Dreame D9 Max Gen 2: An update to the popular robot vacuum! More powerful and practical!

The new Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 robot vacuum cleaner is an updated version of the D9 Max, which gained popularity thanks to its affordable price, easy navigation, and high-quality cleaning performance. The new model is even more powerful, and the standard bristle-petal turbo brush has been replaced with a silicone one, which is easier to clean from hair and pet hair. However, the price is no longer as competitive. It currently ranges from $240 to $280, although during sales, such as the one in August, the price drops below $200, which is interesting. So, below, I'll thoroughly test the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2, compare the results with the regular Dreame D9 Max, and then express my opinion on whether this robot vacuum is worth buying. So, let's get started!

Equipment

The robot vacuum cleaner arrived in a branded box like this:

The standard package includes the robot vacuum cleaner itself with a charging base and power adapter, a wet cleaning attachment, and an operating manual.

Appearance

Now let's look at the robot's appearance. It has a familiar round shape and is available in black and white. The body height is a standard 97 mm.

There's still no wall sensor; a sensor for detecting large obstacles in the robot's path is mounted on the front bumper. A lidar is responsible for navigation. Two mechanical control buttons are located next to it.

The dust container is located under the top lid. It holds up to 570 ml of dry waste. The filtration system uses a HEPA filter and mesh.

A wet cleaning attachment is attached to the bottom of the robot. A pump is installed inside for electronically controlling the liquid flow. The tank has a capacity of 235 ml. The cloth is of a familiar design and is held in place by pockets and Velcro.

The robot has four fall protection sensors installed underneath. There is no carpet sensor. It has a single, three-beam, quick-release side brush.

The central brush unit is floating. The silicone brush can be removed on both sides to remove tangled hair and pet hair.

So, the only design differences are the turbo brush and the addition of a mesh in front of the HEPA filter, compared to the standard D9 Max. Everything else remains unchanged.

Technical specifications

The main characteristics of the Dreame D9 Max Gen2 are displayed on the screen:

• Li-Ion battery 5200 mAh.
• Suction power 6000 Pa.
• Operating time up to 240 min.
• Dust collector 570 ml.
• Water tank 235 ml.
• Obstacle clearance 2 cm.
• Robot dimensions: 350*97 mm.

The only specification change is the suction power, which will be verified in tests. Otherwise, the performance is on par with similar devices in this price range.

Functions

Speaking of features, the Dreame D9 Max Gen2 is controlled via the Dreamehome app. It's available in Russian and is intuitive and easy to use.

Main functions:

• Saving multiple cleaning maps in memory.
• Automatic zoning of premises into rooms.
• Selecting areas and rooms for cleaning.
• Virtual walls and no-go zones (and for wet cleaning mode).
• Suction power adjustment.
• Adjusting the degree of wetting of the napkin.
• User mode.
• Cleaning log.
• Setting up cleaning according to a schedule.
• Voice notifications in Russian.
• Automatic power increase on carpet.
• Yandex.Alice support.

Overall, it offers all the basic options for flexible cleaning settings. I'll just note that the automatic power boost doesn't always work on carpets, as there's no carpet detection sensor.

Testing

A detailed video review with all tests has already been prepared and published on the channel:

Navigation

And finally, let's move on to the tests. First, we'll test the Dreame D9 Max Gen2's navigation in a room with obstacles. The robot vacuum first moves around the perimeter of the room, then cleans the entire accessible area in a serpentine pattern. The dryer's legs presented no problems. It also swept around the box and chair legs separately, then returned to the station. The test was successful.

Speaking of navigation within the home, the robot vacuum similarly moves room by room along the perimeter, then in a serpentine pattern. Despite the lack of a wall sensor, the robot cleans carefully along baseboards. It touches objects and walls more often than robots with a wall sensor. This is a fact worth considering. Regardless, there are no uncleaned areas left, and the cleaning speed is high, so this model has excellent navigation!

Suction power

Suction power isn't perfect. In "Quiet" mode, the robot managed to vacuum debris from a 2 mm gap and partially from a 4 mm gap. In Standard mode, the D9 Max Gen2 cleaned the 4 mm gap even better. In Intensive mode, the robot also failed to clear the 4 mm mark. And in "Turbo" mode, it managed to partially vacuum debris in one area and a 6 mm gap. So, overall, I can say the robot has increased suction power, but not as strong as advertised.

For comparison, the usual D9 Max At the stated 4000 Pa, it was able to clear debris from an 8 mm gap. The updated brush design may have influenced the test results.

Dry cleaning

The collection quality of various types of debris on laminate floors is good. Only a little debris remains in corners, where round robotic vacuums can't reach. It's also important to note that the central brush doesn't pick up any pet hair or fur. This is the main advantage of silicone brushes! All debris is collected in the dust bin.

Carpet cleaning

But the silicone turbo brush has its drawbacks. For example, it doesn't clean carpets as well, even with high suction power. While the robot can thoroughly clean low-pile carpets, medium-pile carpets can become stuck with debris that the Dreame D9 Max Gen2 can't pick up.

Wet cleaning and carpets

When it comes to wet cleaning with carpets, since the robot vacuum cleaner doesn't detect them, it can't automatically avoid them. Therefore, you'll either have to accept that the robot will wet them during cleaning, or you can protect them from getting wet by setting up wet cleaning zones. Alternatively, you can first run the robot without the attachment for a full dry cleaning of the entire area, including carpets, and then attach the attachment to allow the robot to clean hard floors.

Wet cleaning

As for the quality of wet cleaning, this model is primitive by the standards of 2024. However, the robot is capable of removing light stains from the floor.

The implemented wet cleaning function is suitable for delicate wiping of the floor and can be used to collect fine dust that the main turbo brush might miss.

Passability

This model has good obstacle clearance. The robot vacuum cleaner can easily navigate a 2-centimeter threshold. That's a plus.

Driving on black surfaces

The Dreame D9 Max Gen2, however, is wary of black carpets, detecting them due to differences in height. However, this issue doesn't occur on hard black surfaces. This is important to keep in mind.

Noise level

Finally, we measured the robot's noise level in different modes. It ranged from 56.5 to 69 dB. This is a fairly standard result, especially considering the increased power. Compared to the D9 Max, the robot is significantly quieter. The first generation's noise level at maximum power reaches 74.5 dB.

Personal opinion

The Dreame D9 Max Gen2 robot vacuum cleaner has been thoroughly reviewed and tested. our evaluation system he managed to gain 121 points. 2 points less than the first generation D9 Max released.

Overall rating of tested robots: https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/rejtingi/robovac-obshhij-rejting-robotov-pylesosov-robo.html.

First, I'll highlight the pros and cons of the tested robot vacuum cleaner, after which I'll express my own opinion about it, including a comparison with the first generation.

I liked the following:

1. Increased suction power. While it's weaker than the standard D9 Max, it still delivers good results.
2. High-quality dry cleaning on hard surfaces.
3. Capable of vacuuming and mopping the floor at the same time.
4. The silicone brush is easier to clean from hair and fur.
5. Complete Russification.
6. A wide range of features for flexible cleaning settings, including a user mode and Yandex.Alice support.
7. Good cross-country ability.
8. Availability of warranty and service.

As for the disadvantages, I consider the main ones to be:

1. There's no wall or carpet sensor. As a result, the robot frequently bumps into walls and other obstacles in front of it. It also doesn't automatically detect carpets and doesn't always automatically increase suction on them.
2. There are problems with cleaning medium-pile carpets due to the design of the turbo brush.
3. The robot vacuum cleaner is afraid of black carpets.

The main differences between the robots are that the Gen2 has a mesh screen in front of the HEPA filter and an updated central brush, which is easier to clean from hair and pet hair. Furthermore, the robot is quieter than its predecessor. At the same time, the first generation is actually slightly more powerful and cleans carpets better. It's a matter of personal preference. If you have carpets, it's likely worth considering the previous version; if not, the Gen2 will be easier to maintain due to its turbo brush. And then there's price; a lot depends on that. If the price difference is significant, it might be worth choosing the more economical option.

Overall, I'd recommend considering the Dreame D9 Max Gen2 primarily for cleaning hard floors and if the silicone brush is important to you. I also think this device can compete successfully in the sub-$200 price range. There aren't many comparable devices at that price. However, I think the price of $250-$280 is a bit steep.

On that note, I'd like to end this review. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments. Happy shopping, everyone. Bye!