In this comparison, the S9+ comes out as the overall winner for good reasons. Right off the bat, the most obvious difference between the Roomba S9+ vs I7+ is that the Roomba S9+ has a D-shaped frame, resulting in better edges and corner cleaning. What’s more, the s9+ has stronger suction and wider duo brush rollers than the Roomba I7+, all contributing to better cleaning performance on all floor types.
Roomba S9+ Vs I7+: Comparison Chart
Roomba S9+ Vs I7+: Differences
The S9+ had a slim victory over the I7+ with a score of 4-3. Let’s read on to learn the fundamental differences between them.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Roomba S9+
Hard Floor
| Roomba S9+ | Roomba I7+ |
|---|---|
| ≈ 99% | ≈ 98% |
My tests showed that these Roombas earned impressive marks when it came to cleaning my hard floor. There wasn’t a huge gap between them, although the S9+ just took the lead.
Carpets
| Roomba S9+ | Roomba I7+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 99% | ≈ 95% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 99% | ≈ 97% |
I also put them through the carpet tests, and both showed that their clean performance is no joke. The S9+ once again edged out the competition, while the I7+ also achieved very high scores across the board.
Hair Pet
| Roomba S9+ | Roomba I7+ | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 89% | ≈ 82% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 78% | ≈ 68% |
In the hair-picking tests, a key concern for pet owners, these bots showed some shortcomings. They picked up a decent amount of hair scattered on my floor, but not all of it ended up in their collection bins. We noticed a small amount getting caught around their dual rubber rollers (and side brushes), but the wider rollers on the S9+ seemed to prevent tangles better.
Design & Usability
Winner: Roomba S9+
Dimensions & Weight
| Roomba S9+ | Roomba I7+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W xH) | 12.25 x 3.5 inches | 13.34 x 3.63 inches |
| Weight | 8.15 lbs | 7.44 lbs |
While the I7+ has a round shape, the S9+ is iRobot’s first D-shaped robot and is also the only one that has this unique frame up to now. To my mind, the D-shape frame of the S9+ brings both benefits and drawbacks to the table. It is incredibly helpful when the robot encounters edges and corners, which are dusty places that the round ones frequently overlook, but it impairs the robot’s ability to move gracefully through small spaces.
These bots aren’t too tall to tuck under most beds and sofas and are lightweight enough that you can carry them from floor to floor without breaking a sweat, and the I7+ even makes it easier with a firm carrying handle. As for the docking stations, they might be somewhat bulky, but their sleek design makes them an attractive addition to any room.
Extractor & Side Brush
As you move to the underside of these bots, you will find both have two rubber bristle-free rollers, one spinning brush, and three wheels. It’s great to know that they use iRobot’s proprietary dual rubber roller brushers. These two counter-rotating rubberized rollers are much more resistant to tangles than normal brush-and-blade or bristle ones and a little more effective when it comes to gathering chunkier debris.
The main brush rollers on the S9+ are located closer to the square front and remain the two longest main brushes of the Roomba’s lineup, measuring 9.5 inches each. This extra length definitely helps the S9+ pick up more debris on a single pass.
iRobot has also redesigned the side brush on the S9+. Instead of the traditional 3-prong corner brush like the one on the I7+, the S9+’s side brush has five arms, which are shorter due to its D-shape design. Moreover, the S9+’s corner brush sets the bristles at a 25-degree angle rather than oriented straight out, just like five coaxing fingers.
Navigation
Speaking of navigation technology, they are on the same page. They leverage iRobot’s vSLAM technology—a system originally developed to aid bots in detecting landmines. Both basically use a built-in camera to familiarize themselves with your home’s layout during several initial pass-throughs, and then they can show what they get via the iRobot Home app. With Imprint Smart Mapping technology, they can save up to 10 maps, making them ideal for multi-floor apartments.
After the first trip, these bots theoretically have a grasp of its layout, but the map isn’t fully created. Instead, they need a few more mapping runs, typically three to four, to fill in the gaps. This contrasts with bots using LiDAR navigation systems, such as the Roborock S7, which can generate a comprehensive map in just one mapping trip.
Unlike models with laser-based technology, these dark knights with camera-based navigation technology can’t do their jobs in poor lighting conditions. But this isn’t a massive deal since you’re unlikely to schedule a cleaning session at night unless you’re in the mood for some nocturnal noise complaints, right?
Additionally, these Roombas don’t have the ability to detect unwanted obstacles on their cleaning path and avoid them like the J7+ with its front-facing camera. The bumpers on both are here to ensure they won’t damage your furnishings, but it’s still prudent to pre-clear the way for them.
Battery Life
| Roomba S9+ | Roomba I7+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 63–112 mins | ≈ 78 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 96 mins | ≈ 105 mins |
The I7+ uses a 3300 mAh lithium-ion battery, compared to the 5200 mAh one that powers the S9+. My real-world tests showed that the S9+ has a shorter battery life than the I7+, and their higher airflows can explain why: the I7+ has airflow at 8.2 CFM versus the S9+’s higher airflow rates, ranging from 12 CFM at mid to 22 CFM at max.
But why do we care so much about how long they can run between charges, given that recharging them doesn’t require any hands-on work on your part? Yes, the “Recharge & Resume” function allows these robotic housekeepers to not only find their way back to the dock for recharging but also resume cleaning right where they left off to complete the job.
Control
Winner: Tie
Manual Control
For those moments when you want to initiate or halt a cleaning cycle or even direct the robot back to its base without reaching for your phone, the trio of physical buttons located atop these bots have you covered. But keep in mind that for more intricate controls, you’ll still have to use your phone.
App Connectivity
To get these robotic helpers synced with your smartphone, start by downloading the iRobot app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. The entire setup process is as simple as creating an account, selecting your vacuum, choosing your Wi-Fi network, entering the password, and more. Then your robot is all set to obey you.
First off, Imprint Smart Mapping technology enables you to divide the rooms and name them to, of course, clean by room name. That way, you can direct or even ask your bot to specifically clean your living room, kitchen, or any other space. I said “ask” since the iRobot app is compatible with Alexa, enabling you to say something like, “Alexa, please clean the kitchen.”
For those smaller zones you want your robot to focus on, you can use the blue virtual boxes and mark them. This is especially useful if you have specific zones that need to be cleaned more often than the rest. Of course, you can also choose “no-go” areas that you want your robot to bypass during its cleaning trip.
There are also a bunch of useful tabs, like “robot health,” which helps you know how long you have left before the filter needs to be changed, or “schedule,” where you can program the bot to clean at a specific time. Unlike Roborock’s app, iRobot’s doesn’t offer real-time tracking, but you can tap the app so the bot emits a sound and then rely on that to find it.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
They share a 500-ml dustbin, but my favorite part is their self-cleaning bases. Whenever they feel that the bin is full, they head back to the base to automatically empty its small onboard dustbin into a single-use bag instead of just losing suction and quitting the session.
The clean base is a particularly important feature for such bots with limited dustbin sizes, not to mention that emptying it manually is quite a hassle. It seems these bins are designed to work with a clean base, and, after all, anyone would buy a robot vacuum to do less manual labor, right?
Both come with two large dust bags, and each can last up to 60 days of cleaning. You don’t even have to set your own reminder, as the app will notify you when it’s time to swap it out for a new one. Likewise, you will also be alerted when their HEPA filters need to be replaced (their filters aren’t washable).
Other Features
Winner: Roomba I7+
Noise
| Roomba S9+ | Roomba I7+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 63-72 dB | ≈ 62 dB |
| Self-Emptying | ≈ 74 dB | ≈ 81 dB |
They are quite loud during operation, like most robots, so be prepared to turn up the volume on your TV if they are vacuuming in the same room. They are even louder when they park at their Clean Bases to empty their dust boxes. I found the S9+ to be a bit noisier, but this correlated with stronger suction.
Mopping Ability
They are pure vacuum bots, leaving the mopping task to another device. And if you have the idea of buying another mop robot, I highly recommend the Braava M6. Interestingly, they can actually “communicate” with each other via the Imprint Link feature on the app: When the S9+ or I7+ completes its vacuuming round, it signals the M6 to kick off its mopping session.
Virtual Wall Barrier
The I7 comes with a virtual wall barrier, allowing you to delineate a zone the robot is to steer clear of. It can establish either a 10-foot virtual boundary or a circular protectorate with a diameter of up to 4 feet. Essentially, it serves a purpose analogous to the “virtual wall” feature found in the Roborok app.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba S9+
- A DEEP, DETAILED CLEAN. Groundbreaking technology makes the s9+ our legacy powerhouse robot vacuum. With 40x more the suction power*, the 3-Stage Cleaning System lifts, loosens, then eliminates debris and pet hair from deep within your carpets for a clean you won’t believe — with no effort from you. Automatically increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets with power boost technology. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- EMPTIES ITS VACUUM BIN, SO CLEANING IS OFF YOUR MIND - Cleans up after itself, emptying its Vacuum Bin into an enclosed bag that holds up to 60 days of debris, which means two whole months of not thinking about vacuuming.
- CLEANS WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT - Only IRobot brings you Imprint Smart Mapping allowing you to control and schedule which rooms are cleaned and when, while storing multiple maps for easier cleaning on each level of your home. Plus, customizable Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones allow you to tell them the exact area to avoid and clean.
- A POWERFUL CLEAN - PerfectEdge Technology with advanced sensors and a specially designed Corner Brush optimize cleaning deep into corners and along edges. Ideal for homes with pets. 40% larger Multi-Surface Dual Rubber Brushes that don't get tangled with pet hair. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - The s9+ learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean and navigate in neat, efficient rows. Careful Drive Mode detects objects in its path and cleans around them without jostling or nudging. (objects taller than 2.5 cm)
Quick Rundown Of Roomba I7+
- ALWAYS GETTING SMARTER - Quality that lasts; Intelligence that grows; equipped with advanced hardware capable of providing the intelligent features you love today, and access to our latest advancements in the future
- COMPLETE CONTROL OF YOUR CLEAN - With Smart Mapping, your robot knows your kitchen from your living room, so you can decide where it cleans and when; With Keep Out Zones, your robot knows to avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas
- Roomba, CLEAN MY KITCHEN - Enjoy hands-free control with Alexa and the Google assistant*
- ALWAYS GETTING SMARTER - Quality that lasts; Intelligence that grows; equipped with advanced hardware capable of providing the intelligent features you love today, and access to our latest advancements in the future
Product Videos
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References:
- Roomba S9+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming/robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-s9-plus/S955020.html
- Roomba I7+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming/robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-i7-plus/I755020.html
Richard B. Schmidt is a prominent figure in the vacuum cleaner industry, boasting over 15 years of expertise. Armed with a Robotics Engineering degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Consumer Science from Harvard, his unique blend of technical knowledge and consumer insights positions him as a sought-after authority in vacuum cleaner evaluation. Richard’s career began at Dyson, where he contributed to the development of innovative vacuum models. Transitioning to advocacy and reviews, he co-founded the first Vacuum-focused blog in 2008, offering comprehensive analysis and user guides for various vacuum cleaners. In 2020, he founded RoboMop.net, providing ongoing insights through columns and buyer’s guides.