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iRobot Roomba s9+ vs. i7+ Robot Vacuums

If you love the idea of not having to manhandle a full-size vacuum but are turned off by the thought of interrupting your day to dump a dirt bin or start another cleaning session, the iRobot Roomba s9+ and the i7+ can take care of these tasks for you.

Roomba i7+
Roomba i7+

Both of these time-saving robot vacuums boast a large-capacity automatic bin disposal and the ability to self-resume a cleaning session after a recharge. A dual-floor brushroll system offers thorough cleaning on hardwoods, tile, Berber, thick carpet and area rugs. The Roomba s9+ even has a brush that’s designed for super-close edge and corner cleaning.

From your smartphone, you can view and change the interactive map of your house. You may also use a virtual assistant for hands-free control of the s9+ and the i7+. A floor-tracking sensor and Imprint Smart Mapping offer outstanding, logical navigation. Here’s how the s9+ and the i7+ stack up to one another.


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Dirt Bin and Allergen Filter

iRobot Roomba s9+
On top of the Roomba s9+, a copper-colored lid conceals a 13-ounce dirt bin. The rinsable bin has a hinged handle and contains a large allergen filter. The bin opens from the bottom when you press the release button.

However, you’ll rarely need to manually clean the bin because the charging dock also acts as an automatic bagged disposal, instantly suctioning the dirt from the bin and holding 30 times the amount of debris.

Roomba s9+
Roomba s9+

iRobot Roomba i7+
The matte black Roomba i7+ with glossy accents has a 16-ounce dirt bin that pops out from the robot’s side. To dump the contents of the handle-free bin, you must tilt it over the garbage can and press the door-release button. A small allergen filter is located on the bin’s side. With the disposal dock, most of the process is automated – You’ll only need to remove and replace the bag once every 2 to 4 weeks.

Conclusion: Although the dirt bin on the s9+ has a slightly smaller capacity than the i7+’s, the addition of the automatic disposal on the charging dock makes the size a non-issue. However, the s9+’s handle-equipped bin is easier to use. The s9+ also has a larger filter, allowing it to capture more dust, pollen and dander.

Brushes and Suction

iRobot Roomba s9+
A pair of rubber brushrolls gives the s9+ the ability to clean hard floors and carpets with equal efficiency. In addition to the extra-wide brushrolls, the D-shaped robot vacuum has a five-blade brush that’s engineered to remove dirt from wall corners. The suction automatically increases on carpets and concentrated areas of dirt, but you can manually adjust the strength. The inclusion of an auto-adjusting head situates the suction inlet and brushes close the floor.

iRobot Roomba i7+

Roomba i7+

iRobot Roomba i7+
The perfectly round Roomba i7+ has two brushrolls – one for carpets and one for hard floors. iRobot put a spinning three-blade brush on the side of the robot for wall-edge sweeping. Automatic variable suction provides a boost of lifting power on carpets and extra-dirty floors, or you can control the suction yourself.

The bottom plate raises and lowers according to the height of the floor, lending to the i7+’s pickup power.

Conclusion: A dual-surface brushroll set and variable suction make both robots a dream on plush carpet and hair-covered floors. While the i7+ does have a side brush, the robot lacks the straight edge and corner placement of the side brush that the s9+ has. Additionally, the s9+ has wider brushrolls and generates four times the suction of the i7+.

Smartphone and Voice Controls

iRobot Roomba s9+
Wi-Fi connectivity and the iRobot HOME app let you use your iPhone or Android as a remote control. From the app, you can change the suction, set the number of passes and more. Imprint Smart Mapping technology draws an accurate, adjustable map for each level of your home.

Voice commands like “clean my bedroom” are available through Alexa and Assistant, and the light ring around the lid provides important status alerts.

iRobot Roomba s9+

Roomba S9+

Related post: iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum Review

iRobot Roomba i7+
Using the iRobot HOME app, you can view event logs, receive notifications and adjust operational settings. iRobot integrated Imprint Smart Mapping into the i7+, so you can label rooms and change borders on the level-by-level floor plan of your house.

You can even send the robot to the room of your choice with Assistant or Alexa and get status alerts by glancing at the LED ring around the onboard clean button.

Conclusion: Both Roombas offer the same type of controls on the app and through a virtual assistant, including an interactive map. While the layout of the buttons is different, each robot vacuum offers a way to start, dock and spot clean from the robot itself. The placement of the onboard status indicator also differs.

Navigation and Size

iRobot Roomba s9+
The 3.5-inch-tall Roomba s9+ is equipped with two treaded wheels that keep the robot firmly planted to the floor. This robot vacuum uses a vSLAM optical sensor to detect obstacles and four cliff sensors to maintain its distance from stairs. While iRobot does not include this tool, you can buy a dual-mode virtual wall to create a straight or halo barrier. You may also pair the s9+ with a Braava Jet Mop for comprehensive floor cleaning.

iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum

Roomba i7+

iRobot Roomba i7+
Standing 3.63 inches tall, the Roomba i7+ does a decent job of fitting under some types of furniture like coffee tables and raised couches. The vSLAM-equipped robot has six cliff sensors and a floor-tracking sensor, so it can detect and avoid stairs and obstacles. With the robo vac, you get a dual-mode virtual barrier. Flip the switch one way to create a straight no-cross line and the other way to form a protective halo.

Conclusion: The height difference between the two robots is insignificant, but the s9+’s compatibility with the Braava Jet Mop is a huge bonus. The i7+ comes with a virtual barrier tower, which means you won’t have to spend extra money on one. This Roomba also has two additional cliff sensors, making it better able to prevent falls on two and three-sided stairs.

Battery and Charging

iRobot Roomba s9+
The automatic dirt disposal has a charging dock on its base that slopes to the floor, making it easier for the s9+ to roll on and off the dock. Inside the Roomba, there is a powerful lithium-ion battery that provides a runtime of 120 minutes. When the battery level is too low, the robot drives itself to the dock. In 2 hours, the battery recharges, and the s9+ will resume cleaning where it stopped.

iRobot Roomba i7+
Under the automatic dirt disposal, there is a charging dock. The base of the dock inclines to eliminate wobbling when the robot mounts and discharges. A lithium-ion battery allows the robot to clean for 75 minutes a time. Recharging the battery only takes 85 minutes. The i7+ automatically docks when it’s time to recharge the battery, and it continues to clean without human intervention afterward.

Conclusion: A ramp-style charging dock on the automatic disposal makes self-docking a breeze. You’ll never have to worry about half-finished jobs since both of them continue cleaning by themselves after recharging. Although they have a lithium-ion battery, the s9+ can run for 45 minutes longer. On the flip side, the i7+ takes 35 fewer minutes to recharge.

Roomba s9+
Roomba s9+

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Next-Level Automation

Stronger suction, a larger filter and Braava Jet Mop compatibility make the s9+ a boon for pet owners and allergy sufferers. If you have a large home, you’ll appreciate the s9+’s wider brushrolls and longer runtime. The corner brush and well-designed bin speak to sticklers for efficiency. On the Roomba i7+, the inclusion of a virtual barrier and the additional cliff sensors offer enhanced protection in homes with stairs, fireplaces and lots of decor.

Both models offer automated features that save you valuable time, like recharge/resume, the dirt disposal, the variable suction and the adjustable floor head. Other features that make the Roomba s9+ and i7+ worth every penny include vSLAM navigation, interactive smartphone maps, dual brushrolls and direct-room voice commanding. Really, you won’t be disappointed with either Roomba.

Roomba i7+
Roomba i7+


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Hi I’m Alex, founder of HouseholdMe.com and I’d like to say thank you for dropping by. Like most of you, the first thing I look at before buying something online is reviews or buying guides. By reading what other people say will help me gauge whether or not a product is good or not.  I am trying to help people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired.

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