iRobot Roomba j7+ vs Roomba s9+: Which Robot Vacuum is Right for You?

When it comes to keeping your home clean with minimal effort, robot vacuums have become indispensable. Among the top choices, iRobot’s Roomba series stands out with its innovative features, including self-emptying bins, powerful suction, and smart navigation. In this report, we’ll compare two of the latest models: the Roomba j7+ and Roomba s9+. While both offer impressive capabilities, they cater to different needs. Read on to find out which of these two robotic vacuums is the best fit for your home and lifestyle.

iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is a smart and efficient robot vacuum that offers a range of advanced features designed to make cleaning your home easier. One of its standout features is the PrecisionVision Navigation, which helps the vacuum identify and avoid obstacles such as socks, shoes, and even pet waste. This system ensures a more thorough cleaning experience by preventing it from getting stuck on small objects. With Imprint Smart Mapping, users can customize the cleaning schedule and select specific rooms to clean, making it highly convenient for homes with multiple floors. Additionally, the Roomba j7+ is equipped with a powerful 3-Stage Cleaning System and is designed to clean various surfaces like hardwood, carpets, and hard floors efficiently. One of its biggest advantages is the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which empties the vacuum’s bin for up to 60 days, reducing the frequency of manual maintenance.

However, the Roomba j7+ does have some drawbacks. While the vacuum generally works well, there are mixed reviews about its cleaning performance, with some users reporting that it doesn’t perform as well as expected, especially with stubborn dirt. Additionally, the vacuum’s suction power and noise levels have received divided opinions, with some users finding it too loud or not powerful enough. Battery life has also been a concern for some customers, as the vacuum doesn’t always last long enough for larger cleaning jobs.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. PrecisionVision Navigation to avoid obstacles like pet waste.
2. Imprint Smart Mapping for personalized room-by-room cleaning.
3. Self-emptying Clean Base with enclosed bags for hands-free cleaning.
4. 3-Stage Cleaning System with powerful suction.
5. Voice control compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Pros:

1. Avoids pet waste and small obstacles effectively.
2. Customizable cleaning schedules and multi-floor mapping.
3. Hands-free dirt disposal for up to 60 days.
4. Powerful cleaning performance on various surfaces.
5. Easy to set up and integrates with voice assistants.

Cons:

1. Mixed cleaning performance and suction power.

iRobot Roomba s9+ Self Emptying Robot Vacuum

The iRobot Roomba s9+ is a powerful robot vacuum designed to tackle even the toughest cleaning tasks with ease. With its impressive 40x suction power compared to previous models, it efficiently lifts and eliminates debris, pet hair, and dirt from deep within carpets. The vacuum also features advanced PerfectEdge Technology, ensuring a thorough clean in corners and along edges. One of its standout features is the Imprint Smart Mapping, which allows you to control and schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms, even storing multiple maps for different levels of your home. Furthermore, the Roomba s9+ empties its bin into an enclosed bag that can hold up to 60 days of debris, reducing the need for frequent maintenance.

Despite its powerful performance, the Roomba s9+ has some drawbacks. Some users report issues with the vacuum failing to complete tasks, often getting stuck or producing loud crunching noises during operation. Additionally, while the mapping system works well for some, others find its accuracy inconsistent.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. 40x more suction power than previous models.
2. Imprint Smart Mapping for room-specific cleaning.
3. Self-emptying vacuum bin with a 60-day capacity.
4. PerfectEdge Technology for cleaning corners and edges.
5. Works with the Braava jet m6 robot mop for sequential cleaning.

Pros:

1. Powerful suction for deep cleaning of carpets and floors.
2. Self-emptying bin reduces maintenance frequency.
3. Advanced mapping and customizable cleaning options.
4. Ideal for homes with pets due to anti-tangle brushes.
5. Integration with voice assistants for easy control.

Cons:

1. Some users report loud crunching noises.

Comparison Between iRobot Roomba j7+ and iRobot Roomba s9+

The iRobot Roomba j7+ and iRobot Roomba s9+ are both advanced robot vacuums with self-emptying capabilities, designed to simplify cleaning in homes of various sizes. However, they cater to different needs and offer different features that may appeal to distinct user preferences.

Cleaning Performance and Suction Power

Roomba j7+: The Roomba j7+ comes equipped with a 3-Stage Cleaning System that offers strong suction and works effectively on multiple surfaces, including carpets, hardwood, and hard floors. It features PrecisionVision Navigation, which helps it detect and avoid obstacles like socks, shoes, and pet waste, making it ideal for households with pets. While its suction power is good, it is not as robust as the Roomba s9+.

Roomba s9+: The Roomba s9+ is a powerhouse when it comes to suction. With 40x more suction power than the Roomba i Series, it features a 3-Stage Cleaning System designed to tackle deep cleaning in carpets, lifting pet hair and debris from deep within fibers. The s9+ also includes power-boost technology, which automatically increases suction when cleaning carpets, ensuring a more thorough clean. This model is specifically ideal for homes with heavy pet hair or larger, more challenging messes.

Suction Power Comparison:

Feature	Roomba j7+	Roomba s9+
Suction Power	Strong, but not as powerful	40x stronger than i Series
Power-Boost Technology	No	Yes
Carpet Cleaning Efficiency	Good, but moderate	Excellent, deep cleaning

Navigation and Mapping

Roomba j7+: The Roomba j7+ uses Imprint Smart Mapping to allow users to customize and schedule cleaning tasks room by room. It is capable of multi-floor mapping and also features Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones for more personalized cleaning. However, the navigation is not flawless, and some users report occasional mapping issues.

Roomba s9+: The Roomba s9+ is equipped with advanced Smart Mapping technology that helps the vacuum learn the layout of your home and build precise maps. This model also features Imprint Link Technology, which allows it to sync with the Braava jet m6 robot mop for sequential cleaning. While it offers exceptional navigation, there are reports of some mapping inaccuracies as well, though it generally performs better than the j7+ in terms of consistency.

Navigation and Mapping Comparison:

Feature	Roomba j7+	Roomba s9+
Smart Mapping	Yes, with multi-floor mapping	Yes, with multi-floor mapping
Customizable Zones	Clean & Keep Out Zones	Clean & Keep Out Zones
Braava jet m6 Compatibility	No	Yes
Mapping Accuracy	Mixed results	Generally better, but still inconsistent

Self-Emptying Feature and Maintenance

Roomba j7+: The Roomba j7+ features a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal system that automatically empties its bin into an enclosed bag, which can hold debris for up to 60 days. This is a highly convenient feature, as it reduces the need for frequent maintenance. However, some users report that the vacuum still requires occasional cleaning, particularly around the brushes.

Roomba s9+: The Roomba s9+ also includes an automatic dirt disposal feature with a Clean Base, which empties the vacuum’s bin into a bag that holds debris for up to 60 days. Like the j7+, it offers the convenience of hands-free maintenance. However, some users mention that the rollers may wear out faster, requiring more frequent attention compared to the j7+.

Self-Emptying Comparison:

Feature	Roomba j7+	Roomba s9+
Automatic Dirt Disposal	Yes, 60-day capacity	Yes, 60-day capacity
Maintenance Requirements	Low, but occasional brush cleaning	Low, but frequent roller checks may be needed

Pet Hair and Edge Cleaning

Roomba j7+: The j7+ is ideal for homes with pets, as its 3-Stage Cleaning System and Anti-Tangle brushes are effective at picking up pet hair from different surfaces. It also features an Edge-Sweeping Brush to clean corners and edges, ensuring that no spot is left behind.

Roomba s9+: The s9+ is specifically designed for homes with heavy pet hair. Its 40% larger Multi-Surface Dual Rubber Brushes are perfect for cleaning pet hair without getting tangled. The PerfectEdge Technology, along with a specially designed corner brush, excels at cleaning corners and edges, ensuring that even the most difficult-to-reach areas are thoroughly cleaned.

Pet Hair and Edge Cleaning Comparison:

Feature	Roomba j7+	Roomba s9+
Pet Hair Pickup	Good, Anti-Tangle Brushes	Excellent, Large Brushes
Edge Cleaning	Edge-Sweeping Brush	PerfectEdge Technology

Price and Value for Money

Roomba j7+: The Roomba j7+ is generally more affordable than the s9+. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the s9+, it still offers a powerful cleaning experience and self-emptying functionality, making it a solid choice for those who want good performance without the high price tag.

Roomba s9+: The Roomba s9+ comes at a premium price point, but its powerful suction, larger brushes, and advanced cleaning capabilities justify the cost, especially for homes with heavy pet hair or more complex cleaning needs. However, some users question its long-term value, particularly with the additional maintenance costs.

Price and Value Comparison:

Feature	Roomba j7+	Roomba s9+
Price	More affordable	Premium pricing
Value for Money	High, for its features	High, but costlier in maintenance

FAQ

What is the difference in suction power between the Roomba j7+ and Roomba s9+?

The Roomba j7+ offers strong suction for general cleaning, especially on hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. However, the Roomba s9+ is significantly more powerful, with 40 times the suction power of previous models. This extra power makes the s9+ better suited for deep cleaning carpets and picking up stubborn debris, including pet hair. If you have thick carpets or a pet-heavy household, the s9+ would be the better choice due to its superior suction capacity.

How does the mapping technology compare between the Roomba j7+ and Roomba s9+?

Both the Roomba j7+ and s9+ feature Imprint Smart Mapping, which allows users to customize cleaning schedules and select specific rooms to clean. However, the Roomba s9+ offers more advanced navigation capabilities, including improved mapping accuracy and the ability to sync with other devices like the Braava jet m6 robot mop. The s9+ is generally better at mapping complex spaces and cleaning in more efficient rows, while the j7+ is still reliable but may have occasional mapping inconsistencies.

Is the Roomba s9+ worth the higher price?

The Roomba s9+ is a premium product with advanced features such as 40x suction power, PerfectEdge Technology, and larger brushes for pet hair. While it comes at a higher price, it provides exceptional cleaning performance, particularly for homes with heavy pet hair or deep carpets. If you’re looking for a robot vacuum that offers the most powerful suction and superior navigation, the s9+ may be worth the investment. However, if you’re on a budget, the Roomba j7+ offers many of the same features at a more affordable price.

How long do the self-emptying bags last on both models?

Both the Roomba j7+ and s9+ come with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which empties the vacuum’s bin into a sealed bag. These bags can hold debris for up to 60 days, meaning you won’t have to worry about emptying the vacuum frequently. This feature is especially convenient for those who want a truly hands-free cleaning experience. After 60 days, the bags need to be replaced, which is a minimal maintenance task.

Are both vacuums compatible with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant?

Yes, both the Roomba j7+ and s9+ are compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This allows you to start, stop, or schedule cleaning sessions with simple voice commands, adding an extra layer of convenience. You can also control both vacuums through the iRobot Home App for more detailed management of cleaning tasks and schedules.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the iRobot Roomba j7+ and iRobot Roomba s9+ offer impressive features, but they cater to different types of users. The j7+ is a great option for those seeking a budget-friendly robot vacuum with reliable cleaning performance and excellent pet waste avoidance. On the other hand, the s9+ is a powerhouse designed for users who need superior suction power, specialized cleaning for pet hair, and the best navigation features available.