, systematic cleaning. | vSLAM (visual simultaneous localization and mapping) for learning and mapping. |
| Design & Edge Cleaning | Round design, with side brush for edges. | D-shaped design for improved corner and edge access. | D-shaped design with PerfectEdge Technology for superior corner and edge cleaning. |
| Mopping Functionality | Integrated wet mopping capability. | No mopping function. | No mopping function. |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | Optional auto-empty dock available separately. | Optional auto-empty base available separately. | Included Clean Base for automatic dirt disposal. |
💡 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Does the Roomba s9+ handle pet hair effectively? Yes, the Roomba s9+ is highly regarded for its ability to pick up pet hair on both hard floors and carpets due to its powerful suction and wider rubber brushes. The self-emptying base is particularly beneficial for pet owners.
- Can the Roomba s9+ clean multiple rooms or floors? Yes, it uses Imprint Smart Mapping to learn and remember multiple floor plans. You can direct it to clean specific rooms or areas, and if moved to a different floor that has been mapped, it can recognize its location.
- How often do I need to replace the dirt disposal bags in the Clean Base? The frequency depends on usage and home environment (e.g., presence of pets, amount of dirt). Typically, a bag can hold up to 60 days of debris. The iRobot Home app will notify you when a bag is full.
- Is the Roomba s9+ loud during operation? During normal vacuuming, it is generally quieter than a traditional upright vacuum, but still produces a noticeable hum. The self-emptying cycle into the Clean Base is considerably loud, similar to a full-sized vacuum, but only lasts for about 10-15 seconds.
- Does it avoid obstacles and ledges well? It uses advanced sensors and vSLAM navigation to navigate effectively, avoiding most large obstacles and preventing falls down stairs. While generally good, it may occasionally bump into new or small objects.
👍 Positive Reviews - What Users Love
- Many users are impressed by how much dirt, dust, and pet hair the robot collects, especially from carpets, often more than they expected from a robot vacuum.
- The self-emptying feature is consistently praised for its convenience and for reducing the need for frequent manual dustbin emptying.
- Users appreciate the ability to set specific cleaning zones and 'keep out' zones, giving them precise control over where the robot cleans.
- The D-shaped design receives positive feedback for its ability to clean corners and edges more thoroughly than round robots.
- The overall build quality and robust feel of the unit instill confidence in its durability.
👎 Negative Reviews - What Could Be Better
- A common complaint is the very loud noise produced during the self-emptying process, which can be startling or disruptive, particularly in quiet environments.
- Some users report that the robot can be somewhat aggressive in its navigation, occasionally bumping into furniture or walls with more force than expected, potentially leaving marks.
- The initial setup and mapping process can be challenging or require multiple runs for some users to get an accurate and complete map of their home.
- A few users have experienced occasional app connectivity issues or minor software glitches that affect the robot's performance or scheduling.
- The ongoing cost of replacement dirt disposal bags and filters is a minor concern for some long-term users.
📋 Key Details & Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Name | IROBOT Roomba s9+ |
| Release Year | 2019 |
| Navigation Technology | vSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) with Imprint Smart Mapping |
| Suction Power | 40x the suction of Roomba 600 series |
| Design | D-shaped with PerfectEdge Technology |
| Brush System | Wider Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes |
| Dirt Disposal | Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal (included) |
| Dustbin Capacity (Robot) | Approx. 0.4 Liters |
| Clean Base Bag Capacity | Holds up to 60 days of debris |
| Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter (traps 99% of cat and dog allergens) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, compatible with iRobot Home App, Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Recharge & Resume | Yes |
| Targeted Cleaning | Yes (via Imprint Smart Mapping) |
| Dimensions (Robot) | Approx. 12.25" W x 3.5" H (31.1 cm W x 8.9 cm H) |
| Weight (Robot) | Approx. 8.15 lbs (3.7 kg) |
🔚 Summary – Is This the Right Choice for You?
- The IROBOT Roomba s9+ (2019) stands out as a high-performance robot vacuum engineered for thorough cleaning, particularly excelling on carpets and in navigating corners due to its unique D-shaped design.
- Its strongest selling point is arguably the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which provides unparalleled convenience by allowing the robot to empty itself for weeks, making it a significant time-saver for busy households.
- While its suction power and advanced mapping capabilities are top-tier, potential buyers should be aware of its premium price point and the considerable noise generated during the self-emptying process.
- This robot is best suited for homeowners with large spaces, multiple floor types, and pets who prioritize powerful cleaning performance and hands-free automation, and are willing to invest in a premium smart home appliance.
- However, for those on a tighter budget or in smaller living spaces where maximum suction power and self-emptying aren't absolute necessities, other Roomba models or alternatives might offer sufficient performance at a lower cost.
