The Roborock Q5+ vs Roomba S9+ are indeed two of the more premium robot vacuums in this class. I’m going to compare them in this article, but spoiler alert: the Roomba S9+ wins my heart.
Both share some characteristics, such as awesome cleaning performance, a “Recharge & Resume” capability, the inclusion of a clean base, and compatibility with a user-friendly app. The Roomba S9+ is adept at devouring dust in corners, resists hair tangling well, and can memorize up to 10 maps. Meanwhile, the Roborock Q5+ stands out with LIDAR navigation technology, which maps out faster and works effectively in dark areas.
Roborock Q5+ Vs Roomba S9+: Comparison Chart
Roborock Q5+ Vs Roomba S9+: Differences
The Roomba S9+ outshines the Roborock Q5+ with a score of 4-3. Continue scrolling and reading until the end of my comparison for more comprehensive information!
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Roomba S9+
Hard Floor
| Roborock Q5+ | Roomba S9+ |
|---|---|
| ≈ 98% | ≈ 99% |
The cleaning capabilities of these bots are no joke, and that was evident in my hard floor tests. The Roomba S9+ was a little better than the Q5+ owing to its higher airflow, but the variance was too little (only one percent).
Carpet
| Roborock Q5+ | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 96% | ≈ 99% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 95% | ≈ 99% |
I also tested these two beasts on my carpets, and the S9+ was still in the upper hand thanks to its higher airflow and bristle-less brushes compared to the Q5+ with a single combo brush with agitation. However, the latter have still achieved commendable results across the board.
Hair Pet
| Roborock Q5+ | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | 76 % | ≈ 89% |
| 10-inch Strands | 42% | ≈ 78% |
The S9+ also did a better job than its rival regarding picking up hair and preventing tangles. It could gather substantial amounts of 7- and 10-inch hair strands, whereas the Q5+ found it challenging, especially with 10-inch strands. The dual rollers on the S9+ were superior in resisting tangles and facilitated easier cleaning due to their bristle-free and entirely rubber structure. While the combo brush roll of the Q5 was also simple to clean, it was not as easy as the S9.
Design & Usability
Winner: Roomba S9+
Dimensions & Weight
| Roborock Q5+ | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.78 x 3.78 inches | 12.25 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 7.05 lbs | 8.15 lbs |
The most obvious variance is the frame between them. The Q5 Plus has no striking design, maintaining the traditional circular frame found in previous Roborocks and various other robots out there. Meanwhile, the Roomba S9 features a D-shaped body and is the only Roomba with this innovative design.
I initially thought that iRobot would make this change permanent with their succeeding robot vacuums, but with the debut of the J7, that isn’t the case. One big advantage of its square front is that it very proficiently vacuums debris from corners and edges. Still, it makes the S9 Plus struggle to navigate through tight areas, such as between office chair legs, which is maybe why iRobot ended up reverting to the traditional disk-shaped frame.
The Q5+ is a bit lighter than the S9+ but is the higher option because of its built-in LiDAR tower. But they are generally compact enough to fit under low-clearance furniture like your sofa or coffee table.
Extractor & Side Brush
Another discernible contrast between these robots is found in their extractors and side brushes. The S9 Plus features a pair of 9.5-inch brushes spanning nearly the entire width of the flat edge, broader than any robot I’ve tested, barring the Neato D10. Meanwhile, the Q5 houses a single 6.5-inch brush roll positioned between two wheels. Additionally, the absence of bristles on the S9’s rollers renders it more resilient to tangles compared to the bristled roller on the Q5.
There’s also a distinction in the design of the corner spinning brush. The Roomba S9’s bristled side brush has a smaller diameter and features five prongs compared to the 5-pronged bristle-less side brush on the Q5. Both rotate slowly enough so they don’t scatter as much debris around.
Navigation
Both of these little butlers map space and navigate intelligently, but that is the only similarity. The Q5+ uses LIDAR, whereas the S9+ relies on vSLAM. So, what distinguishes these navigation technologies from each other?
Using vSLAM means the S9 employs a top-mounted camera to observe its surroundings and remember everything for mapping, so the availability of light becomes a crucial element in the navigation process of the S9+. But it’s not the case with the Q5+ since it uses laser beams for mapping and tracking locations, allowing it to work effectively even in dark zones.
LIDAR’s 360-degree scanning ability also enables the Roborock Q5+ to map more swiftly and precisely than the S9+. Indeed, the Q5+ barely needed just one run to map my living space, whereas the S9+ required up to four. The bot can also save multiple maps for dividing rooms or setting no-do zones later, but while the Q5+ can save four layouts, the S9+ can remember up to ten maps. Just place these bots on the new floor, and they will automatically create a new map.
Battery Life
| Roborock Q5+ | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 92–194 mins | ≈ 63–112 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 156 mins | ≈ 196 mins |
Both the Q5+ and S9+ use a high-capacity 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery, but the S9+ has a shorter actual battery life since it has more airflow than the Q5+ (22 CFM versus 17 CFM at the max setting). It is worth noting that both are fitted with an auto-recharge and auto-resume function, meaning they will automatically make a trip to their docking stations to recharge when the battery is low and then promptly return to their last cleaning spot to complete any unfinished tasks.
Control
Winner: Tie
Manual Control
For those who find themselves wanting to initiate a cleaning cycle the moment they’re out of bed, still half asleep, pressing the buttons located on the top of these bots is a more convenient alternative to scrambling to find their phones. Both have a power button to turn the robot on and off and a home button to send the robot back to the dock.
Still, the S9+ has a “Spot Cleaning” button. As its name implies, pressing this button will direct the S9+ to clean a small area and bypass the rest instead of starting a full cleaning trip, which is handy for cleaning up a mess or a spill in your kitchen.
App Connectivity
Now is the time to make these robots smarter by connecting them with the Roborock or iRobot apps. Right off the bat, you get 2D maps and are empowered to divide or merge rooms to your heart’s content.
You can then label rooms and clean by room name instead of your entire floor – you can even accomplish this through voice commands, as both applications are compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. One feature that the Roborock app has over the iRobot app is the 3D mapping function, which gives users a real-time way of tracking the location of their robots.
Both apps also afford you the ability to review the cleaning history and inspect the condition of components such as filters, brushes, and more. They will notify you when it is time to clean or replace these parts, a thoughtful addition for maintaining the robot’s optimal performance.
Both apps have a scheduling feature to automate the vacuum process. You can select a room, set a specific time for cleaning, and then put cleaning worries out of your mind. You can prevent your robot from entering certain areas by setting “no-go” zones or employing invisible walls – a unique feature provided only by the Roborock app.
Meanwhile, the iRobot app has a “clean zone” option, which is a timesaver for homes with areas necessitating more frequent cleaning. You can also program the S9+ so that it automatically starts a cleaning trip every time you leave home with your phone and stops when you come back.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
Both of these bots are “Plus” versions of the Q5 and S9 since they have self-emptying base stations, which will automatically suck out all the dust and dirt and send them to a disposable bag hidden inside. That means the capacity of their dustbins is less of a concern, and emptying them should never be part of your daily routine unless you prefer to manually handle the waste to save the dust bags, of course.
Their clean bases look quite similar. They are towers with large vertical footprints, which will occupy a considerable amount of space in your living area. Luckily, they are quite handsome and surely match well with your smart home. Both house a disposable dust bag that is large enough to only demand replacement intermittently, possibly every few weeks or months. Another thing that needs to be cleaned periodically and replaced after long periods of time is their filters – the Q5+ uses an E11 filter, while the S9+ features a HEPA-level filter.
Other Features
Winner: Roborock Q5+
Noise
| Roborock Q5+ | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 62 dB | ≈ 63-72 dB |
| Self-Emptying | ≈ 74 dB | ≈ 81 dB |
I used a sound meter a few feet away from each of these bots for noise tests, and as expected, the S9+ was the noiseier option because it has higher airflow, although the Q5+ was too close. The situation was aggravated when they parked at their home bases to self-empty their dust bins – This process is relatively brief, but it could pose significant discomfort for those who are sensitive to noise.
Mopping Ability
The Q5+ and the S9+ lack a mopping function, which could be a drawback for those seeking multifunctionality from their robot vacuum cleaners. However, both Roborock and iRobot have considered this preference and subsequently released several hybrid models capable of both vacuuming and mopping, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV and the Roborock Combo J7+. I tested both and found the first one to be a game-changer.
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 Roborock Q5+
- 7-Weeks of Hands-Free Cleaning: The Self-Empty Dock automatically empties the Q5’s dustbin after each cleanup, so you don’t have to do it manually or frequently. Its 2.5L dust bag can hold up to 7 weeks of dirt.
- Clean Smarter with PreciSense LiDAR Navigation: Extremely accurate LiDAR navigation creates precise maps that can even be viewed in 3D. You can also add furniture and floor materials to recreate your home virtually.
- Clean Harder with Powerful 2700 Pa Suction: With an incredible maximum suction power of 2700 Pa, the Q5 easily lifts debris and pet hair from floors and drags it out from deep inside carpets.
- Clean Better with the Multi-Plane Floating Main Brush: A multi-plane floating brush keeps the brush closer to the ground for deeper cleaning, even on uneven surfaces. It is strongly resistant to hair tangles and perfect for homes with pets.
- Keeps Going for Longer: Powered by high-capacity battery and a 470 ml dustbin, you get long lasting cleaning that can easily tackle most homes in one clean.
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
- Roborock Q5+: https://us.roborock.com/products/roborock-q5-plus
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.