Roomba S9+ vs i7+ (S9 vs i7): What are the differences?
iRobot has gone into turbo mode by releasing many brand new Roombas recently. Not long after the release of the i7+, the first model with self disposal, came the S9+, a superior and more powerful robot. When it comes to robot vacuum technology, these two models host the latest, most innovative and most powerful features. This article will quickly run through the key similarities and differences, comparing the two best models from iRobot, the Roomba S9+ vs i7+.
Contents
Comparison Chart: Roomba S9+ vs i7+ vs S9 vs i7
| Model | ROOMBA S9+ | ROOMBA i7+ |
|---|---|---|
| Design | n.to/31oJ5w8"> |  |
| iAdapt Version | iADAPT 3.0 | iADAPT 3.0 |
| Mapping Technology | IMPRINT | IMPRINT |
| Cleaning Motor | SUPERIOR (40x Stronger) | GEN 3 (10x Stronger) |
| Recharge/ Resume Cleaning | ✔ | ✔ |
| Automatic Dirt Disposal | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bottom Line | The most advanced Roomba with the best features | Recommended Pick for the best features and balanced price |
| Availability | Check Price | Check Price |
1. Design
First and foremost, a clear difference between these two Roombas is the shape and design of each robot. With the i7+, you get the traditional black and dark grey dominated color schemes, whilst with the Roomba S9+, you get a black around the edge with a copper finish in the middle.
The Roomba S9+ is the first model from iRobot to not have the traditional rounded design of robot vacuums. Instead, they have copied Neato in adopting a D Shape with the intention of creating a wider brush on the undercarriage, as well as being able to fit into corners better. In our article, that compares the top Roomba models against each other, we touch upon the benefit of the design with the following diagram:
Each of the points highlights a benefit associated with this newly adopted design:
- Point 1 shows how much closer the S9 can get into the wall.
- Point 2 shows how the side brush is closer on the S9.
- Point 3 is between the two main brushes, which you can see the S9 is clearly far wider.
The dimensions and weight of these two Roombas are very similar too:
- Roomba S9+ - 12.2 x 12.2 x 3.5 inches & 8.5 lbs
- Roomba i7+ - 13.3 x 13.3 x 3.6 inches & 7.45 lbs
2. Self Disposal Technology
iRobots Roomba i7+ was released alongside the Clean Base which enabled self disposal technology. Since then, the only other Roomba that works with the Clean Base is the Roomba S9+, meaning these are the only two robot vacuums from iRobot that currently had the ability to self-dispose their waste. This was a hugely innovative step from iRobot, as they were the first mainstream brand of robot vacuum to incorporate technology.
Robot vacuums are designed to take all the effort out of cleaning and the Self-Disposal technology takes this to a new level. The Roomba 900 series introduced Self-Resume cleaning after Self-Recharge, to make the cleaning of larger homes easier. The automatic self disposal technology takes this one step further as the robot can do up to 30 cleans before the Clean Base needs to be emptied. When setting up with scheduling, it is possible for the user to not have to think about the maintenance of their Roomba for weeks or months at a time.
It is important to realize that you can buy each of these robot vacuums independently of the Clean Base. The original robot vacuums are the S9 and i7, and when you add the “+” it includes the Clean Base in your purchase.As we are primarily comparing the Roomba S9+ and i7+, we are presuming they are being purchased together. Here is what each model name means:
- Roomba S9+ - Roomba S9 & Clean Base
- Roomba S9 - Just the robot vacuum (S9)
- Roomba i7+ - Roomba i7 & Clean Base
- Roomba i7 - Just the robot vacuum (i7)
If you are unsure about wanting this feature as it adds to the price, you can always just purchase an S9 or i7 and simply add it on later. One thing to note is that the Self-Disposal is loud, so it is important to have it in a side room or program it for when you know you’re out of the home.
3. Cleaning Motor
The power of the cleaning motors and therefore the total suction power of each of these Roombas is a major difference between the S9+ and i7+. In the Roomba S9+ you have iRobots state of the art cleaning motor; the Superior 3-Stage Cleaning System which is 40 times stronger than the typical 3-Stage Motor found in the 600 series models. This is much stronger than the 3rd Gen Motor in the Roomba i7+, estimated by iRobot to be 10 times more powerful than the 600 series.
This comes into play and makes all the difference for those with lots of carpets, especially thicker carpets. If you do not have carpets or just have a few, this upgrade may not make a difference to the performance of each of these in your home.
iRobot’s navigation technology saw no upgrade going from the Roomba i7+ to the Roomba S9+. The reality is, is that the iAdapt 3.0 and Imprint Mapping is pretty much perfect and it is hard to imagine what could improve with it.
iAdapt 3.0 uses a camera in the turret of both the Roomba i7 and S9 to map out the users home, remembering each room and the obstacles within it. From this, the software intelligently plans the optimal route to minimize cleaning time. Generate maps of your home are then accessible within the iRobot Home app.
Imprint Mapping intelligently identifies each room which then allows the user to specifically just one room. If there is a messy spill of food in the living room, for example, the user can go on the app and instruct the Roomba S9+ or i7+ to just clean that room. This feature can also be used with Alexa, so in this instance the command would be “Alexa, clean my living room”.
5. iRobot Home App & Voice Control
Both the Roomba S9+ and i7+ are smart and WiFi connectable gadgets, making them a smart home product. iRobot’s Home app has been around for some time, as many Roombas are WiFi connectable. This allows all these models to leverage a set of capabilities and remote control features. iRobot’s Home app is particularly well-reviewed and reliable. Here is what you can do with a Roomba S9+ or i7+ that is connected to the iRobot Home app:
- View CLEAN MAP REPORTS
- Schedule cleaning
- Clean specific rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping
- Pause and Resume cleaning
- View cleaning statistics
- Receive real-time notifications
- Voice Assitant access - Alexa, Home & more
6. Differences
This is the most important section when comparing the Roomba S9+ against the Roomba i7+. Here we will explain the upgrades between the two models that may or may not make the difference for your cleaning needs.
- The Roomba S9+ has a D-Shaped design which has several benefits; more optimal cleaning against walls and in corners, a corner brush closer to the main brush and a much wider main brush. iRobot’s Roomba i7+ has a more typical rounded design which isn’t as good for the reasons lacking above.
- The Roomba S9+ has a copper finish on the top compared to the less extravagant Roomba i7 black and dark grey finish.
- The Roomba S9+ has the Superior 3-Stage Cleaning Motor which is four times more powerful than the Roomba i7+, 3rd Gen Motor. This may make a significant difference on thicker carpets but less so on hard floors.
7. Similarities
In a wide range of areas, both the Roomba S9+ and i7+ share many of the same premium features and most advanced technologies.
- Both the Roomba S9+ and i7+ come with the Clean Base and therefore Self-Disposal technology. Both models can be purchased without this and are sold as the S9 and i7 (without the “+”).
- Both the Roomba S9+ and i7+ utilize iAdapt 3.0, Smart Mapping & Imprint Mapping. This uses a camera to produce the most efficient cleaning routes, Clean Map Reports and individual room cleaning.
- Both the Roomba S9+ and i7+ can access all the features available with the iRobot Home app.
- Both the Roomba S9+ and i7+ can be used with popular voice control assistants, such as Alexa.
Final Word
At the top of the range of iRobot’s Roomba series, you have the S9+ and i7+, two of the best robot vacuums on the market. With state of the art technology including self disposal, iAdapt 3.0 and the iRobot Home app, the Roomba S9+ and i7+ are pretty faultless. The main differences are the cleaning power and technology from the motor and D-Shaped design enhancing the S9+. Whether or not this will make a difference in cleaning your home depends on the number of carpets you have.
FAQ
This section will answer some of the most common questions about the Roomba i7, S9 and how these two models compare against each other.
Which is better the Roomba S9 or i7?
The Roomba S9 is a more advanced robot vacuum that the i7. A few differences are that the S9 has a much more powerful motor, a D shape design which is better for cleaning corners as well as a classier copper finish. The Roomba S9 will perform better on harder to clean carpets as a result of the more powerful suction.
Can the Roomba S9+ and i7+ self dispose of waste?
Both the Roomba S9+ and i7+ have iRobots Automatic Dirt Disposal technology which allows each of these models to self dispose of up to 30 cleans worth of waste. But note, the Roomba S9, and i7 (without “+”) do not come with the Clean Base which allows the robot vacuum to empty its dirt.
Do the Roomba S9 and i7 use a camera map your home?
The Roomba S9 and i7 use the same smart mapping technology by iRobot, iAdapt 3.0. Each model has a camera built into the hood of the robot vacuum which takes images of your home. These are then used to build a map of your floor space, including room dimensions and objects such as furniture. It uses this data to create the optimal cleaning route so it can perform the task of cleaning your home as quickly as possible. The smart map is available in the iRobot Home app, along with many statistics about cleaning.
