iRobot Roomba s9+ and s9: 2019's Surprising Flagships

Not much time has passed since the release of the next flagships iRobot Roomba i7 And i7+New models, the s9 and s9+, have already hit the market. Like their predecessors, the only difference is the inclusion of a self-cleaning base; all other specifications and functionality are identical. The new models are already available in the US, and sales in Europe are scheduled to begin on July 12, 2019. There's no word yet on when these robotic vacuums will be available in Russia. Our review of the iRobot Roomba s9 and s9+ will help you understand the differences between the new robotic vacuums and what features have been improved this time around.

Difference from predecessors

First, let's take a closer look at the differences between the s9/s9+ and the i7/i7+. The new models feature the following innovations:

The first is design in the best traditions Neato robotic vacuum cleaners: D-shape, which allows robots to clean better in corners and along baseboards. This has been verified through a series of tests, and the effectiveness of this non-standard shape has been proven.

Speaking about the appearance, it is also important to note the design changes in the new robotic vacuum cleaners. Changed location and shape of the dust collector, now located under the top cover and more easily removed for maintenance. Incidentally, the dust bin capacity has been slightly reduced: 400 ml compared to 500 ml in the 7 Series. However, when combined with the cleaning base, the reduced dust bin capacity won't significantly impact cleaning time or quality. However, the filter installed in the dust bin is now slightly larger, which is a plus.

The next major design change is: updated side brush And extended central brushesThe side brush now features five spokes, and the brushes themselves are noticeably shorter. This design, combined with the corner placement, allows for better removal of debris and dust along baseboards and in corners. The central silicone brushes (extractor rollers) are now 30% longer, occupying almost the entire width of the body. This undoubtedly improves cleaning efficiency, specifically the volume of debris collected in a single pass.

It is also important to note that the new iRobot Roomba s9 and s9+ robot vacuum cleaners have become slightly smaller in size, than their predecessors (including in height), but the weight became heavier.

Another important difference that needs to be mentioned is new Imprint Link technology, which allows the robot to work in tandem with another new product—the iRobot Braava Jet m6 robotic vacuum cleaner. This technology allows the robots to synchronize for joint cleaning—after Roomba has completed dry cleaning, it will signal Braava to mop the floors. This combination of dry and wet cleaning in a single cycle is achieved by using two robots working together.

And finally, the updated s Series lineup can work on a single charge for up to 120 minutes, while the i7 and i7+ models operate for no more than 75 minutes. Extended operating time - this is another plus in favor of the new products.

So, we have compared the iRobot Roomba s9 and s9+ with the i7 and i7+, now let's move on to the review itself.

Equipment

The delivery set is rather meager, the iRobot Roomba s9+ is equipped with the following components:

1. Base for self-cleaning and charging Clean Base.
2. 2 bags for waste disposal.
3. Power cord.
4. Spare side brush.
5. Spare filter.
6. Operating instructions.
7. Warranty card.

Two movement limiters may also be included. The s9 model, however, comes with the same spare parts, but lacks the self-cleaning base and bags.

Appearance

We've listed all the design changes above. Let's take a quick look at the appearance of the iRobot Roomba s9 and s9+. The design has been redesigned to be D-shaped, with a prominent gold-colored lid on the front panel, underneath which is the dust bin. The robot vacuum's control buttons are located in the corner: Clean (start/pause), Home (return to base), and Spot (spot cleaning). Overall, the design is understated and stylish.

The side section is quite as expected: exhaust vents, obstacle sensors, a mechanical movable bumper.

Turning the robot vacuum over reveals an elongated central brush, a corner side brush, spring-loaded wheels, and a central swivel roller. Additionally, the bottom contains the robot vacuum's charging terminals, the Automatic Dirt Disposal port on the base, and various sensors.

Technical specifications

While the robot vacuum hasn't officially launched in Russia, some key specifications (such as battery capacity) remain unknown. However, here are the iRobot Roomba s9's specifications that have already been determined:

Type of cleaning	Dry
Battery type	Li-Ion
Opening hours	120 min
Charging time	120 min
Dust collector capacity	400 ml
Dimensions	311*89 mm
Weight	3.7 kg

As new data becomes available (battery capacity, cleaning area, suction power, and noise level), we will add it to the table.

Functional capabilities

So, let's take a quick look at what the new iRobot Roomba s9 and s9+ can do. The manufacturer has developed the following features:

1. Room mapping (vSLAM®️ navigation). Using sensors and a camera, robotic vacuum cleaners map out rooms, divide the space into zones (living room, hall, kitchen, etc.), and display all the information in the app.
   

   Orientation in the room

2. Controlled via the iRobot HOME mobile app, you can set up a cleaning schedule, track cleaned areas, specify specific rooms for cleaning (we'll get to this later), select an operating mode, and more.
   

   iRobot HOME

3. Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants.
4. Automatically increases suction power on carpets (Carpet Boost technology). According to the manufacturer, the new robot vacuums are 40 times more powerful than the 600 series.
   

   Increased power on carpet

5. PerfectEdge® technology improves robotic vacuum cleaning performance in corners and along walls. This is thanks not only to the new side brush but also to advanced sensors.
   

   Cleaning corners

6. The relatively new Imprint™ Smart Mapping technology, used in the "i" series, allows you to define rooms on a map, design them in the app, and then clean them on command. For example, using voice assistants, you can say, "Roomba, clean my kitchen," and the robot vacuum will start cleaning the kitchen area, then return to the charging base. This technology also helps the robot determine the best cleaning method for a particular room.
   

   Imprint Smart Mapping

7. The three-stage cleaning system effectively removes allergens, dust, and even dust mites. This robot vacuum is also effective for pet-friendly homes.
   

   Roomba and animals

8. Patented Dirt Detect technology – the robot vacuum cleaner identifies the dirtiest areas and cleans them longer.
9. Automatically charges at the base and resumes cleaning from where the robot left off. If the battery charge is insufficient for a full cleaning, the robot vacuum will pause, return to the base to charge, and then resume cleaning from where it left off.
10. The Imprint Link technology mentioned at the beginning allows two robots to synchronize for dry and wet cleaning.
    

    Cleaning with two robots

Overall, the features of the iRobot Roomba s9 and s9+ make these robot vacuum cleaners one of the best best in 2019The models are equipped with everything necessary for automatically maintaining frequency in apartments, houses, and even office spaces.

Let's sum it up: pros and cons

Finally, I'd like to highlight the key advantages of iRobot's flagship models. We found the following positive aspects:

1. New D-shape.
2. Advanced functionality, multiple patented technologies for effective cleaning.
3. Extended brushes and an updated side brush design improve cleaning performance.
4. Modern navigation and cartography.
5. Convenient location of the dust collector.
6. Work through voice assistants.
7. Self-cleaning base makes the robot vacuum cleaner easy to maintain.
8. Works in tandem with a cleaning robot for a complete cleaning.
9. High suction power.
10. Brand reliability and availability of a guarantee.

At the same time, the iRobot Roomba s9/s9+ also has some drawbacks, given 2019 trends and the functionality of competitors:

1. High price. iPads aren't significantly better than Xiaomi robots, for example. While all Xiaomi models cost under $500, the new S9+ with a self-cleaning base will set you back $1,300 or more, while the model without the base will cost around $1,000. Paying extra isn't always worth it.
2. There's still no wet cleaning feature. Even though the models reviewed can now clean with the proprietary robotic mop, the extra cost will be quite significant. In 2019, there are many robotic vacuum cleaners for dry and wet cleaning, which are less effective but still capable of dry cleaning and washing floors.

This concludes our review of the iRobot Roomba s9. Whether or not to buy the models reviewed is up to you. While the functionality and cleaning quality are truly excellent, the price is prohibitive for the average person. For this reason, we still recommend considering similar products from AliExpress and other platforms, in particular Xiaomi robot vacuum cleanersThe price is several times lower, and the cleaning quality, features, and reviews are largely competitive with those of iRobots.

Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the iRobot Roomba s9+:

Analogues:

• Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner 1S
• iClebo O5
• Miele SLQL0 30 Scout RX2 Home Vision
• LG R9MASTER
• Neato Botvac D7 Connected
• Xiaomi Mi Roborock Sweep One
• Ecovacs DeeBot OZMO 930