iRobot Roomba S9+ Review: A Practical Look at This Robotic Cleaner

The iRobot Roomba S9+ is marketed as a top-of-the-line cleaning robot, but what does that really mean for someone like you or me? Let's dig in and see if it lives up to its reputation.

Launched back in 2019, the S9+ comes packed with features like Smart Mapping and Anti-Allergen Seal. The big question is: do these features make a noticeable difference in daily use?

With a runtime of three hours and a weight of just 418 grams, it sounds promising on paper. But as we all know, it’s the real-world performance that counts.

I'll share my firsthand experience, covering everything from its design to how it performs in different cleaning scenarios, so you can decide if it's worth your money.

The Roomba S9+ is definitely on the pricier side, and that raises the question of whether you’re getting good value for money. Given its features like Smart Mapping and a decent runtime, it’s a competent robot vacuum.

However, its price tag might not be justified if you’re looking for just the basics. There are cheaper models available that can handle regular cleaning duties without breaking the bank.

For those with specific needs like pet hair pick-up or anti-allergen features, it might be worth the investment. But if you’re on a tight budget or just need a simple cleaner, there are other options that offer better value.

In terms of value, it’s a mixed bag. It’s a solid choice if you need advanced features, but otherwise, you might find better options for the cost.

When it comes to design, the Roomba S9+ is sleek and modern, with a black finish that looks pretty nice in most home settings. Its dimensions are 50 x 50 x 28 cm, making it a bit bulkier than some other models, but not overly so.

A feature I appreciated is the shape. Its D-shape design helps navigate corners and edges better than round models. This is particularly useful for getting into those hard-to-reach spots.

However, it’s not the quietest robot out there. The design doesn’t do much to soften the noise when it’s running at full power, which might be something to consider if you’re sensitive to noise.

Overall, the design is practical and thoughtful, but it doesn’t stand out as a revolutionary improvement over previous models.

The battery life of the Roomba S9+ is claimed to be around three hours. In my testing, it generally lived up to this, running for about two and a half hours on average before needing a recharge. This is enough to cover a medium-sized apartment in one go.

The recharge time is another story, taking a few hours to get back to full capacity. This isn't a huge deal if you’re not in a rush, but it could be inconvenient if you need a quick clean.

One feature I liked is the automatic docking when the battery gets low. It consistently found its way back to the base, unlike some other models I’ve tried. This saves you from having to hunt it down and manually dock it.

In terms of battery, it’s reliable and does what you’d expect, but the long recharge time is something to keep in mind.

The first thing I noticed about the Roomba S9+ is its suction power. It claims to be great at picking up pet hair, and in practice, it actually does a pretty solid job. I ran it over a carpeted area where my dog often lounges, and it picked up most of the hair, which was impressive.

Another area where it shines is edge cleaning. It gets into those tricky corners where dust tends to accumulate. However, it sometimes struggles with larger debris, needing more than one pass to fully clean.

One downside is that it can be a bit noisy, especially when it ramps up the suction. If you’re planning to run it while watching TV or working from home, this could be distracting.

Overall, the performance is decent but not mind-blowing. It gets the job done for regular maintenance, but don’t expect it to replace a deep clean.