iRobot Roomba s9+ Review

The iRobot Roomba s9+ has occupied a strange space since its 2019 launch. It was, and in some ways remains, iRobot’s pinnacle of raw cleaning power. Yet in 2026, it sits on shelves with a four-figure price tag while newer, smarter, and more versatile robots from Roborock, Dreame, and even iRobot itself have arrived. The central question isn't whether the s9+ is a good robot vacuum. It’s whether it’s a good value when its price hasn't fallen in line with its aging technology.

The answer is complicated. For a very specific type of buyer, the s9+ is still the right tool for the job. For most people, however, that price tag buys you into a platform whose core navigation and avoidance tech is now two generations out of date.

This isn't a simple case of newer being better. It's a question of what problem you're trying to solve. The s9+ solves the problem of deep-down carpet dirt and dusty corners with brute force. Newer robots solve the problem of navigating a chaotic, real-world home with intelligent finesse. You have to decide which problem is yours.

A quick primer

The Roomba s9+ is defined by two things: its D-shaped body and its powerful suction. The shape isn't a gimmick. It allows the main brushroll to be wider (by about 30% compared to the j-series) and positioned right at the front, letting it dig into corners in a way round bots physically cannot. This is its unique selling proposition.

It navigates using vSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), which means a top-mounted camera identifies landmarks in your ceiling to build a map. It’s effective in well-lit rooms but falls behind the LiDAR systems used by nearly all modern competitors, which are faster and more accurate in varied lighting conditions. The marketing claims “40x the suction” of the entry-level 600 series, a figure that was impressive years ago but is now just table stakes in the premium category.

The target buyer is someone whose home is primarily carpeted and who values a deep, aggressive clean over delicate obstacle avoidance. It’s built for power, not precision.

Smart Navigation: How Imprint™ Smart Mapping Works

After several initial “mapping runs,” the s9+ generates a floor plan in the iRobot Home app called an Imprint™ Smart Map. This is the brain of the operation. The map is surprisingly accurate and allows you to partition and label rooms, create no-go zones to block off problem areas like pet bowls, and create “Clean Zones” for high-traffic spots like under the dining table. You can then direct the s9+ to clean only the kitchen after dinner via the app or a voice command to Alexa or Google Assistant. It can store up to 10 different floor plans, making it a solid choice for multi-floor mapping.

How it performs day to day

This is where the s9+ still earns its keep. On carpets, its performance is formidable. The combination of high suction and dual rubber brushrolls that flex to maintain contact provides a level of agitation that pulls up deeply embedded pet hair and dust that lesser vacuums leave behind. Long-term owner feedback consistently praises its ability to restore the pile on worn-out carpets, a detail you won't find on a spec sheet.

Its methodical, overlapping straight-line navigation is efficient. Once a map is learned, it cleans rooms logically and returns to its Clean Base™ dock to empty its bin and recharge as needed. The Recharge and Resume feature is seamless; if the 2210 mAh battery runs low, it charges just enough to finish the job before returning for a full charge.

Deep Cleaning: PerfectEdge Technology Explained

The D-shape is the star. PerfectEdge® Technology combines the shape with a specially designed five-arm corner brush that spins at a slower, more deliberate speed to flick debris out of 90-degree corners and from along baseboards directly into the path of the main rollers. Round robots, by contrast, have their main brushroll centered between their wheels, leaving a gap of several inches from the wall that their spinning side brushes can't always cover effectively. If you've ever noticed a “frame” of dust along the walls of a room cleaned by a circular robot, the s9+ is designed to eliminate that. It’s the best robot vacuum for corners and edges, period.

Real-World Performance: Pet Hair, Carpets, and Hard Floors

For pet hair, the s9+ is an absolute beast. The dual rubber brushrolls are the real magic here, as they are highly resistant to hair wrap—a constant annoyance on robots with traditional bristle brushes. While it excels on carpet, its performance on hard floors is merely good. The powerful suction can sometimes scatter lighter debris like cat litter before it can be captured, an issue less common with robots that have more advanced suction control. It handles transitions from hardwood to high-pile carpet without issue, and its High-Efficiency Filter traps 99% of cat and dog dander allergens.

Buy this if your home is more than 50% carpeted, you have pets that shed heavily, and you are fanatical about clean corners and baseboards.

The annoyances

For all its cleaning power, the s9+'s age shows. Its biggest weakness is its lack of advanced, front-facing obstacle avoidance. It navigates primarily by touch, gently bumping into furniture and walls to understand boundaries. In 2026, this feels archaic. It will not see and avoid a charging cable, a sock, or—critically—pet waste. You must tidy up before it runs, which negates some of the convenience.

The noise is another significant factor. The robot itself is loud on its max power setting, but the Clean Base emptying cycle is startlingly so, hitting 80-85 dB for about 15 seconds. It sounds like a shop vac or a small jet engine; you won't want it running while you're on a phone call or sleeping.

Its vSLAM navigation can be finicky. It struggles in low-light conditions and can be confused by very dark or high-contrast rugs, sometimes misinterpreting them as a “cliff” and refusing to clean them. This is a recurring complaint in owner reviews and a problem that LiDAR-based bots don't have.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Long-term owners report a few common frustrations. The s9+ can occasionally get wedged under furniture with the exact clearance to let it in but not out, requiring a rescue. Mapping glitches are also a known issue; sometimes the robot will get lost or be unable to find its dock, often necessitating deleting the map and starting the learning process over. Troubleshooting Roomba s9+ navigation issues often starts with ensuring the room is well-lit and the top camera sensor is clean. Wi-Fi connectivity can also be spotty, with some users needing to reboot their router to re-establish a connection.

Skip this if you have a cluttered home, need a robot that can reliably avoid unexpected obstacles, or are sensitive to loud noise.

Competitors to consider

The competitive landscape is the s9+'s biggest problem. Its price puts it in direct conflict with newer, more capable machines.

Roomba s9+ vs Key Competitors (j9+, Roborock)

The most direct competitor is iRobot's own iRobot Roomba j7+. While the j7+ has less raw suction, its front-facing camera and AI-driven obstacle avoidance are light-years ahead. It can identify and steer clear of cords, shoes, and pet waste, making it a much more practical choice for busy, real-world homes. For most people, the j7+'s intelligence is worth more than the s9+'s brute force.

Then there's the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. For a similar or slightly higher price, it offers LiDAR navigation, advanced AI obstacle avoidance, a sonic mopping system, and a dock that not only empties the dustbin but also washes and dries the mop. It represents a completely different value proposition, offering good-enough vacuuming plus excellent mopping and intelligence. The s9+ only does one thing, and while it does it very well, the lack of versatility is stark.

A budget alternative like the Shark AI Ultra offers a self-emptying base and decent navigation for a significantly lower price. It can't match the s9+'s deep cleaning on carpet, but its price-to-performance ratio is much stronger for mixed-floor homes.

Build quality & reliability

Build Quality: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)

The robot itself feels substantial and premium. The textured matte top lid with its copper-colored accent looks high-end and resists fingerprints. The plastics are thick, and the wheels and moving parts feel robust. It’s a well-constructed machine that looks and feels its price.

Long-term Reliability: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)

Here, the picture is murkier. While many owners have run their s9+ for years without issue, forum discussions point to a higher-than-average rate of specific component failures after the one-year warranty expires. Wheel modules and the cleaning head module are common points of failure, and out-of-warranty repairs can be expensive. The dreaded “Error 31” is a recurring theme in long-term durability reviews, often signaling an internal smart map or communication issue that can be difficult to resolve.

In everyday use

What owners discover after three months is that the s9+ trains you. You learn to do a quick five-minute pickup of stray cables, socks, and cat toys before scheduling a run. You learn which specific chair legs it tends to get stuck on and might even create a small no-go zone around them. It becomes a powerful, predictable tool, but not the fully autonomous, set-and-forget dream the marketing implies.

Its aggressive cleaning algorithm means it's not gentle on furniture legs, often bumping them with more force than newer, more spatially-aware robots. Over time, this can lead to scuffs on delicate wood finishes. The promise of a fully automated cleaning solution gives way to the reality of a very effective, semi-automated one.

Owning it past year one

The initial purchase price is only the beginning. The cost of ownership for the s9+ is a significant consideration that many first-time buyers overlook.

The Convenience of the Clean Base™ Self-Emptying Dock

The Clean Base is a fantastic convenience, holding up to 60 days of debris. But the proprietary AllergenLock bags are a key hidden cost. A three-pack of official iRobot bags runs USD/CAD or £18 GBP. Depending on your cleaning frequency and how much your pets shed, you might go through a bag every 30-45 days. This translates to an ongoing expense per year just for bags.

Long-Term Ownership: Maintenance and Running Costs

Beyond bags, other consumables need regular replacement. The HEPA filter should be replaced every two months, and the corner brush and main rubber rollers every 6-12 months. An official iRobot s9+ refill kit containing filters, side brushes, and rollers USD/CAD or £55 GBP. All in, you should budget per year to keep the s9+ running at peak performance. Cheaper third-party parts are available on Amazon, but quality can be inconsistent.

Who gets the most out of it

Best for: People living in homes with wall-to-wall carpeting, especially those with pets that shed heavily. If your primary cleaning frustrations are embedded pet hair and dusty corners that your old vacuum could never reach, the s9+ has a unique and compelling set of skills. It’s for the power-user who prioritizes deep cleaning over all else and is willing to pre-tidy their floors to accommodate the robot's navigational shortcomings.

Not ideal for: Anyone with a cluttered or constantly changing floor layout. Families with young children who leave toys out will find it more frustrating than helpful. It’s also a poor choice for those with many dark, patterned area rugs or anyone who wants a hybrid vacuum and mop. If you want a robot that can intelligently handle a messy, real-world environment, look elsewhere.

Final judgement

The iRobot Roomba s9+ is a victim of its own stagnant price tag. It remains one of the most powerful and effective carpet-cleaning robots you can buy, with an edge-and-corner performance that is still unmatched thanks to its D-shape. The problem is that the rest of the market has evolved, while the s9+ has not. Its navigation is dated, its object avoidance is primitive, and its lack of mopping feels like a major omission at this price point in 2026.

Our Verdict: Is the iRobot Roomba s9+ Worth Buying Today?

The s9+ is no longer a confident general recommendation. It’s a specialist purchase. If it were priced several hundred dollars lower, it would be a compelling choice for carpet-heavy homes. At its current price, it’s outmaneuvered and outsmarted by more versatile competitors from Roborock and even its own siblings like the j-series. It’s a great cleaner, but it’s no longer a great deal.

Only buy the Roomba s9+ if you find it on a significant sale and have a home dominated by carpet.