Are you trying to decide between the Roomba s9+ and Roomba i7+ robot vacuums? Both are excellent high-end models from iRobot with advanced features like smart mapping, automatic dustbin emptying, and Alexa/Google Assistant integration. But there are some key differences to be aware of. In this in-depth comparison, I‘ll break down how the s9+ and i7+ stack up in terms of cleaning performance, navigation, battery life, and more to help you choose the best robot vacuum for your needs.
First, let‘s start with an overview of the key features of each model:
Roomba s9+
- Released in May 2019
- D-shaped design for better edge/corner cleaning
- 40x suction power compared to Roomba 600 series
- Dual multi-surface rubber brushes and a corner brush
- vSLAM navigation and Smart Mapping
- "Dirt Detect" and "Power Boost" for high-traffic/dirty areas
- High-Efficiency Filter captures 99% of pollen and mold allergens
- 120 minute runtime
- Self-emptying dustbin with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal
- Compatible with iRobot HOME App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- MSRP $999.99
Roomba i7+
- Released in September 2018
- Round design
- 10x suction power compared to Roomba 600 series
- Dual multi-surface rubber brushes
- vSLAM navigation and Smart Mapping
- 75 minute runtime
- Self-emptying dustbin with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal
- Compatible with iRobot HOME App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- MSRP $799.99
So what are the most important differences between the s9+ and i7+? The s9+ is a newer, more advanced model with 4x the suction power of the i7+. In PCMag‘s testing, the s9+ picked up more debris from hardwood and low-pile carpet than any robot vacuum they‘ve tested. The D-shaped design, corner brush, and wider extractors allow the s9+ to clean edges and corners more thoroughly than the round i7+.
The s9+ also has a longer 120 minute runtime compared to 75 minutes for the i7+. This allows the s9+ to cover more ground before needing to recharge. When the battery runs low, both models will return to the dock, recharge, and resume cleaning automatically until the job is done.
Both vacuums use a navigation system called vSLAM (visual simultaneous localization and mapping). Optical sensors scan the room to create a map of the space, which the robots use to plan an efficient cleaning route. You can view the map in the iRobot app and label specific rooms. This allows you to schedule or initiate cleaning jobs for specific rooms on demand.
The i7+ and s9+ are currently the only Roomba models that have automatic dustbin emptying. When the robot docks after a cleaning job, the Clean Base sucks all the collected dirt and debris into an enclosed disposable bag, which holds around 30 bins worth of debris. This is a very convenient feature that drastically reduces how often you need to interact with your robot vacuum.
Differences start to emerge in the cleaning performance, though. The s9+ has a more advanced "3-stage cleaning system" with its dual multi-surface rubber brushes and a specially designed corner brush. The i7+ lacks the corner brush. The s9+‘s brushes are 30% wider than the i7+‘s and have 5 tread patterns for increased cleaning surface area.
This translates to better pickup performance, especially along edges and in corners. In Roomba‘s internal testing, the s9+ had 40% better pickup performance than the i7+ for various debris types. The s9+ was especially impressive at picking up sand, an area where many robot vacuums struggle.
The s9+ also has a few extra features the i7+ lacks. The "Power Boost" function automatically increases suction on carpets for deeper cleaning. And "Dirt Detect" uses optical and acoustic sensors to find dirtier areas and focus cleaning there. The s9+‘s High-Efficiency Filter captures 99% of pollen and mold allergens as small as 0.5 microns, while the i7+ has a less advanced AeroForce filter.
Of course, the s9+‘s superior performance and features come at a cost. The s9+ has an MSRP of $999 compared to $799 for the i7+, although you can often find both models on sale for less. For most people, the i7+ offers an excellent balance of features and performance at a more palatable price.
However, if you have a larger home, lots of carpets, or are very concerned about fine dust/allergens, the s9+‘s extra suction power, filtration, and runtime will be worth the premium. The automatic dustbin emptying is a game-changing convenience that you‘ll appreciate in any home.
The s9+ and i7+ share many great features like vSLAM navigation, Smart Mapping, voice control, and automatic resuming. You can‘t go wrong with either, but the s9+ is the best performing robot vacuum on the market if you can stomach the price. For most people, though, the i7+ hits the sweet spot of advanced features and performance at a somewhat more reasonable cost. Consider your budget and how much vacuum performance you really need when deciding between them.