Long gone are the times when supervising your robot vacuum until it finished its task was necessary. With state-of-the-art Roombas like the iRobot I7 vs S9, you can simply set your robot on its cleaning journey, step away, and then return to appreciate the cleanliness it’s left behind. Personally, I find the S9 to be the superior choice, deserving of its high-end price!
Regarding similarities, they can both map out your home and go clean around themselves thanks to vSLAM as well as they are not equipped with cleaning stations for automatic dust box emptying. What makes the iRobot S9 better than the iRobot I7 is its D-shaped frame, wider dual brush rolls, and higher airflow, all of which contribute to its better overall cleaning performance.
iRobot I7 Vs S9: Comparison Chart
iRobot I7 Vs S9: Differences
Cleaning Performance
Winner: iRobot S9
Hard Floor
| iRobot I7 | iRobot S9 |
|---|---|
| ≈ 98% | ≈ 99% |
Both the I7 and S9 performed in a nearly flawless manner, and there wasn’t much of a difference between them. They could pick up virtually all of the debris from my hardwood floor with ease. The I7, with its longer prong side brush, spun rapidly, scattering a bit of debris, but it ultimately gathered everything up.
Carpets
| iRobot I7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 95% | ≈ 99% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 97% | ≈ 99% |
When it comes to both low- and high-pile carpets, I once again observed exemplary cleaning efficiency from both of these devices. The S9 managed to maintain nearly 100% cleaning efficacy on both types of carpets, whereas the I7, although slightly less impressive, still showcased extremely commendable performance.
Hair Pet
| iRobot I7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 82% | ≈ 89% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 68% | ≈ 78% |
Both were proficient in gathering a considerable volume of 5-inch strands of hair and a decent amount of 10-inch strands effortlessly. However, a fair amount of long hair did become entangled around their brush rollers, necessitating removal and detangling.
Design & Usability
Winner: iRobot S9
Dimensions & Weight
| iRobot I7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W xH) | 13.34 x 3.63 inches | 12.25 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 7.44 lbs | 8.15 lbs |
The S9 is the first and only Roomba to eschew the typical round, puck-like design that its siblings, including the I7, share. Instead, it features a D-shaped body, including a square front and a round backend.
The D-shaped frame of the S9 is truly both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it enables the S9 to get closer to walls and into corners, providing more effective cleaning in those areas. But on the other hand, it causes the bot to struggle to navigate tight spaces.
Both are handsome guys, but I really loved the matte charcoal finish of the S9. It resists dirt better than something with a glossy finish like the I7, which is prone to fingerprints. They both also have a fairly low configuration and can easily fit under most low-clearance furniture.
Extractor & Side Brush
The subsequent discernible distinction is found underneath these robots. Unlike the I7 and other Roombas, which feature dual narrow extractors and a lengthy, three-arm side brush, the S9 is equipped with a set of broader edge-to-edge rollers and a more compact side brush adorned with five prongs.
Having a longer cleaning path means it takes the S9 a bit less time to clean. Furthermore, its side brush rotates at a slower speed compared to the I7, tending to scatter less debris on hard floors.
Navigation
These two Roombas use the same vSLAM navigation technology, meaning they both use a built-in camera to go around your house and remember its interior layout during a few initial “training runs.” Then, Imprint Mapping technology helps them remember the created maps, allowing you to customize your cleaning preferences via the app.
Honestly, I have a love-hate relationship with this vision-based navigation technology. It avoids the necessity of a laser turret required by LiDAR-based robots, enabling these machines to easily navigate under furniture with low clearance. However, it does necessitate up to four initial runs to get the job done, not to mention that it demands sufficient lighting to operate effectively.
It is worth noting that they can remember up to 10 maps. This is super useful for homes with multiple levels or for those who might want to use their robots in a variety of locations, such as a secondary home or office. Just carry them to another floor, and they will know that they have to create a new map instead of overwriting the old one, allowing a more “set and forget” experience.
By the way, they don’t have the ability to see and detect pet feces or common household obstacles. So if you’re a pet parent and don’t want your robot to accidentally roll over dog poop and spread it throughout the vicinity one day, the Roomba J7, with PrecisionVision Navigation technology, would be a prudent choice.
Battery Life
| iRobot I7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 78 mins | ≈ 63–112 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 105 mins | ≈ 96 mins |
The S9, with its larger 5200 mAh Li-ion battery, has a significantly longer working life than the iRobot I7 with a 3300 mAh battery when it is in Quiet Clean low power mode (12 CFM). Even when turned to Detailed Clean mode, where the airflow is intensely high at 22 CFM, the S9 maintains commendable battery longevity. For comparison, the I7 is confined to a single power setting, which operates at 8.2 CFM.
All right, their battery life doesn’t matter since they both have the recharge and resume feature, meaning these little guys will come back to their docks to recharge when they sense that they can’t complete the cleaning task at hand with the remaining battery. Once they get enough power, they navigate back to their last cleaned spot and persist in their cleaning journey. With this nifty feature, you don’t have to worry about babysitting your robot while it cleans.
Control
Winner: Tie
Manual Control
Both have three buttons to retain their minimalistic simplicity. They include a “Home” button (to send the bot home), a “Clean” button (to start/stop a cleaning trip), and a “Spot” button (for spot cleaning). They won’t let you access the full spectrum of features available on the iRobot Home App, but they give you enough functionalities to operate the bot without relying on a phone.
App Connectivity
To unlock the full range of capabilities offered by these modern-day devices, you need to download the iRobot Home app. It is available as a complimentary download and is compatible with both iOS and Android platforms.
During your first setup, you will need to divide the comprehensive map that the robot has memorized into separate rooms or areas (or you can also merge them if needed) and then name them. Afterward, you can send the I7 or the S9 to clean a specific room instead of starting a full cleaning trip. And since the app is usable with Alexa, you can issue vocal commands such as, “Roomba, clean my living room.”
You can also prevent these robots from entering unwanted areas by drawing virtual “keep-out zones” using virtual boxes or using “clean zones” to designate them to clean specific areas. What’s more, these bots can be scheduled to tidy up designated rooms on specific days—for instance, the living room on Tuesdays and the bedroom on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
They share a 0.5-liter dust box and non-washable HEPA filter to house and trap dust particles and allergens during the cleaning trip. It is worth noting that they can be coupled with cleaning stations for hands-free emptying of their dustbins, with the I7 being the pioneering Roomba model to commercially offer this cool feature.
The auto-empty system is truly a great invention in the realm of robot vacuums, particularly beneficial for individuals with severe allergies. This feature essentially allows the robot vacuum to independently move to the base when its bin is full, deposit the collected debris into a larger, sealed disposable bag, and then continue with the unfinished cleaning task. That way, it takes the dustbin emptying out of your daily to-do list!
However, the self-emptying base is sold separately or as part of the I7+ and S9+ versions. That means you’ll need to dig a little deeper into your pocket to avail yourself of the convenience of hands-free emptying. I strongly recommend it!
Other Features
Winner: iRobot I7
Noise
| iRobot I7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 62 dB | ≈ 60-74 dB |
| Self-Emptying | None | None |
I understand that iRobot’s engineers have endeavored to reduce the noise output of these robots. They aren’t excessively noisy but have the propensity to interrupt conversations and disturb those in close proximity. But, hey, you could just leave them to function autonomously and complete their duties themselves, right? So, I don’t consider this a deal-breaker.
Mopping Ability
These Roombas specialize solely in vacuuming your floors, leaving the mopping task to either you or a dedicated mop robot like the Braava M6. Intriguingly, both the I7 and S9 can synchronize with this mopping robot using the Imprint Link feature available on the app, allowing for collaborative cleaning efforts. After the Roomba completes vacuuming your floor, the Braava M6 will get a signal to start mopping.
Virtual Wall Barrier
The I7 includes a virtual wall barrier, enabling you to demarcate an area that the robot should avoid. It can produce a 10-foot virtual partition or a circular shield with a diameter reaching up to 4 feet. It’s basically the equivalent of the “virtual wall” option on the Roborok app.
Quick Rundown Of iRobot S9
- DEEPEST CLEAN - With 40X the suction power, the superior 3-Stage Cleaning System lifts, loosens, then eliminates debris & pet hair from deep within your carpets. Increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets with power boost technology.
- DETAILED POWERFUL CLEAN - PerfectEdge Technology with advanced sensors & a specially designed Corner Brush optimize cleaning deep into corners & along edges. Ideal for homes with pets. 30% wider Dual Rubber Brushes don't get tangled with pet hair.
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - With vSLAM navigation, the s9 learns the layout of your home & builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean & navigate in neat, efficient rows. If it’s running low on battery, it recharges & resumes cleaning.
- VACUUMS MESSES IN THE MOMENT - Cleaning crumbs is now as easy as “Roomba, clean under the kitchen table.” A simple request to your voice assistant or via the app enables the s9 to clean messes for you, right when they happen.
- COMPLETE CONTROL OF YOUR CLEAN - With Smart Mapping, your robot knows your kitchen from your living room, so you can decide where it cleans & when. & with Keep Out Zones, your robot knows to avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas.
Quick Rundown Of iRobot I7
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND POWERFUL PICK-UP - Pulls in stubborn dirt and messes with a Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System and 10X the Power-Lifting Suction. (Compared to the Roomba 600 series cleaning system)
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - With vSLAM navigation, the i7 learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean and navigate in neat, efficient rows.
- VACUUMS MESSES IN THE MOMENT - Cleaning crumbs is now as easy as “Roomba, clean under the kitchen table.” A simple request to your voice assistant or via the iRobot Home app enables the i7 to clean messes for you, right when they happen.
- 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.
- A CLEAN UNIQUE TO YOU - The Roomba i7 robot vacuum is smarter than ever, learning where and when you normally clean and suggesting personalized schedules so you can focus on everything else.
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References:
- iRobot S9: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming/robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-s9-plus/S955020.html
- iRobot 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.