Roomba S9+ vs. i7+: 6 Key Differences and Full Comparison

Robotic vacuum cleaners have come a long way since their introduction in 2002. iRobot has been a dominant brand in the market, and it’s not a surprise as they make significant advancements with every newly released model. Today, we look at their two recent models, the Roomba S9+ vs. i7+, which have the most advanced robot floor-cleaning technology. 

One feature that has caught everyones’ attention is the automatic dirt disposal technology we didn’t enjoy on iRobot’s previous models. However, there is more to know about the Roomba S9+ vs. i7+ to land the best, depending on your cleaning needs. Keep reading to find out the key differences between these two powerful vacuum cleaners. 

Roomba S9+ vs. i7+: Side-By-Side Comparison

Deep Cleaning

iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal

$799.00

• Automatically increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets with power boost technology
• Empties on its own
• With vSLAM navigation, the s9 learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps
• Has a specially designed Corner Brush to optimize cleaning deep into corners and along edges

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04/04/2023 08:24 pm GMT

Roomba S9+ vs. i7+: What’s the Difference?

The Roomba i7+ was released in 2018 with a heavy price tag. But after studying its features, many agree it is worth the price. In 2019, iRobot introduced the Roomba S9+, which they claim to be the smartest, most powerful robot vacuum yet. It is also more expensive than the Roomba i7+. So, what are the significant differences that make the Roomba S9+ more valued than the Roomba i7+? Let’s have a look.

Design 

You can distinguish the Roomba S9+ from the Roomba i7+ by their appearance. iRobot designed the i7+ with a circular shape, while the S9+ is D-shaped. However, does the shape add any value? Yes, you will notice that the Roomba S9+, with its squared front, cleans better on your room’s trims, walls, and edges, unlike the round-shaped i7+. Roomba S9+ operates better because its square front allows it to touch the sharp corners of your house. That’s why iRobot says it has PerfectEdge Technology.

Apart from the shape, the two bots’ side brushes and multi-surface rubber brushes are built differently. The i7+ has a 3-arm edge-sweeping brush placed at the front right side of the bot. On the other hand, the S9+ has a 5-arm side brush perfectly positioned at the front corner, allowing it to sweep off dirt quickly and effectively. The rubber rollers are placed in almost the same position. The slight difference is that S9+ rollers are thicker and longer than the ones i7+ uses.

It also has a base station uniquely designed to be a self-emptying Clean Base and also acts as a charging dock. Unlike previous models where you are physically forced to empty the vacuum cleaner, the i7+ and S9+ have made work easier with a self-emptying bin.

Finally, let’s look at the size of both Roombas. The S9+ measures 12.3 x 3.5 inches, while the i7+ measures 13.3 x 3.7 inches, making the i7+ slightly bulkier. The difference in size isn’t much, but it will count when the robot has to clean into small spaces, such as under the couch.

Suction Power

Understanding the suction capacity of the vacuum cleaner you intend to buy is crucial because it shows its power output. The S9+ has more suction power than the i7+, which iRobot claim is 40x that of the Roomba 600 series. The S9+ has also been developed with Power Boost, which is significant in cleaning carpets. It works by increasing the suction power when cleaning the carpet, ensuring it eliminates all dirt hidden deep in the fibers. 

Looking at the i7+, we can’t deny it has reliable suction power, unlike most robotic vacuum cleaners, but it’s not enough to overpower that of the S9+. In comparison, the i7+ beats the Roomba 600 series with 10x more power. Unfortunately, it lacks Power Boost, which makes most buyers prefer the S9+ for carpet cleaning.

The Navigation System

The robotic vacuum cleaners will not significantly differ from the physical vacuum cleaners if it has a poor navigation system. Both the i7+ and S9+ have remarkable navigation features, including Smart Mapping, which allows you to decide which rooms are cleaned. You can select up to 10 floors where you want the robot vacuum cleaner to operate. Another plus with both Roombas is the ability to connect to Alexa and Google Assistant, providing an easy option to issue cleaning commands. 

Both Roombas have a forward-facing camera that helps to map your home for better navigation while cleaning. The bots can avoid sensitive areas such as children’s play zones and where pet bowls are placed. Generally, both Roombas have the best navigation system you won’t likely find on most robotic vacuum cleaners. 

Features

A major advancement made on both i7+ and S9+ is the Imprint Link Technology which enables the two bots to team up with Braava jet m series Robot Mop in cleaning your home. It works by automatically activating the Braava jet m series Robot Mop to start mopping as soon as the robot vacuum is done cleaning. This way, you will always have a super clean house. 

You also get the iRobot Home app that supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The feature allows you to customize your cleaning program depending on your schedule. You can also determine which rooms will be cleaned at a given time. 

Another special feature is dirt detection. But this is only available on the S9+, making it more reliable in cleaning stubborn dirt than the i7+. On top of that, the S9+ has built-in anti-allergen technology, ensuring all dirt is locked on the bot. iRobot claims the feature effectively traps up to 99% of mold, pollen, and dust mite allergens.

Cleaning Performance

Bot’s features and suction power hugely impact the cleaning performance. So, we expect the S9+ to perform better than the i7+. But on average, both Roombas are perfectly designed to meet all your cleaning needs. So, you will never go wrong with either model. 

Both bots have a long side brush and a slick multi-surface rubber roller that collects all the dirt from your floor. However, the D-shape of the S9+ gives it an upper hand against the i7+ in cleaning the edges and trims of your house.  

Another upside of the S9+ is the Power Boost and anti-allergen system, which enhances its cleaning, especially on the carpets. Although the i7+’s performance is above average, it doesn’t match the S9+ when cleaning dirt and fur from your carpet. Therefore, if you have pets, it would be best to get the S9+ as it can detect about 99% of fur on the floor. 

What is also impressive about these powerful robotic vacuum cleaners is that they include a recharge and resume feature. As the name suggests, the feature allows the bot to return to its base to recharge and resume cleaning after the process is complete. Finally, the self-emptying bin is something you wouldn’t want to miss, as it automates the entire cleaning process. One of the drawbacks of both Roombas is the irritating noise during the automatic dirt disposal process, which is very annoying. So, we hope iRobot will improve the problem to make the two Roombas some of the best robotic vacuum cleaners in the market. 

Price and Availability

The two Roombas are more expensive than most robotic vacuum cleaners. But they are worthy as they include modern technology that ensures you get the best cleaning experience. The i7+ is priced at $599, while the latest iRobot model is priced at $799. Note that you can get both models at a lower cost without the self-emptying bin, but they are usually listed as s9 and i7 models. 

Regarding availability, the S9+ is widely available compared to the i7+. At the moment, only the S9+ is available on iRobot’s website. So, if you decide on the i7+, you will have to buy it from other retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

The History of Roomba S9+

In September 2002, the Roomba series was introduced by iRobot. The name “Roomba” represents the powerful autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners made to replace physical vacuum cleaners. iRobot started with the Original series, then the Discovery and 400 series, and has consistently improved the vacuum cleaning technology on every newly released model. The Roomba S9+ stands at iRobot’s ninth generation: s series, and as expected, it has better features than its predecessors, the i-series and e-series.

The Roomba S9+ was introduced together with the Roomba S9 in late May 2019. iRobot, during the release, named the two models the “smartest, most powerful robot vacuum yet,” According to the feedback of many buyers on S9+ performance, it matches the description. The self-emptying Clean Base and Smart Mapping are the few features that iRobot borrowed from the i-series. Otherwise, most of the features incorporated in the S9+ are unique from the previous models, which include an anti-allergen system designed to trap up to 99% of pollen, dirt detection, and Power Boost for maximum suction power output when cleaning carpets.

How the Roomba i7+ Competes

The i7+ is more powerful than most robotic vacuum cleaners today. Although the Roomba i7+ doesn’t equal the Roomba S9+, it’s still relevant, considering its price while it includes modern features and advanced technology. 

The fact that the i7+ includes significant features, such as self-emptying Clean Base, recharge and resume function, Smart Mapping, iRobot Home app, and Imprint Link Technology, makes it a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner. With these features, you can choose the rooms the bot should clean and schedule the time it should start cleaning, something that most buyers look out for. For this reason, i7+ is able to maintain its stand as one of iRobot’s best models. 

Super Smart Robot Vacuum

iRobot Roomba j7+ (7550) Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum – Identifies and avoids obstacles like pet waste & cords, Empties itself for 60 days, Smart Mapping, Works with Alexa, Ideal for Pet Hair, Gr....

$596.80

• IRobot OS Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation can recognize and avoid common obstacles such as cords, socks, shoes, and pet waste.
• iRobot brings you P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise). If your Roomba j7+ does not avoid pet waste, they will replace it for free.
• Self-emptying bin
• Imprint Smart Mapping allows you to choose the rooms to be cleaned and schedule the time the vacuum should start cleaning
• Brushes sweep along walls and corners and adjust to different floor types

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03/20/2023 10:43 pm GMT

Pros and Cons of Roomba S9+

Pros and Cons of Roomba i7+

Roomba S9+ vs. i7+: 10 Must-Know Facts

• Both models include the iRobot Home app that supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.
• The two models are designed differently; the S9+ has a D-shape (with a square front), while the i7+ has a circular shape.
• S9+ was released in May 2019, while the i7+ was introduced in September 2018.
• Both Roombas have a self-emptying Clean Base.
• The S9+ is more expensive than the i7+, costing $799 and $599, respectively. 
• You can buy any of the models without the self-emptying bin at a lower cost.
• The anti-allergen system, Power Boost, and dirt detection are only included on the Roomba S9+.
• Both models include Smart Mapping, which develops a map of your home and enables you to select the room to be cleaned at a given time. 
• Compared to the iRobot 600 series, the S9+ has 40x more suction power, while the i7+ is 10x more powerful.
• Both models have a recharge and resume feature essential for consistent cleaning.

Roomba S9+ vs. i7+: Which One Is Better?

Firstly, before we look at other factors that will help you determine the best model, you should consider your budget. If you are planning on a fixed budget, the Roomba i7+ will be ideal. Luckily, you can get both Roombas at a lower price without the bin. So, be sure to check on their costs (without the bin) before deciding on one. However, this will be an option if you don’t need the self-emptying Clean Base, which in our opinion, is something you shouldn’t factor out if you are looking for a modern robotic vacuum cleaner. 

Aside from the prices, we recommend going for the S9+ if you have pets or kids who can sometimes be messy. The S9+ has an anti-allergen system which is reliable for cleaning fur and traps pollen, mold, and allergens from the surface. Also, it has dirt detection, which enables the S9+ to thoroughly clean areas with stubborn stains. 

Both models have above-average performance. However, because of its extra features, the S9+ will always provide a better result than the i7+. Therefore, if you are not planning on a tight budget, the S9+ will be an ideal option.